OpenAI says its “Sky” voice for ChatGPT’s Voice Mode is not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson’s voice. It is instead the “natural speaking voice” of one of its compensated voice talents, per a blog post. Still, the company says it will “pause” the availability of Sky while it addresses the issue.
“We believe that AI voices should not deliberately mimic a celebrity’s distinctive voice — Sky’s voice is not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson but belongs to a different professional actress using her own natural speaking voice,” the post reads. “To protect their privacy, we cannot share the names of our voice talents.”
OpenAI stated that they employ “well-known, award-winning” casting directors and producers to cast voice actors for the products.
But some users of the OpenAI tech questioned whether Sky was Scarlett — or at least trying to replicate her famous voice. Johansson previously voiced a fake...
“We believe that AI voices should not deliberately mimic a celebrity’s distinctive voice — Sky’s voice is not an imitation of Scarlett Johansson but belongs to a different professional actress using her own natural speaking voice,” the post reads. “To protect their privacy, we cannot share the names of our voice talents.”
OpenAI stated that they employ “well-known, award-winning” casting directors and producers to cast voice actors for the products.
But some users of the OpenAI tech questioned whether Sky was Scarlett — or at least trying to replicate her famous voice. Johansson previously voiced a fake...
- 5/20/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Noah Media, producer of Netflix’s 14 Peaks and Sky’s Villeneuve Pironi, has restructured to focus on international docs and laid off a small number of staff.
The London outfit has in the past few months transitioned from a “UK sports-based production company into an international documentary producer,” according to a statement from CEO and co-founder John McKenna.
“This will see us transition from a staff-based to a more freelance-based model, in line with the norm across the factual production space,” said McKenna. “This has unfortunately meant some redundancies in the past few months for some employees we think are fantastic colleagues and people.”
For the year to March 31 2023, Noah had around 45 staff, according to its latest accounts. It will offer “freelance project-specific contracts” for employees who have lost jobs where possible, McKenna added, and he said this has already happened for some of those laid off.
“We firmly...
The London outfit has in the past few months transitioned from a “UK sports-based production company into an international documentary producer,” according to a statement from CEO and co-founder John McKenna.
“This will see us transition from a staff-based to a more freelance-based model, in line with the norm across the factual production space,” said McKenna. “This has unfortunately meant some redundancies in the past few months for some employees we think are fantastic colleagues and people.”
For the year to March 31 2023, Noah had around 45 staff, according to its latest accounts. It will offer “freelance project-specific contracts” for employees who have lost jobs where possible, McKenna added, and he said this has already happened for some of those laid off.
“We firmly...
- 4/23/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Anthony E. Zuiker, the creator of the hugely successful CSI TV franchise, has signed with boutique management firm Literate.
This marks a rare new addition to Zuiker’s close-knit representation team, nicknamed affectionately by the writer-producer “Team Zuiker,” who has been shaping his career and brand for more than two decades.
It follows the January death of Zuiker’s beloved manager of over 25 years, Margaret Riley, most recently of Lighthouse Entertainment, who passed away from cancer at the age of 58.
In a moving tribute for Deadline at the time, Zuiker recalled how Riley signed Zuiker on his 30th birthday, 8/17/1998, when he was still trying to break into Hollywood. Helping him land early writing gigs that led to CSI, Riley also took Zuiker to the talent agencies, with him landing at CAA with Joe Cohen, and introduced him to entertainment lawyer Kevin Yorn. Both are still members of “Team Zuiker,...
This marks a rare new addition to Zuiker’s close-knit representation team, nicknamed affectionately by the writer-producer “Team Zuiker,” who has been shaping his career and brand for more than two decades.
It follows the January death of Zuiker’s beloved manager of over 25 years, Margaret Riley, most recently of Lighthouse Entertainment, who passed away from cancer at the age of 58.
In a moving tribute for Deadline at the time, Zuiker recalled how Riley signed Zuiker on his 30th birthday, 8/17/1998, when he was still trying to break into Hollywood. Helping him land early writing gigs that led to CSI, Riley also took Zuiker to the talent agencies, with him landing at CAA with Joe Cohen, and introduced him to entertainment lawyer Kevin Yorn. Both are still members of “Team Zuiker,...
- 3/25/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Apple Original Films is in talks to pick up a package for the dramatic thriller The Lost Bus that has star Matthew McConaughey and director Paul Greengrass circling.
Brad Ingelsby (Mare of Easttown) wrote the script for The Lost Bus based on Lizzie Johnson’s 2021 fact-based book Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire that takes place amid California’s Camp Fire in 2018, which became the deadliest blaze in the state’s history. The film’s story follows bus driver Kevin McKay and teacher Mary Ludwig, who heroically helped lead a school bus full of students through the wildfire that devastated the town of Paradise.
The Lost Bus hails from Jamie Lee Curtis’ Comet Pictures and Jason Blum’s Blumhouse. Producers include Ingelsby and Greg Goodman, while Johnson and Amy Lord serve as executive producers.
The movie kicked off after Curtis heard Johnson on NPR and took the project to Blumhouse,...
Brad Ingelsby (Mare of Easttown) wrote the script for The Lost Bus based on Lizzie Johnson’s 2021 fact-based book Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire that takes place amid California’s Camp Fire in 2018, which became the deadliest blaze in the state’s history. The film’s story follows bus driver Kevin McKay and teacher Mary Ludwig, who heroically helped lead a school bus full of students through the wildfire that devastated the town of Paradise.
The Lost Bus hails from Jamie Lee Curtis’ Comet Pictures and Jason Blum’s Blumhouse. Producers include Ingelsby and Greg Goodman, while Johnson and Amy Lord serve as executive producers.
The movie kicked off after Curtis heard Johnson on NPR and took the project to Blumhouse,...
- 1/26/2024
- by Ryan Gajewski and Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Not since 2019’s crime thriller The Gentleman has Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey gotten a chance to thrill audiences, but it looks like he’s getting closer at finding his next project in a big way. Sources tell Deadline that McConaughey is in negotiations to star in Comet Films and Blumhouse’s The Lost Bus, with Paul Greengrass in negotiations to direct and Apple Original Films in discussions to board the film.
Brad Ingelsby adapted the Lost Bus script from Lizzie Johnson’s book Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire by Lizzie Johnson, about the 2018 Camp Fire that became the deadliest fire in California history.
The film’s story will be told through the perspective of heroic bus driver Kevin McKay and school teacher Mary Ludwig, who helped navigate a bus full of children through the deadly wildfire as the town of Paradise is caught in the destruction and chaos.
Brad Ingelsby adapted the Lost Bus script from Lizzie Johnson’s book Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire by Lizzie Johnson, about the 2018 Camp Fire that became the deadliest fire in California history.
The film’s story will be told through the perspective of heroic bus driver Kevin McKay and school teacher Mary Ludwig, who helped navigate a bus full of children through the deadly wildfire as the town of Paradise is caught in the destruction and chaos.
- 1/26/2024
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
There are few talent-representative partnerships in Hollywood that have lasted a career. CSI creator Anthony Zuiker had that with manager Margaret Riley, most recently a partner at Lighthouse Entertainment, who died Tuesday of ovarian cancer at age 58.
In 1998, Zuiker was working as a tram driver in his native Las Vegas while trying unsuccessfully to make it as a screenwriter with a movie script he had written, The Runner. Producer Jim Garavente slipped it to Riley, who had recently been promoted from assistant to manager at management/production company Addis Wechsler, and she signed Zuiker on his 30th birthday, 8/17/1998.
Riley then took Zuiker to all Hollywood agencies. He ended up at CAA (where he still is a client) with Joe Cohen and Scott Greenberg. Riley also introduced him to Kevin Yorn, who repped him for free for an year until he got his footing.
“I was living at the Hollywood Towers starving,...
In 1998, Zuiker was working as a tram driver in his native Las Vegas while trying unsuccessfully to make it as a screenwriter with a movie script he had written, The Runner. Producer Jim Garavente slipped it to Riley, who had recently been promoted from assistant to manager at management/production company Addis Wechsler, and she signed Zuiker on his 30th birthday, 8/17/1998.
Riley then took Zuiker to all Hollywood agencies. He ended up at CAA (where he still is a client) with Joe Cohen and Scott Greenberg. Riley also introduced him to Kevin Yorn, who repped him for free for an year until he got his footing.
“I was living at the Hollywood Towers starving,...
- 1/25/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Marlon Wayans is ready to look at the scary side of perfection. The actor and comedian will star as an all-time great athlete in Goat, a psychological horror film from Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions and Universal, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
The film centers on an up-and-coming young athlete who is invited to train with a team’s retiring star, who will be played by Wayans. Justin Tipping will direct the feature, which came out of a pitch from Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie. Peele will produce along with Win Rosenfeld, Ian Cooper and Jamal Watson.
Wayans is coming off of work in Ben Affleck’s awards contender Air, about Nike’s quest to sign a young Michael Jordan, with other acting credits in recent years including the Aretha Franklin biopic Respect and Sofia Coppola’s On the Rocks. He came up with comedic roles, such as on the...
The film centers on an up-and-coming young athlete who is invited to train with a team’s retiring star, who will be played by Wayans. Justin Tipping will direct the feature, which came out of a pitch from Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie. Peele will produce along with Win Rosenfeld, Ian Cooper and Jamal Watson.
Wayans is coming off of work in Ben Affleck’s awards contender Air, about Nike’s quest to sign a young Michael Jordan, with other acting credits in recent years including the Aretha Franklin biopic Respect and Sofia Coppola’s On the Rocks. He came up with comedic roles, such as on the...
- 1/15/2024
- by Aaron Couch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: For their sports horror pic Goat, Universal Pictures and Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw banner looked to have found the actor to play their greatest of all time athlete as Deadline is hearing Marlon Wayans is set to star in in the pic. Justin Tipping is on board to direct the pic which is produced by Jordan Peele, Win Rosenfeld, Ian Cooper, and Jamal Watson. Executive producers are David Kern and Kate Oh.
The project, based on a pitch by Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie, centers on a promising young athlete who is invited to train with a team’s retiring star.
While execs have taken the screen testing route for finding the young athlete character, sources say Wayans was always top of the studio’s list for its titular character. Exec Vice President of Production Development Sara Scott and Director of Development Tony Ducret will oversee the project for the Studio.
The project, based on a pitch by Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie, centers on a promising young athlete who is invited to train with a team’s retiring star.
While execs have taken the screen testing route for finding the young athlete character, sources say Wayans was always top of the studio’s list for its titular character. Exec Vice President of Production Development Sara Scott and Director of Development Tony Ducret will oversee the project for the Studio.
- 1/15/2024
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Scarlett Johansson‘s team has taken legal action against the AI app Lisa AI: 90s Yearbook & Avatar.
An advertisement popped up on social media this week in which Scarlett‘s likeness was used. The ad has since been scrubbed from the internet and her lawyer is speaking out.
The video began with a clip of Scarlett introducing herself while on the set of Black Widow and the ad then transitioned to AI-generated images along with a fake voice that mimicked her own voice.
The voice that sounded like Scarlett‘s told viewers that the app is “not limited to avatars only. You can also create images with texts and even your AI videos. I think you shouldn’t miss it.”
So, what did her lawyer say?
Keep reading to find out more…
“We do not take these things lightly. Per our usual course of action in these circumstances, we will...
An advertisement popped up on social media this week in which Scarlett‘s likeness was used. The ad has since been scrubbed from the internet and her lawyer is speaking out.
The video began with a clip of Scarlett introducing herself while on the set of Black Widow and the ad then transitioned to AI-generated images along with a fake voice that mimicked her own voice.
The voice that sounded like Scarlett‘s told viewers that the app is “not limited to avatars only. You can also create images with texts and even your AI videos. I think you shouldn’t miss it.”
So, what did her lawyer say?
Keep reading to find out more…
“We do not take these things lightly. Per our usual course of action in these circumstances, we will...
- 11/1/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Scarlett Johansson’s disembodied voice is back onscreen, but it’s not a sequel to Spike Jonze’s “Her.”
Johansson instead is mimicked using AI technology for an ad for the app Lisa AI: 90s Yearbook & Avatar. The actress is now taking legal action against the AI app for using her name and likeness in the marketing campaign.
The ad, which was shared on Twitter October 28 before being taken down, uses a clip of Johansson behind the scenes on “Black Widow” saying, “What’s up guys? It’s Scarlett and I want you to come with me…” A voice then imitates Johansson with, “It’s not limited to avatars only. You can also create images with texts and even your AI videos. I think you shouldn’t miss it.”
The ad includes the note, “Images produced by Lisa AI. It has nothing to do with this person.”
Johansson’s attorney...
Johansson instead is mimicked using AI technology for an ad for the app Lisa AI: 90s Yearbook & Avatar. The actress is now taking legal action against the AI app for using her name and likeness in the marketing campaign.
The ad, which was shared on Twitter October 28 before being taken down, uses a clip of Johansson behind the scenes on “Black Widow” saying, “What’s up guys? It’s Scarlett and I want you to come with me…” A voice then imitates Johansson with, “It’s not limited to avatars only. You can also create images with texts and even your AI videos. I think you shouldn’t miss it.”
The ad includes the note, “Images produced by Lisa AI. It has nothing to do with this person.”
Johansson’s attorney...
- 11/1/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Scarlett Johansson has taken legal action against an AI app that used her name and likeness in an online advertisement without permission.
Johansson appeared in a 22-second ad posted on X/Twitter by an artificial intelligence image-generating app called Lisa AI: 90s Yearbook & Avatar. Representatives for the actor confirmed to Variety that Johansson is not a spokesperson for the app, and her attorney, Kevin Yorn, handled the situation in a legal capacity. The advertisement was spotted on Oct. 28 and appears to have since vanished from the internet.
“We do not take these things lightly. Per our usual course of action in these circumstances, we will deal with it with all legal remedies that we will have,” Yorn told Variety.
The ad, reviewed by Variety, begins with an old clip of Johansson behind the scenes of Marvel’s “Black Widow.” Johansson says, “What’s up guys? It’s Scarlett and I...
Johansson appeared in a 22-second ad posted on X/Twitter by an artificial intelligence image-generating app called Lisa AI: 90s Yearbook & Avatar. Representatives for the actor confirmed to Variety that Johansson is not a spokesperson for the app, and her attorney, Kevin Yorn, handled the situation in a legal capacity. The advertisement was spotted on Oct. 28 and appears to have since vanished from the internet.
“We do not take these things lightly. Per our usual course of action in these circumstances, we will deal with it with all legal remedies that we will have,” Yorn told Variety.
The ad, reviewed by Variety, begins with an old clip of Johansson behind the scenes of Marvel’s “Black Widow.” Johansson says, “What’s up guys? It’s Scarlett and I...
- 11/1/2023
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
In a strong sign of support of Israel from Hollywood, more than 700 figures from the entertainment industry have signed an open letter to condemn Hamas and demand the safe return of hostages being held in Gaza.
The letter is the first major move from the entertainment industry, as Israel has been under attack.
Released by the nonprofit Creative Community for Peace, the letter has been signed by celebrities and Hollywood leaders including Gal Gadot, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Pine, Mayim Bialik, Liev Schreiber, Amy Schumer, Michael Douglas, Jerry Seinfeld, Debra Messing, Ryan Murphy, Greg Berlanti, Haim Saban, Irving Azoff, Ynon Kreiz, Mark Hamill, Howie Mandel, Bella Thorne, Antoine Fuqua and more.
The open letter calls on the entertainment community at large to speak out forcefully against Hamas, to support Israel, to refrain from sharing misinformation about the war and to do whatever is in their power to urge Hamas terrorists...
The letter is the first major move from the entertainment industry, as Israel has been under attack.
Released by the nonprofit Creative Community for Peace, the letter has been signed by celebrities and Hollywood leaders including Gal Gadot, Jamie Lee Curtis, Chris Pine, Mayim Bialik, Liev Schreiber, Amy Schumer, Michael Douglas, Jerry Seinfeld, Debra Messing, Ryan Murphy, Greg Berlanti, Haim Saban, Irving Azoff, Ynon Kreiz, Mark Hamill, Howie Mandel, Bella Thorne, Antoine Fuqua and more.
The open letter calls on the entertainment community at large to speak out forcefully against Hamas, to support Israel, to refrain from sharing misinformation about the war and to do whatever is in their power to urge Hamas terrorists...
- 10/12/2023
- by Elizabeth Wagmeister
- Variety Film + TV
Elliot Page is starring in “Close to You,” an independent drama about love, family and identity.
Dominic Savage (“I Am Ruth”) directed the film, which recently wrapped production in Canada. In “Close to You,” Page plays Sam, who has a chance encounter with an old friend (“Sound of Metal” actor Hillary Baack) on his way home to a dreaded family reunion that forces him to confront long-buried memories.
“I’m proud to have worked with Dominic and Hillary on this beautiful film,” Page said in a statement. “It’s been a pleasure collaborating with them and the incredibly talented cast and crew. I look forward to sharing it with audiences soon.”
Savage called the movie a “very poignant, personal and important story.”
“It has been a remarkable experience to collaborate with Elliot Page on this very special and unique film about love, identity and family,” he said. “I’m so...
Dominic Savage (“I Am Ruth”) directed the film, which recently wrapped production in Canada. In “Close to You,” Page plays Sam, who has a chance encounter with an old friend (“Sound of Metal” actor Hillary Baack) on his way home to a dreaded family reunion that forces him to confront long-buried memories.
“I’m proud to have worked with Dominic and Hillary on this beautiful film,” Page said in a statement. “It’s been a pleasure collaborating with them and the incredibly talented cast and crew. I look forward to sharing it with audiences soon.”
Savage called the movie a “very poignant, personal and important story.”
“It has been a remarkable experience to collaborate with Elliot Page on this very special and unique film about love, identity and family,” he said. “I’m so...
- 6/12/2023
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
BroadLight Capital, the investment firm founded by entertainment attorney Kevin Yorn, talent manager Rick Yorn and investment banker David Dorfman is launching a $225 million debut fund targeting growth stage consumer and tech companies.
The Yorn brothers’ entertainment advisory firms, Lbi Entertainment and Yorn Levine, represent major names in film, television, sports and music. The broad relationships across media and entertainment can “help CEOs solve endemic issues around customer acquisition and engagement,” said the firm, which was founded in 2021. Its investments so far include Zapp, a London based commerce delivery platform; MoonPay, a crypto payment infrastructure company; and Merama, a Latin American e-commerce platform.
“BroadLight is a natural extension of the client-focused businesses that my brother Rick and I have each led for the past thirty years,” said Kevin Yorn. “We have introduced hundreds of high growth businesses and their founders to our network that extends beyond the global entertainment business and reaches entrepreneurs,...
The Yorn brothers’ entertainment advisory firms, Lbi Entertainment and Yorn Levine, represent major names in film, television, sports and music. The broad relationships across media and entertainment can “help CEOs solve endemic issues around customer acquisition and engagement,” said the firm, which was founded in 2021. Its investments so far include Zapp, a London based commerce delivery platform; MoonPay, a crypto payment infrastructure company; and Merama, a Latin American e-commerce platform.
“BroadLight is a natural extension of the client-focused businesses that my brother Rick and I have each led for the past thirty years,” said Kevin Yorn. “We have introduced hundreds of high growth businesses and their founders to our network that extends beyond the global entertainment business and reaches entrepreneurs,...
- 5/17/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
United Talent Agency is harnessing the power of “the Alix Earle effect.” The Beverly Hills firm known as UTA has signed Earle, whose TikTok fame has established her as a Gen Z ‘it girl.’
Through the deal, UTA will provide Earle with representation in all areas. The 22-year-old has had a breakout year on TikTok, where her videos reach 4.8 million followers. Her content ranges from simple “get ready with me” videos to travel vlogs to honest discussions about mental health.
@alixearle He doesn’t know what a pub sub is .. Tea #grwm #umiami #patrickta ♬ original sound – alix earle
Earle’s influence extends far beyond TikTok. By identifying her favorite products, the current University of Miami student has created a phenomenon that has been dubbed “the Alix Earle effect.” Thanks to her endorsements, stores have sold out of her preferred beauty products, her favorite light, and much more. She is so...
Through the deal, UTA will provide Earle with representation in all areas. The 22-year-old has had a breakout year on TikTok, where her videos reach 4.8 million followers. Her content ranges from simple “get ready with me” videos to travel vlogs to honest discussions about mental health.
@alixearle He doesn’t know what a pub sub is .. Tea #grwm #umiami #patrickta ♬ original sound – alix earle
Earle’s influence extends far beyond TikTok. By identifying her favorite products, the current University of Miami student has created a phenomenon that has been dubbed “the Alix Earle effect.” Thanks to her endorsements, stores have sold out of her preferred beauty products, her favorite light, and much more. She is so...
- 3/15/2023
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Alix Earle, the beauty and lifestyle creator who has experienced a meteoric rise in online fame, has signed with UTA for representation in all areas.
The 22-year-old University of Miami senior has grown her TikTok following at a rapid clip, reaching 4.8 million followers to date — a figure that represents a 1,000 percent increase compared to six months ago, according to the agency.
Earle is best known for her “get ready with me” videos on TikTok, where the creator shows her makeup routine and outfits to her avid fan base while talking about her life in Miami. Her rapid rise in popularity, paired with her ability to regularly sell out products based on her recommendations, have led some viewers to dub the phenomenon the “Alix Earle effect.” Her popularity on the social platform has also sparked a larger conversation about the difficulties creators of color face in finding comparable levels of success and popularity on TikTok,...
The 22-year-old University of Miami senior has grown her TikTok following at a rapid clip, reaching 4.8 million followers to date — a figure that represents a 1,000 percent increase compared to six months ago, according to the agency.
Earle is best known for her “get ready with me” videos on TikTok, where the creator shows her makeup routine and outfits to her avid fan base while talking about her life in Miami. Her rapid rise in popularity, paired with her ability to regularly sell out products based on her recommendations, have led some viewers to dub the phenomenon the “Alix Earle effect.” Her popularity on the social platform has also sparked a larger conversation about the difficulties creators of color face in finding comparable levels of success and popularity on TikTok,...
- 3/15/2023
- by J. Clara Chan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Maria Menounos has signed with UTA for representation, Variety has learned exclusively. She will continue to be represented by Kevin Yorn at Yorn Levine and Adam Lilling. The agency will now help Menounos expand her already strong portfolio across television and other areas.
Menounos broke into the TV landscape when she became a correspondent for “Entertainment Tonight” in 2002. She then went on to work for shows like “Access Hollywood” and “NBC Nightly News.” It was during her time at Access Hollywood that she facilitated a sit-down interview with the entire Obama family while Barack Obama was on the campaign trail for his first run at the presidency. Menounos currently hosts Noovie and is frequently a guest host on “Live with Kelly and Ryan.”
She is also the host of the podcast “Heal Squad x Maria Menounos,” where she speaks with healers, health experts, and celebrities about ways to improve all aspects of one’s life.
Menounos broke into the TV landscape when she became a correspondent for “Entertainment Tonight” in 2002. She then went on to work for shows like “Access Hollywood” and “NBC Nightly News.” It was during her time at Access Hollywood that she facilitated a sit-down interview with the entire Obama family while Barack Obama was on the campaign trail for his first run at the presidency. Menounos currently hosts Noovie and is frequently a guest host on “Live with Kelly and Ryan.”
She is also the host of the podcast “Heal Squad x Maria Menounos,” where she speaks with healers, health experts, and celebrities about ways to improve all aspects of one’s life.
- 12/14/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Scarlett Johansson will lead and executive produce “Just Cause,” the limited TV adaptation of John Katzenbach’s 1992 novel of the same name. The thriller series, which got a straight-to-series order at Prime Video from Amazon Studios, hails from Warner Bros. Television and the actress’s These Pictures Banner, as well as marks the Marvel star’s first major TV project.
Netflix’s “I Am Not Okay With This” creator Christy Hall will be writing. Hall is best known for developing, showrunning and executive producing the one-season dramedy starring Sophia Lillis. She has also served as a consulting producer on Apple’s “Servant” and an upcoming Apple project from Damien Chazelle.
Also Read:
Netflix Dominates Nielsen Streaming With ‘The Watcher,’ ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’
Along with Johansson, Jonathan Lia and Keenan Flynn executive produce for These Pictures. Zara Duff, who is head of TV for the production company, is overseeing production.
Johansson...
Netflix’s “I Am Not Okay With This” creator Christy Hall will be writing. Hall is best known for developing, showrunning and executive producing the one-season dramedy starring Sophia Lillis. She has also served as a consulting producer on Apple’s “Servant” and an upcoming Apple project from Damien Chazelle.
Also Read:
Netflix Dominates Nielsen Streaming With ‘The Watcher,’ ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’
Along with Johansson, Jonathan Lia and Keenan Flynn executive produce for These Pictures. Zara Duff, who is head of TV for the production company, is overseeing production.
Johansson...
- 11/29/2022
- by Natalie Oganesyan
- The Wrap
Click here to read the full article.
Scarlett Johansson will take on her first lead role in a TV series — and simultaneously revisit one of the first roles of her career.
Johansson will star in and executive produce Just Cause, a limited series at Amazon’s Prime Video based on a 1992 novel by John Katzenbach. The streamer has given a straight to series order to the project from Warner Bros. TV and writer Christy Hall (I Am Not Okay With This).
The novel was previously adapted for a 1995 feature film starring Sean Connery. Johansson, in one of her first movie roles, played the daughter of Connery’s character.
The series version of Just Cause will center on Madison “Madi” Cowart (Johansson), a reporter for a Florida newspaper who’s assigned to cover the final days of a death row inmate and comes to believe the prisoner’s claims of innocence.
Scarlett Johansson will take on her first lead role in a TV series — and simultaneously revisit one of the first roles of her career.
Johansson will star in and executive produce Just Cause, a limited series at Amazon’s Prime Video based on a 1992 novel by John Katzenbach. The streamer has given a straight to series order to the project from Warner Bros. TV and writer Christy Hall (I Am Not Okay With This).
The novel was previously adapted for a 1995 feature film starring Sean Connery. Johansson, in one of her first movie roles, played the daughter of Connery’s character.
The series version of Just Cause will center on Madison “Madi” Cowart (Johansson), a reporter for a Florida newspaper who’s assigned to cover the final days of a death row inmate and comes to believe the prisoner’s claims of innocence.
- 11/28/2022
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: In her first major foray into television, Scarlett Johansson is set to star in and executive produce Just Cause, a thriller limited series based on John Katzenbach’s 1992 novel. In a very competitive situation, the project, from writer Christy Hall, Johansson’s These Pictures banner and Warner Bros. TV, has landed at Amazon Studios with a straight-to-series order for Prime Video.
In the TV adaptation, the book’s male protagonist, Miami newspaper editorial writer Matt Cowart, is undergoing a gender swap, with Johansson playing the series’ female lead Madison “Madi” Cowart, a struggling reporter for a Florida newspaper sent to cover the final days of an inmate on death row.
Johannson, a two-time Oscar nominee and a Tony winner, has a personal connection to the title. At age 10, she appeared in Warner Bros.’ 1995 feature adaptation of Katzenbach’s book in only her second film role.
In the TV adaptation, the book’s male protagonist, Miami newspaper editorial writer Matt Cowart, is undergoing a gender swap, with Johansson playing the series’ female lead Madison “Madi” Cowart, a struggling reporter for a Florida newspaper sent to cover the final days of an inmate on death row.
Johannson, a two-time Oscar nominee and a Tony winner, has a personal connection to the title. At age 10, she appeared in Warner Bros.’ 1995 feature adaptation of Katzenbach’s book in only her second film role.
- 11/28/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Film and TV producer and former studio executive Lynn Harris is joining Matt Reeves’ 6th & Idaho Productions as producing partner. The news comes in the wake of Hocus Pocus 2, which Harris produced, being Disney+’s most watched movie ever.
Reeves, who is currently at work on the sequel to this year’s critical and 771M grossing global box office hit The Batman as well as an HBO Max spin-off series from the film, The Penguin, has an overall deal for film and TV at Warner Bros.
“I am so excited to be partnering with Lynn at 6th & Idaho,” said Reeves. “She is a terrific producer and has an amazing track record of working with filmmakers on memorable and important films. I can’t wait for the stories we will tell together.”
“I have long admired Matt as a filmmaker, and to have the opportunity to work with...
Reeves, who is currently at work on the sequel to this year’s critical and 771M grossing global box office hit The Batman as well as an HBO Max spin-off series from the film, The Penguin, has an overall deal for film and TV at Warner Bros.
“I am so excited to be partnering with Lynn at 6th & Idaho,” said Reeves. “She is a terrific producer and has an amazing track record of working with filmmakers on memorable and important films. I can’t wait for the stories we will tell together.”
“I have long admired Matt as a filmmaker, and to have the opportunity to work with...
- 11/22/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: After being courted by every major agency in town, Squid Game writer, director and executive producer Hwang Dong-hyuk, along with his producing partner Kim Ji-yeon, also an executive producer on the mega hit Netflix series, have signed with CAA.
Squid Game, which debuted in September 2021, became the most-watched series launch in Netflix history, amassing more than 1.65 billion hours viewed in its first 28 days of release. At its peak, it sat atop the streamer’s most-watched list in 94 countries.
Netflix recently confirmed that Squid Game will return for a second season with Hwang at the helm. In addition to developing the second season of Squid Game, Hwang and Ji-yeon are focused on their next Korean-language film, K.O. Club (also known as Killing Oldmen Club), based on an original idea. They are also working together to bring upcoming Korean-language projects to the U.S.
Hwang and Ji-yeon are also repped by attorneys Kevin Yorn,...
Squid Game, which debuted in September 2021, became the most-watched series launch in Netflix history, amassing more than 1.65 billion hours viewed in its first 28 days of release. At its peak, it sat atop the streamer’s most-watched list in 94 countries.
Netflix recently confirmed that Squid Game will return for a second season with Hwang at the helm. In addition to developing the second season of Squid Game, Hwang and Ji-yeon are focused on their next Korean-language film, K.O. Club (also known as Killing Oldmen Club), based on an original idea. They are also working together to bring upcoming Korean-language projects to the U.S.
Hwang and Ji-yeon are also repped by attorneys Kevin Yorn,...
- 6/14/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Kate Walsh has joined the cast of “Sprung,” an upcoming original comedy series from Emmy-winning writer Greg Garcia and Amazon Freevee. Camden Garcia and Andre Jamal Kinney have also been added to the cast, which includes Martha Plimpton, Garret Dillahunt, Shakira Barrera, Phillip Garcia, Clare Gilles and James Earl.
“Sprung” follows a group of formerly incarcerated people who decide to use their criminal expertise for good. The show centers on Jack (Dillahunt), who has nowhere to live after being released from more than two decades in prison. He moves in with former cellmate Rooster (Phillip Garcia), Rooster’s mother Barb (Plimpton) and Jack’s former prison girlfriend Gloria (Barrera). The group decides to use their skills to right the wrongs of society, targeting those who take advantage of others during the pandemic.
Walsh will play Congresswoman Paula Tackleberry, who is targeted by the group for using insider trading secrets to...
“Sprung” follows a group of formerly incarcerated people who decide to use their criminal expertise for good. The show centers on Jack (Dillahunt), who has nowhere to live after being released from more than two decades in prison. He moves in with former cellmate Rooster (Phillip Garcia), Rooster’s mother Barb (Plimpton) and Jack’s former prison girlfriend Gloria (Barrera). The group decides to use their skills to right the wrongs of society, targeting those who take advantage of others during the pandemic.
Walsh will play Congresswoman Paula Tackleberry, who is targeted by the group for using insider trading secrets to...
- 5/2/2022
- by Sasha Urban
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: A competitive chase by representatives to sign the architects of the global streaming hit Squid Game is ending with a surprise. Deadline hears that the law firm of Yorn Levine Barnes Krintzman Rubenstein Kohner Endlich & Gellman has signed and will rep in all areas Squid Game creator, writer-director and EP Hwang Dong-hyuk and EP Kim Ji-yeon and their production company Siren Pictures Inc.
Partners Kevin Yorn, Gregg Gellman and Jared Levine will lead that rep team.
The phenomenal success of Netflix’s Squid Game came seemingly out of nowhere, catapulting Hwang and the cast to global stardom and making them the hottest commodity in Hollywood. That created a stampede among the major agencies late last yearto sign Hwang and the actors, the vast majority of whom have no Hollywood representation. The courtship got underway when cast and creators came to Hollywood for a big press junket Netflix held. Several...
Partners Kevin Yorn, Gregg Gellman and Jared Levine will lead that rep team.
The phenomenal success of Netflix’s Squid Game came seemingly out of nowhere, catapulting Hwang and the cast to global stardom and making them the hottest commodity in Hollywood. That created a stampede among the major agencies late last yearto sign Hwang and the actors, the vast majority of whom have no Hollywood representation. The courtship got underway when cast and creators came to Hollywood for a big press junket Netflix held. Several...
- 1/4/2022
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Kevin Yorn’s law firm Yorn, Levine, Barnes, Krintzman, Rubenstein, Kohner, Endlich & Gellman has promoted Ashley Briskman, Cary Dobkin, Kristi Eddington and Miles Metcoff to partner positions.
“Congratulations to Ashley, Cary, Kristi and Miles,” Yorn said. “We are excited to add these talented, homegrown attorneys to the leadership team. One core tenant of our firm has always been to complement external recruiting with a commitment to elevating exceptional attorneys from within our own ranks. We believe this ethos is essential for building a strong, effective culture that best positions us to serve our incredible clients.”
Yorn Levine Barnes is a leading entertainment law firm with offices in Los Angeles and New York which reps industry talent and companies. The firm’s clients include Kenya Barris, Loren Bouchard, Gisele Bunchen, Ellen DeGeneres, the Duffer Brothers, Scarlett Johansson, Mike Judge, Alicia Keys, Matthew McConaughey, NASCAR, Jordan Peele, Zoe Saldana and Jason Sudeikis.
“Congratulations to Ashley, Cary, Kristi and Miles,” Yorn said. “We are excited to add these talented, homegrown attorneys to the leadership team. One core tenant of our firm has always been to complement external recruiting with a commitment to elevating exceptional attorneys from within our own ranks. We believe this ethos is essential for building a strong, effective culture that best positions us to serve our incredible clients.”
Yorn Levine Barnes is a leading entertainment law firm with offices in Los Angeles and New York which reps industry talent and companies. The firm’s clients include Kenya Barris, Loren Bouchard, Gisele Bunchen, Ellen DeGeneres, the Duffer Brothers, Scarlett Johansson, Mike Judge, Alicia Keys, Matthew McConaughey, NASCAR, Jordan Peele, Zoe Saldana and Jason Sudeikis.
- 11/18/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Molten, an enterprise cloud startup aiming to deliver a comprehensive set of insights for clients across several parts of the evolving streaming marketplace, has raised $7 million in seed funding.
Initial backers of the company include actor, producer and entrepreneur Ashton Kutcher, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, and CAA co-founder Michael Ovitz.
Arjun Mendhi, CEO and founder of Molten, developed the company after a stint as an engineer and product exec. His vision was to create a tool optimized for the streaming era that could combine information about licensing, distribution and accounting. Existing solutions have tended to treat each of those business lines separately. That, Molten believes, has led to fragmentation of operations, in turn limiting the ability of companies to scale and subjecting them to higher costs and legal risk.
Since Molten launched in beta in late 2019, it says it has attracted customers from six continents. Today, the company says it...
Initial backers of the company include actor, producer and entrepreneur Ashton Kutcher, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, and CAA co-founder Michael Ovitz.
Arjun Mendhi, CEO and founder of Molten, developed the company after a stint as an engineer and product exec. His vision was to create a tool optimized for the streaming era that could combine information about licensing, distribution and accounting. Existing solutions have tended to treat each of those business lines separately. That, Molten believes, has led to fragmentation of operations, in turn limiting the ability of companies to scale and subjecting them to higher costs and legal risk.
Since Molten launched in beta in late 2019, it says it has attracted customers from six continents. Today, the company says it...
- 10/21/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Investment
Ex-Skyscanner CEO Gareth Williams, former Xix Entertainment president James Clayton, Hollywood entertainment lawyer Kevin Yorn and multi F1 Grand Prix-winning motor racing driver Mark Webber are among an eclectic group of investors who have together invested £2 million ($2.7 million) in U.K. production and distribution company Noah Media Group.
Noah’s credits include Grierson award-nominated “Finding Jack Charlton” and Cannes selection “Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans” and the outfit has coming up “Arsène Wenger: Invincible,” a documentary on the soccer manager who changed the landscape of the English Premier League, which will debut on Canal Plus in France and a major streaming platform in the U.K. in 2022.
The funding raised will support the company’s growing ambitions in the filmed content space, under the founding team of chair Barry Smith, CEO and producer John McKenna and film and television directors Gabriel Clarke and Torquil Jones. It will also drive Noah’s self-distributing ambitions.
Ex-Skyscanner CEO Gareth Williams, former Xix Entertainment president James Clayton, Hollywood entertainment lawyer Kevin Yorn and multi F1 Grand Prix-winning motor racing driver Mark Webber are among an eclectic group of investors who have together invested £2 million ($2.7 million) in U.K. production and distribution company Noah Media Group.
Noah’s credits include Grierson award-nominated “Finding Jack Charlton” and Cannes selection “Steve McQueen: The Man & Le Mans” and the outfit has coming up “Arsène Wenger: Invincible,” a documentary on the soccer manager who changed the landscape of the English Premier League, which will debut on Canal Plus in France and a major streaming platform in the U.K. in 2022.
The funding raised will support the company’s growing ambitions in the filmed content space, under the founding team of chair Barry Smith, CEO and producer John McKenna and film and television directors Gabriel Clarke and Torquil Jones. It will also drive Noah’s self-distributing ambitions.
- 10/8/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Finding Jack Charlton producer Noah Media Group has raised $2.7m from private investors including former Xix Entertainment president James Clayton, Hollywood entertainment lawyer Kevin Yorn and former Wired editor David Rowan.
The global documentary producer will use the money to self-finance and distribute more of its productions via distribution arm NoahX along with building an ‘evaluation engine’ to decide on future projects.
The company was launched six years ago by chairman Barry Smith, CEO John McKenna and film and TV directors Gabriel Clarke and Torquil Jones.
The move is the next phase in Noah’s investment plans and also includes backers such as former Skyscanner CEO Gareth Williams and F1 Grand Prix winning motor racing driver Mark Webber.
Smith said: “This injection of investment will go directly into advancing and improving our evaluation processes, leading to better production and distribution decisions.”
The company is shortly to see documentary series Arsène...
The global documentary producer will use the money to self-finance and distribute more of its productions via distribution arm NoahX along with building an ‘evaluation engine’ to decide on future projects.
The company was launched six years ago by chairman Barry Smith, CEO John McKenna and film and TV directors Gabriel Clarke and Torquil Jones.
The move is the next phase in Noah’s investment plans and also includes backers such as former Skyscanner CEO Gareth Williams and F1 Grand Prix winning motor racing driver Mark Webber.
Smith said: “This injection of investment will go directly into advancing and improving our evaluation processes, leading to better production and distribution decisions.”
The company is shortly to see documentary series Arsène...
- 10/8/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
20 years after making audiences laugh with his Scary Movie franchise, Marlon Wayans is making a return to his everyone’s favorite frightening holiday as sources say he is set to star and produce and untitled Halloween pic for Netflix. The adventure-comedy will be directed by Jeff Wadlow with Rob Rugan, Todd Berger, John R. Morey penning the script.
Wayans will produce along with Rick Alvarez for Ugly Baby Productions. Nathan Reimann will also produce. Wadlow will exec produce.
The story follows a teenage girl, who after accidentally unleashing an ancient and mischievous spirit on Halloween, which causes decorations to come alive and wreak havoc, must team up with the last person she’d want to in order to save their town – her skeptical father (Wayans).
The film continues Netflix’s relationship with Wayans who previously starred in and produced 2019 comedy Sextuplets, where he plays all six main characters, and 2017 groundhog day rom-com Naked.
Wayans will produce along with Rick Alvarez for Ugly Baby Productions. Nathan Reimann will also produce. Wadlow will exec produce.
The story follows a teenage girl, who after accidentally unleashing an ancient and mischievous spirit on Halloween, which causes decorations to come alive and wreak havoc, must team up with the last person she’d want to in order to save their town – her skeptical father (Wayans).
The film continues Netflix’s relationship with Wayans who previously starred in and produced 2019 comedy Sextuplets, where he plays all six main characters, and 2017 groundhog day rom-com Naked.
- 8/23/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Sarah Michelle Gellar has been tapped to headline Hot Pink, a biting coming-of-age comedy for Amazon created by Elisabeth Holm (Obvious Child). With Gellar on board, the YA project has been officially ordered to pilot.
Hot Pink, from Amazon Studios in association with Annapurna Pictures, was loosely inspired by Elana K. Arnold’s National Book Award finalist What Girls Are Made Of.
Series creator Holm is executive producing with director Desiree Akhavan (The Miseducation of Cameron Post) and executive producers Rebecca Green (It Follows), and Sue Naegle and Ali Krug for Annapurna.
If ordered to series, Hot Pink would join Amazon Studios’ growing YA series slate, which includes The Wilds, already renewed for a second season, and the upcoming Panic.
2020-21 Amazon Prime Video Pilots & Series Orders
Published in 2017, Arnold’s What Girls Are Made Of is described as exploring “the real, knotted, messy, thriving heartbeat of young womanhood” through...
Hot Pink, from Amazon Studios in association with Annapurna Pictures, was loosely inspired by Elana K. Arnold’s National Book Award finalist What Girls Are Made Of.
Series creator Holm is executive producing with director Desiree Akhavan (The Miseducation of Cameron Post) and executive producers Rebecca Green (It Follows), and Sue Naegle and Ali Krug for Annapurna.
If ordered to series, Hot Pink would join Amazon Studios’ growing YA series slate, which includes The Wilds, already renewed for a second season, and the upcoming Panic.
2020-21 Amazon Prime Video Pilots & Series Orders
Published in 2017, Arnold’s What Girls Are Made Of is described as exploring “the real, knotted, messy, thriving heartbeat of young womanhood” through...
- 3/31/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Glee alumna Amber Riley is returning to series television as the star of another music-driven broadcast comedy series. Riley is set to headline and co-executive produce Dream, a single-camera comedy in development at NBC from writer-producer Lisa Muse Bryant (Black-ish), producer Neil Meron and Universal TV where Meron is based.
This marks a reunion for Riley and Meron. The actress and Grammy-nominated singer starred in The Wiz Live!, Meron and his late producing partner Craig Zadan’s highly-rated live musical on NBC.
Written by Bryant, in Dream, when her son graduates from college, former teen mom Dream Morgan (Riley) turns her life upside down to pursue her dream of becoming a singer.
Bryant serves as showrunner and executive produces with Meron and his producing partner Mark Nicholson. Riley co-executive produces.
Since the end of Glee, Riley also appeared in the Tyler Perry feature Nobody’s Fool opposite Tiffany Haddish...
This marks a reunion for Riley and Meron. The actress and Grammy-nominated singer starred in The Wiz Live!, Meron and his late producing partner Craig Zadan’s highly-rated live musical on NBC.
Written by Bryant, in Dream, when her son graduates from college, former teen mom Dream Morgan (Riley) turns her life upside down to pursue her dream of becoming a singer.
Bryant serves as showrunner and executive produces with Meron and his producing partner Mark Nicholson. Riley co-executive produces.
Since the end of Glee, Riley also appeared in the Tyler Perry feature Nobody’s Fool opposite Tiffany Haddish...
- 11/24/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Marlon Wayans is getting into business with HBO Max. The actor and comedian has struck an overall deal with the WarnerMedia streaming service and has set a number of projects.
The digital platform is developing a pilot for Book of Marlon, where he plays a fictionalized version of himself as he attempts to reconcile being a good person and father with being Marlon. Wayans has co-created the show with his long-time producing partner Rick Alvarez and will star. Wayans and Alvarez have written the pilot.
It is the first scripted project that HBO Max and Wayans have identified as part of a first-look deal at his scripted and unscripted projects.
Separately, he will perform a stand-up special for the service as well as host another multi-act special. His own, as-yet-untitled special, will look at his life and will “dig even deeper” than his recent special Woke-ish.
It is the latest stand-up special for the service,...
The digital platform is developing a pilot for Book of Marlon, where he plays a fictionalized version of himself as he attempts to reconcile being a good person and father with being Marlon. Wayans has co-created the show with his long-time producing partner Rick Alvarez and will star. Wayans and Alvarez have written the pilot.
It is the first scripted project that HBO Max and Wayans have identified as part of a first-look deal at his scripted and unscripted projects.
Separately, he will perform a stand-up special for the service as well as host another multi-act special. His own, as-yet-untitled special, will look at his life and will “dig even deeper” than his recent special Woke-ish.
It is the latest stand-up special for the service,...
- 6/25/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
HBO Max has signed an overall deal with Marlon Wayans that will see the comedian and actor star in a semi-autobiographical comedy, “Book of Marlon.”
Additionally, Wayans will produce an hour-long stand-up special and host a “multi-act” special. HBO Max will also have a first look deal at his scripted and unscripted projects.
“Marlon is a ‘triple threat’ with an impressive resume that speaks to his acting talent and comedy prowess” said Suzanna Makkos, executive vice president of original comedy and animation for HBO Max. “We are thrilled to have his unique voice and comedic vision join our growing family of creators.”
Also Read: 'Gone With the Wind' Back on HBO Max With Disclaimer Film Ignores 'Horrors of Slavery'
“Book of Marlon” is co-created with Wayan’s longtime producing partner Rick Alvarez. It stars Wayans as a fictionalized version of himself as he attempts to reconcile being a good person and father with…...
Additionally, Wayans will produce an hour-long stand-up special and host a “multi-act” special. HBO Max will also have a first look deal at his scripted and unscripted projects.
“Marlon is a ‘triple threat’ with an impressive resume that speaks to his acting talent and comedy prowess” said Suzanna Makkos, executive vice president of original comedy and animation for HBO Max. “We are thrilled to have his unique voice and comedic vision join our growing family of creators.”
Also Read: 'Gone With the Wind' Back on HBO Max With Disclaimer Film Ignores 'Horrors of Slavery'
“Book of Marlon” is co-created with Wayan’s longtime producing partner Rick Alvarez. It stars Wayans as a fictionalized version of himself as he attempts to reconcile being a good person and father with…...
- 6/25/2020
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Exclusive: UTA has signed director, producer, writer, advocate and Academy Award-nominated actor Ellen Page for worldwide representation in all areas.
Page was nominated for an Oscar for her role in the Jason Reitman-directed comedy Juno and starred in Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winning film Inception. She recently made her directorial debut alongside co-director Ian Daniel for Netflix’s There’s Something In The Water. The documentary is based on the novel of the same name by Ingrid Walton. The film explores the scourge of environmental racism through the lens of Indigenous and African Nova Scotian women fighting to protect their communities, their land and their futures.
More from DeadlineBig 3 Talent Agencies, Saying There Is "Clear Possibility" Judge May Dismiss WGA's Antitrust Suit, Seek Stay Of Document Discovery - UpdateUTA Signs 'McMillion$' Filmmakers Brian Lazarte & James Lee Hernandez And Their Company Fun Meter ProductionsUTA Makes "Immediate & Painful" Pay Cuts As Coronavirus...
Page was nominated for an Oscar for her role in the Jason Reitman-directed comedy Juno and starred in Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winning film Inception. She recently made her directorial debut alongside co-director Ian Daniel for Netflix’s There’s Something In The Water. The documentary is based on the novel of the same name by Ingrid Walton. The film explores the scourge of environmental racism through the lens of Indigenous and African Nova Scotian women fighting to protect their communities, their land and their futures.
More from DeadlineBig 3 Talent Agencies, Saying There Is "Clear Possibility" Judge May Dismiss WGA's Antitrust Suit, Seek Stay Of Document Discovery - UpdateUTA Signs 'McMillion$' Filmmakers Brian Lazarte & James Lee Hernandez And Their Company Fun Meter ProductionsUTA Makes "Immediate & Painful" Pay Cuts As Coronavirus...
- 4/6/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald and Mary J. Blige have all joined the ensemble cast of MGM’s Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect” starring Jennifer Hudson, the studio announced Friday.
Tituss Burgess, Tate Donovan and Marc Maron are also joining the life story of the queen of soul, as are Broadway stars Saycon Sengbloh, Hailey Kilgore, Heather Headley and newcomer Skye Dakota Turner.
Tony-nominee Liesl Tommy is directing “Respect,” which goes into production on Nov. 1. Tracey Scott Wilson wrote the screenplay. “Respect” will open in theaters on Aug. 14, 2020. Scott Bernstein and Harvey Mason Jr., who has produced music for both Aretha Franklin and Jennifer Hudson, are producing the film.
Also Read: 'Genius': Nat Geo Finds Its Aretha Franklin for Next Season of Historical Anthology
Whitaker, Wayans, McDonald, Sengbloh and Kilgore are all playing members of Franklin’s family. Whitaker will portray Aretha’s father, Reverend Cl Franklin, who...
Tituss Burgess, Tate Donovan and Marc Maron are also joining the life story of the queen of soul, as are Broadway stars Saycon Sengbloh, Hailey Kilgore, Heather Headley and newcomer Skye Dakota Turner.
Tony-nominee Liesl Tommy is directing “Respect,” which goes into production on Nov. 1. Tracey Scott Wilson wrote the screenplay. “Respect” will open in theaters on Aug. 14, 2020. Scott Bernstein and Harvey Mason Jr., who has produced music for both Aretha Franklin and Jennifer Hudson, are producing the film.
Also Read: 'Genius': Nat Geo Finds Its Aretha Franklin for Next Season of Historical Anthology
Whitaker, Wayans, McDonald, Sengbloh and Kilgore are all playing members of Franklin’s family. Whitaker will portray Aretha’s father, Reverend Cl Franklin, who...
- 10/18/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Donal Logue and Kate Walsh have been set to star in Sometime Other Than Now, an indie drama written and being directed by Dylan McCormick. Shooting is underway in East New York on the pic being produced by Monolith Pictures’ Michael Goodin, Riverbend Pictures’ Stan Erdreich and Small Victories Productions’ Jackie Filer.
The plot revolves around Logue’s Sam, who after his motorcycle is damaged in an apparent crash into the ocean becomes stranded in a small New England town, where he finds refuge at a run-down motel looked after by Kate (Walsh), a similarly burnt-out, lost soul. The mystery around Sam’s presence in town unravels when it’s discovered his estranged daughter, Audrey (Trieste Dunn), lives there, and he hasn’t seen her in 25 years.
As he tries to bridge the gap between the little girl he left long ago and the woman who grew up without her father,...
The plot revolves around Logue’s Sam, who after his motorcycle is damaged in an apparent crash into the ocean becomes stranded in a small New England town, where he finds refuge at a run-down motel looked after by Kate (Walsh), a similarly burnt-out, lost soul. The mystery around Sam’s presence in town unravels when it’s discovered his estranged daughter, Audrey (Trieste Dunn), lives there, and he hasn’t seen her in 25 years.
As he tries to bridge the gap between the little girl he left long ago and the woman who grew up without her father,...
- 6/6/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
“Pretty Little Liars” creator I. Marlene King has jumped from Warner Bros. to 20th Century Fox Television with a new multi-year overall deal, the TV studio announced on Monday.
Under the new deal, King will develop, write, produce and direct new projects for network, cable and streaming platforms through her production company, Long Lake Media. She will also remain on as showrunner for Freeform’s recent “Pretty Little Liars” spinoff “The Perfectionists.”
King’s move from her longtime home at Warner Bros. to the newly Disney-owned studio brings her under the same corporate umbrella as her show’s network home, with both 20th Century Fox Television and Freeform now part of the Disney TV portfolio.
Also Read: 'The Perfectionists': I Marlene King on Reviving 'Pretty Little Liars' With a New Generation of Liars -- and Two Returning Favorites
“Terence [Carter, Evp of Development, Comedy and Drama] and I were obsessed with bringing Marlene to...
Under the new deal, King will develop, write, produce and direct new projects for network, cable and streaming platforms through her production company, Long Lake Media. She will also remain on as showrunner for Freeform’s recent “Pretty Little Liars” spinoff “The Perfectionists.”
King’s move from her longtime home at Warner Bros. to the newly Disney-owned studio brings her under the same corporate umbrella as her show’s network home, with both 20th Century Fox Television and Freeform now part of the Disney TV portfolio.
Also Read: 'The Perfectionists': I Marlene King on Reviving 'Pretty Little Liars' With a New Generation of Liars -- and Two Returning Favorites
“Terence [Carter, Evp of Development, Comedy and Drama] and I were obsessed with bringing Marlene to...
- 3/25/2019
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
After a decade at Warner Bros. TV, I. Marlene King, the creative force behind Freeform’s Pretty Little Liars franchise, is moving to 20th Century Fox Television with a multi-year overall deal.
The pact comes less then a week after the official close of the Disney-Fox deal, which made 20th TV and Freeform corporate siblings in a new TV group overseen by Dana Walden.
Under the overall deal, King will develop, write, produce and direct projects for network, cable and streaming platforms through her production company, Long Lake Media. Joining King at 20th TV will be Long Lake Media’s Evp of Development Lauren Wagner.
At 20th TV, King will work with President of Creative Affairs Jonnie Davis and Evp of Development, Comedy and Drama, Terence Carter.
“Terence and I were obsessed with bringing Marlene to 20th because she’s such a special talent– her voice is so...
The pact comes less then a week after the official close of the Disney-Fox deal, which made 20th TV and Freeform corporate siblings in a new TV group overseen by Dana Walden.
Under the overall deal, King will develop, write, produce and direct projects for network, cable and streaming platforms through her production company, Long Lake Media. Joining King at 20th TV will be Long Lake Media’s Evp of Development Lauren Wagner.
At 20th TV, King will work with President of Creative Affairs Jonnie Davis and Evp of Development, Comedy and Drama, Terence Carter.
“Terence and I were obsessed with bringing Marlene to 20th because she’s such a special talent– her voice is so...
- 3/25/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Laura Linney, Hannah Gross, and Terry Chen have joined the cast of Viggo Mortensen’s family drama “Falling.”
The movie will be Mortensen’s directorial debut. He’s also producing, wrote the screenplay, and is playing one of the two leading roles in a story about a son’s relationship with his aging father. Production is currently underway in Toronto. It will also shoot in Los Angeles.
Mortensen will portray a man who lives with his male partner, played by Chen, and their adopted daughter in Southern California. Linney will play his sister and Gross will portray his mother. Lance Henriksen will play the father, a farmer whose attitudes and behavior belong to a far more traditional era and family model. He travels to Los Angeles for an indefinite stay with his family as he deals with memory loss.
“Falling” is produced by Daniel Bekerman of Scythia Films and Chris Curling...
The movie will be Mortensen’s directorial debut. He’s also producing, wrote the screenplay, and is playing one of the two leading roles in a story about a son’s relationship with his aging father. Production is currently underway in Toronto. It will also shoot in Los Angeles.
Mortensen will portray a man who lives with his male partner, played by Chen, and their adopted daughter in Southern California. Linney will play his sister and Gross will portray his mother. Lance Henriksen will play the father, a farmer whose attitudes and behavior belong to a far more traditional era and family model. He travels to Los Angeles for an indefinite stay with his family as he deals with memory loss.
“Falling” is produced by Daniel Bekerman of Scythia Films and Chris Curling...
- 3/21/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Three-time Oscar nominee Laura Linney (Kinsey), Hannah Gross (Mindhunter), and Terry Chen (House Of Cards) have joined the cast of Viggo Mortensen’s directorial debut Falling, which is now underway in Toronto.
Green Book star Mortensen wrote the script and leads cast alongside previously announced Lance Henriksen (Aliens) and Sverrir Gudnason (The Girl In The Spider’s Web). The Captain Fantastic and Eastern Promises star will play John Peterson, a gay man whose conservative father moves from his rural farm to live with his son’s family in Los Angeles.
Ozark and Tales Of The City star Linney will play Peterson’s sister, Gross has been cast as his mother and Chen will play his partner. Henriksen plays the father.
Producers are Daniel Bekerman (The Witch) of Scythia Films and Chris Curling (The Bookshop) of Zephyr Films together with Mortensen, who previously produced Everyone Has A Plan, Far From Men...
Green Book star Mortensen wrote the script and leads cast alongside previously announced Lance Henriksen (Aliens) and Sverrir Gudnason (The Girl In The Spider’s Web). The Captain Fantastic and Eastern Promises star will play John Peterson, a gay man whose conservative father moves from his rural farm to live with his son’s family in Los Angeles.
Ozark and Tales Of The City star Linney will play Peterson’s sister, Gross has been cast as his mother and Chen will play his partner. Henriksen plays the father.
Producers are Daniel Bekerman (The Witch) of Scythia Films and Chris Curling (The Bookshop) of Zephyr Films together with Mortensen, who previously produced Everyone Has A Plan, Far From Men...
- 3/21/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Former Hart of Dixie star Rachel Bilson is set as the female lead in Fox’s untitled hourlong dramedy pilot, tentatively titled Lovestruck. The project, inspired by the French series Quadras, comes from Endemol Shine North America and 20th Century Fox TV.
This marks Bilson’s return to Fox, where she got her break as one of the young stars of teen drama series The O.C. from 2003-07.
Written by Kapinos and directed by Sanaa Hamri, Lovestruck is described as a structurally inventive dramedy in which the entire first season takes place over the course of single night at a wedding. As we get to know the wedding party, we’ll learn surprising reveals about both their present and past. We’ll see that things aren’t always what they seem and explore the complicated bonds of love, friendship...
This marks Bilson’s return to Fox, where she got her break as one of the young stars of teen drama series The O.C. from 2003-07.
Written by Kapinos and directed by Sanaa Hamri, Lovestruck is described as a structurally inventive dramedy in which the entire first season takes place over the course of single night at a wedding. As we get to know the wedding party, we’ll learn surprising reveals about both their present and past. We’ll see that things aren’t always what they seem and explore the complicated bonds of love, friendship...
- 3/18/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
CORRECTED 4:11 p.m. PT Feb. 12
Dominic Monaghan has landed the lead role in Edna McCallion's psychological thriller "Pet" for MGM.
Monaghan will play Seth, a man who bumps into his old high school crush and quickly becomes obsessed with her. He takes her captive underneath the animal shelter where he works but soon suspects that his old flame is not who she seems to be.
Monaghan appeared on last week's Season 4 premiere of ABC's "Lost" and will star with Ron Perlman in Glenn McQuaid's period zombie flick "I Sell the Dead" for Glass Eye Pix.
"Pet", set to begin shooting in the next few months, is produced by Aaron Kaplan, Sean Perrone, Steven Schneider and Dan Katzman. MGM's Jason Weiss and Alex Ankeles will oversee production for the studio.
Monaghan ("Lord of the Rings") is repped by APA and attorney Kevin Yorn at Morris Yorn Barnes & Levine.
Gregg Goldstein reported from New York; Carly Mayberry reported from Los Angeles....
Dominic Monaghan has landed the lead role in Edna McCallion's psychological thriller "Pet" for MGM.
Monaghan will play Seth, a man who bumps into his old high school crush and quickly becomes obsessed with her. He takes her captive underneath the animal shelter where he works but soon suspects that his old flame is not who she seems to be.
Monaghan appeared on last week's Season 4 premiere of ABC's "Lost" and will star with Ron Perlman in Glenn McQuaid's period zombie flick "I Sell the Dead" for Glass Eye Pix.
"Pet", set to begin shooting in the next few months, is produced by Aaron Kaplan, Sean Perrone, Steven Schneider and Dan Katzman. MGM's Jason Weiss and Alex Ankeles will oversee production for the studio.
Monaghan ("Lord of the Rings") is repped by APA and attorney Kevin Yorn at Morris Yorn Barnes & Levine.
Gregg Goldstein reported from New York; Carly Mayberry reported from Los Angeles....
Famke Janssen has signed on to topline NBC's cop drama from House creator/executive producer David Shore.
The untitled NBC Universal TV Studio project, from Shore and House writer Peter Blake, is a light drama with procedural elements that centers on a female cop (Janssen).
"We're thrilled to have her -- she's smart, funny and somewhat attractive," Shore quipped.
Last year, Janssen starred in the summer blockbuster X-Men: The Last Stand, reprising her role as Jean Grey/Phoenix, a part she has played in all three X-Men movies. She most recently wrapped the indies The Ten, which premiered this month at the Sundance Film Festival, and Turn the River.
On TV, Janssen had a role on FX's hit drama Nip/Tuck.
Janssen, whose feature credits also include Don't Say a Word and Hide and Seek, is repped by CAA, manager Emily Gerson Saines of Brookside Artist and attorney Kevin Yorn.
In other pilot news:
* Rocky Carroll is set to co-star in NBC's comedy pilot The IT Crowd. The NBC Uni TV/FremantleMedia North America project centers on three misfits.
The untitled NBC Universal TV Studio project, from Shore and House writer Peter Blake, is a light drama with procedural elements that centers on a female cop (Janssen).
"We're thrilled to have her -- she's smart, funny and somewhat attractive," Shore quipped.
Last year, Janssen starred in the summer blockbuster X-Men: The Last Stand, reprising her role as Jean Grey/Phoenix, a part she has played in all three X-Men movies. She most recently wrapped the indies The Ten, which premiered this month at the Sundance Film Festival, and Turn the River.
On TV, Janssen had a role on FX's hit drama Nip/Tuck.
Janssen, whose feature credits also include Don't Say a Word and Hide and Seek, is repped by CAA, manager Emily Gerson Saines of Brookside Artist and attorney Kevin Yorn.
In other pilot news:
* Rocky Carroll is set to co-star in NBC's comedy pilot The IT Crowd. The NBC Uni TV/FremantleMedia North America project centers on three misfits.
- 1/30/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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