Uri Singer’s Passage Pictures has acquired the rights to the Rich Cohen nonfiction book The Fish that Ate the Whale about America’s “banana king” and the implications that his reign had on multiple Latin American countries.
Cohen’s book, which was published in 2013 via Macmillan imprint Picador, tells the story of Samuel Zemurray who, according to the book’s synopsis, “rises through the banana trade to become America’s Banana King and the president of United Fruit. As a businessman and power broker, Zemurray’s story led to the origin of the phrase ‘Banana Republic’ and influenced the political future of several Latin American countries, including working with the CIA to lead the 1954 coup in Guatemala.”
Passage previously worked on an adaptation of Don DeLillo’s White Noise, directed by Noah Baumbach for Netflix. Singer is also set to produce the DeLillo adaptation Underworld, with Ted Melfi attached the direct for Netflix.
Cohen’s book, which was published in 2013 via Macmillan imprint Picador, tells the story of Samuel Zemurray who, according to the book’s synopsis, “rises through the banana trade to become America’s Banana King and the president of United Fruit. As a businessman and power broker, Zemurray’s story led to the origin of the phrase ‘Banana Republic’ and influenced the political future of several Latin American countries, including working with the CIA to lead the 1954 coup in Guatemala.”
Passage previously worked on an adaptation of Don DeLillo’s White Noise, directed by Noah Baumbach for Netflix. Singer is also set to produce the DeLillo adaptation Underworld, with Ted Melfi attached the direct for Netflix.
- 5/7/2024
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Emily The Criminal, the 2022 crime thriller starring Aubrey Plaza, is the latest movie set to be turned into a television series.
Legendary Television is developing a series based on the film, which was written and directed by John Patton Ford, with Plaza, who will not star, exec producing. It comes after the company acquired the rights in a competitive situation.
The film follows Emily (Plaza), who is saddled with student debt and locked out of the job market due to a minor criminal record. Desperate for income, she takes a shady gig as a “dummy shopper,” buying goods with stolen credit cards supplied by a handsome and charismatic middleman named Youcef (Theo Rossi). Faced with a series of dead-end job interviews, Emily soon finds herself seduced by the quick cash and illicit thrills of black-market capitalism, and increasingly interested in her mentor Youcef. Together, they hatch a plan to...
Legendary Television is developing a series based on the film, which was written and directed by John Patton Ford, with Plaza, who will not star, exec producing. It comes after the company acquired the rights in a competitive situation.
The film follows Emily (Plaza), who is saddled with student debt and locked out of the job market due to a minor criminal record. Desperate for income, she takes a shady gig as a “dummy shopper,” buying goods with stolen credit cards supplied by a handsome and charismatic middleman named Youcef (Theo Rossi). Faced with a series of dead-end job interviews, Emily soon finds herself seduced by the quick cash and illicit thrills of black-market capitalism, and increasingly interested in her mentor Youcef. Together, they hatch a plan to...
- 5/2/2024
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Kevin Spacey has struck a deal with MRC, the production company behind House of Cards, to slash a $31 million judgment against him for on-set sexual misconduct involving young crewmembers to $1 million, according to court documents. In return, Spacey will back arguments from MRC in a legal battle against its insurer that he was written out of the show because he was too sick to return, which would trigger its insurance policy.
The settlement, which was first reported by Puck, opens a new front in labyrinthine litigation over recovering money for increased expenses and lost revenue tied to MRC shortening and rewriting the final season of House of Cards as a result of Spacey’s exit. With the deal, MRC is looking to collect on a $150 million policy from Fireman’s Fund Insurance, as well as punitive damages for fraudulently denying its claim.
In 2021, an arbitrator ruled that Spacey must pay...
The settlement, which was first reported by Puck, opens a new front in labyrinthine litigation over recovering money for increased expenses and lost revenue tied to MRC shortening and rewriting the final season of House of Cards as a result of Spacey’s exit. With the deal, MRC is looking to collect on a $150 million policy from Fireman’s Fund Insurance, as well as punitive damages for fraudulently denying its claim.
In 2021, an arbitrator ruled that Spacey must pay...
- 2/8/2024
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Paramount+ is rounding out cast for the upcoming third season of Mayor of Kingstown, starring Jeremy Renner.
Michael Beach, who has recurred in the first two seasons, will return as a series regular for Season 3 in his role as Kareem Moore, one of the prison guard captains in Kingstown (see photo below). Additionally Richard Brake (Barbarian), Denny Love (Looking for Alaska) and Paula Malcomson (Deadwood) will join in recurring roles. Nichole Galicia and Necar Zadegan will also both return this season in recurring roles as Rebecca and Evelyn Foley.
Michael Beach as Kareem in season 2 of Mayor of Kingstown (Dennis P. Mong Jr./Paramount+)
Brake plays Merle Callahan, one of the Aryan shot callers in Anchor Bay who is currently serving a life-sentence.
Love portrays Kevin Jackson, a rookie prison guard.
Malcomson plays Anna Fletcher, a woman from Kingstown with a request for Mike.
Along with Renner, returning series regulars include Hugh Dillon,...
Michael Beach, who has recurred in the first two seasons, will return as a series regular for Season 3 in his role as Kareem Moore, one of the prison guard captains in Kingstown (see photo below). Additionally Richard Brake (Barbarian), Denny Love (Looking for Alaska) and Paula Malcomson (Deadwood) will join in recurring roles. Nichole Galicia and Necar Zadegan will also both return this season in recurring roles as Rebecca and Evelyn Foley.
Michael Beach as Kareem in season 2 of Mayor of Kingstown (Dennis P. Mong Jr./Paramount+)
Brake plays Merle Callahan, one of the Aryan shot callers in Anchor Bay who is currently serving a life-sentence.
Love portrays Kevin Jackson, a rookie prison guard.
Malcomson plays Anna Fletcher, a woman from Kingstown with a request for Mike.
Along with Renner, returning series regulars include Hugh Dillon,...
- 1/24/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Emmanuelle Chriqui and Hayes MacArthur have been set to star in A Love Like This, an indie romantic drama directed by John Asher based on an original screenplay by Jeffrey W. Ruggles. The project was recently granted a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement allowing it to move forward.
The film, in production in Malibu, is billed as a romantic tale of two lovers who rent a beach house for the weekend, but there is more to their relationship than it seems.
Asher’s previous films include A Boy Called Po, Somebody Marry Me and Diamonds, as well as on the TV series One Tree Hill.
A Love Like This is produced by Jordan Bogdonavage, Michael Manasseri, Sergey Shtern, Brett Gursky and Lee Levin. Lisa Alfelt, Carl Radke and Sarah Santos are serving as executive producers. Jack DeCerchio is serving as associate producer. Chriqui and MacArthur are also producers on the film.
The film, in production in Malibu, is billed as a romantic tale of two lovers who rent a beach house for the weekend, but there is more to their relationship than it seems.
Asher’s previous films include A Boy Called Po, Somebody Marry Me and Diamonds, as well as on the TV series One Tree Hill.
A Love Like This is produced by Jordan Bogdonavage, Michael Manasseri, Sergey Shtern, Brett Gursky and Lee Levin. Lisa Alfelt, Carl Radke and Sarah Santos are serving as executive producers. Jack DeCerchio is serving as associate producer. Chriqui and MacArthur are also producers on the film.
- 11/2/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Matt Shakman, who last year landed the coveted Fantastic Four directing job, has signed with CAA. Shakman beat out a number of directors for the job in August on the anticipated Marvel pic, with production expected to star next year.
A recipient of numerous DGA Award and Emmy nominations, Shakman is perhaps best known for his work directing and executive producing Marvel Studios’ hit series Wandavision for Disney+. He recently served as director and executive producer on Prime Video’s The Consultant, starring and executive produced by Christoph Waltz, and directed and executive produced both Hulu’s Chippendales and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia for FX.
Shakman’s other television directing credits include Game of Thrones (for which he received a DGA nomination), Succession, The Great (for which he garnered an Emmy nomination), Fargo, Mad Men and The Boys among others.
In addition, Shakman is on the board of...
A recipient of numerous DGA Award and Emmy nominations, Shakman is perhaps best known for his work directing and executive producing Marvel Studios’ hit series Wandavision for Disney+. He recently served as director and executive producer on Prime Video’s The Consultant, starring and executive produced by Christoph Waltz, and directed and executive produced both Hulu’s Chippendales and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia for FX.
Shakman’s other television directing credits include Game of Thrones (for which he received a DGA nomination), Succession, The Great (for which he garnered an Emmy nomination), Fargo, Mad Men and The Boys among others.
In addition, Shakman is on the board of...
- 4/5/2023
- by Justin Kroll
- 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
Exclusive: The MGM Snoop Dogg sports comedy The Underdoggs has added Tika Sumpter, Mike Epps, Andrew Schulz and George Lopez while casting the kid team of actors which includes Jonigan Booth, Adan James Carrillo, Kylah Davila, Caleb Dixon, Alexander Michael Gordon and Shamori Washington.
Billed as The Bad News Bears in the world of Youth Football, The Underdoggs tells the story of Jaycen Jenning, “2J’s” (played by Snoop Dogg), a former NFL superstar who, after a run in with the law, agrees to coach a youth football team in lieu of prison in the hopes of relaunching his fledgling career.
Charles Stone directs off a script by Danny Segal and Isaac Schamis based off a pitch by Snoop Dogg and Schwartz-Morini.
The pic is produced under Snoop Dogg’s Death Row Pictures banner, with Kenya Barris and Mychelle Deschamps for Khalabo Ink Society, Snoop Dogg’s...
Billed as The Bad News Bears in the world of Youth Football, The Underdoggs tells the story of Jaycen Jenning, “2J’s” (played by Snoop Dogg), a former NFL superstar who, after a run in with the law, agrees to coach a youth football team in lieu of prison in the hopes of relaunching his fledgling career.
Charles Stone directs off a script by Danny Segal and Isaac Schamis based off a pitch by Snoop Dogg and Schwartz-Morini.
The pic is produced under Snoop Dogg’s Death Row Pictures banner, with Kenya Barris and Mychelle Deschamps for Khalabo Ink Society, Snoop Dogg’s...
- 10/4/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Marvel Studios appears to be one step closer to finalizing plans for the highly anticipated “Fantastic Four” reboot, with news that “WandaVision” helmer Matt Shakman is in talks to direct the project, Variety has confirmed. And with Shakman shifting focus to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the in-demand director has now exited his planned “Star Trek” feature at Paramount Pictures.
That studio released a statement late Friday announcing the change, writing: “Matt Shakman is an incredibly talented filmmaker, and we regret the timing didn’t align for him to direct our upcoming ‘Star Trek’ film. We are grateful for his many contributions, are excited about the creative vision of this next chapter and look forward to bringing it to audiences all around world.”
The latest “Star Trek” installment is currently slated for release on Dec. 22, 2023.
In regards to “Fantastic Four,” at San Diego Comic Con in July, Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige...
That studio released a statement late Friday announcing the change, writing: “Matt Shakman is an incredibly talented filmmaker, and we regret the timing didn’t align for him to direct our upcoming ‘Star Trek’ film. We are grateful for his many contributions, are excited about the creative vision of this next chapter and look forward to bringing it to audiences all around world.”
The latest “Star Trek” installment is currently slated for release on Dec. 22, 2023.
In regards to “Fantastic Four,” at San Diego Comic Con in July, Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige...
- 8/26/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
It’s official: Keanu Reeves will star in the long-gestating adaptation of Erik Larson’s Devil in the White City for Hulu.
The streamer today announced a series order for the drama, which tells the story of Daniel H. Burnham, a demanding but visionary architect who races to make his mark on history with the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, and Dr. H. H. Holmes, America’s first modern serial killer and the man behind the notorious “Murder Castle” built in the Fair’s shadow. This marks Reeves’ first major U.S. TV role.
Deadline first broke in January that Reeves was in talks for the project. It’s from ABC Signature in Association with Paramount Television Studios. Executive Producers are Martin Scorsese, Rick Yorn, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson (Appian Way), Stacey Sher, Sam Shaw, Todd Field, Mark Lafferty. Shaw is writing and will serve as showrunner. Field will direct.
The streamer today announced a series order for the drama, which tells the story of Daniel H. Burnham, a demanding but visionary architect who races to make his mark on history with the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, and Dr. H. H. Holmes, America’s first modern serial killer and the man behind the notorious “Murder Castle” built in the Fair’s shadow. This marks Reeves’ first major U.S. TV role.
Deadline first broke in January that Reeves was in talks for the project. It’s from ABC Signature in Association with Paramount Television Studios. Executive Producers are Martin Scorsese, Rick Yorn, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson (Appian Way), Stacey Sher, Sam Shaw, Todd Field, Mark Lafferty. Shaw is writing and will serve as showrunner. Field will direct.
- 8/4/2022
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Mike Epps (The Upshaws) is the latest addition to the cast of S.J. Clarkson’s Sony film Madame Web, based on the Marvel comics by writer Denny O’Neil and artist John Romita Jr. He joins an ensemble led by Dakota Johnson, which also includes Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, Emma Roberts, Celeste O’Connor and Tahar Rahim, as previously announced.
Madame Web is the next entry and first female character to be developed within the Sony Pictures Universe Universe of Marvel characters. Depicted in the comics as an elderly woman suffering from the autoimmune disorder myasthenia gravis, who is therefore connected to a life-support system resembling a spider web, Madame Web is a clairvoyant whose psychic abilities allow her to see within the spider world. The film will be an origin story of the character. Details as to the role Epps is playing haven’t been disclosed.
Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless wrote the film,...
Madame Web is the next entry and first female character to be developed within the Sony Pictures Universe Universe of Marvel characters. Depicted in the comics as an elderly woman suffering from the autoimmune disorder myasthenia gravis, who is therefore connected to a life-support system resembling a spider web, Madame Web is a clairvoyant whose psychic abilities allow her to see within the spider world. The film will be an origin story of the character. Details as to the role Epps is playing haven’t been disclosed.
Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless wrote the film,...
- 7/8/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Apple TV+’s limited series Lady In The Lake has added to its cast.
Noah Jupe, Mike Epps, Byron Bowers Josiah Cross and Pruitt Taylor Vince are all joining the Endeavor Content-produced series ensemble cast.
The casting comes after Moses Ingram joined the series, alongside star Natalie Portman, replacing Lupita Nyong’o.
The series, which comes from Alma Har’el, is based on Laura Lippman’s New York Times bestselling novel. It takes place in ’60s Baltimore, where an unsolved murder pushes housewife and mother Maddie Schwartz (Portman) to reinvent her life as an investigative journalist and sets her on a collision course with Cleo Sherwood (Ingram), a hardworking woman juggling motherhood, many jobs and a passionate commitment to advancing Baltimore’s Black progressive agenda.
The cast also includes Y’Lan Noel, Mikey Madison and Brett Gelman.
It marks the second Apple series for Jupe, who recently joined Michael Douglas in Franklin. He...
Noah Jupe, Mike Epps, Byron Bowers Josiah Cross and Pruitt Taylor Vince are all joining the Endeavor Content-produced series ensemble cast.
The casting comes after Moses Ingram joined the series, alongside star Natalie Portman, replacing Lupita Nyong’o.
The series, which comes from Alma Har’el, is based on Laura Lippman’s New York Times bestselling novel. It takes place in ’60s Baltimore, where an unsolved murder pushes housewife and mother Maddie Schwartz (Portman) to reinvent her life as an investigative journalist and sets her on a collision course with Cleo Sherwood (Ingram), a hardworking woman juggling motherhood, many jobs and a passionate commitment to advancing Baltimore’s Black progressive agenda.
The cast also includes Y’Lan Noel, Mikey Madison and Brett Gelman.
It marks the second Apple series for Jupe, who recently joined Michael Douglas in Franklin. He...
- 7/7/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Apple’s limited series adaptation of “Lady in the Lake” has rounded out its cast.
Byron Bowers, Josiah Cross, Mike Epps, Noah Jupe, and Pruitt Taylor Vince are the latest additions to the series. They join previously announced cast members Natalie Portman, ’Lan Noel, Mikey Madison and Brett Gelman, as well as Moses Ingram.
The series is an adaptation of Laura Lippman’s novel of the same name. It takes place in 1960s Baltimore, where an unsolved murder pushes housewife and mother, Maddie Schwartz (Portman), to reinvent her life as an investigative journalist and sets her on a collision course with Cleo Sherwood (Ingram), a hard-working woman juggling motherhood, many jobs and a passionate commitment to advancing Baltimore’s Black progressive agenda.
Alma Har’el created the series and is also a director and executive producer via her new production company, Zusa. Har’el’s producing partner, Christopher Legget, also executive produces.
Byron Bowers, Josiah Cross, Mike Epps, Noah Jupe, and Pruitt Taylor Vince are the latest additions to the series. They join previously announced cast members Natalie Portman, ’Lan Noel, Mikey Madison and Brett Gelman, as well as Moses Ingram.
The series is an adaptation of Laura Lippman’s novel of the same name. It takes place in 1960s Baltimore, where an unsolved murder pushes housewife and mother, Maddie Schwartz (Portman), to reinvent her life as an investigative journalist and sets her on a collision course with Cleo Sherwood (Ingram), a hard-working woman juggling motherhood, many jobs and a passionate commitment to advancing Baltimore’s Black progressive agenda.
Alma Har’el created the series and is also a director and executive producer via her new production company, Zusa. Har’el’s producing partner, Christopher Legget, also executive produces.
- 7/7/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Jacob Batalon, Alana Boden, Adain Bradley and Avantika have been cast as the leads in Screen Gems and Alloy Entertainment’s Horrorscope, based on Alloy’s same-name novel, written by Nicholas Adams. Humberly González and Wolfgang Novogratz have also joined the cast.
Anna Halberg and Spenser Cohen wrote the script and will make their feature film directorial debut. Leslie Morgenstein and Elysa Koplovitz Dutton are producing through Alloy, along with Scott Glassgold of Ground Control. Cohen & Halberg are also on board to executive produce.
The story follows a group of college friends who after getting their horoscopes read, begin dying in ways connected to their fortunes. Are their fates fatal or can they change what’s written in the stars? The pic is set for a fall start and is being overseen by Scott Strauss, Michael Bitar and Lariah Perara at Screen Gems.
Best known for playing Peter Parker...
Anna Halberg and Spenser Cohen wrote the script and will make their feature film directorial debut. Leslie Morgenstein and Elysa Koplovitz Dutton are producing through Alloy, along with Scott Glassgold of Ground Control. Cohen & Halberg are also on board to executive produce.
The story follows a group of college friends who after getting their horoscopes read, begin dying in ways connected to their fortunes. Are their fates fatal or can they change what’s written in the stars? The pic is set for a fall start and is being overseen by Scott Strauss, Michael Bitar and Lariah Perara at Screen Gems.
Best known for playing Peter Parker...
- 6/28/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The Baker and the Beauty alum Victor Rasuk, Christopher Cassarino (New Amsterdam), Brooke Lyons (Lincoln Rhyme: The Hunt for the Bone Collector) and Eugene Byrd (8 Mile) are set for key recurring roles opposite Emayatzy Corinealdi in Disney’s Onyx Collective series Reasonable Doubt to stream on Hulu. The legal drama hails from writer/executive producer Raamla Mohamed (Scandal); executive producer Kerry Washington, who will direct the first episode; and ABC Signature.
In Reasonable Doubt, you’ll judge Jax Stewart (Corinealdi) for her questionable ethics and wild interpretations of the law… until you’re the one in trouble. Then you’ll see her for what she is: the most brilliant and fearless defense attorney in Los Angeles who bucks the justice system at every chance she gets.
Rasuk plays Mike Llanas, an overzealous D.A., a man who lives and dies for his work. He and Jax went to law...
In Reasonable Doubt, you’ll judge Jax Stewart (Corinealdi) for her questionable ethics and wild interpretations of the law… until you’re the one in trouble. Then you’ll see her for what she is: the most brilliant and fearless defense attorney in Los Angeles who bucks the justice system at every chance she gets.
Rasuk plays Mike Llanas, an overzealous D.A., a man who lives and dies for his work. He and Jax went to law...
- 4/6/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
IMDb TV has found its leads for High School, a coming-of-age dramedy series based on the memoir by Tegan and Sara Quin, from Housebroken co-creator Clea DuVall, Plan B Entertainment and Amazon Studios.
Discovered via TikTok by Canadian indie pop duo Tegan and Sara themselves, TV newcomers and twins Railey and Seazynn Gilliland have been tapped as series leads, portraying the high school versions of Tegan and Sara. Cobie Smulders and Kyle Bornheimer will also guest star in the series, playing the twins’ parents. High School will start filming on March 21 in Calgary, Ab.
High School is a story about finding your own identity—a journey made even more complicated when you have a twin whose own struggle and self-discovery so closely mimics your own. Told through a backdrop of ‘90s grunge and rave culture, the series weaves between parallel and discordant memories of twin sisters growing up down the hall from each other.
Discovered via TikTok by Canadian indie pop duo Tegan and Sara themselves, TV newcomers and twins Railey and Seazynn Gilliland have been tapped as series leads, portraying the high school versions of Tegan and Sara. Cobie Smulders and Kyle Bornheimer will also guest star in the series, playing the twins’ parents. High School will start filming on March 21 in Calgary, Ab.
High School is a story about finding your own identity—a journey made even more complicated when you have a twin whose own struggle and self-discovery so closely mimics your own. Told through a backdrop of ‘90s grunge and rave culture, the series weaves between parallel and discordant memories of twin sisters growing up down the hall from each other.
- 3/17/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
IMDb TV, Amazon’s premium free streaming service, has given a formal pilot order to Western, a half-hour period comedy from Sony Pictures Television, Amazon Studios and Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s Sony TV-based Lord Miller.
The project, written by Michelle Morgan has had a blinking green light for several weeks, with casting already underway.
Western follows Polly, a high-society young woman in the 1800s who travels out West in search of a husband — only to discover that she has been catfished by a teenage boy. Now stranded, Polly, along with the town’s other inhabitants, must find their place in this ever-changing new world, confronting and defying all expectations society has of them along the way.
2022 IMDb TV Pilots & Series Orders
Morgan executive produces with Lord Miller’s Phil Lord, Chris Miller and Karim Zreik; the company’s Aubrey Lee is a producer.
The project, written by Michelle Morgan has had a blinking green light for several weeks, with casting already underway.
Western follows Polly, a high-society young woman in the 1800s who travels out West in search of a husband — only to discover that she has been catfished by a teenage boy. Now stranded, Polly, along with the town’s other inhabitants, must find their place in this ever-changing new world, confronting and defying all expectations society has of them along the way.
2022 IMDb TV Pilots & Series Orders
Morgan executive produces with Lord Miller’s Phil Lord, Chris Miller and Karim Zreik; the company’s Aubrey Lee is a producer.
- 3/10/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Jason Winer (The Big Leap) has been tapped to direct Disney+’s upcoming The Santa Clause limited series starring Tim Allen. The Modern Family alum will also executive produce through his Small Dog Picture Co. the series, which comes from Last Man Standing creator Jack Burditt.
In the Disney+ series, Scott Calvin (Allen) is on the brink of his 65th birthday and realizing that he can’t be Santa forever. He’s suddenly starting to lose his Santa magic, and more importantly, he’s got a family who could benefit from a life in the normal world, especially his two kids who have grown up at the North Pole. With a lot of elves, children, and family to please, Scott sets out to find a suitable replacement Santa while preparing his family for a new adventure in a life south of the pole.
2022 Disney+ Pilots & Series Orders
Winer and...
In the Disney+ series, Scott Calvin (Allen) is on the brink of his 65th birthday and realizing that he can’t be Santa forever. He’s suddenly starting to lose his Santa magic, and more importantly, he’s got a family who could benefit from a life in the normal world, especially his two kids who have grown up at the North Pole. With a lot of elves, children, and family to please, Scott sets out to find a suitable replacement Santa while preparing his family for a new adventure in a life south of the pole.
2022 Disney+ Pilots & Series Orders
Winer and...
- 3/1/2022
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
Quantum Leap’s long-rumored return has taken a big leap toward becoming a reality. NBC has given a pilot order to a reboot of the beloved 1990s sci-fi series, which starred Scott Bakula and Dean Stockwell.
Written and executive produced by La Brea co-showrunners Steven Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt and executive produced by Blindspot creator Martin Gero as well as Quantum Leap creator/EP Don Bellisario and EP/co-narrator Deborah Pratt, the follow-up series is set in present time. It’s been 30 years since Dr. Sam Beckett (Bakula) stepped into the Quantum Leap accelerator and vanished. Now a new team has been assembled to restart the project in the hopes of understanding the mysteries behind the machine and the man who created it.
Bakula is not attached to reprise his role or produce the new Quantum Leap but is aware of the reboot and has had conversations about potentially getting involved.
Written and executive produced by La Brea co-showrunners Steven Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt and executive produced by Blindspot creator Martin Gero as well as Quantum Leap creator/EP Don Bellisario and EP/co-narrator Deborah Pratt, the follow-up series is set in present time. It’s been 30 years since Dr. Sam Beckett (Bakula) stepped into the Quantum Leap accelerator and vanished. Now a new team has been assembled to restart the project in the hopes of understanding the mysteries behind the machine and the man who created it.
Bakula is not attached to reprise his role or produce the new Quantum Leap but is aware of the reboot and has had conversations about potentially getting involved.
- 1/13/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Great news, Gen Z! They’re remaking “To Catch a Thief.”
The Alfred Hitchcock classic first debuted in 1955. It boasted breathtaking Riviera views, as well as Cary Grant being all effortlessly charming and Grace Kelly at peak icy blondness. There was also something about a cat burglar lured out of a comfortable retirement after being framed for a crime he didn’t commit — yada, yada — along with cinema’s most sexually suggestive fireworks display.
The new version is in early development, but Gal Gadot, better known as Wonder Woman and recently seen on Netflix in the crime caper “Red Notice” opposite Ryan Reynolds and Dwayne Johnson, is attached to star. Gadot can next be seen as the Evil Queen in Disney’s live-action remake of “Snow White” and in the long-delayed adaptation of Agatha Christie’s “Death on the Nile.”
The script for the new film is being penned by Eileen Jones,...
The Alfred Hitchcock classic first debuted in 1955. It boasted breathtaking Riviera views, as well as Cary Grant being all effortlessly charming and Grace Kelly at peak icy blondness. There was also something about a cat burglar lured out of a comfortable retirement after being framed for a crime he didn’t commit — yada, yada — along with cinema’s most sexually suggestive fireworks display.
The new version is in early development, but Gal Gadot, better known as Wonder Woman and recently seen on Netflix in the crime caper “Red Notice” opposite Ryan Reynolds and Dwayne Johnson, is attached to star. Gadot can next be seen as the Evil Queen in Disney’s live-action remake of “Snow White” and in the long-delayed adaptation of Agatha Christie’s “Death on the Nile.”
The script for the new film is being penned by Eileen Jones,...
- 1/11/2022
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Eileen Jones is set to write the remake of the classic thriller To Catch a Thief for Paramount Pictures, with Gal Gadot attached to star. Gadot will also produce with her partner Jaron Varsano through their Pilot Wave Banner along with Neal Moritz, who will produce through his Original Film banner.
The original 1955 Paramount pic was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starred Cary Grant as a former thief who must prove his innocence after being suspected of returning to his former occupation. The film also starred Grace Kelly and is considered a classic Hitchockian thriller.
Plot details on the remake are unknown at this time.
‘Pig’ Director Michael Sarnoski To Helm Next ‘A Quiet Place’ Pic For Paramount
Jones has been a rising star on the writing scene following her work on the Fox series Prodigal Son. Her recent pitch Highwayman, which she will write with Margot Robbie and Christina Hodson producing,...
The original 1955 Paramount pic was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starred Cary Grant as a former thief who must prove his innocence after being suspected of returning to his former occupation. The film also starred Grace Kelly and is considered a classic Hitchockian thriller.
Plot details on the remake are unknown at this time.
‘Pig’ Director Michael Sarnoski To Helm Next ‘A Quiet Place’ Pic For Paramount
Jones has been a rising star on the writing scene following her work on the Fox series Prodigal Son. Her recent pitch Highwayman, which she will write with Margot Robbie and Christina Hodson producing,...
- 1/11/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Erin Cardillo and Richard Keith, creators of the CW series Life Sentence and Significant Mother, are heading to an idyllic small town for their latest project.
The pair have teamed up with The Big Leap and Modern Family director Jason Winer to develop This Beautiful Life, a one-hour drama in the works at NBC.
The series follows a 30-year-old woman who is living her best single life in the city but wakes up in an idyllic small town 10 years later with a husband, a child and absolutely no idea how she got there. Thinking she’s lost her memory or her sanity, she searches for answers only to discover that something much bigger than her own psyche is behind this phenomenon … and that she’s not the only one trapped in this beautiful life.
The project is produced by 20th Television, where Winer and his Small Dog Picture Company is based,...
The pair have teamed up with The Big Leap and Modern Family director Jason Winer to develop This Beautiful Life, a one-hour drama in the works at NBC.
The series follows a 30-year-old woman who is living her best single life in the city but wakes up in an idyllic small town 10 years later with a husband, a child and absolutely no idea how she got there. Thinking she’s lost her memory or her sanity, she searches for answers only to discover that something much bigger than her own psyche is behind this phenomenon … and that she’s not the only one trapped in this beautiful life.
The project is produced by 20th Television, where Winer and his Small Dog Picture Company is based,...
- 12/14/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: UTA has signed writer and emerging actress Camilla Blackett in all areas.
Blackett has multiple projects in development including her most recent, the dark comedy Max for HBO Max which she created as a potential starring vehicle for herself. She will showrun the series with Don Cheadle and Radicle Act’s Mika Pryce serving as executive producers.
Additionally, Blackett is also developing Vineyard at Amazon with Lebron James’ Springhill Entertainment and Warner Bros. TV.
Her previous television credits include being on the writing staff for Newsroom, New Girl, Fresh Off The Boat, and Skins.
On the feature side, Blackett is writing and will executive produce her original project Queen for Universal starring Marsai Martin.
Blackett continues to be managed by Mike Dill and Lowell Shapiro at Black Box Management, attorney Todd Rubenstein at Morris Yorn, and Alec Drysdale of Independent Talent in the UK.
Blackett has multiple projects in development including her most recent, the dark comedy Max for HBO Max which she created as a potential starring vehicle for herself. She will showrun the series with Don Cheadle and Radicle Act’s Mika Pryce serving as executive producers.
Additionally, Blackett is also developing Vineyard at Amazon with Lebron James’ Springhill Entertainment and Warner Bros. TV.
Her previous television credits include being on the writing staff for Newsroom, New Girl, Fresh Off The Boat, and Skins.
On the feature side, Blackett is writing and will executive produce her original project Queen for Universal starring Marsai Martin.
Blackett continues to be managed by Mike Dill and Lowell Shapiro at Black Box Management, attorney Todd Rubenstein at Morris Yorn, and Alec Drysdale of Independent Talent in the UK.
- 8/27/2021
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Nedaa Sweiss has signed a multi-year overall deal with Universal Television.
Sweiss currently serves as co-showrunner on the NBC late-night series “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” She will continue in that role under the deal while also developing new projects for broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms.
“We’ve greatly admired Nedaa’s contributions to late night television over the years, and are excited to be collaborating with her as she expands her reach into new kinds of projects,” said Jim Donnelly, executive vice president of comedy for Universal Television.
As co-showrunner of “The Tonight Show,” Sweiss is one of the youngest ever to hold this role in late-night history. She was previously the show’s head writer and also wrote for “The Late Late Show with James Corden” prior to moving over to NBC. In 2020, she sold two pieces of scripted development to CBS and ABC, and was named...
Sweiss currently serves as co-showrunner on the NBC late-night series “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” She will continue in that role under the deal while also developing new projects for broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms.
“We’ve greatly admired Nedaa’s contributions to late night television over the years, and are excited to be collaborating with her as she expands her reach into new kinds of projects,” said Jim Donnelly, executive vice president of comedy for Universal Television.
As co-showrunner of “The Tonight Show,” Sweiss is one of the youngest ever to hold this role in late-night history. She was previously the show’s head writer and also wrote for “The Late Late Show with James Corden” prior to moving over to NBC. In 2020, she sold two pieces of scripted development to CBS and ABC, and was named...
- 6/25/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Nedaa Sweiss, co-showrunner of The Tonight Show, is staying in the NBCUniversal family.
Sweiss has struck an overall deal with Universal Television in addition to continuing her role on the NBC late-night series.
She will develop new scripted projects for broadcast, cable and streaming platforms.
It comes after Sweiss, who is one of the youngest showrunners of a late-night show, developed a couple of broadcast projects last year.
She developed multi-camera comedy Middle Class Murdochs, a family comedy set in an Ohio carpet store, with writer Jonathan Adler for CBS, via CBS Studios, and neighbors single-camera comedy Real People, which she worked with Late Night director Nisha Ganatra, Ruben Fleischer and David Bernad’s The District and ABC Signature on.
Prior to this, she served as head writer of The Tonight Show and was a writer on The Late Late Show with James Corden.
“So many of my favorite shows...
Sweiss has struck an overall deal with Universal Television in addition to continuing her role on the NBC late-night series.
She will develop new scripted projects for broadcast, cable and streaming platforms.
It comes after Sweiss, who is one of the youngest showrunners of a late-night show, developed a couple of broadcast projects last year.
She developed multi-camera comedy Middle Class Murdochs, a family comedy set in an Ohio carpet store, with writer Jonathan Adler for CBS, via CBS Studios, and neighbors single-camera comedy Real People, which she worked with Late Night director Nisha Ganatra, Ruben Fleischer and David Bernad’s The District and ABC Signature on.
Prior to this, she served as head writer of The Tonight Show and was a writer on The Late Late Show with James Corden.
“So many of my favorite shows...
- 6/25/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Adam McKay’s HBO L.A. Lakers drama series is rounding out its cast. Mike Epps (The Upshaws), Carina Conti (The Last Tycoon), Max E. Williams (Dreamland) and Mariama Diallo (Random Acts of Flyness) will recur in the series based on Jeff Pearlman’s book Showtime: Magic, Kareem, Riley, and the Los Angeles Lakers Dynasty of the 1980s. McKay’s Hyperobject Industries is producing.
Written by Max Borenstein, the fast-break series chronicles the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties — a team that defined its era both on and off the court.
Epps plays Richard Pryor, the prolific and boundary-breaking comedian who lived the Hollywood dream, sometimes in excess.
Conti portrays Paula Abdul. Before she was a decade-defining pop star, Paula Abdul was just a high school student from the San Fernando Valley, moonlighting as the innovative choreographer for the Laker Girls.
Written by Max Borenstein, the fast-break series chronicles the professional and personal lives of the 1980s Lakers, one of sports’ most revered and dominant dynasties — a team that defined its era both on and off the court.
Epps plays Richard Pryor, the prolific and boundary-breaking comedian who lived the Hollywood dream, sometimes in excess.
Conti portrays Paula Abdul. Before she was a decade-defining pop star, Paula Abdul was just a high school student from the San Fernando Valley, moonlighting as the innovative choreographer for the Laker Girls.
- 6/21/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
“Queen of the South” actor Alice Braga is set to star in the upcoming Netflix movie “Ivy.”
The story centers on a mother, who is recovering from a brutal accident and moves into a prototype smart home. As she begins to get settled, she finds out that the house’s groundbreaking AI technology is quickly developing real human emotions.
“Night Raiders” filmmaker Danis Goulet is directing the thriller, with a script from Spenser Cohen and Anna Halberg (“Distant”).
Netflix has not announced the film’s release date.
Producers on “Ivy” include Tripp Vinson for Vinson Films and Daniel Bekerman for Scythia Films. In addition to penning the screenplay, Cohen and Halberg will serve as executive producers. Christopher Yurkovich, Alex Ordanis and Tara Farney are also executive producing.
Braga began her career in Brazilian films, including “City of God,” “Lower City” and “Only God Knows,” before landing a breakout role opposite...
The story centers on a mother, who is recovering from a brutal accident and moves into a prototype smart home. As she begins to get settled, she finds out that the house’s groundbreaking AI technology is quickly developing real human emotions.
“Night Raiders” filmmaker Danis Goulet is directing the thriller, with a script from Spenser Cohen and Anna Halberg (“Distant”).
Netflix has not announced the film’s release date.
Producers on “Ivy” include Tripp Vinson for Vinson Films and Daniel Bekerman for Scythia Films. In addition to penning the screenplay, Cohen and Halberg will serve as executive producers. Christopher Yurkovich, Alex Ordanis and Tara Farney are also executive producing.
Braga began her career in Brazilian films, including “City of God,” “Lower City” and “Only God Knows,” before landing a breakout role opposite...
- 6/17/2021
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: One Community has closed a deal for The Kite Runner author Khaled Hosseini to adapt his 2007 novel A Thousand Splendid Suns into a limited series. The book has sold 17 million copies in 130 countries in 56 languages. Run by Scott Budnick, One Community is a social impact producer/financier whose first movie was the Michael B. Jordan-starrer Just Mercy, with Respect: The Aretha Franklin Story coming behind it this fall.
A Thousand Splendid Suns chronicles 30 years of Afghan history through a female lens, exploring the impact of war through a story of friendship and the triumph of love. This is the first TV property for One Community, who called the novel “one of the most beautifully written books I’ve read. It’s a powerful look at Afghanistan’s recent history, but also a deeply moving, hopeful and inspiring love story, and we are thrilled to be working with...
A Thousand Splendid Suns chronicles 30 years of Afghan history through a female lens, exploring the impact of war through a story of friendship and the triumph of love. This is the first TV property for One Community, who called the novel “one of the most beautifully written books I’ve read. It’s a powerful look at Afghanistan’s recent history, but also a deeply moving, hopeful and inspiring love story, and we are thrilled to be working with...
- 6/3/2021
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Agent-producer Brian Sher has been named president of Quality Films, the film and television division of Quality Control, the label and management company that spawned the careers of Lil Baby, Lil Yachty, City Girls, Migos and many more.
According to the announcement, in his new role, Sher will oversee development and production of the company’s slate, which will emphasize culturally driven stories, as well as develop vehicles for the label’s artists. Kevin “Coach K” Lee and Pierre “P” Thomas are the founders of Quality Control and its ever-expanding media umbrella.
“It’s truly an honor to join forces with Coach and P as they expand their empire into yet another media vertical,” said Sher. “QC is the gold standard in the music business and I have no doubt we will replicate that success in the film and television space and beyond.”
Sher, Coach and P have already collaborated...
According to the announcement, in his new role, Sher will oversee development and production of the company’s slate, which will emphasize culturally driven stories, as well as develop vehicles for the label’s artists. Kevin “Coach K” Lee and Pierre “P” Thomas are the founders of Quality Control and its ever-expanding media umbrella.
“It’s truly an honor to join forces with Coach and P as they expand their empire into yet another media vertical,” said Sher. “QC is the gold standard in the music business and I have no doubt we will replicate that success in the film and television space and beyond.”
Sher, Coach and P have already collaborated...
- 5/6/2021
- by Jem Aswad
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: iZombie alum Malcolm Goodwin, Willa Fitzgerald (Scream) and Chris Webster (Most Dangerous Game) have been tapped as series regulars opposite Alan Ritchson in the upcoming Amazon original series Jack Reacher, based on the character from Lee Child’s international bestselling books.
Ritchson stars as the title character in the series, produced by Amazon Studios, Skydance Television and Paramount Television Studios. The first season, written, exec produced and showrun by Nick Santora, is based on the first Jack Reacher novel, The Killing Floor, which is set in Georgia.
Goodwin will star as Chief Detective Oscar Finlay, a Harvard-educated, tweed suit-wearing Northerner who recently relocated to the small town of Margrave to take a job in the Margrave Police Department.
Fitzgerald stars as Roscoe Conklin, who was born and raised in Margrave and is a smart and proud officer in the Margrave Pd. She is resilient and is intimidated by nothing and no one.
Ritchson stars as the title character in the series, produced by Amazon Studios, Skydance Television and Paramount Television Studios. The first season, written, exec produced and showrun by Nick Santora, is based on the first Jack Reacher novel, The Killing Floor, which is set in Georgia.
Goodwin will star as Chief Detective Oscar Finlay, a Harvard-educated, tweed suit-wearing Northerner who recently relocated to the small town of Margrave to take a job in the Margrave Police Department.
Fitzgerald stars as Roscoe Conklin, who was born and raised in Margrave and is a smart and proud officer in the Margrave Pd. She is resilient and is intimidated by nothing and no one.
- 3/22/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: God Friended Me creators Steven Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt have signed with Range Media Partners for management.
The duo most recently created dramedy God Friended Me, which ran for two seasons on CBS. They served as executive producers and showrunners, with the team directing the series finale. They were honored with the 2019 Humanitas Prize for their work on the series. It starred Brandon Micheal Hall as an outspoken atheist whose life is turned upside-down when he receives a friend request on social media from “God” and unwittingly becomes an agent of change in the lives and destinies of others around him.
Prior to that, the pair developed pilots with Will Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment, Scott Stuber’s Bluegrass Films and Secret Hideout. They co-created their first series Alcatraz in 2012 with JJ Abrams and Bad Robot producing for Fox. Their previous credits include Kyle Xy, CSI: NY, Hawaii Five-0 and Gotham.
The duo most recently created dramedy God Friended Me, which ran for two seasons on CBS. They served as executive producers and showrunners, with the team directing the series finale. They were honored with the 2019 Humanitas Prize for their work on the series. It starred Brandon Micheal Hall as an outspoken atheist whose life is turned upside-down when he receives a friend request on social media from “God” and unwittingly becomes an agent of change in the lives and destinies of others around him.
Prior to that, the pair developed pilots with Will Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment, Scott Stuber’s Bluegrass Films and Secret Hideout. They co-created their first series Alcatraz in 2012 with JJ Abrams and Bad Robot producing for Fox. Their previous credits include Kyle Xy, CSI: NY, Hawaii Five-0 and Gotham.
- 2/17/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Golden Globe- and Critics Choice-nominated showrunners, screenwriters and producers Meredith Lavender and Marcie Ulin have signed with Range Media Partners and ICM Partners.
The duo most recently served as the showrunners/executive producers of HBO Max’s hit series The Flight Attendan,t which was recognized with two Golden Globes nominations including Best Television Series-Musical/Comedy and Best Actress-Musical/Comedy for Kaley Cuoco; two Critics Choice nominations including Best Comedy Series and Best Actress for Cuoco; two SAG Award nominations including comedy ensemble and Actress for Cuoco; and a WGA Award nomination. The series ranked as HBO Max’s No. 1 show during its run and promptly received a Season 2 pickup after its Season 1 finale.
Previously, Lavender and Ulin were EPs on ABC’s Nashville, on which they both received a 2013 WGA New TV Series nomination. Lavender is also co-founder of the Atlanta-based production company Georgia Born.
Range Media Partners...
The duo most recently served as the showrunners/executive producers of HBO Max’s hit series The Flight Attendan,t which was recognized with two Golden Globes nominations including Best Television Series-Musical/Comedy and Best Actress-Musical/Comedy for Kaley Cuoco; two Critics Choice nominations including Best Comedy Series and Best Actress for Cuoco; two SAG Award nominations including comedy ensemble and Actress for Cuoco; and a WGA Award nomination. The series ranked as HBO Max’s No. 1 show during its run and promptly received a Season 2 pickup after its Season 1 finale.
Previously, Lavender and Ulin were EPs on ABC’s Nashville, on which they both received a 2013 WGA New TV Series nomination. Lavender is also co-founder of the Atlanta-based production company Georgia Born.
Range Media Partners...
- 2/9/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Disney looks to be bringing the popular book Aloha Rodeo to its streamer as it has tapped Chris Kekaniokalani Bright to adapt the book by David Wolman and Julian Smith. Jeremy Latcham is attached to produce. The film is being developed by the Disney live action team for Disney+.
Based on the untold true story of Hawaiian cowboys, Aloha Rodeo follows three paniolos (Hawaiian cowboys) who traveled from Hawaii to Wyoming in 1908 to compete in the Frontier Days Championship Roping Competition. What started off as a novelty quickly turned into a one-sided competition as the paniolos performed feats that the mainlanders had never dreamed of before.
The film marks one of Bright’s biggest jobs to date having previously penned the spec Conviction, which Warner Bros. recently acquirred. He is repped by Mgmt, Verve & Todd Rubenstein.
Based on the untold true story of Hawaiian cowboys, Aloha Rodeo follows three paniolos (Hawaiian cowboys) who traveled from Hawaii to Wyoming in 1908 to compete in the Frontier Days Championship Roping Competition. What started off as a novelty quickly turned into a one-sided competition as the paniolos performed feats that the mainlanders had never dreamed of before.
The film marks one of Bright’s biggest jobs to date having previously penned the spec Conviction, which Warner Bros. recently acquirred. He is repped by Mgmt, Verve & Todd Rubenstein.
- 2/4/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Madam Secretary alum Geoffrey Arend is set as a series regular opposite Rose Byrne and Rory Scovel in Apple TV+ dramedy Physical, from Almost Family creator Annie Weisman, Dirty John showrunner Alexandra Cunningham and Tomorrow Studios.
Written by Weisman, who also will serve as showrunner, Physical is set in a 1980s Southern California beach community. It follows Sheila (Byrne), a woman struggling in her life as a quietly tortured housewife who finds an unconventional path to power through an unlikely source: the world of aerobics.
Arend will play Jerry, a longtime friend of Danny (Scovel) and Sheila (Byrne) from their activist days at Berkeley. He’s come to stir up some good, and possibly bad, trouble.
The ensemble cast also includes Paul Sparks, Lou Taylor Pucci, Della Saba, Dierdre Friel and Ashley Liao.
Craig Gillespie will direct the pilot and Liza Johnson (Dead To Me) and Stephanie Laing...
Written by Weisman, who also will serve as showrunner, Physical is set in a 1980s Southern California beach community. It follows Sheila (Byrne), a woman struggling in her life as a quietly tortured housewife who finds an unconventional path to power through an unlikely source: the world of aerobics.
Arend will play Jerry, a longtime friend of Danny (Scovel) and Sheila (Byrne) from their activist days at Berkeley. He’s come to stir up some good, and possibly bad, trouble.
The ensemble cast also includes Paul Sparks, Lou Taylor Pucci, Della Saba, Dierdre Friel and Ashley Liao.
Craig Gillespie will direct the pilot and Liza Johnson (Dead To Me) and Stephanie Laing...
- 1/11/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: They say you can’t take on City Hall, but someone forgot to tell Sir Lady Java.
Now Pose star Hailie Sahar and Genius: Aretha director Anthony Hemingway have teamed to bring the onetime performer and long-time LGBTQ activist’s story to life on the big screen.
As you can see in the video below that Emmy winner Hemingway has put together, Good Trouble alum Sahar is slated to play the famed female impersonator – and Sir Lady Java very much approves:
Called a “trailblazer” and “a cultural icon” by Hemingway in the video, Sir Lady Java was a frequent presence on the Los Angeles nightclub circuit back in the 1960s. In that time of discrimination, she shared the stage with Sammy Davis Jr, Redd Foxx, Lena Horne, Richard Pryor and James Brown until the LAPD decided to shut her down in 1967 with what was known as “Rule Number...
Now Pose star Hailie Sahar and Genius: Aretha director Anthony Hemingway have teamed to bring the onetime performer and long-time LGBTQ activist’s story to life on the big screen.
As you can see in the video below that Emmy winner Hemingway has put together, Good Trouble alum Sahar is slated to play the famed female impersonator – and Sir Lady Java very much approves:
Called a “trailblazer” and “a cultural icon” by Hemingway in the video, Sir Lady Java was a frequent presence on the Los Angeles nightclub circuit back in the 1960s. In that time of discrimination, she shared the stage with Sammy Davis Jr, Redd Foxx, Lena Horne, Richard Pryor and James Brown until the LAPD decided to shut her down in 1967 with what was known as “Rule Number...
- 11/11/2020
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Searchlight, we hear, has a new psychological thriller they’re putting into development, entitled Keith. The plot, which is being kept under wraps, will star Game of Thrones’ Peter Dinklage who will also executive produce with Portobello Electric producing.
Portobello Electric is comprised of Sacha Gervasi, Jim Garavente, Jessica de Rothschild and Hassan Taher.
Haley Z. Boston, a staff scribe on Amazon’s Hunters series, is writing Keith based on a treatment by Gervasi.
In the wake of the success of Searchlight’s genre feature Ready or Not last summer ($57.6M WW), the Disney indie label is ramping up such fare with the Scott Cooper directed, Guillermo del Toro produced Antlers set for theatrical release on Feb. 19, 2021. Searchlight SVP of Production Dantram Nguyen and Director of Production Zahra Phillips are overseeing Keith for the studio.
Boston recently sold her original script Kill Fuck Mary to Amazon with John Wells attached to produce.
Portobello Electric is comprised of Sacha Gervasi, Jim Garavente, Jessica de Rothschild and Hassan Taher.
Haley Z. Boston, a staff scribe on Amazon’s Hunters series, is writing Keith based on a treatment by Gervasi.
In the wake of the success of Searchlight’s genre feature Ready or Not last summer ($57.6M WW), the Disney indie label is ramping up such fare with the Scott Cooper directed, Guillermo del Toro produced Antlers set for theatrical release on Feb. 19, 2021. Searchlight SVP of Production Dantram Nguyen and Director of Production Zahra Phillips are overseeing Keith for the studio.
Boston recently sold her original script Kill Fuck Mary to Amazon with John Wells attached to produce.
- 9/15/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix has picked up Sneakerheads, a six-episode comedy series starring Allen Maldonado and Andrew Bachelor (To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before), from creator Jay Longino and Complex Networks. The Netflix original series is set to premiere September 25.
Starring Allen Maldonado and Andrew Bachelor, the series centers around Devin, a former sneakerhead turned stay-at-home dad who gets back in the game only to quickly find himself five G’s in the hole after falling for one of old friend Bobby’s (Bachelor) get-rich-quick schemes. Desperate to get his money back before his wife finds out he’s fallen off the wagon, Devin enlists the help of a ragtag group of fellow shoe lovers on his global hunt for the elusive “Zeroes,” the holy grail of hard-to-find kicks.
Cast also includes Jearnest Corchado, Matthew Josten, Yaani King Mondschein, Justin Lee, and Aja Evans.
Longino created the...
Starring Allen Maldonado and Andrew Bachelor, the series centers around Devin, a former sneakerhead turned stay-at-home dad who gets back in the game only to quickly find himself five G’s in the hole after falling for one of old friend Bobby’s (Bachelor) get-rich-quick schemes. Desperate to get his money back before his wife finds out he’s fallen off the wagon, Devin enlists the help of a ragtag group of fellow shoe lovers on his global hunt for the elusive “Zeroes,” the holy grail of hard-to-find kicks.
Cast also includes Jearnest Corchado, Matthew Josten, Yaani King Mondschein, Justin Lee, and Aja Evans.
Longino created the...
- 8/17/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Former Assistant District Attorney turned writer-showrunner, Zachary Reiter, has signed with APA.
Reiter recently joined Matt Olmstead as co-executive producer on the Law & Order spin-off, Organized Crime, starring Christopher Meloni. Other recent co-executive producer credits include Next and 9-1-1 for Fox, as well as the second season of the Netflix global hit, Narcos. He’s also in development on an installment of Ryan Murphy’s American Crime Story, which is still under wraps.
Prior to turning his focus to writing, Reiter was an Assistant District Attorney in Queens County, New York where he was assigned to the Homicide Investigations Bureau – a poignant life experience that proved extremely valuable as he rose through the ranks from staff writer to executive producer on CSI: NY.
Reiter is also repped by Todd Rubenstein of Morris Yorn Barnes Levine Krintzman Rubenstein Kohner & Gellman.
Reiter recently joined Matt Olmstead as co-executive producer on the Law & Order spin-off, Organized Crime, starring Christopher Meloni. Other recent co-executive producer credits include Next and 9-1-1 for Fox, as well as the second season of the Netflix global hit, Narcos. He’s also in development on an installment of Ryan Murphy’s American Crime Story, which is still under wraps.
Prior to turning his focus to writing, Reiter was an Assistant District Attorney in Queens County, New York where he was assigned to the Homicide Investigations Bureau – a poignant life experience that proved extremely valuable as he rose through the ranks from staff writer to executive producer on CSI: NY.
Reiter is also repped by Todd Rubenstein of Morris Yorn Barnes Levine Krintzman Rubenstein Kohner & Gellman.
- 7/22/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
CAA has signed writer, photographer, director and actor Tommy Dorfman.
Known for their role as Ryan Shaver on the Netflix drama 13 Reasons Why, Dorfman most recently starred alongside Alan Cumming in Jeremy O. Harris’ off-Broadway hit Daddy.
Most recently, they joined the cast of Freeform’s forthcoming Covid-19 drama Love in the Time of Corona which includes Leslie Odom Jr., Nicolette Robinson, Rainey Qualley, Gil Bellows, Rya Kihlsted, Ava Bellows and L. Scott Caldwell. The four-part limited series was produced virtually and follows four interwoven stories about the hopeful search for love and connection during this time of quarantine.
In addition to being featured in campaigns for Calvin Klein, Fendi, Diesel and Ugg, Dorfman art-directed a digital campaign for Ferragamo, which featured queer, trans and plus-size talent — a first for the fashion label. They also recently photographed and art-directed Pete Davidson for Paper Magazine.
Dorfman is managed by Doreen Wilcox Little at Anonymous Content.
Known for their role as Ryan Shaver on the Netflix drama 13 Reasons Why, Dorfman most recently starred alongside Alan Cumming in Jeremy O. Harris’ off-Broadway hit Daddy.
Most recently, they joined the cast of Freeform’s forthcoming Covid-19 drama Love in the Time of Corona which includes Leslie Odom Jr., Nicolette Robinson, Rainey Qualley, Gil Bellows, Rya Kihlsted, Ava Bellows and L. Scott Caldwell. The four-part limited series was produced virtually and follows four interwoven stories about the hopeful search for love and connection during this time of quarantine.
In addition to being featured in campaigns for Calvin Klein, Fendi, Diesel and Ugg, Dorfman art-directed a digital campaign for Ferragamo, which featured queer, trans and plus-size talent — a first for the fashion label. They also recently photographed and art-directed Pete Davidson for Paper Magazine.
Dorfman is managed by Doreen Wilcox Little at Anonymous Content.
- 7/20/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
John Hawkes (The Sessions) and Oscar winner Allison Janney have come on board for roles in the real-life-inspired feature To Leslie with Andrea Riseborough (Birdman).
Mister Smith has also boarded the project for international sales ahead of the Cannes virtual market. UTA Independent Film Group is repping domestic.
Michael Morris (Better Call Saul) will direct the screenplay written by Ryan Binaco (3022). Claude Dal Farra and Brian Keady of Bcdf Pictures are producers along with Kelsey Law of Clair de Lune Entertainment. Binaco is executive producing.
The film tells the story of a West Texas single mother (Riseborough) who won the lottery and squandered it just as fast, leaving behind a world of heartbreak. Years later, with her charm running out and nowhere to go, she fights to rebuild her life and find redemption. Binaco wrote the screenplay inspired by the life of his mother.
Hawkes will play Sweeney,...
Mister Smith has also boarded the project for international sales ahead of the Cannes virtual market. UTA Independent Film Group is repping domestic.
Michael Morris (Better Call Saul) will direct the screenplay written by Ryan Binaco (3022). Claude Dal Farra and Brian Keady of Bcdf Pictures are producers along with Kelsey Law of Clair de Lune Entertainment. Binaco is executive producing.
The film tells the story of a West Texas single mother (Riseborough) who won the lottery and squandered it just as fast, leaving behind a world of heartbreak. Years later, with her charm running out and nowhere to go, she fights to rebuild her life and find redemption. Binaco wrote the screenplay inspired by the life of his mother.
Hawkes will play Sweeney,...
- 6/11/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Oscar-nominee John Hawkes and Oscar-winner Allison Janney have come on board for roles in the real-life-inspired feature “To Leslie.” The actors join previously announced lead Andrea Riseborough. Mister Smith Entertainment is handling international sales and will introduce the project this month at virtual Cannes. UTA Independent Film Group is representing U.S. sales.
Michael Morris will direct the screenplay written by Ryan Binaco (“3022”). Claude Dal Farra and Brian Keady of Bcdf Pictures are producers along with Kelsey Law of Clair de Lune Entertainment. Binaco is executive producing.
“To Leslie” tells the story of a West Texas single mother (Riseborough), who won the lottery and squandered it just as fast, leaving behind a world of heartbreak. Years later, with her charm running out and nowhere to go, she fights to rebuild her life and find redemption. Binaco wrote the screenplay inspired by the life of his mother.
Hawkes will play Sweeney,...
Michael Morris will direct the screenplay written by Ryan Binaco (“3022”). Claude Dal Farra and Brian Keady of Bcdf Pictures are producers along with Kelsey Law of Clair de Lune Entertainment. Binaco is executive producing.
“To Leslie” tells the story of a West Texas single mother (Riseborough), who won the lottery and squandered it just as fast, leaving behind a world of heartbreak. Years later, with her charm running out and nowhere to go, she fights to rebuild her life and find redemption. Binaco wrote the screenplay inspired by the life of his mother.
Hawkes will play Sweeney,...
- 6/11/2020
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Billy Burke, Aaron Poole and Christopher Webster are set to join Liam Hemsworth, Christoph Waltz and Natasha Liu Bordizzo in Quibi’s forthcoming untitled action thriller.
The series comes from Scorpion creator Nick Santora, producer Gordon Gray, Silver Reel Pictures and CBS Television Studios. Santora will write and executive produce the series. Emmy-nominated director Phil Abraham (Mad Men) will helm and also executive produce.
Here’s the logline: Desperate to take care of his pregnant wife before a terminal illness can take his life, Dodge Maynard (Hemsworth) accepts an offer to participate in a deadly game where he soon discovers that he’s not the hunter but the prey. The action-thriller explores the limits of how far someone would go to fight for their life and their family. Burke, Poole and Webster’s roles are being kept under wraps.
Burke recently starred in Zoo and NBC’s Revolution. His film...
The series comes from Scorpion creator Nick Santora, producer Gordon Gray, Silver Reel Pictures and CBS Television Studios. Santora will write and executive produce the series. Emmy-nominated director Phil Abraham (Mad Men) will helm and also executive produce.
Here’s the logline: Desperate to take care of his pregnant wife before a terminal illness can take his life, Dodge Maynard (Hemsworth) accepts an offer to participate in a deadly game where he soon discovers that he’s not the hunter but the prey. The action-thriller explores the limits of how far someone would go to fight for their life and their family. Burke, Poole and Webster’s roles are being kept under wraps.
Burke recently starred in Zoo and NBC’s Revolution. His film...
- 11/15/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Dark Castle Entertainment, HanWay Films and Ingenious Media have partnered on horror film “Seance,” directed by Simon Barrett and starring Suki Waterhouse.
Set in an all-girls boarding school haunted by a vengeful spirit, Waterhouse plays Camille, a young woman who arrives at the Fairfield Academy following one of the student’s untimely and violent death.
Dark Castle, HanWay and Ingenious are jointly producing together with Addictive Picture’s John Schoenfelder, Russell Ackerman and with Tomas Deckaj. Alex Mace is producing and Hal Sadoff will executive produce for Dark Castle. The film is fully funded by Dark Castle, HanWay and Ingenious. Dark Castle and HanWay have retained worldwide rights and will commence sales at the upcoming American Film Market.
“Seance” is based on a screenplay by Barrett and marks the third collaboration between the filmmaker and HanWay, who have also worked closely on Barrett’s films “The Guest” and “You’re Next,...
Set in an all-girls boarding school haunted by a vengeful spirit, Waterhouse plays Camille, a young woman who arrives at the Fairfield Academy following one of the student’s untimely and violent death.
Dark Castle, HanWay and Ingenious are jointly producing together with Addictive Picture’s John Schoenfelder, Russell Ackerman and with Tomas Deckaj. Alex Mace is producing and Hal Sadoff will executive produce for Dark Castle. The film is fully funded by Dark Castle, HanWay and Ingenious. Dark Castle and HanWay have retained worldwide rights and will commence sales at the upcoming American Film Market.
“Seance” is based on a screenplay by Barrett and marks the third collaboration between the filmmaker and HanWay, who have also worked closely on Barrett’s films “The Guest” and “You’re Next,...
- 10/22/2019
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Dark Castle Entertainment, HanWay Films and Ingenious Media have partnered on Simon Barrett’s (V/H/S) upcoming feature Seance.
Set in an all-girls boarding school haunted by a vengeful spirit, the horror film will star Suki Waterhouse (Assassination Nation) as Camille, a young woman who arrives at the Fairfield Academy following one of the student’s untimely and violent death.
Silver Pictures subsidiary Dark Castle, HanWay and Ingenious are jointly producing together with Addictive Picture’s John Schoenfelder, Russell Ackerman (Hold The Dark) and Tomas Deckaj. Alex Mace is producing and Hal Sadoff will executive produce for Dark Castle.
Pic is fully funded by Dark Castle, HanWay Films and Ingenious. Genre specialist Dark Castle and UK sales firm HanWay have retained worldwide rights and will commence sales at the upcoming American Film Market.
Based on a screenplay by Barrett the project marks the third collaboration between the filmmaker and...
Set in an all-girls boarding school haunted by a vengeful spirit, the horror film will star Suki Waterhouse (Assassination Nation) as Camille, a young woman who arrives at the Fairfield Academy following one of the student’s untimely and violent death.
Silver Pictures subsidiary Dark Castle, HanWay and Ingenious are jointly producing together with Addictive Picture’s John Schoenfelder, Russell Ackerman (Hold The Dark) and Tomas Deckaj. Alex Mace is producing and Hal Sadoff will executive produce for Dark Castle.
Pic is fully funded by Dark Castle, HanWay Films and Ingenious. Genre specialist Dark Castle and UK sales firm HanWay have retained worldwide rights and will commence sales at the upcoming American Film Market.
Based on a screenplay by Barrett the project marks the third collaboration between the filmmaker and...
- 10/22/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Kyle Bornheimer (Casual) and Jessica St. Clair (Playing House) are set for recurring roles opposite Hugh Laurie in Armando Iannucci’s HBO space comedy Avenue 5.
Created by Iannucci, Avenue 5 is a space tourism comedy set 40 years in the future when the solar system is everyone’s oyster. With Hugh Laurie as the Captain, nothing can go wrong.
Bornheimer will play Doug. Mia’s (St. Clair) husband Doug is bitter, broken, and overly sensitive. After giving up his own dreams to follow Mia’s, rejected Doug is now in the midst of a midlife crisis.
St. Clair’s Mia took a space-cation with Doug to try and save their troubled marriage. Now trapped together sharing a tiny cabin, the tedium of Space is beginning to seriously grate on Mia.
In addition to Laurie, Bornheimer and St. Clair join previously cast Josh Gad, Zach Woods, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Rebecca Front, Lenora Crichlow,...
Created by Iannucci, Avenue 5 is a space tourism comedy set 40 years in the future when the solar system is everyone’s oyster. With Hugh Laurie as the Captain, nothing can go wrong.
Bornheimer will play Doug. Mia’s (St. Clair) husband Doug is bitter, broken, and overly sensitive. After giving up his own dreams to follow Mia’s, rejected Doug is now in the midst of a midlife crisis.
St. Clair’s Mia took a space-cation with Doug to try and save their troubled marriage. Now trapped together sharing a tiny cabin, the tedium of Space is beginning to seriously grate on Mia.
In addition to Laurie, Bornheimer and St. Clair join previously cast Josh Gad, Zach Woods, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Rebecca Front, Lenora Crichlow,...
- 7/12/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Brian Sher Inks First-Look Deal With Ucp & Wilshire Studios; Sets Lil Yachty Comedy From Ian Edelman
Exclusive: Manager/producer Brian Sher has signed a first-look deal with Ucp and Wilshire Studios to develop both scripted and unscripted programming. Sher has set his first project under the pact, a scripted comedy Public Figures at Ucp from How To Make It in America creator Ian Edelman starring rapper/actor Lil Yachty (How High 2).
Created by Edelman, Public Figures is inspired by Lil Yachty’s real life experiences, before fame and before music, when he moved from Atlanta to Harlem with five dollars to his name. The series follows a group of late teens/early 20 somethings as they pursue their dreams in New York City.
Sher, Edelman, Yachty and Gregory Jones will executive produce, along with Kevin “Coach K” Lee and Pierre “Pee” Thomas via their Quality Control banner.
NBCUniversal’s scripted-focused Ucp and unscripted-centric Wilshire Studios are both run by President Dawn Olmstead.
“Ucp has become the gold standard in scripted television,...
Created by Edelman, Public Figures is inspired by Lil Yachty’s real life experiences, before fame and before music, when he moved from Atlanta to Harlem with five dollars to his name. The series follows a group of late teens/early 20 somethings as they pursue their dreams in New York City.
Sher, Edelman, Yachty and Gregory Jones will executive produce, along with Kevin “Coach K” Lee and Pierre “Pee” Thomas via their Quality Control banner.
NBCUniversal’s scripted-focused Ucp and unscripted-centric Wilshire Studios are both run by President Dawn Olmstead.
“Ucp has become the gold standard in scripted television,...
- 5/7/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Jason Winer has signed an overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television, the studio announced on Tuesday.
Under the deal, the veteran TV director and his company Small Dog Picture Company will develop, executive produce and direct projects for the studio. Winer will direct the projects he develops in addition to some he does not develop personally, as well as doing episodic directing “as opportunities arise.”
Winer is currently executive producer on ABC’s “Single Parents” and “Life in Pieces” on CBS, having directed the pilots of both comedies. He also directed the “Modern Family” pilot, and is currently directing the NBC comedy pilot “Perfect Harmony,” starring Bradley Whitford and Anna Camp, and executive producing ABC’s “Woman Up,” written and directed by Zoe Lister Jones.
Also Read: 'Bob's Burgers' Ep Nora Smith Signs Overall Deal with 20th Century Fox TV
“20th has been my creative home since...
Under the deal, the veteran TV director and his company Small Dog Picture Company will develop, executive produce and direct projects for the studio. Winer will direct the projects he develops in addition to some he does not develop personally, as well as doing episodic directing “as opportunities arise.”
Winer is currently executive producer on ABC’s “Single Parents” and “Life in Pieces” on CBS, having directed the pilots of both comedies. He also directed the “Modern Family” pilot, and is currently directing the NBC comedy pilot “Perfect Harmony,” starring Bradley Whitford and Anna Camp, and executive producing ABC’s “Woman Up,” written and directed by Zoe Lister Jones.
Also Read: 'Bob's Burgers' Ep Nora Smith Signs Overall Deal with 20th Century Fox TV
“20th has been my creative home since...
- 4/9/2019
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Prolific TV director and producer Jason Winer has re-upped his overall deal at his longtime studios home, 20th Century Fox TV, where he has been for a decade and a half. I hear the new pact is for three years and is valued in the eight figures, among the biggest for a director/producer.
Under the new agreement, Winer will continue to develop, executive produce and direct series projects for all platforms through his Small Dog Picture Company. In addition to directing projects he develops, the deal also allows for Winer to helm other pilots for the studio, along with some additional episodic directing.
Two comedy projects from Small Dog Picture Company and 20th TV landed pilot orders at the broadcast networks this season, Perfect Harmony at NBC, starring Bradley Whitford and Anna Camp, and Woman Up at ABC. Winer is executive producing both pilots and is directing Perfect Harmony...
Under the new agreement, Winer will continue to develop, executive produce and direct series projects for all platforms through his Small Dog Picture Company. In addition to directing projects he develops, the deal also allows for Winer to helm other pilots for the studio, along with some additional episodic directing.
Two comedy projects from Small Dog Picture Company and 20th TV landed pilot orders at the broadcast networks this season, Perfect Harmony at NBC, starring Bradley Whitford and Anna Camp, and Woman Up at ABC. Winer is executive producing both pilots and is directing Perfect Harmony...
- 4/9/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Pitch Perfect star Anna Kendrick is set to topline and executive produce Dummy , a comedy for Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman’s short-form video platform Quibi from Deadbeat co-creator Cody Heller and independent studio wiip.
Tricia Brock (The Walking Dead) has come on board to direct the project, created by Heller. Dummy is a buddy comedy that follows an aspiring writer (Kendrick) and her boyfriend’s sex doll. It will be a serialized movie-length story told in chapters of under 10 minutes in length.
Dummy had been originally developed as a TV pilot. The script was subsequently rewritten as a film and then diced up into 10-minute segments to fit into the concept of Quibi (quick bites).
Heller and Brock executive produce.
Quibi has been building an inaugural slate of programming featuring A-list talent in front and behind the camera, with projects from Sam Raimi, Antoine Fuqua, Jason Blum and...
Tricia Brock (The Walking Dead) has come on board to direct the project, created by Heller. Dummy is a buddy comedy that follows an aspiring writer (Kendrick) and her boyfriend’s sex doll. It will be a serialized movie-length story told in chapters of under 10 minutes in length.
Dummy had been originally developed as a TV pilot. The script was subsequently rewritten as a film and then diced up into 10-minute segments to fit into the concept of Quibi (quick bites).
Heller and Brock executive produce.
Quibi has been building an inaugural slate of programming featuring A-list talent in front and behind the camera, with projects from Sam Raimi, Antoine Fuqua, Jason Blum and...
- 3/30/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
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