Animal Planet’s classic hit Meerkat Manor is getting the animated treatment from Warner Bros. Pictures Animation.
In early development, the feature will be produced by Seth Green and Tracy Falco via the duo’s The Green Room production banner, the studio announced Tuesday.
The original producer of the show, Caroline Hawkins and Clare Birks of Oxford Scientific, will executive produce.
Airing on Warners-owned Animal Planet from 2005 to 2008, the show centered on the exploits of a family of meerkats dubbed The Whiskers living in South Africa’s Kalahari Desert. The show became a worldwide hit, garnering Emmy nominations and at one point was Animal Planet’s most watched show.
Warners plans to produce the feature using photoreal animation, in what it dubbed “in the spirit of Happy Feet,” the 2006 animated feature co-directed by George Miller that centered on penguins.
“It’s 20 years since we experimented with a wildlife soap opera in a London basement,...
In early development, the feature will be produced by Seth Green and Tracy Falco via the duo’s The Green Room production banner, the studio announced Tuesday.
The original producer of the show, Caroline Hawkins and Clare Birks of Oxford Scientific, will executive produce.
Airing on Warners-owned Animal Planet from 2005 to 2008, the show centered on the exploits of a family of meerkats dubbed The Whiskers living in South Africa’s Kalahari Desert. The show became a worldwide hit, garnering Emmy nominations and at one point was Animal Planet’s most watched show.
Warners plans to produce the feature using photoreal animation, in what it dubbed “in the spirit of Happy Feet,” the 2006 animated feature co-directed by George Miller that centered on penguins.
“It’s 20 years since we experimented with a wildlife soap opera in a London basement,...
- 4/16/2024
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Warner Bros. Pictures Animation is heading to the Discovery vault to adapt their Animal Planet series, Meerkat Manor, into a feature animated movie. Think Happy Feet. That George Miller hatched franchise which centered around tap-dancing penguins raked in over a half billion at the global box office.
Warner Bros. Discovery’s Animal Planet first aired Meerkat Manor in 2005, with the series becoming the network’s highest rated show over its four seasons. The Emmy-nominated series reached 204 million households in more than 160 countries on the Animal Planet platform alone.
The Animal Planet docuseries followed the Whiskers, a family of meerkats, as they struggled to survive in South Africa’s Kalahari Desert. Similar to Happy Feet, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation will use photoreal animation to capture the Whiskers for their feature film debut.
The Meerkat Manor movie will be produced by Seth Green and Tracy Falco of The Green Room. Pic...
Warner Bros. Discovery’s Animal Planet first aired Meerkat Manor in 2005, with the series becoming the network’s highest rated show over its four seasons. The Emmy-nominated series reached 204 million households in more than 160 countries on the Animal Planet platform alone.
The Animal Planet docuseries followed the Whiskers, a family of meerkats, as they struggled to survive in South Africa’s Kalahari Desert. Similar to Happy Feet, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation will use photoreal animation to capture the Whiskers for their feature film debut.
The Meerkat Manor movie will be produced by Seth Green and Tracy Falco of The Green Room. Pic...
- 4/16/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
The Fifth Official, Sympathy For The Devil in pipeline.
3311 Productions is moving ahead on its next two projects as Cannes and Sundance selection Brigsby Bear opens this week through Spc.
The company will produce Morris From America director Chad Hartigan’s The Fifth Official, and is also lining up Sympathy For The Devil, which has Luke Paradise attached to write and Gerard Johnstone attached to direct.
Mark Roberts and Ross Jacobson’s 3311 is producing The Fifth Official in partnership with Gran Via Productions. The European thriller follows a football referee as he attempts to throw a match.
Hartigan wrote and directed Sundance 2016 entry Morris From America, which won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award and a special jury prize for acting in Park City.
Paradise wrote and is producing Sympathy For The Devil with Tracy Falco. The neo-noir plays out in real time over the course of a car-jacking. Johnstone directed SXSW 2014 premiere Housebound.
Brigsby Bear (pictured...
3311 Productions is moving ahead on its next two projects as Cannes and Sundance selection Brigsby Bear opens this week through Spc.
The company will produce Morris From America director Chad Hartigan’s The Fifth Official, and is also lining up Sympathy For The Devil, which has Luke Paradise attached to write and Gerard Johnstone attached to direct.
Mark Roberts and Ross Jacobson’s 3311 is producing The Fifth Official in partnership with Gran Via Productions. The European thriller follows a football referee as he attempts to throw a match.
Hartigan wrote and directed Sundance 2016 entry Morris From America, which won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award and a special jury prize for acting in Park City.
Paradise wrote and is producing Sympathy For The Devil with Tracy Falco. The neo-noir plays out in real time over the course of a car-jacking. Johnstone directed SXSW 2014 premiere Housebound.
Brigsby Bear (pictured...
- 7/27/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Tracy Falco, former Evp Production at Universal Pictures, is joining producer Lawrence Bender in a first-look deal with Len Blavatnik’s AI Film. The deal will see Falco boost the creative ranks of the deep-pocketed banner. Owned by billionaire — and newly-minted Britain’s richest man — Blavatnik's Access Industries and run by CEO Aviv Giladi, AI Films recently financed Bill Condon’s Mr Holmes starring Ian McKellen and Laura Linney. The film, about an elderly…...
- 6/15/2015
- Deadline
Exclusive: Matthew Michael Carnahan has added Linda Emond and Ray Liotta to a Violent Talent cast that includes Garrett Hedlund, Margot Robbie, Toby Kebbell and Riz Ahmed. Emond and Liotta will play the parents of Hedlund’s character, who teams with his two oldest friends Angel and Quan (Kebbell and Ahmed) to build a criminal empire in a contemporary Chicago where he feels crime might be the most honest job around. Emond’s the twice-Tony nominated actress who’ll next be seen in Terrence Malick’s Project V, while Liotta next stars in Stretch and Sin City: A Dame To Kill For. Tracy Falco is producing Violent Talent. The inspiration for the film was Carnahan’s fixation with Liotta’s breakout film Goodfellas, and a gap that Francis Coppola left in Don Corleone’s formative years in the first two Godfather films. “The story I’m trying to tell is...
- 8/12/2013
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
Jessica Alba has signed on for a supporting role in "The Grey" and "Narc" director Joe Carnahan's action-comedy "Stretch".
Patrick Wilson plays a limo driver who discovers he only has one shift left to pay off a big debt. He soon picks up a reclusive billionaire (Chris Pine) with some deviant appetites, he vows to fulfill the guy’s every request, no matter how weird, to score a big tip.
Jason Blum, Carnahan and Tracy Falco are producing the micro-budget project which also stars Ed Helms, Brooklyn Decker, James Badge Dale, David Hasselhoff, Ray Liotta and Shaun Toub. Filming is currently underway.
Source: Deadline...
Patrick Wilson plays a limo driver who discovers he only has one shift left to pay off a big debt. He soon picks up a reclusive billionaire (Chris Pine) with some deviant appetites, he vows to fulfill the guy’s every request, no matter how weird, to score a big tip.
Jason Blum, Carnahan and Tracy Falco are producing the micro-budget project which also stars Ed Helms, Brooklyn Decker, James Badge Dale, David Hasselhoff, Ray Liotta and Shaun Toub. Filming is currently underway.
Source: Deadline...
- 7/24/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
James Badge Dale has a busy summer, and it looks like his schedule is just getting busier. The actor has joined the cast of Universal and Blumhouse Prods.’ action-comedy Stretch, starring Patrick Wilson, Ed Helms and Chris Pine.
Directed by Joe Carnahan (The Grey, The A Team), the film follows a down-on-his-luck chauffeur (Wilson) who takes a job for a billionaire (Pine) who makes his life hell. Shooting is scheduled to start later this week in Los Angeles, with Universal aiming for a March 21st release.
Jason Blum is producing through Blumhouse. Tracy Falco will also produce, and Leon Corcos and Nila Najand will co-produce. Charles Layton will executive produce.
As mentioned above, Dale has had a very busy summer. He appeared in Iron Man 3, World War Z as Captain Speake, and will next be seen in Disney’s The Lone Ranger.
Source: Variety...
Directed by Joe Carnahan (The Grey, The A Team), the film follows a down-on-his-luck chauffeur (Wilson) who takes a job for a billionaire (Pine) who makes his life hell. Shooting is scheduled to start later this week in Los Angeles, with Universal aiming for a March 21st release.
Jason Blum is producing through Blumhouse. Tracy Falco will also produce, and Leon Corcos and Nila Najand will co-produce. Charles Layton will executive produce.
As mentioned above, Dale has had a very busy summer. He appeared in Iron Man 3, World War Z as Captain Speake, and will next be seen in Disney’s The Lone Ranger.
Source: Variety...
- 6/26/2013
- by Laura Frances
- LRMonline.com
Sneak Peek an open background performer casting call for the new comedy feature "Stretch", directed by Joe Carnahan (The A-Team") starring Chris Pine, Patrick Wilson, Brooklyn Decker and Ed Helms :
"...when a limo driver (Wilson) discovers that he has one shift left to pay off a big debt, he goes from worried, to hell-with-it-all daring. When the chauffer picks up a reclusive billionaire (Pine) with some deviant appetites, he vows to fulfill the guy’s requests to score the big tip that could settle his score. But as the night grows stranger and the driver is pushed into some very dangerous encounters, he worries that the freak in his back seat might just be his final fare...
"Interested background performers between 21 and 30 can apply by sending an e-mail to stretchcasting@gmail.com with their name, phone number, e-mail and a picture of themselves in 'high-end Hollywood nightclub attire'.
"Stretch...
"...when a limo driver (Wilson) discovers that he has one shift left to pay off a big debt, he goes from worried, to hell-with-it-all daring. When the chauffer picks up a reclusive billionaire (Pine) with some deviant appetites, he vows to fulfill the guy’s requests to score the big tip that could settle his score. But as the night grows stranger and the driver is pushed into some very dangerous encounters, he worries that the freak in his back seat might just be his final fare...
"Interested background performers between 21 and 30 can apply by sending an e-mail to stretchcasting@gmail.com with their name, phone number, e-mail and a picture of themselves in 'high-end Hollywood nightclub attire'.
"Stretch...
- 6/25/2013
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Ed Helms and Patrick Wilson are set to star in Joe Carnahan's upcoming Stretch , Variety reports. Jason Blum is attached to produce through Blumhouse Pictures. Wilson, who will soon star in The Conjuring , will play a limo driver who winds up getting more than he bargained for following the orders of a billionaire client. Helms, who recently starred in Todd Phillips' The Hangover Part III , will play a colleague of Wilson's character. Stretch , which is gearing up for an immediate shoot, will also be produced by Leon Corcos and will be executive produced by Tracy Falco. (Photo Credit: Pnp / WENN.com)...
- 6/10/2013
- Comingsoon.net
Garrett Hedlund is set to lead Violent Talent , a crime drama that will serve as the directorial debut of Matthew Michael Carnahan. Deadline has the story, reporting that Hedlund will be joined by Margot Robbie and Toby Kendall. The film, which takes place in present day Chicago, follows Hedlund as Eamon, a man who, alongside his friends Angel (Kebbell) and Quan (Ahmed) plans to make a name for himself in the criminal underworld. Carnahan is best known as a screenwriter and his writing work will soon make it to theaters with World War Z on June 21. Hedlund, best known for roles in Tron: Legacy and On the Road , will soon play a supporting role in Joel and Ethan Coen's Inside Llweyn Davis , set for release December 6. Violent Talent will be produced by Tracy Falco...
- 5/13/2013
- Comingsoon.net
Blumhouse International is Blumhouse Productions' new international sales division, which will handle sales for films that don’t fall under their first-look deal with Universal. A new division to oversee international sales of films for the micro-budget production company including Sinister 2 and Stretch. Their six previous films grossed a combined $450 million International on combined budgets under $25 Million.
We are happy to write about Jason Blum's success. From the days when he handled acquisitions with Amy Israel for Miramax under the Weinsteins to his establishing Blumhouse Productions, a multi-media production company that has pioneered a new model of studio filmmaking - producing high-quality micro-budget films for wide release, Jason has never lost his responsive attention to the people who work with him in the industry. You can read his very interesting bio here
It is our pleasure to spread the word about his newest endeavor, the launch of Blumhouse International, a new division to oversee international sales of the company's movies. Bhi has a worldwide distribution and servicing deal with Im Global and the two companies, with Jason Blum in attendance, will introduce the venture to international distributors at the forthcoming Cannes Film Festival and Marche.
Blumhouse International will meet with international distributors on two initial projects in Cannes. Sinister 2 is a sequel to Blumhouse's 2012 $3 million micro-budget hit which grossed over $87 million worldwide. Stretch is a comedy thriller to be directed by Joe Carnahan and produced by Blum and the director. Tracy Falco will serve as executive producer and Leon Corcos as co-producer. Both projects will begin production later in 2013.
The division will handle sales of films outside Blumhouse's first-look deal with Universal. The launch of Bhi builds upon Blumhouse's international success. Six of the company's recent films grossed a combined $450 million foreign on combined budgets of under $25 million.
Said Blum, “We are excited to expand our company’s international presence as the success of our micro-budget films continues to grow across the world.”
Blumhouse already has four micro-budget wide-release movies scheduled to come out including its first film for Universal - The Purge with Michael Bay’s Platinum Dunes which opens on June 7th, 2013, Insidious Chapter 2, the sequel to Insidious with FilmDistrict on September 13th, 2013, Paranormal Activity 5 for Paramount Pictures on October 25th, 2013 and Ghosts for Lionsgate on January 10th, 2014.
Since its launch, Blumhouse has produced more than 30 feature films including the highly-profitable Paranormal Activity franchise, Sinister and Insidious all of which out grossed their budgets on opening weekend. In addition, Blumhouse has a first-look television deal with Lionsgate and is working on both scripted and non-scripted projects. Blumhouse produced Stranded for SyFy, executive produced The River for ABC and is also working on projects with HBO and MTV.
Im Global, a subsidiary of Anil Ambani’s Reliance Entertainment Group, is one of the film industry’s leading financing, sales and distribution companies with output deals in more than 100 countries and offices in Los Angeles, London, Mumbai and Mexico City. The company was founded by current CEO, Stuart Ford, in 2007.
We are happy to write about Jason Blum's success. From the days when he handled acquisitions with Amy Israel for Miramax under the Weinsteins to his establishing Blumhouse Productions, a multi-media production company that has pioneered a new model of studio filmmaking - producing high-quality micro-budget films for wide release, Jason has never lost his responsive attention to the people who work with him in the industry. You can read his very interesting bio here
It is our pleasure to spread the word about his newest endeavor, the launch of Blumhouse International, a new division to oversee international sales of the company's movies. Bhi has a worldwide distribution and servicing deal with Im Global and the two companies, with Jason Blum in attendance, will introduce the venture to international distributors at the forthcoming Cannes Film Festival and Marche.
Blumhouse International will meet with international distributors on two initial projects in Cannes. Sinister 2 is a sequel to Blumhouse's 2012 $3 million micro-budget hit which grossed over $87 million worldwide. Stretch is a comedy thriller to be directed by Joe Carnahan and produced by Blum and the director. Tracy Falco will serve as executive producer and Leon Corcos as co-producer. Both projects will begin production later in 2013.
The division will handle sales of films outside Blumhouse's first-look deal with Universal. The launch of Bhi builds upon Blumhouse's international success. Six of the company's recent films grossed a combined $450 million foreign on combined budgets of under $25 million.
Said Blum, “We are excited to expand our company’s international presence as the success of our micro-budget films continues to grow across the world.”
Blumhouse already has four micro-budget wide-release movies scheduled to come out including its first film for Universal - The Purge with Michael Bay’s Platinum Dunes which opens on June 7th, 2013, Insidious Chapter 2, the sequel to Insidious with FilmDistrict on September 13th, 2013, Paranormal Activity 5 for Paramount Pictures on October 25th, 2013 and Ghosts for Lionsgate on January 10th, 2014.
Since its launch, Blumhouse has produced more than 30 feature films including the highly-profitable Paranormal Activity franchise, Sinister and Insidious all of which out grossed their budgets on opening weekend. In addition, Blumhouse has a first-look television deal with Lionsgate and is working on both scripted and non-scripted projects. Blumhouse produced Stranded for SyFy, executive produced The River for ABC and is also working on projects with HBO and MTV.
Im Global, a subsidiary of Anil Ambani’s Reliance Entertainment Group, is one of the film industry’s leading financing, sales and distribution companies with output deals in more than 100 countries and offices in Los Angeles, London, Mumbai and Mexico City. The company was founded by current CEO, Stuart Ford, in 2007.
- 5/11/2013
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Universal Pictures' Endless Love has cast in Alex Pettyfer and Gabriella Wilde. There's no indication that this will mirror of the 1981 film starring Brooke Shields and Martin Hewitt, or the Scott Spencer 1979 book, reports Variety. Shana Feste directs from a script she rewrote from Josh Safran's screenplay, while Bluegrass Films' Scott Stuber and Pamela Abdy are producing alongside Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage from Fake Empire. Tracy Falco is serving as executive producer. Others who tried out for the starring roles included Brenton Thwaites, Sarah Bolger and Olivia Cooke.
- 3/21/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Universal Pictures' Endless Love has cast in Alex Pettyfer and Gabriella Wilde. There's no indication that this will mirror of the 1981 film starring Brooke Shields and Martin Hewitt, or the Scott Spencer 1979 book, reports Variety. Shana Feste directs from a script she rewrote from Josh Safran's screenplay, while Bluegrass Films' Scott Stuber and Pamela Abdy are producing alongside Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage from Fake Empire. Tracy Falco is serving as executive producer. Others who tried out for the starring roles included Brenton Thwaites, Sarah Bolger and Olivia Cooke.
- 3/21/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Universal Pictures and producer Scott Stuber are gearing up for a remake of Endless Love, the 1981 Franco Zefirelli-directed film about obsessive teenage love that starred Brooke Shields and Martin Hewitt, and which launched the movie career of Tom Cruise in a small role. Shana Feste, who helmed Country Strong, is aboard to helm the new version, which seems like a good venue to break new talent. Question: in this period where Hollywood is in endless love with remakes, are they green lighting anything these days that is not a remake of a so-so movie from the 80s or even more recently? What really sucks is that I remember all these movies when they opened in their original forms. Maybe it’s a depressing sign of aging. Still, it seems like studios are going to well on these things faster and faster, as happened with Amazing Spider-Man and this weekend’s Total Recall.
- 8/2/2012
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Tracy Falco, an Evp Production at Universal Pictures for the last four years, will leave the executive ranks. Parting was mutual. I’m told that she’s likely to transition to a producing deal at the studio. She came to Universal after producing films for United Artists, including Lions For Lambs. At Universal, she worked on films that included Savages, Tower Heist, Meet The Fockers, and It’s Complicated.
- 5/24/2012
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Meryl Streep, Sandra Bullock and Oprah Winfrey will star in a new comedy from Michael Patrick King ("Sex and the City" films and series) at Universal Pictures. King will write and direct the untitled film, set in and around the world of a "Home Shopping" type network and follows the characters as they make their way through the maze of mania that surrounds marketing, marriages and the media. Scott Stuber will produce through his Universal-based Stuber Pictures. Universal's Executive Vice President of Production Development Tracy Falco will oversee the project for the studio.
- 10/22/2010
- Comingsoon.net
Wayne McClammy, best known for directing the Sarah Silverman and Jimmy Kimmel viral videos "I'm F**king Matt Damon" and "I'm F**king Ben Affleck," respectively, is in negotiations to helm Universal's comedy "Desperados."
The project is being developed as a potential star vehicle for Isla Fisher. Production is expected to begin by year's end.
Written by Ellen Rapoport, "Desperados" is described as a female-oriented "The Hangover."
The story is about a woman who sends an indignant email to her new beau, who has gone silent after they have sex, only to discover he's comatose in a Mexican hospital. Panicking, she races south of the border with her friends in tow to intercept the email before he recovers.
Mark Gordon and Jason Blum are producing. Universal executive vp production Tracy Falco and director of development Maradith Frenkel will oversee the project. Shara Senderoff and Allyson Seeger are supervising for the Mark Gordon Co.
The project is being developed as a potential star vehicle for Isla Fisher. Production is expected to begin by year's end.
Written by Ellen Rapoport, "Desperados" is described as a female-oriented "The Hangover."
The story is about a woman who sends an indignant email to her new beau, who has gone silent after they have sex, only to discover he's comatose in a Mexican hospital. Panicking, she races south of the border with her friends in tow to intercept the email before he recovers.
Mark Gordon and Jason Blum are producing. Universal executive vp production Tracy Falco and director of development Maradith Frenkel will oversee the project. Shara Senderoff and Allyson Seeger are supervising for the Mark Gordon Co.
- 5/17/2010
- by By Zorianna Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Universal is getting into the Broken Lizard comedy business, picking up "Rogue Scholars" and an untitled project from the comedy group.
Motion Picture Corporation of America has partnered with Broken Lizard on the pictures and will co-finance both projects through its studio feature film investment fund.
"Rogue" is being developed as a college comedy revolving around five unruly professors played by the members of Broken Lizard -- Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter and Erik Stolhanske. The group also handles writing chores for their movies.
Details for the second project are being kept under wraps. Both are in the script stage.
Brad Krevoy, Mike Callaghan and Reuben Liber of Mpca will produce with Richard Perello of Broken Lizard Industries.
Universal's Tracy Falco and Kiska Higgs will oversee the projects for the studio. Callaghan will oversee for Mpca.
By putting Broken Lizard into their terrarium, Universal gets a couple...
Motion Picture Corporation of America has partnered with Broken Lizard on the pictures and will co-finance both projects through its studio feature film investment fund.
"Rogue" is being developed as a college comedy revolving around five unruly professors played by the members of Broken Lizard -- Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, Paul Soter and Erik Stolhanske. The group also handles writing chores for their movies.
Details for the second project are being kept under wraps. Both are in the script stage.
Brad Krevoy, Mike Callaghan and Reuben Liber of Mpca will produce with Richard Perello of Broken Lizard Industries.
Universal's Tracy Falco and Kiska Higgs will oversee the projects for the studio. Callaghan will oversee for Mpca.
By putting Broken Lizard into their terrarium, Universal gets a couple...
- 2/25/2010
- by By Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Kenny Ortega, the director of the "High School Musical" movies and "Michael Jackson's This Is It," is attached to direct Universal's adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway musical "In the Heights."
Lin-Manuel Miranda, who composed and wrote the musical as well as starred in it, is set to star in and produce the big-screen adaptation. Quiara Alegria Hudes, who wrote the play's book, is writing the script.
"Heights" explored three days in New York City's Dominican-American neighborhood of Washington Heights and featured hip-hop, salsa, merengue and soul music. It was nominated for 13 Tonys, winning the award for best musical.
Meryl Poster will produce with original Broadway producers Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller and Jill Furman Willis serving as executive producers.
Universal's executive vp of production Tracy Falco and director of development Maradith Frenkel will oversee the project for the studio.
Ortega, whose "This Is It" danced its way to $252 million worldwide, is repped by Paradigm.
Lin-Manuel Miranda, who composed and wrote the musical as well as starred in it, is set to star in and produce the big-screen adaptation. Quiara Alegria Hudes, who wrote the play's book, is writing the script.
"Heights" explored three days in New York City's Dominican-American neighborhood of Washington Heights and featured hip-hop, salsa, merengue and soul music. It was nominated for 13 Tonys, winning the award for best musical.
Meryl Poster will produce with original Broadway producers Kevin McCollum, Jeffrey Seller and Jill Furman Willis serving as executive producers.
Universal's executive vp of production Tracy Falco and director of development Maradith Frenkel will oversee the project for the studio.
Ortega, whose "This Is It" danced its way to $252 million worldwide, is repped by Paradigm.
- 12/14/2009
- by By Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Harvey Keitel has joined the cast of Universal and Tribeca Prods.' "Meet the Fockers" sequel.
Regulars Ben Stiller, Teri Polo, Robert De Niro, Blythe Danner and Owen Wilson are returning, along with newcomers Jessica Alba and Laura Dern.
Paul Weitz ("In Good Company") is directing the film, which has the working title of "Little Fockers," since it focuses on the main couple's children. Keitel will play a contractor employed by Stiller's character.
Jane Rosenthal and Jay Roach, who directed the first two films in the franchise, are producing. John Hamburg, who co-wrote the first two pics, rewrote the original script by Larry Stuckey.
Universal's Tracy Falco and Maradith Frenkel are overseeing for the studio.
The Icm-repped Keitel most recently appeared in "National Treasure: Book of Secrets." He has starred in "Mean Streets," "Reservoir Dogs," "Bad Lieutenant," "Pulp Fiction" and "The Piano" and will next be seen in the indie "Beginner's Guide to Endings.
Regulars Ben Stiller, Teri Polo, Robert De Niro, Blythe Danner and Owen Wilson are returning, along with newcomers Jessica Alba and Laura Dern.
Paul Weitz ("In Good Company") is directing the film, which has the working title of "Little Fockers," since it focuses on the main couple's children. Keitel will play a contractor employed by Stiller's character.
Jane Rosenthal and Jay Roach, who directed the first two films in the franchise, are producing. John Hamburg, who co-wrote the first two pics, rewrote the original script by Larry Stuckey.
Universal's Tracy Falco and Maradith Frenkel are overseeing for the studio.
The Icm-repped Keitel most recently appeared in "National Treasure: Book of Secrets." He has starred in "Mean Streets," "Reservoir Dogs," "Bad Lieutenant," "Pulp Fiction" and "The Piano" and will next be seen in the indie "Beginner's Guide to Endings.
- 11/11/2009
- by By Jay A. Fernandez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Universal Pictures has picked up "Desperados," a comedy spec from Ellen Rapoport that will act as a potential starring vehicle for Isla Fisher.
Mark Gordon, whose "2012" opens next Friday, and Jason Blum, one of the producers behind the surprise horror hit "Paranormal Activity," are producing the project.
The story is set in motion when a woman sends an indignant e-mail to her new beau, who's gone silent after they have sex. When she discovers he's comatose in a Mexican hospital, she races south of the border with her friends in tow to intercept the e-mail before he recovers. The project has been described as a female-oriented "Hangover."
Universal executive vp production Tracy Falco and creative executive Maradith Frenkel will oversee the project for the studio. Shara Senderoff and Allyson Seeger are supervising for the Mark Gordon Co.
Gordon also is behind the war drama "The Messenger." which opens on the...
Mark Gordon, whose "2012" opens next Friday, and Jason Blum, one of the producers behind the surprise horror hit "Paranormal Activity," are producing the project.
The story is set in motion when a woman sends an indignant e-mail to her new beau, who's gone silent after they have sex. When she discovers he's comatose in a Mexican hospital, she races south of the border with her friends in tow to intercept the e-mail before he recovers. The project has been described as a female-oriented "Hangover."
Universal executive vp production Tracy Falco and creative executive Maradith Frenkel will oversee the project for the studio. Shara Senderoff and Allyson Seeger are supervising for the Mark Gordon Co.
Gordon also is behind the war drama "The Messenger." which opens on the...
- 11/5/2009
- by By Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Laura Dern is joining the cast of Universal and Tribeca Prods.' latest "Meet the Parents" sequel.The movie, directed by Paul Weitz, is working under the title of "Little Fockers," but that might change. It reunites most of the main players from the previous movies, including Ben Stiller, Teri Polo, Robert De Niro, Blythe Danner and Owen Wilson. Jessica Alba also recently joined the cast.Dern plays the headmistress of the elementary school that the Fockers' kids attend.Jane Rosenthal and Jay Roach are producing. John Hamburg rewrote the original script by Larry Stuckey. Universal's Tracy Falco and Maradith Frenkel are overseeing.Dern, repped by CAA and Untitled Entertainment, won a Golden Globe this year for her performance in HBO's "Recount" and recently made a deal with the network to star in a pilot to be penned, produced and directed by Mike White.– Nielsen Business Media...
- 10/19/2009
- backstage.com
Laura Dern is joining the cast of Universal and Tribeca Prods.' latest "Meet the Parents" sequel.
The movie, directed by Paul Weitz, is working under the title of "Little Fockers," but that might change. It reunites most of the main players from the previous movies, including Ben Stiller, Teri Polo, Robert De Niro, Blythe Danner and Owen Wilson. Jessica Alba also recently joined the cast.
Dern plays the headmistress of the elementary school that the Fockers' kids attend.
Jane Rosenthal and Jay Roach are producing. John Hamburg rewrote the original script by Larry Stuckey. Universal's Tracy Falco and Maradith Frenkel are overseeing.
Dern, repped by CAA and Untitled Entertainment, won a Golden Globe this year for her performance in HBO's "Recount" and recently made a deal with the network to star in a pilot to be penned, produced and directed by Mike White.
The movie, directed by Paul Weitz, is working under the title of "Little Fockers," but that might change. It reunites most of the main players from the previous movies, including Ben Stiller, Teri Polo, Robert De Niro, Blythe Danner and Owen Wilson. Jessica Alba also recently joined the cast.
Dern plays the headmistress of the elementary school that the Fockers' kids attend.
Jane Rosenthal and Jay Roach are producing. John Hamburg rewrote the original script by Larry Stuckey. Universal's Tracy Falco and Maradith Frenkel are overseeing.
Dern, repped by CAA and Untitled Entertainment, won a Golden Globe this year for her performance in HBO's "Recount" and recently made a deal with the network to star in a pilot to be penned, produced and directed by Mike White.
- 10/18/2009
- by By Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A 50-year-old plastic fashion icon, Barbie, is heading to the big screen. Variety reported that after months of negotiations, Universal Pictures has finally acquired the rights to make a live-action feature, "Barbie: The Movie", out of Mattel's signature toy line.
"Barbie is the most famous doll in history, a unique cultural icon in the world of brands," Universal Pictures chairman Marc Shmuger commented on the deal with Mattel. "So many representations of Barbie frequent pop culture, but never before has she been brought to life in a motion picture. We're grateful to Mattel for entrusting us with this extraordinary opportunity."
Producer of "Jerry Maguire" and "Julie & Julia", Laurence Mark, is attached to produce. On what direction the script will take, the filmmaker said that there are a lot of plot possibilities for the movie considering that Barbie's had more than 120 jobs over the years. He added, "Barbie may be the...
"Barbie is the most famous doll in history, a unique cultural icon in the world of brands," Universal Pictures chairman Marc Shmuger commented on the deal with Mattel. "So many representations of Barbie frequent pop culture, but never before has she been brought to life in a motion picture. We're grateful to Mattel for entrusting us with this extraordinary opportunity."
Producer of "Jerry Maguire" and "Julie & Julia", Laurence Mark, is attached to produce. On what direction the script will take, the filmmaker said that there are a lot of plot possibilities for the movie considering that Barbie's had more than 120 jobs over the years. He added, "Barbie may be the...
- 9/24/2009
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Hollywood screens are usually populated by Barbies, but now the real Barbie is on her way to the big screen.
After months of negotiations, Universal has acquired the rights to the iconic Mattel toy to make a live-action feature.
Laurence Mark, whose credits include "Jerry Maguire" and "Julie & Julia," is producing.
Barbie, celebrating her 50th anniversary as one of the top toy brands in the world, has never been adapted into a live-action film, though not for Hollywood's lack of trying. Mattel has been extremely protective of the toy, which has generated billions of dollars, wanting nothing to tarnish the polished image.
Columbia has entered into negotiations to pick up He-Man, another Mattel property.
Mattel did Ok a straight-to-home animated Barbie movie, which Universal currently distributes.
It is unclear how the toy will translate. Barbie's full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts; is sometimes a high school teen, but at times a pilot,...
After months of negotiations, Universal has acquired the rights to the iconic Mattel toy to make a live-action feature.
Laurence Mark, whose credits include "Jerry Maguire" and "Julie & Julia," is producing.
Barbie, celebrating her 50th anniversary as one of the top toy brands in the world, has never been adapted into a live-action film, though not for Hollywood's lack of trying. Mattel has been extremely protective of the toy, which has generated billions of dollars, wanting nothing to tarnish the polished image.
Columbia has entered into negotiations to pick up He-Man, another Mattel property.
Mattel did Ok a straight-to-home animated Barbie movie, which Universal currently distributes.
It is unclear how the toy will translate. Barbie's full name is Barbara Millicent Roberts; is sometimes a high school teen, but at times a pilot,...
- 9/23/2009
- by By Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Universal and Reese Witherspoon are going into the pharmaceutical business.
The studio is developing "Pharm Girl," an aspirational comedy centering on one woman's odyssey through the drug industry.
"Bad Santa" scribes Glenn Ficarra and John Requa are writing the screenplay and in talks to direct. Witherspoon is producing via her Type A banner and attached to the lead role.
The project centers on a woman (Witherspoon) who gets a job at a pharma powerhouse but begins to see the underbelly of the industry as she rises through the company's ranks. Tracy Falco and Maradith Frenkel are overseeing for the studio.
The modern pharmaceutical industry has played a villainous role in Hollywood pics dating to "The Fugitive," and several years ago it was at the center of a conspiracy in the Focus Features thriller "The Constant Gardener."
The CAA- and Management 360-repped Witherspoon, who came to prominence in comedies like "Election" and "Legally Blonde,...
The studio is developing "Pharm Girl," an aspirational comedy centering on one woman's odyssey through the drug industry.
"Bad Santa" scribes Glenn Ficarra and John Requa are writing the screenplay and in talks to direct. Witherspoon is producing via her Type A banner and attached to the lead role.
The project centers on a woman (Witherspoon) who gets a job at a pharma powerhouse but begins to see the underbelly of the industry as she rises through the company's ranks. Tracy Falco and Maradith Frenkel are overseeing for the studio.
The modern pharmaceutical industry has played a villainous role in Hollywood pics dating to "The Fugitive," and several years ago it was at the center of a conspiracy in the Focus Features thriller "The Constant Gardener."
The CAA- and Management 360-repped Witherspoon, who came to prominence in comedies like "Election" and "Legally Blonde,...
- 6/17/2009
- by By Steven Zeitchik
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
New York -- Universal is in final negotiations to buy screenwriter Richard Rapoza's raucous matrimonial comedy "Best Man-a-Thon,"with Stuber Prods.' Scott Stuber and Pam Abdy set to produce a big-screen version.
"Man-a-Thon" finds its lead character in a dilemma: His childhood best friend and college best friend hate each other, and after each makes him their best man, both expect the same job at his wedding. The pair reject his offer to share the role and decide to compete for the spot in wedding-related contests.
"My dad was a best man five times for guys who all considered him their best friend, and they all expected him to return the favor," said Rapoza, who developed the screenplay at a workshop in the UCLA Mfa program that he's still attending.
The script is at a PG-13 level, though that may change.
Rapoza was signed to CAA after winning $4,000 at...
"Man-a-Thon" finds its lead character in a dilemma: His childhood best friend and college best friend hate each other, and after each makes him their best man, both expect the same job at his wedding. The pair reject his offer to share the role and decide to compete for the spot in wedding-related contests.
"My dad was a best man five times for guys who all considered him their best friend, and they all expected him to return the favor," said Rapoza, who developed the screenplay at a workshop in the UCLA Mfa program that he's still attending.
The script is at a PG-13 level, though that may change.
Rapoza was signed to CAA after winning $4,000 at...
- 11/20/2008
- by By Gregg Goldstein
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Universal has picked up film rights to "The Creed of Violence," a Western-cum-gangster novel by Boston Teran.
The manuscript went out to publishers last week and immediately generated interest from producers. Universal picked up the book pre-emptively after a negotiationing session that culminated with a seven-figure deal at 5:45 a.m.
"Creed" remains in negotiations with publishers.
The book, set in the 1930s West, is a father-and-son redemption story that follows a federal agent who catches a gunrunner and forces the man to lead him to the head mobster in Mexico. What the agent doesn't realize is that the gunrunner is his long-lost son.
Universal's Tracy Falco will oversee development of the project for the studio.
Teran, based in New York, also has written "God Is a Bullet" and "River of Night." He's repped by the Natasha Kern Literary Agency and Donald V. Allen Management.
The manuscript went out to publishers last week and immediately generated interest from producers. Universal picked up the book pre-emptively after a negotiationing session that culminated with a seven-figure deal at 5:45 a.m.
"Creed" remains in negotiations with publishers.
The book, set in the 1930s West, is a father-and-son redemption story that follows a federal agent who catches a gunrunner and forces the man to lead him to the head mobster in Mexico. What the agent doesn't realize is that the gunrunner is his long-lost son.
Universal's Tracy Falco will oversee development of the project for the studio.
Teran, based in New York, also has written "God Is a Bullet" and "River of Night." He's repped by the Natasha Kern Literary Agency and Donald V. Allen Management.
- 10/16/2008
- by By Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
New York -- Universal has named producer Tracy Falco exec vp production, reporting to production topper Donna Langley.
Falco ("Rounders," "Blow") most recently served as a producer on "Lions for Lambs." That film was released by United Artists, where Falco has had a first-look deal.
Executives describe Falco's new role at Uni as identifying talent and development projects as well as overseeing relationships throughout the production process.
Universal has had an exec vp slot open since earlier this year, when Holly Bario left to join Stacey Snider at DreamWorks.
Falco was an exec at Andell Entertainment, which is behind upcoming Uni thriller "State of Play." She also served as a vp at Ted Demme's Spanky Prods.
Among the projects she has been developing as a producer are a new Matthew Michael Carnahan film for Mandate and a Jackie Robinson movie set to star Robert Redford.
Falco ("Rounders," "Blow") most recently served as a producer on "Lions for Lambs." That film was released by United Artists, where Falco has had a first-look deal.
Executives describe Falco's new role at Uni as identifying talent and development projects as well as overseeing relationships throughout the production process.
Universal has had an exec vp slot open since earlier this year, when Holly Bario left to join Stacey Snider at DreamWorks.
Falco was an exec at Andell Entertainment, which is behind upcoming Uni thriller "State of Play." She also served as a vp at Ted Demme's Spanky Prods.
Among the projects she has been developing as a producer are a new Matthew Michael Carnahan film for Mandate and a Jackie Robinson movie set to star Robert Redford.
- 7/15/2008
- by By Steven Zeitchik
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
- If you look at the sort of politically charged docu films his film festival programs then it comes as little surprise that Robert Redford is taking on projects in motion pictures biz that might parallel his ideologies/concerns. While we await the release of another pol themed film in Lions for Lambs, Variety reports that Redford is looking to direct Against All Enemies - a project that was once set up with Paul Haggis in the director's chair but has since found itself with different producer's backing the pic.The trade reports that Columbia Pictures had been developing the project, but the studio put it into turnaround last month. Capitol Films picked the project up and is raising financing. Redford's deal is pending financing.Tracy Falco is attached to produce as well.Based on counterterrorism expert Richard Clarke's controversial best-seller and scripted by Jamie Vanderbilt, the book has
- 9/27/2007
- IONCINEMA.com
Robert Redford is attached to direct Against All Enemies, an adaptation of Richard A. Clarke's best-selling memoir.
Capitol Films is financing the feature, picking up the project from Columbia, which had put it into turnaround.
Enemies chronicled how the Bush administration handled the al-Qaida threat before and after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Clarke, a former U.S. terrorism czar, offered the ultimate insider's account into the nation's security apparatus, featuring a cast of power brokers including President Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Clarke.
The book was published in March 2004 by Free Press and hit No. 1 on the New York Times best-seller list, fueling intense criticism over the administration's security failures and its decision to go to war with Iraq.
John Calley and Tracy Falco are producing.
Paul Haggis was slated to direct the movie and oversaw a draft by scribe James Vanderbilt but ended up turning his attention to In the Valley of Elah.
Redford is putting the finishing touches on his latest political-themed project, Lions for Lambs, in which he also stars alongside Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep.
Capitol Films is financing the feature, picking up the project from Columbia, which had put it into turnaround.
Enemies chronicled how the Bush administration handled the al-Qaida threat before and after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Clarke, a former U.S. terrorism czar, offered the ultimate insider's account into the nation's security apparatus, featuring a cast of power brokers including President Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Clarke.
The book was published in March 2004 by Free Press and hit No. 1 on the New York Times best-seller list, fueling intense criticism over the administration's security failures and its decision to go to war with Iraq.
John Calley and Tracy Falco are producing.
Paul Haggis was slated to direct the movie and oversaw a draft by scribe James Vanderbilt but ended up turning his attention to In the Valley of Elah.
Redford is putting the finishing touches on his latest political-themed project, Lions for Lambs, in which he also stars alongside Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep.
- 9/27/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
MGM will bow United Artists' first production, Lions for Lambs, nationwide on Nov. 9. Helmed by Robert Redford, the multilayered drama starring Meryl Streep, UA co-head Tom Cruise and Redford will bow opposite the Warner Bros. Pictures comedy Fred Claus.
Principal photography on the film began Jan. 29. Based on an original screenplay from Matthew Michael Carnahan, Lions is being produced by Carnahan, Redford, Tracy Falco and Andrew Hauptman.
"Robert Redford has a remarkable ability to tell moving stories and capture the essence of the human experience," United Artists CEO Paula Wagner said. "We are very proud to have him at the helm of our inaugural production."
Derek Luke, Michael Pena, Andrew Garfield and Peter Berg co-star in the film following three plot lines, all converging on the themes surrounding the U.S.' war on terrorism.
United Artists was relaunched in November as a partnership among Cruise, Wagner and MGM after Cruise/Wagner Prods. ended its deal at Paramount Pictures.
Lions is the first film to enter production for the studio.
Principal photography on the film began Jan. 29. Based on an original screenplay from Matthew Michael Carnahan, Lions is being produced by Carnahan, Redford, Tracy Falco and Andrew Hauptman.
"Robert Redford has a remarkable ability to tell moving stories and capture the essence of the human experience," United Artists CEO Paula Wagner said. "We are very proud to have him at the helm of our inaugural production."
Derek Luke, Michael Pena, Andrew Garfield and Peter Berg co-star in the film following three plot lines, all converging on the themes surrounding the U.S.' war on terrorism.
United Artists was relaunched in November as a partnership among Cruise, Wagner and MGM after Cruise/Wagner Prods. ended its deal at Paramount Pictures.
Lions is the first film to enter production for the studio.
- 2/21/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
British newcomer Andrew Garfield has landed one of the leads in United Artists ensemble drama "Lions for Lambs".
The Robert Redford-directed film marks theater maven Garfield's feature film debut, in which he will appear opposite co-stars Redford, Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep.
Based on a screenplay by Matthew Michael Carnahan, the story features three interconnected plotlines: a congressman who interacts with a journalist; an idealistic professor who attempts to inspire a privileged student in his class; and a pair of American soldiers wounded in enemy territory in Afghanistan, one of whom is the professor's former student.
Andrew Hauptman, Carnahan, Tracy Falco and Redford are producing. MGM will distribute the film worldwide.
Garfield recently was tapped most promising newcomer at the Critics Circle Theatre Awards and outstanding newcomer at the Evening Standard Awards for his work at the Royal National Theatre.
He is repped by the Collective and Kate Bryden of Gordon French in the U.K.
The Robert Redford-directed film marks theater maven Garfield's feature film debut, in which he will appear opposite co-stars Redford, Tom Cruise and Meryl Streep.
Based on a screenplay by Matthew Michael Carnahan, the story features three interconnected plotlines: a congressman who interacts with a journalist; an idealistic professor who attempts to inspire a privileged student in his class; and a pair of American soldiers wounded in enemy territory in Afghanistan, one of whom is the professor's former student.
Andrew Hauptman, Carnahan, Tracy Falco and Redford are producing. MGM will distribute the film worldwide.
Garfield recently was tapped most promising newcomer at the Critics Circle Theatre Awards and outstanding newcomer at the Evening Standard Awards for his work at the Royal National Theatre.
He is repped by the Collective and Kate Bryden of Gordon French in the U.K.
- 2/20/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The award-winning BBC miniseries State of Play will get the big-screen treatment courtesy of Universal Pictures. Universal has acquired the feature rights from producer Andrew Hauptman and his Mission Pictures, which secured the film rights from the series' creator, Paul Abbott. Hauptman and Tracy Falco will produce the project. State, which tackles the intersection of politics and journalism, revolves around an elected government official and his former campaign manager-turned-journalist for a high-profile national paper. When two seemingly unrelated slayings are linked by a single phone call, the two friends find themselves on opposite sides of an investigation.
- 12/7/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
LONDON -- Independent U.K. development and production company Mission Pictures is set to recruit a new London team following the departure of co-founder Graham Broadbent, production exec Pete Czernin and development chief Sophie Meyer, the company said Tuesday. Broadbent's departure follows the exit of co-founder Damian Jones, who left the company in June. Jones and Broadbent set up the venture in August 2001 with Andrew Hauptman, a former director of business development and strategic planning at Universal Studios, backed by an undisclosed amount of cash from Hauptman's private investment company Andell Entertainment (HR 8/29). Hauptman said in a statement Tuesday that he has promoted Tracy Falco to senior vp at Mission Pictures, aiming to fulfill the company's "original remit to develop and produce studio-level motion pictures." A spokesman for the company said the Los Angeles-based Falco, previously vp development and production at Ted Demme's Spanky Pictures, would recruit a team to work from the London office with that original aim in mind. The company has offices in London and Los Angeles.
- 2/17/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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