Netflix believes in the power of faith-based film… and in the power of Tyler Perry.
Netflix has extended its creative deal with mega-producer Tyler Perry, in which he’s meant to write, direct, and produce films and series for the streamer, to now include faith-based movies. Perry and Netflix as part of the deal will recruit one of the original hit makers in the current wave of faith-based movies, DeVon Franklin (“Miracles from Heaven”).
Together, Franklin and Perry will produce several faith-based films for Netflix as part of a new multiyear and multi-picture first-look film deal, Netflix announced on May 6.
The first project under the deal will be “R&b,” a modern-day retelling of the story of Ruth and Boaz, one of the Bible’s iconic love stories. Set in Tennessee, “R&b” tells the story of a young woman who escapes the Atlanta music scene to care for an...
Netflix has extended its creative deal with mega-producer Tyler Perry, in which he’s meant to write, direct, and produce films and series for the streamer, to now include faith-based movies. Perry and Netflix as part of the deal will recruit one of the original hit makers in the current wave of faith-based movies, DeVon Franklin (“Miracles from Heaven”).
Together, Franklin and Perry will produce several faith-based films for Netflix as part of a new multiyear and multi-picture first-look film deal, Netflix announced on May 6.
The first project under the deal will be “R&b,” a modern-day retelling of the story of Ruth and Boaz, one of the Bible’s iconic love stories. Set in Tennessee, “R&b” tells the story of a young woman who escapes the Atlanta music scene to care for an...
- 5/6/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Tyler Perry and DeVon Franklin are teaming up to produce faith-based films under a multi-year and multi-picture first-look deal at Netflix.
The films will be produced by the duo in conjunction with Tyler Perry Studios in the latest expansion of Perry’s creative partnership at Netflix, inked as a first-look film deal in October 2023 and has broadened to include scripted and unscripted TV projects.
“I’m so excited to be working with DeVon on this and future projects,” said Perry in a statement announcing the partnership. “I think in this polarizing world, and at a time where the world seems to be growing colder everyday, we both share the common goal of wanting to spread some good. And there’s no better place than Netflix.”
Added Franklin, “Tyler and I have been great friends for over 15 years, so when he called me to team up on movies that can uplift the human spirit,...
The films will be produced by the duo in conjunction with Tyler Perry Studios in the latest expansion of Perry’s creative partnership at Netflix, inked as a first-look film deal in October 2023 and has broadened to include scripted and unscripted TV projects.
“I’m so excited to be working with DeVon on this and future projects,” said Perry in a statement announcing the partnership. “I think in this polarizing world, and at a time where the world seems to be growing colder everyday, we both share the common goal of wanting to spread some good. And there’s no better place than Netflix.”
Added Franklin, “Tyler and I have been great friends for over 15 years, so when he called me to team up on movies that can uplift the human spirit,...
- 5/6/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Tyler Perry and DeVon Franklin (Miracles From Heaven) are getting into business with Netflix to make faith-based movies together.
The first film under their new partnership will be R&b, written by Mike Elliott (Brown Sugar) and Cory Tynan, and described as a modern-day retelling of the story of Ruth and Boaz, an iconic Biblical love story. Set in Tennessee, R&b follows a young woman who escapes the Atlanta music scene to care for an elderly widowed woman, only to the love of her life and gain the mother she never had.
The partnership between Tyler Perry Studios and Franklin comprises a multi-year and multi-picture first-look deal. “I’m so excited to be working with DeVon on this and future projects. I think in this polarizing world, and at a time where the world seems to be growing colder everyday, we both share the common goal of wanting to spread some good.
The first film under their new partnership will be R&b, written by Mike Elliott (Brown Sugar) and Cory Tynan, and described as a modern-day retelling of the story of Ruth and Boaz, an iconic Biblical love story. Set in Tennessee, R&b follows a young woman who escapes the Atlanta music scene to care for an elderly widowed woman, only to the love of her life and gain the mother she never had.
The partnership between Tyler Perry Studios and Franklin comprises a multi-year and multi-picture first-look deal. “I’m so excited to be working with DeVon on this and future projects. I think in this polarizing world, and at a time where the world seems to be growing colder everyday, we both share the common goal of wanting to spread some good.
- 5/6/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Tyler Perry Studios and DeVon Franklin (Flamin’ Hot) are partnering with Netflix to produce faith-based films under a multiyear, multipicture first-look deal. It marks the latest extension of Perry and Netflix’s creative partnership that sees him write, direct and produce films and series, but films under the new deal will be produced by Franklin and Perry in conjunction with Tyler Perry Studios.
The first film under the new partnership will be R&b, written by Mike Elliott (Brown Sugar) & Cory Tynan (Play’d). Most recently the writing duo penned the faith-based romantic comedy Relationship Goals for Franklin and Amazon MGM Studios.
R&b is a modern retelling of the story of Ruth and Boaz, one of the most iconic love stories in the Bible. Set in Tennessee, R&b tells the story of a young woman who escapes the Atlanta music scene to care for an elderly widowed woman...
The first film under the new partnership will be R&b, written by Mike Elliott (Brown Sugar) & Cory Tynan (Play’d). Most recently the writing duo penned the faith-based romantic comedy Relationship Goals for Franklin and Amazon MGM Studios.
R&b is a modern retelling of the story of Ruth and Boaz, one of the most iconic love stories in the Bible. Set in Tennessee, R&b tells the story of a young woman who escapes the Atlanta music scene to care for an elderly widowed woman...
- 5/6/2024
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Matt McCauley’s feature directorial debut, Undefiled, will only be released in theaters for two nights, starting on February 4th and February 10th at the Route 66 Theater in Webb City, Missouri.
Undefiled stars former MLB player Bradford Haynes (Stranger Things, Paradise City), Stelio Savante (Fresh Kills, Nefarious), Cory Kays (Looking For Andrew, Lily Is Here), Kalyn Wood (Wrath and Rituals), Sharonne Lanier (Pursuit Of Freedom, Son of The South), and Zach Sale (Ambitions, Miracles From Heaven).
In the film, “Struggling with an endless cycle of addiction, an aging Mitch Jennings finally gets his shot at professional baseball. But, taking that chance will mean turning his back on a team secret that may cost a young sex-trafficked victim her life.”
The screenings will include a meet and greet with the producers, director, and selective cast followed by a live Q&a session after the screening.
Tickets are available for direct purchase Here.
Undefiled stars former MLB player Bradford Haynes (Stranger Things, Paradise City), Stelio Savante (Fresh Kills, Nefarious), Cory Kays (Looking For Andrew, Lily Is Here), Kalyn Wood (Wrath and Rituals), Sharonne Lanier (Pursuit Of Freedom, Son of The South), and Zach Sale (Ambitions, Miracles From Heaven).
In the film, “Struggling with an endless cycle of addiction, an aging Mitch Jennings finally gets his shot at professional baseball. But, taking that chance will mean turning his back on a team secret that may cost a young sex-trafficked victim her life.”
The screenings will include a meet and greet with the producers, director, and selective cast followed by a live Q&a session after the screening.
Tickets are available for direct purchase Here.
- 1/14/2024
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
After a season of spending, Freevee knows you don't have to break the bank for quality. The free Amazon streamer has already added several titles to its platform to start the month, including the Tom Hanks-starred "Captain Phillips" and Ryan Coogler's directorial debut "Fruitvale Station," but more great titles will be coming throughout the rest of the month.
Find out The Streamable's top picks for what's here now and what's coming to the streamer throughout January!
Watch Now Free amazonfreevee.com What are the 5 Best Shows and Movies Coming to Freevee in January 2024? “Baby Driver” | Monday, Jan. 1
Edgar Wright helms the action thriller starring Ansel Elgort as Baby, a prodigal heist getaway driver and music-loving orphan in for one last job before riding off into the sunset with his girlfriend Debora (Lily James). Eiza Gonzalez, Jon Hamm, Jamie Foxx, Jon Bernthal, and Kevin Spacey make up the supporting...
Find out The Streamable's top picks for what's here now and what's coming to the streamer throughout January!
Watch Now Free amazonfreevee.com What are the 5 Best Shows and Movies Coming to Freevee in January 2024? “Baby Driver” | Monday, Jan. 1
Edgar Wright helms the action thriller starring Ansel Elgort as Baby, a prodigal heist getaway driver and music-loving orphan in for one last job before riding off into the sunset with his girlfriend Debora (Lily James). Eiza Gonzalez, Jon Hamm, Jamie Foxx, Jon Bernthal, and Kevin Spacey make up the supporting...
- 1/3/2024
- by Ashley Steves
- The Streamable
Veteran producer Jon Erwin and former Netflix and YouTube exec Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten have announced the launch of The Wonder Project, a new independent studio that will cater to faith and values-oriented audiences.
Founded by Chief Content Officer Erwin and overseen by CEO Hoogstraten, The Wonder Project will look to create premium film and TV content for what they see as a huge audience that has traditionally been underserved by the entertainment industry. They’ll aim to build on the marked success in this arena of such recent titles as The Chosen and The Sound of Freedom, as well as older works like The Passion of the Christ, Heaven is for Real, I Can Only Imagine, War Room, Miracles from Heaven, and Soul Surfer, as they build their global audience.
More than $75 million in seed and Series A funding was raised ahead of launch from such major players as Sovereign’s Capital,...
Founded by Chief Content Officer Erwin and overseen by CEO Hoogstraten, The Wonder Project will look to create premium film and TV content for what they see as a huge audience that has traditionally been underserved by the entertainment industry. They’ll aim to build on the marked success in this arena of such recent titles as The Chosen and The Sound of Freedom, as well as older works like The Passion of the Christ, Heaven is for Real, I Can Only Imagine, War Room, Miracles from Heaven, and Soul Surfer, as they build their global audience.
More than $75 million in seed and Series A funding was raised ahead of launch from such major players as Sovereign’s Capital,...
- 12/6/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The famous spy drama and action-thriller series Alias ran for five seasons, totaling over 100 episodes.
The series was well-recognized and was on the American Film Institute’s top ten list of television programs in 2003. In addition, Alias earned several nominations and awards, including nominations for Outstanding Actress and Outstanding Supporting Actor for Jennifer Garner and Victor Garber.
While Alias was an ensemble cast, it was led by Jennifer Garner. At least half of the cast appeared in the entire five seasons.
Alias premiered in September 2001 and lasted until May of 2006.
What is the cast of Alias doing now? Find out below!
Jennifer Garner as Sydney Bristow
Jennifer Garner didn’t just appear in Alias; she Was Alias.
While it was an ensemble-driven series, Alias would not have been as successful without Garner.
That was ultimately her break-out role, and she thrived from it, earning multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations...
The series was well-recognized and was on the American Film Institute’s top ten list of television programs in 2003. In addition, Alias earned several nominations and awards, including nominations for Outstanding Actress and Outstanding Supporting Actor for Jennifer Garner and Victor Garber.
While Alias was an ensemble cast, it was led by Jennifer Garner. At least half of the cast appeared in the entire five seasons.
Alias premiered in September 2001 and lasted until May of 2006.
What is the cast of Alias doing now? Find out below!
Jennifer Garner as Sydney Bristow
Jennifer Garner didn’t just appear in Alias; she Was Alias.
While it was an ensemble-driven series, Alias would not have been as successful without Garner.
That was ultimately her break-out role, and she thrived from it, earning multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations...
- 9/20/2023
- by Laura Nowak
- TVfanatic
Hillary Swank rallies her entire town to help out a neighbor in the latest trailer for Lionsgate’s true-life faith-based drama “Ordinary Angels.”
The two-time Oscar winner plays a hairdresser who inserts herself into the life of a grieving widower with a critically ill daughter. The kid needs a new liver, and the dad just needs a little help. As revealed in the trailer, circumstances change when a new organ becomes available for transplant, but it requires a cross-country flight and happens to occur during a once-in-a-generation cold front.
Swank won two Best Actress Oscars, one in 2000 for “Boys Don’t Cry” and one in 2005 for “Million Dollar Baby.” Although she never really became a bankable draw, she has made a career out of mostly top-billed leading roles in films like “Amelia,” “The Core” and “The Gift.” Moreover, she almost never found herself just playing the love interest or the lone woman in a macho melodrama,...
The two-time Oscar winner plays a hairdresser who inserts herself into the life of a grieving widower with a critically ill daughter. The kid needs a new liver, and the dad just needs a little help. As revealed in the trailer, circumstances change when a new organ becomes available for transplant, but it requires a cross-country flight and happens to occur during a once-in-a-generation cold front.
Swank won two Best Actress Oscars, one in 2000 for “Boys Don’t Cry” and one in 2005 for “Million Dollar Baby.” Although she never really became a bankable draw, she has made a career out of mostly top-billed leading roles in films like “Amelia,” “The Core” and “The Gift.” Moreover, she almost never found herself just playing the love interest or the lone woman in a macho melodrama,...
- 8/29/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Viola Davis is backing away from “G20” in a move that may put pressure on other A-listers.
The Egot winner says she’s stepping away from the project even after the film got the SAG-AFTRA interim agreement necessary to start production.
“I love this movie, but I do not feel that it would be appropriate for this production to move forward during the strike,” said the 57-year-old in a statement obtained by Et. “I appreciate that the producers on the project agree with this decision. JuVee Productions and I stand in solidarity with actors, SAG/AFTRA and the WGA.”
On Friday, SAG-AFTRA shared via its website that “G20” was approved for a waiver. Davis was set to produce and star in the film that secured the go-ahead from the actors guild, even given the involvement of Amazon Studios, because the project hails from the non AMPTP-affiliated MRC and will only be distributed by Amazon.
The Egot winner says she’s stepping away from the project even after the film got the SAG-AFTRA interim agreement necessary to start production.
“I love this movie, but I do not feel that it would be appropriate for this production to move forward during the strike,” said the 57-year-old in a statement obtained by Et. “I appreciate that the producers on the project agree with this decision. JuVee Productions and I stand in solidarity with actors, SAG/AFTRA and the WGA.”
On Friday, SAG-AFTRA shared via its website that “G20” was approved for a waiver. Davis was set to produce and star in the film that secured the go-ahead from the actors guild, even given the involvement of Amazon Studios, because the project hails from the non AMPTP-affiliated MRC and will only be distributed by Amazon.
- 7/29/2023
- by Brent Furdyk
- ET Canada
The first time Jesse Garcia learned about Richard Montañez — the former Frito-Lay executive who’s said that he invented the wildly successful Flamin’ Hot Cheetos brand when he was working as a janitor for the company — the actor immediately thought, “That would be an awesome movie.” Years later, Eva Longoria cast Garcia to play Montañez for her feature directing debut, “Flamin’ Hot,” which premieres June 9 on Hulu and Disney+.
The film, produced by DeVon Franklin, covers Richard’s life from his difficult childhood to his marriage to his high school sweetheart Judy (Annie Gonzalez) to his rise at Frito-Lay. For Garcia, it was an all-too-rare opportunity to depict the real-life story of a Latino family in a mainstream feature film.
“Non-Latino projects, they have the luxury of failing,” Garcia says. “But if our work doesn’t work — or if for some reason is not successful — it’s a struggle to get the next project.
The film, produced by DeVon Franklin, covers Richard’s life from his difficult childhood to his marriage to his high school sweetheart Judy (Annie Gonzalez) to his rise at Frito-Lay. For Garcia, it was an all-too-rare opportunity to depict the real-life story of a Latino family in a mainstream feature film.
“Non-Latino projects, they have the luxury of failing,” Garcia says. “But if our work doesn’t work — or if for some reason is not successful — it’s a struggle to get the next project.
- 6/7/2023
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
Searchlight’s Flamin’ Hot trailer delves into the true story behind the popular (but messy) Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Jesse Garcia (Quinceañera) stars as Richard Montañez, the janitor at a Frito-Lay factory who helped turn the industry around by cooking up a spicy version of the cheesy snack food.
“My journey is the journey of billions of people,” said the real Richard Montañez. “Being Mexican, being born in a labor camp, I’ve been fighting my whole life. I don’t know what it’s like not to fight.”
Director Eva Longoria calls Montañez the godfather of Hispanic marketing.
“That was his gift: seeing that nobody was paying attention to the Hispanic consumer. His gift wasn’t making a recipe in a chemical lab. His genius and talent and where he broke through was saying, ‘You guys, there’s a huge segment of the population in the United States that nobody is paying attention to,...
“My journey is the journey of billions of people,” said the real Richard Montañez. “Being Mexican, being born in a labor camp, I’ve been fighting my whole life. I don’t know what it’s like not to fight.”
Director Eva Longoria calls Montañez the godfather of Hispanic marketing.
“That was his gift: seeing that nobody was paying attention to the Hispanic consumer. His gift wasn’t making a recipe in a chemical lab. His genius and talent and where he broke through was saying, ‘You guys, there’s a huge segment of the population in the United States that nobody is paying attention to,...
- 5/10/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Hulu dropped its first trailer for “Flamin’ Hot,” an Eva Longoria-directed film about Mexican immigrant and former Frito-Lay janitor Richard Montañez, who claims he invented Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.
The film, streaming June 9, stars Jesse Garcia as Montañez, as well as Annie Gonzales, Dennis Haysbert, Tony Shalhoub, Matt Walsh and Emilio Rivera.
Montañez’s story is that while he was working as a custodian at the Rancho Cucamonga Frito-Lay plant, he thought of spicing up Cheetos with chile powder. He contacted executives to pitch the snack and subsequently outsmarted corporate saboteurs, leading him to become a successful author and businessman.
The accuracy of Montañez’s story is disputed by Frito-Lay itself, which, in a Los Angeles Times article from May 2021, said employees located in the Upper Midwest actually created Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.
Frito-Lay told the Times, “We value Richard’s many contributions to our company, especially his insights into Hispanic consumers,...
The film, streaming June 9, stars Jesse Garcia as Montañez, as well as Annie Gonzales, Dennis Haysbert, Tony Shalhoub, Matt Walsh and Emilio Rivera.
Montañez’s story is that while he was working as a custodian at the Rancho Cucamonga Frito-Lay plant, he thought of spicing up Cheetos with chile powder. He contacted executives to pitch the snack and subsequently outsmarted corporate saboteurs, leading him to become a successful author and businessman.
The accuracy of Montañez’s story is disputed by Frito-Lay itself, which, in a Los Angeles Times article from May 2021, said employees located in the Upper Midwest actually created Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.
Frito-Lay told the Times, “We value Richard’s many contributions to our company, especially his insights into Hispanic consumers,...
- 5/10/2023
- by Julia MacCary
- Variety Film + TV
On Easter weekend, TheWrap lists the top 10 highest grossing Christian films in box office history.
10.”Miracles From Heaven” (2016)
The Jennifer Garner film made $61.7 million this year on a budget of $13 million, good for eighth all time, adjusted for inflation.
9. “God’s Not Dead” (2014)
Starring Kevin Sorbo, Shane Harper, David A.R. White, and Dean Cain, “God’s Not Dead” opened to $60.8 million in 2014 ($61.8 million adjusted for inflation) on a budget of $2 million. Its box office success warranted a 2016 sequel.
8. “Exodus: Gods and Kings” (2014)
The film starring Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, John Turturro and Aaron Paul grossed $65 million domestically.
7. “War Room” (2015)
The Sony Pictures film raised holy hell at the box office when it opened in August of 2015. It ended up making $67.8 million on a budget of $3 million. Adjusted for inflation, that’s $68.8 million.
6. “I Can Only Imagine” (2018)
Jon and Andrew Erwins’ take on the story behind MercyMe’s record-setting Christian single was so...
10.”Miracles From Heaven” (2016)
The Jennifer Garner film made $61.7 million this year on a budget of $13 million, good for eighth all time, adjusted for inflation.
9. “God’s Not Dead” (2014)
Starring Kevin Sorbo, Shane Harper, David A.R. White, and Dean Cain, “God’s Not Dead” opened to $60.8 million in 2014 ($61.8 million adjusted for inflation) on a budget of $2 million. Its box office success warranted a 2016 sequel.
8. “Exodus: Gods and Kings” (2014)
The film starring Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, John Turturro and Aaron Paul grossed $65 million domestically.
7. “War Room” (2015)
The Sony Pictures film raised holy hell at the box office when it opened in August of 2015. It ended up making $67.8 million on a budget of $3 million. Adjusted for inflation, that’s $68.8 million.
6. “I Can Only Imagine” (2018)
Jon and Andrew Erwins’ take on the story behind MercyMe’s record-setting Christian single was so...
- 4/9/2023
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Following the movie’s world premiere at SXSW, Searchlight Pictures’ Eva Longoria feature directorial debut, Flamin’ Hot, will stream on both Hulu and Disney+ on June 9. It’s the first time that a new movie has been made available on both of the Disney-owned Ott services stateside. The pic will stream on Disney+ overseas.
The pic is based on the true story of Richard Montañez (Jesse Garcia) who as a Frito-Lay janitor disrupted the food industry by channeling his Mexican-American heritage to turn Flamin’ Hot Cheetos from a snack into an iconic global pop culture phenomenon.
“I’m so excited for the world to see Flamin’ Hot on these two streaming platforms making this universal, inspirational story accessible to an even wider audience,” said director Eva Longoria. “Now everyone can celebrate the joy, power and heart of this film that also happens to uplift Latinos both in front of and behind the camera.
The pic is based on the true story of Richard Montañez (Jesse Garcia) who as a Frito-Lay janitor disrupted the food industry by channeling his Mexican-American heritage to turn Flamin’ Hot Cheetos from a snack into an iconic global pop culture phenomenon.
“I’m so excited for the world to see Flamin’ Hot on these two streaming platforms making this universal, inspirational story accessible to an even wider audience,” said director Eva Longoria. “Now everyone can celebrate the joy, power and heart of this film that also happens to uplift Latinos both in front of and behind the camera.
- 3/20/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Josh Gordon and Will Speck have signed a first-look deal with Sony Pictures Entertainment to develop and produce feature films. The news comes in the wake of their feature take of the children’s book Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile grossing over $104 million at the global box office.
The movie, which stars Javier Bardem and Constance Wu and has songs by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul and Shawn Mendes, is set for a China release April 15.
Speck and Gordon are attached to direct a film based on the AfterShock comic The Kaiju Score for Columbia Pictures. Todd Black and Jason Blumenthal at Escape Artists are producing along with AfterShock Media’s Lee and Jon Kramer; that project is in development. The duo are also attached to direct the A24 TV thriller Silverlake starring Zach Quinto and written by Samuel D. Hunter (The Whale). They also are the creators and showrunners of the...
The movie, which stars Javier Bardem and Constance Wu and has songs by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul and Shawn Mendes, is set for a China release April 15.
Speck and Gordon are attached to direct a film based on the AfterShock comic The Kaiju Score for Columbia Pictures. Todd Black and Jason Blumenthal at Escape Artists are producing along with AfterShock Media’s Lee and Jon Kramer; that project is in development. The duo are also attached to direct the A24 TV thriller Silverlake starring Zach Quinto and written by Samuel D. Hunter (The Whale). They also are the creators and showrunners of the...
- 3/20/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Watching Jesus Revolution surge past $45 million in ticket sales for Lionsgate—matching or besting The Fabelmans, The Banshees Of Inisherin, Tár, Women Talking and Triangle Of Sadness, combined—it finally seems safe to say it. The faith-based audience is back.
Between Covid and the culture wars, it’s been a rough few years for those who make, promote and/or enjoy what are loosely called inspirational films. Sometimes the pictures are overtly religious, as with Jesus Revolution, the real-life story of a pastor and his counter-cultural following in the 1970s. Others are simply aspirational—moralistic, values-laden tales, like Creed III or Respect, about individuals striving to be more and better than they already are.
Either way, the uplift business was having tough time until Top Gun: Maverick broke through, at the strictly secular level, last year. The last explicitly religious film to top $40 million at the box office appears to have been Breakthrough,...
Between Covid and the culture wars, it’s been a rough few years for those who make, promote and/or enjoy what are loosely called inspirational films. Sometimes the pictures are overtly religious, as with Jesus Revolution, the real-life story of a pastor and his counter-cultural following in the 1970s. Others are simply aspirational—moralistic, values-laden tales, like Creed III or Respect, about individuals striving to be more and better than they already are.
Either way, the uplift business was having tough time until Top Gun: Maverick broke through, at the strictly secular level, last year. The last explicitly religious film to top $40 million at the box office appears to have been Breakthrough,...
- 3/19/2023
- by Michael Cieply
- Deadline Film + TV
Eva Longoria’s feature directorial debut, “Flamin’ Hot,” had audiences on fire at its world premiere at the SXSW Film Festival on March 11 — while deftly navigating the controversy surrounding the film’s subject without ever addressing it by name.
The movie is based on the life of former Frito-Lay executive Richard Montañez, played by Jesse Garcia, who has said that he was responsible for inventing the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos brand when he was working as a janitor for the company.
Before “Flamin’ Hot” went into production in 2021, however, Montañez’s claims were disputed by a Los Angeles Times report in which Frito-Lay stated that an internal investigation turned up no evidence that “Richard was involved in any capacity in the Flamin’ Hot test market” in 1990. Instead, the Times’ story attributed a Frito-Lay factory in the Midwest with spearheading the Flamin’ Hot brand and credited Montañez for helping to bring to...
The movie is based on the life of former Frito-Lay executive Richard Montañez, played by Jesse Garcia, who has said that he was responsible for inventing the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos brand when he was working as a janitor for the company.
Before “Flamin’ Hot” went into production in 2021, however, Montañez’s claims were disputed by a Los Angeles Times report in which Frito-Lay stated that an internal investigation turned up no evidence that “Richard was involved in any capacity in the Flamin’ Hot test market” in 1990. Instead, the Times’ story attributed a Frito-Lay factory in the Midwest with spearheading the Flamin’ Hot brand and credited Montañez for helping to bring to...
- 3/12/2023
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
Amazon Studios has picked up the rights to “Daring to Live,” produced by DeVon Franklin’s (“Breakthrough”) Franklin Entertainment.
Previously set up at Paramount Players, the project is now in development at Amazon Studios.
The film is inspired by Sheri Hunter’s 2020 memoir “Daring to Live: How the Power of Sisterhood and Taking Risks Can Jump-Start Your Joy.” It follows Hunter’s journey of “embracing life anew” after the sudden loss of her husband, thanks to the support of her group of friends — Angenette Frink, Mia Lewis and Brenda Jegede, collectively known as the “Dare Divas” — who encourage her to step outside her comfort zone.
As the film’s official description explains, the quartet go on to “tackle a series of death-defying adventures around the world that remind them all what it means to truly live. Through these dares, the women form an unbreakable bond and each learns to live life to the fullest.
Previously set up at Paramount Players, the project is now in development at Amazon Studios.
The film is inspired by Sheri Hunter’s 2020 memoir “Daring to Live: How the Power of Sisterhood and Taking Risks Can Jump-Start Your Joy.” It follows Hunter’s journey of “embracing life anew” after the sudden loss of her husband, thanks to the support of her group of friends — Angenette Frink, Mia Lewis and Brenda Jegede, collectively known as the “Dare Divas” — who encourage her to step outside her comfort zone.
As the film’s official description explains, the quartet go on to “tackle a series of death-defying adventures around the world that remind them all what it means to truly live. Through these dares, the women form an unbreakable bond and each learns to live life to the fullest.
- 2/21/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: BET+ has renewed its popular music-driven drama series Kingdom Business for a second season. Production is underway in Atlanta on the series executive produced by DeVon Franklin (Miracles From Heaven), Holly Carter (The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel), multi-Grammy-award-winner Kirk Franklin and Michael Van Dyck.
Written by John Sakmar and Kerry Lenhart, Kingdom Business explores the gospel music industry through the lenses of family, faith, love and the redemptive power of music.
Yolanda Adams returns to lead the series as the reigning “Queen of Gospel” Denita Jordan and Serayah as Rbel, a talented up-and-coming gospel star with a troubled past who threatens Denita’s crown.
Yolanda Adams and Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Joining as recurring guest stars for Season 2 are Loretta Devine and Louis Gossett, Jr. as Denita Jordan’s parents, “Darlene” and “Jeremiah”. Musical guests this season include Grammy and Billboard Award winners Tasha Cobbs Leonard and...
Written by John Sakmar and Kerry Lenhart, Kingdom Business explores the gospel music industry through the lenses of family, faith, love and the redemptive power of music.
Yolanda Adams returns to lead the series as the reigning “Queen of Gospel” Denita Jordan and Serayah as Rbel, a talented up-and-coming gospel star with a troubled past who threatens Denita’s crown.
Yolanda Adams and Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Joining as recurring guest stars for Season 2 are Loretta Devine and Louis Gossett, Jr. as Denita Jordan’s parents, “Darlene” and “Jeremiah”. Musical guests this season include Grammy and Billboard Award winners Tasha Cobbs Leonard and...
- 2/2/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Sierra McCormick (American Horror Stories), Jade Pettyjohn (Big Sky), Brenna D’Amico (Descendants franchise), Gianni DeCenzo (Cobra Kai) and Bentley Green (61st Street) have signed on to star in Burnouts, a supernatural thriller from writer-director Tim Donner, which is heading into production in Atlanta this summer.
The film sees a group of grieving teens, hot off of quarantine, head off for a much needed retreat to reconnect and mend their wounds. A seance subsequently leads to an evening where anything can and does happen. Summer Parker (ABC’s Schooled pilot) and Connor Hammond (The Summer I Turned Pretty) will also star. Farrah West cast the film, which Kevin G. Lee and Kendrick Foxx of Tlk Filmworks are producing.
McCormick recently had an arc on FX on Hulu’s American Horror Stories, and can currently be seen in the horror film We Need to Do Something, which is streaming on Hulu.
The film sees a group of grieving teens, hot off of quarantine, head off for a much needed retreat to reconnect and mend their wounds. A seance subsequently leads to an evening where anything can and does happen. Summer Parker (ABC’s Schooled pilot) and Connor Hammond (The Summer I Turned Pretty) will also star. Farrah West cast the film, which Kevin G. Lee and Kendrick Foxx of Tlk Filmworks are producing.
McCormick recently had an arc on FX on Hulu’s American Horror Stories, and can currently be seen in the horror film We Need to Do Something, which is streaming on Hulu.
- 4/11/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: CAA has signed Eugenio Derbez and his production company 3Pas Studios in all areas.
Derbez is on a hot streak following the announcement of multiple deals: a first-look deal with TelevisaUnivision’s streamer Vix, a development deal with Encantos for kids content, and a re-up of a first-look film deal at Lionsgate, to name a few.
The 3Pas Studios-produced bilingual series Acapulco for Apple TV+ was recently renewed for a second season.
Derbez is an award-winning actor, writer, director, producer, and philanthropist, who, along with former Pantelion Films executive and producer Ben Odell, built 3Pas Studios, a bilingual production company producing English and Spanish language content for global audiences.
3Pas has offices in Los Angeles, Miami, and Mexico City, where they also have its production services arm, Visceral. Composed of 22 employees, the studio services development and production across English and Spanish language movies, scripted and unscripted content, as well...
Derbez is on a hot streak following the announcement of multiple deals: a first-look deal with TelevisaUnivision’s streamer Vix, a development deal with Encantos for kids content, and a re-up of a first-look film deal at Lionsgate, to name a few.
The 3Pas Studios-produced bilingual series Acapulco for Apple TV+ was recently renewed for a second season.
Derbez is an award-winning actor, writer, director, producer, and philanthropist, who, along with former Pantelion Films executive and producer Ben Odell, built 3Pas Studios, a bilingual production company producing English and Spanish language content for global audiences.
3Pas has offices in Los Angeles, Miami, and Mexico City, where they also have its production services arm, Visceral. Composed of 22 employees, the studio services development and production across English and Spanish language movies, scripted and unscripted content, as well...
- 4/6/2022
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Yolanda Adams and Serayah have been tapped to star in Kingdom Business, a music-driven drama executive produced by DeVon Franklin (Miracles From Heaven), Holly Carter (The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel), multi-Grammy-award-winner Kirk Franklin and Michael Van Dyck.
Written by John Sakmar and Kerry Lenhart, co-creators of Mr. & Mrs. Smith the series, the eight-episode Kingdom Business explores the gospel music industry through the lenses of family, faith, love and the redemptive power of music.
The series will be led by Adams as the reigning “Queen of Gospel” Denita Jordan and Serayah as Rbel, a talented up-and-coming gospel star with a troubled past who threatens Denita’s crown. In addition to their leading roles, both Adams and Serayah will be featured in musical performances.
Michael Jai White also stars as Julius “Caesar” Jones, a powerful producer and Denita’s former collaborator turned rival; Michael Beach as Calvin Jordan,...
Written by John Sakmar and Kerry Lenhart, co-creators of Mr. & Mrs. Smith the series, the eight-episode Kingdom Business explores the gospel music industry through the lenses of family, faith, love and the redemptive power of music.
The series will be led by Adams as the reigning “Queen of Gospel” Denita Jordan and Serayah as Rbel, a talented up-and-coming gospel star with a troubled past who threatens Denita’s crown. In addition to their leading roles, both Adams and Serayah will be featured in musical performances.
Michael Jai White also stars as Julius “Caesar” Jones, a powerful producer and Denita’s former collaborator turned rival; Michael Beach as Calvin Jordan,...
- 12/7/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: BET+ has given a series order to Kingdom Business, a music-driven drama executive produced by DeVon Franklin (Miracles From Heaven), Holly Carter (The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel), multi-Grammy-award-winner Kirk Franklin and Michael Van Dyck. The eight-episode series explores the gospel music industry through the lenses of family, faith, love and the redemptive power of music.
Written by John Sakmar and Kerry Lenhart, co-creators of Mr. & Mrs. Smith the series, Kingdom Business is centered around the reigning Queen of Gospel Denita Jordan, and her ex-producer/songwriter/lover, Caesar, who created her sound and launched her career. Denita, who also runs an in-house record label and megachurch, is determined to guard her family and its many secrets at all costs to retain her place on the throne. Things seem to be unfolding in Denita’s favor until an unsuspecting young woman on the rise with a checkered past enters the scene.
Written by John Sakmar and Kerry Lenhart, co-creators of Mr. & Mrs. Smith the series, Kingdom Business is centered around the reigning Queen of Gospel Denita Jordan, and her ex-producer/songwriter/lover, Caesar, who created her sound and launched her career. Denita, who also runs an in-house record label and megachurch, is determined to guard her family and its many secrets at all costs to retain her place on the throne. Things seem to be unfolding in Denita’s favor until an unsuspecting young woman on the rise with a checkered past enters the scene.
- 8/23/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Harkening back to his earlier films about childhood, Steven Spielberg has cast a slew of young actors in his semi-autobiographical film about his adolescence as an aspiring filmmaker in Arizona, which has the working title of “The Fabelmans.”
Gabriel Bateman (“Child’s Play”), Gustavo Escobar (“Instant Family”), Nicolas Cantu (“The Walking Dead: World Beyond”), Cooper Dodson (“Fear the Walking Dead”), Lane Factor (“Reservation Dogs”) and Stephen Smith (“The 15:17 to Paris”) are playing the friends of the character loosely based on Spielberg, portrayed by Gabriel Labelle.
They join a sprawling ensemble that includes Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, Paul Dano, Judd Hirsch, Sam Rechner, Oakes Fegley, Chloe East, Julia Butters, Jeannie Berlin, Robin Bartlett, Jonathan Hadary and Isabelle Kusman.
Spielberg co-wrote the screenplay for “The Fabelmans” with his regular collaborator Tony Kushner. They’re both also producing the film with Kristie Macosko Krieger, backed by Spielberg’s company Amblin Partners. The film is currently in production,...
Gabriel Bateman (“Child’s Play”), Gustavo Escobar (“Instant Family”), Nicolas Cantu (“The Walking Dead: World Beyond”), Cooper Dodson (“Fear the Walking Dead”), Lane Factor (“Reservation Dogs”) and Stephen Smith (“The 15:17 to Paris”) are playing the friends of the character loosely based on Spielberg, portrayed by Gabriel Labelle.
They join a sprawling ensemble that includes Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, Paul Dano, Judd Hirsch, Sam Rechner, Oakes Fegley, Chloe East, Julia Butters, Jeannie Berlin, Robin Bartlett, Jonathan Hadary and Isabelle Kusman.
Spielberg co-wrote the screenplay for “The Fabelmans” with his regular collaborator Tony Kushner. They’re both also producing the film with Kristie Macosko Krieger, backed by Spielberg’s company Amblin Partners. The film is currently in production,...
- 8/12/2021
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Breakthrough and Miracles From Heaven producer DeVon Franklin and his Franklin Entertainment are developing a feature film based on Michael Todd’s New York Times bestseller Relationship Goals: How to Win at Dating, Marriage, and Sex with Amazon Studios. Michael Elliot (Brown Sugar) and Cory Tynan (Woman Thou Art Loosed) will write the script.
Relationship Goals is a candid, inspiring guide to finding lasting love and sustaining a healthy relationship that encourages readers to get real about their goals. The book is based on Todd’s viral, multimillion-view sermon series about dating, marriage and sex. Relationship Goals spent 13 straight weeks on the New York Times bestsellers list and debuted at No. 1 on Amazon. The musical single “Relationship Goals (Revelation)” reached No. 10 on Billboard’s R&b chart.
Franklin is producing the project under his Franklin Entertainment. Katarina Hicks will oversee for the project for the company.
Franklin has a first-look deal at Paramount Pictures.
Relationship Goals is a candid, inspiring guide to finding lasting love and sustaining a healthy relationship that encourages readers to get real about their goals. The book is based on Todd’s viral, multimillion-view sermon series about dating, marriage and sex. Relationship Goals spent 13 straight weeks on the New York Times bestsellers list and debuted at No. 1 on Amazon. The musical single “Relationship Goals (Revelation)” reached No. 10 on Billboard’s R&b chart.
Franklin is producing the project under his Franklin Entertainment. Katarina Hicks will oversee for the project for the company.
Franklin has a first-look deal at Paramount Pictures.
- 8/10/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Update: PepsiCo has issued a new statement defending Richard Montañez, in which it says the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos controversy has caused “strain” in its relationship with the Latino community. The company also claims its previous statements have been “misconstrued.”
The screenwriter of an upcoming film about Flamin’ Hot Cheetos defended the project on Tuesday, after the Los Angeles Times report challenged Montañez’s claim to have invented the snack product.
Lewis Colick argued that Montañez, the hero of “Flamin’ Hot,” still has an inspiring story to tell of rising through the corporate ranks at Frito-Lay.
“I think enough of the story is true,” Colick said. “The heart and soul and spirit of the story is true. He is a guy who should remain the face of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.”
Montañez has been claiming credit for Flamin’ Hot Cheetos for years, in books, interviews and motivational speeches. Director Eva Longoria is...
The screenwriter of an upcoming film about Flamin’ Hot Cheetos defended the project on Tuesday, after the Los Angeles Times report challenged Montañez’s claim to have invented the snack product.
Lewis Colick argued that Montañez, the hero of “Flamin’ Hot,” still has an inspiring story to tell of rising through the corporate ranks at Frito-Lay.
“I think enough of the story is true,” Colick said. “The heart and soul and spirit of the story is true. He is a guy who should remain the face of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.”
Montañez has been claiming credit for Flamin’ Hot Cheetos for years, in books, interviews and motivational speeches. Director Eva Longoria is...
- 5/21/2021
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Student filmmakers from USC dominated the 26th Annual DGA Student Film Awards for African American, Asian American, Latino and women directors, which are designed to honor, encourage and bring attention to exceptional diverse directors in film schools and universities across the country. A national awards ceremony will take place virtually on Tuesday.
The DGA gives out 16 awards – eight in the West region and eight in the East – and USC students won all but two of the western regional honors. Student filmmakers from Columbia University won four of the eight eastern regional honors. Other schools whose students were honored include New York University (two awards), and with one each, the American Film Institute, Uc Berkley, the Savannah College of Art and Design, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
“Congratulations to all of the talented awardees for this year’s DGA Student Film Awards,” said DGA president Thomas Schlamme.
The DGA gives out 16 awards – eight in the West region and eight in the East – and USC students won all but two of the western regional honors. Student filmmakers from Columbia University won four of the eight eastern regional honors. Other schools whose students were honored include New York University (two awards), and with one each, the American Film Institute, Uc Berkley, the Savannah College of Art and Design, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
“Congratulations to all of the talented awardees for this year’s DGA Student Film Awards,” said DGA president Thomas Schlamme.
- 2/8/2021
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Paramount Pictures has acquired Reckless Love feature from a pitch by To All The Boys: Ps I Still Love You scribe J. Mills Goodloe. Super-producer DeVon Franklin is attached to produce via his Franklin Entertainment label, which has a first-look deal at Paramount.
The film is based on the true love story behind critically acclaimed Christian worship song of the same title by Cory Asbury, one of the top Christian singer-songwriters. Goodloe will pen the screenplay, which will follow the love story between Cory and his wife Anna, who live in Kalamazoo, Michigan and have four children.
Released in 2018, the song spent 68 weeks on the Hot Christians Songs chart, 18 weeks at number one and 55 weeks in the top 10. The single, which has over 300 million total streams and more than 125 million views on YouTube, was also nominated for a 2019 Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song.
Israel Houghton will...
The film is based on the true love story behind critically acclaimed Christian worship song of the same title by Cory Asbury, one of the top Christian singer-songwriters. Goodloe will pen the screenplay, which will follow the love story between Cory and his wife Anna, who live in Kalamazoo, Michigan and have four children.
Released in 2018, the song spent 68 weeks on the Hot Christians Songs chart, 18 weeks at number one and 55 weeks in the top 10. The single, which has over 300 million total streams and more than 125 million views on YouTube, was also nominated for a 2019 Grammy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song.
Israel Houghton will...
- 12/1/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
We might not be getting any new episodes of The Walking Dead until next year, but AMC is supplying us with a holiday treat to tide us over. As part of the network’s Best Christmas Ever schedule, The Walking Dead is receiving a Christmas special this December that’ll see the cast of the hit zombie drama coming together virtually for a festive tease of what’s headed our way when the show returns in 2021.
Hosted by Talking Dead‘s Chris Hardwick, the holiday special will unite several fan favorite stars of the long-running series as well as its spinoffs Fear the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: World Beyond. It’ll stream exclusively on AMC+ – the network’s new premium on-demand platform offering early access and ad-free viewing – on Sunday, December 13th. That’s one week after World Beyond wraps up its season 1 finale.
The Walking Dead Holiday...
Hosted by Talking Dead‘s Chris Hardwick, the holiday special will unite several fan favorite stars of the long-running series as well as its spinoffs Fear the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: World Beyond. It’ll stream exclusively on AMC+ – the network’s new premium on-demand platform offering early access and ad-free viewing – on Sunday, December 13th. That’s one week after World Beyond wraps up its season 1 finale.
The Walking Dead Holiday...
- 11/3/2020
- by Christian Bone
- We Got This Covered
The Korean-American, Spider-Man-like heroine Silk may lead a live-action Marvel series from Sony Pictures TV, sources tell our sister site Variety. Lauren Moon (Good Trouble, Atypical) is in talks to pen the project, with Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse‘s Phil Lord and Chris Miller exec-producing. While no outlet is officially attached yet, Amazon Prime is in talks, per Variety‘s sources.
Silk, aka Cindy Moon, was bitten by a radioactive spider in the comics, just like her classmate Peter Parker. She then developed the ability to move at incredible speed and shoot webs out of her fingertips, in addition...
Silk, aka Cindy Moon, was bitten by a radioactive spider in the comics, just like her classmate Peter Parker. She then developed the ability to move at incredible speed and shoot webs out of her fingertips, in addition...
- 9/4/2020
- by Vlada Gelman
- TVLine.com
Exclusive: CBS has put in development Closure, a one-hour drama loosely based on the life of baseball Hall of Famer-turned-funeral home owner Andre Dawson, from Samantha Corbin-Miller, DeVon Franklin (Breakthrough) and his Franklin Entertainment and CBS Television Studios, where Franklin is under an overall deal.
Written by Corbin-Miller, in Closure, a beloved baseball Hall of Famer takes over his uncle’s funeral home in an unexpected second chapter of his career in the wake of the unsolved disappearance of his adult son. Rocked by his family’s loss, he and his three daughters — a homicide detective, coroner and trauma nurse, who each have their own parallel journeys in the business of death — commit themselves to helping others find the peace and closure their family hasn’t been able to yet.
Corbin-Miller executive produces with Franklin. Jenna Nicholson, VP Television for Franklin Entertainment, will co-executive produce. Dawson will serve as a consultant.
Written by Corbin-Miller, in Closure, a beloved baseball Hall of Famer takes over his uncle’s funeral home in an unexpected second chapter of his career in the wake of the unsolved disappearance of his adult son. Rocked by his family’s loss, he and his three daughters — a homicide detective, coroner and trauma nurse, who each have their own parallel journeys in the business of death — commit themselves to helping others find the peace and closure their family hasn’t been able to yet.
Corbin-Miller executive produces with Franklin. Jenna Nicholson, VP Television for Franklin Entertainment, will co-executive produce. Dawson will serve as a consultant.
- 9/4/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Will the movies ever let religion back into the mainstream? It doesn’t seem likely, given the secular bent of most critics, festivals, and film awards. But the question could certainly occur to any thoughtful viewer of Marco Pontecorvo’s Fátima, which is set for release by Picturehouse in theaters and via PVOD on Aug. 28.
The film, which has been shown in pop-up previews for the last few weeks, is about the heavenly visions of three young children, who in 1917 said they encountered the Blessed Virgin Mary in a field near Fátima, Portugal. Believers flocked to the site. There may have been miracles. And Mary, said the children, confided three “secrets,” which became the core of an enduring Catholic cult that eventually found of the two young people, Francisco and Jacinta Marto, canonized as saints following their deaths in the 1918 flu pandemic, and made the third, Lùcia dos Santos, a...
The film, which has been shown in pop-up previews for the last few weeks, is about the heavenly visions of three young children, who in 1917 said they encountered the Blessed Virgin Mary in a field near Fátima, Portugal. Believers flocked to the site. There may have been miracles. And Mary, said the children, confided three “secrets,” which became the core of an enduring Catholic cult that eventually found of the two young people, Francisco and Jacinta Marto, canonized as saints following their deaths in the 1918 flu pandemic, and made the third, Lùcia dos Santos, a...
- 8/18/2020
- by Michael Cieply
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Producer, motivational speaker and bestselling author DeVon Franklin (Breakthrough) is expanding his work in television, signing an overall deal with CBS TV Studios.
Franklin serves as president and CEO of the Franklin Entertainment production company, which has a multi-year first-look film deal with Paramount Pictures and a second-look deal with Netflix. Franklin has tapped former Juniper Place Productions exec Jenna Nicholson as VP Television to oversee his deal at CBS TV Studios.
On the film side, Franklin most recently produced the inspirational film Breakthrough starring Chrissy Metz, Topher Grace, Josh Lucas, Mike Colter and Marcel Ruiz for Disney/Fox; the Sony Pictures Animation film The Starring with Zachary Levi, Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry; and the Sony Pictures film Miracles From Heaven starring Jennifer Garner, Queen Latifah and Eugenio Derbez. On the TV side, he previously sold projects to NBC, ABC, CBS, Netflix and Hulu.
Additionally, Franklin Entertainment has...
Franklin serves as president and CEO of the Franklin Entertainment production company, which has a multi-year first-look film deal with Paramount Pictures and a second-look deal with Netflix. Franklin has tapped former Juniper Place Productions exec Jenna Nicholson as VP Television to oversee his deal at CBS TV Studios.
On the film side, Franklin most recently produced the inspirational film Breakthrough starring Chrissy Metz, Topher Grace, Josh Lucas, Mike Colter and Marcel Ruiz for Disney/Fox; the Sony Pictures Animation film The Starring with Zachary Levi, Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry; and the Sony Pictures film Miracles From Heaven starring Jennifer Garner, Queen Latifah and Eugenio Derbez. On the TV side, he previously sold projects to NBC, ABC, CBS, Netflix and Hulu.
Additionally, Franklin Entertainment has...
- 7/20/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: DeVon Franklin, the producer behind the faith-based drama Breakthrough, has signed on to produce Daring to Live, a film adaptation based on the forthcoming novel Daring to Live: How the Power of Sisterhood and Taking Risks Can Jump-Start Your Joy by Sheri Hunter. The pic is set up at Paramount Players, with Jumping the Broom and The Fighting Temptations scribe Elizabeth Hunter attached to write the script.
Franklin, who has a newly minted first-look deal with Paramount Pictures, will produce via his Franklin Entertainment banner.
Sheri Hunter’s book, which will be released Tuesday via Baker Books, is a true story of how the “Dare Divas” were formed after the sudden death of Hunter’s husband. Three of her closest friends decided to help her heal from her grief through extreme adventures that dared them all to face their greatest fears. From whitewater rafting to skydiving to race-car driving,...
Franklin, who has a newly minted first-look deal with Paramount Pictures, will produce via his Franklin Entertainment banner.
Sheri Hunter’s book, which will be released Tuesday via Baker Books, is a true story of how the “Dare Divas” were formed after the sudden death of Hunter’s husband. Three of her closest friends decided to help her heal from her grief through extreme adventures that dared them all to face their greatest fears. From whitewater rafting to skydiving to race-car driving,...
- 2/13/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
A year ago at the Sundance Film Festival, a group of Latinx industry execs kept asking each other the same question: Where are the Latinos?
With only a few movies at the festival by U.S.-born Latinos and the lack of our voices represented in the stories being told, we realized how little progress we’ve made in Hollywood. We vented our frustration on panels and on social media, but by the end of the festival, it was clear that we had to do more than just complain if we really wanted to help our community move forward.
A year later, La Collab was born: In partnership with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, we launched a collective impact effort with the support of more than 60 allies and partners to double by 2030 the representation of Latinos in Hollywood, both in front and behind the camera.
We can’t do this alone.
With only a few movies at the festival by U.S.-born Latinos and the lack of our voices represented in the stories being told, we realized how little progress we’ve made in Hollywood. We vented our frustration on panels and on social media, but by the end of the festival, it was clear that we had to do more than just complain if we really wanted to help our community move forward.
A year later, La Collab was born: In partnership with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, we launched a collective impact effort with the support of more than 60 allies and partners to double by 2030 the representation of Latinos in Hollywood, both in front and behind the camera.
We can’t do this alone.
- 1/24/2020
- by Beatriz Acevedo
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Affirm Films, Sony Pictures’ label specializing in inspirational, faith and family-friendly features, is expanding into television. Affirm Films has partnered with Sony Pictures Television to launch Affirm Television and has tapped tapped Marybeth Sprows, VP Original Programming for Crown Media Family Networks to run it. As VP, Affirm Television, Sprows will oversee all aspects of development and production, with a dual report to Rich Peluso, Evp/Head of Affirm Films, and Chris Parnell and Jason Clodfelter, Co-Presidents at Sony Pictures Television Studios.
“The pairing of Affirm Films and Sony Pictures Television brings together two passionate, experienced and focused groups with unique strengths that will make a mark in the television and episodic space,” said Peluso. “I’m eager to start working with Marybeth Sprows and the Spt team to create entertaining and meaningful content that will connect with an underserved audience seeking faith, family and inspirational content, and expanding...
“The pairing of Affirm Films and Sony Pictures Television brings together two passionate, experienced and focused groups with unique strengths that will make a mark in the television and episodic space,” said Peluso. “I’m eager to start working with Marybeth Sprows and the Spt team to create entertaining and meaningful content that will connect with an underserved audience seeking faith, family and inspirational content, and expanding...
- 12/4/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: NBC has put in development Kingdom Business, a gospel music industry drama produced by DeVon Franklin’s Franklin Entertainment, Holly Carter’s Relevé Entertainment, Kirk Franklin and Fo Yo Soul Entertainment, Michael Van Dyck’s Inspired Entertainment and Universal TV, a division of NBCUniversal Content Studios.
Written by John Sakmar and Kerry Lenhart, Kingdom Business is a behind-the-scenes look into the world of the gospel music industry and all of the conflict and secrets that come with money, fame and success.
Sakmar and Lenhart executive produce with DeVon Franklin, Carter, Kirk Franklin and Van Dyck. Universal TV is the studio.
Sakmar and Lenhart created mid-’90s TV series Mr. & Mrs. Smith, which aired for one season on CBS. The writing-producing duo served as consulting producers on Reign and Make It Or Break It, and co-executive producers on The Glades and Signed, Sealed & Delivered, among other credits.
Written by John Sakmar and Kerry Lenhart, Kingdom Business is a behind-the-scenes look into the world of the gospel music industry and all of the conflict and secrets that come with money, fame and success.
Sakmar and Lenhart executive produce with DeVon Franklin, Carter, Kirk Franklin and Van Dyck. Universal TV is the studio.
Sakmar and Lenhart created mid-’90s TV series Mr. & Mrs. Smith, which aired for one season on CBS. The writing-producing duo served as consulting producers on Reign and Make It Or Break It, and co-executive producers on The Glades and Signed, Sealed & Delivered, among other credits.
- 12/2/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
DeVon Franklin has signed a first-look producing deal at Paramount Pictures.
Under his Franklin Entertainment banner, Franklin previously produced inspirational and faith-based films, including this year’s “Breakthrough,” starring Chrissy Metz, as well as “Miracles From Heaven,” with Jennifer Garner and Queen Latifah, and the animated film “The Star,” toplined by Zachary Levi, Gina Rodriguez, Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry.
Prior to launching his own production company, Franklin was a senior vice president of production at Columbia TriStar, where he worked on “Heaven Is for Real,” “The Karate Kid” and “The Pursuit of Happyness.” He is also the author of multiple books, including the New York Times bestseller “The Wait,” which he co-wrote with his wife, Meagan Good.
“We couldn’t be happier to be collaborating with DeVon to bring his unique brand of uplifting stories to our audiences,” said Wyck Godfrey, president of Paramount’s Motion Picture Group. “His...
Under his Franklin Entertainment banner, Franklin previously produced inspirational and faith-based films, including this year’s “Breakthrough,” starring Chrissy Metz, as well as “Miracles From Heaven,” with Jennifer Garner and Queen Latifah, and the animated film “The Star,” toplined by Zachary Levi, Gina Rodriguez, Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry.
Prior to launching his own production company, Franklin was a senior vice president of production at Columbia TriStar, where he worked on “Heaven Is for Real,” “The Karate Kid” and “The Pursuit of Happyness.” He is also the author of multiple books, including the New York Times bestseller “The Wait,” which he co-wrote with his wife, Meagan Good.
“We couldn’t be happier to be collaborating with DeVon to bring his unique brand of uplifting stories to our audiences,” said Wyck Godfrey, president of Paramount’s Motion Picture Group. “His...
- 11/18/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
DeVon Franklin, the producer behind faith-based films such as the Jennifer Garner and Queen Latifah-starrer Miracles from Heaven, has inked first-look producing deal with Paramount Pictures.
Franklin’s most recent film, Breakthrough starring Chrissy Metz, was released in April via 20th Century Fox, where Franklin held an overall deal. He currently has Flamin’ Hot, the Eva Longoria-directed biopic about the man who created the spicy Flamin’ Hot Cheetos snack, set at Fox Searchlight.
Prior to launching his own production shingle, Franklin Entertainment, Franklin served as Senior Vice President of Production at Sony’s Columbia TriStar and worked on pics such as Heaven is For Real, The Karate Kid, and The Pursuit of Happyness. Earlier this year, Deadline reported that he has re-teamed with Sony for a biopic about multi-platinum gospel singer Kirk Franklin.
Franklin is also a preacher, motivational speaker, and the author of multiple books including the...
Franklin’s most recent film, Breakthrough starring Chrissy Metz, was released in April via 20th Century Fox, where Franklin held an overall deal. He currently has Flamin’ Hot, the Eva Longoria-directed biopic about the man who created the spicy Flamin’ Hot Cheetos snack, set at Fox Searchlight.
Prior to launching his own production shingle, Franklin Entertainment, Franklin served as Senior Vice President of Production at Sony’s Columbia TriStar and worked on pics such as Heaven is For Real, The Karate Kid, and The Pursuit of Happyness. Earlier this year, Deadline reported that he has re-teamed with Sony for a biopic about multi-platinum gospel singer Kirk Franklin.
Franklin is also a preacher, motivational speaker, and the author of multiple books including the...
- 11/18/2019
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Paramount Pictures on Monday announced a first-look producing deal with preacher-turned-producer DeVon Franklin.
Under his Franklin Entertainment banner, Franklin will work with the Hollywood studio to make faith-based films following the box office success of such efforts as Breakthrough, starring Chrissy Metz; Miracles From Heaven, starring Jennifer Garner and Queen Latifah; and the animated film The Star, starring Zachary Levi, Gina Rodriguez, Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry.
Before launching his own production company, Franklin was senior vp production at Columbia TriStar, where he worked on Heaven Is For Real, The Karate Kid and The Pursuit of Happyness, among other titles.
"We ...
Under his Franklin Entertainment banner, Franklin will work with the Hollywood studio to make faith-based films following the box office success of such efforts as Breakthrough, starring Chrissy Metz; Miracles From Heaven, starring Jennifer Garner and Queen Latifah; and the animated film The Star, starring Zachary Levi, Gina Rodriguez, Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry.
Before launching his own production company, Franklin was senior vp production at Columbia TriStar, where he worked on Heaven Is For Real, The Karate Kid and The Pursuit of Happyness, among other titles.
"We ...
- 11/18/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Paramount Pictures on Monday announced a first-look producing deal with preacher-turned-producer DeVon Franklin.
Under his Franklin Entertainment banner, Franklin will work with the Hollywood studio to make faith-based films following the box office success of such efforts as Breakthrough, starring Chrissy Metz; Miracles From Heaven, starring Jennifer Garner and Queen Latifah; and the animated film The Star, starring Zachary Levi, Gina Rodriguez, Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry.
Before launching his own production company, Franklin was senior vp production at Columbia TriStar, where he worked on Heaven Is For Real, The Karate Kid and The Pursuit of Happyness, among other titles.
"We ...
Under his Franklin Entertainment banner, Franklin will work with the Hollywood studio to make faith-based films following the box office success of such efforts as Breakthrough, starring Chrissy Metz; Miracles From Heaven, starring Jennifer Garner and Queen Latifah; and the animated film The Star, starring Zachary Levi, Gina Rodriguez, Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry.
Before launching his own production company, Franklin was senior vp production at Columbia TriStar, where he worked on Heaven Is For Real, The Karate Kid and The Pursuit of Happyness, among other titles.
"We ...
- 11/18/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Exclusive: Sony is taking us to church with an upcoming biopic about multi-platinum gospel singer Kirk Franklin. The film, currently untitled, is being produced by former Sony exec DeVon Franklin via his Franklin Entertainment banner, while Franklin will serve as an executive producer through his label Fo Yo Soul Entertainment.
Brian Ivie (The Drop Box) has been tapped to write the film which will follow 14-time Grammy-winning artist from his humble beginning through his meteoric rise to fame as he changes the face of gospel music and battles his demons in the process.
Franklin, often dubbed as the king of gospel music, released his first album in 1993 called Kirk Franklin & The Family, which went platinum with over 1 million copies sold, the first gospel album to do so, and charted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart for 42 weeks. He’s also behind such hits as “Looking for You”, “Revolution,...
Brian Ivie (The Drop Box) has been tapped to write the film which will follow 14-time Grammy-winning artist from his humble beginning through his meteoric rise to fame as he changes the face of gospel music and battles his demons in the process.
Franklin, often dubbed as the king of gospel music, released his first album in 1993 called Kirk Franklin & The Family, which went platinum with over 1 million copies sold, the first gospel album to do so, and charted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart for 42 weeks. He’s also behind such hits as “Looking for You”, “Revolution,...
- 7/17/2019
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
The Academy is getting new blood. AMPAS has announced that three new members are joining its board of governors: DeVon Franklin (who hails from the executive branch), Rodrigo Garcia (directors), and Janet Yang (producers) are all slated to become governors-at-large. The board is comprised of 54 members. John Bailey, who’s served as president of the Academy since August 2017, appointed them, and the full board confirmed the new trio at their April meeting.
Franklin, Garcia, and Yang are succeeding Reginald Hudlin (directors branch), Gregory Nava (writers), and Jennifer Yuh Nelson (short films and feature animation), who were appointed the first governors-at-large by former AMPAS president Cheryl Boone Isaacs in March of 2016. The initiative was a result of two straight years of every acting nominee at the Oscars being white, prompting the #OscasSoWhite hashtag.
It’s also part of the Academy’s larger push for more inclusion, which has seen the august...
Franklin, Garcia, and Yang are succeeding Reginald Hudlin (directors branch), Gregory Nava (writers), and Jennifer Yuh Nelson (short films and feature animation), who were appointed the first governors-at-large by former AMPAS president Cheryl Boone Isaacs in March of 2016. The initiative was a result of two straight years of every acting nominee at the Oscars being white, prompting the #OscasSoWhite hashtag.
It’s also part of the Academy’s larger push for more inclusion, which has seen the august...
- 5/13/2019
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
Before Avengers: Endgame snatches away the under 25 demo next weekend, Warner Bros. is looking to hook them over the Easter weekend with New Line’s James Wan produced horror pic The Curse of La Llorona, which made $2.75M last night from previews that started at 6Pm.
That figure is slightly higher than the $2.3M that Paramount’s Pet Sematary posted in previews two weeks ago, as well as Escape Room‘s $2.3M Thursday night back on Jan. 3 and the Wan produced 2016 horror pic Lights Out ($1.8M). On the Thursday after Labor Day last year, The Nun previews rang up a record Thursday night for The Conjuring universe with $5.4M off 7Pm showtimes.
Llorona is billed as being from The Conjuring producers Wan and The Nun Ep and Annabelle scribe Gary Dauberman. It is not a part of that genre series universe. Warners is hoping those credits on the Llorona one...
That figure is slightly higher than the $2.3M that Paramount’s Pet Sematary posted in previews two weeks ago, as well as Escape Room‘s $2.3M Thursday night back on Jan. 3 and the Wan produced 2016 horror pic Lights Out ($1.8M). On the Thursday after Labor Day last year, The Nun previews rang up a record Thursday night for The Conjuring universe with $5.4M off 7Pm showtimes.
Llorona is billed as being from The Conjuring producers Wan and The Nun Ep and Annabelle scribe Gary Dauberman. It is not a part of that genre series universe. Warners is hoping those credits on the Llorona one...
- 4/19/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
“The Curse of La Llorona,” the latest entry in Warner Bros. and New Line’s “Conjuring” universe, conjured $2.75 million from Thursday preview showings, while “Breakthrough,” a faith-based offering from Fox-Disney, brought in $1.5 million from its second day of screenings.
“La Llorona’s” haul tops recent horror counterparts “Pet Sematary” and “Escape Room,” which each took in $2.3 million in previews.
The two films are hoping to dominate the Easter and Passover holiday box office, but they face stiff competition from “Shazam!,” the tongue-in-cheek superhero flick that has topped charts for two weekends in a row. The domestic haul of “Shazam!” stands at $104 million.
“Breakthrough,” which is the first 20th Century Fox film to be released by Disney since it wrapped its deal to buy most of the studio’s assets, already got a jump on the weekend, opening on Wednesday. It is expected to earn between $13 million to $20 million from 2,700 theaters...
“La Llorona’s” haul tops recent horror counterparts “Pet Sematary” and “Escape Room,” which each took in $2.3 million in previews.
The two films are hoping to dominate the Easter and Passover holiday box office, but they face stiff competition from “Shazam!,” the tongue-in-cheek superhero flick that has topped charts for two weekends in a row. The domestic haul of “Shazam!” stands at $104 million.
“Breakthrough,” which is the first 20th Century Fox film to be released by Disney since it wrapped its deal to buy most of the studio’s assets, already got a jump on the weekend, opening on Wednesday. It is expected to earn between $13 million to $20 million from 2,700 theaters...
- 4/19/2019
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Following a strong performance in March, the domestic box office has slowed throughout the early part of April and this weekend won't be much different. Of course, just like last April saw Avengers: Infinity War close out the month, this April will conclude with the highly anticipated release of Avengers: Endgame, and studios are making way for the release by saving any major releases for the weeks following Endgame's debut.
As for this week's newcomers, we're seeing several titles made for specifically targeted audiences such as Wednesday's debuts of Breakthrough and Disneynature's Penguins along with tomorrow's launch of The Curse of La Llorona.
As for this week's newcomers, we're seeing several titles made for specifically targeted audiences such as Wednesday's debuts of Breakthrough and Disneynature's Penguins along with tomorrow's launch of The Curse of La Llorona.
- 4/18/2019
- by Brad Brevet <mail@boxofficemojo.com>
- Box Office Mojo
Just before landing her star-making role as Kate Pearson in NBC’s mega-hit “This Is Us,” Chrissy Metz was broker than the Ten Commandments, with exactly 81 cents to her name.
Fast-forward three years and Metz, now one of TV’s biggest stars, is making her big screen debut in “Breakthrough,” a faith-based movie about a fierce mother who practically wills her son back to life through the power of prayer.
“I really do believe in the power of prayer and the collective consciousness,” Metz told TheWrap. “Personally, it’s helped me navigate some really, really, really tough waters.”
Also Read: 'This Is Us' Star Chrissy Metz on Overcoming Body Shamers: 'Hurt People Hurt People'
“Breakthrough” tells the real-life story of John Smith, a 14-year-old from St. Charles, Missouri, who in 2015, fell through the ice of Lake St. Louis. He had been submerged in the freezing water for a...
Fast-forward three years and Metz, now one of TV’s biggest stars, is making her big screen debut in “Breakthrough,” a faith-based movie about a fierce mother who practically wills her son back to life through the power of prayer.
“I really do believe in the power of prayer and the collective consciousness,” Metz told TheWrap. “Personally, it’s helped me navigate some really, really, really tough waters.”
Also Read: 'This Is Us' Star Chrissy Metz on Overcoming Body Shamers: 'Hurt People Hurt People'
“Breakthrough” tells the real-life story of John Smith, a 14-year-old from St. Charles, Missouri, who in 2015, fell through the ice of Lake St. Louis. He had been submerged in the freezing water for a...
- 4/17/2019
- by Itay Hod
- The Wrap
DeVon Franklin has been part of Hollywood for decades and has had an insider’s vantage point on the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements as it has shaken the industry.
“There’s fear,” Franklin told TheWrap of the sentiment among some men he knows in Hollywood. “There are other men who are saying, ‘You know what: We do have to step up,” he added.
Also a New York Times best-selling author and preacher, Franklin has written a new book titled “The Truth About Men.” In it, he uses the age-old adage applied to men — that they can be “dogs” — to uncover some harsh realities about what drives men to both good and bad behavior.
Also Read: Producers Amy Pascal and DeVon Franklin to Talk Mentorship at WrapWomen's Be Conference
“There’s something in our behavior we have to begin to address,” Franklin said. “As men, we don’t know...
“There’s fear,” Franklin told TheWrap of the sentiment among some men he knows in Hollywood. “There are other men who are saying, ‘You know what: We do have to step up,” he added.
Also a New York Times best-selling author and preacher, Franklin has written a new book titled “The Truth About Men.” In it, he uses the age-old adage applied to men — that they can be “dogs” — to uncover some harsh realities about what drives men to both good and bad behavior.
Also Read: Producers Amy Pascal and DeVon Franklin to Talk Mentorship at WrapWomen's Be Conference
“There’s something in our behavior we have to begin to address,” Franklin said. “As men, we don’t know...
- 3/7/2019
- by Meriah Doty
- The Wrap
Mexico’s famed “Tres Amigos” have made a name for themselves in Hollywood and beyond, directing their way to a bevy of Oscars. Less well known: the emerging wave of female auteurs from Mexico.
The directors range from Patricia Riggen and Issa Lopez, both busy with Hollywood projects and gaining their own international recognition, to women from indigenous communities, such as María Sojob, a Tzotzil native, and Elizabeth Piña, of Otomí Hñätho descent. The latter two are making their first documentaries. Also part of this wave: Tatiana Huezo and Variety director to watch Alejandra Marquez Abella.
“It’s just marvelous what’s happening now; there are more female directors in features, and even more making short films,” says Maria Novaro, freshly installed head of Mexican Film Institute (Imcine) and who fought against chauvinism early in her directing career. She is best-known for 1991’s uplifting dance drama “Danzon.”
According to the latest findings from Imcine,...
The directors range from Patricia Riggen and Issa Lopez, both busy with Hollywood projects and gaining their own international recognition, to women from indigenous communities, such as María Sojob, a Tzotzil native, and Elizabeth Piña, of Otomí Hñätho descent. The latter two are making their first documentaries. Also part of this wave: Tatiana Huezo and Variety director to watch Alejandra Marquez Abella.
“It’s just marvelous what’s happening now; there are more female directors in features, and even more making short films,” says Maria Novaro, freshly installed head of Mexican Film Institute (Imcine) and who fought against chauvinism early in her directing career. She is best-known for 1991’s uplifting dance drama “Danzon.”
According to the latest findings from Imcine,...
- 3/7/2019
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
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