Exlcusive: Sarah Chalke (Scrubs), Alan Tudyk (Resident Alien), Stephen Root (Barry), Isla Fisher (Wolf Like Me), Sabrina Elba (Three Thousand Years Of Longing) and Hiro Kanagawa (Star Trek: Discovery) are joining Kevin James and Alan Ritchson in action-comedy Playdate, which is now filming in Canada.
The film follows a down-on-his luck man, Brian (James), who was just fired from his job and becomes an unexpected stay-at-home dad to his 10-year-old son. On his first day, he accepts a playdate invitation from Jeff (Ritchson), another stay-at-home dad, who turns out to be an unexpected loose cannon. The two fathers and their sons spend the day on the run, facing a deadly conspiracy.
Director Luke Greenfield’s movie heralds from a script written by Neil Goldman. Greenfield’s WideAwake Pictures’ and Jason Benoit will produce with Mark Fasano of Nickel City Pictures, Jeffrey Greenstein of A Higher Standard and Sean Patrick O’Reilly.
The film follows a down-on-his luck man, Brian (James), who was just fired from his job and becomes an unexpected stay-at-home dad to his 10-year-old son. On his first day, he accepts a playdate invitation from Jeff (Ritchson), another stay-at-home dad, who turns out to be an unexpected loose cannon. The two fathers and their sons spend the day on the run, facing a deadly conspiracy.
Director Luke Greenfield’s movie heralds from a script written by Neil Goldman. Greenfield’s WideAwake Pictures’ and Jason Benoit will produce with Mark Fasano of Nickel City Pictures, Jeffrey Greenstein of A Higher Standard and Sean Patrick O’Reilly.
- 4/4/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Reacher star Alan Ritchson and Here Comes the Boom actor Kevin James must learn how to play nice with each other for the forthcoming action-comedy Playdate. The duo brings dad jokes and action chops to the new project with Luke Greenfield directing from a script by Neil Goldman.
According to Deadline, Playdate revolves around “a down-on-his luck man, Brian (James), who was just fired from his job and becomes an unexpected stay-at-home dad to his 10-year-old son. On his first day, he accepts a playdate invitation from Jeff (Ritchson), another stay-at-home dad, who turns out to be an unexpected loose cannon. The two fathers and their sons spend the day on the run, facing a deadly conspiracy.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to see such an incredible team come together for Playdate. Alan and Kevin are such a great duo and their chemistry in such a short time is...
According to Deadline, Playdate revolves around “a down-on-his luck man, Brian (James), who was just fired from his job and becomes an unexpected stay-at-home dad to his 10-year-old son. On his first day, he accepts a playdate invitation from Jeff (Ritchson), another stay-at-home dad, who turns out to be an unexpected loose cannon. The two fathers and their sons spend the day on the run, facing a deadly conspiracy.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to see such an incredible team come together for Playdate. Alan and Kevin are such a great duo and their chemistry in such a short time is...
- 2/21/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Kevin James (The King of Queens) and Alan Ritchson (Reacher) have been set to lead action-comedy Playdate, which will be directed by Luke Greenfield (The Girl Next Door) from a script written by Neil Goldman (Shrinking).
The film follows a down-on-his luck man, Brian (James), who was just fired from his job and becomes an unexpected stay-at-home dad to his 10-year-old son. On his first day, he accepts a playdate invitation from Jeff (Ritchson), another stay-at-home dad, who turns out to be an unexpected loose cannon. The two fathers and their sons spend the day on the run, facing a deadly conspiracy.
Greenfield’s WideAwake Pictures’ and Jason Benoit will produce with Mark Fasano of Nickel City Pictures, Jeffrey Greenstein of A Higher Standard and Sean Patrick O’Reilly.
Executive producers are James, Jeff Sussman, Ritchson, Goldman, Dan Spilo of Industry Entertainment, Matthew Alex Goldberg of Nickel City, Michelle Myers of Arcana Studios and Josh Harris,...
The film follows a down-on-his luck man, Brian (James), who was just fired from his job and becomes an unexpected stay-at-home dad to his 10-year-old son. On his first day, he accepts a playdate invitation from Jeff (Ritchson), another stay-at-home dad, who turns out to be an unexpected loose cannon. The two fathers and their sons spend the day on the run, facing a deadly conspiracy.
Greenfield’s WideAwake Pictures’ and Jason Benoit will produce with Mark Fasano of Nickel City Pictures, Jeffrey Greenstein of A Higher Standard and Sean Patrick O’Reilly.
Executive producers are James, Jeff Sussman, Ritchson, Goldman, Dan Spilo of Industry Entertainment, Matthew Alex Goldberg of Nickel City, Michelle Myers of Arcana Studios and Josh Harris,...
- 2/21/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Kevin James, Alan Ritchson will star in the previously announced action comedy Playdate for Nickel City Pictures and A Higher Standard, which is set to commence shooting on March 11 in Vancouver.
The story centres on down-on-his luck Brian (James), who becomes an unexpected stay-at-home dad to his 10-year-old son after he gets fired from his job.
On his first day he accepts a playdate invitation from another stay-at-home dad, Jeff (Ritchson), who turns out to be a loose cannon, resulting in the two men and their sons going on the run after they get involved in a deadly conspiracy.
Luke Greenfield...
The story centres on down-on-his luck Brian (James), who becomes an unexpected stay-at-home dad to his 10-year-old son after he gets fired from his job.
On his first day he accepts a playdate invitation from another stay-at-home dad, Jeff (Ritchson), who turns out to be a loose cannon, resulting in the two men and their sons going on the run after they get involved in a deadly conspiracy.
Luke Greenfield...
- 2/21/2024
- ScreenDaily
Chucky and Final Destination star Devon Sawa is starring in Consumed, the new film from The Butcher Brothers, aka director Mitchell Altieri, and producer Phil Flores, the team behind The Night Watchmen, The Violent Kind, and The Hamiltons.
Jeffrey Allard, producer of the 2003 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre reboot and a frequent Butcher Brothers’ collaborator, is executive producing the film.
Courtney Halverson (Unfriended, St. Agatha) and Mark Famiglietti (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines) co-star in Consumed as Jay and Beth, a married couple taking a celebratory camping trip a year after Beth’s cancer remission, who find themselves trapped between a wild madman ( Sawa) and a skin stealing monster. David Calbert wrote the script.
“When I first read the script for Consumed, I was excited about the challenges it presented. Its characters not only have to face a terrifying creature stalking the woods, but individually, they are also forced to...
Jeffrey Allard, producer of the 2003 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre reboot and a frequent Butcher Brothers’ collaborator, is executive producing the film.
Courtney Halverson (Unfriended, St. Agatha) and Mark Famiglietti (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines) co-star in Consumed as Jay and Beth, a married couple taking a celebratory camping trip a year after Beth’s cancer remission, who find themselves trapped between a wild madman ( Sawa) and a skin stealing monster. David Calbert wrote the script.
“When I first read the script for Consumed, I was excited about the challenges it presented. Its characters not only have to face a terrifying creature stalking the woods, but individually, they are also forced to...
- 5/9/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Stifler is back on the hunt for women. Deadline is reporting that the American Pie star is set to star in a new romantic comedy from Luke Greenfield titled The Last Bachelor. The rom-com will be brought to us by XYZ Films. Greenfield will also be producing the script he co-wrote with Jason Benoit. It is set to be introduced to buyers at the Cannes market and is billed as a “big romantic comedy in the tone of Judd Apatow and Jerry Maguire.”
The synopsis for The Last Bachelor reads,
“After realizing all his friends have settled down and gotten married, Tommy Kriffman (Seann William Scott) goes from never wanting to get married to becoming obsessed with finding his wife and having a family Asap. But when he falls in love with a stunning, younger woman, Dylan, who – like the old Tommy – isn’t ready to settle down, a hilarious gender reversal begins.
The synopsis for The Last Bachelor reads,
“After realizing all his friends have settled down and gotten married, Tommy Kriffman (Seann William Scott) goes from never wanting to get married to becoming obsessed with finding his wife and having a family Asap. But when he falls in love with a stunning, younger woman, Dylan, who – like the old Tommy – isn’t ready to settle down, a hilarious gender reversal begins.
- 5/5/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Seann William Scott has signed on to star in The Last Bachelor, a romantic comedy from director Luke Greenfield.
Greenfield co-wrote the script and will also produce alongside Jason Benoit, with XYZ Films producing and financing with investment funding from Ipr.Vc. Lee Kim of Resolute Films and Entertainment is also producing. XYZ Films are handling world rights and will introduce the pic to buyers and the upcoming Cannes market.
Billed as a “big romantic comedy in the tone of Judd Apatow and Jerry Maguire,” the pic follows eternal bachelor Tommy Kriffman (Seann William Scott), who, after realizing all his friends have settled down and gotten married, goes from never wanting to get married to becoming obsessed with finding his wife and having a family Asap. But when he falls in love with a stunning, younger woman,...
Greenfield co-wrote the script and will also produce alongside Jason Benoit, with XYZ Films producing and financing with investment funding from Ipr.Vc. Lee Kim of Resolute Films and Entertainment is also producing. XYZ Films are handling world rights and will introduce the pic to buyers and the upcoming Cannes market.
Billed as a “big romantic comedy in the tone of Judd Apatow and Jerry Maguire,” the pic follows eternal bachelor Tommy Kriffman (Seann William Scott), who, after realizing all his friends have settled down and gotten married, goes from never wanting to get married to becoming obsessed with finding his wife and having a family Asap. But when he falls in love with a stunning, younger woman,...
- 5/5/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Boy bands are powerful. They've stood the test of time, staying endlessly relevant and fascinating, and have dominated pop culture discourse no matter the decade. Whether it be The Beatles or One Direction, we've at least once dreamed of following a boy band we've been obsessed with while they're on tour. And now, eOne is making a movie about it.
Titled "Rock The Boat," the female-driven boy band comedy stars queen of comedy Rebel Wilson, Leslie Mann, and James Van Der Beek. Here's everything we know about it.
Everything We Know About The Story Of Rock The Boat
As per Deadline, the film is being described as a "female-driven comedy" that borrows inspiration from the real-life phenomena generated by boy bands such as "Backstreet Boys" and "New Kids on the Block" during their reunion tours aboard luxury cruise ships. Because who doesn't want to be a part of that?
The...
Titled "Rock The Boat," the female-driven boy band comedy stars queen of comedy Rebel Wilson, Leslie Mann, and James Van Der Beek. Here's everything we know about it.
Everything We Know About The Story Of Rock The Boat
As per Deadline, the film is being described as a "female-driven comedy" that borrows inspiration from the real-life phenomena generated by boy bands such as "Backstreet Boys" and "New Kids on the Block" during their reunion tours aboard luxury cruise ships. Because who doesn't want to be a part of that?
The...
- 3/19/2023
- by Fatemeh Mirjalili
- Slash Film
James Van Der Beek is getting the band back together.
Van Der Beek is in negotiations to join Rebel Wilson and Leslie Mann in Rock the Boat, a comedy being made by eOne.
Veteran comedy director Luke Greenfield (Let’s Be Cops) is helming the project that has Netflix in talks to pick it up from eOne, which is on the market from Hasbro. A spring shoot is being eyed.
Jon Turteltaub, Jonathan Prince, Mark Ross and Wilson are producing. Josie Liang is executive producing.
The story tells of four female best friends who in high school in the 1990s were obsessed with a boy band a la The Backstreet Boys or 98 Degrees. Cut to 20 years later, when the band, named 4Play, announces a reunion tour aboard a cruise ship, the four women hop on board to rediscover their friendships and reignite their lives.
Van Der Beek will play one of the band members.
Van Der Beek is in negotiations to join Rebel Wilson and Leslie Mann in Rock the Boat, a comedy being made by eOne.
Veteran comedy director Luke Greenfield (Let’s Be Cops) is helming the project that has Netflix in talks to pick it up from eOne, which is on the market from Hasbro. A spring shoot is being eyed.
Jon Turteltaub, Jonathan Prince, Mark Ross and Wilson are producing. Josie Liang is executive producing.
The story tells of four female best friends who in high school in the 1990s were obsessed with a boy band a la The Backstreet Boys or 98 Degrees. Cut to 20 years later, when the band, named 4Play, announces a reunion tour aboard a cruise ship, the four women hop on board to rediscover their friendships and reignite their lives.
Van Der Beek will play one of the band members.
- 3/7/2023
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Rebel Wilson and Leslie Mann are set to star in the R-rated eOne comedy Rock the Boat with Luke Greenfield on board to direct sources tell Deadline. The project was originally written by Jacob Meszaros and Zach Taylor, with revisions by Sarah Rothschild, Greenfield & Jason Benoit.
The project is produced by Jon Turteltaub, Jonathan Prince, Mark Ross, and Rebel Wilson with Josie Liang executive producing. Zev Foreman, Jen Gorton, and Steven Holster are overseeing for eOne.
Principal photography is set for January 2023.
The pic is a female-driven comedy inspired by the hilarious real-life phenomenon of boy bands such as Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block throwing reunion tours aboard luxury cruise ships. The movie follows four best friends from high school who were obsessed with a famous boy band back in the 90’s. Twenty years later, when the band announces a reunion tour aboard a cruise ship,...
The project is produced by Jon Turteltaub, Jonathan Prince, Mark Ross, and Rebel Wilson with Josie Liang executive producing. Zev Foreman, Jen Gorton, and Steven Holster are overseeing for eOne.
Principal photography is set for January 2023.
The pic is a female-driven comedy inspired by the hilarious real-life phenomenon of boy bands such as Backstreet Boys and New Kids on the Block throwing reunion tours aboard luxury cruise ships. The movie follows four best friends from high school who were obsessed with a famous boy band back in the 90’s. Twenty years later, when the band announces a reunion tour aboard a cruise ship,...
- 10/6/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Excusive: Jeffrey Scott Collins, director, writer and producer of the romantic comedy Poor Greg Drowning, has signed with Stride Management for representation.
Poor Greg Drowning was acquired and released by Comedy Dynamics after it played at 26 festivals, garnering 13 awards including Best Picture, Best Comedy, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Director. The film, narrated by Cedric the Entertainer, is about a love addict named Greg, played by Graham Sibley, whose girlfriend left him for their couples therapist.
In addition to developing his slate of film and TV projects, Collins is also working on his follow-up feature, a dark heist noir comedy set in Los Angeles. Collins co-wrote the script, and will also be directing and producing the film through his This Seems Reel Entertainment banner.
Prior to Poor Greg Drowning, Collins wrote, directed and produced two 30-minute short films, 10 Years Later (2012) and Let It Bleed (2010).
Collins began his film and TV career in finance,...
Poor Greg Drowning was acquired and released by Comedy Dynamics after it played at 26 festivals, garnering 13 awards including Best Picture, Best Comedy, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Director. The film, narrated by Cedric the Entertainer, is about a love addict named Greg, played by Graham Sibley, whose girlfriend left him for their couples therapist.
In addition to developing his slate of film and TV projects, Collins is also working on his follow-up feature, a dark heist noir comedy set in Los Angeles. Collins co-wrote the script, and will also be directing and producing the film through his This Seems Reel Entertainment banner.
Prior to Poor Greg Drowning, Collins wrote, directed and produced two 30-minute short films, 10 Years Later (2012) and Let It Bleed (2010).
Collins began his film and TV career in finance,...
- 4/12/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Who knew that such a f--ked up love story could be so romantic? Because while the plot of Something Borrowed isn't exactly the stuff of conventional fairytales—girl meets boy, girl's best friend falls for boy, girl realizes on the eve of her Bff's wedding that maybe she was in love with boy this whole time—there was certainly some magic in the air on the New York City set. "You know, a lot of us got engaged during that shoot," director Luke Greenfield reflected to E! News in an exclusive chat. "And I was one of them." Indeed, by the time the star-studded, delightful rom-com—based on Emily Giffin's bestselling novel—hit...
- 5/6/2021
- E! Online
A nuanced and occasionally moving drama about an estranged family, Bradley Grant Smith’s Our Father features an arc that perhaps sounds too common: siblings take a road trip and along the way grow, but here, ending on a note of uncertainty. It may take a little too long for the film to reach that conclusion, but the journey allows sisters Beta (Baize Buzan) and Zelda (Allison Torem) to develop in ways that are rich and subtle even if the story lacks narrative efficiency. Perhaps the leisurely-paced journey and the tonal missteps are reflective of the circumstances Beta and Allison find themselves in, employing stints of indie quirk to put up a kind of barrier for the siblings to shield themselves with.
The film opens as Beta sleeps in her car and heads into her final day at an office job she’s just quit to pursue grad school. Having...
The film opens as Beta sleeps in her car and heads into her final day at an office job she’s just quit to pursue grad school. Having...
- 3/31/2021
- by John Fink
- The Film Stage
Few titles open at the North American box office post-Thanksgiving weekend, which usually is one of the weakest of the year. In 2019, that meant it fell short of $100 million. This year, it will see less than $9 million. Fewer than half of domestic theaters are open, of course, but the biggest barrier remains audience resistance to theaters during the pandemic.
Thanks to “The Croods: A New Age,” this isn’t the lowest-grossing weekend since theaters began reopening in mid-August. That sequel received most of the action, along with five other titles from Universal and its specialty division Focus Features.
Three of those titles — “Freaky,” “Let Him Go,” and “Come Play” — are already available at home for $19.99 after each spent three weeks in theaters. With the absence of product, they continue to place in the top 10. The three other films, including “Croods,” will also land on VOD platforms this month.
There were...
Thanks to “The Croods: A New Age,” this isn’t the lowest-grossing weekend since theaters began reopening in mid-August. That sequel received most of the action, along with five other titles from Universal and its specialty division Focus Features.
Three of those titles — “Freaky,” “Let Him Go,” and “Come Play” — are already available at home for $19.99 after each spent three weeks in theaters. With the absence of product, they continue to place in the top 10. The three other films, including “Croods,” will also land on VOD platforms this month.
There were...
- 12/6/2020
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
If there’s one weekend at the box office that studios and exhibitors typically have had no thanks for, it’s the post Thanksgiving period, typically the first weekend in December, when business drops by as much as 50%.
Last year the Black Friday weekend went from $180.9M led by Frozen 2 to $90.3M during the first frame of December, and let me tell ya somethin’, studios and exhibition are hungering for those types of tickets sales right now.
Universal remains the only major studio pumping out wide releases to those remaining movie theaters which aren’t being smashed down by lockdowns (like in California — God knows when we’ll be able to go to the movies again).
This weekend, Universal’s DreamWorks Animated title The Croods: A New Age in weekend 2 continued to see the best numbers in the current Covid-19 America, with $4.4M, -55%, crossing $20.3M in its 12th day in release.
Last year the Black Friday weekend went from $180.9M led by Frozen 2 to $90.3M during the first frame of December, and let me tell ya somethin’, studios and exhibition are hungering for those types of tickets sales right now.
Universal remains the only major studio pumping out wide releases to those remaining movie theaters which aren’t being smashed down by lockdowns (like in California — God knows when we’ll be able to go to the movies again).
This weekend, Universal’s DreamWorks Animated title The Croods: A New Age in weekend 2 continued to see the best numbers in the current Covid-19 America, with $4.4M, -55%, crossing $20.3M in its 12th day in release.
- 12/6/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
So many movies intended for the big screen are having to forgo it these days, it seems odd when something as apt for home viewing as “Half Brothers” makes the Covid-defying move of opening on 1,200-plus American screens. Those looking for undemanding entertainment may give it a passing grade, but or the collective viewing experience. Nor does writer-producer Eduardo Cisernos’ concept add much to culture-clash politics beyond contrivance and reinforced stereotypes. It’s a slick film that’s forgettable at best, annoyingly broad and unfunny at worst.
A 1994 prologue has engineer Flavio (Juan Pablo Espinosa) enjoying a close, playful relationship with only child Renato (Ian Inigo) in their native San Miguel de Allende. But a steep economic downturn forces dad to leave his wife (Bianca Marroquin) and son behind in order to seek work up north, along with many others. While he promises he’ll soon return, that promise is broken.
A 1994 prologue has engineer Flavio (Juan Pablo Espinosa) enjoying a close, playful relationship with only child Renato (Ian Inigo) in their native San Miguel de Allende. But a steep economic downturn forces dad to leave his wife (Bianca Marroquin) and son behind in order to seek work up north, along with many others. While he promises he’ll soon return, that promise is broken.
- 12/5/2020
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
Cinemas — the ones that are open — are hurting for new content. With only one wide release this week — that would be Focus Features’ “Half Brothers” opening on approximately 1,200 screens — film fans will likely be staying home and sifting through new releases via streaming instead.
For example, audiences have their choice between Disney fairy-tale sendup “Godmothered” and Francis Ford Coppola’s re-edit of “The Godfather Part III.” The former (which stars Isla Fisher and Jillian Bell) is available to Disney Plus subscribers, while the latter is getting a very limited theatrical run.
Who knows how audiences will react to a story about a romance cut short by medical tragedy in the era of Covid-19, but Universal serves up a well-made version of just that kind of love story with “All My Life,” featuring Jessica Rothe and Harry Shum Jr.
Steve McQueen’s five-film Small Axe series continues on Amazon Prime, while David Fincher’s buzzy,...
For example, audiences have their choice between Disney fairy-tale sendup “Godmothered” and Francis Ford Coppola’s re-edit of “The Godfather Part III.” The former (which stars Isla Fisher and Jillian Bell) is available to Disney Plus subscribers, while the latter is getting a very limited theatrical run.
Who knows how audiences will react to a story about a romance cut short by medical tragedy in the era of Covid-19, but Universal serves up a well-made version of just that kind of love story with “All My Life,” featuring Jessica Rothe and Harry Shum Jr.
Steve McQueen’s five-film Small Axe series continues on Amazon Prime, while David Fincher’s buzzy,...
- 12/5/2020
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
As we enter the throes of awards season more and more films are starting to make their qualifying runs in what is expected to be a very different kind of season. For starters, Searchlight Pictures is set to release Chloe Zhao’s buzzy pic of existential wanderlust Nomadland starring Frances McDormand for its virtual qualifying run starting today before expanding in 2021.
The film, which is set to run virtually at the Film Lincoln Center through December 11, follows Fern in the midst of the economic collapse of a company town in rural Nevada. We take a journey alongside Fern as she packs her van and sets off on the road exploring a life outside of conventional society as a modern-day nomad. This marks the third feature for Zhao and features real nomads Linda May, Swankie and Bob Wells as Fern’s mentors and comrades in her exploration...
The film, which is set to run virtually at the Film Lincoln Center through December 11, follows Fern in the midst of the economic collapse of a company town in rural Nevada. We take a journey alongside Fern as she packs her van and sets off on the road exploring a life outside of conventional society as a modern-day nomad. This marks the third feature for Zhao and features real nomads Linda May, Swankie and Bob Wells as Fern’s mentors and comrades in her exploration...
- 12/4/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
An emotional rollercoaster from minute one, director Luke Greenfield’s Half Brothers ultimately taps into something earnest. Renato (Luis Gerardo Méndez) is a salty engineer living in Mexico City, days away from marrying Pamela (Pia Watson), when he gets a phone call from the States. His estranged father Flavio (Juan Pablo Espinosa) is dying and has asked to speak with his son. Reticent to acknowledge a man who abandoned him and his mother so many years before, Renato is pushed by Pamela, who is convinced her fiancee needs closure in order to become a good father to their son, a young boy struggling with his own eccentricities.
Moments after arriving in Chicago, Renato learns that he’s got a half-brother named Asher (Connor Del Rio), with whom he could not be more different. Upon Flavio’s death, the brothers are called into a mystery of their father’s creation. A strained-but-ultimately cathartic road trip ensues,...
Moments after arriving in Chicago, Renato learns that he’s got a half-brother named Asher (Connor Del Rio), with whom he could not be more different. Upon Flavio’s death, the brothers are called into a mystery of their father’s creation. A strained-but-ultimately cathartic road trip ensues,...
- 11/30/2020
- by Dan Mecca
- The Film Stage
Renato, a successful Mexican aviation executive, is shocked to discover he has an American half-brother he never knew about, the free-spirited Asher. The two very different half-brothers are forced on a road journey together masterminded by their ailing father, tracing the path their father took as an immigrant from Mexico to the US.
In theaters December 4th, Wamg has your free passes to the virtual screening.
Click here to get your passes Passes link: http://focusfeaturesscreenings.com/jzFPo94926
The screening is this Thursday, 12/3 at 7pm.
Connor Del Rio (left) stars as “Asher” and Luis Gerardo Mendez (right) stars as “Renato” in director Luke Greenfield’s Half Brothers, a Focus Features release. Credit : John Golden Britt / Focus Features
No purchase necessary. Open to U.S. residents only.
Rated PG 13
https://www.focusfeatures.com/half-brothers/
The post Win Free Passes To The Virtual Screening Of Focus Features Half Brothers – In Theatres...
In theaters December 4th, Wamg has your free passes to the virtual screening.
Click here to get your passes Passes link: http://focusfeaturesscreenings.com/jzFPo94926
The screening is this Thursday, 12/3 at 7pm.
Connor Del Rio (left) stars as “Asher” and Luis Gerardo Mendez (right) stars as “Renato” in director Luke Greenfield’s Half Brothers, a Focus Features release. Credit : John Golden Britt / Focus Features
No purchase necessary. Open to U.S. residents only.
Rated PG 13
https://www.focusfeatures.com/half-brothers/
The post Win Free Passes To The Virtual Screening Of Focus Features Half Brothers – In Theatres...
- 11/30/2020
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Title: Poor Greg Drowning Director: Jeffrey Scott Collins Screenwriter: Jeffrey Scott Collins Cast: Jeremy Luke, Christine Woods, Jenny O’Hara, Cedric the Entertainer, Jenny O’Hara, Laura Seay, Deborah S. Craig, Kevin Daniels, George Basil, Assaf Cohen, Luke Greenfield, Ajay Mehta, Sarah Baldwin, Graham Sibley, Ray Xifo, Andrew Dits, Marguerite Gioia Insolia, Paulina Michaels, Kate Prendergast. Article […]
The post Interview: Jeffrey Scott Collins Talks Poor Greg Drowning (Exclusive) appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Interview: Jeffrey Scott Collins Talks Poor Greg Drowning (Exclusive) appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 11/2/2020
- by Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi
- ShockYa
"My father's last wish is for me to go on a scavenger hunt with a brother I never knew I had!" Road trip time! Focus Features has released an official trailer for an adventure comedy titled Half Brothers, from American filmmaker Luke Greenfield. Follow the clues. Uncover the mystery. Find your family. The story follows a successful Mexican aviation executive who is shocked to discover he has an American half-brother he never knew about. The two very different half-brothers are go on a road journey together masterminded by their ailing father, tracing the path their father took as an immigrant from Mexico to the US. Meant to be a metaphor of the relationship between neighboring countries America and Mexico. Starring Luis Gerardo Méndez and Connor Del Rio as the brothers, along with José Zúñiga, Vincent Spano, Pia Watson, Juan Pablo Espinosa, and Jwaundace Candece. Looks like wholesome, cheesy road trippin' goofiness.
- 10/8/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Former Focus Features executive Luane Gauer has joined sales, production and finance company Protagonist Pictures as head of acquisitions.
As vice-president, production and acquisitions at Focus in Los Angeles, Gauer worked on films for worldwide distribution, including Emerald Fennell’s Sundance title “Promising Young Woman”; international acquisitions like Joanna Hogg’s “The Souvenir,” Asghar Fahradi’s “Everybody Knows”; and Pedro Almodovar’s “Pain and Glory”; as well as in-house productions including Luke Greenfield’s upcoming “Half Brothers.”
Gauer was previously at Universal Pictures in London, where she worked in international production and acquisitions.
“I have long been an admirer of Protagonist Pictures and am delighted to join the team,” said Gauer. “I look forward to working with them and with exceptional creators on films that inspire and entertain audiences across the world.”
Protagonist CEO Dave Bishop said: “Recognised for her exceptional taste, broad industry knowledge, and international filmmaker relationships, Luane...
As vice-president, production and acquisitions at Focus in Los Angeles, Gauer worked on films for worldwide distribution, including Emerald Fennell’s Sundance title “Promising Young Woman”; international acquisitions like Joanna Hogg’s “The Souvenir,” Asghar Fahradi’s “Everybody Knows”; and Pedro Almodovar’s “Pain and Glory”; as well as in-house productions including Luke Greenfield’s upcoming “Half Brothers.”
Gauer was previously at Universal Pictures in London, where she worked in international production and acquisitions.
“I have long been an admirer of Protagonist Pictures and am delighted to join the team,” said Gauer. “I look forward to working with them and with exceptional creators on films that inspire and entertain audiences across the world.”
Protagonist CEO Dave Bishop said: “Recognised for her exceptional taste, broad industry knowledge, and international filmmaker relationships, Luane...
- 8/19/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Gauer most recently held the position of Focus Features vice-president of production and acquisitions.
UK-based sales, production and finance company Protagonist Pictures has hired Luane Gauer as head of acquisitions to replace Isabelle Stewart, who left the company last month.
Gauer will be based in London and arrives from Los Angles, where she most recently held the position of Focus Features vice-president of production and acquisitions.
During her tenure at Focus, she worked on Carey Mulligan revenge tale Promising Young Woman, Joanna Hogg’s The Souvenir, Asghar Farhadi’s Everybody Knows and Pedro Almodovar’s Pain & Glory, as well...
UK-based sales, production and finance company Protagonist Pictures has hired Luane Gauer as head of acquisitions to replace Isabelle Stewart, who left the company last month.
Gauer will be based in London and arrives from Los Angles, where she most recently held the position of Focus Features vice-president of production and acquisitions.
During her tenure at Focus, she worked on Carey Mulligan revenge tale Promising Young Woman, Joanna Hogg’s The Souvenir, Asghar Farhadi’s Everybody Knows and Pedro Almodovar’s Pain & Glory, as well...
- 8/19/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Focus Features has finalized its worldwide deal to distribute and finance “Armageddon Time,” the latest film from “Ad Astra” director James Gray that stars Cate Blanchett, Robert De Niro, Oscar Isaac, Anne Hathaway and Donald Sutherland, the distributor announced Tuesday.
Gray wrote the script and will direct “Armageddon Time” based on Gray’s own childhood memories growing up in Queens. The film will tell a coming-of-age story that explores friendship and loyalty while America is poised to elect Ronald Reagan as president.
“Armageddon Time” is expected to begin production at the start of 2021 in New York.
Also Read: Cate Blanchett to Star in 'Borderlands' Video Game Adaptation at Lionsgate
“It’s really a dream come true for me, to do this kind of personal story, and to do it for such a wonderful partner in Focus Features. I could not ask for a better home for this film,...
Gray wrote the script and will direct “Armageddon Time” based on Gray’s own childhood memories growing up in Queens. The film will tell a coming-of-age story that explores friendship and loyalty while America is poised to elect Ronald Reagan as president.
“Armageddon Time” is expected to begin production at the start of 2021 in New York.
Also Read: Cate Blanchett to Star in 'Borderlands' Video Game Adaptation at Lionsgate
“It’s really a dream come true for me, to do this kind of personal story, and to do it for such a wonderful partner in Focus Features. I could not ask for a better home for this film,...
- 7/28/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Deadline hears that STXfilms is in advanced talks with Let’s Be Cops and The Girl Next Door filmmaker Luke Greenfield to direct the action-thriller We Are Untouchable.
Greenfield will direct from a script he co-wrote with Captain Mauzner (Billionaire Boys Club, Wonderland, Factory Girl). The Greenfield/Mauzner screenplay is based on a screenplay by Oritte Bendory and Aaron Feldman with revisions by Michael Diliberti and by Anthony Drazan. Greenfield most recently directed and produced the Focus Features dramedy Half Brothers. We Are Untouchable will be his next project. Chernin Entertainment is producing. We Are Untouchable focuses on a group of international college grads working in Mexico City at their respective diplomatic embassies. By day, they’re slaving away as mailroom assistants getting abused by their bosses. But when they find out they have diplomatic immunity — and they can’t get arrested for anything they do — they go wild with...
Greenfield will direct from a script he co-wrote with Captain Mauzner (Billionaire Boys Club, Wonderland, Factory Girl). The Greenfield/Mauzner screenplay is based on a screenplay by Oritte Bendory and Aaron Feldman with revisions by Michael Diliberti and by Anthony Drazan. Greenfield most recently directed and produced the Focus Features dramedy Half Brothers. We Are Untouchable will be his next project. Chernin Entertainment is producing. We Are Untouchable focuses on a group of international college grads working in Mexico City at their respective diplomatic embassies. By day, they’re slaving away as mailroom assistants getting abused by their bosses. But when they find out they have diplomatic immunity — and they can’t get arrested for anything they do — they go wild with...
- 5/8/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Wme has signed Luis Gerardo Méndez, who is on the rise after starring in and executive producing Netflix’s first Spanish-language original series Club de Cuervos and recently broke out on the streamer’s Adam Sandler-Jennifer Aniston movie Murder Mystery.
The move comes as Méndez shoots the Focus Features film Half Brothers. The comedy, which he developed with co-writers Eduardo Cisneros, Jason Shuman and director Luke Greenfield, revolves around two very different half-brothers (Méndez and Connor Del Rio) forced on a road trip together masterminded by their ailing father, tracing the path their dad took as an immigrant from Mexico to the U.S.
Méndez also will appear in Sony’s Charlie’s Angels reboot which hits theaters November 15. His previous film credits in Mexico include the Netflix boxing drama Bayoneta and the Warner Bros comedy The Noble Family, which grossed $26 million there in 2013. He also co-starred in the 2014 biographical film Cantinflas,...
The move comes as Méndez shoots the Focus Features film Half Brothers. The comedy, which he developed with co-writers Eduardo Cisneros, Jason Shuman and director Luke Greenfield, revolves around two very different half-brothers (Méndez and Connor Del Rio) forced on a road trip together masterminded by their ailing father, tracing the path their dad took as an immigrant from Mexico to the U.S.
Méndez also will appear in Sony’s Charlie’s Angels reboot which hits theaters November 15. His previous film credits in Mexico include the Netflix boxing drama Bayoneta and the Warner Bros comedy The Noble Family, which grossed $26 million there in 2013. He also co-starred in the 2014 biographical film Cantinflas,...
- 8/14/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, Jordan Peele’s “Candyman” rounds out its cast, Hayes Hargrove gets two parts, and Oscar-winning sound mixer Tom Fleischman is honored.
Castings
Colman Domingo and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett have joined Jordan Peele’s “Candyman” reboot, which has started shooting in Chicago.
Written by Peele and Rosenfeld and directed by Nia DaCosta, the new “Candyman” is being described as a spiritual sequel to the 1992 gothic horror film, which was based on Clive Barker’s short story “The Forbidden” about the deadly ghost of an artist and slave.
MGM is producing and financing. Universal will distribute “Candyman” globally with the U.S. release date slated for June 12.
****
Hayes Hargrove has joined the cast of the Focus Features film “Half Brothers,” directed by Luke Greenfield and starring Luis Gerardo Mendez.
Hargrove plays a blissfully ignorant ride share driver. Mendez is playing a man who grew up worshiping his...
Castings
Colman Domingo and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett have joined Jordan Peele’s “Candyman” reboot, which has started shooting in Chicago.
Written by Peele and Rosenfeld and directed by Nia DaCosta, the new “Candyman” is being described as a spiritual sequel to the 1992 gothic horror film, which was based on Clive Barker’s short story “The Forbidden” about the deadly ghost of an artist and slave.
MGM is producing and financing. Universal will distribute “Candyman” globally with the U.S. release date slated for June 12.
****
Hayes Hargrove has joined the cast of the Focus Features film “Half Brothers,” directed by Luke Greenfield and starring Luis Gerardo Mendez.
Hargrove plays a blissfully ignorant ride share driver. Mendez is playing a man who grew up worshiping his...
- 8/13/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: After rising to stardom in Mexico, Luis Gerardo Méndez is transitioning to Hollywood with a determination to tell stories of his home country that go beyond the stereotypical images that play out in cartel films or reflect polarizing news coverage and political rhetoric involving immigration.
Méndez makes his English-language debut in the Jennifer Aniston-Adam Sandler comic whodunit Murder Mystery which Netflix releases Friday, this after starring in and exec producing for four seasons Netflix’s first-ever-Spanish-language original series Club de Cuervos, the streaming service’s first original production in Mexico. Méndez also plays a key role in Sony Pictures’ upcoming Charlie’s Angels reboot coming this fall.
Related: One To Watch: Can Hero-Obsessed Hollywood Make Room For Aspiring Actor Spencer Stone, The Guy Who Dropped That Terrorist On Paris-Bound Train?
Now, Focus Features has set the first English-language project to be built around him. Half Brothers is...
Méndez makes his English-language debut in the Jennifer Aniston-Adam Sandler comic whodunit Murder Mystery which Netflix releases Friday, this after starring in and exec producing for four seasons Netflix’s first-ever-Spanish-language original series Club de Cuervos, the streaming service’s first original production in Mexico. Méndez also plays a key role in Sony Pictures’ upcoming Charlie’s Angels reboot coming this fall.
Related: One To Watch: Can Hero-Obsessed Hollywood Make Room For Aspiring Actor Spencer Stone, The Guy Who Dropped That Terrorist On Paris-Bound Train?
Now, Focus Features has set the first English-language project to be built around him. Half Brothers is...
- 6/11/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Lots of filmmakers can say Steven Spielberg influenced them. But there are select few who can point to a more direct interaction. One such example is Let’s Be Cops Luke Greenfield who has just seen a long-gestating script called Destiny bought by DreamWorks.Not much is known about the basic concept beyond the pitch line reported by Deadline: a supernatural love story about a struggling designer who must overcome his fears and uncertainty. But the connection runs much deeper than a deal with Spielberg’s company.It was born from the then 16-year-old Greenfield’s mother writing to Spielberg enclosing copies of her son’s Super 8 movies and asking the man behind E.T. and Jurassic Park if he thought Greenfield had what it took as a filmmaker. Spielberg responded with a two-page letter of encouragement and advice and that led Greenfield to a career in films. Fast-forward to...
- 5/13/2015
- EmpireOnline
DreamWorks has set Luke Greenfield, the director behind Let’s Be Cops and The Girl Next Door, to direct a script he co-wrote with Dana Stevens (The Dive) called Destiny. The deal brings him under the wing of Steven Spielberg, the legendary helmer who encouraged a teenage Greenfield to pursue filmmaking way back in the ’90s.
At the age of 16, Greenfield began an unlikely correspondence with Spielberg when the teen’s mother sent him a package containing Greenfield’s Super-8 films and asked whether her son had the stuff of a future filmmaker. Spielberg received the films, watched them and replied with a two-page letter offering storytelling tips and pushing Greenfield to pursue his passion – which he did.
When The Girl Next Door came out 16 years later, Spielberg asked Greenfield to come in for a meeting. On realizing that their paths had indirectly crossed before, the Jurassic Park helmer asked...
At the age of 16, Greenfield began an unlikely correspondence with Spielberg when the teen’s mother sent him a package containing Greenfield’s Super-8 films and asked whether her son had the stuff of a future filmmaker. Spielberg received the films, watched them and replied with a two-page letter offering storytelling tips and pushing Greenfield to pursue his passion – which he did.
When The Girl Next Door came out 16 years later, Spielberg asked Greenfield to come in for a meeting. On realizing that their paths had indirectly crossed before, the Jurassic Park helmer asked...
- 5/12/2015
- by Isaac Feldberg
- We Got This Covered
Exclusive: Luke Greenfield, director of the sleepers The Girl Next Door and Let’s Be Cops, has made a deal at DreamWorks to direct Destiny, a script he’s co-writing with Dana Stevens, who most recently scripted The Dive for producer James Cameron, director Francis Lawrence and Jennifer Lawrence. Greenfield has a few projects percolating — The Holiday Club at Fox/Chernin Entertainment and Slingshot with Gulfstream Pictures among them — but this one is exceptional because…...
- 5/12/2015
- Deadline
Exclusive: Paradigm has signed Steve Carr, the helmer of hit comedies that include Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Are We Done Yet, Daddy Day Care, Dr. Dolittle 2 and Next Friday. Carr next is set to direct The Wedding Guests for CBS Films and The Boondoggle, a buddy comedy scripted by Rob Riggle & Tom Lennon. He’s also developing the AMC series Sherman’s March. Carr had been at ICM Partners.
He becomes the latest in a bunch of directors who’ve signed with Paradigm including Luke Greenfield, Rob Minkoff, Walt Becker, Malcolm Lee, Joe Johnston, Carl Franklin. Ole Bornedal and others. The signings come after a number of high-profile agents have joined the agency.
Carr remains managed by Peter Principato and lawyered by Karl Austen.
He becomes the latest in a bunch of directors who’ve signed with Paradigm including Luke Greenfield, Rob Minkoff, Walt Becker, Malcolm Lee, Joe Johnston, Carl Franklin. Ole Bornedal and others. The signings come after a number of high-profile agents have joined the agency.
Carr remains managed by Peter Principato and lawyered by Karl Austen.
- 2/11/2015
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline
Stars: Jake Johnson, Damon Wayans Jr., Nina Dobrev, Andy Garcia, Rob Riggle, James D’Arcy, Keegan-Michael Key, Jonathan Lajoie, Tom Mardirosian, Natasha Leggero | Written by Luke Greenfield, Nicholas Thomas | Directed by Luke Greenfield
There are few things as quietly distressing and disappointing to the film fan as seeing people you like and admire feature in movies that are total turd. Such is the case with Let’s Be Cops. I really like Jake Johnson. If you read my Frightfest review of Creep you’ll probably have noticed that I spent about a third of that gushing about Safety Not Guaranteed, the Johnson-starring offbeat dramedy in which he is really good as a louche journalist. He is also really good in New Girl. So good, in fact, that he pretty much carried the show for the first half season it takes to get used to how annoying Zooey Deschanel is in it.
There are few things as quietly distressing and disappointing to the film fan as seeing people you like and admire feature in movies that are total turd. Such is the case with Let’s Be Cops. I really like Jake Johnson. If you read my Frightfest review of Creep you’ll probably have noticed that I spent about a third of that gushing about Safety Not Guaranteed, the Johnson-starring offbeat dramedy in which he is really good as a louche journalist. He is also really good in New Girl. So good, in fact, that he pretty much carried the show for the first half season it takes to get used to how annoying Zooey Deschanel is in it.
- 12/15/2014
- by Jack Kirby
- Nerdly
Let’s Be Cops: Did You Know … ? Here’s some fun trivia about Let’s Be Cops, starring Jake Johnson, Damon Wayans Jr. and Rob Riggle. In the film, when Ryan (Johnson) and Justin (Wayans) make the decision to dress up as cops for a costume party, they take it to another level. As people start to mistake them for genuine cops, things get real, and they find themselves in the middle of an actual case. • Director and cowriter for Let’s Be Cops Luke Greenfield got the idea for the film when a costume designer gave him an authentic Los Angeles Police Department … Continue reading →
The post VOD Spotlight: Let’s Be Cops appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.
The post VOD Spotlight: Let’s Be Cops appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.
- 11/25/2014
- by Meredith Ennis
- ChannelGuideMag
Let’s Be Cops director Luke Greenfield is set to direct an original sci-fi film project set up at Warner Bros. called Slingshot. He came up with the concept with his producing partner Trevor Sands, and the story is said to be in the same vein as the classic Steven Spielberg Amblin movies.
As of right now, details on the project are slim but it will be a tribute to the classic '80s films that inspired the director to want to make movies for a living. Some of the classic films that inspired him include E.T. and Back To The Future.
Greenfield is the same guy who brought us the hilarious sex comedy The Girl Next Girl. It seems like he’s only worked in the comedy genre, so taking the leap into sci-fi will be a big jump for him, and it’s one I’d love to see pay off.
As of right now, details on the project are slim but it will be a tribute to the classic '80s films that inspired the director to want to make movies for a living. Some of the classic films that inspired him include E.T. and Back To The Future.
Greenfield is the same guy who brought us the hilarious sex comedy The Girl Next Girl. It seems like he’s only worked in the comedy genre, so taking the leap into sci-fi will be a big jump for him, and it’s one I’d love to see pay off.
- 11/23/2014
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Somehow, the sloppily assembled, unfunny "Let's Be Cops" earned over $120 million worldwide (Wtf), and since money talks in Hollywood, that means director Luke Greenfield gets to level up. And so he shall, setting up the movie "Slingshot," which is said to be in the spirit of "E.T." and "Back To The Future." No other plot details are available just yet, but let's just hope a little more craft is put into that effort. [Deadline] Daniel Espinosa ("Safe House," "Snabba Cash") has been tapped to direct "Boston Strong." The project was once set to star Casey Affleck, who has since dropped out of the movie that "follows the massive manhunt to apprehend the two men believed to be responsible for the bombings, as well as examining the city’s reaction following the events." “The Fighter” writers Eric Johnson and Paul Tamasy penned the script, but no word yet on when production might begin.
- 11/19/2014
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Untitled Paul Robeson Biopic
"12 Years a Slave" and "Shame" director Steve McQueen is teaming with Harry Belafonte to produce a biopic about singer, actor and activist Paul Robeson. McQueen has reportedly been keen on doing the project for years but is only now able to do so.
The project is different from the biopic that Four Stars International has been developing in recent years which had David Harewood on board at one time to play Robeson. [Source: Variety]
The Hunt for El Chapo
"Lone Survivor" director Peter Berg to has been tapped to helm "The Hunt for El Chapo," the true story tale of the capture earlier this year of notorious Sinaloa cartel head Joaquin Guzman Loera (aka. El Chapo). Craig Borten is developing the script based on Patrick Keefe's New Yorker article from earlier this year.
El Chapo rose up through the ranks of the Mexican cartels in the 1970s...
"12 Years a Slave" and "Shame" director Steve McQueen is teaming with Harry Belafonte to produce a biopic about singer, actor and activist Paul Robeson. McQueen has reportedly been keen on doing the project for years but is only now able to do so.
The project is different from the biopic that Four Stars International has been developing in recent years which had David Harewood on board at one time to play Robeson. [Source: Variety]
The Hunt for El Chapo
"Lone Survivor" director Peter Berg to has been tapped to helm "The Hunt for El Chapo," the true story tale of the capture earlier this year of notorious Sinaloa cartel head Joaquin Guzman Loera (aka. El Chapo). Craig Borten is developing the script based on Patrick Keefe's New Yorker article from earlier this year.
El Chapo rose up through the ranks of the Mexican cartels in the 1970s...
- 11/19/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Exclusive: After directing Fox’s Let’s Be Cops to a $122 million worldwide take, Luke Greenfield is setting up original sci-fier Slingshot at Gulfstream Pictures. Deal comes as Greenfield signs with Paradigm. The filmmaker is in negotiations to develop, produce, and direct the Amblin-esque story he conceived of with scribe and producing partner Trevor Sands (Hyperion, Resurrection).
Gulfstream’s Mike Karz and Bill Bindley will produce Slingshot through their Warner Bros-based shingle alongside Greenfield and Sands. Plot details are being kept under wraps, but story is said to follow in the style of ’80s classics like E.T. and Back To The Future that first sparked Greenfield and Sands to want to make films for a living.
Greenfield’s directing credits include the Elisha Cuthbert-Emile Hirsch comedy The Girl Next Door, and he developed and produced the David Wain-directed Role Models. He directed the pilot for the acclaimed...
Gulfstream’s Mike Karz and Bill Bindley will produce Slingshot through their Warner Bros-based shingle alongside Greenfield and Sands. Plot details are being kept under wraps, but story is said to follow in the style of ’80s classics like E.T. and Back To The Future that first sparked Greenfield and Sands to want to make films for a living.
Greenfield’s directing credits include the Elisha Cuthbert-Emile Hirsch comedy The Girl Next Door, and he developed and produced the David Wain-directed Role Models. He directed the pilot for the acclaimed...
- 11/18/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
We don't want to create a panic or anything, don't freak out, but...the "Olympus Has Fallen" sequel "London Has Fallen" has lost its director. Even worse? The movie is supposed to start shooting in six weeks. Oh no! What will Millennium do!? Fredrik Bond ("Charlie Countryman") was originally slated to helm the movie, but ye olde "creative differences" have forced him out. (Guys, this isn't an arthouse film. It's Gerard Butler yelling and shooting for two hours, this time in the U.K.) Anyway, Millenium is working fast to get a new director in place by the time Monday rolls around, and it shouldn't be too hard. A robot could direct this thing, and even with a time crunch to start lensing, we're pretty sure whoever comes aboard can get into the flow of things pretty quickly. "London Has Fallen" will open on October 2, 2015. Meanwhile, "The Girl Next Door...
- 9/19/2014
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Exclusive: Luke Greenfield, who wrote, produced and directed the Fox sleeper Let’s Be Cops, is back in business with the studio for his next film. He’s made a deal to direct and produce an untitled suspense thriller that, like his recent outing, depicts normal people using a loophole to empower themselves to live different lives. Here, a group of twentysomethings have diplomatic immunity because their parents are government officials. Since they literally cannot get arrested, the group uses this get-out-of-jail-free card to live an adrenaline-filled lifestyle filled with illegal stunts to satisfy their lust for life. But when the group gets trapped in real-world espionage, they are forced to risk their lives to save their diplomat parents, with the possibility they could be convicted of treason.
Greenfield teamed up with Peter Chernin’s company as producing partners with David Ready & Jenno Topping. Greenfield will not be writing this...
Greenfield teamed up with Peter Chernin’s company as producing partners with David Ready & Jenno Topping. Greenfield will not be writing this...
- 9/17/2014
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline
Update, Monday, 3:35 Pm: Overseas actuals have been logged for Lucy, Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes, Hercules, Into The Storm, Tmnt, The Fault In Their Stars, If I Stay, 22 Jump Street, Sex Tape, Deliver Us From Evil, Boyhood, How To Train Your Dragon 2, Let’s Be Cops, Step Up: All In, As Above, So Below, Transformers: Age of Extinction, and Relatos Salvajes. Meanwhile, Warner Bros.’ Adam Sandler-Drew Barrymore rom com Blended flew past $80M abroad, a bonus considering the film flatlined stateside, next to the duo’s previous outings, with $46.3M. Total global stands at $126.3M. More to come. — Anthony D’Alessandro contributing with Monday actuals.
Related: ‘Guardians’ Tops Lowest Grossing Post-Labor Day Domestic Weekend Since 2000
Previous, Sunday, 4:15 Pm Pt: This weekend domestically is projected to be the lowest grossing of 2014, off 23% from a year ago. And yet, the international frame is...
Related: ‘Guardians’ Tops Lowest Grossing Post-Labor Day Domestic Weekend Since 2000
Previous, Sunday, 4:15 Pm Pt: This weekend domestically is projected to be the lowest grossing of 2014, off 23% from a year ago. And yet, the international frame is...
- 9/8/2014
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline
Stars: Jake Johnson, Damon Wayans Jr., Nina Dobrev, Andy Garcia, Rob Riggle, James D’Arcy, Keegan-Michael Key, Jonathan Lajoie, Tom Mardirosian, Natasha Leggero | Written by Luke Greenfield, Nicholas Thomas | Directed by Luke Greenfield
There are few things as quietly distressing and disappointing to the film fan as seeing people you like and admire feature in movies that are total turd. Such is the case with Let’s Be Cops. I really like Jake Johnson. If you read my Frightfest review of Creep you’ll probably have noticed that I spent about a third of that gushing about Safety Not Guaranteed, the Johnson-starring offbeat dramedy in which he is really good as a louche journalist. He is also really good in New Girl. So good, in fact, that he pretty much carried the show for the first half season it takes to get used to how annoying Zooey Deschanel is in it.
There are few things as quietly distressing and disappointing to the film fan as seeing people you like and admire feature in movies that are total turd. Such is the case with Let’s Be Cops. I really like Jake Johnson. If you read my Frightfest review of Creep you’ll probably have noticed that I spent about a third of that gushing about Safety Not Guaranteed, the Johnson-starring offbeat dramedy in which he is really good as a louche journalist. He is also really good in New Girl. So good, in fact, that he pretty much carried the show for the first half season it takes to get used to how annoying Zooey Deschanel is in it.
- 8/28/2014
- by Jack Kirby
- Nerdly
★☆☆☆☆It's hardly an ideal time to be marketing a film in which two average Joes abuse the civil justice system by imitating Us police officers. With the tragic fatal shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri still very much in the news, Luke Greenfield's gross-out buddy comedy Let's Be Cops (2014) now finds itself in the unenviable position of having to make law enforcement officials - or those willing to impersonate them at least - humorous again. Not only does Greenfield's barrel-scrapping head-banger fail to illicit enough laughs from those who consider themselves post-pubescent to warrant the 'comedy' tag, but it's also one of the most morose and insensitive mainstream releases of the year thus far.
- 8/28/2014
- by CineVue UK
- CineVue
Director: Luke Greenfield; Screenwriters: Luke Greenfield, Nicholas Thomas; Starring: Jake Johnson, Damon Wayans Jr, Nina Dobrev, Andy Garcia, Rob Riggle, James D'Arcy, Keegan-Michael Key; Running time: 104 mins; Certificate: 15
The arrival of Let's Be Cops, a comedy about two no-hopers who don uniforms, buy a used squad car off eBay and pose as police (hijinks naturally ensue), could not feel more ill-timed considering it comes in the same month as the fatal shootings in Ferguson, Missouri, and the subsequent civil unrest. With blanket media coverage questioning the competency and culpability of police, do we really need to be seeing a film that treats the job as a lark? Does anybody really aspire to be a police offer right now?
Awkward timing, however, doesn't really disguise the fact that Let's Be Cops is an absolute stinker from start to finish. If the Jump Street movies are shining examples of how to successfully...
The arrival of Let's Be Cops, a comedy about two no-hopers who don uniforms, buy a used squad car off eBay and pose as police (hijinks naturally ensue), could not feel more ill-timed considering it comes in the same month as the fatal shootings in Ferguson, Missouri, and the subsequent civil unrest. With blanket media coverage questioning the competency and culpability of police, do we really need to be seeing a film that treats the job as a lark? Does anybody really aspire to be a police offer right now?
Awkward timing, however, doesn't really disguise the fact that Let's Be Cops is an absolute stinker from start to finish. If the Jump Street movies are shining examples of how to successfully...
- 8/28/2014
- Digital Spy
In a summer that seems to be lacking in truly great, original comedies, Let’s Be Cops certainly has the potential to break the mould and offer something a little different. With a host of great weapons in its arsenal, including two rising stars in Damon Wayans, Jr. and Jake Johnson, we also see them joined by the talented leading lady Nina Dobrev, and a revered Andy Garcia as the film’s chief antagonist. The premise itself is the stuff of comedy gold – two ne’er-do-wells from Los Angeles dress up like cops and use the power that comes along with the position to do everything from smoking marijuana in public, getting into trendy night clubs, and turn the tables on those who’ve wronged them in the past. But halfway through this film, it simply becomes all too familiar.
Jake Johnson is Ryan, a disgraced former college football star...
Jake Johnson is Ryan, a disgraced former college football star...
- 8/26/2014
- by Damen Norton
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
“Let's Be Cops” may be the summer's next R-rated comedy hit — providing ticket buyers completely disregard the critics pumping it full of lead. The 20th Century Fox release starring Jake Johnson (“New Girl”) and Damon Wayans Jr. (“Happy Endings”) as two Los Angeles losers who pretend to be cops after dressing up for a party has been nearly universally panned in reviews summing it up as, simply, not that funny. Also read: ‘Let's Be Cops’ Opens With Strong $5.2 Million at Box Office Director Luke Greenfield‘s comedy he co-wrote with screenwriter Nicholas Thomas has accumulated a 9 percent “rotten” rating on Rotten.
- 8/15/2014
- by Greg Gilman
- The Wrap
This was just a bad idea. Don't get me wrong… Jake Johnson, Rob Riggle, Keegan Michael Key, and Damon Wayans Jr. are all genuinely funny people, and when you put that many funny people together, there are going to be funny moments. I certainly laughed a few times during "Let's Be Cops," and as far as actual film craft goes, it's perfectly serviceable. But if anything counts in comedy, it's timing, and right now is not the time to make a movie about how easy it is to abuse the privileges that come with wearing a police uniform. I'm not just talking about this week's horrifying events in Ferguson, Missouri, either, although I'm sure everyone at Fox is mortified. This is the second time in recent memory that they've released a comedy at the exact wrong moment, with "The Watch" rolling into theaters just as the Treyvon Martin conversation was at its most heated.
- 8/14/2014
- by Drew McWeeny
- Hitfix
Are New Girl costars Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr. just as magical on the big screen? Not quite, according to reviews. In Let's Be Cops, Ryan and Justin are longtime friends, who realize the power and status that comes with being a cop, after dressing up as police officers for a costume party. The buddies take full advantage of the situation and begin to use their fake badges to fight crime…until their hijinks land them in some hot water. Despite a comical premise and a topless scene from The Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev, critics seem to agree that the Luke Greenfield-directed film for the most part falls flat and leaves viewers longing for much more. Take a look at what they had...
- 8/14/2014
- E! Online
Between the Ferguson, Missouri, police shootings, Lauren Bacall’s death and Robin Williams’s suicide, this has been a particularly painful week to endure. Its gloomy times like these where we could collectively use some comedy to abate the sadness. And so in desperate need of a remedy we turn to Hollywood’s latest comic offering, Let’s Be Cops. There is laughter to be found here, unfortunately that laughter is buried under a towering mountain of rampant misogyny, homophobia and poop humor. In other words, if you like your movies in which two males treat women poorly, mock homosexuality and repeatedly slap each other in the face, this film is for you. From moment one Luke Greenfield’s regressive trifle feels dated — culturally, politically, cinematically. We open with the Backstreet Boys pop hit “I Want It That Way,” which would be slightly amusing if This Is The End didn’t exist. But...
- 8/14/2014
- by Sam Fragoso
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
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