We have recently reported that legendary Oscar-winning filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola is back after more than a decade of being absent from the scene. The project in question was Megalopolis, a sci-fi epic that was conceived way back in 1979, while Coppola was filming Apocalypse Now, one of the greatest war movies ever made. Now, 45 years later, Coppola has finally made the movie and on March 28, 10 a.m., at the Universal CityWalk Imax theater, the first screening of the movie was given, as Coppola is looking for a studio to distribute his major work.
At the time, we reported that the movie’s runtime was 2 hours and 13 minutes, and that is without the credits. But, while the movie seemed to be good, the studios aren’t really fighting to acquire the (as reported) $120-million project, which was more or less self-funded by Coppola.
As we have reported, Megalopolis is set in...
At the time, we reported that the movie’s runtime was 2 hours and 13 minutes, and that is without the credits. But, while the movie seemed to be good, the studios aren’t really fighting to acquire the (as reported) $120-million project, which was more or less self-funded by Coppola.
As we have reported, Megalopolis is set in...
- 4/9/2024
- by Arthur S. Poe
- Fiction Horizon
NBCUniversal chief content officer Donna Langley was there. So was Sony head Tom Rothman. Bob Iger was one of the few Hollywood heavyweights who couldn’t make it, but at least he had a good excuse, still in the midst of a vicious proxy battle with investor Nelson Peltz.
The event: The grand unveiling of Megalopolis, the self-funded epic from legendary The Godfather trilogy director Francis Ford Coppola, to the titans of the film industry. The March 28 screening — held 10 a.m. at the Universal CityWalk Imax theater — was also attended by such Coppola-verse luminaries as nephew Nicolas Cage, The Godfather series star Al Pacino and Spike Jonze, Coppola’s ex-son-in-law. Two of the film’s stars — Shia Labeouf and Coppola’s sister, Talia Shire — were also on hand.
The project, which Coppola first began writing in 1983, cost a reported $120 million to make — funded in part by the sale of a...
The event: The grand unveiling of Megalopolis, the self-funded epic from legendary The Godfather trilogy director Francis Ford Coppola, to the titans of the film industry. The March 28 screening — held 10 a.m. at the Universal CityWalk Imax theater — was also attended by such Coppola-verse luminaries as nephew Nicolas Cage, The Godfather series star Al Pacino and Spike Jonze, Coppola’s ex-son-in-law. Two of the film’s stars — Shia Labeouf and Coppola’s sister, Talia Shire — were also on hand.
The project, which Coppola first began writing in 1983, cost a reported $120 million to make — funded in part by the sale of a...
- 4/8/2024
- by Seth Abramovitch, Kim Masters and Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It was announced today that 20th Century Studios and Disney will produce and distribute Deliver Me From Nowhere, a movie which chronicles the making of Bruce Springsteen’s iconic 1982 album Nebraska. Scott Cooper (Crazy Heart) will write and direct Deliver Me From Nowhere, with Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) now officially in talks to star as Bruce Springsteen. The project is based on Deliver Me From Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska by Warren Zanes and production is expected to kick off this fall.
“It is a once-in-a-lifetime honor to be collaborating with Bruce Springsteen, an inspiring and incomparable artist who represents so much to so many,” said David Greenbaum, president, Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios. “The deep authenticity of his story is in great hands with my friend Scott Cooper whom I am thrilled to be collaborating with once again.“
Related Bruce Springsteen movie in...
“It is a once-in-a-lifetime honor to be collaborating with Bruce Springsteen, an inspiring and incomparable artist who represents so much to so many,” said David Greenbaum, president, Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios. “The deep authenticity of his story is in great hands with my friend Scott Cooper whom I am thrilled to be collaborating with once again.“
Related Bruce Springsteen movie in...
- 4/8/2024
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
20th Century Studios and Disney will produce and distribute Deliver Me From Nowhere, the feature film that explores the making of Bruce Springsteen’s classic 1982 album Nebraska. Based on the book Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska (Crown; May 2023) by Warren Zanes, the film will benefit from the involvement of Bruce Springsteen and his manager Jon Landau.
Scott Cooper will write and direct the film. Emmy® winner Jeremy Allen White is in talks to star.
Jeremy Allen White can currently be seen in season two of the hit FX series The Bear, following ‘Carmy”, a young chef who comes home to Chicago to run his family sandwich show after a heartbreaking death in his family. Currently sitting at 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, the dramedy became an overnight smash success, garnering White Golden Globe, SAG and Critics’ Choice Awards for his performance. It was renewed for a...
Scott Cooper will write and direct the film. Emmy® winner Jeremy Allen White is in talks to star.
Jeremy Allen White can currently be seen in season two of the hit FX series The Bear, following ‘Carmy”, a young chef who comes home to Chicago to run his family sandwich show after a heartbreaking death in his family. Currently sitting at 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, the dramedy became an overnight smash success, garnering White Golden Globe, SAG and Critics’ Choice Awards for his performance. It was renewed for a...
- 4/8/2024
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Less than two months into the job David Greenbaum, the newly appointed head of Disney live-action and 20th Century Studios, has made a statement buy and acquired the Bruce Springsteen film Deliver Me From Nowhere with Jeremy Allen White in talks to star.
20th Century Studios and Disney will produce and distribute the feature from Scott Cooper about the making of Springsteen’s classic 1982 album Nebraska.
Cooper, whose credits include Crazy Heart and Hostiles, will write and direct the film. White has won an Emmy and two Golden Globes for The Bear, which ran on Disney-owned Hulu.
The Gotham Group...
20th Century Studios and Disney will produce and distribute the feature from Scott Cooper about the making of Springsteen’s classic 1982 album Nebraska.
Cooper, whose credits include Crazy Heart and Hostiles, will write and direct the film. White has won an Emmy and two Golden Globes for The Bear, which ran on Disney-owned Hulu.
The Gotham Group...
- 4/8/2024
- ScreenDaily
America loves biopics about its most famous musicians; 2022's "Elvis" was a smash hit that turned Austin Butler into a star (as seen by his amazing turn as Feyd-Rautha in "Dune Part Two").
If The King is a movie star, it was only a matter of time before the Boss became one — and that time is now. 20th Century Studios and Disney will be producing the first Bruce Springsteen biopic, "Deliver Me From Nowhere." The film (adapted from the 2023 book of the same title by Warren Zanes) chronicles the making of Springsteen's sixth album, 1982's "Nebraska." Biopics are generally best when they don't try to cram a subject's whole life into a couple of hours, so that's a good sign.
Scott Cooper will write and direct "Deliver Me From Nowhere." Jeremy Allen White, currently starring on "The Bear," is in talks to play Springsteen; look and energy-wise, there's no better casting in Hollywood right now.
If The King is a movie star, it was only a matter of time before the Boss became one — and that time is now. 20th Century Studios and Disney will be producing the first Bruce Springsteen biopic, "Deliver Me From Nowhere." The film (adapted from the 2023 book of the same title by Warren Zanes) chronicles the making of Springsteen's sixth album, 1982's "Nebraska." Biopics are generally best when they don't try to cram a subject's whole life into a couple of hours, so that's a good sign.
Scott Cooper will write and direct "Deliver Me From Nowhere." Jeremy Allen White, currently starring on "The Bear," is in talks to play Springsteen; look and energy-wise, there's no better casting in Hollywood right now.
- 4/8/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
20th Century Studios and Disney will produce and distribute Deliver Me from Nowhere, the feature film that explores the making of Bruce Springsteen’s classic 1982 album Nebraska. Based on the book Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska by Warren Zanes, the film will benefit from the involvement of Bruce Springsteen and his manager, Jon Landau.
Scott Cooper will write and direct the film. Emmy winner Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) is in talks to star. The Gotham Group’s Ellen Goldsmith-Vein (The Maze Runner trilogy) and Eric Robinson, Cooper, Zanes, and Scott Stuber are producers. Production on the film is expected to begin this fall.
“It is a once-in-a-lifetime honor to be collaborating with Bruce Springsteen, an inspiring and incomparable artist who represents so much to so many,” said David Greenbaum, president of Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios. “The deep authenticity of his...
Scott Cooper will write and direct the film. Emmy winner Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) is in talks to star. The Gotham Group’s Ellen Goldsmith-Vein (The Maze Runner trilogy) and Eric Robinson, Cooper, Zanes, and Scott Stuber are producers. Production on the film is expected to begin this fall.
“It is a once-in-a-lifetime honor to be collaborating with Bruce Springsteen, an inspiring and incomparable artist who represents so much to so many,” said David Greenbaum, president of Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios. “The deep authenticity of his...
- 4/8/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
From “The Bear” to the Boss.
On Monday, Disney and 20th Century Studios announced it had secured the rights to “Deliver Me from Nowhere,” the upcoming film about Bruce Springsteen and the making of his acclaimed album “Nebraska” that has “The Bear” Emmy winner Jeremy Allen White attached to star. Based on the book of the same name by Warren Zanes, “Deliver Me from Nowhere” will be directed and written by Scott Cooper.
“It is a once-in-a-lifetime honor to be collaborating with Bruce Springsteen, an inspiring and incomparable artist who represents so much to so many,” said David Greenbaum, president, Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios, in a statement. “The deep authenticity of his story is in great hands with my friend Scott Cooper whom I am thrilled to be collaborating with once again.”
“Warren Zanes’ ‘Deliver Me From Nowhere’ is one of the best books ever written about Bruce Springsteen and his music,...
On Monday, Disney and 20th Century Studios announced it had secured the rights to “Deliver Me from Nowhere,” the upcoming film about Bruce Springsteen and the making of his acclaimed album “Nebraska” that has “The Bear” Emmy winner Jeremy Allen White attached to star. Based on the book of the same name by Warren Zanes, “Deliver Me from Nowhere” will be directed and written by Scott Cooper.
“It is a once-in-a-lifetime honor to be collaborating with Bruce Springsteen, an inspiring and incomparable artist who represents so much to so many,” said David Greenbaum, president, Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios, in a statement. “The deep authenticity of his story is in great hands with my friend Scott Cooper whom I am thrilled to be collaborating with once again.”
“Warren Zanes’ ‘Deliver Me From Nowhere’ is one of the best books ever written about Bruce Springsteen and his music,...
- 4/8/2024
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
“Deliver Me From Nowhere,” the upcoming film about the making of Bruce Springsteen’s landmark 1982 “Nebraska” album, has landed at 20th Century Studios.
“The Bear” star Jeremy Allen White is in talks to star as the legendary rocker. Scott Cooper will write and direct the film, which is based on Warren Zane’s 2023 book “Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska.”
“Nebraska,” the follow-up to Springsteen’s hugely successful album “The River,” was widely expected to be a rock album with the E Street Band. Instead, it was a stark solo album made on a 4-track recorder. The book and the film tell the story of Springsteen’s artistic journey in the creation of the record, which is regarded as a watershed in his musical odyssey.
The Gotham Group’s Ellen Goldsmith-Vein (“The Maze Runner” trilogy) and Eric Robinson, Cooper, Zanes and Scott Stuber are producers.
“The Bear” star Jeremy Allen White is in talks to star as the legendary rocker. Scott Cooper will write and direct the film, which is based on Warren Zane’s 2023 book “Deliver Me from Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska.”
“Nebraska,” the follow-up to Springsteen’s hugely successful album “The River,” was widely expected to be a rock album with the E Street Band. Instead, it was a stark solo album made on a 4-track recorder. The book and the film tell the story of Springsteen’s artistic journey in the creation of the record, which is regarded as a watershed in his musical odyssey.
The Gotham Group’s Ellen Goldsmith-Vein (“The Maze Runner” trilogy) and Eric Robinson, Cooper, Zanes and Scott Stuber are producers.
- 4/8/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: In a move that points to a change in direction he will take at the helm of Disney live action and 20th Century Studios, former Searchlight co-head David Greenbaum has made his first big statement buy, and it’s set to the music of Bruce Springsteen’s seminal album Nebraska.
20th Century has closed a deal to finance and release Deliver Me from Nowhere, the narrative film that Scott Cooper is writing to direct with Emmy-winning The Bear star Jeremy Allen White playing The Boss in a pivotal moment in his life. Grappling with personal demons and trying to wrap his arms around becoming a global superstar, Springsteen wrote and recorded Nebraska, the 1982 album that rivals Joni Mitchell’s Blue as one of the most emotionally raw, dark and honest albums in recent music history.
When Deadline revealed that the project was coming together, A24 was expected to be the distributor.
20th Century has closed a deal to finance and release Deliver Me from Nowhere, the narrative film that Scott Cooper is writing to direct with Emmy-winning The Bear star Jeremy Allen White playing The Boss in a pivotal moment in his life. Grappling with personal demons and trying to wrap his arms around becoming a global superstar, Springsteen wrote and recorded Nebraska, the 1982 album that rivals Joni Mitchell’s Blue as one of the most emotionally raw, dark and honest albums in recent music history.
When Deadline revealed that the project was coming together, A24 was expected to be the distributor.
- 4/8/2024
- by Mike Fleming Jr and Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
What happens in Vegas… fuels a year’s worth of hope for theatrical exhibitors.
From April 8-11, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, Universal, Paramount, and Disney — not to mention the faith-friendly Angel Studios and anime distributor Crunchyroll — have four days at CinemaCon to wow theater owners (and the press) with their plans for the summer blockbuster season and beyond. However, there are only so many times that NATO, the MPA, and the studios can say “movie theaters are back!” without sounding like Chicken Little.
The reality is 2024 will be lucky to match the levels of last year, and 2025 has its own challenges if the industry faces another round of strikes. Even so, Adam Aron’s hundreds of soldier-owners from his AMC army will be looking to him for reassurance at the world’s biggest exhibition pep rally.
Beyond the potential shock and awe of movie previews, messaging that could carry firepower as...
From April 8-11, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, Universal, Paramount, and Disney — not to mention the faith-friendly Angel Studios and anime distributor Crunchyroll — have four days at CinemaCon to wow theater owners (and the press) with their plans for the summer blockbuster season and beyond. However, there are only so many times that NATO, the MPA, and the studios can say “movie theaters are back!” without sounding like Chicken Little.
The reality is 2024 will be lucky to match the levels of last year, and 2025 has its own challenges if the industry faces another round of strikes. Even so, Adam Aron’s hundreds of soldier-owners from his AMC army will be looking to him for reassurance at the world’s biggest exhibition pep rally.
Beyond the potential shock and awe of movie previews, messaging that could carry firepower as...
- 4/8/2024
- by Tony Maglio and Brian Welk
- Indiewire
After the March 28 friends, family, and industry screening for Francis Ford Coppola’s “Megalopolis” at Universal’s CityWalk AMC in IMAX, reactions were wild. Some said it was his most ambitious film since “Apocalypse Now;” another described it to Puck as “batshit crazy.” Made for $120 million and bankrolled entirely by Coppola through the sale of one of his vineyards, it incorporates new VFX techniques — ones, the filmmakers hope, will be seen on the biggest screens possible.
For that to happen, it will need a major theatrical deal and the filmmakers are now in talks with distributors and major studios. However, those entities have been particularly risk averse these days — and while Coppola is a legend, he hasn’t made a commercial success in three decades.
The film’s stars include Adam Driver, Aubrey Plaza, and Giancarlo Esposito; maybe, say, Paramount or Universal want to be back in the Coppola business.
For that to happen, it will need a major theatrical deal and the filmmakers are now in talks with distributors and major studios. However, those entities have been particularly risk averse these days — and while Coppola is a legend, he hasn’t made a commercial success in three decades.
The film’s stars include Adam Driver, Aubrey Plaza, and Giancarlo Esposito; maybe, say, Paramount or Universal want to be back in the Coppola business.
- 4/2/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Searchlight Pictures has set an October 18, 2024, theatrical release date for A Real Pain, the heartfelt comedy written and directed by Jesse Eisenberg, who drew the film from his own personal history.
A Real Pain, which premiered to standing ovations at the Sundance Film Festival, follows mismatched cousins David and Benji, who reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the pair’s old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history.
“We are blown away by Jesse’s vision and craft in telling this hilarious and profound film,” said Searchlight Presidents Matthew Greenfield and David Greenbaum when the film was acquired. “He tells a deeply personal story and makes it universal. We can’t wait to bring it to audiences around the world.”
Jesse Eisenberg also stars alongside Kieran Culkin (Succession), Will Sharpe (The White Lotus), Jennifer Grey (Dirty Dancing...
A Real Pain, which premiered to standing ovations at the Sundance Film Festival, follows mismatched cousins David and Benji, who reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother. The adventure takes a turn when the pair’s old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history.
“We are blown away by Jesse’s vision and craft in telling this hilarious and profound film,” said Searchlight Presidents Matthew Greenfield and David Greenbaum when the film was acquired. “He tells a deeply personal story and makes it universal. We can’t wait to bring it to audiences around the world.”
Jesse Eisenberg also stars alongside Kieran Culkin (Succession), Will Sharpe (The White Lotus), Jennifer Grey (Dirty Dancing...
- 4/2/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer continues to tease another Pirates project, with the latest update confirming that a reboot featuring a young, new cast is definitely happening.
It’s been the best part of four years since we first heard that Disney had plans to make two very different Pirates Of The Caribbean movies to continue the popular swashbuckling series that already boasts six films. The plans back in 2020 were to develop a female-led version which would be headlined by Margot Robbie alongside another film with an all-new cast. The latter version was based on a script penned by Chernobyl creator Craig Mazin and Ted Elliott, the writer behind the original Pirates films.
Then in 2022, reports surfaced to suggest that the Margot Robbie-led version had been abandoned with Robbie herself stating that Disney ‘didn’t want to do it.’ However, series producer Jerry Bruckheimer popped up not long afterwards to suggest that...
It’s been the best part of four years since we first heard that Disney had plans to make two very different Pirates Of The Caribbean movies to continue the popular swashbuckling series that already boasts six films. The plans back in 2020 were to develop a female-led version which would be headlined by Margot Robbie alongside another film with an all-new cast. The latter version was based on a script penned by Chernobyl creator Craig Mazin and Ted Elliott, the writer behind the original Pirates films.
Then in 2022, reports surfaced to suggest that the Margot Robbie-led version had been abandoned with Robbie herself stating that Disney ‘didn’t want to do it.’ However, series producer Jerry Bruckheimer popped up not long afterwards to suggest that...
- 3/27/2024
- by Dan Cooper
- Film Stories
After a triumphant time in the 2010s, things are uncertain at the Walt Disney Company right now. With audience interest in the Marvel Cinematic Universe fading and "Star Wars" having become a primarily streaming franchise, there's a feeling that the company may have carelessly set fire to its money trees.
Disney's changing leadership suggests it won't be staying the course. In 2022, former Disney CEO Bob Iger resumed his post from Bob Chapek, a simultaneous vote of no confidence in his successor yet a stamp of approval for Iger's own tenure (he first served as Disney CEO from 2005 to 2020). Since his return, Iger has implicitly criticized Chapek's decision to go all-in on Disney+ originals, spreading the company's main offerings (Marvel and Pixar especially) too thin.
Another shake-up happened in February 2024, when Sean Bailey stepped down as president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production. His successor, David Greenbaum (formerly of Searchlight Pictures...
Disney's changing leadership suggests it won't be staying the course. In 2022, former Disney CEO Bob Iger resumed his post from Bob Chapek, a simultaneous vote of no confidence in his successor yet a stamp of approval for Iger's own tenure (he first served as Disney CEO from 2005 to 2020). Since his return, Iger has implicitly criticized Chapek's decision to go all-in on Disney+ originals, spreading the company's main offerings (Marvel and Pixar especially) too thin.
Another shake-up happened in February 2024, when Sean Bailey stepped down as president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production. His successor, David Greenbaum (formerly of Searchlight Pictures...
- 3/26/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
Searchlight Pictures has set a June 21 release date for Kinds Of Kindness, reuniting Yorgos Lanthimos and his Oscar-winning best lead actress Emma Stone from Poor Things.
The date suggests the film could premiere in Cannes if ready in time. Lanthimos took The Killing Of A Sacred Dear to the Croisette in 2017 and before that The Lobster in 2015. He premiered Poor Things in Venice last year where it won the Golden Lion for best film.
Lanthimos’s follow-up to Poor Things also stars Willem Dafoe and Margaret Qualley from that film, which won four Academy Awards last Sunday and has crossed...
The date suggests the film could premiere in Cannes if ready in time. Lanthimos took The Killing Of A Sacred Dear to the Croisette in 2017 and before that The Lobster in 2015. He premiered Poor Things in Venice last year where it won the Golden Lion for best film.
Lanthimos’s follow-up to Poor Things also stars Willem Dafoe and Margaret Qualley from that film, which won four Academy Awards last Sunday and has crossed...
- 3/14/2024
- ScreenDaily
A few weeks ago, Walt Disney's president of motion picture studios, Sean Bailey, stepped down from his position at the company. He had been in that role for 15 years, and under his tenure, Disney went all-in on a plan to release live-action remakes of the studio's classic animated movies. All told, Bailey was responsible for making around $7 billion for Disney, a good percentage of which came from those live-action remakes. But now Bailey's out, and Disney appears to be heading in a new direction.
David Greenbaum, who has spent the past 14 years running Fox Searchlight (now Searchlight Pictures), has taken over, and in a recent article, Puck News reported that Greenbaum's pitch to Disney leadership that got him the job included a single question that summarized his approach to greenlighting things at the studio going forward: Does this movie need to exist?
That's the type of question that Disney seemingly...
David Greenbaum, who has spent the past 14 years running Fox Searchlight (now Searchlight Pictures), has taken over, and in a recent article, Puck News reported that Greenbaum's pitch to Disney leadership that got him the job included a single question that summarized his approach to greenlighting things at the studio going forward: Does this movie need to exist?
That's the type of question that Disney seemingly...
- 3/12/2024
- by Ben Pearson
- Slash Film
All that free cash flow from a strike-plagued 2023 is burning a hole in Hollywood’s pockets. Time to get back to work.
The key players in film and television will spend a combined $132.7 billion on content in 2024, MoffettNathanson analyst Robert Fishman estimates. You know, if IATSE, the teamsters, and Hollywood Basic Crafts don’t walk out on AMPTP productions and onto the picket lines. But let’s be optimistic for a moment — much of the industry is.
Forty-five percent of below-the-line crew recently surveyed by entertainment-industry tracker ProdPro had a positive outlook for 2024 vs. 20 percent with a negative view. Businesses, like vendors, were even more optimistic: 54 percent had a positive outlook with 9 percent skewing negative.
Why the (relatively) sunny outlook ahead of another potential work stoppage? No one can afford another strike year. Ten billion dollars of production spending was put on hold due to the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes,...
The key players in film and television will spend a combined $132.7 billion on content in 2024, MoffettNathanson analyst Robert Fishman estimates. You know, if IATSE, the teamsters, and Hollywood Basic Crafts don’t walk out on AMPTP productions and onto the picket lines. But let’s be optimistic for a moment — much of the industry is.
Forty-five percent of below-the-line crew recently surveyed by entertainment-industry tracker ProdPro had a positive outlook for 2024 vs. 20 percent with a negative view. Businesses, like vendors, were even more optimistic: 54 percent had a positive outlook with 9 percent skewing negative.
Why the (relatively) sunny outlook ahead of another potential work stoppage? No one can afford another strike year. Ten billion dollars of production spending was put on hold due to the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes,...
- 3/11/2024
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
It isn’t every week that two of the biggest jobs in film are filled within a matter of days, but that was the case last week. On February 26, Disney’s live-action president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production Sean Bailey exited, making way for Searchlight’s David Greenbaum to take the top job. Two days later on Feb. 28, Rideback’s Dan Lin was tapped to take Scott Stuber’s open seat atop Netflix’s film division.
Greenbaum made his bones on prestige indie films and original, auteur-driven stories. He’s now taking the job at a company that has spent the last 15 years mining IP and playing the hits. Lin is a franchise builder now stepping into an environment known for chasing big prestige swings.
It appears Disney and Netflix are heading in opposite directions. One agent who spoke with IndieWire called it a role-reversal between Disney and Netflix; at one point,...
Greenbaum made his bones on prestige indie films and original, auteur-driven stories. He’s now taking the job at a company that has spent the last 15 years mining IP and playing the hits. Lin is a franchise builder now stepping into an environment known for chasing big prestige swings.
It appears Disney and Netflix are heading in opposite directions. One agent who spoke with IndieWire called it a role-reversal between Disney and Netflix; at one point,...
- 3/8/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Oscar week is finally here! Ask anyone who has been in the thick of awards season and they’ll likely let out a huge sigh followed by exasperated admission that this has been one of the most hectic runs in recent memory. The condensed calendar, forced by last year’s dual strikes, could translate to more lively bashes, however, as there’s light at the end of the tunnel with Sunday’s Oscars. That can only mean that champagne is currently popping at A-list bashes across Los Angeles, and The Hollywood Reporter is on the scene everywhere from Vanity Fair and Elton John to MPTF’s Night Before. See below for the roundup of all the red carpet action.
Vanity Fair
Editor in chief Radhika Jones hosted a milestone 30th anniversary party at a custom designed structure that connects the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts with Beverly Hills City Hall.
Vanity Fair
Editor in chief Radhika Jones hosted a milestone 30th anniversary party at a custom designed structure that connects the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts with Beverly Hills City Hall.
- 3/7/2024
- by Kirsten Chuba and Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sarah Polley is no longer attached to direct the live-action remake of “Bambi” for Disney, IndieWire has learned. The remake of Disney’s 1942 animated classic is still in development at the studio, even after the recent exit of live-action film head Sean Bailey. An individual with knowledge of Polley’s exit said there’s no drama in the split but simply said things didn’t work out.
TheWrap first broke the news in an analysis of Bailey’s exit. Bailey, in his 15-year tenure at Walt Disney Studios, had pioneered and greenlit virtually all of Disney’s streak of live-action remakes of animated classics, some mega hits like “The Lion King,” “Aladdin,” and “Beauty and the Beast,” and some like the recent “The Little Mermaid,” “Haunted Mansion,” and others that underwhelmed at the box office. Some of Bailey’s lingering projects include live-action takes on “Moana,” “Lilo & Stitch,” and “Mufasa: The Lion King.
TheWrap first broke the news in an analysis of Bailey’s exit. Bailey, in his 15-year tenure at Walt Disney Studios, had pioneered and greenlit virtually all of Disney’s streak of live-action remakes of animated classics, some mega hits like “The Lion King,” “Aladdin,” and “Beauty and the Beast,” and some like the recent “The Little Mermaid,” “Haunted Mansion,” and others that underwhelmed at the box office. Some of Bailey’s lingering projects include live-action takes on “Moana,” “Lilo & Stitch,” and “Mufasa: The Lion King.
- 3/7/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
In the latest in a long line of updates, cameras might soon be rolling on a sequel to the beloved 20023 body-swap comedy Freaky Friday, Lindsey Lohan suggests.
We’ve been hearing noises about a sequel to 2003’s Freaky Friday for a long time now, although last year gave us no firm news on the possibility of the film happening. We did get the original film’s two stars, Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsey Lohan, both popping up at various points to confirm that talks were ongoing – but nothing concrete materialised.
The last real update we got was in the summer of last year when it was suggested that both stars were in negotiations to return to the roles of Tess and Anna Coleman, although no news of a green light from Disney followed. According to World of Reel, the project ‘could begin shooting very soon’ with Lindsey Lohan confirming that...
We’ve been hearing noises about a sequel to 2003’s Freaky Friday for a long time now, although last year gave us no firm news on the possibility of the film happening. We did get the original film’s two stars, Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsey Lohan, both popping up at various points to confirm that talks were ongoing – but nothing concrete materialised.
The last real update we got was in the summer of last year when it was suggested that both stars were in negotiations to return to the roles of Tess and Anna Coleman, although no news of a green light from Disney followed. According to World of Reel, the project ‘could begin shooting very soon’ with Lindsey Lohan confirming that...
- 3/7/2024
- by Dan Cooper
- Film Stories
Not every movie is going to cross the finish line, but studios such as Warner Bros. have come under fire for publically scrapping movies such as Batgirl, Coyote vs. Acme, and more. Per Deadline, Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed that his studio has done the same thing; they just haven’t been as public about it.
Bob Iger said that Disney has “killed a few projects already that we just didn’t feel were strong enough,” but didn’t elaborate on which projects those were or how far along they were. “We’re doing a lot. When we talk about improving our film slate, there are really three approaches,” Iger said. “One is you have to kill things you no longer believe. And that’s not easy in this business. Because either you’ve gotten started, you have some … costs. It’s a relationship with either your employees or with a creative community.
Bob Iger said that Disney has “killed a few projects already that we just didn’t feel were strong enough,” but didn’t elaborate on which projects those were or how far along they were. “We’re doing a lot. When we talk about improving our film slate, there are really three approaches,” Iger said. “One is you have to kill things you no longer believe. And that’s not easy in this business. Because either you’ve gotten started, you have some … costs. It’s a relationship with either your employees or with a creative community.
- 3/5/2024
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
Bob Iger has said Disney has shelved a number of films as the CEO attempts to revive the quality of theatrical output on the back of a relatively disappointing 2023 for the studio.
On stage at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media, and Telecom conference in San Francisco, Iger talked about what he was doing to course-correct.
“You have to kill things you no longer believe in,” he said, ”and that’s not easy because either you’ve gotten started, you have some sunk costs, or it’s a relationship with either your employees or with the creative community.”
Iger did not identify the projects and continued,...
On stage at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media, and Telecom conference in San Francisco, Iger talked about what he was doing to course-correct.
“You have to kill things you no longer believe in,” he said, ”and that’s not easy because either you’ve gotten started, you have some sunk costs, or it’s a relationship with either your employees or with the creative community.”
Iger did not identify the projects and continued,...
- 3/5/2024
- ScreenDaily
Disney CEO Bob Iger said the studio has “killed a few projects already that we just didn’t feel were strong enough,” as the company tries to reverse a box office slump.
“We’re doing a lot. When we talk about improving our film, slate, there are really three approaches. One is you have to kill things you no longer believe. And that’s not easy in this business. Because either you’ve gotten started, you have some … costs. It’s a relationship with either your employees or with a creative community. And it’s not an easy thing. But you got to make those tough calls.”
He said, “We’ve actually made those tough calls. We’ve not been that public about it.” He didn’t name names today either.
“You have to look at everything you’re making, that you do believe in. And you have to take...
“We’re doing a lot. When we talk about improving our film, slate, there are really three approaches. One is you have to kill things you no longer believe. And that’s not easy in this business. Because either you’ve gotten started, you have some … costs. It’s a relationship with either your employees or with a creative community. And it’s not an easy thing. But you got to make those tough calls.”
He said, “We’ve actually made those tough calls. We’ve not been that public about it.” He didn’t name names today either.
“You have to look at everything you’re making, that you do believe in. And you have to take...
- 3/5/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
The real Earth, Wind & Fire have prevailed in a trademark infringement suit against the company’s behind an Earth, Wind & Fire tribute act that promoted itself with “deceptive and misleading” marketing.
The funk legends filed the lawsuit last year against Substantial Music Group and Stellar Communications, which oversaw the tribute band Earth, Wind & Fire Legacy Reunion. While tribute acts have some leeway when it comes to promoting themselves in relation to the act they’re honoring, they cannot suggest any actual affiliation with the original band if none exists.
The funk legends filed the lawsuit last year against Substantial Music Group and Stellar Communications, which oversaw the tribute band Earth, Wind & Fire Legacy Reunion. While tribute acts have some leeway when it comes to promoting themselves in relation to the act they’re honoring, they cannot suggest any actual affiliation with the original band if none exists.
- 3/4/2024
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
Word has it that Sean Bailey had been looking to move on. However the news this week Disney’s president of motion picture studios has stepped down has much to do with CEO Bob Iger’s urgent course correction at a storied studio that just endured a relatively poor year at the box office and is facing pressure from activist shareholders to improve the stock price.
Bailey, a 15-year veteran of the company, was the executive who mined Disney’s animation vault and adapted them into live-action tentpoles that often crushed it at the box office.
For a long time...
Bailey, a 15-year veteran of the company, was the executive who mined Disney’s animation vault and adapted them into live-action tentpoles that often crushed it at the box office.
For a long time...
- 3/1/2024
- ScreenDaily
Executive turnover dialed up the palace intrigue in the Magic Kingdom this week.
Walt Disney Studios announced on Monday that 15-year veteran Sean Bailey would step down as president of its motion picture production group – a job in which he oversaw splashy live-action remakes of beloved animated properties. In his place, Searchlight Pictures co-head David Greenbaum was elevated and will report directly to top film boss Alan Bergman.
A creative shuffle amongst senior Disney film executives was always going to happen, many industry insiders who spoke with Variety said. As Disney CEO Bob Iger continues to aggressively cut costs amid a nasty proxy battle with billionaire investor Nelson Peltz – and the company’s movies suffer from an uncharacteristic box office slump and creative torpor – many saw a move like Bailey’s as inevitable.
“Disney film needs a shot in the arm, clearly,” said one top agent speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Walt Disney Studios announced on Monday that 15-year veteran Sean Bailey would step down as president of its motion picture production group – a job in which he oversaw splashy live-action remakes of beloved animated properties. In his place, Searchlight Pictures co-head David Greenbaum was elevated and will report directly to top film boss Alan Bergman.
A creative shuffle amongst senior Disney film executives was always going to happen, many industry insiders who spoke with Variety said. As Disney CEO Bob Iger continues to aggressively cut costs amid a nasty proxy battle with billionaire investor Nelson Peltz – and the company’s movies suffer from an uncharacteristic box office slump and creative torpor – many saw a move like Bailey’s as inevitable.
“Disney film needs a shot in the arm, clearly,” said one top agent speaking on the condition of anonymity.
- 2/28/2024
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
The 11-Oscar nominated saucy absurdist comedy, Poor Things, from Disney’s Searchlight, is hitting Hulu on March 7 days before the Oscar ceremony on March 10.
The news comes in the wake of the movie crossing the $100M mark at the global box office. As Deadline told you, Searchlight co-head David Greenbaum became President, Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios recently, taking over for Sean Bailey who is departing the studio. Stateside, Poor Things which is from director Yorgos Lanthimos has almost made as much stateside as his previous Searchlight Oscar winning title, The Favorite, $32.9M to $34.3M — pretty good for an R-rated arthouse movie nowadays.
The movie, which stars and is produced by Emma Stone, features her as Bella Baxter (Stone), a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Under Baxter’s protection, Bella is eager to learn. Hungry for the worldliness she is lacking,...
The news comes in the wake of the movie crossing the $100M mark at the global box office. As Deadline told you, Searchlight co-head David Greenbaum became President, Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios recently, taking over for Sean Bailey who is departing the studio. Stateside, Poor Things which is from director Yorgos Lanthimos has almost made as much stateside as his previous Searchlight Oscar winning title, The Favorite, $32.9M to $34.3M — pretty good for an R-rated arthouse movie nowadays.
The movie, which stars and is produced by Emma Stone, features her as Bella Baxter (Stone), a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Under Baxter’s protection, Bella is eager to learn. Hungry for the worldliness she is lacking,...
- 2/28/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
We’re almost into March of 2024, and Disney has been taking a long, hard look at itself after the disastrous 2023. When two of the most seemingly slam-dunk, profitable IPs are under your umbrella, business should be good, but alas, both Star Wars and Marvel have been plummeting in profits and reception for the House of Mouse. Bob Iger has been adamant about pulling back on the output of the franchise projects so as to not oversaturate the market. Additionally, the streaming service, Disney+, has seen a significant dip in subscribers after they lost 1.3 million accounts once they raised the prices. They have reportedly taken $300 million in streaming losses.
Variety has reported a big shake-up is now happening to the company as Disney now replaces Sean Bailey, who has been the motion picture group’s president of production for the past 15 years. David Greenbaum will now be stepping in as the...
Variety has reported a big shake-up is now happening to the company as Disney now replaces Sean Bailey, who has been the motion picture group’s president of production for the past 15 years. David Greenbaum will now be stepping in as the...
- 2/27/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Big news for the Mouse House. Longtime Walt Disney Studios president Sean Bailey is departing the studio. Bailey, who has been in the position for 15 years, is leaving effective immediately. David Greenbaum, the co-head of Searchlight Pictures, is taking over. And not only is he taking over Disney Studios, but 20th Century Studios as well.
Read More: PGA, Spirit and SAG Awards spark final Oscar voting weekend
In a statement, Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman noted, “David has an incredible creative sensibility and eye for film, and he has built a reputation as an exceptional leader and creative executive, as proven by his track record at Searchlight Pictures and deep relationships throughout the industry.
Continue reading Big Changes At Walt Disney Studios: Sean Bailey Out, David Greenbaum In at The Playlist.
Read More: PGA, Spirit and SAG Awards spark final Oscar voting weekend
In a statement, Disney Entertainment Co-Chairman Alan Bergman noted, “David has an incredible creative sensibility and eye for film, and he has built a reputation as an exceptional leader and creative executive, as proven by his track record at Searchlight Pictures and deep relationships throughout the industry.
Continue reading Big Changes At Walt Disney Studios: Sean Bailey Out, David Greenbaum In at The Playlist.
- 2/26/2024
- by Gregory Ellwood
- The Playlist
In a major shake up to Disney’s film team, Sean Bailey, who has been with Disney for 15 years, is exiting the company, effective immediately. David Greenbaum, the co-head of Searchlight Pictures, has been named president of Disney Live-Action and of 20th Century Studios, taking control of both brands in a combined division of its live-action films.
Greenbaum will have oversight over projects for both theatrical and streaming and will lead the newly combined studio group, reporting to Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman.
Remaining in his role as 20th Century Studios president is Steve Asbell; Matthew Greenfield will take sole control of Searchlight Pictures as president.
Bailey will segue to a producer role on Disney’s “Tron: Ares,” as well as other projects.
“David has an incredible creative sensibility and eye for film, and he has built a reputation as an exceptional leader and creative executive, as proven by his...
Greenbaum will have oversight over projects for both theatrical and streaming and will lead the newly combined studio group, reporting to Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman.
Remaining in his role as 20th Century Studios president is Steve Asbell; Matthew Greenfield will take sole control of Searchlight Pictures as president.
Bailey will segue to a producer role on Disney’s “Tron: Ares,” as well as other projects.
“David has an incredible creative sensibility and eye for film, and he has built a reputation as an exceptional leader and creative executive, as proven by his...
- 2/26/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Sean Bailey, the producer turned executive who has overseen Walt Disney Studios’ live-action division for almost 15 years, is exiting the studio.
In his place, David Greenbaum, who ran Searchlight Pictures with Matthew Greenfield, will take over in a newly created role of president, Disney live action and 20th Century Studios. Greenbaum will report to Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman.
Steve Asbell continues to oversee 20th Century Studios as president while Greenfield takes sole oversight of Searchlight as president.
Per the studio’s announcement Monday, in this new role Greenbaum will lead “a combined studio group that will be home to both iconic film brands, producing a robust collection of original and legacy projects unique to each for theatrical and streaming, while increasing collaboration across the production slate.”
The move is a jump for Greenbaum, who has demonstrated a strong record in the prestige filmmaking space, along with his partner Greenfield.
In his place, David Greenbaum, who ran Searchlight Pictures with Matthew Greenfield, will take over in a newly created role of president, Disney live action and 20th Century Studios. Greenbaum will report to Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman.
Steve Asbell continues to oversee 20th Century Studios as president while Greenfield takes sole oversight of Searchlight as president.
Per the studio’s announcement Monday, in this new role Greenbaum will lead “a combined studio group that will be home to both iconic film brands, producing a robust collection of original and legacy projects unique to each for theatrical and streaming, while increasing collaboration across the production slate.”
The move is a jump for Greenbaum, who has demonstrated a strong record in the prestige filmmaking space, along with his partner Greenfield.
- 2/26/2024
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Disney executive Sean Bailey is exiting after 15 years as the motion picture group’s president of production. He’ll be replaced by Searchlight’s chief David Greenbaum, who has been named to the newly created role of president of Live Action and 20th Century Studios.
In his new post, effective immediately, Greenbaum will report to Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman. This shakeup merges two of Disney’s film divisions: live-action (responsible for remakes and spinoffs of the studio’s classics) and 20th Century Studios.
“David has an incredible creative sensibility and eye for film, and he has built a reputation as an exceptional leader and creative executive, as proven by his track record at Searchlight Pictures and deep relationships throughout the industry,” Bergman said in a statement. “I’m thrilled that he’ll be taking on this new and important role.”
Bailey, who has overseen Disney’s live-action slate since...
In his new post, effective immediately, Greenbaum will report to Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman. This shakeup merges two of Disney’s film divisions: live-action (responsible for remakes and spinoffs of the studio’s classics) and 20th Century Studios.
“David has an incredible creative sensibility and eye for film, and he has built a reputation as an exceptional leader and creative executive, as proven by his track record at Searchlight Pictures and deep relationships throughout the industry,” Bergman said in a statement. “I’m thrilled that he’ll be taking on this new and important role.”
Bailey, who has overseen Disney’s live-action slate since...
- 2/26/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Effective immediately, Walt Disney’s President of Motion Picture Studios Sean Bailey, who turned the company’s animation vault into a multibillion-dollar live-action movie business, is departing after 15 years on the lot. Searchlight co-president David Greenbaum will take on a newly created role. He’ll be president of Disney Live action and president of 20th Century Studios.
Greenbaum’s new title will be President, Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios. He’ll report to Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman. Steve Asbell will continue to serve as President, 20th Century Studios, a role he’s had since March 2020. He will report to Greenbaum.
This splits up the Searchlight Pictures executive team of Greenbaum and Matthew Greenfield, two of the most highly regarded execs in the prestige film space who right now have Poor Things squarely in the Best Picture race and other Oscar categories. That duo succeeded longtime leaders Steve Gilula and Nancy Utley,...
Greenbaum’s new title will be President, Disney Live Action and 20th Century Studios. He’ll report to Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman. Steve Asbell will continue to serve as President, 20th Century Studios, a role he’s had since March 2020. He will report to Greenbaum.
This splits up the Searchlight Pictures executive team of Greenbaum and Matthew Greenfield, two of the most highly regarded execs in the prestige film space who right now have Poor Things squarely in the Best Picture race and other Oscar categories. That duo succeeded longtime leaders Steve Gilula and Nancy Utley,...
- 2/26/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro and Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney’s president of motion picture studios Sean Bailey has departed the company and will be replaced by Searchlight Pictures co-president David Greenbaum.
Bailey had been at the studio for 15 years and is credited as the architect behind the lucrative business of turning animated classics from the vault into live-action hits like The Lion King, Beauty And The Beast and The Jungle Book – all of which grossed more than $1bn worldwide.
Greenbaum, who has run Searchlight alongside Matthew Greenfield, becomes president, Disney live action and 20th Century Studios, reporting to Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman.
Greenbaum will lead a combined...
Bailey had been at the studio for 15 years and is credited as the architect behind the lucrative business of turning animated classics from the vault into live-action hits like The Lion King, Beauty And The Beast and The Jungle Book – all of which grossed more than $1bn worldwide.
Greenbaum, who has run Searchlight alongside Matthew Greenfield, becomes president, Disney live action and 20th Century Studios, reporting to Disney Entertainment co-chairman Alan Bergman.
Greenbaum will lead a combined...
- 2/26/2024
- ScreenDaily
With no new bust-out limited releases, repertory continues to do its part for the specialty box office, the latest a 4k restoration of Nostalghia. Kino Lorber said the Andrei Tarkovsky’s 1983 film, which opened Wednesday, will gross an estimated $22.87k at Film Forum in NYC for the five days.
It’s currently the top performer at the theater and will take in more than all other films screening there combined over that period. Two additional shows at the Roxie in San Francisco and the Austin Film Society bring combined grosses to about $29.4k. Expands next week to Philadelphia and Montreal with additional markets coming later. The film about a Russian poet and his interpreter, who travel to Italy researching the life of an 18th-century composer, stars Oleg Yankovskiy, Andrei Gorchakov, Erland Josephson, Domiziana Giordano and Patrizia Terreno.
Kino Lorber had success with the restored 4k re-release of Bernardo Bertolucci’s...
It’s currently the top performer at the theater and will take in more than all other films screening there combined over that period. Two additional shows at the Roxie in San Francisco and the Austin Film Society bring combined grosses to about $29.4k. Expands next week to Philadelphia and Montreal with additional markets coming later. The film about a Russian poet and his interpreter, who travel to Italy researching the life of an 18th-century composer, stars Oleg Yankovskiy, Andrei Gorchakov, Erland Josephson, Domiziana Giordano and Patrizia Terreno.
Kino Lorber had success with the restored 4k re-release of Bernardo Bertolucci’s...
- 2/25/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Janus Films has released the trailer for “Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus,” a documentary celebrating the composer’s life.
Sakamoto put on one final performance in late 2022, which was captured in a concert film featuring just him and his piano. He curated and sequenced the 20 pieces himself, with the selection spanning his entire career. This includes his pop-star period with Yellow Magic Orchestra, his scores for filmmaker Bernardo Bertolucci and his final album, “12.”
His son Neo Sora directed the film, which was executive produced by Jeremy Thomas. “Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus” will open on March 15 in New York at Lincoln Center, with a national rollout to follow.
Watch the full trailer below.
Oscar-Nominated Short Film ‘The Last Repair Shop’ To Make Television Debut
The Oscar-nominated short film “The Last Repair Shop” will make its television debut on ABC owned television stations and select affiliate stations on Saturday, Feb. 17. It will also be...
Sakamoto put on one final performance in late 2022, which was captured in a concert film featuring just him and his piano. He curated and sequenced the 20 pieces himself, with the selection spanning his entire career. This includes his pop-star period with Yellow Magic Orchestra, his scores for filmmaker Bernardo Bertolucci and his final album, “12.”
His son Neo Sora directed the film, which was executive produced by Jeremy Thomas. “Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus” will open on March 15 in New York at Lincoln Center, with a national rollout to follow.
Watch the full trailer below.
Oscar-Nominated Short Film ‘The Last Repair Shop’ To Make Television Debut
The Oscar-nominated short film “The Last Repair Shop” will make its television debut on ABC owned television stations and select affiliate stations on Saturday, Feb. 17. It will also be...
- 2/14/2024
- by Jazz Tangcay, Caroline Brew, Diego Ramos Bechara and Jaden Thompson
- Variety Film + TV
Over 60 films came into this year’s Sundance Film Festival looking for buyers, but many of the key players on the indie film market already had movies premiering in the festival, with many of those among the most commercial and star-studded movies making their debuts.
Last year’s market was slow, especially for documentaries, but this year’s festival market was nothing but robust in 2024. We’re tracking everything that already has a home and will update this space throughout the month with every sale that comes in.
“Good One”
Section: U.S. Dramatic
Director: India Donaldson
Buyer: Metrograph Pictures
Cast: Lily Collias, James Le Gros, Danny McCarthy
Release Plans: Theatrical in Summer 2024
Buzz: India Donaldson’s “Good One” will be the first title acquired by Metrograph Pictures, as the company known for its film restorations and SVOD platform is now getting into theatrical distribution. And they picked a good one too.
Last year’s market was slow, especially for documentaries, but this year’s festival market was nothing but robust in 2024. We’re tracking everything that already has a home and will update this space throughout the month with every sale that comes in.
“Good One”
Section: U.S. Dramatic
Director: India Donaldson
Buyer: Metrograph Pictures
Cast: Lily Collias, James Le Gros, Danny McCarthy
Release Plans: Theatrical in Summer 2024
Buzz: India Donaldson’s “Good One” will be the first title acquired by Metrograph Pictures, as the company known for its film restorations and SVOD platform is now getting into theatrical distribution. And they picked a good one too.
- 2/13/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
At this year’s Sundance Film Festival, the IndieWire team is endeavoring to take you into the heart of the festival experience, thanks to a series of rolling roundups that aim to synthesize each day, all the action, most of the drama, and the stuff everyone is talking about, in Park City and beyond.
Day Five
We’ll admit it: Day 5 at Sundance started on a bit of a slower note, at least over at IndieWire Editorial Condo No. 2, whose inhabitants were still processing both our (In)Famous Chili Party and/or Aaron Schimberg’s wild “A Different Man.” The first day after the festival’s opening weekend tends to spell a slower vibe, with many leaving after the first flush of premieres and parties, and Park City easing, ever so slowly, back into a more normal pace.
Though I’d already seen Richard Linklater’s sexy action comedy “Hit Man...
Day Five
We’ll admit it: Day 5 at Sundance started on a bit of a slower note, at least over at IndieWire Editorial Condo No. 2, whose inhabitants were still processing both our (In)Famous Chili Party and/or Aaron Schimberg’s wild “A Different Man.” The first day after the festival’s opening weekend tends to spell a slower vibe, with many leaving after the first flush of premieres and parties, and Park City easing, ever so slowly, back into a more normal pace.
Though I’d already seen Richard Linklater’s sexy action comedy “Hit Man...
- 1/23/2024
- by Kate Erbland, Ryan Lattanzio and Marcus Jones
- Indiewire
Searchlight Pictures has snapped up worldwide rights to Jesse Eisenberg’s Sundance hit A Real Pain, paying what is believed to be $10m in the first major deal of the festival following Saturday’s world premiere.
‘A Real Pain’: Sundance Review
Theatrical and streamer buyers pursued the comedy drama immediately after the first screening at The Eccles Theatre and it was clear the film possessed broad appeal.
Searchlight pursued it doggedly and an all-night negotiation with WME Independent and CAA Media Finance reminiscent of Sundances of yesteryear concluded around 7am on Sunday.
The studio plans to launch the film...
‘A Real Pain’: Sundance Review
Theatrical and streamer buyers pursued the comedy drama immediately after the first screening at The Eccles Theatre and it was clear the film possessed broad appeal.
Searchlight pursued it doggedly and an all-night negotiation with WME Independent and CAA Media Finance reminiscent of Sundances of yesteryear concluded around 7am on Sunday.
The studio plans to launch the film...
- 1/21/2024
- ScreenDaily
Jesse Eisenberg’s “A Real Pain,” one of the buzziest movies to premiere so far at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, has sold to Searchlight in a huge $10 million deal.
Given the warm reception in Park City, the film sparked an all-night bidding war among several distributions to land global rights, with the deal closing early Sunday morning.
Eisenberg directed “A Real Pain” in addition to starring alongside Kieran Culkin. They play cousins whose tour through Poland in honor of their grandmother sparks some serious family rivalry. Their co-stars include Will Sharpe, Jennifer Grey, Kurt Egyiawan, Liza Sadovy and Daniel Oreskes.
“A Real Pain” is one of two movies that Eisenberg is headlining at this year’s festival — the other is Bleecker Street’s wacky comedy “Sasquatch Sunset.” The actor says “A Real Pain” is an acutely personal story. In the film, the cousins end up joining a Holocaust tour,...
Given the warm reception in Park City, the film sparked an all-night bidding war among several distributions to land global rights, with the deal closing early Sunday morning.
Eisenberg directed “A Real Pain” in addition to starring alongside Kieran Culkin. They play cousins whose tour through Poland in honor of their grandmother sparks some serious family rivalry. Their co-stars include Will Sharpe, Jennifer Grey, Kurt Egyiawan, Liza Sadovy and Daniel Oreskes.
“A Real Pain” is one of two movies that Eisenberg is headlining at this year’s festival — the other is Bleecker Street’s wacky comedy “Sasquatch Sunset.” The actor says “A Real Pain” is an acutely personal story. In the film, the cousins end up joining a Holocaust tour,...
- 1/21/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The dealmaking has begun. Searchlight Pictures closed the first major deal on the ground at the Sundance Film Festival — $10 million for worldwide rights for A Real Pain, directed and written by Jesse Eisenberg. He stars with freshly minted Emmy-winning Succession star Kieran Culkin as mismatched cousins David and Benji. They reunite for a tour of Poland to honor their grandmother, but older tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family’s history. The film will get a big theatrical release later this year.
Pic also stars Jennifer Grey, Will Sharpe, Kurt Egyiawan (Beasts of No Nation), Liza Sadovy (A Small Light) and Daniel Oreskes (Only Murders in the Building), and it’s produced by Topic and Fruit Tree, with Ali Herting, Dave McCary, Ewa Puszczynska, Jennifer Semler, Eisenberg and Emma Stone all producing. The film, playing in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at Sundance, has been a buzz title...
Pic also stars Jennifer Grey, Will Sharpe, Kurt Egyiawan (Beasts of No Nation), Liza Sadovy (A Small Light) and Daniel Oreskes (Only Murders in the Building), and it’s produced by Topic and Fruit Tree, with Ali Herting, Dave McCary, Ewa Puszczynska, Jennifer Semler, Eisenberg and Emma Stone all producing. The film, playing in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at Sundance, has been a buzz title...
- 1/21/2024
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
The annual AFI Awards lunch at the Four Seasons was the same as it ever was: time, station, place in the awards calendar. This celebration of the top 10 jury-voted lists for film and television is always a big draw for talent and their studio chiefs: no one has to make a speech, and mingling freely are the likes of Apple CEO Tim Cook, Disney’s Bob Iger, Netflix’s Ted Sarandos, Warner Bros.’ David Zaslav, Universal’s Donna Langley, MGM/Amazon’s Jennifer Salke, and Sony’s Tom Rothman (“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”).
During the annual benediction, Oscar-winner Ellen Burstyn (“Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore”) said, “I’m very happy to be here, because of this idea of honoring 10 movies and 10 television shows, and just leaving it at that, not having five people nominated, invited to a big gala event, one person wins and four losers: I’ve been at...
During the annual benediction, Oscar-winner Ellen Burstyn (“Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore”) said, “I’m very happy to be here, because of this idea of honoring 10 movies and 10 television shows, and just leaving it at that, not having five people nominated, invited to a big gala event, one person wins and four losers: I’ve been at...
- 1/14/2024
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Taylor Swift may have worn a glittering green gown by Gucci, but she found herself in a golden era Sunday, if only for a few hours, and what a time it was.
The superstar singer touched down at the Beverly Hilton for the 81st Golden Globes to honor a nomination in the new cinematic and box office achievement category for reinventing the rollout of concert documentaries (and smashing records in the process) courtesy of AMC’s Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour. Though she went home empty-handed — the inaugural trophy went to Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie and the pink parade from Barbie, which earned north of a billion dollars and became a cultural phenomenon — Swift snagged the lion’s share of attention in a room filled with A-listers. (AMC also used the occasion to announce that the doc passed Michael Jackson’s This Is It to become the top-grossing concert doc of all time.
The superstar singer touched down at the Beverly Hilton for the 81st Golden Globes to honor a nomination in the new cinematic and box office achievement category for reinventing the rollout of concert documentaries (and smashing records in the process) courtesy of AMC’s Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour. Though she went home empty-handed — the inaugural trophy went to Greta Gerwig, Margot Robbie and the pink parade from Barbie, which earned north of a billion dollars and became a cultural phenomenon — Swift snagged the lion’s share of attention in a room filled with A-listers. (AMC also used the occasion to announce that the doc passed Michael Jackson’s This Is It to become the top-grossing concert doc of all time.
- 1/8/2024
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings in Los Angeles and New York, including events for Poor Things, The Color Purple and American Fiction.
Leave the World Behind premiere
Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha’la, Kevin Bacon, Farrah Mackenzie, Charlie Evans and writer-director Sam Esmail walked the carpet at the NYC premiere of their Netflix thriller on Monday.
Ethan Hawke and Julia Roberts Kevin Bacon, Sam Esmail, Ethan Hawke, Julia Roberts, Farrah Mackenzie, Charlie Evans, Mahershala Ali and Myha’la Herrold
American Fiction premiere
Writer-director Cord Jefferson joined stars Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross and Sterling K. Brown at their film’s Los Angeles premiere on Tuesday.
Cord Jefferson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jeffrey Wright, Sterling K. Brown, Erika Alexander and Adam Brody
Wish music celebration
The team behind the music of Wish, including star Ariana DeBose, celebrated with an event in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
Leave the World Behind premiere
Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha’la, Kevin Bacon, Farrah Mackenzie, Charlie Evans and writer-director Sam Esmail walked the carpet at the NYC premiere of their Netflix thriller on Monday.
Ethan Hawke and Julia Roberts Kevin Bacon, Sam Esmail, Ethan Hawke, Julia Roberts, Farrah Mackenzie, Charlie Evans, Mahershala Ali and Myha’la Herrold
American Fiction premiere
Writer-director Cord Jefferson joined stars Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross and Sterling K. Brown at their film’s Los Angeles premiere on Tuesday.
Cord Jefferson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jeffrey Wright, Sterling K. Brown, Erika Alexander and Adam Brody
Wish music celebration
The team behind the music of Wish, including star Ariana DeBose, celebrated with an event in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
- 12/8/2023
- by Kirsten Chuba
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Editor’s Note: This story previously reported the title as “Kind of Kindness,” but IndieWire has now confirmed the title is “Kinds of Kindness.”
And just like that, “And” has a new title.
Yorgos Lanthimos’ fourth collaboration with “Poor Things” muse Emma Stone has been renamed “Kinds of Kindness,” as producer Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe told IndieWire’s Anne Thompson in a new interview. IndieWire confirmed the new title with distributor Searchlight Pictures.
“Kinds of Kindness” is in post-production after filming in October 2022 in New Orleans. The film serves as a reunion between Stone and Lanthimos, as well as Stone’s “Poor Things” co-stars Margaret Qualley and Willem Dafoe. “The Favourite” actor Joe Alwyn additionally returns for the Lanthimos project, plus Jesse Plemons, Hong Chau, and “Euphoria” breakout star Hunter Schafer.
The film was first announced in October 2022. Lanthimos directs from a script he co-wrote with Efthimis Filippou; the...
And just like that, “And” has a new title.
Yorgos Lanthimos’ fourth collaboration with “Poor Things” muse Emma Stone has been renamed “Kinds of Kindness,” as producer Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe told IndieWire’s Anne Thompson in a new interview. IndieWire confirmed the new title with distributor Searchlight Pictures.
“Kinds of Kindness” is in post-production after filming in October 2022 in New Orleans. The film serves as a reunion between Stone and Lanthimos, as well as Stone’s “Poor Things” co-stars Margaret Qualley and Willem Dafoe. “The Favourite” actor Joe Alwyn additionally returns for the Lanthimos project, plus Jesse Plemons, Hong Chau, and “Euphoria” breakout star Hunter Schafer.
The film was first announced in October 2022. Lanthimos directs from a script he co-wrote with Efthimis Filippou; the...
- 12/1/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Upcoming releases include awards heavyweights ’Poor Things’, ’All Of Us Strangers’.
Searchlight Pictures has hired Derval Whelan as head of distribution, who returns to the specialty studio where she previously served for 14 years until 2021.
Based in New York, Whelan will responsible for strategising and implementing release patterns for the company’s upcoming slate and replaces Frank Rodriguez, who has joined Amazon MGM Studios as general sales manager.
The Searchlight roster includes awards season heavyweights Poor Things, the Venice Golden Lion winner directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Emma Stone, and All Of Us Strangers, Andrew Haigh’s romance which is...
Searchlight Pictures has hired Derval Whelan as head of distribution, who returns to the specialty studio where she previously served for 14 years until 2021.
Based in New York, Whelan will responsible for strategising and implementing release patterns for the company’s upcoming slate and replaces Frank Rodriguez, who has joined Amazon MGM Studios as general sales manager.
The Searchlight roster includes awards season heavyweights Poor Things, the Venice Golden Lion winner directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Emma Stone, and All Of Us Strangers, Andrew Haigh’s romance which is...
- 11/20/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Derval Whelan, who previously worked at Searchlight Pictures for 14 years until 2021, is returning to the Disney specialty label as their Head of Distribution. She takes over for former Head of Distribution Frank Rodriguez, who Deadline told you departed for Amazon MGM to be their General Sales Manager.
Whelan will be responsible for strategizing and implementing release patterns for the company’s slate. She’ll be based in New York.
Presidents of Searchlight Pictures David Greenbaum and Matthew Greenfield beamed, “We’ve known Derval for a long time, she was part of some of our most incredible successes over the years. Her expertise and acumen in the distribution space are unrivalled, and we couldn’t be happier to have her back at Searchlight.”
During Whelan’s time in distribution at Searchlight she worked on such Oscar winning titles as 12 Years a Slave, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, The Shape of Water,...
Whelan will be responsible for strategizing and implementing release patterns for the company’s slate. She’ll be based in New York.
Presidents of Searchlight Pictures David Greenbaum and Matthew Greenfield beamed, “We’ve known Derval for a long time, she was part of some of our most incredible successes over the years. Her expertise and acumen in the distribution space are unrivalled, and we couldn’t be happier to have her back at Searchlight.”
During Whelan’s time in distribution at Searchlight she worked on such Oscar winning titles as 12 Years a Slave, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, The Shape of Water,...
- 11/20/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings in Los Angeles and New York, including Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, Trolls Band Together, The Crown, Saltburn and May December.
The Crown premiere
Elizabeth Debicki, Jonathan Pryce, Khalid Abdalla, Rufus Kampa, Fflyn Edwards, Ed McVey, Luther Ford and Meg Bellamy walked the red carpet on Sunday for the Los Angeles premiere of the sixth and final season.
Peter Morgan and Elizabeth Debicki Luther Ford, Khalid Abdalla and Ed McVey
Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes premiere
Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andrés Rivera, Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage and Jason Schwartzman attended the Los Angeles premiere of their Hunger Games prequel on Monday, with support from Olivia Rodrigo, who has a song in the film. On Wednesday, the cast attended another premiere event in NYC.
Peter Dinklage, Viola Davis, Josh Andrés Rivera,...
The Crown premiere
Elizabeth Debicki, Jonathan Pryce, Khalid Abdalla, Rufus Kampa, Fflyn Edwards, Ed McVey, Luther Ford and Meg Bellamy walked the red carpet on Sunday for the Los Angeles premiere of the sixth and final season.
Peter Morgan and Elizabeth Debicki Luther Ford, Khalid Abdalla and Ed McVey
Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes premiere
Rachel Zegler, Tom Blyth, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andrés Rivera, Viola Davis, Peter Dinklage and Jason Schwartzman attended the Los Angeles premiere of their Hunger Games prequel on Monday, with support from Olivia Rodrigo, who has a song in the film. On Wednesday, the cast attended another premiere event in NYC.
Peter Dinklage, Viola Davis, Josh Andrés Rivera,...
- 11/17/2023
- by Kirsten Chuba
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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