Exclusive: Gravitas Ventures has acquired a pair of starry indies — Alice Englert’s dark comedy Bad Behaviour, starring Jennifer Connelly, and Christian Ditter’s family comedy The Present, starring Isla Fisher and Greg Kinnear. Bad Behaviour opens in limited theaters and on digital and VOD in the U.S. and Canada on June 14, with The Present to hit digital and cable VOD in the U.S. on June 18.
World premiering at last year’s Sundance Film Festival, Englert’s debut feature Bad Behaviour watches as a former child actress seeking enlightenment at a retreat navigates the close but turbulent relationship with her daughter. Also starring Ben Whishaw, Englert, and Ana Scotney, among others, the film is produced by Desray Armstrong and Molly Hallam. Exec producers included Stephen Braun of Bee-Hive Productions, Whishaw and Englert. The film was made with finance from the New Zealand Film Commission, the New Zealand Government’s Screen Production Rebate,...
World premiering at last year’s Sundance Film Festival, Englert’s debut feature Bad Behaviour watches as a former child actress seeking enlightenment at a retreat navigates the close but turbulent relationship with her daughter. Also starring Ben Whishaw, Englert, and Ana Scotney, among others, the film is produced by Desray Armstrong and Molly Hallam. Exec producers included Stephen Braun of Bee-Hive Productions, Whishaw and Englert. The film was made with finance from the New Zealand Film Commission, the New Zealand Government’s Screen Production Rebate,...
- 3/22/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Although Phoebe Tonkin was in the 2012 shark thriller Bait and the high profile 2022 flop Babylon, most viewers probably know her from her work in television: she has been on multiple episodes H2O: Just Add Water, Home and Away, The Secret Circle, The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Westworld, Safe Harbour, and more. I just finished watching a Netflix series she was in, Boy Swallows Universe, which I thought was pretty great. Now Tonkin has the lead role in a thriller called Night Shift, which just received a VOD and limited theatrical release today, courtesy of Quiver Distribution. To help you figure out whether or not Night Shift is a movie you’d like to see, we have a clip and the film’s trailer embedded above.
Written and directed by Paul China and Benjamin China, a.k.a. The China Brothers, Night Shift has the following synopsis: While working her first...
Written and directed by Paul China and Benjamin China, a.k.a. The China Brothers, Night Shift has the following synopsis: While working her first...
- 3/8/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Night Shift: " While working her first night shift at a remote motel, a young woman, Gwen Taylor (Phoebe Tonkin), begins to suspect that she is being followed by a dangerous character from her past. As the night progresses, Gwen’s isolation and safety, however, are made all the more worse when she starts to realize that the motel might also be haunted."
Writer & Director: The China Brothers (Paul & Ben) Cast: Phoebe Tonkin, Lamorne Morris, Madison Hu, Patrick Fischler, Lauren Bowles, Christopher Denham. Producers: Eric B. Fleischman, Maurice Fadida, John Hodges, Bradley Pilz, Dennis Rainaldi Runtime: 82 minutes Rated: TV-ma Distributor: Quiver Distribution
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Queer Horror - A Film Guide: "From the beginning, horror has been part of the cinema landscape. Despite some of the earliest genre films with gay directors such as F.W. Murnau (Nosferatu) and James Whale, Lgbtqia characters have rarely been portrayed in full view. For decades, filmmakers have...
Writer & Director: The China Brothers (Paul & Ben) Cast: Phoebe Tonkin, Lamorne Morris, Madison Hu, Patrick Fischler, Lauren Bowles, Christopher Denham. Producers: Eric B. Fleischman, Maurice Fadida, John Hodges, Bradley Pilz, Dennis Rainaldi Runtime: 82 minutes Rated: TV-ma Distributor: Quiver Distribution
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Queer Horror - A Film Guide: "From the beginning, horror has been part of the cinema landscape. Despite some of the earliest genre films with gay directors such as F.W. Murnau (Nosferatu) and James Whale, Lgbtqia characters have rarely been portrayed in full view. For decades, filmmakers have...
- 3/8/2024
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Clark Backo, best known for “The Changeling” and “Letterkenny,” has joined the cast of Sony and Marvel’s “Venom 3.”
The Tom Hardy-starring threequel, which is set to hit theaters on Nov. 8, also features Juno Temple and Chiwetel Ejiofor in undisclosed roles. Similarly, character details for Backo are being kept under wraps.
Kelly Marcel helms the antihero movie in her feature directorial debut, and wrote the screenplay from a story she developed with Hardy. The duo, who also developed the first two “Venom” installments, return to produce the film alongside Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach, Amy Pascal and Hutch Parker.
Reps for Sony and Backo did not immediately respond to request for comment on her casting.
Backo most recently starred opposite Lakeith Stanfield on Apple TV+ limited series “The Changeling,” paying Emma, wife to Stanfield’s Apollo and a new mom who is suffering emotionally and vanishes without a trace.
The Tom Hardy-starring threequel, which is set to hit theaters on Nov. 8, also features Juno Temple and Chiwetel Ejiofor in undisclosed roles. Similarly, character details for Backo are being kept under wraps.
Kelly Marcel helms the antihero movie in her feature directorial debut, and wrote the screenplay from a story she developed with Hardy. The duo, who also developed the first two “Venom” installments, return to produce the film alongside Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach, Amy Pascal and Hutch Parker.
Reps for Sony and Backo did not immediately respond to request for comment on her casting.
Backo most recently starred opposite Lakeith Stanfield on Apple TV+ limited series “The Changeling,” paying Emma, wife to Stanfield’s Apollo and a new mom who is suffering emotionally and vanishes without a trace.
- 2/20/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Quiver Distribution has unveiled release plans and a new trailer for its thriller Night Shift, making the directorial debut of brother filmmakers Paul and Ben China. Starring Phoebe Tonkin (Boy Swallows Universe), Lamorne Morris (Fargo) and Madison Hu (The Brothers Sun), the film is set to hit select theaters and VOD on March 8. Check out the trailer above.
Night Shift tells the story of a young woman, Gwen Taylor (Tonkin) who, while working her first night shift at a remote hotel, begins to suspect that she is being followed by a dangerous character from her past. As the night progresses, Gwen’s situation spirals further when she starts to realize that the motel might also be haunted.
Pic’s producers are Eric B. Fleischman, Maurice Fadida, John Hodges, Bradley Pilz, and Dennis Rainaldi.
Night Shift tells the story of a young woman, Gwen Taylor (Tonkin) who, while working her first night shift at a remote hotel, begins to suspect that she is being followed by a dangerous character from her past. As the night progresses, Gwen’s situation spirals further when she starts to realize that the motel might also be haunted.
Pic’s producers are Eric B. Fleischman, Maurice Fadida, John Hodges, Bradley Pilz, and Dennis Rainaldi.
- 2/8/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Screen Media has acquired North American rights to the crime thriller Devil’s Peak, starring Academy Award winner Billy Bob Thornton (The Gray Man), Golden Globe winner Robin Wright (Wonder Woman 1984), Hopper Penn (War Machine) and Academy Award nominee Jackie Earle Haley (Watchmen).
The film picked up by the Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment company will be released exclusively in theaters on February 17, with a digital release to follow on February 24.
The film directed by Ben Young (Hounds of Love) is based on the novel Where All Light Tends to Go by David Joy. Set in the Appalachian Mountains, it watches as a family is dominated by a crime lord (Thornton) who uses his fists to control both them and his business. When his son (Penn) meets the girl of his dreams (Katelyn Nacon), desperately wanting to escape the life he is expected to lead and free himself...
The film picked up by the Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment company will be released exclusively in theaters on February 17, with a digital release to follow on February 24.
The film directed by Ben Young (Hounds of Love) is based on the novel Where All Light Tends to Go by David Joy. Set in the Appalachian Mountains, it watches as a family is dominated by a crime lord (Thornton) who uses his fists to control both them and his business. When his son (Penn) meets the girl of his dreams (Katelyn Nacon), desperately wanting to escape the life he is expected to lead and free himself...
- 1/19/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
When it was announced last month that a remake to the 1969 classic “Easy Rider” was in the works, some cinephiles reacted, well, badly. To some, the news that Hollywood was taking this generation-defining piece of filmmaking and remaking it seemed akin to treating the original film much like its own iconic, tragic ending, leaving “Easy Rider” in a flaming ditch on the side of the road.
The producers of the new film, Maurice Fadida and Eric B. Fleischman of Defiant Studios, knew going in to the project that some fans would scream that an “Easy Rider” remake would be treading on “sacred ground.” And in speaking with IndieWire, they explained they don’t want to touch the original or even directly “remake” it, but rather find a new spin on the story that would speak to a contemporary audience.
But even they have to laugh at the immediate reactions.
Fans...
The producers of the new film, Maurice Fadida and Eric B. Fleischman of Defiant Studios, knew going in to the project that some fans would scream that an “Easy Rider” remake would be treading on “sacred ground.” And in speaking with IndieWire, they explained they don’t want to touch the original or even directly “remake” it, but rather find a new spin on the story that would speak to a contemporary audience.
But even they have to laugh at the immediate reactions.
Fans...
- 12/14/2022
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Bullitt isn’t the only late 1960s film getting a reimagining for the modern era. Dennis Hopper’s Easy Rider, a landmark film that helped to usher in the New Hollywood movement that would define 1970s moviemaking, is the latest to be targeted for reboot potential.
Variety reports that a reimagining of the 1969 film, which starred Hopper, Peter Fonda, and a young Jack Nicholson, is being developed. As for what road this remake will travel down, the model being looked at is how Creed reinvigorated the Rocky franchise and a “bold” writer-director team is currently being sought after.
The rights to the original Columbia Pictures project are in the hands of a number of companies and individuals, including Maurice Fadida’s Kodiak Pictures, Defiant Studios’ Eric B. Fleischman, and the Jean Boulle Group, all of whom are backing this new take.
“Our goal is to build upon the counterculture and...
Variety reports that a reimagining of the 1969 film, which starred Hopper, Peter Fonda, and a young Jack Nicholson, is being developed. As for what road this remake will travel down, the model being looked at is how Creed reinvigorated the Rocky franchise and a “bold” writer-director team is currently being sought after.
The rights to the original Columbia Pictures project are in the hands of a number of companies and individuals, including Maurice Fadida’s Kodiak Pictures, Defiant Studios’ Eric B. Fleischman, and the Jean Boulle Group, all of whom are backing this new take.
“Our goal is to build upon the counterculture and...
- 11/30/2022
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Easy Rider was a landmark counterculture movie that helped to jumpstart the American New Wave movement of filmmaking, so let’s reboot the damn thing. Variety reports that a “consortium of stakeholders and producers” are in the early stages of developing a reimagining of the classic movie.
Easy Rider starred Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda as bikers travelling through the American South and Southwest after successfully receiving a large amount of money from smuggling cocaine from Mexico to Los Angeles. Hopper and Fonda co-wrote the script with Terry Southern, with Hopper also directing the movie. Producers of the Easy Rider reboot, which includes Maurice Fadida’s Kodiak Pictures, Defiant Studios’ Eric B. Fleischman, and the Jean Boulle Group, are using Ryan Coogler’s Creed as an inspiration as they seek to “update the project for modern times with the same fringe spirit.“
Related Rip Peter Fonda – A Tribute
“Our goal...
Easy Rider starred Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda as bikers travelling through the American South and Southwest after successfully receiving a large amount of money from smuggling cocaine from Mexico to Los Angeles. Hopper and Fonda co-wrote the script with Terry Southern, with Hopper also directing the movie. Producers of the Easy Rider reboot, which includes Maurice Fadida’s Kodiak Pictures, Defiant Studios’ Eric B. Fleischman, and the Jean Boulle Group, are using Ryan Coogler’s Creed as an inspiration as they seek to “update the project for modern times with the same fringe spirit.“
Related Rip Peter Fonda – A Tribute
“Our goal...
- 11/30/2022
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
When you think about Dennis Hopper's 1969 classic "Easy Rider," what comes to your mind? The disillusionment young people felt in the '60s that created the counterculture movement? The fact that anyone with a story and a camera can theoretically make a hit movie? The idea that no matter what kinds of communities you create outside of the mainstream system, the horrors of conformity will always be hanging over your head? Well, obviously not, because it's clearly about just being cool on motorcycles. Any deeper meaning is just stupid.
I can't say whether this is the mentality brought to the table by the group of license holders that plan to remake "Easy Rider," and I certainly don't want to accuse anyone of anything. That being said, it probably wasn't hard to let your mind wander to some pessimistic conclusions when Variety reported that a reimagining of the film was on its way.
I can't say whether this is the mentality brought to the table by the group of license holders that plan to remake "Easy Rider," and I certainly don't want to accuse anyone of anything. That being said, it probably wasn't hard to let your mind wander to some pessimistic conclusions when Variety reported that a reimagining of the film was on its way.
- 11/29/2022
- by Erin Brady
- Slash Film
A reimagining of the classic 1969 counterculture film “Easy Rider” is in early development, Variety has learned exclusively.
A consortium of stakeholders and producers — including Maurice Fadida’s Kodiak Pictures, Defiant Studios’ Eric B. Fleischman, and the Jean Boulle Group — own the adaptation rights to the project originally released by Columbia Pictures.
The original “Easy Rider” is credited with showcasing a changing sociopolitical landscape in America, particularly through the lens of its restless and progressive youth. Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda and Terry Southern wrote the drug-laden motorcycle epic, which Hopper directed and in which both he and Fonda starred. The film is also known for giving an early boost to a young Jack Nicholson.
Producers behind the reboot are currently in search of bold writers and/or directors to update the project for modern times with the same fringe spirit (filmmakers used the Michael B. Jordan’s “Creed” and its relationship...
A consortium of stakeholders and producers — including Maurice Fadida’s Kodiak Pictures, Defiant Studios’ Eric B. Fleischman, and the Jean Boulle Group — own the adaptation rights to the project originally released by Columbia Pictures.
The original “Easy Rider” is credited with showcasing a changing sociopolitical landscape in America, particularly through the lens of its restless and progressive youth. Dennis Hopper, Peter Fonda and Terry Southern wrote the drug-laden motorcycle epic, which Hopper directed and in which both he and Fonda starred. The film is also known for giving an early boost to a young Jack Nicholson.
Producers behind the reboot are currently in search of bold writers and/or directors to update the project for modern times with the same fringe spirit (filmmakers used the Michael B. Jordan’s “Creed” and its relationship...
- 11/29/2022
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Film Constellation represents worldwide sales, co-repping North America with CAA.
Dulac Distribution has secured French distribution rights for Lotfy Nathan’s feature debut Harka, ahead of its Cannes Un Certain Regard world premiere.
The drama was acquired from London and Paris based sales agent Film Constellation, who represents worldwide sales rights, while co-repping North America with CAA.
Screen can exclusively reveal the film’s first image above.
Ali is a young Tunisian who dreams of a better life, and makes a living selling contraband gas at the local black market. When his father suddenly dies, he’s forced to take...
Dulac Distribution has secured French distribution rights for Lotfy Nathan’s feature debut Harka, ahead of its Cannes Un Certain Regard world premiere.
The drama was acquired from London and Paris based sales agent Film Constellation, who represents worldwide sales rights, while co-repping North America with CAA.
Screen can exclusively reveal the film’s first image above.
Ali is a young Tunisian who dreams of a better life, and makes a living selling contraband gas at the local black market. When his father suddenly dies, he’s forced to take...
- 5/10/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Eric B. Fleischman’s Defiant Studios has landed film slate financing from Solis Studios and Maurice Fadida’s Kodiak Pictures, Variety has learned.
Defiant, behind genre titles like “The Knocking” (pictured above during production) and “Offseason,” will make multiple features under the partnership, with the first to shoot this summer.
This is the first significant move by Solis, the film division of the media and tech collective led by former “One Tree Hill” star Brett Claywell and Brendan de Kauwe. The company’s goal is to create “deeper layers of engagement between content and the communities who consume it,” their mission statement says, including the utilization of blockchain technology. Solis also counts Polygon Studios as a technology partner.
“Over the past year we have truly aligned with this team and have become fans of their work, so we couldn’t be more thrilled to launch Solis Studios with this slate of films,...
Defiant, behind genre titles like “The Knocking” (pictured above during production) and “Offseason,” will make multiple features under the partnership, with the first to shoot this summer.
This is the first significant move by Solis, the film division of the media and tech collective led by former “One Tree Hill” star Brett Claywell and Brendan de Kauwe. The company’s goal is to create “deeper layers of engagement between content and the communities who consume it,” their mission statement says, including the utilization of blockchain technology. Solis also counts Polygon Studios as a technology partner.
“Over the past year we have truly aligned with this team and have become fans of their work, so we couldn’t be more thrilled to launch Solis Studios with this slate of films,...
- 3/24/2022
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Vertical Entertainment has acquired North American rights to No Running, a sci-fi thriller marking the feature directorial debut of Delmar Washington, for a multi-platform release this spring.
The film centers on Jaylen Brown (Skylan Brooks), a Black high school student who finds himself under suspicion after his classmate disappears during a party, with prejudice quickly beginning to boil to the surface of his small southern town. While working against the clock to clear his own name, he begins to unravel a massive web of secrets that all point to otherworldly forces at play.
No Running made its world premiere last year as part of the Tribeca Film Festival’s new Juneteenth section, celebrating Black voices and stories. The film scripted by Tucker Morgan also stars Rutina Wesley, Taryn Manning (Orange Is the New Black), Shane West, Clark Backo (Letterkenny) and actor-comedian Bill Engvall...
The film centers on Jaylen Brown (Skylan Brooks), a Black high school student who finds himself under suspicion after his classmate disappears during a party, with prejudice quickly beginning to boil to the surface of his small southern town. While working against the clock to clear his own name, he begins to unravel a massive web of secrets that all point to otherworldly forces at play.
No Running made its world premiere last year as part of the Tribeca Film Festival’s new Juneteenth section, celebrating Black voices and stories. The film scripted by Tucker Morgan also stars Rutina Wesley, Taryn Manning (Orange Is the New Black), Shane West, Clark Backo (Letterkenny) and actor-comedian Bill Engvall...
- 1/6/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Producer Maurice Fadida and his Kodiak Pictures have acquired the adaptive rights to a series of best-selling novels by author Douglas E. Richards.
The books follow the character Nick Hall in a series of sci-fi thriller tales, starting with the title “Mind’s Eye.” They were first published in the U.S. in 2014 by Paragon Press, and spawned subsequent titles including “Brain Web” and “Mindwar.”
“Kodiak Pictures is planning to turn ‘Minds Eye’ into a film franchise that will bring to life the extraordinary technology and real-world applications depicted in the novels in a spectacular fashion. It’s an action-packed, smart, & commercial property that audiences around the world already love and we’re excited to bring it to theaters,” Fadida said.
In “Mind’s Eye,” Nick Hall wakes up in a dumpster — bloodied, without a memory and with voices in his head. Soon, Hall discovers that advanced electronics have been implanted in...
The books follow the character Nick Hall in a series of sci-fi thriller tales, starting with the title “Mind’s Eye.” They were first published in the U.S. in 2014 by Paragon Press, and spawned subsequent titles including “Brain Web” and “Mindwar.”
“Kodiak Pictures is planning to turn ‘Minds Eye’ into a film franchise that will bring to life the extraordinary technology and real-world applications depicted in the novels in a spectacular fashion. It’s an action-packed, smart, & commercial property that audiences around the world already love and we’re excited to bring it to theaters,” Fadida said.
In “Mind’s Eye,” Nick Hall wakes up in a dumpster — bloodied, without a memory and with voices in his head. Soon, Hall discovers that advanced electronics have been implanted in...
- 11/17/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Dianne Doan (Warrior) and Connor Paolo (Revenge) have been cast as leads in Better Half, a surreal romantic comedy marking the feature directorial debut of Patrick Henry Phelan.
Pic’s plot is being kept under wraps, but it’s describe as a stylized feature set in Joshua Tree, CA.
Better Half hails from StudioFest, a festival program that awards its winners the opportunity to produce a feature film. Charles Irving Beale and Jess Jacklin lead the initiative and will exec produce.
“We are so excited to bring Connor and Dianne together for our movie,” said Phelan, “and hope audiences will have as much fun watching it as we’re having making it.”
Doan portrays lead Mai Ling in the Cinemax series Warrior. She’s also known for turns on the TV side in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Good Trouble, Disney Channel’s Descendants franchise, Vikings and more. The actress will next appear alongside Nina Dobrev,...
Pic’s plot is being kept under wraps, but it’s describe as a stylized feature set in Joshua Tree, CA.
Better Half hails from StudioFest, a festival program that awards its winners the opportunity to produce a feature film. Charles Irving Beale and Jess Jacklin lead the initiative and will exec produce.
“We are so excited to bring Connor and Dianne together for our movie,” said Phelan, “and hope audiences will have as much fun watching it as we’re having making it.”
Doan portrays lead Mai Ling in the Cinemax series Warrior. She’s also known for turns on the TV side in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Good Trouble, Disney Channel’s Descendants franchise, Vikings and more. The actress will next appear alongside Nina Dobrev,...
- 11/8/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Jonah Platt (Being the Ricardos), Chrissie Fitt (I Know What You Did Last Summer), Will Peltz (13 Minutes) and Zach Reino (Brews Brothers) have joined Halston Sage, Christian Navarro and Gregg Sulkin in the cast of The List, the indie comedy from director Melissa Miller Costanzo.
The film written by Rob Lederer and Steve Vitolo centers on Abby (Sage), a woman who is about to get married, for whom everything is perfect. Until she finds out her fiancé Matt (Platt) has slept with a celebrity from his “free pass” list. To get her mind off things, Abby and her best friend Chloe (Fit) come up with a crazy idea: Abby should pursue a celebrity from her own list. But things become complicated when she meets Jake (Navarro), a sweet and charming waiter at a neighborhood cafe, who gives her a fresh perspective.
Peltz is portraying Avon, an LA-based rapper/pop...
The film written by Rob Lederer and Steve Vitolo centers on Abby (Sage), a woman who is about to get married, for whom everything is perfect. Until she finds out her fiancé Matt (Platt) has slept with a celebrity from his “free pass” list. To get her mind off things, Abby and her best friend Chloe (Fit) come up with a crazy idea: Abby should pursue a celebrity from her own list. But things become complicated when she meets Jake (Navarro), a sweet and charming waiter at a neighborhood cafe, who gives her a fresh perspective.
Peltz is portraying Avon, an LA-based rapper/pop...
- 11/1/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Christian Navarro (13 Reasons Why) and Gregg Sulkin (Marvel’s Runaways) are the latest additions to the cast of Melissa Miller Costanzo’s indie The List, starring the previously announced Halston Sage.
The comedy penned by Rob Lederer and Steve Vitolo centers on Abby (Sage), a woman who is about to get married, for whom everything is perfect. Until she finds out her fiancé has slept with a celebrity from his “free pass” list. To get her mind off things, Abby and her best friend Chloe come up with a crazy idea: Abby should pursue a celebrity from her own list. But things become complicated when she meets Jake (Navarro), who gives her a fresh perspective.
Sulkin will play Cooper Shaw, a humble sex symbol that cuts across comedy and drama movies. He does it all: acts, dances, sings. Even though he has been on the Sexiest Man Alive list...
The comedy penned by Rob Lederer and Steve Vitolo centers on Abby (Sage), a woman who is about to get married, for whom everything is perfect. Until she finds out her fiancé has slept with a celebrity from his “free pass” list. To get her mind off things, Abby and her best friend Chloe come up with a crazy idea: Abby should pursue a celebrity from her own list. But things become complicated when she meets Jake (Navarro), who gives her a fresh perspective.
Sulkin will play Cooper Shaw, a humble sex symbol that cuts across comedy and drama movies. He does it all: acts, dances, sings. Even though he has been on the Sexiest Man Alive list...
- 10/28/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Prodigal Son’s Halston Sage is set to star in the indie drama The List, which she is also on board to executive produce. Melissa Miller Costanzo will direct from a script by Rob Lederer and Steve Vitolo. Tobias Weymar, Annie Mahoney and Mark Fasano will produce for Nickel City Pictures.
The story follows Abby (Sage), a woman who is about to get married and everything is perfect. Until she finds out her fiancé has slept with a celebrity from his “free pass” list. To get her mind off things, Abby and her best friend Chloe come up with a crazy idea: Abby should pursue a celebrity from her own list. But things become complicated when she meets Jake, who gives her a fresh perspective.
Joining Sage as exec producers are Vitolo and Lederer as well as Eric B Fleischman and Maurice Fadida. New Legend Entertainment is financing.
Best...
The story follows Abby (Sage), a woman who is about to get married and everything is perfect. Until she finds out her fiancé has slept with a celebrity from his “free pass” list. To get her mind off things, Abby and her best friend Chloe come up with a crazy idea: Abby should pursue a celebrity from her own list. But things become complicated when she meets Jake, who gives her a fresh perspective.
Joining Sage as exec producers are Vitolo and Lederer as well as Eric B Fleischman and Maurice Fadida. New Legend Entertainment is financing.
Best...
- 10/25/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Excusive: Michael Beasley has joined the cast of April 29, 1992, the feature film set during the Los Angeles riots that is being toplined by Tyrese Gibson, Ray Liotta and Scott Eastwood. Ariel Vromen (The Iceman) is directing the pic, which was written by Creed 2‘s Sascha Penn. Shooting is getting underway now in Bulgaria and Los Angeles.
The pic is so titled in reference to the first night of the riots, which broke out following the not-guilty verdicts in the trial of four Los Angeles police officers who beat Rodney King. The plot centers on a custodian who brings his son to work and they find themselves in the middle of an angry mob after the verdicts.
Beasley, whose credits include Showtime’s Escape From Dannemora, HBO’s Ballers and Netflix’s Bloodline, will play an ex-LAPD captain who is now head of security for the Pluton Metals factory.
The pic is so titled in reference to the first night of the riots, which broke out following the not-guilty verdicts in the trial of four Los Angeles police officers who beat Rodney King. The plot centers on a custodian who brings his son to work and they find themselves in the middle of an angry mob after the verdicts.
Beasley, whose credits include Showtime’s Escape From Dannemora, HBO’s Ballers and Netflix’s Bloodline, will play an ex-LAPD captain who is now head of security for the Pluton Metals factory.
- 9/3/2021
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Principal photography has started in Tunisia on contemporary drama Contra, set in the aftermath of the powerful anti-government protests that provoked a wave of change in the region, known as the Arab spring.
The film (previously known as Before Spring) is being directed by Egyptian-British filmmaker Lotfy Nathan and will star French Tunisian actor Adam Bessa, known for his performances in recent action movies Mosul and Extraction.
A modern day parable about resistance, the film centers on the story of Ali, a young Tunisian who dreams of a better life, making a precarious living selling contraband gas at the local black market. When his father suddenly dies, he’s forced to take charge of his two younger sisters and their impending eviction. The movie will feature a combination of local actors and non-professionals.
Nathan’s narrative debut, shot on 35mm film, is being produced by Julie Viez (Long Day’s Journey Into Night...
The film (previously known as Before Spring) is being directed by Egyptian-British filmmaker Lotfy Nathan and will star French Tunisian actor Adam Bessa, known for his performances in recent action movies Mosul and Extraction.
A modern day parable about resistance, the film centers on the story of Ali, a young Tunisian who dreams of a better life, making a precarious living selling contraband gas at the local black market. When his father suddenly dies, he’s forced to take charge of his two younger sisters and their impending eviction. The movie will feature a combination of local actors and non-professionals.
Nathan’s narrative debut, shot on 35mm film, is being produced by Julie Viez (Long Day’s Journey Into Night...
- 7/10/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
After zooming to the top of the pandemic-era box office in the global hit “F9,” actor Tyrese Gibson has booked his next gig alongside Ray Liotta and Scott Eastwood.
The trio will lead the Los Angeles riots thriller “April 29, 1992,” the forthcoming feature from the breakout director of “The Iceman,” Ariel Vromen. Pre-production from a script by Sascha Penn is underway, aiming for an August start. Producers hope to have the film ready for release in observation of next year’s 30th anniversary of the riots, sparked by police brutality against Rodney King.
Gibson, a South Central L.A. native, will play opposite on-screen father and son Liotta and Eastwood. The film takes place on the first night of the riots, centering on a custodian who brings his son to work. The two quickly find themselves in the middle of a heist gone wrong.
Maurice Fadida of Kodiak Pictures is producing alongside Vromen.
The trio will lead the Los Angeles riots thriller “April 29, 1992,” the forthcoming feature from the breakout director of “The Iceman,” Ariel Vromen. Pre-production from a script by Sascha Penn is underway, aiming for an August start. Producers hope to have the film ready for release in observation of next year’s 30th anniversary of the riots, sparked by police brutality against Rodney King.
Gibson, a South Central L.A. native, will play opposite on-screen father and son Liotta and Eastwood. The film takes place on the first night of the riots, centering on a custodian who brings his son to work. The two quickly find themselves in the middle of a heist gone wrong.
Maurice Fadida of Kodiak Pictures is producing alongside Vromen.
- 7/6/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
“Witch Hunt,” the genre thriller and 2021 SXSW Film Festival entry, has sold domestic rights to Momentum Pictures.
Gideon Adlon, Abigail Cowen and Elizabeth Mitchell star in the bleak tale of the last stop on an underground railroad of refugee witches hiding in a small U.S. border town to Mexico. As time passes, uneasiness turns into paranoia when authorities close in on a seemingly normal family sheltering the witches along their journeys to freedom. The project was written and directed by Elle Callahan.
Momentum, a subsidiary of Entertainment One, acquired the project from Defiant Studios. It was produced by Defiant’s Eric B. Fleischman and Maurice Fadida of Kodiak. Chris Abernathy was co-producer, with EP’s including Victor Shapiro, Raphael Swann and André Druskeit.
“We’re thrilled to bring the timely and relevant story of ‘Witch Hunt’ to audiences this fall. We were drawn to the fresh take on a classic tale,...
Gideon Adlon, Abigail Cowen and Elizabeth Mitchell star in the bleak tale of the last stop on an underground railroad of refugee witches hiding in a small U.S. border town to Mexico. As time passes, uneasiness turns into paranoia when authorities close in on a seemingly normal family sheltering the witches along their journeys to freedom. The project was written and directed by Elle Callahan.
Momentum, a subsidiary of Entertainment One, acquired the project from Defiant Studios. It was produced by Defiant’s Eric B. Fleischman and Maurice Fadida of Kodiak. Chris Abernathy was co-producer, with EP’s including Victor Shapiro, Raphael Swann and André Druskeit.
“We’re thrilled to bring the timely and relevant story of ‘Witch Hunt’ to audiences this fall. We were drawn to the fresh take on a classic tale,...
- 6/14/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Within the DNA for Defiant Studios, the production banner behind Terry Crews’ 2020 hit “John Henry” and last month’s “Phobias,” are two companies: You’ve definitely heard of the scrappy, microbudget mentality that has made Blumhouse Productions a juggernaut. But you may have forgotten about Insurge, a one-time division of Paramount born with the mission to incubate young, first-time filmmakers. Defiant Studios producer Eric B. Fleischman is a veteran of both companies, and he and partner Maurice Fadida have quietly found success by embracing a model that is built around small-budget genre films from emerging talent and slate financing that mitigates risk and allows for taking more chances on talent. That approach is already paying off since Defiant was the only studio with two movies that premiered at last month’s SXSW: Elle Callahan’s “Witch Hunt” and Mickey Keating’s “Offseason,” which sold to Rlje Films and Shudder just this week.
- 4/16/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Phoebe Tonkin, Lamorne Morris, and Madison Hu are set to star in Night Shift, a horror film being directed by brothers Paul and Benjamin China, in their first feature directorial outing. The film hails from Defiant Studios with Eric B. Fleischman and Maurice Fadida producing alongside John Hodges, Bradley Pilz, and Dennis Rainaldi.
Rounding out the cast are Patrick Fischler, Lauren Bowles, and Christopher Denham.
The horror-thriller, written by the China brothers, follows a young woman (Tonkin) working her first night shift at a remote motel as she begins to suspect that she is being followed by a dangerous character from her past. As the night progresses and supernatural events occur, she quickly finds out that nothing is what it appears to be.
Executive producers include Jan McAdoo, Sylvain Gehler, Victor Shapiro, Raphael Swann as well as Kodiak Pictures, which is providing the financing. Production is slated to take...
Rounding out the cast are Patrick Fischler, Lauren Bowles, and Christopher Denham.
The horror-thriller, written by the China brothers, follows a young woman (Tonkin) working her first night shift at a remote motel as she begins to suspect that she is being followed by a dangerous character from her past. As the night progresses and supernatural events occur, she quickly finds out that nothing is what it appears to be.
Executive producers include Jan McAdoo, Sylvain Gehler, Victor Shapiro, Raphael Swann as well as Kodiak Pictures, which is providing the financing. Production is slated to take...
- 4/15/2021
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Rlje Films and the horror streaming service Shudder have acquired the North American rights to “Offseason,” the latest film from director Mickey Keating that made its premiere at this year’s SXSW.
“Offseason” stars Jocelin Donahue and Joe Swanberg and is an American Gothic horror about a woman who travels to a desolate island town after receiving a mysterious letter and soon becomes trapped in a nightmare. Rlje plans to release “Offseason” in theaters early next year. Shudder, which has also acquired UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand rights, will premiere the film on its platform later in 2022. WTFFilms took international rights.
Keating is the director of “Darling,” “Carnage Park” and “Psychopaths,” and he both wrote and directed “Offseason,” which was his third film to premiere at SXSW. He was also the host of the Shudder Original series “The Core.” The film was produced by Maurice Fadida and Eric B. Fleischman...
“Offseason” stars Jocelin Donahue and Joe Swanberg and is an American Gothic horror about a woman who travels to a desolate island town after receiving a mysterious letter and soon becomes trapped in a nightmare. Rlje plans to release “Offseason” in theaters early next year. Shudder, which has also acquired UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand rights, will premiere the film on its platform later in 2022. WTFFilms took international rights.
Keating is the director of “Darling,” “Carnage Park” and “Psychopaths,” and he both wrote and directed “Offseason,” which was his third film to premiere at SXSW. He was also the host of the Shudder Original series “The Core.” The film was produced by Maurice Fadida and Eric B. Fleischman...
- 4/13/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Director Ariel Vromen has found his next project, the buzzy Los Angeles riots script “April 29, 1992” from writer Sascha Penn.
Vromen, whose credits include the well-received Michael Shannon thriller “The Iceman,” has boarded the project with an eye for fast-tracked production, as early as June.
The film takes place on the first night of the historic Los Angeles riots of 1992. It centers on a custodian who brings his son to work that evening, as the two quickly find themselves in the middle of a heist gone wrong.
The hope is for the film to release in 2022 to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots that rocked L.A. for nearly a week, following the acquittal of four LAPD officers for the use of excessive force in the recorded and widely-viewed arrest and beating of Rodney King. The events counted 63 deaths, more than 12,000 arrests and over $1 billion in property damages for the...
Vromen, whose credits include the well-received Michael Shannon thriller “The Iceman,” has boarded the project with an eye for fast-tracked production, as early as June.
The film takes place on the first night of the historic Los Angeles riots of 1992. It centers on a custodian who brings his son to work that evening, as the two quickly find themselves in the middle of a heist gone wrong.
The hope is for the film to release in 2022 to mark the 30th anniversary of the riots that rocked L.A. for nearly a week, following the acquittal of four LAPD officers for the use of excessive force in the recorded and widely-viewed arrest and beating of Rodney King. The events counted 63 deaths, more than 12,000 arrests and over $1 billion in property damages for the...
- 3/2/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Maurice Fadida’s Los Angeles-based Kodiak Pictures is partnering with Israeli investment firm Meitav Dash and Israeli producer-financier New Legend Entertainment to create a new venture for debt-financing film and television projects.
According to the partners, the goal is to expand the fund within a few years with the aim of investing around $300-$400M in projects.
The partners claim that with With Meitav Dash’s backing the new venture will write its own checks while also tapping into an established network of business relationships to partner in deals with banks, private lenders and other financial entities.
Fadida and James Lejsek of Kodiak Pictures will manage day to day operations. Last year Fadida was an executive producer on Vin Diesel’s Bloodshot, which Sony released, as well as Netflix’s awards contender The Trial Of The Chicago 7. Lejsek previously worked at UK media financier Hindsight Media (also known...
According to the partners, the goal is to expand the fund within a few years with the aim of investing around $300-$400M in projects.
The partners claim that with With Meitav Dash’s backing the new venture will write its own checks while also tapping into an established network of business relationships to partner in deals with banks, private lenders and other financial entities.
Fadida and James Lejsek of Kodiak Pictures will manage day to day operations. Last year Fadida was an executive producer on Vin Diesel’s Bloodshot, which Sony released, as well as Netflix’s awards contender The Trial Of The Chicago 7. Lejsek previously worked at UK media financier Hindsight Media (also known...
- 2/25/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
“Phobias,” a group-directed genre title about our worst fears, has sold North American distribution rights to Vertical Entertainment.
The anthology film features the directorial debuts of three women — Jess Varley, Maritte Go, and actor Camilla Belle. They’re joined by Chris von Hoffman (“Monster Party”) and Joe Sill (“Stray”).
The film follows five dangerous patients at a government testing facility, all suffering from extreme phobias. A crazed doctor attempts to weaponize these anxieties. Vertical is hoping for a theatrical release and a digital platform rollout in March.
“Phobias” stars Leonardo Nam (“Westworld”), Hana Mae Lee (“Pitch Perfect”), Alexis Knapp (“The Knocking”), Lauren Miller Rogen, Martina Garcia (“Narcos”) and Grammy winner Macy Gray. The directors collaborated on the script with Broderick Engelhard.
Eric B. Fleischman of Defiant Studios and Maurice Fadida of Kodiak Pictures produced the film along with director Varley. The project is executive produced by Radio Silence, the filmmaking...
The anthology film features the directorial debuts of three women — Jess Varley, Maritte Go, and actor Camilla Belle. They’re joined by Chris von Hoffman (“Monster Party”) and Joe Sill (“Stray”).
The film follows five dangerous patients at a government testing facility, all suffering from extreme phobias. A crazed doctor attempts to weaponize these anxieties. Vertical is hoping for a theatrical release and a digital platform rollout in March.
“Phobias” stars Leonardo Nam (“Westworld”), Hana Mae Lee (“Pitch Perfect”), Alexis Knapp (“The Knocking”), Lauren Miller Rogen, Martina Garcia (“Narcos”) and Grammy winner Macy Gray. The directors collaborated on the script with Broderick Engelhard.
Eric B. Fleischman of Defiant Studios and Maurice Fadida of Kodiak Pictures produced the film along with director Varley. The project is executive produced by Radio Silence, the filmmaking...
- 1/27/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Cross Creek Pictures has entered into a co-financing deal with Kodiak Pictures, for a slate of films that includes Aaron Sorkin’s Netflix awards player “The Trial of the Chicago 7.”
The multi-picture deal unites Maurice Fadida’s Kodiak with Tyler and Timothy Thompson of Cross Creek, who previously collaborated on releases including Vin Diesel’s “Bloodshot,” David Ayer’s PVOD hit “The Tax Collector” starring Shia Labeouf and “The Vanishing” with Gerard Butler.
“Our relationship with Maurice and Kodiak has existed for many years and we at Cross Creek are excited to memorialize this strong partnership even further. Maurice has become a strategic partner in some of our most recent and most successful films and we are blessed to be continuing our relationship together,” said Tyler Thompson.
Fadida said the company has been “very supportive of bringing Kodiak into their fold and I am excited to strengthen that bond even more.
The multi-picture deal unites Maurice Fadida’s Kodiak with Tyler and Timothy Thompson of Cross Creek, who previously collaborated on releases including Vin Diesel’s “Bloodshot,” David Ayer’s PVOD hit “The Tax Collector” starring Shia Labeouf and “The Vanishing” with Gerard Butler.
“Our relationship with Maurice and Kodiak has existed for many years and we at Cross Creek are excited to memorialize this strong partnership even further. Maurice has become a strategic partner in some of our most recent and most successful films and we are blessed to be continuing our relationship together,” said Tyler Thompson.
Fadida said the company has been “very supportive of bringing Kodiak into their fold and I am excited to strengthen that bond even more.
- 10/30/2020
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
The first teaser trailer and poster for Aaron Sorkin’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7” just premiered during “Sunday Night Football.” You can watch the video above and check out the poster below.
The 90-second spot gives viewers just a taste of the highly-anticipated film and features a crowd of protestors chanting “The whole world is watching” throughout.
The Trial Of The Chicago 7. Written and directed by Aaron Sorkin. In select theaters September and on @Netflix October 16. pic.twitter.com/Src0vamIBH
— The Trial of the Chicago 7 (@trialofchicago7) September 14, 2020
The latest film from writer/director Sorkin is based on the true story of a protest at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Netflix plans to release the film globally later this year after acquiring it over the summer.
The movie comes from Cross Creek Pictures and is produced by Marc Platt, Stuart Besser, Matt Jackson and Tyler Thompson. The executive producers are Laurie MacDonald,...
The 90-second spot gives viewers just a taste of the highly-anticipated film and features a crowd of protestors chanting “The whole world is watching” throughout.
The Trial Of The Chicago 7. Written and directed by Aaron Sorkin. In select theaters September and on @Netflix October 16. pic.twitter.com/Src0vamIBH
— The Trial of the Chicago 7 (@trialofchicago7) September 14, 2020
The latest film from writer/director Sorkin is based on the true story of a protest at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Netflix plans to release the film globally later this year after acquiring it over the summer.
The movie comes from Cross Creek Pictures and is produced by Marc Platt, Stuart Besser, Matt Jackson and Tyler Thompson. The executive producers are Laurie MacDonald,...
- 9/14/2020
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
As film and television productions labor to get off the ground following months of coronavirus shutdowns, one horror indie has quietly wrapped a nearly four-week shoot in Los Angeles.
Co-writers and directors Matt Leslie and Stephen Smith have completed “The Knocking,” a bloody tale of a serial monogamist that shot for 19 days amid intense coronavirus safety protocols.
Shiloh Fernandez (“Burn”), Doug Jones (“The Shape of Water”), Alexis Knapp (“Pitch Perfect” series) and Ser’Darius Blain (“Jumanji”) lead the cast. Leslie and Smith previously collaborated as writers on the gritty thriller “Summer of ’84,” which played in the Sundance Film Festival’s Midnight section. This is their first feature as co-directors.
“The Knocking” follows a young man who tells his new girlfriend that he loves her for the first time — then finds himself next in line for a nightmarish curse that’s claimed all those boyfriends who have come before him.
Shakira Barrera,...
Co-writers and directors Matt Leslie and Stephen Smith have completed “The Knocking,” a bloody tale of a serial monogamist that shot for 19 days amid intense coronavirus safety protocols.
Shiloh Fernandez (“Burn”), Doug Jones (“The Shape of Water”), Alexis Knapp (“Pitch Perfect” series) and Ser’Darius Blain (“Jumanji”) lead the cast. Leslie and Smith previously collaborated as writers on the gritty thriller “Summer of ’84,” which played in the Sundance Film Festival’s Midnight section. This is their first feature as co-directors.
“The Knocking” follows a young man who tells his new girlfriend that he loves her for the first time — then finds himself next in line for a nightmarish curse that’s claimed all those boyfriends who have come before him.
Shakira Barrera,...
- 9/10/2020
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
As Hollywood crawls toward some version of normalcy amid the coronavirus pandemic, we at Variety have been curious about how the day-to-day work of film and television production would resume. After an invitation from two indie film producers — Maurice Fadida and Eric B. Fleischman — to visit the set of “The Knocking,” I was able to observe the meticulous new protocols in action.
It’s a slog, the business of keeping people protected in a highly tactile and collaborative environment, especially for independent filmmakers. The producers estimated that safety measures cost as much as 10% of their production budget, and resulted in additional shooting days. Talent and artisans are also increasingly isolated, they told me, as the busy life of the film set has been replaced by video conferences and solitary meals in cars. Craft services is no longer a delicious group hang, but a single-serve food and drinks. The makeup trailer...
It’s a slog, the business of keeping people protected in a highly tactile and collaborative environment, especially for independent filmmakers. The producers estimated that safety measures cost as much as 10% of their production budget, and resulted in additional shooting days. Talent and artisans are also increasingly isolated, they told me, as the busy life of the film set has been replaced by video conferences and solitary meals in cars. Craft services is no longer a delicious group hang, but a single-serve food and drinks. The makeup trailer...
- 9/10/2020
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Global release set for later this year on potential awards season heavyweight.
Netflix has acquired worldwide rights to Aaron Sorkin’s The Trial Of The Chicago 7 and landed a potential awards season heavyweight in the process.
The streaming platform will release the all-star drama later this year after negotiating the deal with produces Cross Creek Pictures. Paramount had been set to distribute theatrically in the Us before its plans were scuppered by the pandemic. Netflix did not comment on a reported $56m price tag.
Marc Platt, Stuart Besser, Matt Jackson and Tyler Thompson are producing the story of the...
Netflix has acquired worldwide rights to Aaron Sorkin’s The Trial Of The Chicago 7 and landed a potential awards season heavyweight in the process.
The streaming platform will release the all-star drama later this year after negotiating the deal with produces Cross Creek Pictures. Paramount had been set to distribute theatrically in the Us before its plans were scuppered by the pandemic. Netflix did not comment on a reported $56m price tag.
Marc Platt, Stuart Besser, Matt Jackson and Tyler Thompson are producing the story of the...
- 7/1/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Netflix has acquired the multimillion-dollar worldwide rights to “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” the latest film from writer and director Aaron Sorkin based on the true story of a protest at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
Paramount was previously the distributor on the film and was meant to release it theatrically in September before the coronavirus pandemic hit. Netflix now plans to release the film globally later this year after acquiring it for about $56 million, according to Deadline.
The movie comes from Cross Creek Pictures and is produced by Marc Platt, Stuart Besser, Matt Jackson and Tyler Thompson. The executive producers are Laurie MacDonald, Walter Parkes, Marc Butan, Anthony Katagas, James Rodenhouse, Nia Vazirani, Thorsten Schumacher, Slava Vladimirov, Jared Underwood, Andrew Robinson, Jan Mcadoo, Maurice Fadida, Kristie Macosko Krieger, Shivani Rawat, Monica Levinson, Ryan Smith, Nicole Shipley, Steve Matzkin and Sarah Schroeder-Matzkin.
Also Read: Netflix in July: Here's Everything Coming and Going
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II,...
Paramount was previously the distributor on the film and was meant to release it theatrically in September before the coronavirus pandemic hit. Netflix now plans to release the film globally later this year after acquiring it for about $56 million, according to Deadline.
The movie comes from Cross Creek Pictures and is produced by Marc Platt, Stuart Besser, Matt Jackson and Tyler Thompson. The executive producers are Laurie MacDonald, Walter Parkes, Marc Butan, Anthony Katagas, James Rodenhouse, Nia Vazirani, Thorsten Schumacher, Slava Vladimirov, Jared Underwood, Andrew Robinson, Jan Mcadoo, Maurice Fadida, Kristie Macosko Krieger, Shivani Rawat, Monica Levinson, Ryan Smith, Nicole Shipley, Steve Matzkin and Sarah Schroeder-Matzkin.
Also Read: Netflix in July: Here's Everything Coming and Going
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II,...
- 7/1/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Netflix is negotiating a deal to acquire global rights to Aaron Sorkin’s “The Trial of the Chicago 7” from Cross Creek Pictures, Variety has learned.
The film follows the Chicago Seven, a group of seven activists who were charged by the federal government with conspiracy, inciting to riot and other charges stemming from anti-Vietnam War protests that broke out during the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Intended as peaceful protests, they instead devolved into a violent clash with police and the National Guard. The organizers of the protest included Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Tom Hayden and Bobby Seale, and their trial was one of the most notorious in history. It’s a hot-button story, one that is sure to resonate in a presidential election year and at a time when protests over racial injustice are breaking out across the country. Cross Creek financed and produced the film.
“The Trial of the Chicago 7...
The film follows the Chicago Seven, a group of seven activists who were charged by the federal government with conspiracy, inciting to riot and other charges stemming from anti-Vietnam War protests that broke out during the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Intended as peaceful protests, they instead devolved into a violent clash with police and the National Guard. The organizers of the protest included Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Tom Hayden and Bobby Seale, and their trial was one of the most notorious in history. It’s a hot-button story, one that is sure to resonate in a presidential election year and at a time when protests over racial injustice are breaking out across the country. Cross Creek financed and produced the film.
“The Trial of the Chicago 7...
- 6/20/2020
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
New banner to launch with three titles including Elle Callahan’s ‘Witch Hunt’ and Will Forbes’ ‘John Henry’.
German sales and distribution company Telepool, jointly owned by Us actor-producer Will Smith and Swiss director Marc Forster’s strategic investment company Elysian Fields, is launching a genre label Fearious overseen by sales arm Global Screen in time for the virtual Cannes market next week.
Three Us genre titles head the inaugural slate. Elle Callahan’s mystery thriller Witch Hunt, in which a high-school student and her family help witches escape across the Us border to Mexico, debuted at SXSW and stars Elizabeth Mitchell,...
German sales and distribution company Telepool, jointly owned by Us actor-producer Will Smith and Swiss director Marc Forster’s strategic investment company Elysian Fields, is launching a genre label Fearious overseen by sales arm Global Screen in time for the virtual Cannes market next week.
Three Us genre titles head the inaugural slate. Elle Callahan’s mystery thriller Witch Hunt, in which a high-school student and her family help witches escape across the Us border to Mexico, debuted at SXSW and stars Elizabeth Mitchell,...
- 6/18/2020
- by 158¦Martin Blaney¦40¦
- ScreenDaily
New banner to launch with three titles including Elle Callahan’s ‘Witch Hunt’ and Will Forbes’ ‘John Henry’.
German sales-distribution company Telepool, jointly owned by Hollywood actor-producer Will Smith and Swiss investor Elysian Fields, is to launch new genre film label Fearious overseen by sales arm Global Screen.
The new banner will be unveiled at Cannes’ Marché du Film Online next week with three titles. It marks some of the first fruits of a collaboration sealed in autumn 2018 between Telepool and Eric B. Fleischman’s Defiant Studios to invest as a co-producer in a slate of Us genre films, co-produced...
German sales-distribution company Telepool, jointly owned by Hollywood actor-producer Will Smith and Swiss investor Elysian Fields, is to launch new genre film label Fearious overseen by sales arm Global Screen.
The new banner will be unveiled at Cannes’ Marché du Film Online next week with three titles. It marks some of the first fruits of a collaboration sealed in autumn 2018 between Telepool and Eric B. Fleischman’s Defiant Studios to invest as a co-producer in a slate of Us genre films, co-produced...
- 6/18/2020
- by 158¦Martin Blaney¦40¦
- ScreenDaily
Producers behind the Terry Crews micro-budget drama “John Henry” are taking a victory lap this week, as their film has found an exhilarating second life and wide viewership on Netflix.
In a period that saw dominance from the second season of the Christina Applegate series “Dead to Me,” and stiff feature competition from the Michelle Obama documentary “Becoming” and the continued reign of Chris Hemsworth’s “Extraction,” the Crews film stood tallest — rating as the number one movie on Netflix this Wednesday, according to the platform’s own top ten list.
“John Henry” comes from debut writer-director Will Forbes, and producers Maurice Fadida, Eric B. Fleischman and Brian Kavanaugh-Jones. UTA Independent Film Group sold the project to L.A.-based Saban Films last year, which bowed in a quiet limited theatrical run in January.
Early this week, Fadida and Fleischman noticed only in browsing the Netflix app that their film had become available.
In a period that saw dominance from the second season of the Christina Applegate series “Dead to Me,” and stiff feature competition from the Michelle Obama documentary “Becoming” and the continued reign of Chris Hemsworth’s “Extraction,” the Crews film stood tallest — rating as the number one movie on Netflix this Wednesday, according to the platform’s own top ten list.
“John Henry” comes from debut writer-director Will Forbes, and producers Maurice Fadida, Eric B. Fleischman and Brian Kavanaugh-Jones. UTA Independent Film Group sold the project to L.A.-based Saban Films last year, which bowed in a quiet limited theatrical run in January.
Early this week, Fadida and Fleischman noticed only in browsing the Netflix app that their film had become available.
- 5/15/2020
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Kunjue Li is set to play the titular role in Betty Kaplan’s forthcoming film Simone. Written and directed by Kaplan, Li will star opposite Esai Morales in the mysterious, erotic and haunting love story between a writer/professor at Puerto Rico’s leading University and an aspiring artist from the immigrant Chinese community.
Li can be seen in Alan Yang’s forthcoming drama Tigertail. Inspired by Yang’s family, Tigertail touches on themes of regret, longing, passion, and repression while spanning continents and generations, from 1950’s Taiwan to present-day New York City. The protagonist Grover ventures to the states with a women he doesn’t connect with.
Li will play young Zhenzhen, a woman in Taiwan who was always quiet, polite, and out of the way. She finds moving to America with Grover a difficult experience until she meets her friend Peijing and begins to consider her own independence and self-worth.
Li can be seen in Alan Yang’s forthcoming drama Tigertail. Inspired by Yang’s family, Tigertail touches on themes of regret, longing, passion, and repression while spanning continents and generations, from 1950’s Taiwan to present-day New York City. The protagonist Grover ventures to the states with a women he doesn’t connect with.
Li will play young Zhenzhen, a woman in Taiwan who was always quiet, polite, and out of the way. She finds moving to America with Grover a difficult experience until she meets her friend Peijing and begins to consider her own independence and self-worth.
- 2/10/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Taryn Manning, Shane West, Skylan Brooks, Hart Denton (Riverdale) and Rutina Wesley have been tapped as the leads of No Running, an indie film being helmed by first-time feature director Delmar Washington.
Written by Tucker Morgan, the sci-fi thriller follows a young black teen who is wrongfully blamed for the mysterious disappearance of his biracial girlfriend. With only 48 hours to prove his innocence, he must flee the law as he uncovers supernatural abductions that have plagued the community for decades.
Bill Engvall, Clark Backo, Diamond White and Loren Gray co-star in the film, which will shoot this fall in Los Angeles. Eric B. Fleischman of Defiant Studios is producing pic alongside Maurice Fadida of Kodiak Pictures. Executive producers are Mickey Gooch Jr. and Diane Gooch of Kodiak.
Manning is repped by Innovative...
Written by Tucker Morgan, the sci-fi thriller follows a young black teen who is wrongfully blamed for the mysterious disappearance of his biracial girlfriend. With only 48 hours to prove his innocence, he must flee the law as he uncovers supernatural abductions that have plagued the community for decades.
Bill Engvall, Clark Backo, Diamond White and Loren Gray co-star in the film, which will shoot this fall in Los Angeles. Eric B. Fleischman of Defiant Studios is producing pic alongside Maurice Fadida of Kodiak Pictures. Executive producers are Mickey Gooch Jr. and Diane Gooch of Kodiak.
Manning is repped by Innovative...
- 11/18/2019
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, Taryn Manning, Shane West and Alexander Skarsgård have new roles, and Warner Bros. unveils a modernized logo.
Castings
Alexander Skarsgård has signed on to join Tessa Thompson, Ruth Negga and André Holland in “Passing.”
The film marks Rebecca Hall’s directorial debut and is based on a screenplay that Hall adapted from the novel of the same name by Nella Larsen. It tells the story of two African American women, each of whom can “pass” as white but choose to live on opposite sides of the color line in 1928 Harlem.
Nina Yang Bongiovi and Forest Whitaker of Significant Productions, Margot Hand of Picture Films, and Hall (through her Flat Five Productions) are producing alongside support from Film4, Aum Creative, Xrm Media, Gamechanger Films, Tgck Partners and Sweet Tomato Films. Endeavor Content is handling worldwide sales. The news was first reported by Deadline.
****
Taryn Manning,...
Castings
Alexander Skarsgård has signed on to join Tessa Thompson, Ruth Negga and André Holland in “Passing.”
The film marks Rebecca Hall’s directorial debut and is based on a screenplay that Hall adapted from the novel of the same name by Nella Larsen. It tells the story of two African American women, each of whom can “pass” as white but choose to live on opposite sides of the color line in 1928 Harlem.
Nina Yang Bongiovi and Forest Whitaker of Significant Productions, Margot Hand of Picture Films, and Hall (through her Flat Five Productions) are producing alongside support from Film4, Aum Creative, Xrm Media, Gamechanger Films, Tgck Partners and Sweet Tomato Films. Endeavor Content is handling worldwide sales. The news was first reported by Deadline.
****
Taryn Manning,...
- 11/14/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Deadline has learned that Bella Thorne has signed to direct an elevated thriller written by Zander Coté, the plot of which is being kept under wraps.
Thorne is also planning to take a supporting role in the film which will shoot this coming summer.
Eric B. Fleischman’s Defiant Studios, David Bernon of Burn Later Productions, and Maurice Fadida of Kodiak Pictures will produce collectively.
“We are thrilled to partner with Bella on her feature directing debut,” says Bernon, “She’s about to leave an indelible mark on the genre, and we can’t wait for audiences to discover her bold vision.”
Thorne is also a best-selling author, director, philanthropist musician and entrepreneur. She entered the entertainment business at six months of age and at 21 has built an empire that stretches from acting to various entrepreneurial ventures and philanthropic endeavors.
Her unapologetic authenticity and ability to be raw with...
Thorne is also planning to take a supporting role in the film which will shoot this coming summer.
Eric B. Fleischman’s Defiant Studios, David Bernon of Burn Later Productions, and Maurice Fadida of Kodiak Pictures will produce collectively.
“We are thrilled to partner with Bella on her feature directing debut,” says Bernon, “She’s about to leave an indelible mark on the genre, and we can’t wait for audiences to discover her bold vision.”
Thorne is also a best-selling author, director, philanthropist musician and entrepreneur. She entered the entertainment business at six months of age and at 21 has built an empire that stretches from acting to various entrepreneurial ventures and philanthropic endeavors.
Her unapologetic authenticity and ability to be raw with...
- 11/4/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
The Aaron Sorkin-directed drama, The Trial Of The Chicago 7, is slated for a wide theatrical release on October 2, 2020. The pic, which will get a limited release on September 25, 2020, is currently in production with plans to shoot in Chicago and New Jersey. In addition, Michael Keaton has officially signed to join the cast along with William Hurt and J.C. MacKenzie.
Deadline previously reported that the Oscar-winning actor was being eyed to join the ensemble cast which includes Frank Langella, Mark Rylance, Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jeremy Strong, Alex Sharp, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Kelvin Harrison Jr.
From Paramount Pictures, Cross Creek and DreamWorks Pictures, the film is based on the infamous 1969 trial of seven defendants charged by the federal government with conspiracy and more, arising from the countercultural protests at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The trial transfixed the nation and sparked...
Deadline previously reported that the Oscar-winning actor was being eyed to join the ensemble cast which includes Frank Langella, Mark Rylance, Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jeremy Strong, Alex Sharp, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Kelvin Harrison Jr.
From Paramount Pictures, Cross Creek and DreamWorks Pictures, the film is based on the infamous 1969 trial of seven defendants charged by the federal government with conspiracy and more, arising from the countercultural protests at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The trial transfixed the nation and sparked...
- 10/25/2019
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Terry Crews and Ludacris’ dramatic thriller “John Henry” has been set for a first-quarter 2020 theatrical release by Saban Films.
Saban announced Tuesday that it had acquired North American rights to the drama. The film is Will Forbes’ directorial debut from a script he co-wrote with Doug Skinner. Producers are Defiant Studios’ Eric B. Fleischman, Kodiak Pictures’ Maurice Fadida and Automatik’s Brian Kavanaugh-Jones.
“John Henry” is a modern adaption of the story of an African-American folk hero of the same name. It follows Henry (Crews) after he abandons a crime-riddled life for a peaceful one in Los Angeles. But when he crosses paths with two immigrant kids who are running from the leader of his former gang, he’s forced to confront the violence of his past life in hopes of saving them.
“The tale of John Henry is classic and legendary for many,” said Saban Films’ Bill Bromiley. “Terry...
Saban announced Tuesday that it had acquired North American rights to the drama. The film is Will Forbes’ directorial debut from a script he co-wrote with Doug Skinner. Producers are Defiant Studios’ Eric B. Fleischman, Kodiak Pictures’ Maurice Fadida and Automatik’s Brian Kavanaugh-Jones.
“John Henry” is a modern adaption of the story of an African-American folk hero of the same name. It follows Henry (Crews) after he abandons a crime-riddled life for a peaceful one in Los Angeles. But when he crosses paths with two immigrant kids who are running from the leader of his former gang, he’s forced to confront the violence of his past life in hopes of saving them.
“The tale of John Henry is classic and legendary for many,” said Saban Films’ Bill Bromiley. “Terry...
- 8/6/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Saban Films has acquired the North American rights to “John Henry,” starring Terry Crews and Ludacris, the distributor announced on Tuesday.
The dramatic thriller is Will Forbes’ directorial debut (Forbes and Doug Skinner wrote the screenplay) and is produced by Defiant Studios’ Eric B. Fleischman, Kodiak Pictures’ Maurice Fadida and Automatik’s Brian Kavanaugh-Jones. Saban Films is looking to release the film in the first quarter of 2020.
“John Henry” is a modern adaptation of the African-American folk hero and follows Henry (Crews) after he abandons his former life for a more peaceful one in Los Angeles. There, he crosses paths with two immigrant kids who are running from the leader of the gang he used to be a part of, so he is re-confronted with his past life.
Also Read: Terry Crews Says Ami Once Tried to 'Silence' Him by 'Fabricating Stories' About Prostitutes
“The tale of John...
The dramatic thriller is Will Forbes’ directorial debut (Forbes and Doug Skinner wrote the screenplay) and is produced by Defiant Studios’ Eric B. Fleischman, Kodiak Pictures’ Maurice Fadida and Automatik’s Brian Kavanaugh-Jones. Saban Films is looking to release the film in the first quarter of 2020.
“John Henry” is a modern adaptation of the African-American folk hero and follows Henry (Crews) after he abandons his former life for a more peaceful one in Los Angeles. There, he crosses paths with two immigrant kids who are running from the leader of the gang he used to be a part of, so he is re-confronted with his past life.
Also Read: Terry Crews Says Ami Once Tried to 'Silence' Him by 'Fabricating Stories' About Prostitutes
“The tale of John...
- 8/6/2019
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Saban Films has taken North American rights to Will Forbes’ directorial debut, John Henry starring Terry Crews and Ludacris with an eye on a Q1 2020 theatrical release.
Pic is a modern adaption of the African-American folk hero of the same name, and follows Henry (Crews) after he abandons a crime-riddled life for a peaceful one in Los Angeles. But when he crosses paths with two immigrant kids who are running from the leader of his former gang, he’s forced to confront the violence of his past life in hopes of saving them.
Forbes and Doug Skinner wrote the screenplay. Defiant Studios’ Eric B. Fleischman, Kodiak Pictures’ Maurice Fadida and Automatik’s Brian Kavanaugh-Jones produce.
“The tale of John Henry is classic and legendary for many,” said Saban Films’ Bill Bromiley in a statement. “Terry and Ludacris’ performances are particularly inspiring, and we are delighted to share this contemporary telling with our audiences.
Pic is a modern adaption of the African-American folk hero of the same name, and follows Henry (Crews) after he abandons a crime-riddled life for a peaceful one in Los Angeles. But when he crosses paths with two immigrant kids who are running from the leader of his former gang, he’s forced to confront the violence of his past life in hopes of saving them.
Forbes and Doug Skinner wrote the screenplay. Defiant Studios’ Eric B. Fleischman, Kodiak Pictures’ Maurice Fadida and Automatik’s Brian Kavanaugh-Jones produce.
“The tale of John Henry is classic and legendary for many,” said Saban Films’ Bill Bromiley in a statement. “Terry and Ludacris’ performances are particularly inspiring, and we are delighted to share this contemporary telling with our audiences.
- 8/6/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Writer-director Elle Callahan’s next film will be Witch Hunt, a supernatural thriller about an America where fugitive witches try to evade callous authorities. Production will get underway this summer in Los Angeles. Paradigm and UTA Independent Film Group are handling sales for the film.
Callahan’s follow-up effort to Head Count (which was released June 14 through Samuel Goldwyn) will star Gideon Adlon (Blockers), Abigail Cowen (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost), and Christian Camargo (The Hurt Locker).
The premise: “In a modern America where witches are real and witchcraft is illegal, Witch Hunt follows Claire (Adlon), who must face her own demons and prejudices as she helps two young witches elude authorities to seek asylum in Mexico.”
Witch Hunt has a title that evokes the era of McCarthyism but its themes speak to turbulent contemporary American topics with a story that straddles the southern border shared with Mexico.
Callahan’s follow-up effort to Head Count (which was released June 14 through Samuel Goldwyn) will star Gideon Adlon (Blockers), Abigail Cowen (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost), and Christian Camargo (The Hurt Locker).
The premise: “In a modern America where witches are real and witchcraft is illegal, Witch Hunt follows Claire (Adlon), who must face her own demons and prejudices as she helps two young witches elude authorities to seek asylum in Mexico.”
Witch Hunt has a title that evokes the era of McCarthyism but its themes speak to turbulent contemporary American topics with a story that straddles the southern border shared with Mexico.
- 6/27/2019
- by Geoff Boucher
- Deadline Film + TV
Hip-hop artist and producer DJ Quik is the latest star to become involved in the forthcoming indie movie “John Henry” with Terry Crews and Chris “Ludacris” Bridges. The rapper will produce an original soundtrack for the feature film and also serve as executive producer.
The film, from first-time movie director Will Forbes, is a modern adaption of an African-American folklore of the same name and follows John Henry (Crews) after he abandons a crime-riddled life for a peaceful one in Los Angeles. But when he crosses paths with two immigrant kids who are running from the leader of his former gang, he’s forced to confront the violence of his past life in hopes of saving them.
“When I got the opportunity to score and create music for the legend of John Henry, I had to do it. It’s a story we all grew up on, and when I...
The film, from first-time movie director Will Forbes, is a modern adaption of an African-American folklore of the same name and follows John Henry (Crews) after he abandons a crime-riddled life for a peaceful one in Los Angeles. But when he crosses paths with two immigrant kids who are running from the leader of his former gang, he’s forced to confront the violence of his past life in hopes of saving them.
“When I got the opportunity to score and create music for the legend of John Henry, I had to do it. It’s a story we all grew up on, and when I...
- 4/11/2019
- by Anna Tingley
- Variety Film + TV
Sasha Morfaw (Black Panther), Jimmy Jean-Louis, Sufe Bradshaw (Veep), Sydelle Noel (Glow), and Peter Mensah (300) will star in the indie film Rise from first-time feature director Maritte Go.
The dramatic thriller is inspired by the real-life conflict between the Nigerian people and the Boko Haram insurgency, the jihadist rebel organization responsible for kidnapping hundreds of girls and women and enslaving them in the sex trade.
Co-written by Go and Broderick Engelhard, the pic follows an eighteen-year-old Nigerian princess (Morfaw) who allows herself to be kidnapped by the Boko Haram in a harrowing attempt to save her younger sister, eventually going head to head against the Boko Haram’s most dangerous and calculating leader (Jean-Louis).
Eric B. Fleischman of Defiant Studios is producing the project alongside Maurice Fadida of Kodiak Pictures. Executive producers are Mickey Gooch, Jr. and G.D.Guyer of Kodiak, Andre Druskeit of Telepool, and Kewku Mandela.
The dramatic thriller is inspired by the real-life conflict between the Nigerian people and the Boko Haram insurgency, the jihadist rebel organization responsible for kidnapping hundreds of girls and women and enslaving them in the sex trade.
Co-written by Go and Broderick Engelhard, the pic follows an eighteen-year-old Nigerian princess (Morfaw) who allows herself to be kidnapped by the Boko Haram in a harrowing attempt to save her younger sister, eventually going head to head against the Boko Haram’s most dangerous and calculating leader (Jean-Louis).
Eric B. Fleischman of Defiant Studios is producing the project alongside Maurice Fadida of Kodiak Pictures. Executive producers are Mickey Gooch, Jr. and G.D.Guyer of Kodiak, Andre Druskeit of Telepool, and Kewku Mandela.
- 12/12/2018
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
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