Sam Mercer, who produced eight M. Night Shyamalan films starting with the spooky blockbuster The Sixth Sense, has died. He was 69.
Mercer died Feb. 12 at his home in South Pasadena after a battle with younger-onset Alzheimer’s, his wife, Tegan Jones, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Mercer was seen as an out-of-the-box hire when he joined Industrial Light & Magic in September 2015 to oversee and coordinate activities of the VFX giant’s studios in San Francisco, Vancouver, London and Singapore. However, he left the next year after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Mercer began his career as a location manager on films including Stripes (1981), National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983), Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985), Peggy Sue Got Married (1986) and The Witches of Eastwick (1987).
He joined Disney and was a production executive on such features as Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) and Dead Poets Society (1989), and as a production vp at Hollywood Pictures, he oversaw the release of films...
Mercer died Feb. 12 at his home in South Pasadena after a battle with younger-onset Alzheimer’s, his wife, Tegan Jones, told The Hollywood Reporter.
Mercer was seen as an out-of-the-box hire when he joined Industrial Light & Magic in September 2015 to oversee and coordinate activities of the VFX giant’s studios in San Francisco, Vancouver, London and Singapore. However, he left the next year after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Mercer began his career as a location manager on films including Stripes (1981), National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983), Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985), Peggy Sue Got Married (1986) and The Witches of Eastwick (1987).
He joined Disney and was a production executive on such features as Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) and Dead Poets Society (1989), and as a production vp at Hollywood Pictures, he oversaw the release of films...
- 3/14/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sam Mercer, who produced seven M. Night Shyamalan films including The Sixth Sense, headed Lucasfilm’s Industrial Light & Magic and was location manager on several classic 1980s pics, has died. He was 69.
His wife Tegan Jones told Deadline that Mercer died February 12 of younger-onset Alzheimer’s.
“He was the best big brother I could have hoped for,” Shyamalan said in a statement. “He made every movie a family, and I’ve tried to emulate that in every film since.”
Mercer moved to Los Angeles from Weston, Ma, to work in the movie industry. He began his career as a location manager on such 1980s gems as Stripes, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, Peggy Sue Got Married and The Witches of Eastwick before moving to Walt Disney Studios.
Paul Reubens in ‘Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure’ (1985)
There he worked as a production executive, supervising movies including Good Morning Vietnam and Dead Poets Society,...
His wife Tegan Jones told Deadline that Mercer died February 12 of younger-onset Alzheimer’s.
“He was the best big brother I could have hoped for,” Shyamalan said in a statement. “He made every movie a family, and I’ve tried to emulate that in every film since.”
Mercer moved to Los Angeles from Weston, Ma, to work in the movie industry. He began his career as a location manager on such 1980s gems as Stripes, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, Peggy Sue Got Married and The Witches of Eastwick before moving to Walt Disney Studios.
Paul Reubens in ‘Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure’ (1985)
There he worked as a production executive, supervising movies including Good Morning Vietnam and Dead Poets Society,...
- 3/14/2024
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix has acquired worldwide rights to “Concrete Cowboy,” which stars Idris Elba, according to an individual with knowledge of the project. The film, based on the novel “Ghetto Cowboy” by G. Neri, premiered at the Toronto Film Festival (TIFF) in September. The streamer is eyeing a 2021 release date.
“Concrete Cowboy” also stars “Stranger Things” actor Caleb McLaughlin, Jharrel Jerome, Byron Bowers, Lorraine Toussaint, and Clifford “Method Man” Smith.
“Concrete Cowboy” is directed by Ricky Staub, from a script written by Staub and Dan Walser. The film follows a 15-year-old boy (McLaughlin) who is sent to live with his estranged father in Philadelphia, where he learns about the local urban cowboy community. Jerome plays Smush, who used to be a rider but became involved in the drug trade.
In his TIFF review of the film, TheWrap’s Steve Pond said, “Concrete Cowboy” is an urban drama, but it’s also a...
“Concrete Cowboy” also stars “Stranger Things” actor Caleb McLaughlin, Jharrel Jerome, Byron Bowers, Lorraine Toussaint, and Clifford “Method Man” Smith.
“Concrete Cowboy” is directed by Ricky Staub, from a script written by Staub and Dan Walser. The film follows a 15-year-old boy (McLaughlin) who is sent to live with his estranged father in Philadelphia, where he learns about the local urban cowboy community. Jerome plays Smush, who used to be a rider but became involved in the drug trade.
In his TIFF review of the film, TheWrap’s Steve Pond said, “Concrete Cowboy” is an urban drama, but it’s also a...
- 10/26/2020
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Film set to debut on platform in 2021.
In a deal understood to be in the reigon of $10m, Netflix has acquired worldwide rights to Concrete Cowboy, the father-son drama starring Idris Elba that premiered at Toronto in September.
The streamer will launch the feature on its platform in 2021.
Caleb McLaughlin also stars in story of a troubled teen who is sent by his mother to spend time with his estranged father, who belongs to a vibrant urban black cowboy community in contemporary north Philadelphia.
Ricky Staub directed Concrete Cowboy and adapted the screenplay with Dan Walser from the novel Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri.
In a deal understood to be in the reigon of $10m, Netflix has acquired worldwide rights to Concrete Cowboy, the father-son drama starring Idris Elba that premiered at Toronto in September.
The streamer will launch the feature on its platform in 2021.
Caleb McLaughlin also stars in story of a troubled teen who is sent by his mother to spend time with his estranged father, who belongs to a vibrant urban black cowboy community in contemporary north Philadelphia.
Ricky Staub directed Concrete Cowboy and adapted the screenplay with Dan Walser from the novel Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri.
- 10/26/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Idris Elba’s urban western “Concrete Cowboy” will be riding its way onto Netflix.
The streamer has picked up the cowboy tale after it debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. Netflix will release the film in 2021.
“Concrete Cowboy” follows 15-year-old Cole (Caleb McLaughlin), who discovers the world of urban horseback riding when his mother sends him to live with his estranged father, Harp (Elba) in North Philadelphia. Jharrel Jerome, Lorraine Toussaint, Byron Bowers and Clifford “Method Man” Smith also star in the film, which is based on the real-life horsemen of the Pennsylvania area and the novel “Ghetto Cowboy” from G. Neri. Filmmaker Ricky Staub makes his feature-length debut with the project, written with Dan Walser. Elba and Philly native Lee Daniels are among the producers of the film.
“For a long time, there’s been a real sort of mistelling of history around Black people and horses and cowboys and whatnot,...
The streamer has picked up the cowboy tale after it debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. Netflix will release the film in 2021.
“Concrete Cowboy” follows 15-year-old Cole (Caleb McLaughlin), who discovers the world of urban horseback riding when his mother sends him to live with his estranged father, Harp (Elba) in North Philadelphia. Jharrel Jerome, Lorraine Toussaint, Byron Bowers and Clifford “Method Man” Smith also star in the film, which is based on the real-life horsemen of the Pennsylvania area and the novel “Ghetto Cowboy” from G. Neri. Filmmaker Ricky Staub makes his feature-length debut with the project, written with Dan Walser. Elba and Philly native Lee Daniels are among the producers of the film.
“For a long time, there’s been a real sort of mistelling of history around Black people and horses and cowboys and whatnot,...
- 10/26/2020
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Deadline has confirmed that Netflix has acquired worldwide rights to Ricky Staub’s feature directorial debut Concrete Cowboy starring Idris Elba and Stranger Things breakout Caleb McLaughlin. A release date has not been set, but it’s looking like 2021.
The father-son drama made its world premiere at TIFF last month, is set amongst the North Philadelphia urban cowboy subculture, inspired by the real-life Fletcher Street Stables – a black urban horsemanship community – and by the novel Ghetto Cowboy by Greg Neri.
The story follows 15 year-old Cole (McLaughlin) who is taken to live with his estranged father Harp (Elba). Torn between his growing respect for his father’s community at the stables and his re-emerging friendship with his troubled cousin, Cole begins to re-prioritize his life as the stables themselves are threatened by encroaching gentrification.
Lee Daniels, Tucker Tooley, Jeff G. Waxman, Jennifer Madeloff produced the feature with Elba and Walser.
Greg Renker,...
The father-son drama made its world premiere at TIFF last month, is set amongst the North Philadelphia urban cowboy subculture, inspired by the real-life Fletcher Street Stables – a black urban horsemanship community – and by the novel Ghetto Cowboy by Greg Neri.
The story follows 15 year-old Cole (McLaughlin) who is taken to live with his estranged father Harp (Elba). Torn between his growing respect for his father’s community at the stables and his re-emerging friendship with his troubled cousin, Cole begins to re-prioritize his life as the stables themselves are threatened by encroaching gentrification.
Lee Daniels, Tucker Tooley, Jeff G. Waxman, Jennifer Madeloff produced the feature with Elba and Walser.
Greg Renker,...
- 10/26/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Endeavor Content represents Us rights.
Sierra/Affinity has boarded international sales rights to Concrete Cowboys, which just wrapped production and stars Idris Elba and Caleb McLaughlin from Stranger Things.
The film is inspired by the real-life Fletcher Street Stables, a black urban horsemanship community that has existed in Philadelphia for more than 100 years providing a safe haven.
McLaughlin stars as 15-year-old Cole, who moves in with his estranged father Harp (Elba) in North Philadelphia, where he discovers a vibrant subculture. Rounding out the cast are Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Jharrel Jerome, Lorraine Toussaint, and Byron Bowers.
Ricky Staub directs the...
Sierra/Affinity has boarded international sales rights to Concrete Cowboys, which just wrapped production and stars Idris Elba and Caleb McLaughlin from Stranger Things.
The film is inspired by the real-life Fletcher Street Stables, a black urban horsemanship community that has existed in Philadelphia for more than 100 years providing a safe haven.
McLaughlin stars as 15-year-old Cole, who moves in with his estranged father Harp (Elba) in North Philadelphia, where he discovers a vibrant subculture. Rounding out the cast are Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Jharrel Jerome, Lorraine Toussaint, and Byron Bowers.
Ricky Staub directs the...
- 9/6/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Production is now underway on Concrete Cowboys, with Idris Elba starring with Stranger Things‘ Caleb McLaughlin. Also starring is Jharrel Jerome, who is freshly Emmy nominated for Ava DuVernay’s When They See Us; Lorraine Toussaint (The Village); and Byron Bowers (The Chi). Elba is coming off a strong opening weekend for the Fast & Furious spinoff Hobbs & Shaw.
The film is inspired by the real-life Fletcher Street Stables, a black urban horsemanship community which has existed in Philadelphia for more than 100 years providing a safe haven for the neighborhood. Pic is also inspired by the novel Ghetto Cowboy by Greg Neri. Concrete Cowboys follows 15-year-old Cole (McLaughlin) who is taken to live with his estranged father Harp (Elba) in North Philadelphia, where he discovers the city’s vibrant urban cowboy subculture, which flourishes despite the surrounding poverty, violence, and encroachment of gentrification.
Ricky Staub is directing a screenplay he wrote with Dan Walser.
The film is inspired by the real-life Fletcher Street Stables, a black urban horsemanship community which has existed in Philadelphia for more than 100 years providing a safe haven for the neighborhood. Pic is also inspired by the novel Ghetto Cowboy by Greg Neri. Concrete Cowboys follows 15-year-old Cole (McLaughlin) who is taken to live with his estranged father Harp (Elba) in North Philadelphia, where he discovers the city’s vibrant urban cowboy subculture, which flourishes despite the surrounding poverty, violence, and encroachment of gentrification.
Ricky Staub is directing a screenplay he wrote with Dan Walser.
- 8/8/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
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