Exclusive: Bert, the buzzy, BAFTA-winning director behind shows like Silo and Hawkeye, has signed with Range Media Partners for management. The filmmaker born Amber Templemore is met there by Bertie (aka Katie Ellwood), the other half of her powerhouse partnership Bert & Bertie, who came over to the company in May.
“Amber has built a beautiful career delivering at the highest level across genres in film and TV. Her leap from independent comedic films to big budget, world building series is a testament to her incredible ability,” said Range Managing Partner, Rich Cook. “We’re so thrilled to help build out this next chapter and beyond in partnership with Verve.”
After directing two Season 1 episodes of Apple TV+’s acclaimed sci-fi thriller series Silo starring Rebecca Ferguson, and seeing it break out as the platform’s #1 drama series, Templemore was asked back to helm four episodes for the forthcoming Season 2, including the finale,...
“Amber has built a beautiful career delivering at the highest level across genres in film and TV. Her leap from independent comedic films to big budget, world building series is a testament to her incredible ability,” said Range Managing Partner, Rich Cook. “We’re so thrilled to help build out this next chapter and beyond in partnership with Verve.”
After directing two Season 1 episodes of Apple TV+’s acclaimed sci-fi thriller series Silo starring Rebecca Ferguson, and seeing it break out as the platform’s #1 drama series, Templemore was asked back to helm four episodes for the forthcoming Season 2, including the finale,...
- 8/16/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Following a competitive auction, Sony Pictures has landed rights to an adaptation of The Registration by Madison Lawson, with Sydney Sweeney and Brad Fuller producing and Sweeney attached to star. The Night House writers Ben Collins and Luke Piortrowski are adapting the script. Sweeney will produce through her Fifty-Fifty Films while Fuller will produce through his Fuller Media Brand.
Lawson’s novel will be published September 27 by CamCat Publishing with plot details being kept under wraps.
Sweeney has quickly become one of the more sought after young stars following her breakout roles in the first season of HBO’s The White Lotus and the second season of Euphoria, both of which earned her Emmy nominations. Since then, every studio has been lining up to work with her starting with Sony, which was quick to give her a co-starring role in the Marvel pic Madame Web opposite Dakota Johnson. She...
Lawson’s novel will be published September 27 by CamCat Publishing with plot details being kept under wraps.
Sweeney has quickly become one of the more sought after young stars following her breakout roles in the first season of HBO’s The White Lotus and the second season of Euphoria, both of which earned her Emmy nominations. Since then, every studio has been lining up to work with her starting with Sony, which was quick to give her a co-starring role in the Marvel pic Madame Web opposite Dakota Johnson. She...
- 8/29/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
The climate change anthology series “Extrapolations” at Apple has added eight new cast members, Variety has learned exclusively.
Murray Bartlett (“The White Lotus”), Yara Shahidi, Diane Lane, Heather Graham, Grammy Award-winner Ben Harper, Judd Hirsch, Hari Nef, and Neska Rose (“Drama Club”) have all joined the series. This is the second Apple series role announced for Bartlett in recent days, as Variety exclusively reported he would also star in “Physical” Season 2.
They join previously announced cast members Meryl Streep, Matthew Rhys, Marion Cotillard, Eiza Gonzalez, Tobey Maguire, Forest Whitaker, Edward Norton, Kit Harrington, Sienna Miller, Gemma Chan, Tahar Rahim, Daveed Diggs, David Schwimmer, Adarsh Gourav, Indira Varma, Keri Russell, Cherry Jones, and Michael Gandolfini.
The eight-episode series, which is currently in production, will tell eight interconnected stories that will track the worldwide battle for our mutual survival spanning the 21st century and how changes to our planet will affect love,...
Murray Bartlett (“The White Lotus”), Yara Shahidi, Diane Lane, Heather Graham, Grammy Award-winner Ben Harper, Judd Hirsch, Hari Nef, and Neska Rose (“Drama Club”) have all joined the series. This is the second Apple series role announced for Bartlett in recent days, as Variety exclusively reported he would also star in “Physical” Season 2.
They join previously announced cast members Meryl Streep, Matthew Rhys, Marion Cotillard, Eiza Gonzalez, Tobey Maguire, Forest Whitaker, Edward Norton, Kit Harrington, Sienna Miller, Gemma Chan, Tahar Rahim, Daveed Diggs, David Schwimmer, Adarsh Gourav, Indira Varma, Keri Russell, Cherry Jones, and Michael Gandolfini.
The eight-episode series, which is currently in production, will tell eight interconnected stories that will track the worldwide battle for our mutual survival spanning the 21st century and how changes to our planet will affect love,...
- 1/28/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Queen of the South co-producer and Queen Sugar producer Tina Mabry has signed on to direct and co-write Pretty Big at Warner Bros. and HBO Max, a project which Mike Jackson of Get Lifted Film Co., Poppy Hanks and Jelani Johnson of Macro and Kristina Sorensen will produce.
Pretty Big is based on the true life story of Akira Armstrong and the origin of her Pretty Big Movement dance company. In the movie, a young plus-sized woman takes matters into her own hands when she keeps getting rejected from dance companies, despite her obvious talent. When she starts her own company for bodies of all shapes, sizes, and colors, she sets out to win a prestigious competition and prove to the dance community that anyone can dance at an elite level. This was a competitive package bid on by several studios. Dan Steele is co-writing.
EPs...
Pretty Big is based on the true life story of Akira Armstrong and the origin of her Pretty Big Movement dance company. In the movie, a young plus-sized woman takes matters into her own hands when she keeps getting rejected from dance companies, despite her obvious talent. When she starts her own company for bodies of all shapes, sizes, and colors, she sets out to win a prestigious competition and prove to the dance community that anyone can dance at an elite level. This was a competitive package bid on by several studios. Dan Steele is co-writing.
EPs...
- 1/19/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Akira Armstrong’s Pretty Big Movement dance company set out to destroy stereotypes in the dance world — and now that story is getting the Hollywood treatment in a new film.
Set at Warner Bros. for HBO Max, “Pretty Big” is based on the true life story and the origin of Armstrong’s dance company, which is inclusive of bodies of all shapes, sizes and colors. Tina Mabry has signed on to direct the project, co-writing the screenplay with Dan Steele.
The movie follows Armstrong, a young, plus-sized woman who takes matters into her own hands after being rejected from other dance companies, despite her obvious talent. After starting her own company, she sets out to win a prestigious competition and prove to the dance community that anyone can dance at an elite level.
Warner Bros. nabbed the competitive package, bid on by multiple studios, for HBO Max. Get Lifted Film Co.
Set at Warner Bros. for HBO Max, “Pretty Big” is based on the true life story and the origin of Armstrong’s dance company, which is inclusive of bodies of all shapes, sizes and colors. Tina Mabry has signed on to direct the project, co-writing the screenplay with Dan Steele.
The movie follows Armstrong, a young, plus-sized woman who takes matters into her own hands after being rejected from other dance companies, despite her obvious talent. After starting her own company, she sets out to win a prestigious competition and prove to the dance community that anyone can dance at an elite level.
Warner Bros. nabbed the competitive package, bid on by multiple studios, for HBO Max. Get Lifted Film Co.
- 1/19/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
ABC has put the drama “No Good Deed” into development, Variety has learned.
The project has received a script commitment with a penalty attached at the network. Jeannine Renshaw will write and executive produce. Nzingha Stewart will direct and executive produce. “This Is Us” star Justin Hartley will also executive produce under his ChangeUp Productions banner along with ChangeUp’s Julianna Larosa, the company’s head of development. 20th Television, where Hartley is under an overall deal, will produce.
“No Good Deed” follows a warm-hearted botany professor with a dark secret who welcomes a troubled student into her home. But then the seeming victim turns out to be a deadly parasite who uses her wiles and charms on vulnerable friends and family, unearthing secrets in this small mountain town, and destroying lives in order to cement her own twisted bond with her professor.
Renshaw most recently worked as a writer...
The project has received a script commitment with a penalty attached at the network. Jeannine Renshaw will write and executive produce. Nzingha Stewart will direct and executive produce. “This Is Us” star Justin Hartley will also executive produce under his ChangeUp Productions banner along with ChangeUp’s Julianna Larosa, the company’s head of development. 20th Television, where Hartley is under an overall deal, will produce.
“No Good Deed” follows a warm-hearted botany professor with a dark secret who welcomes a troubled student into her home. But then the seeming victim turns out to be a deadly parasite who uses her wiles and charms on vulnerable friends and family, unearthing secrets in this small mountain town, and destroying lives in order to cement her own twisted bond with her professor.
Renshaw most recently worked as a writer...
- 11/3/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
ABC has given a script commitment with penalty to No Good Deed, a drama from writer Jeannine Renshaw, Nzingha Stewart (From Scratch), Justin Hartley (This Is Us) and his ChangeUp Productions and 20th Television, where Hartley is under a pod deal.
Written by Renshaw and directed by Stewart, No Good Deed follows a warm-hearted botany professor with a dark secret who welcomes a troubled student into her home, only the seeming victim turns out to be a deadly parasite who uses her wiles and charms on vulnerable friends and family, unearthing secrets in this small mountain town, and destroying lives in order to cement her own twisted bond with her professor.
Renshaw and Stewart executive produce with Hartley via his ChangeUp Productions. ChangeUp Head of Development Julianna Larosa serves as producer. 20th Television is the studio.
Renshaw most recently served as co-executive producer on Manifest,...
Written by Renshaw and directed by Stewart, No Good Deed follows a warm-hearted botany professor with a dark secret who welcomes a troubled student into her home, only the seeming victim turns out to be a deadly parasite who uses her wiles and charms on vulnerable friends and family, unearthing secrets in this small mountain town, and destroying lives in order to cement her own twisted bond with her professor.
Renshaw and Stewart executive produce with Hartley via his ChangeUp Productions. ChangeUp Head of Development Julianna Larosa serves as producer. 20th Television is the studio.
Renshaw most recently served as co-executive producer on Manifest,...
- 11/3/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Melissa Fumero (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), Rachel Bloom (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), Luka Jones (Shrill), and Julian Gant (Call Me Kat) will star in Bar Fight, a comedy from writer/director Jim Mahoney (Klaus), which wrapped production this week in Los Angeles.
Bar Fight follows exes Nina (Fumero) and Allen (Jones), who split everything in their lives 50/50 after their break-up to avoid any drama—everything, that is, except for their favorite local bar. Nina and Allen must compete in a ridiculous, tavern-style custody battle for their prized watering hole, in which lines will be drawn, sides will be chosen, and beers will be drunken.
The film is presented by Particular Crowd and Ingenious Media. Sarah Gabriel and Mark Goldberg of Signature Films produced with James Harris and Mark Lane of Tea Shop Productions. Particular Crowd’s Tomás Yankelevich, Peter Bevan, and Mariana Sanjurjo exec produced, alongside Simon Williams and Jamie Jessop of Ingenious Media.
Bar Fight follows exes Nina (Fumero) and Allen (Jones), who split everything in their lives 50/50 after their break-up to avoid any drama—everything, that is, except for their favorite local bar. Nina and Allen must compete in a ridiculous, tavern-style custody battle for their prized watering hole, in which lines will be drawn, sides will be chosen, and beers will be drunken.
The film is presented by Particular Crowd and Ingenious Media. Sarah Gabriel and Mark Goldberg of Signature Films produced with James Harris and Mark Lane of Tea Shop Productions. Particular Crowd’s Tomás Yankelevich, Peter Bevan, and Mariana Sanjurjo exec produced, alongside Simon Williams and Jamie Jessop of Ingenious Media.
- 8/17/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Following the surprise cancellation of Good Girls, NBC is back in business with Good Girls creator/executive producer Jenna Bans on another dark, thriller dramedy about female friends from Universal Television.
NBC is developing Redrum, written, directed and executive produced by Nzingha Stewart based on her original idea, and executive produced by Bans through her production banner, Minnesota Logging Company. Good Girls executive producer Carla Banks-Waddles, who has NBC/Utv drama pilot At That Age, serves as executive producer and showrunner. Minnesota Logging Co.’s Head of Television Casey Kyber executive produces. Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, where Bans and her company are based, is the studio.
The project was sold to NBC before the network’s decision last month to not renew Good Girls for a fifth season.
Redrum is described a sexy, swampy dark dramedy/thriller about two best friends — Jess and Sadie – who...
NBC is developing Redrum, written, directed and executive produced by Nzingha Stewart based on her original idea, and executive produced by Bans through her production banner, Minnesota Logging Company. Good Girls executive producer Carla Banks-Waddles, who has NBC/Utv drama pilot At That Age, serves as executive producer and showrunner. Minnesota Logging Co.’s Head of Television Casey Kyber executive produces. Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, where Bans and her company are based, is the studio.
The project was sold to NBC before the network’s decision last month to not renew Good Girls for a fifth season.
Redrum is described a sexy, swampy dark dramedy/thriller about two best friends — Jess and Sadie – who...
- 7/12/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
“The Summer I Turned Pretty” series at Amazon has cast Lola Tung, Rachel Blanchard, Jackie Chung, and Christopher Briney, Variety has learned.
The series is based on the Jenny Han YA novel of the same name. It is described as a multigenerational drama that hinges on a love triangle between one girl and two brothers, the ever-evolving relationship between mothers and their children, and the enduring power of strong female friendship. It is a coming-of-age story about first love, first heartbreak, and the magic of that one perfect summer.
Tung will star in the lead role of Belly. Belly used to be gawky and awkward, but this summer she turns 16 and she is starting to turn heads-and it’s taking some getting used to. Conrad Fisher (Briney), the boy she’s loved forever, the boy who never even looked in her direction-is paying attention to her. It’s exhilarating to...
The series is based on the Jenny Han YA novel of the same name. It is described as a multigenerational drama that hinges on a love triangle between one girl and two brothers, the ever-evolving relationship between mothers and their children, and the enduring power of strong female friendship. It is a coming-of-age story about first love, first heartbreak, and the magic of that one perfect summer.
Tung will star in the lead role of Belly. Belly used to be gawky and awkward, but this summer she turns 16 and she is starting to turn heads-and it’s taking some getting used to. Conrad Fisher (Briney), the boy she’s loved forever, the boy who never even looked in her direction-is paying attention to her. It’s exhilarating to...
- 4/28/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: In a competitive situation, ABC Signature has acquired the rights to Cole Brown’s critically acclaimed debut book Greyboy: Finding Blackness in a White World, to develop for television. Grown-ish star Yara Shahidi and her business partner and mother Keri Shahidi will develop the series and executive produce via their 7th Sun Productions, as part of their overall deal with the studio, a part of Disney Television Studios. Brown also will serve as an executive producer.
Published in 2020, Greyboy: Finding Blackness in a White World is a first-hand examination of what it means to navigate the in-between.
Per the book’s synopsis: “Cole has heard it all before—token, bougie, oreo—the things we call the kids like him. Black kids who grow up in white spaces, living at an intersection of race and class that many doubt exists. He needed to get far away from the preppy site...
Published in 2020, Greyboy: Finding Blackness in a White World is a first-hand examination of what it means to navigate the in-between.
Per the book’s synopsis: “Cole has heard it all before—token, bougie, oreo—the things we call the kids like him. Black kids who grow up in white spaces, living at an intersection of race and class that many doubt exists. He needed to get far away from the preppy site...
- 4/15/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Nzingha Stewart, who most recently directed the Netflix film Tall Girl, has been tapped to co-write and direct Badass Biker Chicks of Marrakesh, a film that is being developed by Wayfarer Studios and Ethos Entertainment.
Wayfarer Studios optioned the script and will finance the project. Co-written by Lindsay Cohen, the pic is set in the world of Moroccan motorcycle racing. Five Muslim girls break into the thrilling yet male-dominated sport while competing with gender norms, family traditions, and their own paralyzing self-doubt.
Justin Baldoni is producing the film for Wayfarer Studios with Jennifer Gibgot of Ethos Entertainment. Executive Producers are Steve Sarowitz and Andrew Calof of Wayfarer, Ethos’ Andrew Panay, and Stewart.
Stewart is also attached to produce and direct episodes of From Scratch, a new Netflix limited series starring and executive produced by Zoe Saldana. She is repped by A3, Management 360, and attorney Ryan Nord.
Wayfarer Studios optioned the script and will finance the project. Co-written by Lindsay Cohen, the pic is set in the world of Moroccan motorcycle racing. Five Muslim girls break into the thrilling yet male-dominated sport while competing with gender norms, family traditions, and their own paralyzing self-doubt.
Justin Baldoni is producing the film for Wayfarer Studios with Jennifer Gibgot of Ethos Entertainment. Executive Producers are Steve Sarowitz and Andrew Calof of Wayfarer, Ethos’ Andrew Panay, and Stewart.
Stewart is also attached to produce and direct episodes of From Scratch, a new Netflix limited series starring and executive produced by Zoe Saldana. She is repped by A3, Management 360, and attorney Ryan Nord.
- 3/2/2021
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Emmy-nominated writer, producer and director Nzingha Stewart is set to direct five episodes, including the pilot episode, of Netflix limited series From Scratch, starring and executive produced by Zoe Saldana. Based on Tembi Locke’s best-selling memoir, the series is from Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine banner and 3 Arts Entertainment. Stewart will also serve as producing director. Production begins this spring.
From Scratch is a sweeping, autobiographical romance that follows an American woman as she falls in love with a Sicilian man while studying abroad in Italy then builds a life with him in the United States. When she unexpectedly loses him to illness, she is challenged to pull herself through grief so she can raise their daughter as they would have raised her together: with hope, joy, and infinite love.
Locke’s sister Attica Locke, will serve...
From Scratch is a sweeping, autobiographical romance that follows an American woman as she falls in love with a Sicilian man while studying abroad in Italy then builds a life with him in the United States. When she unexpectedly loses him to illness, she is challenged to pull herself through grief so she can raise their daughter as they would have raised her together: with hope, joy, and infinite love.
Locke’s sister Attica Locke, will serve...
- 2/22/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Bcdf Pictures has picked up the rights to Melissa Grey’s Penguin Random House urban fantasy book series The Girl at Midnight, which they have been developing for TV and are now set to take out to buyers.
Chris Hill, recently announced as scribe of runner biopic Tether, is developing the first novel in the series, with Claude Dal Farra and Brian Keady of Bcdf Pictures executive-producing.
New York, Los Angeles and France-based Bcdf has a busy slate of YA and book-to-screen properties and is in post-production on Lucy Hale starrer The Hating Game and Andrea Riseborough-Allison Janney-Marc Maron pic To Leslie, directed by Michael Morris (Bloodline). Nick Robinson and Kiersey Clemons are due to star in The Language of Flowers.
Described by Bcdf as reminiscent of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere, The Girl at Midnight sees a modern NYC girl...
Chris Hill, recently announced as scribe of runner biopic Tether, is developing the first novel in the series, with Claude Dal Farra and Brian Keady of Bcdf Pictures executive-producing.
New York, Los Angeles and France-based Bcdf has a busy slate of YA and book-to-screen properties and is in post-production on Lucy Hale starrer The Hating Game and Andrea Riseborough-Allison Janney-Marc Maron pic To Leslie, directed by Michael Morris (Bloodline). Nick Robinson and Kiersey Clemons are due to star in The Language of Flowers.
Described by Bcdf as reminiscent of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere, The Girl at Midnight sees a modern NYC girl...
- 1/8/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Origin Pictures’ David Thompson, producer of Catherine The Great, The Woman In Gold and Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, is teaming with Sixth Sense Productions’ Richard Harding (The First Grader) on feature sports biopic Tether about celebrated blind athlete Henry Wanyoike.
The film will tell the remarkable story of the promising Kenyan runner who was struck blind after complications from a mild stroke at just 21. Following a painful period, he joined a rehabilitation program, which helped him rekindle his passion for running. Wanyoike would go on to make history as the first African to win a Paralympic gold medal when he won the 5000m at the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney.
The film’s title refers to the process by which a blind runner is connected to a guide by a tether on their wrists, which the guide uses to subtly indicate, without breaking stride, when to turn, accelerate or avoid an obstacle.
The film will tell the remarkable story of the promising Kenyan runner who was struck blind after complications from a mild stroke at just 21. Following a painful period, he joined a rehabilitation program, which helped him rekindle his passion for running. Wanyoike would go on to make history as the first African to win a Paralympic gold medal when he won the 5000m at the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney.
The film’s title refers to the process by which a blind runner is connected to a guide by a tether on their wrists, which the guide uses to subtly indicate, without breaking stride, when to turn, accelerate or avoid an obstacle.
- 11/19/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Disney continues to make strides in diversifying its classic characters and is doing it again as sources tell Deadline that Grown-ish star Yara Shahidi is set to play Tinker Bell in David Lowery’s Peter Pan and Wendy. This would mark the first time a person of color has filled the role that traditionally has featured a white actress and follows in the footsteps after Disney set Halle Bailey to play Ariel in The Little Mermaid.
Shahidi joins Jude Law, who will play Captain Hook, as well as Alexander Molony and Ever Anderson, who will play the title characters. Lowery is on board to direct the project and also co-wrote the script with Toby Halbrooks. Jim Whitaker is producing.
Sources say the release is expected to be theatrical and not go the Disney+ streaming route.
Disney’s 1953 animated classic is still the most successful adaptation of the J.M. Barrie novel about Peter Pan,...
Shahidi joins Jude Law, who will play Captain Hook, as well as Alexander Molony and Ever Anderson, who will play the title characters. Lowery is on board to direct the project and also co-wrote the script with Toby Halbrooks. Jim Whitaker is producing.
Sources say the release is expected to be theatrical and not go the Disney+ streaming route.
Disney’s 1953 animated classic is still the most successful adaptation of the J.M. Barrie novel about Peter Pan,...
- 9/25/2020
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Norwegian filmmaker Eva Sorhaug (90 Minutes) has been set to direct feature thriller Edge Of Normal, based on the novel by Carla Norton.
XYZ Films (Mandy) is set to produce alongside Industry Entertainment (Messiah), with XYZ also handling world sales. The film will be produced in association with Bold Films (Whiplash), which made a splash this week with Netflix acquisition The Guilty. The book has been adapted by Matt Venne and Lori Evans Taylor.
The film follows a woman named Reeve LeClaire who has managed to piece together a normal life as an adult, but remains haunted by memories of being held captive by a sadistic man in her teens. When her psychiatrist asks Reeve to mentor another young survivor, she finds herself in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with a more powerful force.
Sorhaug’s 2012 feature drama 90 Minutes debuted at the Toronto Film Festival. Her TV credits as director include Netflix series Occupied,...
XYZ Films (Mandy) is set to produce alongside Industry Entertainment (Messiah), with XYZ also handling world sales. The film will be produced in association with Bold Films (Whiplash), which made a splash this week with Netflix acquisition The Guilty. The book has been adapted by Matt Venne and Lori Evans Taylor.
The film follows a woman named Reeve LeClaire who has managed to piece together a normal life as an adult, but remains haunted by memories of being held captive by a sadistic man in her teens. When her psychiatrist asks Reeve to mentor another young survivor, she finds herself in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with a more powerful force.
Sorhaug’s 2012 feature drama 90 Minutes debuted at the Toronto Film Festival. Her TV credits as director include Netflix series Occupied,...
- 9/25/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Robert Horn, the Tony Award-winning book writer of the Broadway musical Tootsie, has signed with Verve for representation in all areas.
Horn, who began his career as a writer for TV’s Designing Women and Living Single before going on to create CBS’ High Society and FX’s Partners, currently is writing the stage musical adaptation of Hercules for Disney Theatricals, and the film adaptation of 13: The Musical for Netflix.
And last November, Deadline reported that Horn and and Tootsie director Scott Ellis were collaborating on a Fox multi-camera comedy project called Football Book Club inspired by the experiences of former New England Patriots wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell. The Mitchell-inspired character is a pro wide received sidelined by injury who joins an all-female Southern book club.
Read Deadline’s Broadway review of Tootsie here.
Also coming up for Horn is an original musical comedy featuring music and lyrics...
Horn, who began his career as a writer for TV’s Designing Women and Living Single before going on to create CBS’ High Society and FX’s Partners, currently is writing the stage musical adaptation of Hercules for Disney Theatricals, and the film adaptation of 13: The Musical for Netflix.
And last November, Deadline reported that Horn and and Tootsie director Scott Ellis were collaborating on a Fox multi-camera comedy project called Football Book Club inspired by the experiences of former New England Patriots wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell. The Mitchell-inspired character is a pro wide received sidelined by injury who joins an all-female Southern book club.
Read Deadline’s Broadway review of Tootsie here.
Also coming up for Horn is an original musical comedy featuring music and lyrics...
- 9/23/2020
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
HBO has added nine more actors and actresses to the cast of the adaptation of Ta-Nehisi Coates’ “Between the World and Me.”
Additional cast will include: Jharrel Jerome, Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Janet Mock, Jason Moran, Wendell Pierce, Mj Rodriguez, Kendrick Sampson, Yara Shahidi and Michelle Wilson. They join previously announced cast members Angela Bassett, Alicia Garza, Joe Morton, Phylicia Rashad, Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, Courtney B. Vance, Pauletta Washington, Susan Kelechi Watson, and Oprah Winfrey.
Originally adapted and staged by the Apollo Theater in 2018, the special will combine elements of that production, including readings from Coates’ book, and will once again be directed by Apollo Theater executive producer Kamilah Forbes. It will also incorporate documentary footage from the actors’ home life, archival footage, and animation. The special, which is currently in production under Covid-19 guidelines, debuts this fall on HBO and will also be available to stream on HBO Max.
Additional cast will include: Jharrel Jerome, Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Janet Mock, Jason Moran, Wendell Pierce, Mj Rodriguez, Kendrick Sampson, Yara Shahidi and Michelle Wilson. They join previously announced cast members Angela Bassett, Alicia Garza, Joe Morton, Phylicia Rashad, Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, Courtney B. Vance, Pauletta Washington, Susan Kelechi Watson, and Oprah Winfrey.
Originally adapted and staged by the Apollo Theater in 2018, the special will combine elements of that production, including readings from Coates’ book, and will once again be directed by Apollo Theater executive producer Kamilah Forbes. It will also incorporate documentary footage from the actors’ home life, archival footage, and animation. The special, which is currently in production under Covid-19 guidelines, debuts this fall on HBO and will also be available to stream on HBO Max.
- 8/26/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Jharrel Jerome (When They See Us), Marc Bamuthi Joseph (We Shall Not Be Moved), Janet Mock (Pose), jazz pianist/composer Jason Moran, Wendell Pierce (Jack Ryan), Mj Rodriguez, Kendrick Sampson (Insecure), Yara Shahidi and Michelle Wilson (Sweat) have joined the cast of Between the World and Me, HBO’s adaptation of the stage show based on Ta-Nehisi Coates’ New York Times bestseller.
They join previously announced cast members Angela Bassett, Alicia Garza, Joe Morton, Phylicia Rashad, Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, Courtney B. Vance, Pauletta Washington, Susan Kelechi Watson and Oprah Winfrey.
Originally adapted and staged by the Apollo Theater in 2018, the special will combine elements of that production, including readings from Coates’ book, and will again be directed by award-winning director and Apollo Theater executive poducer Kamilah Forbes. It will also incorporate documentary footage from the actors’ home life, archival footage and animation.
The book, first published in 2015 by One World,...
They join previously announced cast members Angela Bassett, Alicia Garza, Joe Morton, Phylicia Rashad, Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, Courtney B. Vance, Pauletta Washington, Susan Kelechi Watson and Oprah Winfrey.
Originally adapted and staged by the Apollo Theater in 2018, the special will combine elements of that production, including readings from Coates’ book, and will again be directed by award-winning director and Apollo Theater executive poducer Kamilah Forbes. It will also incorporate documentary footage from the actors’ home life, archival footage and animation.
The book, first published in 2015 by One World,...
- 8/26/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Grown-ish star Yara Shahidi is expanding her relationship with ABC Studios. Shahidi and her business partner and mother, Keri Shahidi, have signed an exclusive overall deal with the studio behind the hit series to develop and produce scripted and alternative television projects for cable, streaming and broadcast via their newly launched production company 7th Sun. The company will be based at ABC Studios, a part of Disney Television Studios.
“I’m thrilled to be partnering with my home family, ABC Studios, in this exciting next chapter, alongside my family,” said Shahidi. “It’s exciting to add our production company to the roster of my peers and mentors who are also actively committed to sharing meaningful stories.”
Inspired to continue elevating underrepresented voices, 7th Sun’s mission is “to pursue projects that touch upon themes of history, heritage, culture, and joy.” The Shahidis have brought on veteran executive Lajoie St. George...
“I’m thrilled to be partnering with my home family, ABC Studios, in this exciting next chapter, alongside my family,” said Shahidi. “It’s exciting to add our production company to the roster of my peers and mentors who are also actively committed to sharing meaningful stories.”
Inspired to continue elevating underrepresented voices, 7th Sun’s mission is “to pursue projects that touch upon themes of history, heritage, culture, and joy.” The Shahidis have brought on veteran executive Lajoie St. George...
- 7/20/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
ABC Studios has signed an overall deal with “grown-ish” star and executive producer Yara Shahidi.
Yara will launch an ABC Studios-based production company, 7th Sun, with her mother and business partner, Keri. The two will work on developing and producing scripted and alternative television projects for cable, streaming and broadcast.
The Shahidis have brought on Lajoie St. George to lead development for 7th Sun. St. George was most recently manager of scripted programming for NBCUniversal international.
Also Read: LeBron James Signs 2-Year Scripted Overall Deal With ABC Studios
“I’m thrilled to be partnering with my home family, ABC Studios, in this exciting next chapter, alongside my family,” said Shahidi. “It’s exciting to add our production company to the roster of my peers and mentors who are also actively committed to sharing meaningful stories.”
Shahidi’s “grown-ish,” a spinoff of ABC’s “black-ish,” was renewed for fourth season in January.
Yara will launch an ABC Studios-based production company, 7th Sun, with her mother and business partner, Keri. The two will work on developing and producing scripted and alternative television projects for cable, streaming and broadcast.
The Shahidis have brought on Lajoie St. George to lead development for 7th Sun. St. George was most recently manager of scripted programming for NBCUniversal international.
Also Read: LeBron James Signs 2-Year Scripted Overall Deal With ABC Studios
“I’m thrilled to be partnering with my home family, ABC Studios, in this exciting next chapter, alongside my family,” said Shahidi. “It’s exciting to add our production company to the roster of my peers and mentors who are also actively committed to sharing meaningful stories.”
Shahidi’s “grown-ish,” a spinoff of ABC’s “black-ish,” was renewed for fourth season in January.
- 7/20/2020
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
“grown-ish” star and executive producer Yara Shahidi has signed an overall deal with ABC Studios.
As part of the deal, Shahidi is forming a production company with her business partner and mother, Keri Shahidi. The company is called 7th Sun. Under the deal, 7th Sun will develop and produce scripted and alternative television projects for cable, streaming and broadcast. The Shahidis have brought on NBCUniversal alum Lajoie St. George to lead development for 7th Sun.
“I’m thrilled to be partnering with my home family, ABC Studios, in this exciting next chapter, alongside my family,” Yara said. “It’s exciting to add our production company to the roster of my peers and mentors who are also actively committed to sharing meaningful stories.”
Shahidi originated the role of Zoey Johnson on the critically-acclaimed ABC comedy series “Black-ish” before going on to star in the spinoff “Grown-ish” at Freeform in 2018.
“We can...
As part of the deal, Shahidi is forming a production company with her business partner and mother, Keri Shahidi. The company is called 7th Sun. Under the deal, 7th Sun will develop and produce scripted and alternative television projects for cable, streaming and broadcast. The Shahidis have brought on NBCUniversal alum Lajoie St. George to lead development for 7th Sun.
“I’m thrilled to be partnering with my home family, ABC Studios, in this exciting next chapter, alongside my family,” Yara said. “It’s exciting to add our production company to the roster of my peers and mentors who are also actively committed to sharing meaningful stories.”
Shahidi originated the role of Zoey Johnson on the critically-acclaimed ABC comedy series “Black-ish” before going on to star in the spinoff “Grown-ish” at Freeform in 2018.
“We can...
- 7/20/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Showrunner Lara Olsen has signed with Apa. Olsen served as showrunner on Netflix’s drama Spinning Out, starring Kaya Scodelario and January Jones as a daughter and mother struggling with the pressures of competitive figure skating and mental illness.
Olsen got her start writing for many years in half-hour comedy before transitioning into one-hour television. Her first show-running job was on 90210, helming the show for its final two seasons. From there, she pursued development opportunities and served as co-showrunner on CW’s Reign for its final season.
More recently, Olsen served as showrunner on the Netflix series Free Rein, and as co-executive producer on the CBS swashbuckling adventure Blood & Treasure. Her background includes work on Mixology, Life Unexpected, and Shondaland’s Private Practice, among other series.
With her former writing partner, Olsen also wrote and produced the CBS pilot NY-lon, based on the original series which aired on U.
Olsen got her start writing for many years in half-hour comedy before transitioning into one-hour television. Her first show-running job was on 90210, helming the show for its final two seasons. From there, she pursued development opportunities and served as co-showrunner on CW’s Reign for its final season.
More recently, Olsen served as showrunner on the Netflix series Free Rein, and as co-executive producer on the CBS swashbuckling adventure Blood & Treasure. Her background includes work on Mixology, Life Unexpected, and Shondaland’s Private Practice, among other series.
With her former writing partner, Olsen also wrote and produced the CBS pilot NY-lon, based on the original series which aired on U.
- 3/5/2020
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: We’ve learned that Netflix is adapting the millennial Broadway musical 13 into a family film with three-time Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown to compose new music and Tony winner Robert Horn to adapt the script based on the book he co-wrote with Dan Elish. Tamra Davis is attached to direct.
The musical follows young Evan Goldman as he moves from New York City to small-town Indiana. While grappling with his parents’ divorce, he prepares for his impending Bar Mitzvah, and navigates the complicated social circles of a new school. The Broadway version which ran for a 105 performances between 2008-2009 featured the first and only all-teenager cast and band and marked the professional debuts of Ariana Grande and Elizabeth Gillies. The musical has since been a popular production of high school theater groups. The original production of 13 premiere at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles in January 2007.
Brown...
The musical follows young Evan Goldman as he moves from New York City to small-town Indiana. While grappling with his parents’ divorce, he prepares for his impending Bar Mitzvah, and navigates the complicated social circles of a new school. The Broadway version which ran for a 105 performances between 2008-2009 featured the first and only all-teenager cast and band and marked the professional debuts of Ariana Grande and Elizabeth Gillies. The musical has since been a popular production of high school theater groups. The original production of 13 premiere at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles in January 2007.
Brown...
- 9/20/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Streamer HBO Max has set its pilot slate, handing out pilot orders to three projects — one-hour drama The Rules of Magic, from writer Melissa Rosenberg (Marvel’s Jessica Jones); half-hour dramedy Generation, from 17-year-old Zelda Barnz, her father Daniel Barnz and executive producer Lena Dunham; and hourlong Ya drama Red Bird Lane, from writer Sara Gran (Southland) and executive produced by John Wells.
The Rules of Magic, which also has received a 10-script order and has opened a writers room, and Red Bird Line hail from HBO Max sister studio Warner Bros TV, where Rosenberg and Wells are under overall deals; Generation is being produced by HBO Max.
Written by Rosenberg and & Dana Baratta (Marvel’s Jessica Jones), The Rules of Magic is based on Alice Hoffman’s novels The Rules of Magic and Practical Magic, the latter of which was adapted into the 1998 Warner Bros movie of the same...
The Rules of Magic, which also has received a 10-script order and has opened a writers room, and Red Bird Line hail from HBO Max sister studio Warner Bros TV, where Rosenberg and Wells are under overall deals; Generation is being produced by HBO Max.
Written by Rosenberg and & Dana Baratta (Marvel’s Jessica Jones), The Rules of Magic is based on Alice Hoffman’s novels The Rules of Magic and Practical Magic, the latter of which was adapted into the 1998 Warner Bros movie of the same...
- 8/19/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
HBO Max is continuing to build up its original programming slate with three new projects.
Variety has learned that the nascent streamer has given pilot orders to the half-hour dramedy “Generation” and the hour-long drama “Red Bird Lane,” as well as a pilot production commitment for the one-hour drama “Rules of Magic.” All three projects hail from Warner Bros. Television.
“Rules of Magic” is based on the novels “Rules of Magic” and “Practical Magic” by Alice Hoffman. “Practical Magic” was previously adapted into a film in 1998 starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman.
Set in 1960s New York City, the series follows three troubled siblings — Franny, Jet and Vincent Owens — who wrestle with “abnormalities” that have kept them isolated. But the tumultuous times unearth the extraordinary discovery that they are, in fact, descendants of a bloodline of witches. The two sisters will become the revered, and sometimes feared, aunts in “Practical Magic,...
Variety has learned that the nascent streamer has given pilot orders to the half-hour dramedy “Generation” and the hour-long drama “Red Bird Lane,” as well as a pilot production commitment for the one-hour drama “Rules of Magic.” All three projects hail from Warner Bros. Television.
“Rules of Magic” is based on the novels “Rules of Magic” and “Practical Magic” by Alice Hoffman. “Practical Magic” was previously adapted into a film in 1998 starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman.
Set in 1960s New York City, the series follows three troubled siblings — Franny, Jet and Vincent Owens — who wrestle with “abnormalities” that have kept them isolated. But the tumultuous times unearth the extraordinary discovery that they are, in fact, descendants of a bloodline of witches. The two sisters will become the revered, and sometimes feared, aunts in “Practical Magic,...
- 8/19/2019
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Lisa Takeuchi Cullen has signed an overall deal with Universal Television. As part of the deal — her first overall pact — Cullen will develop new drama projects for the studio and serve as consulting producer on the historic 21st season of Law & Order: Svu.
“Lisa Takeuchi Cullen is a phenomenally talented writer and an inspiring collaborator,” said Universal Television’s Evp Drama Development Erin Underhill. “From the first time we developed with her, we knew she was a star and couldn’t wait to make her a part of the Universal Television family.”
Cullen made her TV debut with a spec script that became the 2013 CBS drama pilot The Ordained, starring Charlie Cox, Audra McDonald, Hope Davis and Sam Neill. Since then, she’s developed a number of series projects for broadcast and cable including Love After Love, a drama at NBC during the 2017-18 season based on an Argentinian format,...
“Lisa Takeuchi Cullen is a phenomenally talented writer and an inspiring collaborator,” said Universal Television’s Evp Drama Development Erin Underhill. “From the first time we developed with her, we knew she was a star and couldn’t wait to make her a part of the Universal Television family.”
Cullen made her TV debut with a spec script that became the 2013 CBS drama pilot The Ordained, starring Charlie Cox, Audra McDonald, Hope Davis and Sam Neill. Since then, she’s developed a number of series projects for broadcast and cable including Love After Love, a drama at NBC during the 2017-18 season based on an Argentinian format,...
- 7/30/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Kaniehtiio Horn, Zahn McClarnon, Lily Sullivan and David Wilmot are set as series regulars opposite David Thewlis in Barkskins, National Geographic’s scripted drama series based on the 2016 bestselling novel of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Annie Proulx. The series hails from Elwood Reid and Fox 21 TV Studios.
Created by Reid, Barkskins follows a disparate group of outcasts who must navigate the brutal hardships, competing interests, and tangled loyalties at the crossroads of civilization—1600s New France—where the war to escape their past and re-make themselves is cast against the vast and unforgiving wilds of North America.
Horn will play Mari, a Wendat Nation woman married to Trepagny (Thewlis) and her alliance with him keeps both the French and Wendat communities safe from a mutual enemy.
McClarnon will portray Yvon,...
Created by Reid, Barkskins follows a disparate group of outcasts who must navigate the brutal hardships, competing interests, and tangled loyalties at the crossroads of civilization—1600s New France—where the war to escape their past and re-make themselves is cast against the vast and unforgiving wilds of North America.
Horn will play Mari, a Wendat Nation woman married to Trepagny (Thewlis) and her alliance with him keeps both the French and Wendat communities safe from a mutual enemy.
McClarnon will portray Yvon,...
- 7/24/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: MGM will mount Yasuke, an action film that is based on the true story of history’s only recorded African samurai in feudal Japan. Stuart C. Paul has written the script and Whalerock Industries’ Lloyd Braun and Andrew Mittman are producing. The latter has joined the exec ranks at MGM and will steer the project.
A native of Portuguese Mozambique, Yasuke was taken captive and brought to 16th-century Japan as a slave to Jesuit missionaries. The first black man to set foot on Japanese soil, Yasuke’s arrival arouses the interest of Oda Nobunaga, a ruthless warlord seeking to unite the fractured country under his banner. The script focuses on the complex relationship between the two men as Yasuke earns Nobunaga’s friendship, respect — and ultimately, the honor, swords and title of samurai.
Paul recently sold Scorpion to Stx as a pitch with Joel Silver producing, and previously sold...
A native of Portuguese Mozambique, Yasuke was taken captive and brought to 16th-century Japan as a slave to Jesuit missionaries. The first black man to set foot on Japanese soil, Yasuke’s arrival arouses the interest of Oda Nobunaga, a ruthless warlord seeking to unite the fractured country under his banner. The script focuses on the complex relationship between the two men as Yasuke earns Nobunaga’s friendship, respect — and ultimately, the honor, swords and title of samurai.
Paul recently sold Scorpion to Stx as a pitch with Joel Silver producing, and previously sold...
- 4/18/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
HBO has put in development Lake Success, a limited series based on Gary Shteyngart’s book, with Jake Gyllenhaal set to star and executive produce. The project, which marks Gyllenhaal’s TV acting debut, hails from Gyllenhaal and Riva Marker’s Nine Stories and Endeavor Content.
Co-written by Stheyngart and Tom Spezialy (Watchmen), who also co-showrun, Lake Success centers on narcissistic, self-deluded and hilariously divorced from the real world, hedge fund manager Barry Cohen (Gyllenhaal) who flees his family, his past and the SEC on a cross-country bus ride in search of his college girlfriend and a last chance at romantic redemption. Meanwhile, back in Manhattan, his brilliant wife Seema struggles to raise their autistic son and begins a tragicomic love affair of her own.
Gyllenhaal and Marker executive produce via Nine Stories.
“Gary’s novel is a beautifully executed character study highlighting the depth of human contradiction and complication,...
Co-written by Stheyngart and Tom Spezialy (Watchmen), who also co-showrun, Lake Success centers on narcissistic, self-deluded and hilariously divorced from the real world, hedge fund manager Barry Cohen (Gyllenhaal) who flees his family, his past and the SEC on a cross-country bus ride in search of his college girlfriend and a last chance at romantic redemption. Meanwhile, back in Manhattan, his brilliant wife Seema struggles to raise their autistic son and begins a tragicomic love affair of her own.
Gyllenhaal and Marker executive produce via Nine Stories.
“Gary’s novel is a beautifully executed character study highlighting the depth of human contradiction and complication,...
- 4/11/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
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