Exterior. Establishing: Film Independent HQ. Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles. Prelap the sounds of passionate conversation and laughter. Cut To: Interior, Conference Room, Film Independent HQ. Seven new screenwriting Fellows are arrayed around a table, the Hollywood Sign visible on the distant hills outside the window. They’re here to develop six deeply personal and wholly original feature film projects under the steady guiding hand of Film Independent’s Screenwriting Lab. A fun, creative, safe space.
The End.
(Roll credits)
Sorry–we wish our story could’ve been longer but there wasn’t really any dramatic conflict at the Screenwriting Lab this year, just a lot of productive discussion and writing workshops with lead creative advisors Javier Fuentes-León, Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi, Jessica Sharzer, Jeff Stockwell and Christopher Makoto Yogi. Additional guest speakers and advisors include Ruth Atkinson, Danielle Renfrew Behrens, Bridget Savage Cole, Lauren Craniotes, Ellie Foumbi, Priyanka Kapoor, Danielle Krudy,...
The End.
(Roll credits)
Sorry–we wish our story could’ve been longer but there wasn’t really any dramatic conflict at the Screenwriting Lab this year, just a lot of productive discussion and writing workshops with lead creative advisors Javier Fuentes-León, Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi, Jessica Sharzer, Jeff Stockwell and Christopher Makoto Yogi. Additional guest speakers and advisors include Ruth Atkinson, Danielle Renfrew Behrens, Bridget Savage Cole, Lauren Craniotes, Ellie Foumbi, Priyanka Kapoor, Danielle Krudy,...
- 4/17/2024
- by Film Independent
- Film Independent News & More
Exclusive: Film Independent has named Omer Ben Shachar, Mary Dauterman, Mg Evangelista, Naomi Iwamoto, Thomas Kivney, Juan Paulo Laserna and Jhanvi Motla as the screenwriters selected for the 26th edition of its Screenwriting Lab, an intensive program designed to provide individualized story and career development for screenwriters with fiction feature scripts.
Over the course of the program, Fellows will workshop their projects under the guidance of creative advisors Javier Fuentes-León, Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi, Jessica Sharzer, Jeff Stockwell and Christopher Makoto Yogi. Additional guest speakers and advisors will include Ruth Atkinson, Danielle Renfrew Behrens, Bridget Savage Cole, Lauren Craniotes, Ellie Foumbi, Priyanka Kapoor, Danielle Krudy, Amanda Marshall, Josh Peters, Jon Schumacher, Ellen Shanman, Lauren Shelton and Caddy Vanasirikul.
“We are honored to provide the tools and support necessary for these exceptional filmmakers to propel their projects and careers forward,” said Dea Vazquez, Associate Director of Fiction Programs for Film Independent.
Over the course of the program, Fellows will workshop their projects under the guidance of creative advisors Javier Fuentes-León, Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi, Jessica Sharzer, Jeff Stockwell and Christopher Makoto Yogi. Additional guest speakers and advisors will include Ruth Atkinson, Danielle Renfrew Behrens, Bridget Savage Cole, Lauren Craniotes, Ellie Foumbi, Priyanka Kapoor, Danielle Krudy, Amanda Marshall, Josh Peters, Jon Schumacher, Ellen Shanman, Lauren Shelton and Caddy Vanasirikul.
“We are honored to provide the tools and support necessary for these exceptional filmmakers to propel their projects and careers forward,” said Dea Vazquez, Associate Director of Fiction Programs for Film Independent.
- 4/16/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Two years ago, during the lockdown, I wrote that I had become addicted to those little bird-box libraries that make walking here something of a literary pilgrimage.
I’m still addicted. And almost two months ago, just before the writers strike began, I made a charming discovery–that one of my neighbors is a Very Famous Writer– all thanks to his sidewalk library.
The writer will remain unnamed, because privacy is something to be respected, even by reporters. But here’s the short form:
About four o’clock one afternoon, before the dog-crowd comes out, I felt a need for one of those short, head-clearing walks. A good target, I figured, would be a spot some blocks away, where somebody or other was maintaining what I’d long thought was the best little library in town. I won’t give titles, because some of those might tip the owner’s identity.
I’m still addicted. And almost two months ago, just before the writers strike began, I made a charming discovery–that one of my neighbors is a Very Famous Writer– all thanks to his sidewalk library.
The writer will remain unnamed, because privacy is something to be respected, even by reporters. But here’s the short form:
About four o’clock one afternoon, before the dog-crowd comes out, I felt a need for one of those short, head-clearing walks. A good target, I figured, would be a spot some blocks away, where somebody or other was maintaining what I’d long thought was the best little library in town. I won’t give titles, because some of those might tip the owner’s identity.
- 6/11/2023
- by Michael Cieply
- Deadline Film + TV
The Film Independent Screenwriting Lab is 25 years old. Can you believe it? It’s officially old enough to rent a car! And sure, hardshell clams and giant tortoises can live for centuries, but you don’t reach the quarter-century mark as a Hollywood talent incubator without substance, value and tangible success.
But more than that, this year’s cohort of freshly announced Screenwriting Lab Fellows are special. Why? Because! We’re in the midst of celebrating #AD30, aka the 30th anniversary of Film Independent’s Artist Development programs. And like its elder sibling Project Involve (which got the whole ball of wax rolling in ‘93), the Screenwriting Lab has been an essential industry resource, whether your looking to develop your own skills or tap new talent.
“We’re thrilled to support this exceptional group of filmmakers, who bring compassion, authenticity and curiosity to their work exploring unique communities and characters,” says Dea Vazquez,...
But more than that, this year’s cohort of freshly announced Screenwriting Lab Fellows are special. Why? Because! We’re in the midst of celebrating #AD30, aka the 30th anniversary of Film Independent’s Artist Development programs. And like its elder sibling Project Involve (which got the whole ball of wax rolling in ‘93), the Screenwriting Lab has been an essential industry resource, whether your looking to develop your own skills or tap new talent.
“We’re thrilled to support this exceptional group of filmmakers, who bring compassion, authenticity and curiosity to their work exploring unique communities and characters,” says Dea Vazquez,...
- 4/26/2023
- by Matt Warren
- Film Independent News & More
Exclusive: Film Independent on Wednesday named the eight screenwriters set for the 25th edition of their Screenwriting Lab. The latest cohort of the intensive program, designed to provide individualized story and career development for screenwriters with fiction feature screenplays, includes Bri Brooks, Karina Dandashi, Thais Drassinower, Chloé Hung, Adam Meeks, Nat Moonhill, Veronica Moonhill and Richard Van.
Film Independent also today named Dandashi as the recipient of their latest Mpac Hollywood Bureau Writing Fellowship Grant, who will receive $10,000 in recognition of her script, Out of Water.
Over the course of the Lab, Fellows will workshop their projects under the guidance of creative advisors Andrew Ahn, Javier Fuentes-León, Jeff Stockwell and Robin Swicord. Additional guest speakers and advisors will include Ruth Atkinson, Angela Cheng Caplan, Kd Dávila, Greta Fuentes, Jordan Hart, Eliza Hittman, Ana Leocha, Ilyse McKimmie, Lauren Mann, Kiva Reardon, Pamela Ribon and Ellen Shanman.
“In our 30th year of...
Film Independent also today named Dandashi as the recipient of their latest Mpac Hollywood Bureau Writing Fellowship Grant, who will receive $10,000 in recognition of her script, Out of Water.
Over the course of the Lab, Fellows will workshop their projects under the guidance of creative advisors Andrew Ahn, Javier Fuentes-León, Jeff Stockwell and Robin Swicord. Additional guest speakers and advisors will include Ruth Atkinson, Angela Cheng Caplan, Kd Dávila, Greta Fuentes, Jordan Hart, Eliza Hittman, Ana Leocha, Ilyse McKimmie, Lauren Mann, Kiva Reardon, Pamela Ribon and Ellen Shanman.
“In our 30th year of...
- 4/26/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The magical world of Hogwarts, created by J. K. Rowling, has captivated and inspired millions of people around the globe since the Harry Potter franchise began. The series follows young wizard Harry and his amazing magical adventures as he learns to use spells, concoct potions, test his skills in magic duels, and play Quidditch with his magical friends.
Through his journey, we see him encounter outlandish magical creatures that aren’t found in our muggle world – dragon’s smoke-phoenixes, werewolves, and a host of other magical beasts are all part of this fantastic fantasy story that has won over fans since its start.
Since the iconic debut of this franchise in 2001, magical adventures have become a staple in the film world. This franchise quickly became one of the most beloved adventure series of our time, turning Harry Potter into a global icon with a massive and loyal fan base that remains today.
Through his journey, we see him encounter outlandish magical creatures that aren’t found in our muggle world – dragon’s smoke-phoenixes, werewolves, and a host of other magical beasts are all part of this fantastic fantasy story that has won over fans since its start.
Since the iconic debut of this franchise in 2001, magical adventures have become a staple in the film world. This franchise quickly became one of the most beloved adventure series of our time, turning Harry Potter into a global icon with a massive and loyal fan base that remains today.
- 2/24/2023
- by Israr Ahmed
- buddytv.com
Film Academy chief executive Bill Kramer dropped a reminder in Toronto on Saturday, that his group’s movie museum will in February devote space to the late director John Singleton’s Boyz N The Hood.
So here’s a gentle plea to the museum: Do this one without apology.
For the moment, the Academy and its museum are in apology mode. Next Saturday brings “An Evening With Sacheen Littlefeather,” complete with “a long-awaited statement of apology from the Academy” for what it describes as 50 years of boycott, attack, harassment and discrimination following Sacheen’s on-stage rejection of an Oscar meant for Marlon Brando.
The museum’s current “Regeneration” celebration of black cinema likewise comes with a note of regret. “We should have seen it long before now, but this is the day it begins,” Academy governor Ava DuVernay said of black achievement while introducing the show.
The apologies are perhaps in order.
So here’s a gentle plea to the museum: Do this one without apology.
For the moment, the Academy and its museum are in apology mode. Next Saturday brings “An Evening With Sacheen Littlefeather,” complete with “a long-awaited statement of apology from the Academy” for what it describes as 50 years of boycott, attack, harassment and discrimination following Sacheen’s on-stage rejection of an Oscar meant for Marlon Brando.
The museum’s current “Regeneration” celebration of black cinema likewise comes with a note of regret. “We should have seen it long before now, but this is the day it begins,” Academy governor Ava DuVernay said of black achievement while introducing the show.
The apologies are perhaps in order.
- 9/11/2022
- by Michael Cieply
- Deadline Film + TV
Here in its near entirety are the streaming and some theatrical dates for Netflix’s fall and holiday movie lineup.
Many of these streaming dates have already been out there, i.e. the TIFF world premiere Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery hitting the service on Dec. 23 (yet still not theatrically dated). However, there’s 13 movies getting dates here, read Alejandro Iñárritu’s Venice Film Festival world premiere Bardo, which is getting an exclusive month and half theatrical window before it hits the service.
There’s also the Jessica Chastain-Eddie Redmayne drama thriller The Good Nurse (world premiering at TIFF), Noah Baumbach’s Venice and New York film festival opener White Noise, Sally Hosaini’s TIFF opener The Swimmers, Henry Selick’s animated pic Wendell & Wild (also at TIFF), and Scott Cooper’s period crime drama about Edgar Allen Poe, The Pale Blue Eye and The Volcano:...
Many of these streaming dates have already been out there, i.e. the TIFF world premiere Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery hitting the service on Dec. 23 (yet still not theatrically dated). However, there’s 13 movies getting dates here, read Alejandro Iñárritu’s Venice Film Festival world premiere Bardo, which is getting an exclusive month and half theatrical window before it hits the service.
There’s also the Jessica Chastain-Eddie Redmayne drama thriller The Good Nurse (world premiering at TIFF), Noah Baumbach’s Venice and New York film festival opener White Noise, Sally Hosaini’s TIFF opener The Swimmers, Henry Selick’s animated pic Wendell & Wild (also at TIFF), and Scott Cooper’s period crime drama about Edgar Allen Poe, The Pale Blue Eye and The Volcano:...
- 8/30/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
“Rugrats” co-creator Gábor Csupó is set to direct a feature-length adaptation of Rumer Godden’s children’s Christmas classic book “The Story of Holly and Ivy.”
“Lonely young Ivy runs away from her orphanage during Christmas, while spirited but unsold doll Holly waits in her toy store window for the child who will give her existence meaning,” reads the official logline. “When their paths cross and their quest to be together unfolds, a surprising array of many struggling folk’s Christmas wishes come true.”
Kosmo Films’ Sebastian Weiland and Nina Gwyn Weiland acquired the film rights and will produce the feature. Nina Gwyn Weiland has written the screen adaptation together with “A Wrinkle in Time” writer Jeff Stockwell, who will also executive produce.
Dylan Russell and Stone Village Films will also produce while Germany-based Medienfördergesellschaft Baden-Württemberg (Mfg) is providing development funding.
The film is set to shoot in Germany’s...
“Lonely young Ivy runs away from her orphanage during Christmas, while spirited but unsold doll Holly waits in her toy store window for the child who will give her existence meaning,” reads the official logline. “When their paths cross and their quest to be together unfolds, a surprising array of many struggling folk’s Christmas wishes come true.”
Kosmo Films’ Sebastian Weiland and Nina Gwyn Weiland acquired the film rights and will produce the feature. Nina Gwyn Weiland has written the screen adaptation together with “A Wrinkle in Time” writer Jeff Stockwell, who will also executive produce.
Dylan Russell and Stone Village Films will also produce while Germany-based Medienfördergesellschaft Baden-Württemberg (Mfg) is providing development funding.
The film is set to shoot in Germany’s...
- 7/18/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: We have learned first that Netflix has set the cast for their adaptation of Annie Barrows’ New York Times bestselling book series Ivy & Bean and that is Emmy Award Nominee Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Emmy Award Winner Jane Lynch, Pretty Little Liars‘ Sasha Pieterse, Oscar nominee Nia Vardalos, Garfield Wilson, Jaycie Dotin and Marci T. House.
The group joins previously announced Keslee Blalock as Ivy; Madison Skye Validum as Bean and Lidya Jewett as Nancy in the series of one-hour family movies from the streamer.
In the Elissa Down-directed and Kathy Waugh and Jeff Stockwell-penned screenplay, Ivy and Bean never expected to be friends. Ivy is quiet, thoughtful and observant. Bean is playful, exuberant and fearless. However, sometimes an adventure reveals that opposites can become the best of friends.
Producers are Anne Brogan and Melanie Stokes as well as Lionsgate TV backed Kindle Entertainment.
Ivy & Bean reunites...
The group joins previously announced Keslee Blalock as Ivy; Madison Skye Validum as Bean and Lidya Jewett as Nancy in the series of one-hour family movies from the streamer.
In the Elissa Down-directed and Kathy Waugh and Jeff Stockwell-penned screenplay, Ivy and Bean never expected to be friends. Ivy is quiet, thoughtful and observant. Bean is playful, exuberant and fearless. However, sometimes an adventure reveals that opposites can become the best of friends.
Producers are Anne Brogan and Melanie Stokes as well as Lionsgate TV backed Kindle Entertainment.
Ivy & Bean reunites...
- 8/16/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix has announced the cast and filmmaking team for its upcoming family friendly movie series “Ivy and Bean.”
Elissa Down is directing the live-action films, based on the best-selling children’s book series. Down has previously worked with the streaming platform on the musical comedy “Feel the Beat” and the drama “The Honor List.”
Young actors Keslee Blalock and Madison Skye Validum will play Ivy and Bean, respectively, while Lidya Jewett is portraying a character named Nancy. Blalock has previously appeared in “Family Camp” and “Pulled From Darkness.” Jewett’s screen credits include “Good Girls,” “Feel the Beat” and “Nightbooks.”
“Ivy and Bean” centers on two girls who never expected to be friends. However, the quiet and thoughtful Ivy and the playful and fearless Bean soon discover that seemingly different people can become the best of pals. The series, written Barrows and illustrated by Sophie Blackall, has 12 books in total.
Elissa Down is directing the live-action films, based on the best-selling children’s book series. Down has previously worked with the streaming platform on the musical comedy “Feel the Beat” and the drama “The Honor List.”
Young actors Keslee Blalock and Madison Skye Validum will play Ivy and Bean, respectively, while Lidya Jewett is portraying a character named Nancy. Blalock has previously appeared in “Family Camp” and “Pulled From Darkness.” Jewett’s screen credits include “Good Girls,” “Feel the Beat” and “Nightbooks.”
“Ivy and Bean” centers on two girls who never expected to be friends. However, the quiet and thoughtful Ivy and the playful and fearless Bean soon discover that seemingly different people can become the best of pals. The series, written Barrows and illustrated by Sophie Blackall, has 12 books in total.
- 6/30/2021
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
John Singleton, the groundbreaking film director, screenwriter and producer, died Monday in Los Angeles after suffering a stroke on April 17. He was 51. A family spokesperson said Singleton passed away peacefully at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, surrounded by his family and friends.
“We want to thank the amazing doctors at Cedars-Sinai Hospital for their expert care and kindness and we again want thank all of John’s fans, friends and colleagues for all of the love and support they showed him during this difficult time,” the family said in a statement.
Earlier on Monday, the family had made the decision to remove Singleton from life support at Cedars, where he had been in the ICU unit since suffering the stroke 13 days earlier. Singleton suffered the stroke while at the hospital and had been “under great medical care.”
A two-time Oscar nominee for writing and directing his debut film Boyz N the Hood...
“We want to thank the amazing doctors at Cedars-Sinai Hospital for their expert care and kindness and we again want thank all of John’s fans, friends and colleagues for all of the love and support they showed him during this difficult time,” the family said in a statement.
Earlier on Monday, the family had made the decision to remove Singleton from life support at Cedars, where he had been in the ICU unit since suffering the stroke 13 days earlier. Singleton suffered the stroke while at the hospital and had been “under great medical care.”
A two-time Oscar nominee for writing and directing his debut film Boyz N the Hood...
- 4/29/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
ReFrame, the coalition formed by Women in Film, the Sundance Institute and IMDbPro, has designated a total of 20 films among 2018’s 100 highest-grossing titles to receive the ReFrame Stamp, which recognize standout, gender-balanced films.
The list released Wednesday includes Fox Searchlight’s Oscar Best Picture-nominated The Favourite, Paramount’s Transformers pic Bumblebee, Disney’s A Wrinkle In Time, Stx’s I Feel Pretty and Lionsgate’s The Spy Who Dumped Me. Nine additional films outside the top 100 were awarded stamps after applying (see the full lists below).
The stamp, launched last June, awarded 12 film stamps in 2017. But the group’s 2018 study found continued disparities in female representation and women of color, with just 4% of the top 100 films directed by a female (down from 6% a year ago), and 23% written by a female. A total of 37% featured female leads, with only 9% being women of color.
“While 2017 saw an uptick in films directed by women,...
The list released Wednesday includes Fox Searchlight’s Oscar Best Picture-nominated The Favourite, Paramount’s Transformers pic Bumblebee, Disney’s A Wrinkle In Time, Stx’s I Feel Pretty and Lionsgate’s The Spy Who Dumped Me. Nine additional films outside the top 100 were awarded stamps after applying (see the full lists below).
The stamp, launched last June, awarded 12 film stamps in 2017. But the group’s 2018 study found continued disparities in female representation and women of color, with just 4% of the top 100 films directed by a female (down from 6% a year ago), and 23% written by a female. A total of 37% featured female leads, with only 9% being women of color.
“While 2017 saw an uptick in films directed by women,...
- 3/7/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
The ReFrame coalition of industry leaders and IMDBPro have unveiled 20 movies certified as gender-balanced productions among the top 100 box office films released in 2018.
The list includes Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time,” Paramount Pictures’ “Bumblebee,” Fox Searchlight Pictures’ “The Favourite,” Stx’s “I Feel Pretty,” Lionsgate’s “The Spy Who Dumped Me,” Fox’s “The Hate U Give,” and Warner Bros.’ “Crazy Rich Asians.”
ReFrame, founded by Women in Film and the Sundance Institute, launched the data initiative last June in an effort to recognize and promote gender-balanced films and television shows. It said Wednesday that the increase in recipients of the ReFrame Stamp from 12 in 2017 to 20 stemmed from gains in the roles of department heads and women-of-color leads and co-leads. Still, the report noted that there remained shortfalls in several key areas.
“This positive news within the top 100 films is offset by the significant discrepancy in female hires with...
The list includes Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time,” Paramount Pictures’ “Bumblebee,” Fox Searchlight Pictures’ “The Favourite,” Stx’s “I Feel Pretty,” Lionsgate’s “The Spy Who Dumped Me,” Fox’s “The Hate U Give,” and Warner Bros.’ “Crazy Rich Asians.”
ReFrame, founded by Women in Film and the Sundance Institute, launched the data initiative last June in an effort to recognize and promote gender-balanced films and television shows. It said Wednesday that the increase in recipients of the ReFrame Stamp from 12 in 2017 to 20 stemmed from gains in the roles of department heads and women-of-color leads and co-leads. Still, the report noted that there remained shortfalls in several key areas.
“This positive news within the top 100 films is offset by the significant discrepancy in female hires with...
- 3/6/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Much has been made of the budget allotted to the big screen adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s classic novel A Wrinkle in Time and how Director Ava DuVernay was a woman tackling something so massive. That’s a lot of press and pressure on a risky venture considering the novel may be beloved but not in the public consciousness. Thankfully, there have been other hits and misses to take attention away from the fact that this entertaining effectively flopped.
The movie, out today on Blu-ray from Walt Disney Home Entertainment, is a solid if flawed adaptation, that somehow missed the magical touch to enthrall younger viewers. As a result, the film is hovering near the $100 million domestic gross with prognosticators estimating it will lose the studio at least that much.
And that’s a shame because it deserves to be seen. The movie is colorful, visual treat that fully realizes L’Engle’s worlds,...
The movie, out today on Blu-ray from Walt Disney Home Entertainment, is a solid if flawed adaptation, that somehow missed the magical touch to enthrall younger viewers. As a result, the film is hovering near the $100 million domestic gross with prognosticators estimating it will lose the studio at least that much.
And that’s a shame because it deserves to be seen. The movie is colorful, visual treat that fully realizes L’Engle’s worlds,...
- 6/5/2018
- by Robert Greenberger
- Comicmix.com
Jennifer Lee never expected to be this busy. She just flew in from previews on “Frozen: The Broadway Musical” (March 22) to promote “A Wrinkle in Time,” which she wrote after 2014 musical “Frozen” turned into the Oscar-winning, top-grossing worldwide animated blockbuster of all time.
She’s still writing the sequel to “Frozen,” too. “I was joking that if I have time, I have to write the climax for ‘Frozen 2’ for tomorrow morning,” said Lee. “It’s a Champagne problem, to have too much to do, when you love what you do.”
Lee wrote two animated features that grossed over $1 billion worldwide: She was on the Oscar-winning “Zootopia” writing team with college chum Phil Johnston, as she was on “Wreck-It-Ralph.” But after she and director Chris Buck wrote “Frozen,” Disney asked her to be co-director, having found out that she trained to be a director at Columbia film school.
With “Frozen,...
She’s still writing the sequel to “Frozen,” too. “I was joking that if I have time, I have to write the climax for ‘Frozen 2’ for tomorrow morning,” said Lee. “It’s a Champagne problem, to have too much to do, when you love what you do.”
Lee wrote two animated features that grossed over $1 billion worldwide: She was on the Oscar-winning “Zootopia” writing team with college chum Phil Johnston, as she was on “Wreck-It-Ralph.” But after she and director Chris Buck wrote “Frozen,” Disney asked her to be co-director, having found out that she trained to be a director at Columbia film school.
With “Frozen,...
- 3/9/2018
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Jennifer Lee never expected to be this busy. She just flew in from previews on “Frozen: The Broadway Musical” (March 22) to promote “A Wrinkle in Time,” which she wrote after 2014 musical “Frozen” turned into the Oscar-winning, top-grossing worldwide animated blockbuster of all time.
She’s still writing the sequel to “Frozen,” too. “I was joking that if I have time, I have to write the climax for ‘Frozen 2’ for tomorrow morning,” said Lee. “It’s a Champagne problem, to have too much to do, when you love what you do.”
Lee wrote two animated features that grossed over $1 billion worldwide: She was on the Oscar-winning “Zootopia” writing team with college chum Phil Johnston, as she was on “Wreck-It-Ralph.” But after she and director Chris Buck wrote “Frozen,” Disney asked her to be co-director, having found out that she trained to be a director at Columbia film school.
With “Frozen,...
She’s still writing the sequel to “Frozen,” too. “I was joking that if I have time, I have to write the climax for ‘Frozen 2’ for tomorrow morning,” said Lee. “It’s a Champagne problem, to have too much to do, when you love what you do.”
Lee wrote two animated features that grossed over $1 billion worldwide: She was on the Oscar-winning “Zootopia” writing team with college chum Phil Johnston, as she was on “Wreck-It-Ralph.” But after she and director Chris Buck wrote “Frozen,” Disney asked her to be co-director, having found out that she trained to be a director at Columbia film school.
With “Frozen,...
- 3/9/2018
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Chicago – Although I am an admirer of Oprah Winfrey, it’s unfortunate that the best way to describe “A Wrinkle in Time” – with her role as goddess problem solver – is Worst. Episode. of. Oprah. Ever. The film, based on a novel from 1962, caves into effects over cohesiveness or story.
Rating: 2.0/5.0
Director Ava DuVernay, with only her second major narrative film, may have bit off way more than she could chew, with a complex web of settings, CGI effects and bizarre uses of it all. The story was secondary and barely there, made worse by the silliness of the characters and the actors portraying them. The main setting is an alternate universe, and the souls that populate it were all misplaced and miscast. Oprah joins two other goddesses, played by Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling (“The Office”). All three didn’t work for separate reasons… Oprah’s persona was too close...
Rating: 2.0/5.0
Director Ava DuVernay, with only her second major narrative film, may have bit off way more than she could chew, with a complex web of settings, CGI effects and bizarre uses of it all. The story was secondary and barely there, made worse by the silliness of the characters and the actors portraying them. The main setting is an alternate universe, and the souls that populate it were all misplaced and miscast. Oprah joins two other goddesses, played by Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling (“The Office”). All three didn’t work for separate reasons… Oprah’s persona was too close...
- 3/8/2018
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
It’s positively refreshing to see a director get a chance to work their way up to a blockbuster. Too often these days, one indie hit gets a hotshot filmmaker (let’s face it, always a white dude) the next franchise to helm. It’s rare that this sort of work is a reward for someone who has earned the chance to take their talents to a new level. Even rarer is when it’s someone who’s not the aforementioned white dude. For Ava DuVernay, a string of important critical and cultural success stories has allowed her to become the first woman of color to receive a budget of $100 million for her work. Teaming with Disney to tackle a once thought to be unfilmable novel, she’s brining A Wrinkle in Time to screens. Opening this week, it’s another example of the early section of the year no longer being a dumping ground.
- 3/7/2018
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
"It was a dark and stormy night." That's the first sentence of Madeline L'Engle's 1962 fantasy novel A Wrinkle in Time, a smoke-screen opening salvo that doesn't begin to prep readers for what lies ahead in this beloved kids' book: tesseracts and shape-shifting biddies, shadowy forces and M.I.A. fathers, interdimensional travel and preternaturally genius preteens and the revolutionary notion that a young woman can save the world. From such simple, mundane beginnings spring the skeleton keys that unlock imaginations, and if you can say nothing else about Ava DuVernay's adaptation...
- 3/7/2018
- Rollingstone.com
Over the past several years, screenwriter Jennifer Lee has proven herself to be a powerhouse of talent by penning such critically-acclaimed animated films as Wreck-it Ralph, Zootopia, and Frozen. With A Wrinkle In Time set to arrive in theaters on March 9th, for which Lee also co-wrote the screenplay with Jeff Stockwell, many Elsa and Anna fans have been eager to learn of what the in-demand... Read More...
- 2/28/2018
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
MaryAnn’s quick take… Odious propagandistic attempt to enshrine Turkish denial of the Armenian genocide of World War I into cinematic history via a tepid and unconvincing romance. I’m “biast” (pro): nothing
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
In a land on the brink of war,” goes the marketing tagline of the odious The Ottoman Lieutenant, “the most dangerous place to be is in love.” That would not be true in, shall we say, the best of wars, if there is such a thing. But here, young American nurse Lillie (Hera Hilmar: Anna Karenina), volunteering at a hospital in a remote region of the Ottoman Empire, finds herself in the middle of World War I and the genocide of Armenians by the Turks. Except the latter is not happening here at all! This propagandistic production, financed primarily from Turkey...
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
In a land on the brink of war,” goes the marketing tagline of the odious The Ottoman Lieutenant, “the most dangerous place to be is in love.” That would not be true in, shall we say, the best of wars, if there is such a thing. But here, young American nurse Lillie (Hera Hilmar: Anna Karenina), volunteering at a hospital in a remote region of the Ottoman Empire, finds herself in the middle of World War I and the genocide of Armenians by the Turks. Except the latter is not happening here at all! This propagandistic production, financed primarily from Turkey...
- 3/10/2017
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
As giant apes and mutant loners battle it out at the box office, the multiplex can still spare a screen or two for a love story. Okay, albeit a love story set during a time of violent conflict. Yes, it’s a romance in the trenches, a war-time story of love. But which war (unfortunately we’ve got too many to choose from). World War II was the backdrop for two big flicks last year, Allied and Hacksaw Ridge (mainly in the first half before the near constant carnage). No, this new film goes back a tad further, to that “war to end all wars” World War I. We’ve got to go back a couple of years for that, with 2014’s Testament Of Youth and 2015’s Sunset Song. And while they focused on the great battles on European soil, this new film explores a much warmer climate, in the arid desert lands of Turkey.
- 3/10/2017
- by Jim Batts
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
A limp and lifeless historical melodrama that aspires to be the “Pearl Harbor” of the preamble to World War I and still falls well short of that ignoble goal, Joseph Ruben’s “The Ottoman Lieutenant” tries to snatch a love triangle from out beneath the Armenian Genocide but fails to get any of the angles right. Beginning in a Philadelphia hospital circa 1914 (Prague plays the city well), the film is tawdry from the very top, taking the same reckless approach to clichés that pre-war doctors took to general hygiene.
You can hear the trouble before you can see it, our wide-eyed heroine introducing herself via such startlingly trite voiceover that she’s a lost cause by the time she first appears on screen. “I thought I was going to change the world,” she says, “but of course it was the world that changed me.” Get comfortable, it’s going to be a bumpy night.
You can hear the trouble before you can see it, our wide-eyed heroine introducing herself via such startlingly trite voiceover that she’s a lost cause by the time she first appears on screen. “I thought I was going to change the world,” she says, “but of course it was the world that changed me.” Get comfortable, it’s going to be a bumpy night.
- 3/9/2017
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
The Ottoman Lieutenant Paladin Reviewed by: Harvey Karten, Shockya Grade: B Director: Joseph Ruben Written by: Jeff Stockwell Cast: Michiel Huisman, Hera Hilmar Josh Hartnett, Ben Kingsley Screened at: Review 2, NYC, 2/24/17 Opens: March 10, 2017 If you learned in high school that World War One pitted the Ottoman Empire, Austria and Germany against […]
The post The Ottoman Lieutenant Review: This Poor Man’s Lawrence of Arabia Captures Beauty appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post The Ottoman Lieutenant Review: This Poor Man’s Lawrence of Arabia Captures Beauty appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 2/27/2017
- by Harvey Karten
- ShockYa
Paladin has picked up Us rights from CAA to Y Production’s The Ottoman Lieutenant starring Michiel Huisman, Hera Hilmar, Josh Hartnett and Ben Kingsley.
The World War I-set drama will receive its North American premiere in Toronto on September 13 and Paladin will stage a limited qualifying run in December prior to the release proper in February 2017.
Y Production produced the film in association with Eastern Sunrise Films. Joseph directed from a screenplay by Jeff Stockwell, and Stephen Joel Brown produced.
Gravitas Ventures has secured North American rights from ICM Partners to Katie Holmes’ feature directorial debut All We Had about a struggling mother and daughter who draw strength from each other. Stefania Owen also stars and the film will open day-and-date theatrically and on VOD on December 9.Kino Lorber has acquired all North American rights to director Oren Shai’s debut noir thriller The Frontier by Rocking Films and Dana Lustig Productions. Select theatrical...
The World War I-set drama will receive its North American premiere in Toronto on September 13 and Paladin will stage a limited qualifying run in December prior to the release proper in February 2017.
Y Production produced the film in association with Eastern Sunrise Films. Joseph directed from a screenplay by Jeff Stockwell, and Stephen Joel Brown produced.
Gravitas Ventures has secured North American rights from ICM Partners to Katie Holmes’ feature directorial debut All We Had about a struggling mother and daughter who draw strength from each other. Stefania Owen also stars and the film will open day-and-date theatrically and on VOD on December 9.Kino Lorber has acquired all North American rights to director Oren Shai’s debut noir thriller The Frontier by Rocking Films and Dana Lustig Productions. Select theatrical...
- 9/9/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
As a Project Involve Fellow, I learned how to keep a short short, to think about distribution before I ever put pen to paper and that tenacity is a necessity in the world of film. Two years later, after countless nights of plotting, outlining and penning, I had the opportunity to participate in Film Independent's Screenwriting Lab with the feature screenplay, "Transformation Awaits," which I co-wrote with Jonathan Pope Evans. After being holed away alone for so long, we were thrilled to have some outside perspective on our strange little love child. The Lab, like Project Involve, provided a great deal of support and guidance from our mentors, and we were inspired by the following words of wisdom: Read More: Lessons from the Sundance Screenwriting Lab 1. Create characters that actors want to play. Jeff Stockwell ("Bridge to Terabithia," "Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys") explained the importance of creating compelling characters,...
- 4/11/2015
- by Rachel Goldberg
- Indiewire
Frozen writer and codirector Jennifer Lee has finally settled on a follow-up project to 2013’s massive hit. Lee will next adapt Madeline L’Engle’s beloved young-adult novel A Wrinkle in Time for Disney. Lee wowed Disney bosses with her take on the tale about children traveling through time and space in search of their missing father. Plans are for her to adapt the first of four books with a “strong female-driven narrative” and potentially set the stage for a new franchise for the House of Mouse. The project was originally announced in 2010, with Bridge to Terabithia scribe Jeff Stockwell handling the adaptation duties, but it appears as though Disney wasn’t thrilled with Stockwell’s take and will now hand the project over to the woman...
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- 8/6/2014
- by Mike Bracken
- Movies.com
Thanks to the success of Frozen, Jennifer Lee is a young filmmaker who surely has many, many offers in front of her. The animated Disney film was her first directorial effort - sharing credit with Chris Buck - but her inexperience proved not to hamper the film in the slightest, as it went on to make $1.2 billion worldwide. So, with such a promising future ahead of her, where is Jennifer Lee going to do next? She's going to script an adaptation of another beloved, classic, fantastic story. Variety is reporting that Jennifer Lee has worked out a deal that will see her write a big-screen adaptation of Madeleine L.Engle.s beloved book A Wrinkle In Time. Disney is behind the project, and has had the property in development for a number of years. Previously, Bridge to Terabithia screenwriter Jeff Stockwell was hired to write the script, but obviously the...
- 8/6/2014
- cinemablend.com
Frozen writer and codirector Jennifer Lee has finally settled on a follow-up project to 2013’s massive hit. Lee will next adapt Madeline L’Engle’s beloved young-adult novel A Wrinkle in Time for Disney. Lee wowed Disney bosses with her take on the tale about children traveling through time and space in search of their missing father. Plans are for Lee to adapt the first of four books with a “strong female-driven narrative” and potentially set the stage for a new franchise for the House of Mouse. The project was originally announced in 2010 with Bridge to Terabithia scribe Jeff Stockwell adapting, but now Disney will hand the project over to the woman responsible for Walt Disney Animation’s biggest hit ever. Lee is currently only slated...
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- 8/5/2014
- by affiliates@fandango.com
- Fandango
Following the success of Wreck-It Ralph (which she co-wrote) and the very popular Frozen (which saw her co-direct), it’s no surprise that Disney wants to keep Jennifer Lee around. She’s now working on the script of A Wrinkle In Time for the Mouse House.The adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s book – which Lee tells Variety is one of her favourites – has been in the works at the company since at least 2010, when Bridge To Terabithia writer Jeff Stockwell was hired to take a pass on the script.The story focuses on the Murry family; especially teenager Meg and her genius 5 year-old brother Charles Wallace, and Meg's classmate Calvin O'Keefe. Their scientist father has gone missing, but after the visit of a mysterious old lady called Mrs. Whatsit – who tells their mother that "There is such a thing as a tesseract" – they learn that their father's research may...
- 8/5/2014
- EmpireOnline
"Frozen" co-director Jennifer Lee is set to pen the big screen adaptation of Madeleine L'Engle's beloved 1962 young adult novel "A Wrinkle in Time" for Disney Pictures.
The story follows children who travel through time and visit strange worlds in order to find their missing scientist father.
Lee reported impressed Disney executives with her take on the project, emphasizing a strong female-driven narrative and creative approaches to the science fiction and world-building elements of the book.
No director is presently attached, but Jim Whitaker and Catherine Hand will produce. Lee replaces Jeff Stockwell who initially tackled the screenplay when the project was announced in 2010.
Source: Variety...
The story follows children who travel through time and visit strange worlds in order to find their missing scientist father.
Lee reported impressed Disney executives with her take on the project, emphasizing a strong female-driven narrative and creative approaches to the science fiction and world-building elements of the book.
No director is presently attached, but Jim Whitaker and Catherine Hand will produce. Lee replaces Jeff Stockwell who initially tackled the screenplay when the project was announced in 2010.
Source: Variety...
- 8/5/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
A new sci-fi series from Marco Weber (“Igby Goes Down”) and Jeff Stockwell (“Bridge to Terrabithia”) aims to marry the innovations of crowdfunding and streaming television using BitTorrent's Bundle platform, the writers announced on Monday. Produced by Rapid Eye Studios, ”Children of the Machine” will premiere a pilot on BitTorrent, and then offer fans the opportunity to pre-order an entire first season for $9.95 via the Bundle platform. Once Rapid Eye receives 250,000 orders, it will go into production on the entire season, which will feature eight more episodes. Also read: BitTorrent to Hollywood: We're Not Pirates – We Come in Peace In this way,...
- 7/14/2014
- by Jordan Zakarin
- The Wrap
Twenty-five years after the release of Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Robert Zemeckis will once again mix real-life people with animated rabbits. The director has signed on to bring Kate Dicamillo's 2006 young-adult novel The Miraculous Journey Of Edward Tulane to the screen. As adapted by screenwriter Jeff Stockwell, the film will follow a rather self-involved porcelain rabbit who's thrust into a series of life-altering adventures after being being separated from his 10-year-old owner. Presumably, it should similarly offer Zemeckis an opportunity to reunite with his beloved motion-capture, in what—after Flight and the just-announced Marwencol, featuring only boring ...
- 10/31/2013
- avclub.com
Robert Zemeckis is set to direct "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" at New Line.
Jeff Stockwell has written the adaptation of Kate Dicamillo’s popular children’s novel about the adventures of a porcelain rabbit who is given to a ten-year-old girl in the 1930s.
The bunny enjoys a pleasant life until falling overboard from the Queen Mary and spending nearly a year on the ocean floor. Freed with the help of a storm, the rabbit soon ends up in a succession of owners including a fisherman’s wife, a homeless man, and a girl with pneumonia.
Wendy Finerman, Steve Starkey and Jack Rapke will produce. The project has been in development at the studio ever since the book's release back in 2006.
Source: Variety...
Jeff Stockwell has written the adaptation of Kate Dicamillo’s popular children’s novel about the adventures of a porcelain rabbit who is given to a ten-year-old girl in the 1930s.
The bunny enjoys a pleasant life until falling overboard from the Queen Mary and spending nearly a year on the ocean floor. Freed with the help of a storm, the rabbit soon ends up in a succession of owners including a fisherman’s wife, a homeless man, and a girl with pneumonia.
Wendy Finerman, Steve Starkey and Jack Rapke will produce. The project has been in development at the studio ever since the book's release back in 2006.
Source: Variety...
- 10/31/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
This morning we have news regarding two very different projects—one children’s book adaptation, the other a horror film—from a couple of certified Steven Spielberg acolytes. It looks like Robert Zemeckis is heading back to the mo-cap world after working in the flesh-and-blood world with last year’s “Flight.” Variety reports the “Forrest Gump” filmmaker has officially signed up to direct the long-brewing adaptation of Kate Dicamillo’s 2006 novel “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.” The 1930s-set young adult novel follows a ten-year-old girl’s vain china rabbit—the titular Edward Tulane—as he falls overboard from the Rms Queen Mary and undergoes a series of hardships and a succession of owners as he learns about life and matures out of his vanity and selfishness. No release date or production start date has been released for the Jeff Stockwell-scripted adaptation but given the long productions animated films usually go through,...
- 10/31/2013
- by Cain Rodriguez
- The Playlist
Oscar winner Robert Zemeckis is in talks to direct “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” for New Line, an individual familiar with the long-gestating project told TheWrap. Wendy Finerman, who worked with Zemeckis on “Forrest Gump,” is producing the adaptation of Kate Dicamillo’s bestselling children’s novel, which has been in development at New Line for seven years. Zemeckis will also produce through his ImageMovers banner along with Jack Rapke and Steve Starkey. Also Read: Robert Zemeckis in Negotiations to Direct ‘Chaos Walking’ for Lionsgate (Exclusive) Jeff Stockwell wrote the last draft of the script, which follows a porcelain rabbit who falls off a.
- 10/30/2013
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
Film Independent, the parent organization of the Spirit Awards and the Los Angeles Film Festival, has selected 10 screenwriting fellows for its 14th annual screenwriting lab. The intensive five-week program aspires to encourage the writers to refine and improve their craft while instilling in them the professional and creative knowledge to take their current screenplay projects forward. This year's returning mentors include writer/director Robin Swicord ("The Jane Austen Book Club," "Memoirs of a Geisha") and writer Jeff Stockwell ("Bridge to Terabithia", "The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys"). Guest speakers Destin Daniel Cretton ("Short Term 12") and Sian Heder ("Orange is the New Black") are expected to contribute their knowledge of the practice and industry. The Selected 2013 Screenwriting Fellows and their Current Screenplay Projects: 1. Broad Street Diner (Fred Thomas Jr.) - Three elderly male friends who meet daily at a neighborhood diner, find that 70 is the new 40 as...
- 9/5/2013
- by Ramzi De Coster
- Indiewire
Film Independent has announced the screenwriters selected for its 14th annual Screenwriting Lab. The Lab is an intensive five-week program designed to help writers improve their craft, via the tutelage of Lab Mentors, industry professionals who serve as guests speakers and one-on-one advisors. Full list of newly selected fellows below.This year's mentors include writer-director Robin Swicord ("The Jane Austen Book Club," "Memoirs of a Geisha") and writer Jeff Stockwell ("Bridge to Terabithia," "The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys"). Guest speakers include Destin Daniel Cretton ("Short Term 12") and Sian Heder ("Orange is the New Black")The 2013 Screenwriters Lab participants and their projects are: 1.Broad Street Diner (written by Fred Thomas Jr.) - Three elderly male friends who meet daily at a neighborhood diner, find that 70 is the new 40 as they deal with friendship, new love, sickness and fatherhood, making it hard for them to retire from “Life. 2. Forbidden...
- 9/5/2013
- by Beth Hanna
- Thompson on Hollywood
Nass Festival is one of the UK’s biggest and one of Europes finest extreme sports and music festivals. Along with Boardmasters and Freeze festival, Nass is included in the holy trinity of Relentless festivals, but what does that mean to those unexperienced?
As you could have guessed, Nass festival plays host to world famous action sports pros and music artists at the top of their game, year in, year out at Bath and West Showground in Somerset. Across the platform of Relentless festivals you can more or less expect similar atmosphere, artists and degree of sports over a three day period to soak up the sun and even gets your hands dirty at various public sessions of open indoor and outdoor skate/bmx parks when they are not in use for competitions. Previous athletes include Tony Hawk and Matt Hoffman, so keep your eyes peeled if you have some...
As you could have guessed, Nass festival plays host to world famous action sports pros and music artists at the top of their game, year in, year out at Bath and West Showground in Somerset. Across the platform of Relentless festivals you can more or less expect similar atmosphere, artists and degree of sports over a three day period to soak up the sun and even gets your hands dirty at various public sessions of open indoor and outdoor skate/bmx parks when they are not in use for competitions. Previous athletes include Tony Hawk and Matt Hoffman, so keep your eyes peeled if you have some...
- 6/18/2013
- by Guy Hurst
- Obsessed with Film
Hold onto your broomsticks. Sony Pictures is turning Sabrina the Teenage Witch into a superhero in their new live-action film. The character was introduced in the 1960s Archie Comics and most recently was brought to life by Melissa Joan Hart in the television series that started in 1996 and ran for seven years. Sony is banking on the successful trend of recent superhero movies to bring this character back into the limelight.
According to Deadline, Sony’s film will approach Sabrina the Teenage Witch like a Spider-Man-esque superhero origin story “about a young girl coming to terms with her remarkable powers.” This version of Sabrina will “be edgier” and has changed Salem, her black cat who can talk, into a “transformed prince creating unique love stories for Sabrina.” The project is on the fast track to production and the studio is excited to discover an actress for the title role.
The...
According to Deadline, Sony’s film will approach Sabrina the Teenage Witch like a Spider-Man-esque superhero origin story “about a young girl coming to terms with her remarkable powers.” This version of Sabrina will “be edgier” and has changed Salem, her black cat who can talk, into a “transformed prince creating unique love stories for Sabrina.” The project is on the fast track to production and the studio is excited to discover an actress for the title role.
The...
- 4/13/2012
- by Lillian 'zenbitch' Standefer
- ScifiMafia
'Sabrina The Teenage Witch' Movie To Shed Witchcraft For Superhero Powers, Turns Salem Into A Prince
If you’re a child of the ‘90s, perhaps you hold some nostalgia for the late Friday nights you may have spent watching T.G.I.F. on ABC, a touchstone for teen-friendly programming that catered to its audiences with titles like “Full House,” “Boy Meets World,” “Family Matters,” and so many more. In a roster of shows that mixed comedy ocasionally with real life "issues," “Sabrina The Teenage Witch” always seemed a touch out of place. Based on the popular Archie Comics of the same name from the ‘60s, the show lasted seven seasons off the charm of Melissa Joan Hart and the comedic presence of Caroline Rhea and Beth Broderick, yet stood out as a series steeped in fantasy and lore that was typically absent from the “T.G.I.F.” lineup.
Well if you have any nostalgia for the series, Sony Pictures is now hoping to turn...
Well if you have any nostalgia for the series, Sony Pictures is now hoping to turn...
- 4/12/2012
- by Benjamin Wright
- The Playlist
Sony Pictures announced plans to turn "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" into a superhero film in the vein of "Spider-Man" feel, according to Deadline. The movie centers on a young girl coming to terms with her powers and will have an edgier feel. Her wise-cracking black cat, Salem, will still be around to provide the comic relief but will take on the role of a transformed prince, providing new love scenarios for Sabrina. "Sabrina" originated in the 60s "Archie" comics and was later adapted into an animated television series in 1969, 1971, and 1999. Melissa Joan Hart played the witch on the sitcom that ran seven seasons. "Archie" Comics’ writer Jon Goldwater will be executive producer and screenwriter Jeff Stockwell will co-produce. Despite the potential for a female centered superhero film, it remains to be seen how heroic Sony's Sabrina will turn out to be. Thankless Heroines?Actress Emily Blunt ("Salmon Fishing...
- 4/12/2012
- by help@backstage.com (Briana Rodriguez)
- backstage.com
Sabrina the Teenage Witch is being rebooted for an upcoming movie by Sony Pictures. The fantasy series will be made into a live action superhero origin story in a similar vein to Spider-Man, following a young girl who discovers she has supernatural powers. Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari will write the film's screenplay, while Real Steel's Don Murphy and Susan Montford will produce, reports Deadline. Mark Waters is in line to direct. Archie Comics' Jon Goldwater will executive produce, while screenwriter Jeff Stockwell will co-produce. The tone of the film is said to be "edgier" than the 1990s TV series. However, Sabrina's (more)...
- 4/12/2012
- by By Tom Eames
- Digital Spy
Exclusive: Sabrina The Teenage Witch is getting a makeover at Sony Pictures. The precocious teen witch who originated in 60s Archie Comics, is being recast as a superhero. The live action film will be an origin story in the vein of Spider-Man, about a young girl coming to terms with her remarkable powers. Scribes Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari (they wrote Die In A Gunfight for Mrc) will write the script, and Real Steel producers Don Murphy and Susan Montford are producing. Mark Waters, who worked on the presentation that Sony Pictures sparked to, might direct depending on scheduling. Archie Comics’ Jon Goldwater will be executive producer and screenwriter Jeff Stockwell, who also worked on the presentation, will be co-producer. Sabrina previously had been turned into animated tv series in 1969, 1971 and again in 1999 and the source material was turned into the Melissa Joan Hart sitcom that ran seven seasons. While the...
- 4/11/2012
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Deadline reports that Sony Pictures will be turning "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" into a superhero for a new live-action film. Created by George Cladir and artist Dan DeCarlo, "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" is a comic book series published by Archie Comics and follows the adventures of Sabrina Spellman. The site says the movie "will be an origin story in the vein of Spider-Man, about a young girl coming to terms with her remarkable powers." Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari will write the script, with Don Murphy and Susan Montford producing. Mark Waters may direct the project depending on scheduling. Archie Comics. Jon Goldwater will be executive producer and Jeff Stockwell will be co-producer. "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" has been...
- 4/11/2012
- Comingsoon.net
[1] As Salt director Phillip Noyce weighs the options for his next move, one long-gestating project has begun to pick up steam. Late last year, Noyce took over the helm of My Wild Life (formerly titled Our Wild Life), a drama based the real-life story of Kenyan elephant conservationist Daphne Sheldrick, and Nicole Kidman began circling [2] the lead role this past spring. As Noyce and Kidman got busy with other things, however, My Wild Life seemed to fall by the wayside. But Kidman is now officially attached to star, and with Mandalay Pictures working on getting the rights from New Line, the biopic could be hitting theaters during next year's holiday season. More details after the jump. My Wild Life has been in the works since last year, with Nick Cassavetes (The Notebook) originally slated to direct. However, he jumped ship and eventually sued New Line for not letting him direct...
- 11/3/2011
- by Angie Han
- Slash Film
The last time we reported on a planned biopic of elephant conservationist Daphne Sheldrick, it was the project's former writer and director Nick Cassavetes suing New Line over what he called broken promises for him to write and direct the film. Cassavetes is most definitely still not involved, but the movie, now retitled My Wild Life, is finally ready to get made. THR reports that Nicole Kidman is attached to star as Sheldrick, with Philip Noyce, most recently of the Angelina Jolie action vehicle Salt, set to direct. The script is written by Jeff Stockwell, most recently behind Bridge to Terabithia and also an oddly similar sounding project Wilder Days. Ok, that movie is actually similar at all-- it stars Peter Falk, Tim Daly and a very young Josh Hutcherson, if you can believe it-- but there will probably be IMDb confusion about it anyway. As for My WIld Life,...
- 11/2/2011
- cinemablend.com
Non-profit arts organization Film Independent has announced the 10 screenwriters and film projects for its annual ScreenWriters Lab. The Lab will take place August 15-September 16 and serves as a five-week intensive "designed to help writers improve their craft, and take their current scripts to the next level in a nurturing, yet challenging creative environment," according to the organization. Jeff Stockwell, writer of "Bridge to Terabithia," and Karyn Kusama, director ...
- 8/16/2011
- Indiewire
[1] Late last year, Salt director Phillip Noyce became the latest director to sign on for Our Wild Life, based on the story of Kenyan elephant conservationist Daphne Sheldrick. (Whose work was recently documented in the IMAX film Born To Be Wild.) The project had already racked up a pretty troubled history by this point -- Nick Cassavetes (The Notebook) was originally attached to direct, but left on bad terms. He eventually sued New Line for not letting him direct from his own rewrite of Jeff Stockwell's original script. Since then, The Motorcycle Diaries director Walter Salles has picked up and dropped the project, and Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet, Charlize Theron, and Drew Barrymore have each been reported or rumored to star at some point. Now, a new story suggests that Nicole Kidman may be the latest actress to attempt to get the project up and running -- but her involvement is nowhere near certain.
- 5/4/2011
- by Angie Han
- Slash Film
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