Exclusive: German production and sales company Augenschein, whose credits include Joseph Gordon-Levitt thriller 7500 (pictured) and Anna Kendrick sci-fi Stowaway, has sold a minority stake to Erfttal Film, the longtime shareholder in All Quiet On The Western Front producer Amusement Park.
Jonas Katzenstein and Maximilian Leo, who run Cologne-based Augenschein, closed the deal with Erfttal’s Klaus Dohle. The value of the investment was not disclosed but it is understood to be a multi-million dollar investment for a stake in the 20-30% range.
Dohle is a producer and businessman with a long-standing family history in real estate, manufacturing, agriculture and equity investments in Germany and abroad. His associate producer credits include Land of Mine, The Aftermath and A Most Wanted Man.
Under the pact, Augenschein will continue to operate independently but the investment gives the company greater ability to develop, package and produce movies with stronger commercial potential for the global market,...
Jonas Katzenstein and Maximilian Leo, who run Cologne-based Augenschein, closed the deal with Erfttal’s Klaus Dohle. The value of the investment was not disclosed but it is understood to be a multi-million dollar investment for a stake in the 20-30% range.
Dohle is a producer and businessman with a long-standing family history in real estate, manufacturing, agriculture and equity investments in Germany and abroad. His associate producer credits include Land of Mine, The Aftermath and A Most Wanted Man.
Under the pact, Augenschein will continue to operate independently but the investment gives the company greater ability to develop, package and produce movies with stronger commercial potential for the global market,...
- 2/15/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Veteran German film and TV executive Dirk Schweitzer has left his position as CEO of producer/distributor Splendid Medien and has taken over as CEO of Mmc Group, the parent company of Cologne’s Mmc Studios.
Björn Siecken, former CFO at Splendid, will join Schweitzer as CFO of Mmc. Nico Roden will stay on as managing director of Mmc Studios, who run the Cologne backlot, and Bastie Griese will remain managing director of production division Mmc Movies, working together with Schweitzer to expand the company’s film and TV operations nationally and internationally.
Former Splendid boss Andreas Klein, son of company founder Albert E. Klein, has returned to run the company as CEO. Schweitzer took over operations at Splendid from Klein in 2020, with Klein continuing as an advisor to the company. Schweizer joined Splendid in 2013 from producer/distributor Tele-München Group, where he was managing director. Before that, he spent 10 years...
Björn Siecken, former CFO at Splendid, will join Schweitzer as CFO of Mmc. Nico Roden will stay on as managing director of Mmc Studios, who run the Cologne backlot, and Bastie Griese will remain managing director of production division Mmc Movies, working together with Schweitzer to expand the company’s film and TV operations nationally and internationally.
Former Splendid boss Andreas Klein, son of company founder Albert E. Klein, has returned to run the company as CEO. Schweitzer took over operations at Splendid from Klein in 2020, with Klein continuing as an advisor to the company. Schweizer joined Splendid in 2013 from producer/distributor Tele-München Group, where he was managing director. Before that, he spent 10 years...
- 2/12/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Daniel Dae Kim will star in the Broadway premiere of David Henry Hwang’s Yellow Face next season.
The play, which is inspired by real events, follows a playwright protesting the casting of white actors playing Asian roles in Miss Saigon, and then mistakenly casting a white actor as an Asian lead in his own play. Yellow Face, directed by Leigh Silverman, is scheduled to start previews at what will be the newly renamed Todd Haimes Theatre (formerly the American Airlines Theatre but renamed after the death of the Roundabout Theatre Company’s artistic director) in September 2024.
Kim is known for his work on projects such as Lost, Hawaii Five-o, Stowaway and Raya and The Last Dragon. He made his Broadway debut in 2017 as King Siam in The King and I and recently performed in My Favorite Things: The Rodgers and Hammerstein Anniversary Concert in London’s West End. Kim...
The play, which is inspired by real events, follows a playwright protesting the casting of white actors playing Asian roles in Miss Saigon, and then mistakenly casting a white actor as an Asian lead in his own play. Yellow Face, directed by Leigh Silverman, is scheduled to start previews at what will be the newly renamed Todd Haimes Theatre (formerly the American Airlines Theatre but renamed after the death of the Roundabout Theatre Company’s artistic director) in September 2024.
Kim is known for his work on projects such as Lost, Hawaii Five-o, Stowaway and Raya and The Last Dragon. He made his Broadway debut in 2017 as King Siam in The King and I and recently performed in My Favorite Things: The Rodgers and Hammerstein Anniversary Concert in London’s West End. Kim...
- 1/9/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The first installment of Ryan Murphy’s American Sports Story anthology series for FX will star Josh Andrés Rivera as Aaron Hernandez and Patrick Schwarzenegger as fellow former NFL star Tim Tebow. The season is based on the podcast Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football Inc from the Boston Globe and Wondery.
The project reunites Schwarzenegger with Murphy; the actor’s first TV role was on Murphy’s Scream Queens.
These are no new developments that happened during the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike; both castings were done in early 2023 but never confirmed by FX. Deadline reached out to the network and producing studio 20th Television about both in January-early February; the deals are believed to have closed at around that time or soon thereafter.
“We have a fairly complete set of scripts for American Sports Story by Stu Zicherman,” FX chairman John Landgraf said at TCA on January 12, noting at the time...
The project reunites Schwarzenegger with Murphy; the actor’s first TV role was on Murphy’s Scream Queens.
These are no new developments that happened during the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike; both castings were done in early 2023 but never confirmed by FX. Deadline reached out to the network and producing studio 20th Television about both in January-early February; the deals are believed to have closed at around that time or soon thereafter.
“We have a fairly complete set of scripts for American Sports Story by Stu Zicherman,” FX chairman John Landgraf said at TCA on January 12, noting at the time...
- 11/3/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Prime Video has given a series order to Butterfly, from Daniel Dae Kim’s 3Ad and Boom! Studios, publisher of the graphic novel of the same name created by Arash Amel. Kim is set to star as the lead in the six-episode series, with Ken Woodruff set as showrunner and co-creator for the adaptation alongside novelist Steph Cha. This marks Lost alum Kim’s first solo lead TV role.
Related: 2023 Prime Video Pilots & Series Orders
Butterfly, which will go into production after WGA, DGA and SAG-AFTRA reach new agreements with AMPTP, was among more than a dozen mini-writers rooms commissioned by Amazon Studios in the past couple of months. It is one of several projects that have been heating up for a series pickup, including Criminal, based on the Ed Brubaker comic.
A character-driven spy thriller that explores complex family dynamics within the treacherous world of global espionage,...
Related: 2023 Prime Video Pilots & Series Orders
Butterfly, which will go into production after WGA, DGA and SAG-AFTRA reach new agreements with AMPTP, was among more than a dozen mini-writers rooms commissioned by Amazon Studios in the past couple of months. It is one of several projects that have been heating up for a series pickup, including Criminal, based on the Ed Brubaker comic.
A character-driven spy thriller that explores complex family dynamics within the treacherous world of global espionage,...
- 5/24/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: German production and sales outfit Augenschein, best known so far for thrillers Stowaway and 7500, is at the Cannes Market talking to buyers about new thriller Islands (working title), which is due to star Control and Maleficent actor Sam Riley.
Cologne-based Augenschein is making the movie in co-production with German studio Leonine, which has also taken German distribution rights. Funding comes from Film- und Medienstiftung Nrw, the Ffa, the Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg and the Dfff.
Islands tells the story of Tom, a one-time tennis pro who, years ago, washed up on a holiday island. Now he’s the coach at a hotel resort, hitting countless balls over the net to tourists who come to escape their everyday lives. Living an endless summer, Tom fills the emptiness inside with booze and brief affairs. He’s still kidding himself that he’s in paradise, but it is beginning to dawn on him...
Cologne-based Augenschein is making the movie in co-production with German studio Leonine, which has also taken German distribution rights. Funding comes from Film- und Medienstiftung Nrw, the Ffa, the Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg and the Dfff.
Islands tells the story of Tom, a one-time tennis pro who, years ago, washed up on a holiday island. Now he’s the coach at a hotel resort, hitting countless balls over the net to tourists who come to escape their everyday lives. Living an endless summer, Tom fills the emptiness inside with booze and brief affairs. He’s still kidding himself that he’s in paradise, but it is beginning to dawn on him...
- 5/18/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: XYZ Films has claimed North American rights to the sci-fi pic The Artifice Girl, starring Tatum Matthews (The Waltons: Homecoming) and Lance Henriksen (Aliens), which this past weekend had its U.S. premiere at SXSW after world premiering to critical acclaim at Fantasia Film Festival.
The film marking the feature debut of writer-director Franklin Ritch — which like Uni’s horror hit M3GAN, looks at the increasingly top-of-mind subject of AI through a genre prism — is slated for a theatrical release in 15+ U.S. Markets, as well as an accompanying digital debut this spring.
Related Story Oliver Stone Documentary ‘Nuclear Now’ Acquired By Abramorama, Giant Pictures Related Story Netflix Hops On 'Run Rabbit Run', Acquires XYZ Films Sundance Midnight Title Starring Sarah Snook Related Story Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead's Rustic Films Teams With V Channels & XYZ On Genre Slate
The Artifice Girl follows a small team of...
The film marking the feature debut of writer-director Franklin Ritch — which like Uni’s horror hit M3GAN, looks at the increasingly top-of-mind subject of AI through a genre prism — is slated for a theatrical release in 15+ U.S. Markets, as well as an accompanying digital debut this spring.
Related Story Oliver Stone Documentary ‘Nuclear Now’ Acquired By Abramorama, Giant Pictures Related Story Netflix Hops On 'Run Rabbit Run', Acquires XYZ Films Sundance Midnight Title Starring Sarah Snook Related Story Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead's Rustic Films Teams With V Channels & XYZ On Genre Slate
The Artifice Girl follows a small team of...
- 3/14/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
There's something inherently exciting about the world of espionage. From the secrets, betrayals, and exciting new gadgets secret agents have at their disposal to international accidents and all-consuming action stunts, there's never been a shortage of spy stories in the world. And as any admirer of them will tell you — there's no such thing as having too much of the espionage genre. Amazon's newest series is turning up to be a great addition to it!
The company's latest project is a character-driven spy thriller led by "Lost" alum Daniel Dae Kim (via Variety). The series will be an adaptation of the 2015 graphic novel "Butterfly" by Arash Amel and Marguerite Bennett (writers) and Antonio Fuso and Stefano Simeone (illustrators). Per the published report, the series will be filmed in South Korea and feature dialogue in English and Korean. Here's all we know about it.
Everything We Know About The Story Of...
The company's latest project is a character-driven spy thriller led by "Lost" alum Daniel Dae Kim (via Variety). The series will be an adaptation of the 2015 graphic novel "Butterfly" by Arash Amel and Marguerite Bennett (writers) and Antonio Fuso and Stefano Simeone (illustrators). Per the published report, the series will be filmed in South Korea and feature dialogue in English and Korean. Here's all we know about it.
Everything We Know About The Story Of...
- 2/9/2023
- by Fatemeh Mirjalili
- Slash Film
Exclusive: Indie director-producer Chadd Harbold has been appointed as Head of Production at Post Film, the burgeoning independent film production and finance company led by Russ Posternak.
Harbold’s new role will have him overseeing all aspects of production for the company’s upcoming slate of films, while developing new projects for it to produce and/or finance.
Harbold’s feature producing credits include Ana Asensio’s Most Beautiful Island, for which he was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award; Shout! Studios’ upcoming sci-fi drama Linoleum, starring Jim Gaffigan and Rhea Seehorn; and the crime drama South of Heaven, starring Jason Sudeikis and Evangeline Lilly, as well as Post Film’s The Wrath of Becky, the sequel to its 2020 box office-topping indie action-thriller Becky, which is set to premiere at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival.
Titles directed by Harbold include the thriller Private Property, starring Ashley Benson and Shiloh Fernandez, which...
Harbold’s new role will have him overseeing all aspects of production for the company’s upcoming slate of films, while developing new projects for it to produce and/or finance.
Harbold’s feature producing credits include Ana Asensio’s Most Beautiful Island, for which he was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award; Shout! Studios’ upcoming sci-fi drama Linoleum, starring Jim Gaffigan and Rhea Seehorn; and the crime drama South of Heaven, starring Jason Sudeikis and Evangeline Lilly, as well as Post Film’s The Wrath of Becky, the sequel to its 2020 box office-topping indie action-thriller Becky, which is set to premiere at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival.
Titles directed by Harbold include the thriller Private Property, starring Ashley Benson and Shiloh Fernandez, which...
- 2/7/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Mo McRae’s face may be more recognizable than his name. As an actor for more than 20 years with over 60 credits and counting he’s worked steadily, appearing on TV and in film in such roles as Benjamin Berry in “The Flight Attendant,” Blip Sanders on the short-lived “Pitch,” and Gus Henderson in “Den of Thieves.” Now he’s moved behind the camera as the co-writer and director of “A Lot of Nothing,” his feature film debut.
Officially, the film is about an uber-successful Black married couple whose perfect lives are knocked off kilter when they learn via the evening news that their cop neighbor, who is white, has killed a kid. In a time where the police killings of Tyre Nichols in Memphis and George Floyd in Minneapolis are front of mind, they assume that the victim is Black and decide to get answers. And that’s when everything goes wrong.
Officially, the film is about an uber-successful Black married couple whose perfect lives are knocked off kilter when they learn via the evening news that their cop neighbor, who is white, has killed a kid. In a time where the police killings of Tyre Nichols in Memphis and George Floyd in Minneapolis are front of mind, they assume that the victim is Black and decide to get answers. And that’s when everything goes wrong.
- 2/2/2023
- by Ronda Racha Penrice
- The Wrap
The Gdm explores where VR meets film.
The biggest-ever Geneva Digital Market (Gdm) is taking place this week, bringing together groundbreaking creators and technology with traditional filmmakers looking to keep up with the latest innovations in the field.
The 10th edition of the industry platform of Geneva International Film Festival (Giff) is running November 7-11 as an hybrid event for the second year in a row – reflecting the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic – with an emphasis on virtual, augmented and extended reality (Xr) storytelling.
“The big difference this year is that we have a more balanced, geographic representation from all across Europe and beyond,...
The biggest-ever Geneva Digital Market (Gdm) is taking place this week, bringing together groundbreaking creators and technology with traditional filmmakers looking to keep up with the latest innovations in the field.
The 10th edition of the industry platform of Geneva International Film Festival (Giff) is running November 7-11 as an hybrid event for the second year in a row – reflecting the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic – with an emphasis on virtual, augmented and extended reality (Xr) storytelling.
“The big difference this year is that we have a more balanced, geographic representation from all across Europe and beyond,...
- 11/7/2022
- ScreenDaily
Click here to read the full article.
“Gun on set! Gun on set! Everyone, gun on set!”
It’s April, 2022 and we’re in Mmc Studios in Cologne for the shooting of European conspiracy thriller Operation Napoleon. It’s 5,000 miles and six months distant from the events of Oct. 2021 on the New Mexico set of Rust, when Alec Baldwin, discharged a live round from a revolver used as a prop gun killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. But the warning still chills.
Not that anyone here seems bothered.
Director Óskar Þór Axelsson is too busy setting up what will be the climax of Operation Napoleon: as a team of investigators prepare to board an old German World War II plane that has recently emerged from one of Iceland’s largest glaciers. The plane is at the center of the film, and the best-selling novel it’s based on, by Icelandic writer Arnaldur Indriðason.
“Gun on set! Gun on set! Everyone, gun on set!”
It’s April, 2022 and we’re in Mmc Studios in Cologne for the shooting of European conspiracy thriller Operation Napoleon. It’s 5,000 miles and six months distant from the events of Oct. 2021 on the New Mexico set of Rust, when Alec Baldwin, discharged a live round from a revolver used as a prop gun killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. But the warning still chills.
Not that anyone here seems bothered.
Director Óskar Þór Axelsson is too busy setting up what will be the climax of Operation Napoleon: as a team of investigators prepare to board an old German World War II plane that has recently emerged from one of Iceland’s largest glaciers. The plane is at the center of the film, and the best-selling novel it’s based on, by Icelandic writer Arnaldur Indriðason.
- 11/3/2022
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ruby Rose, who exited the Wbtv Batwoman series two years ago in a cloud of controversy, is returning to a larger screen in a starring role for the new film, Stowaway.
Music video director Declan Whitebloom, who has worked with Taylor Swift and the Jonas Brothers, makes his feature debut, which teams Rose with Frank Grillo, and Patrick Schwarzenegger.
The film is a cat-and-mouse chase in the vein of action films like Die Hard and Panic Room. In it, a tenacious party girl fights to survive after three thieves commandeer her luxury yacht. Unable to escape and trapped on the yacht at high seas, she turns the tables on the intruders and takes matters into her own hands.
Rose claimed last year that she left Batwoman over unsafe working conditions on set. Warner Bros TV., which produces Batwoman,...
Music video director Declan Whitebloom, who has worked with Taylor Swift and the Jonas Brothers, makes his feature debut, which teams Rose with Frank Grillo, and Patrick Schwarzenegger.
The film is a cat-and-mouse chase in the vein of action films like Die Hard and Panic Room. In it, a tenacious party girl fights to survive after three thieves commandeer her luxury yacht. Unable to escape and trapped on the yacht at high seas, she turns the tables on the intruders and takes matters into her own hands.
Rose claimed last year that she left Batwoman over unsafe working conditions on set. Warner Bros TV., which produces Batwoman,...
- 7/25/2022
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
"Push the red button." Yep that's all it takes to defeat them! Voltage Pictures has revealed an official trailer for a survival thriller titled Stowaway, formerly known as The Yacht. Both of these titles are bland and boring, neither really works. There was already this sci-fi survival thriller called Stowaway on Netflix a few years ago anyway. A tenacious party girl fights to survive after three thieves commandeer her luxury yacht. Described as similar to Die Hard or Panic Room but on a yacht. The indie film stars Ruby Rose, Frank Grillo, Emma Maddock, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Luis Da Silva Jr., & Major Dodge. Aside from the trailer showing most of the film, including what the thieves are after, this is just a bad trailer. Why does every shot in this look so dark?! Everything on the boat is so poorly shot it's hard to see anything happening. Here's the official trailer for Declan Whitebloom's Stowaway,...
- 7/21/2022
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Courtesy of Philipp Brozsek. An IFC Midnight release.
By Marc Butterfield
A toxic cloud of pollution has swallowed the earth, killing untold numbers. The world’s nations have dissolved, with all power now in the hands of giant corporations. The rich retreat to sealed biodomes while the poor choke and starve. On the space station Rubikon, Hannah (Julia Franz Richter), Gavin (George Blagden), and Dimitri (Mark Ivanir) weigh the fate of the planet’s survivors. Should these crewmembers risk their own lives on a rescue mission to the surface, or ignore the old world to build a new one of safety and solitude, living off the station’s sophisticated algae symbiosis system? Against the vast canvas of the cosmos, three people with different worldviews debate their moral responsibility to the species, all while grappling with the timely agony of isolation.
Rubikon is a low-budget film, but what money it did get was well-spent.
By Marc Butterfield
A toxic cloud of pollution has swallowed the earth, killing untold numbers. The world’s nations have dissolved, with all power now in the hands of giant corporations. The rich retreat to sealed biodomes while the poor choke and starve. On the space station Rubikon, Hannah (Julia Franz Richter), Gavin (George Blagden), and Dimitri (Mark Ivanir) weigh the fate of the planet’s survivors. Should these crewmembers risk their own lives on a rescue mission to the surface, or ignore the old world to build a new one of safety and solitude, living off the station’s sophisticated algae symbiosis system? Against the vast canvas of the cosmos, three people with different worldviews debate their moral responsibility to the species, all while grappling with the timely agony of isolation.
Rubikon is a low-budget film, but what money it did get was well-spent.
- 7/5/2022
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Exclusive: Shamier Anderson (John Wick 4) has joined the cast of Brad Furman’s Tin Soldier which is currently shooting in Greece.
The casting marks a reunion for Shamier and Furman after the former starred in City Of Lies.
As we revealed last week, starring are Oscar winner Jamie Foxx (Spider-Man: No Way Home), Oscar winner Robert De Niro(Joker), Scott Eastwood (The Fate of the Furious) and John Leguizamo (John Wick). Filming is underway in Greece.
Tin Soldier tells the story of The Bokushi (Foxx), who preaches to hundreds of veterans who have been drawn to the promise of protection and purpose under him. Surrounded by his devout military-trained followers, he has built an impenetrable fortress and amassed an arsenal of weapons. After several failed infiltration attempts, the government – in the form of military operative Emmanuel Ashburn (De Niro) – recruits Nash Cavanaugh (Eastwood), an ex-special forces asset, who was once a disciple of The Bokushi.
The casting marks a reunion for Shamier and Furman after the former starred in City Of Lies.
As we revealed last week, starring are Oscar winner Jamie Foxx (Spider-Man: No Way Home), Oscar winner Robert De Niro(Joker), Scott Eastwood (The Fate of the Furious) and John Leguizamo (John Wick). Filming is underway in Greece.
Tin Soldier tells the story of The Bokushi (Foxx), who preaches to hundreds of veterans who have been drawn to the promise of protection and purpose under him. Surrounded by his devout military-trained followers, he has built an impenetrable fortress and amassed an arsenal of weapons. After several failed infiltration attempts, the government – in the form of military operative Emmanuel Ashburn (De Niro) – recruits Nash Cavanaugh (Eastwood), an ex-special forces asset, who was once a disciple of The Bokushi.
- 5/26/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: After the original’s box office success and critical acclaim, Lionsgate and Amazon Studios are getting the gang back together for a sequel to A Simple Favor. Sources tell Deadline the studios will partner on the sequel with stars Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively set to reprise their roles and Paul Feig returning to direct as well as produce with Laura Fischer. Jessica Sharzer is writing the screenplay.
Feigco Entertainment is set to produce. Sharzer will executive produce. The first film followed a single mother with a parenting vlog who befriends a secretive upper-class woman who has a child at the same elementary school. When Emily goes missing, Stephanie takes it upon herself to investigate.
The pic was a critical and commercial success for Lionsgate, earning more than 97 million at the worldwide box office, achieving Certified Fresh status on Rotten Tomatoes and attracting a strong base that has been...
Feigco Entertainment is set to produce. Sharzer will executive produce. The first film followed a single mother with a parenting vlog who befriends a secretive upper-class woman who has a child at the same elementary school. When Emily goes missing, Stephanie takes it upon herself to investigate.
The pic was a critical and commercial success for Lionsgate, earning more than 97 million at the worldwide box office, achieving Certified Fresh status on Rotten Tomatoes and attracting a strong base that has been...
- 5/11/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Stuart Ford’s AGC is launching international sales at the upcoming Cannes market on Anna Kendrick true-crime thriller The Dating Game, which was previously set up at Netflix but has now shaken free from the streamer.
Oscar nominee Kendrick (Up In The Air) is in advanced talks to star in the feature about the chilling true story of serial killer Rodney Alcala and Cheryl Bradshaw.
The Black List script by Ian MacAllister McDonald is based on the stranger-than-fiction episode when Bradshaw was a bachelorette on the hit 70s TV matchmaking show The Dating Game and chose handsome and funny bachelor number one, Rodney Alcala. But behind Alcala’s charming facade was a deadly secret: he was a psychopathic serial killer in the midst of a murder spree.
On the show — you can watch the creepy snippets below — Bradshaw asked Alcala questions like, “I’m serving you for dinner. What...
Oscar nominee Kendrick (Up In The Air) is in advanced talks to star in the feature about the chilling true story of serial killer Rodney Alcala and Cheryl Bradshaw.
The Black List script by Ian MacAllister McDonald is based on the stranger-than-fiction episode when Bradshaw was a bachelorette on the hit 70s TV matchmaking show The Dating Game and chose handsome and funny bachelor number one, Rodney Alcala. But behind Alcala’s charming facade was a deadly secret: he was a psychopathic serial killer in the midst of a murder spree.
On the show — you can watch the creepy snippets below — Bradshaw asked Alcala questions like, “I’m serving you for dinner. What...
- 4/29/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
“Pistol,” a new limited series about the career of “Sex Pistols” guitarist Steve Jones, will premiere on Hulu this May 31, FX has announced.
Based on Jones’ 2017 memoir “Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol,” “Pistol” follows the brief but influential career of The Sex Pistols, a 1970s British punk band that only produced one album but are regarded as one of the most important acts in the history of rock-n-roll. The central viewpoint character for the series is Jones, who is portrayed by Toby Wallace. Anson Boon also stars as John Lydon, while Christian Lees as Glen Matlock, Louis Partridge as Sid Vicious and Jacob Slater as Paul Cook round out the rest of the band as featured in the show. The series also features Sydney Chandler, Talulah Riley, Maisie Williams, Emma Appleton and Thomas Brodie-Sangster.
“Pistol” was created by Craig Pearce, who writes the series. Every episode is directed by Danny Boyle,...
Based on Jones’ 2017 memoir “Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol,” “Pistol” follows the brief but influential career of The Sex Pistols, a 1970s British punk band that only produced one album but are regarded as one of the most important acts in the history of rock-n-roll. The central viewpoint character for the series is Jones, who is portrayed by Toby Wallace. Anson Boon also stars as John Lydon, while Christian Lees as Glen Matlock, Louis Partridge as Sid Vicious and Jacob Slater as Paul Cook round out the rest of the band as featured in the show. The series also features Sydney Chandler, Talulah Riley, Maisie Williams, Emma Appleton and Thomas Brodie-Sangster.
“Pistol” was created by Craig Pearce, who writes the series. Every episode is directed by Danny Boyle,...
- 3/29/2022
- by Wilson Chapman
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix’s newest bingeable mystery is here.
“Pieces of Her” stars Toni Collette as Laura, a small-town woman recovering from a bout of illness with the help of her adult daughter, Andy (Bella Heathcote). With the edges of their already fraught relationship worn thin by the wearying toll of Laura’s treatment, the mother-daughter duo finds their lives thrown into complete upheaval after a random shooting — and the media attention that follows — puts them in the spotlight, exposing them to deadly figures from Laura’s past… a past that Andy knows nothing about.
As usual, Netflix has filled out their ensemble with familiar faces, up-and-comers and new discoveries so we’ve put together a handy (and spoiler-free) guide to the cast and characters of “Pieces of Her” to help you keep up with every twist and turn.
Toni Collette as Laura Oliver Netflix
Who is Laura Oliver? That question is...
“Pieces of Her” stars Toni Collette as Laura, a small-town woman recovering from a bout of illness with the help of her adult daughter, Andy (Bella Heathcote). With the edges of their already fraught relationship worn thin by the wearying toll of Laura’s treatment, the mother-daughter duo finds their lives thrown into complete upheaval after a random shooting — and the media attention that follows — puts them in the spotlight, exposing them to deadly figures from Laura’s past… a past that Andy knows nothing about.
As usual, Netflix has filled out their ensemble with familiar faces, up-and-comers and new discoveries so we’ve put together a handy (and spoiler-free) guide to the cast and characters of “Pieces of Her” to help you keep up with every twist and turn.
Toni Collette as Laura Oliver Netflix
Who is Laura Oliver? That question is...
- 3/4/2022
- by Haleigh Foutch
- The Wrap
Multi-hyphenate Flying Lotus and his company Brainfeeder Films has linked with Paris-based Logical Pictures and XYZ Films for a multi-picture development deal covering a slate of films that the artist will produce and direct.
Logical Content Ventures, the co-production fund backed by Logical Pictures, will finance the development of the films, which will focus on genres in the horror, thriller and sci-fi universe. Logical also secured a first-look agreement to finance and produce. The slate will span multiple projects, with XYZ Films set to produce and handle sales.
The deal was negotiated by Frédéric Fiore and Grace Adams from Logical Pictures, and by Nate Bolotin, partner at XYZ Films, on behalf of Brainfeeder Films.
Flying Lotus, also known as Steven Ellison, is a genre-bending, Grammy Award-winning producer, composer, filmmaker and rapper. He founded Brainfeeder Records in 2008.
Since 2006, Ellison has released six studio albums and composed much of the music heard...
Logical Content Ventures, the co-production fund backed by Logical Pictures, will finance the development of the films, which will focus on genres in the horror, thriller and sci-fi universe. Logical also secured a first-look agreement to finance and produce. The slate will span multiple projects, with XYZ Films set to produce and handle sales.
The deal was negotiated by Frédéric Fiore and Grace Adams from Logical Pictures, and by Nate Bolotin, partner at XYZ Films, on behalf of Brainfeeder Films.
Flying Lotus, also known as Steven Ellison, is a genre-bending, Grammy Award-winning producer, composer, filmmaker and rapper. He founded Brainfeeder Records in 2008.
Since 2006, Ellison has released six studio albums and composed much of the music heard...
- 3/3/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: XYZ Films has acquired North American rights to the upcoming horror-thriller Man’s Son, starring Frank Grillo and to be directed by his son, Remy Grillo, with plans for a domestic release either later this year or early next year.
The story surrounds a young couple hoping to create an aesthetically pleasing audition tape for an up-and-coming Charles Manson film. But when the couple chooses an eclectic desert Airbnb as the perfect backdrop, the dark events of the audition material slowly slip into their reality… Eventually, they find themselves intertwined in an occult leader (Grillo)’s sinister plot.
Josh Plasse and Brev Moss wrote the script for the project that Dare Angel is producing in partnership with Mi Nene, which will go before cameras in Yucca Valley, California this month. Plasse, Shakira Barrera, Conor Allyn, Johnny James Fiore, Benjamin Anderson, Jake Allyn and Fabio Lo Fria are producing, with Nidal Kahl,...
The story surrounds a young couple hoping to create an aesthetically pleasing audition tape for an up-and-coming Charles Manson film. But when the couple chooses an eclectic desert Airbnb as the perfect backdrop, the dark events of the audition material slowly slip into their reality… Eventually, they find themselves intertwined in an occult leader (Grillo)’s sinister plot.
Josh Plasse and Brev Moss wrote the script for the project that Dare Angel is producing in partnership with Mi Nene, which will go before cameras in Yucca Valley, California this month. Plasse, Shakira Barrera, Conor Allyn, Johnny James Fiore, Benjamin Anderson, Jake Allyn and Fabio Lo Fria are producing, with Nidal Kahl,...
- 3/1/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive Red Band Trailer for Freak: "Jason Voohees isn’t the only monster lurking in the woods. Freak, from Wild Eye Releasing, stalks campers this May.
A bloody legend becomes all too real for a group of kids heading out for a weekend of camping and partying. Will they survive what waits for them in the woods?
From writer-director Lucky Cerruti, and starring Jameson Batt, Dorran Boucher and Lucky Cerruti, comes the crafty practical-effects doused horror romp Freak!"
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XYZ Films Acquires Rights To Upcoming SXSW Midnighters Film Hypochondriac: "XYZ Films has acquired all North American rights to the 2022 SXSW Midnighters LGBTQ horror/thriller Hypochondriac, it was announced today. The film was written and directed by Addison Heimann and stars Zach Villa (American Horror Story), Devon Graye (I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore), Madeline Zima (Californication), Chris Doubek (Boyhood), Marlene Forte (Knives Out), and Paget Brewster...
A bloody legend becomes all too real for a group of kids heading out for a weekend of camping and partying. Will they survive what waits for them in the woods?
From writer-director Lucky Cerruti, and starring Jameson Batt, Dorran Boucher and Lucky Cerruti, comes the crafty practical-effects doused horror romp Freak!"
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XYZ Films Acquires Rights To Upcoming SXSW Midnighters Film Hypochondriac: "XYZ Films has acquired all North American rights to the 2022 SXSW Midnighters LGBTQ horror/thriller Hypochondriac, it was announced today. The film was written and directed by Addison Heimann and stars Zach Villa (American Horror Story), Devon Graye (I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore), Madeline Zima (Californication), Chris Doubek (Boyhood), Marlene Forte (Knives Out), and Paget Brewster...
- 2/24/2022
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Exclusive: XYZ Films has acquired North American rights to the LGBTQ horror-thriller Hypochondriac, starring Zach Villa (American Horror Story), Devon Graye (I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore), Madeline Zima (Californication), Chris Doubek (Boyhood), Marlene Forte (Knives Out) and Paget Brewster (Criminal Minds), ahead of its world premiere in the Midnighters section of the 2022 SXSW Film Festival on March 14. The indie studio’s domestic distribution division has slated the film for a nationwide release in theaters and on digital later this year.
The Minutehand Pictures production marking the feature directorial debut of writer-director Addison Heimann centers on Will (Villa), a young, gay Hispanic artist, who is one gregarious guy. His boss is terrible, but he’s got a great boyfriend and a great job. Unfortunately, behind that veneer is a dark past of violence and mental illness. When his bipolar mother comes out of the woodwork after 10 years of silence,...
The Minutehand Pictures production marking the feature directorial debut of writer-director Addison Heimann centers on Will (Villa), a young, gay Hispanic artist, who is one gregarious guy. His boss is terrible, but he’s got a great boyfriend and a great job. Unfortunately, behind that veneer is a dark past of violence and mental illness. When his bipolar mother comes out of the woodwork after 10 years of silence,...
- 2/23/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Deal for key territories comes after Rlje Films acquired US rights
Universal Pictures Content Group has acquired most of the world from XYZ Films on Sundance entry Dual, which stars Karen Gillan, following its world premiere last month.
The deal comes after Rlje Films previously picked up the sci-fi for US distribution. Additional rights have gone to Vvs for Canada, Falcon for the Middle East, World Pictures for Cis/Russia, and Pt Falcon for Indonesia.
XYZ financed Dual through its fund backed by Helsinki-based Ipr.Vc in collaboration with Bondit Media Capital and Head Gear Films. The film also received support...
Universal Pictures Content Group has acquired most of the world from XYZ Films on Sundance entry Dual, which stars Karen Gillan, following its world premiere last month.
The deal comes after Rlje Films previously picked up the sci-fi for US distribution. Additional rights have gone to Vvs for Canada, Falcon for the Middle East, World Pictures for Cis/Russia, and Pt Falcon for Indonesia.
XYZ financed Dual through its fund backed by Helsinki-based Ipr.Vc in collaboration with Bondit Media Capital and Head Gear Films. The film also received support...
- 2/22/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Sales head Nick Donnermeyer introducing drama project to buyers.
Brittany Snow, the Pitch Perfect franchise star whose acting credits include Hairpspray, will make her feature directorial debut on the drama September 17th for Yale Productions, whose newly minted sales stablemate Great Escape is kicking off talks with EFM buyers.
The project is based on an original story by Snow, who co-wrote the screenplay with Becca Gleason about Riley, who has recently been discharged from rehab after struggling with food and body image issues. Riley soon meets Ethan and finds herself navigating the line between unconditional love and a new addiction.
Brittany Snow, the Pitch Perfect franchise star whose acting credits include Hairpspray, will make her feature directorial debut on the drama September 17th for Yale Productions, whose newly minted sales stablemate Great Escape is kicking off talks with EFM buyers.
The project is based on an original story by Snow, who co-wrote the screenplay with Becca Gleason about Riley, who has recently been discharged from rehab after struggling with food and body image issues. Riley soon meets Ethan and finds herself navigating the line between unconditional love and a new addiction.
- 2/4/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Musician and filmmaker Flying Lotus has set the sci-fi horror film Ash as his second feature, on the heels of his body horror anthology Kuso, which made its world premiere at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.
The new film, for which the multi-hyphenate will also compose an original score, watches as a woman wakes up on a distant planet and finds the crew of her space station viciously killed, her investigation into what happened setting in motion a terrifying chain of events.
Jonni Remmler penned the original screenplay. XYZ Films and Gfc Films will produce, with Echo Lake on board as exec producer. XYZ is also financing and handling worldwide sales. Casting will get underway later this month, with production slated for this summer.
Ash follows XYZ’s collaboration with Gfc on Toa Fraser’s New Zealand Oscar entry The Dead Lands, which was presented to the U.S. market by James Cameron,...
The new film, for which the multi-hyphenate will also compose an original score, watches as a woman wakes up on a distant planet and finds the crew of her space station viciously killed, her investigation into what happened setting in motion a terrifying chain of events.
Jonni Remmler penned the original screenplay. XYZ Films and Gfc Films will produce, with Echo Lake on board as exec producer. XYZ is also financing and handling worldwide sales. Casting will get underway later this month, with production slated for this summer.
Ash follows XYZ’s collaboration with Gfc on Toa Fraser’s New Zealand Oscar entry The Dead Lands, which was presented to the U.S. market by James Cameron,...
- 1/26/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Rlje Films last night acquired U.S. rights to Riley Stearns’ thriller Dual in a competitive bidding situation, striking a low-mid seven figure deal for the film, which recently premiered in U.S. Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival.
XYZ Films, CAA Media Finance and UTA Independent Film Group closed the deal with Rlje Films, with the former company also handling world rights outside of the U.S. The film is slated for release in theaters this year.
Dual centers on Sarah (Karen Gillan), a woman who, upon receiving a terminal diagnosis, opts for a cloning procedure to ease her loss on her friends and family. When she makes a sudden and miraculous recovery, her attempts to have her clone decommissioned fail and lead to a court-mandated duel to the death.
Aaron Paul and Beulah Koale also star in the film produced by Stearns, XYZ and Resolute Films and Entertainment.
XYZ Films, CAA Media Finance and UTA Independent Film Group closed the deal with Rlje Films, with the former company also handling world rights outside of the U.S. The film is slated for release in theaters this year.
Dual centers on Sarah (Karen Gillan), a woman who, upon receiving a terminal diagnosis, opts for a cloning procedure to ease her loss on her friends and family. When she makes a sudden and miraculous recovery, her attempts to have her clone decommissioned fail and lead to a court-mandated duel to the death.
Aaron Paul and Beulah Koale also star in the film produced by Stearns, XYZ and Resolute Films and Entertainment.
- 1/25/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Jordan Yale Levine and Jordan Beckerman of Yale Entertainment have formed international film sales and distribution company, Great Escape.
Set up to represent their growing slate of in-house titles in addition to select third party content, Yale is launching the label ahead of the upcoming virtual European Film Market.
Nicholas Donnermeyer, previously longtime President of International Sales at Bleiberg Entertainment, has been appointed President of the new venture, which sits under the Yale Entertainment umbrella alongside its long-standing production arm, Yale Productions.
The group also recently formed Lafayette Pictures with actor-director Katie Holmes and have recently wrapped two features which Holmes directed and starred in, Alone Together, with Jim Sturgess and Melissa Leo, and Rare Objects with Derek Luke and Alan Cumming.
To date, Yale Entertainment’s slate has focused on action, thrillers and horror. Recently completed productions include Banshee with Antonio Banderas; Panama starring Cole Hauser...
Set up to represent their growing slate of in-house titles in addition to select third party content, Yale is launching the label ahead of the upcoming virtual European Film Market.
Nicholas Donnermeyer, previously longtime President of International Sales at Bleiberg Entertainment, has been appointed President of the new venture, which sits under the Yale Entertainment umbrella alongside its long-standing production arm, Yale Productions.
The group also recently formed Lafayette Pictures with actor-director Katie Holmes and have recently wrapped two features which Holmes directed and starred in, Alone Together, with Jim Sturgess and Melissa Leo, and Rare Objects with Derek Luke and Alan Cumming.
To date, Yale Entertainment’s slate has focused on action, thrillers and horror. Recently completed productions include Banshee with Antonio Banderas; Panama starring Cole Hauser...
- 1/20/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Yale Productions has signed producer Anne Clements of Idiot Savant Pictures to an overall deal, Deadline has learned.
Clements’ deal with the company led by partners Jordan Yale Levine and Jordan Beckerman will see her shepherding the development and production of several new films in the coming year.
Her first feature, Quinceañera—helmed by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland—won several major awards including the Sundance Film Festival’s coveted Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize, a Humanitas Prize and Film Independent’s John Cassavetes Award for Best Feature. She’s also worked on films including the Lili Taylor drama Paper Spiders and the comedy Stage Mother, starring Jacki Weaver, Lucy Liu and Adrian Grenier, along with such series as Fox’s Fantasy Island and Starz’s Bmf.
Past projects Clements has produced with Yale Productions include Chick Fight, starring Malin Akerman; Mayim Bialik’s directorial debut, As Sick as They Made Us,...
Clements’ deal with the company led by partners Jordan Yale Levine and Jordan Beckerman will see her shepherding the development and production of several new films in the coming year.
Her first feature, Quinceañera—helmed by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland—won several major awards including the Sundance Film Festival’s coveted Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize, a Humanitas Prize and Film Independent’s John Cassavetes Award for Best Feature. She’s also worked on films including the Lili Taylor drama Paper Spiders and the comedy Stage Mother, starring Jacki Weaver, Lucy Liu and Adrian Grenier, along with such series as Fox’s Fantasy Island and Starz’s Bmf.
Past projects Clements has produced with Yale Productions include Chick Fight, starring Malin Akerman; Mayim Bialik’s directorial debut, As Sick as They Made Us,...
- 12/6/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Daniel Dae Kim is set to star in Avatar: The Last Airbender, Netflix’s live-action adaptation of the beloved Nickelodeon animated series.
Kim will play Fire Lord Ozai, the ruthlessly driven leader of the Fire Nation who demands that everyone live up to his impossible standards, especially his teenage son, Prince Zuko (Dallas Liu). Ozai’s drive to conquer and unite the world under firebender rule is a family burden — he believes that it’s his destiny to finish a war started by his ancestors.
As a series regular, Kim joins previously cast young leads Liu; Gordon Cormier, who plays Aang; Kiawentiio (Katara); and Ian Ousley (Sokka).
Albert Kim serves as showrunner, executive producer and writer on the series, with Rideback’s Dan Lin and Lindsey Liberatore executive producing, along with Michael Goi. Roseanne Liang is co-executive producer. Goi, Roseanne Liang, Jabbar Raisani and Jet Wilkinson are directing.
Kim will play Fire Lord Ozai, the ruthlessly driven leader of the Fire Nation who demands that everyone live up to his impossible standards, especially his teenage son, Prince Zuko (Dallas Liu). Ozai’s drive to conquer and unite the world under firebender rule is a family burden — he believes that it’s his destiny to finish a war started by his ancestors.
As a series regular, Kim joins previously cast young leads Liu; Gordon Cormier, who plays Aang; Kiawentiio (Katara); and Ian Ousley (Sokka).
Albert Kim serves as showrunner, executive producer and writer on the series, with Rideback’s Dan Lin and Lindsey Liberatore executive producing, along with Michael Goi. Roseanne Liang is co-executive producer. Goi, Roseanne Liang, Jabbar Raisani and Jet Wilkinson are directing.
- 11/3/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Independent film and television production company Phiphen Pictures will open Phiphen Studios, a 10,000-square-foot boutique post-production and office space, in Englewood Cliffs, NJ, in 2022.
The project is led by Phiphen Pictures founder Molly Conners to support and grow New Jersey’s film community following the reinstatement of its film and television tax credit, which runs through 2028. It’s a new construction and could eventually expand, including adding sound stages.
Producer Jane Oster Sinisi is CEO of the complex, which will house post-production and office space, a 25-seat 4K theater, executive suites, a conference room, kitchens and an outdoor common area. Edit rooms will be adaptable to DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, Premiere and Avid Media Composer. The audio department will have two mix rooms outfitted for 5.1 mixing and voice recording and offer full-service sound design, editorial services and mixing including Adr and Vo. Other services will range from online...
The project is led by Phiphen Pictures founder Molly Conners to support and grow New Jersey’s film community following the reinstatement of its film and television tax credit, which runs through 2028. It’s a new construction and could eventually expand, including adding sound stages.
Producer Jane Oster Sinisi is CEO of the complex, which will house post-production and office space, a 25-seat 4K theater, executive suites, a conference room, kitchens and an outdoor common area. Edit rooms will be adaptable to DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, Premiere and Avid Media Composer. The audio department will have two mix rooms outfitted for 5.1 mixing and voice recording and offer full-service sound design, editorial services and mixing including Adr and Vo. Other services will range from online...
- 10/20/2021
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
“A Quiet Place” breakout Millicent Simmonds and “Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” star Rachel Brosnahan will play Helen Keller and her teacher Anne Sullivan in the forthcoming feature film “Helen & Teacher.”
Simmonds, who is deaf, is a distant cousin of Deafblind activist Keller, and her casting marks a significant turning point for deaf representation on screen. Most adaptations of Keller’s story over the years have generally featured non-deaf actors.
Simmonds will star opposite Brosnahan, who will portray her committed yet controlling translator and companion Sullivan. Cornerstone will handle international sales and distribution, and is set to kick off sales at the American Film Market next month. UTA Independent Film Group and WME are overseeing the U.S. sale.
“Helen & Teacher” is based on the original screenplay by Laetitia Mikles and Westmoreland, in consultation with a team at the Helen Keller National Center for Youth and Adults.
Set during the early 1900s,...
Simmonds, who is deaf, is a distant cousin of Deafblind activist Keller, and her casting marks a significant turning point for deaf representation on screen. Most adaptations of Keller’s story over the years have generally featured non-deaf actors.
Simmonds will star opposite Brosnahan, who will portray her committed yet controlling translator and companion Sullivan. Cornerstone will handle international sales and distribution, and is set to kick off sales at the American Film Market next month. UTA Independent Film Group and WME are overseeing the U.S. sale.
“Helen & Teacher” is based on the original screenplay by Laetitia Mikles and Westmoreland, in consultation with a team at the Helen Keller National Center for Youth and Adults.
Set during the early 1900s,...
- 10/14/2021
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Germany’s Rise Visual Effects Studios has established its own animation studio for high-end film and series productions in Munich, where the company has appointed animation expert and VFX producer Sinje Gebauer to head its Munich office as well as the new division.
The new animation unit will act as an independent, creative arm within the Rise group, mainly handling animation projects from the production slate of Rise Pictures with a strong focus on visual development and concept art, according to the company.
Gebauer, who has served as senior VFX producer on such films as “Aquaman,” “Tomb Raider” and “Black Panther,” will take over as new managing director of Rise’s Munich office in August, succeeding Dominik Trimborn, who is leaving the company at his own request after five years.
“I’m looking forward to the new challenge,” Gebauer said. “For me, Rise has for years stood for innovation and outstanding entrepreneurship.
The new animation unit will act as an independent, creative arm within the Rise group, mainly handling animation projects from the production slate of Rise Pictures with a strong focus on visual development and concept art, according to the company.
Gebauer, who has served as senior VFX producer on such films as “Aquaman,” “Tomb Raider” and “Black Panther,” will take over as new managing director of Rise’s Munich office in August, succeeding Dominik Trimborn, who is leaving the company at his own request after five years.
“I’m looking forward to the new challenge,” Gebauer said. “For me, Rise has for years stood for innovation and outstanding entrepreneurship.
- 7/19/2021
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
Lionsgate is partnering with Babe Nation Films, Elevation Pictures and Castelletto Films on the upcoming psychological thriller “Alice, Darling,” which stars Anna Kendrick, the studio announced Monday.
The film is currently in production in Canada and also stars Wunmi Mosaku, Kaniehtiio Horn and Charlie Carrick.
“Alice, Darling” is directed by Mary Nighy in her feature film directorial debut. The thriller is written by Alanna Francis; produced by Katie Bird Nolan, Lindsay Tapscott, Christina Piovesan and Noah Segal; and executive produced by Kendrick and Sam Tipper-Hale.
“Alice, Darling” centers on Alice (Kendrick), who is behaving strangely and keeping secrets about her mercurial boyfriend (Carrick) from her two best friends (Mosaku and Horn). When the three friends take a girl’s trip out of town, all secrets are revealed when a local girl goes missing and Alice’s boyfriend arrives unannounced.
Lionsgate will handle worldwide distribution of the film, except in Canada,...
The film is currently in production in Canada and also stars Wunmi Mosaku, Kaniehtiio Horn and Charlie Carrick.
“Alice, Darling” is directed by Mary Nighy in her feature film directorial debut. The thriller is written by Alanna Francis; produced by Katie Bird Nolan, Lindsay Tapscott, Christina Piovesan and Noah Segal; and executive produced by Kendrick and Sam Tipper-Hale.
“Alice, Darling” centers on Alice (Kendrick), who is behaving strangely and keeping secrets about her mercurial boyfriend (Carrick) from her two best friends (Mosaku and Horn). When the three friends take a girl’s trip out of town, all secrets are revealed when a local girl goes missing and Alice’s boyfriend arrives unannounced.
Lionsgate will handle worldwide distribution of the film, except in Canada,...
- 7/12/2021
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
22 distributors have lined-up more than 25 films for release tomorrow (July 1).
Cinemas throughout Germany will reopen tomorrow (July 1) after being closed for eight months due to the pandemic.
22 distributors have lined-up more than 25 films for release including the Oscar-winning Nomadland (Disney); Maria Schrader’s Berlinale prize-winner I’m Your Man (Majestic/Paramount) and Catweazle (Tobis Film), based on the cult UK TV series from the 1970s.
German cinemagoers will also finally get to see major US releases such Godzilla vs. Kong (Warner Bros); Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (Sony) and Nobody (Universal) as well as video game adaptation Monster Hunter and family...
Cinemas throughout Germany will reopen tomorrow (July 1) after being closed for eight months due to the pandemic.
22 distributors have lined-up more than 25 films for release including the Oscar-winning Nomadland (Disney); Maria Schrader’s Berlinale prize-winner I’m Your Man (Majestic/Paramount) and Catweazle (Tobis Film), based on the cult UK TV series from the 1970s.
German cinemagoers will also finally get to see major US releases such Godzilla vs. Kong (Warner Bros); Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (Sony) and Nobody (Universal) as well as video game adaptation Monster Hunter and family...
- 6/30/2021
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Katie Holmes has launched her new production label, Lafayette Pictures, in partnership with Jordan Yale Levine, Jordan Beckerman and Jesse Korman of Yale Productions.
Holmes recently teamed with Yale on the new untitled movie she wrote, directed, produced and starred in, along with Jim Sturgess, Derek Luke, Melissa Leo, and Zosia Mamet. The film centers on two strangers embroiled in bad relationships, who accidentally book the same upstate New York Airbnb, where they’re forced to confront quarantine and their disdain for one another in this unexpected and unlikely love story. The pic is in post-production.
The Lafayette Pictures team is currently prepping Holmes’ third movie, Rare Objects, and developing the limited series The Watergate Girl in which Holmes will also star.
“I am very excited to embark on this journey, working to bring authentic characters and stories to the screen,” Holmes said.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering...
Holmes recently teamed with Yale on the new untitled movie she wrote, directed, produced and starred in, along with Jim Sturgess, Derek Luke, Melissa Leo, and Zosia Mamet. The film centers on two strangers embroiled in bad relationships, who accidentally book the same upstate New York Airbnb, where they’re forced to confront quarantine and their disdain for one another in this unexpected and unlikely love story. The pic is in post-production.
The Lafayette Pictures team is currently prepping Holmes’ third movie, Rare Objects, and developing the limited series The Watergate Girl in which Holmes will also star.
“I am very excited to embark on this journey, working to bring authentic characters and stories to the screen,” Holmes said.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering...
- 6/24/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
XYZ Films, the indie studio, financier, producer and global sales company, has expanded into distribution, launching on the first day of the Cannes market with a U.S. distribution arm that will be led by former Neon executive James Emanuel Shapiro.
Shapiro will serve as its executive vice president of U.S. Distribution and will report to XYZ Films CEO Nick Spicer and partner Nate Bolotin. He will work alongside Tatyana Joffe, president of international sales and distribution, on XYZ’s global release slate.
The new division will focus on filmmaker driven, independent genre films from around the world, and the new arm’s first release will be “Something in the Dirt,” the fifth film from directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead (“Synchronic”). The film is currently in post-production and is produced by David Lawson and Rustic Films, marking their fifth collaboration with the XYZ Films team.
XYZ will continue...
Shapiro will serve as its executive vice president of U.S. Distribution and will report to XYZ Films CEO Nick Spicer and partner Nate Bolotin. He will work alongside Tatyana Joffe, president of international sales and distribution, on XYZ’s global release slate.
The new division will focus on filmmaker driven, independent genre films from around the world, and the new arm’s first release will be “Something in the Dirt,” the fifth film from directors Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead (“Synchronic”). The film is currently in post-production and is produced by David Lawson and Rustic Films, marking their fifth collaboration with the XYZ Films team.
XYZ will continue...
- 6/21/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Inaugural release hails from Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead.
Capitalising on an opportunity to reach fans of its genre content in the US and coordinate worldwide releases, XYZ Films has launched a US distribution division and hired former Drafthouse Films and Neon executive James Emanuel Shapiro to run it.
The releasing arm’s first film will be Something In The Dirt, the fifth directorial effort from Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead and currently in post-production.
EVP of US distribution Shapiro will report to XYZ Films CEO Nick Spicer and XYZ Films partner Nate Bolotin. He will work closely with president of...
Capitalising on an opportunity to reach fans of its genre content in the US and coordinate worldwide releases, XYZ Films has launched a US distribution division and hired former Drafthouse Films and Neon executive James Emanuel Shapiro to run it.
The releasing arm’s first film will be Something In The Dirt, the fifth directorial effort from Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead and currently in post-production.
EVP of US distribution Shapiro will report to XYZ Films CEO Nick Spicer and XYZ Films partner Nate Bolotin. He will work closely with president of...
- 6/21/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
“The Woman in the Window,” the Netflix thriller and mystery starring Amy Adams, was watched for 500 million minutes online in its first three days, Nielsen said in its weekly streaming figures. It was good enough to top the list of film titles for the week of May 10, but was a quieter debut compared to some recent streaming hits.
“The Woman in the Window” placed just 5 million minutes ahead of “The Mitchells vs. The Machines,” which had its third straight week among the top spots on Nielsen’s list after previously being watched for 853 million minutes the week of May 3. “Woman in the Window” and “The Mitchells” were also the No. 9 and No. 10 most streamed titles overall, behind popular series such as “Jupiter’s Legacy” and “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
That said, titles like the Michael B. Jordan thriller “Without Remorse” or the Melissa McCarthy comedy “Thunder Force” debuted far stronger, and it...
“The Woman in the Window” placed just 5 million minutes ahead of “The Mitchells vs. The Machines,” which had its third straight week among the top spots on Nielsen’s list after previously being watched for 853 million minutes the week of May 3. “Woman in the Window” and “The Mitchells” were also the No. 9 and No. 10 most streamed titles overall, behind popular series such as “Jupiter’s Legacy” and “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
That said, titles like the Michael B. Jordan thriller “Without Remorse” or the Melissa McCarthy comedy “Thunder Force” debuted far stronger, and it...
- 6/10/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
With Keanu Reeves readying himself to toss a few bullets into numerous skulls, the cast of the upcoming John Wick 4 is starting to come together. It was announced today that Shamier Anderson, who recently starred alongside Toni Collette, Anna Kendrick and Daniel Dae Kim in Stowaway, has joined the cast of John Wick: Chapter 4. "It’s a thrill to be working with an actor of…...
- 6/4/2021
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
Shamier Anderson has closed a deal to join the cast of John Wick: Chapter 4, the latest pic in the Keanu Reeves-led franchise in the works at Lionsgate. Anderson joins the recently added Donnie Yen and the female lead Rina Sawayama in the project, which is being directed by Chad Stahelski from a script by Shay Hatten and Michael Finch.
The plot of the sequel is under wraps, as is who Anderson is playing. The pic begins production this summer on location in France, Germany and Japan.
Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee and Stahelski are producing, with Reeves and Louise Rosner executive producing.
The Canadian-born Anderson, the brother of fellow actor Stephan James, has feature credits that include Stowaway and City of Lies, and on TV on Syfy’s Wynonna Earp and Amazon’s Goliath. He also recently teamed with James and their youngest brother Sheldon James to co-found the Bay Mills Investment Group,...
The plot of the sequel is under wraps, as is who Anderson is playing. The pic begins production this summer on location in France, Germany and Japan.
Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee and Stahelski are producing, with Reeves and Louise Rosner executive producing.
The Canadian-born Anderson, the brother of fellow actor Stephan James, has feature credits that include Stowaway and City of Lies, and on TV on Syfy’s Wynonna Earp and Amazon’s Goliath. He also recently teamed with James and their youngest brother Sheldon James to co-found the Bay Mills Investment Group,...
- 6/4/2021
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Leading German production banner Augenschein Filmproduktion, is launching an in-house worldwide sales and financing division that will be spearheaded by former Telepool executive Jonathan Saubach (pictured).
The new division will be called Augenschein Sales and will focus on financing the company’s production slate through access to equity, market pre-sales and film funds in order to retain creative and financial control over projects.
In this new role, Saubach will report to Augenschein Filmproduktion founders Maximilian Leo and Jonas Katzenstein, and will be in charge of financing, packaging and worldwide sales of its film titles. He will also serve as an executive producer on Augenschein’s upcoming productions.
Saubach previously held senior sales, acquisitions and content executive roles for Telepool Gmbh, the German licensing, production and distribution company owned by actor Will Smith and Swiss investor Elysian Fields.
Augenschein Filmproduktion specializes in director-driven movies with global appeal and boasts more than...
The new division will be called Augenschein Sales and will focus on financing the company’s production slate through access to equity, market pre-sales and film funds in order to retain creative and financial control over projects.
In this new role, Saubach will report to Augenschein Filmproduktion founders Maximilian Leo and Jonas Katzenstein, and will be in charge of financing, packaging and worldwide sales of its film titles. He will also serve as an executive producer on Augenschein’s upcoming productions.
Saubach previously held senior sales, acquisitions and content executive roles for Telepool Gmbh, the German licensing, production and distribution company owned by actor Will Smith and Swiss investor Elysian Fields.
Augenschein Filmproduktion specializes in director-driven movies with global appeal and boasts more than...
- 6/2/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Former Telepool Gmbh exec Jonathan Saubach to lead new division.
Cologne-based independent film production company augenschein Filmproduktion has launched augenschein Sales, an in-house worldwide sales and financing arm headed by Jonathan Saubach.
Saubach is leading on the financing, packaging and worldwide sales of augenschein’s film titles and will also serve as an executive producer on augenschein’s upcoming productions.
Saubach has spent 10 years in sales, acquisitions and content executive roles at Telepool. He will report to augenschein founders Maximilian Leo and Jonas Katzenstein.
Founded in 2008, augenschein has produced more than 25 features, from arthouse titles including Berlin Silver Bear winner Ana,...
Cologne-based independent film production company augenschein Filmproduktion has launched augenschein Sales, an in-house worldwide sales and financing arm headed by Jonathan Saubach.
Saubach is leading on the financing, packaging and worldwide sales of augenschein’s film titles and will also serve as an executive producer on augenschein’s upcoming productions.
Saubach has spent 10 years in sales, acquisitions and content executive roles at Telepool. He will report to augenschein founders Maximilian Leo and Jonas Katzenstein.
Founded in 2008, augenschein has produced more than 25 features, from arthouse titles including Berlin Silver Bear winner Ana,...
- 6/2/2021
- by Orlando Parfitt
- ScreenDaily
“Without Remorse,” the Tom Clancy spy film starring Michael B. Jordan, was viewed for 760 million minutes in the week of April 26, leading Nielsen’s list of the top streaming movies during its online debut.
The Amazon title was not just the most viewed movie of the week that ran between April 26 through May 2, but it also had the fourth most minutes viewed for any title for the week, including television, lagging behind only Netflix’s “Shadow and Bone,” Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “NCIS” on Netflix.
Nielsen noted that “Without Remorse” viewing was boosted in large part thanks to African American audiences, which totaled 37% of the viewing audience, and the strong numbers follow on other recent Amazon successes aimed at Black audiences, including “Coming 2 America” and “Them.”
“Without Remorse” also beat out another new film to debut that week, Netflix’s animated “Mitchells vs. the Machines,” which was...
The Amazon title was not just the most viewed movie of the week that ran between April 26 through May 2, but it also had the fourth most minutes viewed for any title for the week, including television, lagging behind only Netflix’s “Shadow and Bone,” Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “NCIS” on Netflix.
Nielsen noted that “Without Remorse” viewing was boosted in large part thanks to African American audiences, which totaled 37% of the viewing audience, and the strong numbers follow on other recent Amazon successes aimed at Black audiences, including “Coming 2 America” and “Them.”
“Without Remorse” also beat out another new film to debut that week, Netflix’s animated “Mitchells vs. the Machines,” which was...
- 5/27/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Marvel’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier dipped to the No. 2 spot on Nielsen’s streaming chart for the week its season finale arrived on Disney+.
After claiming the crown in its penultimate week, with 855 million minutes of total viewing, the show finished the week of April 19-25 with 796 million across its six episodes. That was good for second place in the rankings of overall shows. NCIS, a mainstay on Netflix, finished No. 1.
Falcon, whose finale hit Disney+ on April 23, was the second Marvel series to stream on Disney+. Loki is up next, as the company revs up the engines across divisions, aiming to deliver two new titles a week by 2024.
Netflx’s Shadow and Bone racked up 721 million minutes of viewing to finish third. The eight-part fantasy series based on Leigh Bardugo’s worldwide bestselling Grishaverse novels premiered April 23. Produced by Stranger Things outfit 21 Laps Entertainment, the series stars Jessie Mei Li,...
After claiming the crown in its penultimate week, with 855 million minutes of total viewing, the show finished the week of April 19-25 with 796 million across its six episodes. That was good for second place in the rankings of overall shows. NCIS, a mainstay on Netflix, finished No. 1.
Falcon, whose finale hit Disney+ on April 23, was the second Marvel series to stream on Disney+. Loki is up next, as the company revs up the engines across divisions, aiming to deliver two new titles a week by 2024.
Netflx’s Shadow and Bone racked up 721 million minutes of viewing to finish third. The eight-part fantasy series based on Leigh Bardugo’s worldwide bestselling Grishaverse novels premiered April 23. Produced by Stranger Things outfit 21 Laps Entertainment, the series stars Jessie Mei Li,...
- 5/20/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
“Stowaway,” a Netflix sci-fi and drama movie starring Toni Collette, took Nielsen’s top spot for all films on streaming during the week of April 19, toppling the Melissa McCarthy comedy “Thunder Force” that had held the No. 1 slot for several weeks.
“Stowaway” was viewed for 359 million minutes during the week of April 19-25 after debuting on Netflix on April 22, according to the latest streaming figures from Nielsen. It beat out “Thunder Force,” which had another strong showing with 318 million minutes for the week. “Thunder Force” debuted on the list for the week of April 5 and topped not just the list of streaming movies but also the most minutes viewed for anything on streaming with 950 million minutes, beating out mainstays like “NCIS” and new episodes of “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.”
During the week of April 19, “Stowaway” placed 10th among all streaming shows or films. Netflix also had the top three films for the week,...
“Stowaway” was viewed for 359 million minutes during the week of April 19-25 after debuting on Netflix on April 22, according to the latest streaming figures from Nielsen. It beat out “Thunder Force,” which had another strong showing with 318 million minutes for the week. “Thunder Force” debuted on the list for the week of April 5 and topped not just the list of streaming movies but also the most minutes viewed for anything on streaming with 950 million minutes, beating out mainstays like “NCIS” and new episodes of “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.”
During the week of April 19, “Stowaway” placed 10th among all streaming shows or films. Netflix also had the top three films for the week,...
- 5/20/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Daniel Dae Kim on Thursday dropped by Jimmy Kimmel Live! where he shared a highly entertaining anecdote about how he unsettles some passengers whenever he boards a plane thanks to Lost.
The actor was mainly on late-night to discuss his new film, Stowaway, and TV series, The Hot Zone, but also talked about his beloved 2000s ABC series about the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815, saying there were “a couple of times” he could see people were uneasy on a plane, but there was one incident, in particular, where passengers seemed to be truly worried. Kim played Jin-Soo Kwon.
“I remember we were ...
The actor was mainly on late-night to discuss his new film, Stowaway, and TV series, The Hot Zone, but also talked about his beloved 2000s ABC series about the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815, saying there were “a couple of times” he could see people were uneasy on a plane, but there was one incident, in particular, where passengers seemed to be truly worried. Kim played Jin-Soo Kwon.
“I remember we were ...
Daniel Dae Kim on Thursday dropped by Jimmy Kimmel Live!, where he shared a highly entertaining anecdote about how he unsettles some passengers whenever he boards a plane, thanks to Lost.
The actor was mainly on the late night show to discuss his new film, Stowaway, and TV series, The Hot Zone, but also talked about his beloved 2000s ABC series about the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815, saying there were “a couple of times” he could see people were uneasy on a plane, but there was one incident, in particular, where passengers seemed to be truly worried. Kim played Jin-Soo Kwon.
“I ...
The actor was mainly on the late night show to discuss his new film, Stowaway, and TV series, The Hot Zone, but also talked about his beloved 2000s ABC series about the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815, saying there were “a couple of times” he could see people were uneasy on a plane, but there was one incident, in particular, where passengers seemed to be truly worried. Kim played Jin-Soo Kwon.
“I ...
Another standout performance from the young actor lifts a sturdy, if at times uneven, tale of a teen unknowingly caught up in a crime
Although it screened back at the 2018 Sundance film festival, stark Harlem-set drama Monster about a black teen swallowed up by a cruel legal system, remains just as timely in 2021, a story of a grim predicament that would probably feel similarly relevant in another three or even six years down the line. Strange that it’s gathered dust for so long, less a sign of its quality and packed cast (many of whom have grown in stature since) and more perhaps of the time of its premiere, nestled alongside two other dramas covering crudely similar ground (Blindspotting and Monsters and Men), finding itself swallowed up by an industry still only willing to give black stories a small piece of the pie.
Related: Stowaway review – a devastating dilemma...
Although it screened back at the 2018 Sundance film festival, stark Harlem-set drama Monster about a black teen swallowed up by a cruel legal system, remains just as timely in 2021, a story of a grim predicament that would probably feel similarly relevant in another three or even six years down the line. Strange that it’s gathered dust for so long, less a sign of its quality and packed cast (many of whom have grown in stature since) and more perhaps of the time of its premiere, nestled alongside two other dramas covering crudely similar ground (Blindspotting and Monsters and Men), finding itself swallowed up by an industry still only willing to give black stories a small piece of the pie.
Related: Stowaway review – a devastating dilemma...
- 5/7/2021
- by Benjamin Lee
- The Guardian - Film News
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