Kamala Harris And Doug Emhoff Address Israel-Hamas War Protests At Los Angeles Reelection Fundraiser
Updated: Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, appearing at a Los Angeles re-election fundraiser tonight, each addressed the Israel-Gaza war protests that have highlighted a split on the left.
About two dozen pro-Palestinian demonstrators were outside the event, held at the home of entertainment attorney Cliff Gilbert-Lurie and Leslie Gilbert-Lurie, and some of the protesters chanted “Free Palestine” and held a banner that read “No pride in genocide,” according to a pool report. Demonstrators also threw fake blood in front of the home, and placed their red handprints on the ground, as they have at other protests.
Inside, with about 140 people in attendance, Leslie Gilbert-Lurie introduced Emhoff and told the crowd, “At this heart breaking moment when antisemitism is rapidly gaining traction along with Islamophobia, racism and xenophobia, it is so reassuring to know that the Second Gentleman understands what many of us are experiencing.”
Per the pool report,...
About two dozen pro-Palestinian demonstrators were outside the event, held at the home of entertainment attorney Cliff Gilbert-Lurie and Leslie Gilbert-Lurie, and some of the protesters chanted “Free Palestine” and held a banner that read “No pride in genocide,” according to a pool report. Demonstrators also threw fake blood in front of the home, and placed their red handprints on the ground, as they have at other protests.
Inside, with about 140 people in attendance, Leslie Gilbert-Lurie introduced Emhoff and told the crowd, “At this heart breaking moment when antisemitism is rapidly gaining traction along with Islamophobia, racism and xenophobia, it is so reassuring to know that the Second Gentleman understands what many of us are experiencing.”
Per the pool report,...
- 11/21/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
With the strikes ended, political fundraising is expected to pick up in Hollywood over the coming weeks.
Plans are in the works for President Joe Biden to head to Los Angeles for a fundraiser by the end of the year, in what would be his first fundraising swing to the region since announcing his reelection bid.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris will headline a Los Angeles event on Nov. 20, with a long list of co-hosts and co-chairs. They include Cliff Gilbert-Lurie and Leslie Lurie, Skip Brittenham and Heather Thomas, John Emerson and Kimberly Marteau Emerson, Sam Fischer and Leah Fischer, Reginald Hudlin and Chrisette Hudlin, Allan Mutchnik and Nicole Mutchnik, and Michael Rotenberg and Shannon Mabrey Rotenberg, per an invite.
At the reception, Harris is scheduled to be joined by her husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff.
Tickets for the event start at $500 per person for young professionals and rising to...
Plans are in the works for President Joe Biden to head to Los Angeles for a fundraiser by the end of the year, in what would be his first fundraising swing to the region since announcing his reelection bid.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris will headline a Los Angeles event on Nov. 20, with a long list of co-hosts and co-chairs. They include Cliff Gilbert-Lurie and Leslie Lurie, Skip Brittenham and Heather Thomas, John Emerson and Kimberly Marteau Emerson, Sam Fischer and Leah Fischer, Reginald Hudlin and Chrisette Hudlin, Allan Mutchnik and Nicole Mutchnik, and Michael Rotenberg and Shannon Mabrey Rotenberg, per an invite.
At the reception, Harris is scheduled to be joined by her husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff.
Tickets for the event start at $500 per person for young professionals and rising to...
- 11/14/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Academy Award-nominee Eddie Murphy is in talks to play funk legend and Parliament-Funkadelic leader George Clinton in an upcoming biopic.
Dubbed the Godfather of Funk, Clinton is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and widely regarded as one of the most important innovators of the musical genre, along with James Brown and Sly Stone.
The developing project is said to chronicle Clinton’s life and legacy, from his childhood in 1940s North Carolina, to the formation of his groundbreaking bands Parliament and Funkadelic in the late 1960s. The movie will also explore Clinton and the bands’ impact of the future of hip-hop and artists like Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Outkast and the Wu-Tang Clan.
In addition to embodying the iconic musician on screen, Murphy will also serve as producer, alongside John Davis and Catherine Davis through their Davis Entertainment banner.
Dubbed the Godfather of Funk, Clinton is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and widely regarded as one of the most important innovators of the musical genre, along with James Brown and Sly Stone.
The developing project is said to chronicle Clinton’s life and legacy, from his childhood in 1940s North Carolina, to the formation of his groundbreaking bands Parliament and Funkadelic in the late 1960s. The movie will also explore Clinton and the bands’ impact of the future of hip-hop and artists like Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Outkast and the Wu-Tang Clan.
In addition to embodying the iconic musician on screen, Murphy will also serve as producer, alongside John Davis and Catherine Davis through their Davis Entertainment banner.
- 3/31/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Eddie Murphy is in early talks to play Parliament-Funkadelic leader George Clinton in an upcoming biopic.
Murphy also will serve as producer with John Davis and Catherine Davis through their Davis Entertainment banner. They are tying down rights with the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner, and then they will set writers and shop the project.
Murphy has a three-picture deal with Amazon that came after the success of Coming 2 America, and this is a passion project for him.
Clinton is widely considered to be the Godfather of Funk, rivaling James Brown and Sly Stone as the foremost innovators in that musical genre. The film will tell the story of the iconic musician’s humble beginnings in North Carolina in the 1940s to the formation of his groundbreaking bands Parliament and Funkadelic and ultimately to becoming a major influence on artists...
Murphy also will serve as producer with John Davis and Catherine Davis through their Davis Entertainment banner. They are tying down rights with the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner, and then they will set writers and shop the project.
Murphy has a three-picture deal with Amazon that came after the success of Coming 2 America, and this is a passion project for him.
Clinton is widely considered to be the Godfather of Funk, rivaling James Brown and Sly Stone as the foremost innovators in that musical genre. The film will tell the story of the iconic musician’s humble beginnings in North Carolina in the 1940s to the formation of his groundbreaking bands Parliament and Funkadelic and ultimately to becoming a major influence on artists...
- 3/31/2022
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Yes hosted the Yes 20th Anniversary Celebration on Thursday, September 23, at The Maybourne Beverly Hills, where they honored Willow Bay and Bob Iger for their decades-long support of the organization.
Christina Aguilera performs onstage during the Yes 20th Anniversary Gala
Credit/Copyright: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Yes 20th Anniversary Gala
The Gala, which celebrated Yes’ extraordinary 20 years of changing lives through education, brought in over $5M for the organization. The special event was hosted by select Yes scholars and alumni, and was presented by The Walt Disney Company.
Mellody Hobson and David Geffen served as Co-Chairs for the Gala. The two took to the stage to introduce honorees Willow Bay and Bob Iger, and present them each with a Yes Award for their generous contributions over the years. Beyond providing invaluable resources for students, Bay and Iger have personally advocated for and supported scholars, from arranging school transportation to championing grants and charitable partnerships.
Christina Aguilera performs onstage during the Yes 20th Anniversary Gala
Credit/Copyright: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Yes 20th Anniversary Gala
The Gala, which celebrated Yes’ extraordinary 20 years of changing lives through education, brought in over $5M for the organization. The special event was hosted by select Yes scholars and alumni, and was presented by The Walt Disney Company.
Mellody Hobson and David Geffen served as Co-Chairs for the Gala. The two took to the stage to introduce honorees Willow Bay and Bob Iger, and present them each with a Yes Award for their generous contributions over the years. Beyond providing invaluable resources for students, Bay and Iger have personally advocated for and supported scholars, from arranging school transportation to championing grants and charitable partnerships.
- 10/1/2021
- Look to the Stars
Phoebe Waller-Bridge will star alongside Harrison Ford, who is returning to the role of the legendary hero archaeologist, for the fifth installment of “Indiana Jones,” Lucasfilm announced on Friday.
Legendary composer John Williams is also set to return, continuing a musical legacy that began 40 years ago with “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”
James Mangold is set to replace Steven Spielberg as the director of “Indiana Jones 5.” This will be the first time in the franchise’s 40 years that Spielberg won’t direct an “Indiana Jones” movie.
“I’m thrilled to be starting a new adventure, collaborating with a dream team of all-time great filmmakers,” Mangold said in a statement to TheWrap. “Steven, Harrison, Kathy, Frank, and John are all artistic heroes of mine. When you add Phoebe, a dazzling actor, brilliant creative voice and the chemistry she will undoubtedly bring to our set, I can’t help but feel...
Legendary composer John Williams is also set to return, continuing a musical legacy that began 40 years ago with “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”
James Mangold is set to replace Steven Spielberg as the director of “Indiana Jones 5.” This will be the first time in the franchise’s 40 years that Spielberg won’t direct an “Indiana Jones” movie.
“I’m thrilled to be starting a new adventure, collaborating with a dream team of all-time great filmmakers,” Mangold said in a statement to TheWrap. “Steven, Harrison, Kathy, Frank, and John are all artistic heroes of mine. When you add Phoebe, a dazzling actor, brilliant creative voice and the chemistry she will undoubtedly bring to our set, I can’t help but feel...
- 4/9/2021
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Hours after Joe Biden said that he had to be more aggressive in debates, he made a swipe at Rudy Giuliani, President Donald Trump’s lawyer and a primary trafficker in claims and conspiracy theories about Biden and his son, Hunter.
“The guy’s a thug, Giuliani. No, he’s a thug. I know him,” Biden told about 100 people gathered at the Brentwood home of Paramount’s Jim Gianopulos and his wife, Ann.
According to a pool report, Biden continued, “And the president is the most dishonorable president in American history. And folks, he picked the wrong guy to pick a fight with, because I’ll tell you what. I’m going to beat him like a drum.”
The event at the Gianopulos home on Thursday evening was Biden’s second fundraiser of the day. Earlier, he spoke at the home of producer Michael Lombardo and his husband, Sonny Ward,...
“The guy’s a thug, Giuliani. No, he’s a thug. I know him,” Biden told about 100 people gathered at the Brentwood home of Paramount’s Jim Gianopulos and his wife, Ann.
According to a pool report, Biden continued, “And the president is the most dishonorable president in American history. And folks, he picked the wrong guy to pick a fight with, because I’ll tell you what. I’m going to beat him like a drum.”
The event at the Gianopulos home on Thursday evening was Biden’s second fundraiser of the day. Earlier, he spoke at the home of producer Michael Lombardo and his husband, Sonny Ward,...
- 10/11/2019
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Save the Children, the international humanitarian organization, announced today that Jennifer Garner will host its “Centennial Celebration: Once in a Lifetime” event on October 2 in Beverly Hills, with a special performance by five-time Grammy Award winner James Taylor.
Tommy Hilfiger, founder of Tommy Hilfiger, will be honored at “The Centennial Gala: Changing The World for Children” gala in New York City on September 12. To help celebrate the night in New York, chef and humanitarian José Andrés will create a special dessert for guests to enjoy. As previously announced, the two events are a culmination of the organization’s 100th year anniversary and will celebrate Save the Children’s mission to do whatever it takes for the most vulnerable children in the United States and around the world.
Save the Children will present the Humanitarian Award to Tommy Hilfiger, fashion designer and American icon, for his unceasing dedication to uplifting the lives of others.
Tommy Hilfiger, founder of Tommy Hilfiger, will be honored at “The Centennial Gala: Changing The World for Children” gala in New York City on September 12. To help celebrate the night in New York, chef and humanitarian José Andrés will create a special dessert for guests to enjoy. As previously announced, the two events are a culmination of the organization’s 100th year anniversary and will celebrate Save the Children’s mission to do whatever it takes for the most vulnerable children in the United States and around the world.
Save the Children will present the Humanitarian Award to Tommy Hilfiger, fashion designer and American icon, for his unceasing dedication to uplifting the lives of others.
- 8/13/2019
- Look to the Stars
Save the Children, the international humanitarian organization, today announced that Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Camila Cabello will be honored at “The Centennial Gala: Changing The World for Children” in New York City, while Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company’s Robert A. Iger will be honored at the “Centennial Celebration: Once in a Lifetime” in Los Angeles.
Both events are a culmination of the organization’s 100th year anniversary and will celebrate Save the Children’s mission to do whatever it takes for the most vulnerable children in the United States and around the world.
The New York City event, which will take place on September 12, 2019, at Manhattan Center’s Hammerstein Ballroom, will be hosted by Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie, co-anchors of NBC News’ Today, and produced by Jim Bell, veteran producer at NBC and Showrunner of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and President and Executive Producer of NBC Olympics.
Both events are a culmination of the organization’s 100th year anniversary and will celebrate Save the Children’s mission to do whatever it takes for the most vulnerable children in the United States and around the world.
The New York City event, which will take place on September 12, 2019, at Manhattan Center’s Hammerstein Ballroom, will be hosted by Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie, co-anchors of NBC News’ Today, and produced by Jim Bell, veteran producer at NBC and Showrunner of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and President and Executive Producer of NBC Olympics.
- 6/27/2019
- Look to the Stars
Exclusive: Paramount Pictures is setting Craig Brewer to direct Coming To America 2, finally bringing to the starting gate the sequel to the 1988 blockbuster comedy. Eddie Murphy is poised to reprise his role as Akeem, the pampered African prince who became bored of potential marriage partners in the kingdom too in awe of him, and who traveled to Queens to go undercover and find a woman with a strong will that he could respect.
Brewer just directed Murphy in Dolemite Is My Name, and the star was eager to work with him again. The female empowerment theme of the original seems timely in today’s climate.
Kenya Barris is rewriting a script by original Coming to America writers Barry Blaustein and David Sheffield. Murphy is producing with Kevin Misher and Barris is exec producer.
In the sequel, Akeem learns about a long lost son, and must return to America to meet...
Brewer just directed Murphy in Dolemite Is My Name, and the star was eager to work with him again. The female empowerment theme of the original seems timely in today’s climate.
Kenya Barris is rewriting a script by original Coming to America writers Barry Blaustein and David Sheffield. Murphy is producing with Kevin Misher and Barris is exec producer.
In the sequel, Akeem learns about a long lost son, and must return to America to meet...
- 1/11/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr and Geoff Boucher
- Deadline Film + TV
After Disney and Pixar animation head John Lasseter was accused by several employees of inappropriate sexual misconduct he left to take a six month leave of absence. During that time, Disney made the decision on to let him come back.
Lasseter is said to have had "a reputation for touching women inappropriately in the office, including rubbing their legs and kissing them on the lips. Lasseter was also reprimanded for making out with a subordinate at an Oscar party in 2010."
Disney issued a statement saying that Lasseter will be a consultant for the company until December 31st, 2018 and that time is coming up. Now Lasseter is making the rounds in Hollywood and taking meetings in hopes to land a new gig.
In a recent report from The Washington Post that focus on the changes that are taking place in the animation industry, they mention what Lasseter has been up to saying,...
Lasseter is said to have had "a reputation for touching women inappropriately in the office, including rubbing their legs and kissing them on the lips. Lasseter was also reprimanded for making out with a subordinate at an Oscar party in 2010."
Disney issued a statement saying that Lasseter will be a consultant for the company until December 31st, 2018 and that time is coming up. Now Lasseter is making the rounds in Hollywood and taking meetings in hopes to land a new gig.
In a recent report from The Washington Post that focus on the changes that are taking place in the animation industry, they mention what Lasseter has been up to saying,...
- 11/14/2018
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Congratulations are in order! Famed actor Henry Winkler just won his first-ever Emmy award after previously being nominated five times (mostly for his role on Happy Days in the 1970s). After accepting his Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series trophy and receiving a standing ovation from the famous crowd for his teacher role on Barry, the 72-year-old gave the most heartwarming speech for all the viewers. (Photo Credit: Getty Images) "Oh my God! I only have 37 seconds, I wrote this 43 years ago. Can I just say, Skip Brittenham told me a long time ago, 'If you stay at the table long enough the chips come to you.' And tonight, I got to clear the table," he shared. "If you get a chance to work with Bill Hader or [comedy writer] Alec Berg, run, don't walk. Thank you for producing us, for creating us, for directing us and for Bill, for acting with us,...
- 9/18/2018
- by Samantha Faragalli
- Closer Weekly
Henry Winkler won his very first Emmy — and it only took four decades.
The seasoned actor won the award for best supporting actor in a comedy series for “Barry” on Monday at the 70th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.
This was Winkler’s seventh Emmy nomination. His most recent was in 2000, when he was nominated for guest actor in a comedy series for “Battery Park” and guest actor in a drama series for “Battery Park.”
“I wrote this 43 years ago,” he joked about his speech.
“Skip Brittenham said to me a long time ago, ‘If you sit at the table long enough, the chips will come your way,'” he marveled during his speech, referring to his longtime lawyer. “Tonight, I got to clear the table.”
He went on to thank the HBO series’ creators Bill Hader and Alec Berg, and advised the audience that if they ever get the chance...
The seasoned actor won the award for best supporting actor in a comedy series for “Barry” on Monday at the 70th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards.
This was Winkler’s seventh Emmy nomination. His most recent was in 2000, when he was nominated for guest actor in a comedy series for “Battery Park” and guest actor in a drama series for “Battery Park.”
“I wrote this 43 years ago,” he joked about his speech.
“Skip Brittenham said to me a long time ago, ‘If you sit at the table long enough, the chips will come your way,'” he marveled during his speech, referring to his longtime lawyer. “Tonight, I got to clear the table.”
He went on to thank the HBO series’ creators Bill Hader and Alec Berg, and advised the audience that if they ever get the chance...
- 9/18/2018
- by Daniel Holloway
- Variety Film + TV
A capacity crowd of 350 people celebrated Cliff Gilbert-Lurie, senior partner at the Ziffren Brittenham law firm, as the Beverly Hills Bar Association awarded him the honor of 2018 Entertainment Lawyer of the Year on Thursday at the Montage Beverly Hills.
Academy Award-winning actress Sandra Bullock and prolific TV producer Dick Wolf were among the guest speakers celebrating the lawyer’s accomplishments. Drew Carey, who regaled the crowd with lawyer jokes, served as the master of ceremonies. All three are clients of Gilbert-Lurie, one of the best-known transactional attorneys in the entertainment industry
Gilbert-Lurie also represents Emmy-winning actress Claire Danes, actor/writer/producer Tina Fey, Microsoft Corporation and Imagine Entertainment, among many other high-profile clients.
Four of Gilbert-Lurie’s colleagues from Ziffren Brittenham presented Gilbert-Lurie with his award: Skip Brittenham, Sam Fischer, Ken Ziffren (who was Bhba Entertainment Lawyer of the Year 2006) and Melanie Cook (Bhba Entertainment Lawyer of the Year in...
Academy Award-winning actress Sandra Bullock and prolific TV producer Dick Wolf were among the guest speakers celebrating the lawyer’s accomplishments. Drew Carey, who regaled the crowd with lawyer jokes, served as the master of ceremonies. All three are clients of Gilbert-Lurie, one of the best-known transactional attorneys in the entertainment industry
Gilbert-Lurie also represents Emmy-winning actress Claire Danes, actor/writer/producer Tina Fey, Microsoft Corporation and Imagine Entertainment, among many other high-profile clients.
Four of Gilbert-Lurie’s colleagues from Ziffren Brittenham presented Gilbert-Lurie with his award: Skip Brittenham, Sam Fischer, Ken Ziffren (who was Bhba Entertainment Lawyer of the Year 2006) and Melanie Cook (Bhba Entertainment Lawyer of the Year in...
- 5/4/2018
- by Peter Caranicas
- Variety Film + TV
Ken Ziffren grades himself a B-minus when it comes to using new technology, but after more than 50 years as one of Los Angeles’ top attorneys, he remains fully up-to-date on the legal implications of the ongoing digital revolution.
“The experiences that I’ve had get experienced in new bottles, if you will,” says Ziffren. “I look at it as a challenge, but the challenge is the opportunity.”
Recently, Ziffren — who will be the keynote speaker at Variety’s Power of Law breakfast on April 20 — helped spearhead an effort to bring exhibitors and the major studios together on a deal to make films available for early home viewing via premium VOD. Negotiations were derailed by pending mergers, but he’s hopeful they’ll be revived soon.
“The whole VOD movement has changed not just television but also home viewing … so we have to focus on how we develop our programming to work with that audience,...
“The experiences that I’ve had get experienced in new bottles, if you will,” says Ziffren. “I look at it as a challenge, but the challenge is the opportunity.”
Recently, Ziffren — who will be the keynote speaker at Variety’s Power of Law breakfast on April 20 — helped spearhead an effort to bring exhibitors and the major studios together on a deal to make films available for early home viewing via premium VOD. Negotiations were derailed by pending mergers, but he’s hopeful they’ll be revived soon.
“The whole VOD movement has changed not just television but also home viewing … so we have to focus on how we develop our programming to work with that audience,...
- 4/18/2018
- by Todd Longwell
- Variety Film + TV
Representatives of Steven Spielberg and the Indian conglomerate Reliance continue to talk daily about terms of a $1.5 billion proposal to fund a privately owned DreamWorks that would produce more than 30 films over the next five years.
Reliance executives are expected to hold sit-down talks with Spielberg reps soon in New York or Los Angeles, though things are going so well they might hold off flying in until a meeting to close the deal later this summer. The business plan being discussed would see Spielberg and top DreamWorks execs create a new company financed with about $550 million in equity funding by Reliance, a senior debt facility and possible additional equity from whichever studio is chosen as a theatrical distributor.
"Things are going well, and God willing we'll get there," said Schuyler Moore, a Strook & Strook & Lavan attorney representing Reliance in the DreamWorks talks.
Those expressing interest in distributing the new company's films include Universal, Fox, Disney and Paramount. Paramount struck a deal to acquire DreamWorks in December 2005 and will continue to distribute all DreamWorks-branded films at least through year's end, when contract provisions allow Spielberg to opt out of his Paramount deal and take DreamWorks chairman David Geffen, DreamWorks CEO Stacey Snider and the DreamWorks name with him.
The name actually is controlled by the separate public company DreamWorks Animation, but it's assumed Spielberg would be granted the right to use the name at whatever new company he sets up.
Spielberg still could decide simply to strike a new distribution arrangement with one of the suitor studios and forgo setting up a whole new company. But sources suggest that the iconic hyphenate sorely wants to own the movies he produces and is likely to seal a deal with Reliance by summer's end.
Reliance is the only prospective equity partner for Spielberg currently in advanced talks with his reps. Terms of its proposed financing arrangement probably still could get tweaked substantially, but principals of the diversified conglomerate appear committed to working out a final deal with Spielberg.
A DreamWorks spokesman declined comment.
Separately, Reliance -- based in Mumbai and controlled by Indian businessman Anil Ambani -- has been on the hunt for hundreds of millions of its own production funding. Its diversified portfolio of businesses include Reliance Big Entertainment, which has struck several nonexclusive production pacts with Hollywood film labels operated by talent.
Those include Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt, George Clooney and other clients of Caa, which first brought Reliance's DreamWorks interest to Spielberg. Geffen has been a strong advocate of resurrecting DreamWorks as a production company controlling and owning its own film slate, and entertainment attorney Skip Brittenham helped shape a business plan to support that vision.
"David wants to know that everything is, if not closed, then locked up by the end of summer," a well-placed source said.
Reliance executives are expected to hold sit-down talks with Spielberg reps soon in New York or Los Angeles, though things are going so well they might hold off flying in until a meeting to close the deal later this summer. The business plan being discussed would see Spielberg and top DreamWorks execs create a new company financed with about $550 million in equity funding by Reliance, a senior debt facility and possible additional equity from whichever studio is chosen as a theatrical distributor.
"Things are going well, and God willing we'll get there," said Schuyler Moore, a Strook & Strook & Lavan attorney representing Reliance in the DreamWorks talks.
Those expressing interest in distributing the new company's films include Universal, Fox, Disney and Paramount. Paramount struck a deal to acquire DreamWorks in December 2005 and will continue to distribute all DreamWorks-branded films at least through year's end, when contract provisions allow Spielberg to opt out of his Paramount deal and take DreamWorks chairman David Geffen, DreamWorks CEO Stacey Snider and the DreamWorks name with him.
The name actually is controlled by the separate public company DreamWorks Animation, but it's assumed Spielberg would be granted the right to use the name at whatever new company he sets up.
Spielberg still could decide simply to strike a new distribution arrangement with one of the suitor studios and forgo setting up a whole new company. But sources suggest that the iconic hyphenate sorely wants to own the movies he produces and is likely to seal a deal with Reliance by summer's end.
Reliance is the only prospective equity partner for Spielberg currently in advanced talks with his reps. Terms of its proposed financing arrangement probably still could get tweaked substantially, but principals of the diversified conglomerate appear committed to working out a final deal with Spielberg.
A DreamWorks spokesman declined comment.
Separately, Reliance -- based in Mumbai and controlled by Indian businessman Anil Ambani -- has been on the hunt for hundreds of millions of its own production funding. Its diversified portfolio of businesses include Reliance Big Entertainment, which has struck several nonexclusive production pacts with Hollywood film labels operated by talent.
Those include Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt, George Clooney and other clients of Caa, which first brought Reliance's DreamWorks interest to Spielberg. Geffen has been a strong advocate of resurrecting DreamWorks as a production company controlling and owning its own film slate, and entertainment attorney Skip Brittenham helped shape a business plan to support that vision.
"David wants to know that everything is, if not closed, then locked up by the end of summer," a well-placed source said.
- 7/4/2008
- by By Carl DiOrio
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
UPDATED 1:09 p.m. PT Jan. 28, 2008
Julia Roberts has signed on to produce and is attached to star in the film adaptation of Margot Berwin's upcoming novel "Hothouse Flowers" for Sony's Columbia Pictures.
Roberts will play a recently divorced woman who is dissatisfied with her job at a Manhattan ad agency and goes off on an adventure that takes her to places she never expected to go.
The studio bought the rights to the book by Nerve.com writer Berwin, who was repped by CAA in the deal. The project, however, has no writer or script because of the almost 3-month-old writers strike.
Joe Roth ("The Great Debaters") and Suzanne and Jennifer Todd ("Across the Universe") also are producing. Columbia executive Andrea Giannetti is overseeing for the studio.
Roberts, who is repped by CAA and attorney Barry Hirsch, most recently starred in "Charlie Wilson's War" and recently wrapped the indie family drama "Fireflies in the Garden". Her next project is "Duplicity".
CAA also represents Roth and Team Todd.
Upcoming projects for Roth, who is also repped by attorney Skip Brittenham, include "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" and, with Team Todd, "Alice in Wonderland".
Team Todd, also represented by attorney Michael Gendler, recently wrapped "The Accidental Husband".
Berwin is repped by book agent Sam Hiyate from the Rights Factory.
Julia Roberts has signed on to produce and is attached to star in the film adaptation of Margot Berwin's upcoming novel "Hothouse Flowers" for Sony's Columbia Pictures.
Roberts will play a recently divorced woman who is dissatisfied with her job at a Manhattan ad agency and goes off on an adventure that takes her to places she never expected to go.
The studio bought the rights to the book by Nerve.com writer Berwin, who was repped by CAA in the deal. The project, however, has no writer or script because of the almost 3-month-old writers strike.
Joe Roth ("The Great Debaters") and Suzanne and Jennifer Todd ("Across the Universe") also are producing. Columbia executive Andrea Giannetti is overseeing for the studio.
Roberts, who is repped by CAA and attorney Barry Hirsch, most recently starred in "Charlie Wilson's War" and recently wrapped the indie family drama "Fireflies in the Garden". Her next project is "Duplicity".
CAA also represents Roth and Team Todd.
Upcoming projects for Roth, who is also repped by attorney Skip Brittenham, include "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" and, with Team Todd, "Alice in Wonderland".
Team Todd, also represented by attorney Michael Gendler, recently wrapped "The Accidental Husband".
Berwin is repped by book agent Sam Hiyate from the Rights Factory.
- 1/27/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Eddie Murphy is ready to make dreams come true.
The actor is attached to star in Columbia Pictures' big-screen adaptation of Fantasy Island.
Murphy will play multiple roles in the film, which is based on the popular TV series that ran from 1978-84 and starred Ricardo Montalban.
Described as a family-oriented comedy, the project will be written by Jay Scherick and David Ronn, who most recently teamed with Murphy on Norbit.
John Davis, Marc Toberoff, Leonard Goldberg and Lucas Foster are producing.
Sony's Doug Belgrad and Andrea Giannetti are shepherding the project for the studio.
Murphy, who most recently starred in Norbit, also earned a Golden Globe and Oscar nomination this year for his supporting turn as James "Thunder" Early in Dreamgirls. He next will reprise his role as the voice of the Donkey in Shrek the Third and will topline the 20th Century Fox comedy Starship Dave.
He is repped by WMA and attorneys Skip Brittenham and Matthew Johnson.
The actor is attached to star in Columbia Pictures' big-screen adaptation of Fantasy Island.
Murphy will play multiple roles in the film, which is based on the popular TV series that ran from 1978-84 and starred Ricardo Montalban.
Described as a family-oriented comedy, the project will be written by Jay Scherick and David Ronn, who most recently teamed with Murphy on Norbit.
John Davis, Marc Toberoff, Leonard Goldberg and Lucas Foster are producing.
Sony's Doug Belgrad and Andrea Giannetti are shepherding the project for the studio.
Murphy, who most recently starred in Norbit, also earned a Golden Globe and Oscar nomination this year for his supporting turn as James "Thunder" Early in Dreamgirls. He next will reprise his role as the voice of the Donkey in Shrek the Third and will topline the 20th Century Fox comedy Starship Dave.
He is repped by WMA and attorneys Skip Brittenham and Matthew Johnson.
- 5/10/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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