After acquiring Molly Gordon’s Sundance movie Theater Camp for $8M, Searchlight Pictures is back in business with the filmmaker again on the movie Small Parts. The movie is currently in development.
The pic is a new take on the 1987 Shelly Long and Bette Midler blockbuster comedy Outrageous Fortune. In the pic, co-written by Gordon and Allie Levitan, two actresses clash on a scrappy indie movie set accidentally find themselves entangled in a game of cat-and-mouse more outrageous than any movie.
Searchlight SVP of Production Taylor Friedman is overseeing Small Parts, reporting into Searchlight Production Heads Dan Tram Nguyen and Katie Goodson-Thomas.
Gordon co-directed, co-wrote, and starred in Theater Camp, which won the Sundance U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Ensemble and was one of 2023’s Top Ten Independent Films by the National Board of Review. Gordon and her co-writers were nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay.
The pic is a new take on the 1987 Shelly Long and Bette Midler blockbuster comedy Outrageous Fortune. In the pic, co-written by Gordon and Allie Levitan, two actresses clash on a scrappy indie movie set accidentally find themselves entangled in a game of cat-and-mouse more outrageous than any movie.
Searchlight SVP of Production Taylor Friedman is overseeing Small Parts, reporting into Searchlight Production Heads Dan Tram Nguyen and Katie Goodson-Thomas.
Gordon co-directed, co-wrote, and starred in Theater Camp, which won the Sundance U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Ensemble and was one of 2023’s Top Ten Independent Films by the National Board of Review. Gordon and her co-writers were nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay.
- 5/13/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Chad Michael Murray is open to returning to the Freaky Friday sequel and reprising his role of Jake alongside Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan.
In a new interview, the actor said he would like to be involved in the sequel film currently being developed by Disney.
“If Jake has a story to tell, I’d be there in a heartbeat,” Murray told E! News while promoting Mother of the Bride. “Are you kidding me? Just to watch Jamie and Lindsay, to go back to work… To watch all that energy that Jamie brings to set… Hollywood royalty, period.”
Murray said he “learned so much” from Curtis on the set of the 2003 film and added, “If I had the opportunity, I would just dial in.”
Nisha Ganatra has been tapped to direct the sequel film, which is set to shoot this summer in Los Angeles. Jordan Weiss wrote the script,...
In a new interview, the actor said he would like to be involved in the sequel film currently being developed by Disney.
“If Jake has a story to tell, I’d be there in a heartbeat,” Murray told E! News while promoting Mother of the Bride. “Are you kidding me? Just to watch Jamie and Lindsay, to go back to work… To watch all that energy that Jamie brings to set… Hollywood royalty, period.”
Murray said he “learned so much” from Curtis on the set of the 2003 film and added, “If I had the opportunity, I would just dial in.”
Nisha Ganatra has been tapped to direct the sequel film, which is set to shoot this summer in Los Angeles. Jordan Weiss wrote the script,...
- 5/13/2024
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
After 21 years, one of Disney’s most bizarre yet memorable comedies is getting a sequel. The 2003 version of Freaky Friday, starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, is getting a long-awaited follow-up. It was announced last year that the pair were hoping to reunite for another go, and now the film is entering pre-production with Nisha Ganatra (Director of Welcome to Chippendales) set to direct.
To celebrate the occasion Curtis shared a picture of her, along with Lohan, to her Instagram with the text “Duh! Ffdeux!” in the description.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis)
The story of Freaky Friday began with the 1972 novel of the same name by author Mary Rodgers. Not long after, Disney scooped up the film rights and has since made multiple adaptations. The first film was made in 1976 and starred Jodie Foster and Barbara Harris, with Rogers as the screenwriter.
To celebrate the occasion Curtis shared a picture of her, along with Lohan, to her Instagram with the text “Duh! Ffdeux!” in the description.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis)
The story of Freaky Friday began with the 1972 novel of the same name by author Mary Rodgers. Not long after, Disney scooped up the film rights and has since made multiple adaptations. The first film was made in 1976 and starred Jodie Foster and Barbara Harris, with Rogers as the screenwriter.
- 3/30/2024
- by Mr. Milo
- Pirates & Princesses
Rumors of a Freaky Friday sequel starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis have been circulating for years and it seems like a movie is finally happening.
While being interviewed on Andy Cohen’s SiriusXM show, Lohan confirmed that a follow-up to the 2003 film was in the works.
“I won’t say that yet. I don’t want to say too much,” Lohan told the host after he asked if there was a timeline for production to start on the film.
She added, “We are both excited. I’m gonna speak for Jamie.”
Lohan and Curtis have been open to starring in a sequel. Back in October 2022, Curtis was asked on The View if she would reprise her role opposite Lohan and said she was “creatively wide open” to do so.
Curtis even had an idea as to what the Freaky Friday sequel could look like, saying, “Let me be the grandma,...
While being interviewed on Andy Cohen’s SiriusXM show, Lohan confirmed that a follow-up to the 2003 film was in the works.
“I won’t say that yet. I don’t want to say too much,” Lohan told the host after he asked if there was a timeline for production to start on the film.
She added, “We are both excited. I’m gonna speak for Jamie.”
Lohan and Curtis have been open to starring in a sequel. Back in October 2022, Curtis was asked on The View if she would reprise her role opposite Lohan and said she was “creatively wide open” to do so.
Curtis even had an idea as to what the Freaky Friday sequel could look like, saying, “Let me be the grandma,...
- 3/5/2024
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Kelsey Grammer, who has been musing about a return for Shelly Long’s Diane on his Paramount+ Frasier reboot, told Deadline today at the Emmys how it would go down.
“The relationship with Diane is something that still gnaws at him a little bit because he felt like he failed at it,” Grammer says about Frasier Crane.
“It would be nice if they acknowledge one another… ‘I’m glad you did ok.’ Have her do the same thing,” explained Grammer.
As far as whether Long would return, “It would only happen if it’s important to Frasier’s development as a human being,” explained the 5x Emmy winner.
Grammer also said he’s open to Ted Danson’s Sam Malone from Cheers making an appearance on the new Frasier. Under one circumstance: “If Sam Malone is still alive and has a vital connection of making Frasier move to another place.
“The relationship with Diane is something that still gnaws at him a little bit because he felt like he failed at it,” Grammer says about Frasier Crane.
“It would be nice if they acknowledge one another… ‘I’m glad you did ok.’ Have her do the same thing,” explained Grammer.
As far as whether Long would return, “It would only happen if it’s important to Frasier’s development as a human being,” explained the 5x Emmy winner.
Grammer also said he’s open to Ted Danson’s Sam Malone from Cheers making an appearance on the new Frasier. Under one circumstance: “If Sam Malone is still alive and has a vital connection of making Frasier move to another place.
- 1/16/2024
- by Rosy Cordero, Anthony D'Alessandro and Natalie Sitek
- Deadline Film + TV
When NBC closed shop on "Cheers" in 1993, it felt like the right time to bid farewell to our favorite broadcast barflies and a death in the family. For 11 consistently great seasons, viewers knew that every Thursday evening, they could drop by the neighborhood tavern where everybody knows their name. We couldn't begrudge the actors for wanting to move on to other opportunities, but their characters were so rich and relatable that we wanted to grow old with them.
"Cheers" fans were more than happy to settle for "Frasier," which transplanted Kelsey Grammer's neurotic psychiatrist to Seattle, where he had to contend/coexist with his equally neurotic brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce) and his retired cop father Martin (John Mahoney). Under the aegis of creators David Angell, Peter Casey, and David Lee, "Frasier" quickly established itself as the wittiest, most erudite sitcom on network television. It was the perfect spinoff.
"Cheers" fans were more than happy to settle for "Frasier," which transplanted Kelsey Grammer's neurotic psychiatrist to Seattle, where he had to contend/coexist with his equally neurotic brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce) and his retired cop father Martin (John Mahoney). Under the aegis of creators David Angell, Peter Casey, and David Lee, "Frasier" quickly established itself as the wittiest, most erudite sitcom on network television. It was the perfect spinoff.
- 10/21/2023
- by Jeremy Smith
- Slash Film
Who knew that when Dr. Frasier Crane first appeared on the iconic 1980s sitcom Cheers, the character would have the staying power to last decades?
Perhaps Kelsey Grammar, who portrays the fastidious psychiatrist, did. Grammar took Frasier from pining over Shelly Long's, Diane, and drinking beers in Boston to telling radio fans, "I'm listening" in Seattle.
Where is Dr. Frasier Crane headed next? We'll take a look at everything you need to know about the new Frasier!
How Did the Original Frasier End?
When Cheers ended in 1993, Dr. Frasier Crane moved back to his hometown of Seattle, Washington. Frasier began a new phase of his career, hosting his own radio show and giving listeners advice.
He also reconnected with his family, which included his father, Martin, a retired police officer, and brother, Niles, who, to viewer's shock, was even more quirky and fastidious than Frasier!
Eleven seasons of Frasier later,...
Perhaps Kelsey Grammar, who portrays the fastidious psychiatrist, did. Grammar took Frasier from pining over Shelly Long's, Diane, and drinking beers in Boston to telling radio fans, "I'm listening" in Seattle.
Where is Dr. Frasier Crane headed next? We'll take a look at everything you need to know about the new Frasier!
How Did the Original Frasier End?
When Cheers ended in 1993, Dr. Frasier Crane moved back to his hometown of Seattle, Washington. Frasier began a new phase of his career, hosting his own radio show and giving listeners advice.
He also reconnected with his family, which included his father, Martin, a retired police officer, and brother, Niles, who, to viewer's shock, was even more quirky and fastidious than Frasier!
Eleven seasons of Frasier later,...
- 8/2/2023
- by Christine Orlando
- TVfanatic
Thirty years after “Cheers” came to an end, the cast and creatives got back together on Friday night, courtesy of the Atx TV Festival in Austin, Texas. The reunion panel, hosted by Variety‘s Michael Schneider, included co-creators James Burrows, Les Charles and Glen Charles and actors Ted Danson, George Wendt and John Ratzenberger.
During the conversation, the iconic creators reflected on the making of the show and the cast opened up about how they joined the series and how it’s affected their lives over the years.
“Teddy and Shelly auditioned together and they had chemistry that only makes writing better,” Burrows said of casting Danson and Shelley Long, who portrayed Diane Chambers, Sam’s love interest for five seasons.
For Danson, he praised Long, who wasn’t in attendance: “I don’t think we’d seen a character like that since Lucille Ball. I do believe I was on ‘Cheers’ because of Shelley,...
During the conversation, the iconic creators reflected on the making of the show and the cast opened up about how they joined the series and how it’s affected their lives over the years.
“Teddy and Shelly auditioned together and they had chemistry that only makes writing better,” Burrows said of casting Danson and Shelley Long, who portrayed Diane Chambers, Sam’s love interest for five seasons.
For Danson, he praised Long, who wasn’t in attendance: “I don’t think we’d seen a character like that since Lucille Ball. I do believe I was on ‘Cheers’ because of Shelley,...
- 6/3/2023
- by Emily Longeretta
- Variety Film + TV
Kirstie Alley, best known for her role as Rebecca Howe in the NBC series, Cheers, has died at 71 after a short battle with cancer.
Alley had a significant social media presence and shared a lot of herself with the world.
Known for her keen sense of humor and love for animals, she will be greatly missed.
Alley's children, True and Lillie Parker shared the news through Alley's official Twitter account.
To all our friends, far and wide around the world…
We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered.
She was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living and whatever adventures lie ahead. As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother.
pic.twitter.
Alley had a significant social media presence and shared a lot of herself with the world.
Known for her keen sense of humor and love for animals, she will be greatly missed.
Alley's children, True and Lillie Parker shared the news through Alley's official Twitter account.
To all our friends, far and wide around the world…
We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered.
She was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living and whatever adventures lie ahead. As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother.
pic.twitter.
- 12/6/2022
- by Carissa Pavlica
- TVfanatic
Jamie Lee Curtis is open to the possibility of reprising her 2003 Freaky Friday role opposite Lindsay Lohan in a sequel.
While visiting The View to promote her new movie Halloween Ends, Curtis was asked by Sarah Haines if she would participate in a follow-up to the film that earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy.
“I’ve already written to Disney — my friends at Disney, I’m in their new Haunted Mansion movie,” she said on the ABC talk show.
“I’m 64 years old today — not today, soon, in a month or whatever. My point is I’m wide open, creatively I am wide open,” she added.
Related: Lindsay Lohan Making ‘Irish Wish’ At Netflix
Curtis then pitched ideas on what her and Lohan’s characters could be doing in the possible sequel.
“Lindsay Lohan and me back in Freaky Friday.
While visiting The View to promote her new movie Halloween Ends, Curtis was asked by Sarah Haines if she would participate in a follow-up to the film that earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture — Musical or Comedy.
“I’ve already written to Disney — my friends at Disney, I’m in their new Haunted Mansion movie,” she said on the ABC talk show.
“I’m 64 years old today — not today, soon, in a month or whatever. My point is I’m wide open, creatively I am wide open,” she added.
Related: Lindsay Lohan Making ‘Irish Wish’ At Netflix
Curtis then pitched ideas on what her and Lohan’s characters could be doing in the possible sequel.
“Lindsay Lohan and me back in Freaky Friday.
- 10/10/2022
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Ava Ostern Fries, the wife of producer Chuck Fries whose experiences as a Beverly Hills Girl Scout leader inspired the film “Troop Beverly Hills,” died Oct. 2. She was 87.
Born in Dexter, Mo., she moved to Los Angeles after graduating the U. of Tulsa. She started out teaching and acting before joining Danny Thomas Productions as a development executive. She then formed her own production company, Avanti Enterprises, which produced the TV series “Born Famous” about the children of the rich and famous. The series led to the 1989 Shelly Long comedy “Troop Beverly Hills,” based on Fries’ own experiences leading her daughter’s scout troop, remembered for its campy dance numbers, celebrity cameos and extravagant costumes.
A sequel to “Troop Beverly Hills” was announced in 2020.
Fries was active in many charities and worked to give young people opportunities in theater education.
She served on the board of directors for Los Angeles...
Born in Dexter, Mo., she moved to Los Angeles after graduating the U. of Tulsa. She started out teaching and acting before joining Danny Thomas Productions as a development executive. She then formed her own production company, Avanti Enterprises, which produced the TV series “Born Famous” about the children of the rich and famous. The series led to the 1989 Shelly Long comedy “Troop Beverly Hills,” based on Fries’ own experiences leading her daughter’s scout troop, remembered for its campy dance numbers, celebrity cameos and extravagant costumes.
A sequel to “Troop Beverly Hills” was announced in 2020.
Fries was active in many charities and worked to give young people opportunities in theater education.
She served on the board of directors for Los Angeles...
- 10/9/2021
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
Last Year’s Winner: Catherine O’Hara, “Schitt’s Creek”
Still Eligible: No.
Hot Streak: It may seem like only yesterday, but it’s been four years now since Julia Louis-Dreyfus won her sixth straight Emmy Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series, all of which were bestowed for her work on “Veep.” Since then, three different actors have won — Rachel Brosnahan for “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” Phoebe Waller-Bridge for “Fleabag,” and Catherine O’Hara for “Schitt’s Creek.” With O’Hara ineligible in 2021, there will be a new victor for the fourth consecutive Emmy season.
Fun Fact: Of the 15 TV shows to win multiple times in the Best Actress in a Comedy category, only three crowned more than one performer: Shelly Long and Kirstie Alley both won for “Cheers,” Ruth Gordon and Carol Kane won for “Taxi,” and three of the “Golden Girls” took home the Lead Actress trophy: Betty White,...
Still Eligible: No.
Hot Streak: It may seem like only yesterday, but it’s been four years now since Julia Louis-Dreyfus won her sixth straight Emmy Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series, all of which were bestowed for her work on “Veep.” Since then, three different actors have won — Rachel Brosnahan for “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” Phoebe Waller-Bridge for “Fleabag,” and Catherine O’Hara for “Schitt’s Creek.” With O’Hara ineligible in 2021, there will be a new victor for the fourth consecutive Emmy season.
Fun Fact: Of the 15 TV shows to win multiple times in the Best Actress in a Comedy category, only three crowned more than one performer: Shelly Long and Kirstie Alley both won for “Cheers,” Ruth Gordon and Carol Kane won for “Taxi,” and three of the “Golden Girls” took home the Lead Actress trophy: Betty White,...
- 9/13/2021
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Television movies are starting to get a bit of heat in the digital age. The classic movie of the week genre was a staple of the 1980s but has subsided over the last few years.
Lionsgate and MarVista Entertainment are hoping to kickstart the made-for-television movie trend with a new deal that will see them remake a number of classic small screen features from the Hearst library.
Projects that are set to be remade include The Babysitter’s Seduction, which aired on NBC and starred Keri Russell as babysitter Michelle Winston and Phylicia Rashad, Lifetime’s psychological thriller Sex and Mr. X, which starred Linda Hamilton and Jacqueline Bisset, and thriller Sex, Lies and Obsession, which starred Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna.
MarVista has identified over 100 titles to reimagine including Dolly Parton’s Blue Valley Songbird and holiday movies such as Leslie Neilson’s Santa Who and Shelly Long’s A Different Kind of Christmas.
Lionsgate and MarVista Entertainment are hoping to kickstart the made-for-television movie trend with a new deal that will see them remake a number of classic small screen features from the Hearst library.
Projects that are set to be remade include The Babysitter’s Seduction, which aired on NBC and starred Keri Russell as babysitter Michelle Winston and Phylicia Rashad, Lifetime’s psychological thriller Sex and Mr. X, which starred Linda Hamilton and Jacqueline Bisset, and thriller Sex, Lies and Obsession, which starred Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna.
MarVista has identified over 100 titles to reimagine including Dolly Parton’s Blue Valley Songbird and holiday movies such as Leslie Neilson’s Santa Who and Shelly Long’s A Different Kind of Christmas.
- 7/9/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Charles “Chuck” Fries, whose career as a television and film producer included a long list of classic shows, series and films, died Wednesday, his family announced. He was 92. No cause of death was given.
During a prolific career that spanned more than 60 years, he participated in the production of more than 5,000 series episodes, 140 television movies and miniseries and more than 40 theatrical films. His producing credits range from Tales of the Crypt and The Call of the Wild to TV’s The Amazing Spider-Man and The Martian Chronicles to Leona Helmsley: The Queen of Mean, Troop Beverly Hills and Screamers.
Born on September 30, 1928, in native of Cincinnati, Fries began his career at Ziv Television in 1952, where he worked on legendary syndicated shows like The Cisco Kid, Highway Patrol, Bat Masterson, and Sea Hunt. He moved to Screen Gems in 1960, where he was involved in the production of such classics as Naked City,...
During a prolific career that spanned more than 60 years, he participated in the production of more than 5,000 series episodes, 140 television movies and miniseries and more than 40 theatrical films. His producing credits range from Tales of the Crypt and The Call of the Wild to TV’s The Amazing Spider-Man and The Martian Chronicles to Leona Helmsley: The Queen of Mean, Troop Beverly Hills and Screamers.
Born on September 30, 1928, in native of Cincinnati, Fries began his career at Ziv Television in 1952, where he worked on legendary syndicated shows like The Cisco Kid, Highway Patrol, Bat Masterson, and Sea Hunt. He moved to Screen Gems in 1960, where he was involved in the production of such classics as Naked City,...
- 4/23/2021
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
As a child of the 80s and younger brother to a hairspray queen, there was little I could do to escape repeat viewings of the Shelly Long comedy Troop Beverly Hills. Which is kind of funny to me, seeing as my sister has never camped a day in her life, or earned a merit badge for good deeds done. Nevertheless, she loved this movie, and so I can't wait to tell her that Tri-Star is currently developing…...
- 9/4/2020
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Longtime collaborators Michael Douglas and Danny DeVito spoke in conversation at the Produced By Conference today in Burbank.
They began working together in theater in the 1960s and through One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest into the ‘80s.
Tracing their intertwining careers, Douglas came to talk about the sequel to their hit Romancing the Stone.
Thirty five years later, many fans of the film may not even know there was a sequel. The 1985 film, The Jewel of the Nile, is not remembered fondly by fans of the original.
Whatever viewers may think of the sequel, there was going on behind the scenes.
It’s never a good sign when you have to sue the lead actor to be in the film. After the success of Romancing the Stone, Kathleen Turner had a lot of other offers and was set to star in The Money Pit (Shelly Long ultimately starred...
They began working together in theater in the 1960s and through One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest into the ‘80s.
Tracing their intertwining careers, Douglas came to talk about the sequel to their hit Romancing the Stone.
Thirty five years later, many fans of the film may not even know there was a sequel. The 1985 film, The Jewel of the Nile, is not remembered fondly by fans of the original.
Whatever viewers may think of the sequel, there was going on behind the scenes.
It’s never a good sign when you have to sue the lead actor to be in the film. After the success of Romancing the Stone, Kathleen Turner had a lot of other offers and was set to star in The Money Pit (Shelly Long ultimately starred...
- 6/8/2019
- by Fred Topel
- Deadline Film + TV
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