Synopsis
Ryan Gosling stars as a Hollywood stunt driver for movies by day and moonlights as a wheelman for criminals by night. Though a loner by nature, “Driver” can’t help falling in love with his beautiful neighbor Irene (Carey Mulligan), a young mother dragged into a dangerous underworld by the return of her ex-convict husband. After a heist goes wrong, Driver finds himself driving defense for the girl he loves, tailgated by a syndicate of deadly serious criminals (Albert Brooks and Ron Perlman). Soon he realizes the gangsters are after more than the bag of cash and is forced to shift gears and go on the offense.
Disc Details And Bonus Materials
4K Ultra HD Disc
Feature presented in 4K resolution with Dolby Vision, as approved by director Nicolas Winding Refn
English Dolby Atmos + English 5.1
Special Feature:
All-new: Back in the Driver’s Seat Featurette – featuring interviews with Writer Hossein Amini,...
Ryan Gosling stars as a Hollywood stunt driver for movies by day and moonlights as a wheelman for criminals by night. Though a loner by nature, “Driver” can’t help falling in love with his beautiful neighbor Irene (Carey Mulligan), a young mother dragged into a dangerous underworld by the return of her ex-convict husband. After a heist goes wrong, Driver finds himself driving defense for the girl he loves, tailgated by a syndicate of deadly serious criminals (Albert Brooks and Ron Perlman). Soon he realizes the gangsters are after more than the bag of cash and is forced to shift gears and go on the offense.
Disc Details And Bonus Materials
4K Ultra HD Disc
Feature presented in 4K resolution with Dolby Vision, as approved by director Nicolas Winding Refn
English Dolby Atmos + English 5.1
Special Feature:
All-new: Back in the Driver’s Seat Featurette – featuring interviews with Writer Hossein Amini,...
- 6/1/2024
- by ComicMix Staff
- Comicmix.com
Company has created technology to lip-sync in any language.
Former Lionsgate motion picture group COO Jen Hollingsworth has joined the senior executive ranks of Flawless, the creator of AI technology for film, television and commercials.
Hollingsworth joins as chief commercial officer and will among other things oversee the company’s exclusive partners programme, reporting to co-founders and co-CEOs Nick Lynes and Scott Mann.
Flawless, whose board of advisors includes former president of Columbia Pictures Peter Schlessel, recently deployed TrueSync, a visual dubbing technology that uses generative AI to create lip-syncs in any language and can change expletives into PG-13-safe language,...
Former Lionsgate motion picture group COO Jen Hollingsworth has joined the senior executive ranks of Flawless, the creator of AI technology for film, television and commercials.
Hollingsworth joins as chief commercial officer and will among other things oversee the company’s exclusive partners programme, reporting to co-founders and co-CEOs Nick Lynes and Scott Mann.
Flawless, whose board of advisors includes former president of Columbia Pictures Peter Schlessel, recently deployed TrueSync, a visual dubbing technology that uses generative AI to create lip-syncs in any language and can change expletives into PG-13-safe language,...
- 3/8/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Jen Hollingsworth will be joining the AI company Flawless in the role of Chief Commercial Officer. Flawless is an award-winning company specializing in generative AI [Artificial Intelligence] for film, television and commercials. Hollingsworth, who recently served as Chief Operating Officer of the Motion Picture Group for Lionsgate, will oversee all commercial strategy in her new position.
She will collaborate with executives and content creators while reporting to Nick Lynes and Scott Mann. They are Flawless’ Co-Founders and Co-ceos.
In a joint statement, Lynes and Mann said, “We are thrilled to welcome an executive of Jen’s stature and expertise to Flawless as we embark on the next phase of our growth trajectory — pioneering and scaling generative AI. Jen is well prepared and mission-critical to bringing our platform and product to the wider entertainment industry as we all grapple with both the uncontained promise of AI and the transformative, positive realities of our offerings.
She will collaborate with executives and content creators while reporting to Nick Lynes and Scott Mann. They are Flawless’ Co-Founders and Co-ceos.
In a joint statement, Lynes and Mann said, “We are thrilled to welcome an executive of Jen’s stature and expertise to Flawless as we embark on the next phase of our growth trajectory — pioneering and scaling generative AI. Jen is well prepared and mission-critical to bringing our platform and product to the wider entertainment industry as we all grapple with both the uncontained promise of AI and the transformative, positive realities of our offerings.
- 3/8/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Jen Hollingsworth, a longtime entertainment executive most recently COO of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group, is the new chief commercial officer at Flawless, a growing firm specialized in generative AI technology for film and television.
She will oversee all commercial strategy for Flawless, working with executives and content creators “to maximize scalable, positive impact” and expand partnerships for the firm, which is committed to protecting creator and artist rights. She reports to co-founders and co-CEOs Nick Lynes and Scott Mann.
“We are thrilled to welcome an executive of Jen’s stature and expertise to Flawless as we embark on the next phase of our growth trajectory — pioneering and scaling generative AI,” said tech and e-commerce veteran Lynes and producer/director Mann in a joint statement. “Jen is well prepared and mission critical to bringing our platform and product to the wider entertainment industry as we all grapple with both the...
She will oversee all commercial strategy for Flawless, working with executives and content creators “to maximize scalable, positive impact” and expand partnerships for the firm, which is committed to protecting creator and artist rights. She reports to co-founders and co-CEOs Nick Lynes and Scott Mann.
“We are thrilled to welcome an executive of Jen’s stature and expertise to Flawless as we embark on the next phase of our growth trajectory — pioneering and scaling generative AI,” said tech and e-commerce veteran Lynes and producer/director Mann in a joint statement. “Jen is well prepared and mission critical to bringing our platform and product to the wider entertainment industry as we all grapple with both the...
- 3/8/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Director Benjamin Millepied’s “Carmen,” a musical starring Paul Mescal, will have its West Coast premiere March 25 at the 2023 Sonoma International Film Festival (Siff).
Another debut set to take place during the five-day festival is the world premiere of “Jules,” with director Marc Turtletaub and stars Ben Kingsley and Jane Curtin planning to make an appearance for the occasion. The screening will kick off the opening night of the festival on March 22.
Capping off the event are closing night films “The Eight Mountains,” which received a grand jury prize after its Cannes premiere, and Stephen Williams’ “Chevalier.”
Including the seven U.S. premieres slated for the festival, this year’s lineup features 110 films representative of 32 countries. In total, 38 narrative features, 20 documentary features and 52 short films were selected by the festival curators.
“For my first edition at the Sonoma International Film Festival, with a new curatorial team in place, we aimed...
Another debut set to take place during the five-day festival is the world premiere of “Jules,” with director Marc Turtletaub and stars Ben Kingsley and Jane Curtin planning to make an appearance for the occasion. The screening will kick off the opening night of the festival on March 22.
Capping off the event are closing night films “The Eight Mountains,” which received a grand jury prize after its Cannes premiere, and Stephen Williams’ “Chevalier.”
Including the seven U.S. premieres slated for the festival, this year’s lineup features 110 films representative of 32 countries. In total, 38 narrative features, 20 documentary features and 52 short films were selected by the festival curators.
“For my first edition at the Sonoma International Film Festival, with a new curatorial team in place, we aimed...
- 2/28/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay, Charna Flam and Katie Reul
- Variety Film + TV
Spin Master Entertainment, Nickelodeon Movies and Paramount Pictures have announced that Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie — their sequel to Paw Patrol: The Movie, which was itself based on the hit animated kids’ series Paw Patrol — will move up its release date from October 13 to go wide on September 29.
The original show, which debuted on Nickelodeon in the U.S. in 2013, centers on Ryder and his crew of search and rescue dogs known as Paw Patrol, watching as they go on missions to protect their community of Adventure Bay and nearby areas.
In the second Paw Patrol film, a magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City, giving the Paw Patrol pups superpowers and transforming them into The Mighty Pups! For Skye, the smallest member of the team, her new powers are a dream come true. But things take a turn for the worse when the pups’ archrival Humdinger breaks out of...
The original show, which debuted on Nickelodeon in the U.S. in 2013, centers on Ryder and his crew of search and rescue dogs known as Paw Patrol, watching as they go on missions to protect their community of Adventure Bay and nearby areas.
In the second Paw Patrol film, a magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City, giving the Paw Patrol pups superpowers and transforming them into The Mighty Pups! For Skye, the smallest member of the team, her new powers are a dream come true. But things take a turn for the worse when the pups’ archrival Humdinger breaks out of...
- 2/27/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The upcoming sequel to “Paw Patrol” is getting a slew of new cast members. Kristen Bell, Christian Convery, Mckenna Grace, Lil Rel Howery, James Marsden, Finn Lee-Epp as Ryder, and Serena Williams will be joining the voice cast for the upcoming Spin Master Entertainment, Nickelodeon Movies and Paramount Pictures release. “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie,” with a score composed by Pinar Toprak, will debut exclusively in theaters on Oct. 13, 2023.
The newly announced actors join Taraji P. Henson and returning cast members Kim Kardashian, Marsai Martin, Callum Shoniker and Ron Pardo. Three new canine characters voiced by Alan Kim, Brice Gonzalez, and North West will join as well.
Also Read:
How Disney Animation Lost the Box Office Crown to Universal for 3 Straight Years – With No Turnaround in Sight | Chart
The storyline will involve a magical meteor crashing in Adventure City which gives the Paw Patrol superpowers that prove useful when Humdinger...
The newly announced actors join Taraji P. Henson and returning cast members Kim Kardashian, Marsai Martin, Callum Shoniker and Ron Pardo. Three new canine characters voiced by Alan Kim, Brice Gonzalez, and North West will join as well.
Also Read:
How Disney Animation Lost the Box Office Crown to Universal for 3 Straight Years – With No Turnaround in Sight | Chart
The storyline will involve a magical meteor crashing in Adventure City which gives the Paw Patrol superpowers that prove useful when Humdinger...
- 1/25/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
New and returning talent for Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie, the sequel that sees the Paw Patrol pooches transformed into The Mighty Pups after a meteor crash-lands in Adventure City, has been announced.
Kristen Bell, Christian Convery, Mckenna Grace, Lil Rel Howery, James Marsden, Finn Lee-Epp and Serena Williams join a voice cast for Paw Patrol 2 from Spin Master Corp., Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies that includes the previously announced Taraji P. Henson and returning cast members Kim Kardashian, Marsai Martin and Ron Pardo.
Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie, which Paramount will release on Oct. 13, 2023 and Cal Brunker will direct, will see the Paw Patrol pups get superpowers after a magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City. For Skye, the smallest member of the team, her new powers are a dream come true. But things take a turn for the worse when the pups’ archrival Humdinger breaks out of jail...
Kristen Bell, Christian Convery, Mckenna Grace, Lil Rel Howery, James Marsden, Finn Lee-Epp and Serena Williams join a voice cast for Paw Patrol 2 from Spin Master Corp., Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies that includes the previously announced Taraji P. Henson and returning cast members Kim Kardashian, Marsai Martin and Ron Pardo.
Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie, which Paramount will release on Oct. 13, 2023 and Cal Brunker will direct, will see the Paw Patrol pups get superpowers after a magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City. For Skye, the smallest member of the team, her new powers are a dream come true. But things take a turn for the worse when the pups’ archrival Humdinger breaks out of jail...
- 1/25/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Spin Master Entertainment-Nickelodeon-Paramount’s sequel Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie has added to their voiceover ensemble including Kristen Bell, Christian Convery (“Sweet Tooth”), McKenna Grace (Gifted, “The Handmaid’s Tale”), Lil Rel Howery (Get Out, Free Guy), James Marsden (Disenchanted, Sonic The Hedgehog), Finn Lee-Epp (Let Him Go) as Ryder, and tennis ace Serena Williams.
A trio of new pups also join the ranks, voiced by Critics Choice Award winner Alan Kim (Minari), TikTok star Brice Gonzalez of EnkyBoys and North West, who joins her mom Kim Kardashian returning as Delores from the first movie, along with a cameo from brother Saint West.
Additional cast members reprising their roles include Marsai Martin (Liberty), Ron Pardo (Mayor Humdinger) and Callum Shoniker (Rocky). New cast members also include Luxton Handspiker (Paw Patrol series), Christian Corrao (Dino Dana) and Nylan Parthipan (Paw Patrol series).
All of them join...
A trio of new pups also join the ranks, voiced by Critics Choice Award winner Alan Kim (Minari), TikTok star Brice Gonzalez of EnkyBoys and North West, who joins her mom Kim Kardashian returning as Delores from the first movie, along with a cameo from brother Saint West.
Additional cast members reprising their roles include Marsai Martin (Liberty), Ron Pardo (Mayor Humdinger) and Callum Shoniker (Rocky). New cast members also include Luxton Handspiker (Paw Patrol series), Christian Corrao (Dino Dana) and Nylan Parthipan (Paw Patrol series).
All of them join...
- 1/25/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Taraji P. Henson (Empire) will lend her voice to Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie—Spin Master Entertainment, Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies’ sequel to 2021’s Paw Patrol: The Movie, which opened in the number one spot in more than 25 countries and grossed over 150M worldwide.
Paw Patrol: The Movie stemmed from Spin Master’s series Paw Patrol, which debuted on Nickelodeon in the U.S. in 2013. The children’s TV show centers on the young boy Ryder and his crew of search and rescue dogs known as Paw Patrol, watching as they go on missions to protect their community of Adventure Bay and nearby areas. Last year’s Paw Patrol film saw Ryder (Will Brisbin) and the pups be called to Adventure City to stop Mayor Humdinger (Ron Pardo) from turning the bustling metropolis into a state of chaos. With a simultaneous day-and-date release on Paramount+ in the U.S.
Paw Patrol: The Movie stemmed from Spin Master’s series Paw Patrol, which debuted on Nickelodeon in the U.S. in 2013. The children’s TV show centers on the young boy Ryder and his crew of search and rescue dogs known as Paw Patrol, watching as they go on missions to protect their community of Adventure Bay and nearby areas. Last year’s Paw Patrol film saw Ryder (Will Brisbin) and the pups be called to Adventure City to stop Mayor Humdinger (Ron Pardo) from turning the bustling metropolis into a state of chaos. With a simultaneous day-and-date release on Paramount+ in the U.S.
- 5/24/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Taraji P. Henson will lead the voice cast for the animated sequel to “Paw Patrol: The Movie” that’s in the works for a fall 2023 release.
“Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie” will open exclusively in theaters on Oct. 13, 2023, and will feature the return of preschoolers’ favorite team of crime fighting pups, who in the new film will all gain superpowers. Here’s the synopsis to the film:
When a magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City, it gives the ‘Paw Patrol’ pups superpowers, transforming them into The Mighty Pups! For Skye, the smallest member of the team, her new powers are a dream come true. But things take a turn for the worse when the pups’ archrival Humdinger breaks out of jail and teams up with Victoria Vance, a meteor-obsessed mad scientist, to steal the superpowers and turn themselves into supervillains. With the fate of Adventure City hanging in the balance,...
“Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie” will open exclusively in theaters on Oct. 13, 2023, and will feature the return of preschoolers’ favorite team of crime fighting pups, who in the new film will all gain superpowers. Here’s the synopsis to the film:
When a magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City, it gives the ‘Paw Patrol’ pups superpowers, transforming them into The Mighty Pups! For Skye, the smallest member of the team, her new powers are a dream come true. But things take a turn for the worse when the pups’ archrival Humdinger breaks out of jail and teams up with Victoria Vance, a meteor-obsessed mad scientist, to steal the superpowers and turn themselves into supervillains. With the fate of Adventure City hanging in the balance,...
- 5/24/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Sony Home Entertainment has announced that the cult favorite Looper is coming to 4K Ultra HD libraries with a new release February 15.
Synopsis
In the futuristic action thriller Looper, time travel will be invented – but it will be illegal and only available on the black market. When the mob wants to get rid of someone, they will send their target 30 years into the past where a “looper” – a hired gun, like Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) – is waiting to mop up. Joe is getting rich and life is good…until the day the mob decides to “close the loop,” sending back Joe’s future self (Bruce Willis) for assassination. Written and directed by Rian Johnson, and also starring Emily Blunt, Paul Dano, and Jeff Daniels.
Disc Details & Bonus Materials
4K Ultra HD Disc
• Feature presented in 4K resolution with Dolby Vision, reviewed and approved by the filmmakers
• All-new Director-approved Dolby Atmos audio...
Synopsis
In the futuristic action thriller Looper, time travel will be invented – but it will be illegal and only available on the black market. When the mob wants to get rid of someone, they will send their target 30 years into the past where a “looper” – a hired gun, like Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) – is waiting to mop up. Joe is getting rich and life is good…until the day the mob decides to “close the loop,” sending back Joe’s future self (Bruce Willis) for assassination. Written and directed by Rian Johnson, and also starring Emily Blunt, Paul Dano, and Jeff Daniels.
Disc Details & Bonus Materials
4K Ultra HD Disc
• Feature presented in 4K resolution with Dolby Vision, reviewed and approved by the filmmakers
• All-new Director-approved Dolby Atmos audio...
- 12/9/2021
- by ComicMix Staff
- Comicmix.com
In the wake of grossing $135 million at the global box office, Paw Patrol: The Movie is getting an exclusive theatrical 2023 sequel via Spin Master Entertainment, Nickelodeon Movies and Paramount Pictures. The new pic, Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie, will hit theaters on October 13, 2023.
Nickelodeon and Spin Master also said they are developing a new Paw Patrol TV series spinoff for one of the main pups also set to debut in 2023.
In the movie sequel, a magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City, and gives the Paw Patrol pups superpowers, transforming them into The Mighty Pups. For Skye, the smallest member of the team, her new powers are a dream come true. But things take a turn for the worse when the pups’ arch rival Humdinger breaks out of jail and teams with a mad scientist to steal the superpowers for the two villains. With the fate of Adventure City hanging in the balance,...
Nickelodeon and Spin Master also said they are developing a new Paw Patrol TV series spinoff for one of the main pups also set to debut in 2023.
In the movie sequel, a magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City, and gives the Paw Patrol pups superpowers, transforming them into The Mighty Pups. For Skye, the smallest member of the team, her new powers are a dream come true. But things take a turn for the worse when the pups’ arch rival Humdinger breaks out of jail and teams with a mad scientist to steal the superpowers for the two villains. With the fate of Adventure City hanging in the balance,...
- 11/3/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
“Paw Patrol: The Movie” is getting a sequel.
Paramount Pictures will release the film in theaters on Oct. 13, 2023. Unlike the first movie, which debuted on Paramount Plus on the same day as its theatrical release as a concession to the pandemic, the upcoming animated adventure will play exclusively in theaters.
The “Paw Patrol” empire is continuing to expand. Nickelodeon and Spin Master Entertainment, the companies behind the pre-school powerhouse franchise, have announced a new television spinoff series for one of the main pups to debut in 2023.
“We loved telling a deeper ‘Paw Patrol’ story on a bigger canvas and are pleased that the movie connected so strongly with kids and families around the world,” said Spin Master Entertainment’s president Jennifer Dodge. “Judging by the exit polls, audience scores and positive critical reception, everyone had as much fun watching it, and rewatching it, as we did making it. We’re...
Paramount Pictures will release the film in theaters on Oct. 13, 2023. Unlike the first movie, which debuted on Paramount Plus on the same day as its theatrical release as a concession to the pandemic, the upcoming animated adventure will play exclusively in theaters.
The “Paw Patrol” empire is continuing to expand. Nickelodeon and Spin Master Entertainment, the companies behind the pre-school powerhouse franchise, have announced a new television spinoff series for one of the main pups to debut in 2023.
“We loved telling a deeper ‘Paw Patrol’ story on a bigger canvas and are pleased that the movie connected so strongly with kids and families around the world,” said Spin Master Entertainment’s president Jennifer Dodge. “Judging by the exit polls, audience scores and positive critical reception, everyone had as much fun watching it, and rewatching it, as we did making it. We’re...
- 11/3/2021
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Village Roadshow Entertainment Group has added Christina Norman, a veteran TV executive who heads content for an NBA-affiliated group, to its board of directors.
Norman is head of content for THINK450, which is billed as the “innovation engine” of the National Basketball Players Assn. She oversees all original content and documentaries, long- and short-form series that give players a creative outlet.
Previously, Norman has been CEO of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, president of MTV and VH1, CEO of the Water Cooler Group, and has led her own consultancy, Gemini Entertainment. Norman also serves on the board of Bric Arts Media Brooklyn.
“In addition to being an accomplished and trusted executive and advisor, Christina is a trailblazer in the television space,” said Jim Moore, Chairman of Village Roadshow Entertainment Group. “Having led multiple world-class media brands, we know that she will prove to be a valuable asset for our...
Norman is head of content for THINK450, which is billed as the “innovation engine” of the National Basketball Players Assn. She oversees all original content and documentaries, long- and short-form series that give players a creative outlet.
Previously, Norman has been CEO of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, president of MTV and VH1, CEO of the Water Cooler Group, and has led her own consultancy, Gemini Entertainment. Norman also serves on the board of Bric Arts Media Brooklyn.
“In addition to being an accomplished and trusted executive and advisor, Christina is a trailblazer in the television space,” said Jim Moore, Chairman of Village Roadshow Entertainment Group. “Having led multiple world-class media brands, we know that she will prove to be a valuable asset for our...
- 3/11/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Forest Road Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company (or Spac) backed by the eponymous entertainment finance firm with a Hollywood-heavy roster of advisors has found its target, announcing plans to buy digital fitness specialist Beachbody Company and take it public.
The transaction involves a three-way merger between the Forest Road Spac, Myx Fitness Holdings, an at-home connected fitness platform, and Santa Monica-based Beachbody. The deal values the combined business at $2.9 billion and is expected to add over $420 million of cash to the balance sheet.
This is one of the first high-profile entertainment Spac-backed acquisitions by an explosion of financial vehicles also called “blank check” companies. Backers, in this case Forest Road, assemble seasoned executives and advisors, create a Spac, take it public and start looking for an operating company to acquire. Merging with a Spac is a faster, easier way for a private company to go public.
“When we raised our Spac,...
The transaction involves a three-way merger between the Forest Road Spac, Myx Fitness Holdings, an at-home connected fitness platform, and Santa Monica-based Beachbody. The deal values the combined business at $2.9 billion and is expected to add over $420 million of cash to the balance sheet.
This is one of the first high-profile entertainment Spac-backed acquisitions by an explosion of financial vehicles also called “blank check” companies. Backers, in this case Forest Road, assemble seasoned executives and advisors, create a Spac, take it public and start looking for an operating company to acquire. Merging with a Spac is a faster, easier way for a private company to go public.
“When we raised our Spac,...
- 2/10/2021
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Content Partners LLC has acquired the FilmDistrict library, including “Olympus Has Fallen,” “Looper” and the first two “Insidious” movies.
“We’re thrilled to bring these popular titles from FilmDistrict to new platforms while building our library and continuing to be leading owners of intellectual property in the entertainment industry,” said John Mass, executive vice president of Content Partners. “We look forward to working with other owners of high quality assets, like FilmDistrict, to add to our growing portfolio.”
FilmDistrict was co-founded by Peter Schlessel in 2010, and the company financed, acquired, produced, and distributed about 20 movies, starting with “Insidious” and concluding with “Wer” in 2014, when the company was folded into Focus Features. Other titles in the deal include “Evil Dead,” “Parker,” “Drive,” “Pompeii,” “Old Boy,” “Red Dawn,” and ”Soul Surfer.”
Content Partners owns rights to or interests in more than 500 films, including ”13 Going on 30,” “Black Hawk Down,” “Black Swan,” ”Hugo” and...
“We’re thrilled to bring these popular titles from FilmDistrict to new platforms while building our library and continuing to be leading owners of intellectual property in the entertainment industry,” said John Mass, executive vice president of Content Partners. “We look forward to working with other owners of high quality assets, like FilmDistrict, to add to our growing portfolio.”
FilmDistrict was co-founded by Peter Schlessel in 2010, and the company financed, acquired, produced, and distributed about 20 movies, starting with “Insidious” and concluding with “Wer” in 2014, when the company was folded into Focus Features. Other titles in the deal include “Evil Dead,” “Parker,” “Drive,” “Pompeii,” “Old Boy,” “Red Dawn,” and ”Soul Surfer.”
Content Partners owns rights to or interests in more than 500 films, including ”13 Going on 30,” “Black Hawk Down,” “Black Swan,” ”Hugo” and...
- 12/3/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Entertainment finance firm Forest Road and a team of A-list media insiders from Tom Staggs to Kevin Mayer have closed a $300 million IPO of a new Spac – a special purpose acquisition vehicle they’ll use to buy a private company in media, tech or telecom.
SPACs, which are exploding, are basically empty publicly traded vessels with investors and, in this case, seasoned managers, that go public and find private companies to merge with – taking them public in turn in a process that’s faster, easier and cheaper than a traditional initial public offering. Ideally the SPACs offer industry expertise in the transition to public company status and beyond.
Units of the Forest Road Spac now trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol Frx and can start to approach merger candidates to discuss deals. Forest Road chief executive Zachary Tarica, who is also chairman and chief investment officer of the Spac,...
SPACs, which are exploding, are basically empty publicly traded vessels with investors and, in this case, seasoned managers, that go public and find private companies to merge with – taking them public in turn in a process that’s faster, easier and cheaper than a traditional initial public offering. Ideally the SPACs offer industry expertise in the transition to public company status and beyond.
Units of the Forest Road Spac now trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol Frx and can start to approach merger candidates to discuss deals. Forest Road chief executive Zachary Tarica, who is also chairman and chief investment officer of the Spac,...
- 11/30/2020
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Kim Kardashian, Jimmy Kimmel, Tyler Perry, Randall Park, Dax Shepard, Yara Shahidi, Ian Armitage, Marsai Martin and Will Brisbin have joined the voice cast for the “Paw Patrol” animated movie.
The film is based on the animated Nickelodeon series of the same name, and it is produced by Spin Master Corp. Paramount Pictures has set a theatrical release for Aug. 20, 2021, and the film is in production with creators, artists and producers collaborating remotely.
The “Paw Patrol” series, which premiered in 2013, centers on a young boy named Ryder who leads a crew of search-and-rescue dogs that work together on missions to protect the shoreside community of Adventure Bay. The dogs — Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Zuma, Rocky and Skye — live in houses that transform into vehicles for their missions. The movie sees Ryder and the pups being called to Adventure City to stop Mayor Humdinger from turning the bustling metropolis into a state of chaos.
The film is based on the animated Nickelodeon series of the same name, and it is produced by Spin Master Corp. Paramount Pictures has set a theatrical release for Aug. 20, 2021, and the film is in production with creators, artists and producers collaborating remotely.
The “Paw Patrol” series, which premiered in 2013, centers on a young boy named Ryder who leads a crew of search-and-rescue dogs that work together on missions to protect the shoreside community of Adventure Bay. The dogs — Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Zuma, Rocky and Skye — live in houses that transform into vehicles for their missions. The movie sees Ryder and the pups being called to Adventure City to stop Mayor Humdinger from turning the bustling metropolis into a state of chaos.
- 10/15/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
“Paw Patrol: The Movie,” the feature film based on the wildly popular animated preschool series, has announced a voice cast that includes Kim Kardashian West, Jimmy Kimmel, Tyler Perry and more.
Also rounding out the full voice cast for the film are Dax Shepard, Yara Shahidi, Randall Park, Iain Armitage, Marsai Martin and Will Brisbin. Together they’ll echo the “Paw Patrol” mantra: “No job is too big; No pup is too small!”
“Paw Patrol: The Movie” is currently in production with its team of animators all collaborating remotely, and Paramount has set the film for a theatrical release on August 20, 2021.
“Paw Patrol” follows the adventures of a tech-savvy boy named Ryder and his team of crime-fighting puppies – Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Zuma, Rocky and Skye – who are always ready to save the day and keep their home of Adventure Bay safe. The new film sees Ryder and the pups called...
Also rounding out the full voice cast for the film are Dax Shepard, Yara Shahidi, Randall Park, Iain Armitage, Marsai Martin and Will Brisbin. Together they’ll echo the “Paw Patrol” mantra: “No job is too big; No pup is too small!”
“Paw Patrol: The Movie” is currently in production with its team of animators all collaborating remotely, and Paramount has set the film for a theatrical release on August 20, 2021.
“Paw Patrol” follows the adventures of a tech-savvy boy named Ryder and his team of crime-fighting puppies – Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Zuma, Rocky and Skye – who are always ready to save the day and keep their home of Adventure Bay safe. The new film sees Ryder and the pups called...
- 10/15/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Spin Master Corp, Nickelodeon Movies, and Paramount Pictures have assembled a star-studded cast for the upcoming feature adaptation to popular animated show, Paw Patrol. Kim Kardashian West, Iain Armitage (Young Sheldon), Jimmy Kimmel, Yara Shahidi (Black-ish), Dax Shepard (Bless This Mess), Marsai Martin (Black-ish), Tyler Perry, Randall Park (Fresh Off the Boat), and Will Brisbin (Forbidden Playground) are lending their voices to the animated film, which is being directed by animation vet Cal Brunker.
Paw Patrol: The Movie will launch a new chapter for the Nickelodeon children’s program, which kicked off in 2013 and was recently renewed for an eighth season.
Currently in production with cast and crew working remotely, the feature-length will follow Ryder and the pups who are called to Adventure City to stop Mayor Humdinger from turning the bustling metropolis into a state of chaos.
Spin Master Entertainment’s Executive VP, Jennifer Dodge producing the pic with Ronnen Harary,...
Paw Patrol: The Movie will launch a new chapter for the Nickelodeon children’s program, which kicked off in 2013 and was recently renewed for an eighth season.
Currently in production with cast and crew working remotely, the feature-length will follow Ryder and the pups who are called to Adventure City to stop Mayor Humdinger from turning the bustling metropolis into a state of chaos.
Spin Master Entertainment’s Executive VP, Jennifer Dodge producing the pic with Ronnen Harary,...
- 10/15/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
A movie based on Nickelodeon’s wildly popular animated “Paw Patrol” kids series is in the works at Paramount, and the studio has set a release date for the animated film for August 2021, the company behind the series Spin Master Corp. announced Friday.
“Paw Patrol: The Movie” will be a full-length, animated feature as directed by Cal Brunker, and it will be released theatrically in Aug. 2021.
For those of you who don’t have small children at home watching the show obsessively, “Paw Patrol” follows the adventures of a tech-savvy boy named Ryder and his team of crime-fighting puppies – Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Zuma, Rocky and Skye – who are always ready to save the day and keep their home of Adventure Bay safe.
Also Read: Nickelodeon Renews 'Are You Afraid of the Dark?' Reboot for Season 2
Keith Chapman created the show that has been on Nickelodeon since 2013 and is entering...
“Paw Patrol: The Movie” will be a full-length, animated feature as directed by Cal Brunker, and it will be released theatrically in Aug. 2021.
For those of you who don’t have small children at home watching the show obsessively, “Paw Patrol” follows the adventures of a tech-savvy boy named Ryder and his team of crime-fighting puppies – Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Zuma, Rocky and Skye – who are always ready to save the day and keep their home of Adventure Bay safe.
Also Read: Nickelodeon Renews 'Are You Afraid of the Dark?' Reboot for Season 2
Keith Chapman created the show that has been on Nickelodeon since 2013 and is entering...
- 2/21/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Spin Master Corp’s hit animated canine preschool series Paw Patrol is heading to the big screen with a movie directed by Cal Brunker (Nut Job 2: Nutty By Nature; Escape From Planet Earth).
Paw Patrol: The Movie, which is eyeing an August 2021 release, is the first in a number of feature films in the works by Spin Master’s Entertainment division.
Spin will produce the movie in association with Nickelodeon Movies, and Paramount will be distribute. Paw Patrol was recently picked up for its eighth season by Nickelodeon, which broadcasts the show around the world. The show follows a “paw-some pack of pups” —Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Skye, Rocky, Zuma, Everest and Tracker—as they embark on rescue missions in their community of Adventure Bay, proving “no job is too big, no pup is too small!”
Spin Master Entertainment’s Evp, Jennifer Dodge, will produce Paw Patrol: The Movie and Ronnen Harary,...
Paw Patrol: The Movie, which is eyeing an August 2021 release, is the first in a number of feature films in the works by Spin Master’s Entertainment division.
Spin will produce the movie in association with Nickelodeon Movies, and Paramount will be distribute. Paw Patrol was recently picked up for its eighth season by Nickelodeon, which broadcasts the show around the world. The show follows a “paw-some pack of pups” —Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Skye, Rocky, Zuma, Everest and Tracker—as they embark on rescue missions in their community of Adventure Bay, proving “no job is too big, no pup is too small!”
Spin Master Entertainment’s Evp, Jennifer Dodge, will produce Paw Patrol: The Movie and Ronnen Harary,...
- 2/21/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Village Roadshow Entertainment Group has named former Sony Pictures TV boss Steve Mosko as its CEO, as the production and financing company looks to further push into TV and streaming. Bruce Berman, currently Village Roadshow Pictures Entertainment chairman and CEO, will remain in his position and report to Mosko.
As part of the announcement Thursday, Village Roadshow said Greg Basser, the current CEO who co-founded Vreg and Village Roadshow Pictures 20 years ago this month, is stepping down to pursue other opportunities. He will remain as a consultant for Perfect Village Entertainment, the company’s film and TV production venture in China with Perfect World Pictures and Wme-img that launched last year.
The moves come after Vreg in April 2017 sold a controlling interest to then-financial partners Vine Alternative Investments and Falcon Investment Advisors. Vine CEO Jim Moore took over as chairman, with the goal to grow the company by increasing its...
As part of the announcement Thursday, Village Roadshow said Greg Basser, the current CEO who co-founded Vreg and Village Roadshow Pictures 20 years ago this month, is stepping down to pursue other opportunities. He will remain as a consultant for Perfect Village Entertainment, the company’s film and TV production venture in China with Perfect World Pictures and Wme-img that launched last year.
The moves come after Vreg in April 2017 sold a controlling interest to then-financial partners Vine Alternative Investments and Falcon Investment Advisors. Vine CEO Jim Moore took over as chairman, with the goal to grow the company by increasing its...
- 10/25/2018
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Showtime has given a series order to its long-gestating adaptation of the videogame series “Halo.”
Kyle Killen is on board to serve as showrunner and exec producer. Rupert Wyatt (“Rise of the Planet of the Apes”) will direct several episodes and serve as exec producer for Amblin Television, Showtime and Microsoft/343 Industries. Showtime has ordered 10 episodes of the project that has been in development at the pay cabler for several years.
Showtime’s spin on Microsoft’s popular game will revolve around an “epic 26th-century conflict between humanity and an alien threat known as the Covenant.” The series promises to present a “richly imagined” vision of the future mixed with “deeply drawn personal stories.”
“ ‘Halo’ is our most ambitious series ever, and we expect audiences who have been anticipating it for years to be thoroughly rewarded,” said David Nevins, president-ceo of Showtime Networks. “In the history of television, there...
Kyle Killen is on board to serve as showrunner and exec producer. Rupert Wyatt (“Rise of the Planet of the Apes”) will direct several episodes and serve as exec producer for Amblin Television, Showtime and Microsoft/343 Industries. Showtime has ordered 10 episodes of the project that has been in development at the pay cabler for several years.
Showtime’s spin on Microsoft’s popular game will revolve around an “epic 26th-century conflict between humanity and an alien threat known as the Covenant.” The series promises to present a “richly imagined” vision of the future mixed with “deeply drawn personal stories.”
“ ‘Halo’ is our most ambitious series ever, and we expect audiences who have been anticipating it for years to be thoroughly rewarded,” said David Nevins, president-ceo of Showtime Networks. “In the history of television, there...
- 6/28/2018
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Other new advisors are Fehmi Zeko, Scott Walker, Lauren Selig, and J.C. Oliver.
Peter Schlessel and Cassian Elwes are among six strategic advisors who have come on board MovieCoin, the entertainment financing platform based on blockchain technology that Christopher announced last month.
The other advisors announced on Tuesday (June 26) are Fehmi Zeko, Scott Walker, Lauren Selig, and J.C. Oliver.
Schlessel, the former Focus Features and FilmDistrict CEO, owns his own consulting business in addition to holding seats on corporate and venture fund advisory boards.
Elwes was the former co-head of William Morris Independent whose producer credits include Mudbound,...
Peter Schlessel and Cassian Elwes are among six strategic advisors who have come on board MovieCoin, the entertainment financing platform based on blockchain technology that Christopher announced last month.
The other advisors announced on Tuesday (June 26) are Fehmi Zeko, Scott Walker, Lauren Selig, and J.C. Oliver.
Schlessel, the former Focus Features and FilmDistrict CEO, owns his own consulting business in addition to holding seats on corporate and venture fund advisory boards.
Elwes was the former co-head of William Morris Independent whose producer credits include Mudbound,...
- 6/26/2018
- by Jenn Sherman
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Industry veteran Peter Schlessel has been elected to the board of directors of Village Roadshow Entertainment Group. He joins as Ocean’s 8, Village Roadshow’s 100th film, just released to a franchise-topping domestic result and a strong early start overseas.
Schlessel has had a traditional and entrepreneurial career in the entertainment industry. He has held senior roles at both Focus Features and Sony Pictures Entertainment. And he co-founded and served as CEO of FilmDistrict which garnered over $500M in box office on the movies it produced and acquired.
Over the span of his career, Schlessel has produced, acquired or distributed hundreds of titles including Looper, District 9, The Theory Of Everything, Olympus Has Fallen and Insidious. Schlessel also was instrumental in working with Jeff Skoll on the founding of Participant Media. He currently has an active consulting and mentorship business via his Ps Entertainment banner under which he advises high net worth individuals,...
Schlessel has had a traditional and entrepreneurial career in the entertainment industry. He has held senior roles at both Focus Features and Sony Pictures Entertainment. And he co-founded and served as CEO of FilmDistrict which garnered over $500M in box office on the movies it produced and acquired.
Over the span of his career, Schlessel has produced, acquired or distributed hundreds of titles including Looper, District 9, The Theory Of Everything, Olympus Has Fallen and Insidious. Schlessel also was instrumental in working with Jeff Skoll on the founding of Participant Media. He currently has an active consulting and mentorship business via his Ps Entertainment banner under which he advises high net worth individuals,...
- 6/12/2018
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
The brainy 47-year-old son of a British political cartoonist, Alex Garland made his name with novels “The Beach” and “The Tesseract” before moving on to a tortuous relationship with Hollywood. After Leonardo DiCaprio starred in Danny Boyle’s movie version of “The Beach” (Fox), Garland turned to screenwriting on two original grim visions of the future for Boyle and Fox Searchlight, zombiefest “28 Days Later” and sci-fi space trip “Sunshine,” both starring Cillian Murphy, followed by 2012 comic-book flop “Dredd” (Lionsgate).
Backed by Focus Features, Garland’s stunning directorial debut “Ex Machina,” a tense sci-fi three-hander starring Oscar Isaac as a genius robot designer, Alicia Vikander as his wily femme bot, and Domnhall Gleeson as the gullible man who falls for her, was inexplicably rejected for theatrical release and was taken on by A24. Focus president Peter Schlessel lost his job when the movie scored $25 million domestic and two Oscar nominations (including...
Backed by Focus Features, Garland’s stunning directorial debut “Ex Machina,” a tense sci-fi three-hander starring Oscar Isaac as a genius robot designer, Alicia Vikander as his wily femme bot, and Domnhall Gleeson as the gullible man who falls for her, was inexplicably rejected for theatrical release and was taken on by A24. Focus president Peter Schlessel lost his job when the movie scored $25 million domestic and two Oscar nominations (including...
- 4/8/2018
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
The brainy 47-year-old son of a British political cartoonist, Alex Garland made his name with novels “The Beach” and “The Tesseract” before moving on to a tortuous relationship with Hollywood. After Leonardo DiCaprio starred in Danny Boyle’s movie version of “The Beach” (Fox), Garland turned to screenwriting on two original grim visions of the future for Boyle and Fox Searchlight, zombiefest “28 Days Later” and sci-fi space trip “Sunshine,” both starring Cillian Murphy, followed by 2012 comic-book flop “Dredd” (Lionsgate).
Backed by Focus Features, Garland’s stunning directorial debut “Ex Machina,” a tense sci-fi three-hander starring Oscar Isaac as a genius robot designer, Alicia Vikander as his wily femme bot, and Domnhall Gleeson as the gullible man who falls for her, was inexplicably rejected for theatrical release and was taken on by A24. Focus president Peter Schlessel lost his job when the movie scored $25 million domestic and two Oscar nominations (including...
Backed by Focus Features, Garland’s stunning directorial debut “Ex Machina,” a tense sci-fi three-hander starring Oscar Isaac as a genius robot designer, Alicia Vikander as his wily femme bot, and Domnhall Gleeson as the gullible man who falls for her, was inexplicably rejected for theatrical release and was taken on by A24. Focus president Peter Schlessel lost his job when the movie scored $25 million domestic and two Oscar nominations (including...
- 4/8/2018
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Broad Green: How Wall Street Wealth, A-List Talent, and Brash Decisions Made an Indie Player Implode
It takes guts to join the indie distribution fray, especially when the market is challenged by big buyers like Netflix and Amazon Studios (which, along with Annapurna, is optimistically taking over its own theatrical distribution) and television is chasing down the hottest indie talent. Even one-time high-flyer The Weinstein Co., which once knew better than anyone how to play the indie game, is evolving to survive during these changing times.
When Wall Street billionaires Gabriel Hammond, 38, and his brother, Daniel, 34, launched independent producer-distributor Broad Green Pictures three summers ago, Hollywood was skeptical. It was a strange time to reinvent a dying economic model.
Now, after trying to use arcane algorithms to determine what movies to make, Gabriel has decided to pull the plug on production. The breaking point was the July 14 release of John Leonetti’s “Wish Upon,” which grossed $13.2 million on a $12 million budget. (Theaters return about half of the take to the distributor,...
When Wall Street billionaires Gabriel Hammond, 38, and his brother, Daniel, 34, launched independent producer-distributor Broad Green Pictures three summers ago, Hollywood was skeptical. It was a strange time to reinvent a dying economic model.
Now, after trying to use arcane algorithms to determine what movies to make, Gabriel has decided to pull the plug on production. The breaking point was the July 14 release of John Leonetti’s “Wish Upon,” which grossed $13.2 million on a $12 million budget. (Theaters return about half of the take to the distributor,...
- 8/2/2017
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Broad Green: How Wall Street Wealth, A-List Talent, and Brash Decisions Made an Indie Player Implode
It takes guts to join the indie distribution fray, especially when the market is challenged by big buyers like Netflix and Amazon Studios (which, along with Annapurna, is optimistically taking over its own theatrical distribution) and television is chasing down the hottest indie talent. Even one-time high-flyer The Weinstein Co., which once knew better than anyone how to play the indie game, is evolving to survive during these changing times.
When Wall Street billionaires Gabriel Hammond, 38, and his brother, Daniel, 34, launched independent producer-distributor Broad Green Pictures three summers ago, Hollywood was skeptical. It was a strange time to reinvent a dying economic model.
Now, after trying to use arcane algorithms to determine what movies to make, Gabriel has decided to pull the plug on production. The breaking point was the July 14 release of John Leonetti’s “Wish Upon,” which grossed $13.2 million on a $12 million budget. (Theaters return about half of the take to the distributor,...
When Wall Street billionaires Gabriel Hammond, 38, and his brother, Daniel, 34, launched independent producer-distributor Broad Green Pictures three summers ago, Hollywood was skeptical. It was a strange time to reinvent a dying economic model.
Now, after trying to use arcane algorithms to determine what movies to make, Gabriel has decided to pull the plug on production. The breaking point was the July 14 release of John Leonetti’s “Wish Upon,” which grossed $13.2 million on a $12 million budget. (Theaters return about half of the take to the distributor,...
- 8/2/2017
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Focus Features used CinemaCon to celebrate its 15th anniversary with a celebratory luncheon. Judging by its show reel, Focus plans to spend the year doing what it knows best: Making movies designed for awards-season release.
Dame Judi Dench, who earned two of her seven Oscar nominations in Stephen Frears movies, reunites with her “Philomena” and “Mrs. Henderson Presents” filmmaker on lush period drama “Victoria and Abdul” (from Oscar factory Working Title), a true story about the elderly Queen Victoria, who, bored being the world’s longest-serving monarch, formed an unlikely friendship with Abdul Karim (Ali Fasal), who she makes her Indian Secretary. It’s written by the Oscar-nominated Lee Hall (“Billy Elliott”).
See More‘Blade Runner 2049’: Sony Comes Out Swinging With New Footage at CinemaCon
Dench introduced the first-look footage via video. Clearly the movie falls inside the same Academy sweet spot as Frears’ Meryl Streep Oscar vehicle...
Dame Judi Dench, who earned two of her seven Oscar nominations in Stephen Frears movies, reunites with her “Philomena” and “Mrs. Henderson Presents” filmmaker on lush period drama “Victoria and Abdul” (from Oscar factory Working Title), a true story about the elderly Queen Victoria, who, bored being the world’s longest-serving monarch, formed an unlikely friendship with Abdul Karim (Ali Fasal), who she makes her Indian Secretary. It’s written by the Oscar-nominated Lee Hall (“Billy Elliott”).
See More‘Blade Runner 2049’: Sony Comes Out Swinging With New Footage at CinemaCon
Dench introduced the first-look footage via video. Clearly the movie falls inside the same Academy sweet spot as Frears’ Meryl Streep Oscar vehicle...
- 3/30/2017
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Focus Features used CinemaCon to celebrate its 15th anniversary with a celebratory luncheon. Judging by its show reel, Focus plans to spend the year doing what it knows best: Making movies designed for awards-season release.
Dame Judi Dench, who earned two of her seven Oscar nominations in Stephen Frears movies, reunites with her “Philomena” and “Mrs. Henderson Presents” filmmaker on lush period drama “Victoria and Abdul” (from Oscar factory Working Title), a true story about the elderly Queen Victoria, who, bored being the world’s longest-serving monarch, formed an unlikely friendship with Abdul Karim (Ali Fasal), who she makes her Indian Secretary. It’s written by the Oscar-nominated Lee Hall (“Billy Elliott”).
See More‘Blade Runner 2049’: Sony Comes Out Swinging With New Footage at CinemaCon
Dench introduced the first-look footage via video. Clearly the movie falls inside the same Academy sweet spot as Frears’ Meryl Streep Oscar vehicle...
Dame Judi Dench, who earned two of her seven Oscar nominations in Stephen Frears movies, reunites with her “Philomena” and “Mrs. Henderson Presents” filmmaker on lush period drama “Victoria and Abdul” (from Oscar factory Working Title), a true story about the elderly Queen Victoria, who, bored being the world’s longest-serving monarch, formed an unlikely friendship with Abdul Karim (Ali Fasal), who she makes her Indian Secretary. It’s written by the Oscar-nominated Lee Hall (“Billy Elliott”).
See More‘Blade Runner 2049’: Sony Comes Out Swinging With New Footage at CinemaCon
Dench introduced the first-look footage via video. Clearly the movie falls inside the same Academy sweet spot as Frears’ Meryl Streep Oscar vehicle...
- 3/30/2017
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Ryan Lambie Jan 20, 2017
It could have been the first blockbuster videogame adaptation, but instead, it fell apart. Ryan looks at the Halo movie that never was...
From Super Mario Bros in the 90s and on to the recent Assassin’s Creed, it’s fair to say that movies adapted from videogames seldom fare well. But there’s one movie, now sadly lost to history, that might just have bucked that trend: Neill Blomkamp’s Halo.
See related Vikings season 4 episode 17 review: The Great Army Vikings season 4 episode 16 review: Crossings Vikings season 4 episodes 14 & 15 review: The Uncertain Hour Before The Morning & All His Angels Vikings season 4 episode 13 review: Two Journeys
In 2001, Halo: Combat Evolved was the game that helped launch Microsoft’s first ever console, the Xbox. A first-person shooter with an absorbing sci-fi plot and a cool character at its core - the anonymous, armoured super-soldier, Master Chief - Halo...
It could have been the first blockbuster videogame adaptation, but instead, it fell apart. Ryan looks at the Halo movie that never was...
From Super Mario Bros in the 90s and on to the recent Assassin’s Creed, it’s fair to say that movies adapted from videogames seldom fare well. But there’s one movie, now sadly lost to history, that might just have bucked that trend: Neill Blomkamp’s Halo.
See related Vikings season 4 episode 17 review: The Great Army Vikings season 4 episode 16 review: Crossings Vikings season 4 episodes 14 & 15 review: The Uncertain Hour Before The Morning & All His Angels Vikings season 4 episode 13 review: Two Journeys
In 2001, Halo: Combat Evolved was the game that helped launch Microsoft’s first ever console, the Xbox. A first-person shooter with an absorbing sci-fi plot and a cool character at its core - the anonymous, armoured super-soldier, Master Chief - Halo...
- 1/17/2017
- Den of Geek
Focus Features announced Friday that it has hired former Open Road Films chief marketing officer Jason Cassidy as its new president of marketing. Cassidy is a 20-year veteran in the art-house film marketplace, most recently leading the Oscar campaign for Open Road’s Best Picture winner “Spotlight.” He replaces Christine Birch, who left the Comcast-owned arthouse label last spring with the departure of CEO Peter Schlessel. Cassidy will report to Focus Features’ current chairman Peter Kujawski, and work closely with Focus President Robert Walak and Chief Operating Officer Abhijay Prakash. Also Read: 'Nocturnal Animals' Trailer: Jake Gyllenhaal, Amy Adams Deal With Consequences of.
- 11/11/2016
- by Thom Geier
- The Wrap
When Wall Street billionaires Gabriel Hammond, 37, and his brother, Daniel, 33, launched independent producer-distributor Broad Green Pictures two summers ago, Hollywood was skeptical about its prospects. In a time when even the Weinsteins are struggling to survive, it was a strange time to reinvent a dying economic model.
Now Broad Green is laying off around 6 percent of its staff, all of whom work in the publicity department, the company confirmed to IndieWire. Broad Green’s publicity head Adam Keen, a former Warner Bros. publicity exec, has resigned. Marketing and communications personnel are traditionally the first casualties of cutbacks in Hollywood.
The layoffs were unsurprising. Ken Kwapis’s Sundance comedy “A Walk in the Woods” starring Robert Redford and Nick Nolte managed $30 million, but that couldn’t counterbalance films like Ramin Bahrani’s well-reviewed real estate thriller “99 Homes” ($1.7 million domestic) and Sarah Silverman’s depressive drama “I Smile Back” ($58K). Now, the...
Now Broad Green is laying off around 6 percent of its staff, all of whom work in the publicity department, the company confirmed to IndieWire. Broad Green’s publicity head Adam Keen, a former Warner Bros. publicity exec, has resigned. Marketing and communications personnel are traditionally the first casualties of cutbacks in Hollywood.
The layoffs were unsurprising. Ken Kwapis’s Sundance comedy “A Walk in the Woods” starring Robert Redford and Nick Nolte managed $30 million, but that couldn’t counterbalance films like Ramin Bahrani’s well-reviewed real estate thriller “99 Homes” ($1.7 million domestic) and Sarah Silverman’s depressive drama “I Smile Back” ($58K). Now, the...
- 7/20/2016
- by Graham Winfrey and Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
When Wall Street billionaires Gabriel Hammond, 37, and his brother, Daniel, 33, launched independent producer-distributor Broad Green Pictures two summers ago, Hollywood was skeptical about its prospects. In a time when even the Weinsteins are struggling to survive, it was a strange time to reinvent a dying economic model.
Now Broad Green is laying off around 6 percent of its staff, all of whom work in the publicity department, the company confirmed to IndieWire. Broad Green’s publicity head Adam Keen, a former Warner Bros. publicity exec, has resigned. Marketing and communications personnel are traditionally the first casualties of cutbacks in Hollywood.
The layoffs were unsurprising. Ken Kwapis’s Sundance comedy “A Walk in the Woods” starring Robert Redford and Nick Nolte managed $30 million, but that couldn’t counterbalance films like Ramin Bahrani’s well-reviewed real estate thriller “99 Homes” ($1.7 million domestic) and Sarah Silverman’s depressive drama “I Smile Back” ($58K). Now, the...
Now Broad Green is laying off around 6 percent of its staff, all of whom work in the publicity department, the company confirmed to IndieWire. Broad Green’s publicity head Adam Keen, a former Warner Bros. publicity exec, has resigned. Marketing and communications personnel are traditionally the first casualties of cutbacks in Hollywood.
The layoffs were unsurprising. Ken Kwapis’s Sundance comedy “A Walk in the Woods” starring Robert Redford and Nick Nolte managed $30 million, but that couldn’t counterbalance films like Ramin Bahrani’s well-reviewed real estate thriller “99 Homes” ($1.7 million domestic) and Sarah Silverman’s depressive drama “I Smile Back” ($58K). Now, the...
- 7/20/2016
- by Graham Winfrey and Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Universal Pictures shocked the indie sector with its third overhaul of prestige film division Focus Features in a relatively short time. The long-running New York-based team of James Schamus and Andrew Karpen gave way to a genre-centric operation run by Peter Schlessel from Los Angeles, and then the deck was re-shuffled again in February. Peter Kujawski, who had left Focus several years ago when elevated to managing director of Universal Pictures International…...
- 5/15/2016
- Deadline
The executive previously served at the studio in senior positions for 12 years and returns in the newly created role of evp of domestic creative marketing strategy.
Birch arrives from Focus Features and will unify campaign strategies across marketing functions, including advertising, publicity, digital and creative content.
Commencing May 1, she will work closely with Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group president of worldwide marketing and distribution Josh Greenstein, who made Thursday’s announcement, and reports to domestic marketing president Dwight Caines.
Birch worked with Peter Schlessel for the past few years as president of marketing for Focus Features, which is in the midst of a major overhaul under the stewardship of incoming chairman Peter Kujawski. Her credits there included The Theory Of Everything and London Has Fallen.
Prior to Focus she oversaw marketing for Schlessel at FilmDistrict, and before that worked at DreamWorks alongside Steven Spielberg and Stacey Snider, where she orchestrated campaigns for Transformers, Tropic Thunder, and The...
Birch arrives from Focus Features and will unify campaign strategies across marketing functions, including advertising, publicity, digital and creative content.
Commencing May 1, she will work closely with Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group president of worldwide marketing and distribution Josh Greenstein, who made Thursday’s announcement, and reports to domestic marketing president Dwight Caines.
Birch worked with Peter Schlessel for the past few years as president of marketing for Focus Features, which is in the midst of a major overhaul under the stewardship of incoming chairman Peter Kujawski. Her credits there included The Theory Of Everything and London Has Fallen.
Prior to Focus she oversaw marketing for Schlessel at FilmDistrict, and before that worked at DreamWorks alongside Steven Spielberg and Stacey Snider, where she orchestrated campaigns for Transformers, Tropic Thunder, and The...
- 3/10/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Submitting to the inevitable—that replacing Focus Features CEO James Schamus with Peter Schlessel was an experiment that never gelled—Universal Pictures is merging Focus with its Universal Pictures International Productions (Upip). The idea seems to be that specialty production and acquisitions are a global enterprise, and combining resources will fashion a stronger entity able to leverage Universal's worldwide distribution machine with local language and English-language production and territorial acquisitions around the world. Current Managing Director of Upip Peter Kujawski, who started as Schamus's assistant at Good Machine and moved from Focus to Upip, is now the new Chairman of the global Unit, with London-based Upip Co-Managing Director Robert Walak as President (a grad of the Weinstein Co., and UK's Momentum), and Universal Pictures’ Executive Vice President of Film Strategy Abhijay Prakash as Chief Operating Officer. Schlessel will exit April...
- 2/4/2016
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Focus Features is returning to its roots and will merge with Universal Pictures International Productions (Upip) to form a global specialty brand with a burgeoning worldwide production and acquisitions pipeline.
Peter Kujawski, a Universal star who has served as managing director of Upip and scored hits for the studio with territory buys on The Wolf Of Wall Street, Boyhood and Room, will lead the new Focus Features as chairman.
Kujawski will transition into the role following the exit of Current Focus Features CEO Peter Schlessel on April 1. Schlessel has worked on the merger over the last few months with Universal Pictures chairman Donna Langley, who paid tribute to the executive said his departure was a mutual decision given that “his interests are not solely focused on the specialised film marketplace.”
Upip co-managing director Robert Walak will become president and illustrates the global perspective and filmmaker ties the studio is keen to foster. As former...
Peter Kujawski, a Universal star who has served as managing director of Upip and scored hits for the studio with territory buys on The Wolf Of Wall Street, Boyhood and Room, will lead the new Focus Features as chairman.
Kujawski will transition into the role following the exit of Current Focus Features CEO Peter Schlessel on April 1. Schlessel has worked on the merger over the last few months with Universal Pictures chairman Donna Langley, who paid tribute to the executive said his departure was a mutual decision given that “his interests are not solely focused on the specialised film marketplace.”
Upip co-managing director Robert Walak will become president and illustrates the global perspective and filmmaker ties the studio is keen to foster. As former...
- 2/4/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Focus Features CEO Peter Schlessel will exit his post come April, as the studio division merges with Universal Pictures International Productions. Peter Kujawski, current Managing Director of Upip, will assume the role in the newly-integrated Focus as Chairman. The rebranding, announced by Universal Pictures Chairman Donna Langley, also sees Upip Co-Managing Director Robert Walak as President of the division and Universal Pictures’ Film Strategy Evp Abhijay Prakash named COO. Current Focus COO Adrian Alperovich, Marketing head Christine Birch and President of Acquisitions, Lia Buman, are all leaving in step with Schlessel. Also Read: Universal's Donna Langley Named 2016 Pioneer of Year...
- 2/4/2016
- by Matt Donnelly
- The Wrap
In the second shake-up in two years at Universal Pictures’ Focus Features label, CEO Peter Schlessel will exit his post on April 1. Peter Kujawaski, managing director of Universal Pictures International Productions, will become the chairman of a reorganized banner that will combine Upip and Focus. Upip Co-Managing Director Robert Walak will become President and Universal Pictures' Executive Vice President of Film Strategy, Abhijay Prakash, will join Focus as Chief…...
- 2/4/2016
- Deadline
Universal Pictures said Thursday that Focus Features will merge with Universal Pictures International Productions. As part of the move, Focus CEO Peter Schlessel will exit his post on April 1. Peter Kujawski, current managing director of Upip, will lead the newly integrated Focus Features as chairman. A specialty film veteran, Kujawski will transition into his new role following Schlessel's departure. In addition, Upi co-managing director Robert Walak will become president, and Universal Pictures executive vp of film strategy Abhijay Prakash will join Focus as chief operating officer. As part of the shake-up, Focus COO Adrian Alperovich, marketing president Christine Birch and president
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- 2/4/2016
- by Tatiana Siegel
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will allow viewers to re-enter The Further from their own couches with the upcoming Digital HD release of Insidious: Chapter 3 on September 22nd and the film's Blu-ray / DVD debut on October 6th:
Press Release: "Culver City, Calif. (August 10, 2015) – From the makers of Paranormal Activity and writer/director Leigh Whannell and producer James Wan comes the newest and scariest chapter of the Insidious franchise.
The prequel Insidious: Chapter 3 debuts on Digital HD Sept. 22 and on Blu-ray™ and DVD Oct. 6 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Leigh Whannell takes the director’s chair for the third installment, which transports viewers back to the beginning for this prequel. Franchise regulars Lin Shaye (Ouija) as Elise, Angus Sampson (TV’s “Fargo”) as Tucker and Leigh Whannell (Saw) as Specs are joined by Dermot Mulroney (Jobs, The Grey), Stefanie Scott (upcoming: Jem and the Holograms) and Hayley Kiyoko (upcoming: Jem and the Holograms) when Elise,...
Press Release: "Culver City, Calif. (August 10, 2015) – From the makers of Paranormal Activity and writer/director Leigh Whannell and producer James Wan comes the newest and scariest chapter of the Insidious franchise.
The prequel Insidious: Chapter 3 debuts on Digital HD Sept. 22 and on Blu-ray™ and DVD Oct. 6 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Leigh Whannell takes the director’s chair for the third installment, which transports viewers back to the beginning for this prequel. Franchise regulars Lin Shaye (Ouija) as Elise, Angus Sampson (TV’s “Fargo”) as Tucker and Leigh Whannell (Saw) as Specs are joined by Dermot Mulroney (Jobs, The Grey), Stefanie Scott (upcoming: Jem and the Holograms) and Hayley Kiyoko (upcoming: Jem and the Holograms) when Elise,...
- 8/10/2015
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Exclusive: Focus Features has landed Down To A Sunless Sea, a script by David Gleeson that has Morgan Freeman attached to play one of the leads. It’s a big action film in the vein of Air Force One. Bruce Cohen and Revelations — Freeman and Lori McCreary’s company — are producing. The deal just closed. Will tell you more when I know it. It’s another plum project for Focus, whose Peter Schlessel won the most coveted title at Cannes, the Tom Ford-directed Nocturnal Animals…...
- 7/28/2015
- Deadline
In this provocative psychological science fiction thriller, an extremely wealthy man (Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley) dying from cancer undergoes a radical medical procedure that transfers his consciousness into the body of a healthy young man (Ryan Reynolds). But all is not as it seems when he starts to uncover the mystery of the body’s origin and the organization that will kill to protect its cause. Director: Tarsem Singh (“The Cell”, “Immortals”) Writers: Alex Pastor & David Pastor (“Carriers,” “The Last Days”) Cast: Ryan Reynolds (“Deadpool”), Natalie Martinez (“Secrets and Lies”), Matthew Goode (“The Good Wife,” “The Imitation Game”), Victor Garber (“The Flash”), Derek Luke (“Empire”), Michelle Dockery (“Downton Abbey”), and Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley Producers: Ram Bergman, James D. Stern, Peter Schlessel Distributor: Gramercy Pictures...
- 6/27/2015
- by HollywoodNews.com
- Hollywoodnews.com
Many are called to start indie distribution companies. But few are chosen. The morgue of failed start-ups is quite full. No longer active indies include Newmarket Films, Artisan, Overture Films, ThinkFilm, Trimark, Destination Films, Yari Film Group, Orion Pictures, Apparition, Palm Pictures, Vestron, Wrekin Hill Entertainment and many many more. Miramax Films, which was founded by Harvey and Bob Weinstein and bought by Disney, which in turn sold the company after they left to launch The Weinstein Co., has been exploiting its library and may be on the verge of becoming more active again. Relativity is on the ropes, as Ryan Kavanaugh finally reaches the limits of borrowing from Peter to pay Paul. FilmDistrict's Peter Schlessel folded his line-up into Universal subsidiary Focus Features, which has now figured out that blurring a high-class brand with genre movies is a mistake, and has relegated B-fare to a revived Gramercy label.
- 6/19/2015
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Read More: 'A Single Man' Director Tom Ford's Next Film Will Be A Two-Part Thriller Focus Features has announced the acquisition of Tom Ford's upcoming thriller, "Nocturnal Animals," which is set to star Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal. Ford will write, direct and produce the film through his production company, Fade to Black. He presented his vision of the project to buyers at the Cannes Film Festival and it will be the follow-up to his directorial debut, "A Single Man." Based on Austin Wright's novel, "Tony and Susan," "Nocturnal Animals focuses on an art gallery owner who is haunted by her ex-husband's novel, a violent thriller which she interprets as a veiled threat. "Tom's vision for his film is unique and inspiring and something that global audiences will be thrilled by," said Focus CEO Peter Schlessel. "Tom has proven his prowess as a filmmaker and this romantic tale of...
- 5/18/2015
- by Casey Cipriani
- Indiewire
Exclusive Updated Sunday 11:31 Am: Focus Features has secured worldwide rights for Nocturnal Animals, Tom Ford’s film followup to his debut A Single Man. The company confirmed Deadline’s scoop this morning. The deal was driven by Focus Features, with Universal backing up Peter Schlessel’s label and handling the film overseas. The total deal is worth $20 million, I hear, with an 8-figure P&A commitment. That makes this by far the big deal of the festival, and one of the…...
- 5/17/2015
- Deadline
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