Dan Lin has only been in the new Netflix film chief role for a little over a week, but he’s already making his mark.
Netflix has under gone a reorg under Lin, who took over on April 1 from Scott Stuber, and the existing executives on the feature film team will now be divided based on genre, IndieWire has learned. Each of the different film team leaders will split up a few genres a piece.
Here’s how it breaks down: Ori Marmur gets action, fantasy, horror, and sci-fi movies. Kira Goldberg gets thrillers, dramas, and family films. Niija Kuykendall gets faith-based, young adult, and holiday movies, and Jason Young gets comedies and rom-coms. As a result of the changes, about a dozen individuals from the film team are being laid off, which isn’t uncommon when a new boss comes in.
How does this structure differ from what came before?...
Netflix has under gone a reorg under Lin, who took over on April 1 from Scott Stuber, and the existing executives on the feature film team will now be divided based on genre, IndieWire has learned. Each of the different film team leaders will split up a few genres a piece.
Here’s how it breaks down: Ori Marmur gets action, fantasy, horror, and sci-fi movies. Kira Goldberg gets thrillers, dramas, and family films. Niija Kuykendall gets faith-based, young adult, and holiday movies, and Jason Young gets comedies and rom-coms. As a result of the changes, about a dozen individuals from the film team are being laid off, which isn’t uncommon when a new boss comes in.
How does this structure differ from what came before?...
- 4/8/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Netflix’s film division is getting a reorg under new head Dan Lin.
Several sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that the features division at the streaming service will now be split up by genre — such as sci-fi, rom-com and faith-based. While Lin officially started his Netflix tenure April 1, sources note that the reorg has been in the works for over a month, with Lin consulting with chief content officer Bela Bajaria, the streamer’s film heads and outside partners.
Under the new structure, Ori Marmur will oversee action, fantasy, horror and sci-fi titles, while Kira Goldberg will handle thrillers, dramas and family films. Niija Kuykendall will oversee faith-based, young adult and holiday offerings, while Jason Young will handle comedies and rom-coms.
As a part of the restructuring, there will also be some departures, with a source noting the number will be around one dozen, but that number could change.
Netflix...
Several sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that the features division at the streaming service will now be split up by genre — such as sci-fi, rom-com and faith-based. While Lin officially started his Netflix tenure April 1, sources note that the reorg has been in the works for over a month, with Lin consulting with chief content officer Bela Bajaria, the streamer’s film heads and outside partners.
Under the new structure, Ori Marmur will oversee action, fantasy, horror and sci-fi titles, while Kira Goldberg will handle thrillers, dramas and family films. Niija Kuykendall will oversee faith-based, young adult and holiday offerings, while Jason Young will handle comedies and rom-coms.
As a part of the restructuring, there will also be some departures, with a source noting the number will be around one dozen, but that number could change.
Netflix...
- 4/8/2024
- by Mia Galuppo and Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
When Scott Stuber arrived at Netflix in 2017, some of its biggest films to date were the Idris Elba drama “Beasts of No Nation,” the Adam Sandler comedy “Sandy Wexler,” or the Will Smith fantasy action film “Bright.” Some were hits or got some awards buzz, and sure they had new films by Noah Baumbach and Angelina Jolie, but Netflix at that time was still getting booed at the Cannes Film Festival for releasing Bong Joon-Ho’s “Okja.”
Under Stuber’s watch, that all changed. Netflix would be the place where Martin Scorsese, Bradley Cooper, Alfonso Cuarón, Jane Campion, and more would want to make their passion projects. It was the place The Rock, the Russo Brothers, Zack Snyder, and Shawn Levy took their tentpoles to make some of the streamer’s biggest hits to date. He spent a fortune to get the rights to two “Knives Out” sequels. And it...
Under Stuber’s watch, that all changed. Netflix would be the place where Martin Scorsese, Bradley Cooper, Alfonso Cuarón, Jane Campion, and more would want to make their passion projects. It was the place The Rock, the Russo Brothers, Zack Snyder, and Shawn Levy took their tentpoles to make some of the streamer’s biggest hits to date. He spent a fortune to get the rights to two “Knives Out” sequels. And it...
- 1/23/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Exclusive: The Book of Clarence, the Legendary and Jay Z-produced adventure-comedy, won’t be released in UK cinemas this week as planned.
The biblical epic has quietly dropped off the UK release schedule at the eleventh hour after initially being lined up for a January 19 release by Sony. UK exhibitors were set for a January 19 launch — the film has been listed on multiple cinema sites as opening this week — and marketing materials were deployed with a January 19 listing.
We understand a March release is now more likely. Sony is handling UK distribution, but we understand the decision to push back the release came from Legendary, which produced and financed the film.
News of the calendar switch comes after the pic recently opened stateside, taking just $3M over the 4-day MLK Jr. holiday weekend, giving the film a ninth-place debut on the charts. We hear that a later UK date...
The biblical epic has quietly dropped off the UK release schedule at the eleventh hour after initially being lined up for a January 19 release by Sony. UK exhibitors were set for a January 19 launch — the film has been listed on multiple cinema sites as opening this week — and marketing materials were deployed with a January 19 listing.
We understand a March release is now more likely. Sony is handling UK distribution, but we understand the decision to push back the release came from Legendary, which produced and financed the film.
News of the calendar switch comes after the pic recently opened stateside, taking just $3M over the 4-day MLK Jr. holiday weekend, giving the film a ninth-place debut on the charts. We hear that a later UK date...
- 1/18/2024
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Enter this contest by following the link at the bottom of this page for your chance to win a pair of passes to attend an advance screening of The Book Of Clarence on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 7:00pm at the Emagine Royal Oak!
Synopsis: From visionary filmmaker Jeymes Samuel, The Book of Clarence is a bold new take on the timeless Hollywood era Biblical epic. Streetwise but struggling, Clarence (Lakeith Stanfield) is trying to find a better life for himself and his family, make himself worthy to the woman he loves, and prove that he’s not a nobody. Captivated by the power and glory of the rising Messiah and His apostles, he risks everything to carve his own path to a divine life, a journey through which he finds redemption and faith, power and knowledge. The Book of Clarence Official Soundtrack features new music by Jeymes Samuel, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne,...
Synopsis: From visionary filmmaker Jeymes Samuel, The Book of Clarence is a bold new take on the timeless Hollywood era Biblical epic. Streetwise but struggling, Clarence (Lakeith Stanfield) is trying to find a better life for himself and his family, make himself worthy to the woman he loves, and prove that he’s not a nobody. Captivated by the power and glory of the rising Messiah and His apostles, he risks everything to carve his own path to a divine life, a journey through which he finds redemption and faith, power and knowledge. The Book of Clarence Official Soundtrack features new music by Jeymes Samuel, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne,...
- 12/29/2023
- by Editor
- CinemaNerdz
Speaking at the San Sebastian Festival, 2nd Creative Investors’ Conference, Jeb Brody, Amblin Partners president of production, weighed in on the challenges faced today by film producers aiming for theatrical releases.
“You’re no longer just in competition with whatever else is coming out that weekend, you’re in competition with the fact that the entire history of cinema is in [our pockets] right now,” he said. First and foremost on the panelists minds on Tuesday was the probable writers’ strike deal in the U.S., confirmed the same evening, that will lead to a return of film and television production.
But Brody warned:“The tension between streaming and theatrical remains, the larger studios working with their own streamers and trying to function well and make sure that that’s all making sense, remains.”
“I think a lot of the issues that led to the strikes is still with us. And it...
“You’re no longer just in competition with whatever else is coming out that weekend, you’re in competition with the fact that the entire history of cinema is in [our pockets] right now,” he said. First and foremost on the panelists minds on Tuesday was the probable writers’ strike deal in the U.S., confirmed the same evening, that will lead to a return of film and television production.
But Brody warned:“The tension between streaming and theatrical remains, the larger studios working with their own streamers and trying to function well and make sure that that’s all making sense, remains.”
“I think a lot of the issues that led to the strikes is still with us. And it...
- 9/28/2023
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Amblin Partners President of Production Jeb Brody welcomed the tentative writers’ strike deal during an industry panel at the San Sebastian Film Festival on Tuesday but warned that some of the issues that sparked the industrial action in the first place were still swashing around.
“I think a lot of trickiness in the movie business that led to the strike is still with us, and it’s going to be a couple of years I think until they figure it out,” he said, citing tension between streaming and theatrical and as well as malingering questions around how people are remunerated.
He said the strike had impacted everybody, especially on the development front, but added that he felt Hollywood would soon get back up to speed.
“It’s definitely going to be a problem for the next little while but overall, it’s a strong industry and people will bounce back quickly,...
“I think a lot of trickiness in the movie business that led to the strike is still with us, and it’s going to be a couple of years I think until they figure it out,” he said, citing tension between streaming and theatrical and as well as malingering questions around how people are remunerated.
He said the strike had impacted everybody, especially on the development front, but added that he felt Hollywood would soon get back up to speed.
“It’s definitely going to be a problem for the next little while but overall, it’s a strong industry and people will bounce back quickly,...
- 9/26/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
The second annual Creative Investors Conference runs September 26-28.
Executives from Focus Features, Warner Bros, Plan B and Neon are among the speakers at San Sebastian International Film Festival’s second annual Creative Investors Conference running September 26-28 in collaboration with CAA Media Finance.
There will be a series of ‘Fireside chats’ with Mariano César, SVP content Ge Content Latin America at HBO Max (Warner Bros. Discovery), Jeremy Kleiner, co-president at Plan B, and Killer Films co-founders Pam Koffler and Christine Vachon.
Kiska Higgs, president, production & acquisitions at Focus Features, Sarah Colvin, director of acquisitions at Neon, Jeb Brody, president of production at Amblin Partners,...
Executives from Focus Features, Warner Bros, Plan B and Neon are among the speakers at San Sebastian International Film Festival’s second annual Creative Investors Conference running September 26-28 in collaboration with CAA Media Finance.
There will be a series of ‘Fireside chats’ with Mariano César, SVP content Ge Content Latin America at HBO Max (Warner Bros. Discovery), Jeremy Kleiner, co-president at Plan B, and Killer Films co-founders Pam Koffler and Christine Vachon.
Kiska Higgs, president, production & acquisitions at Focus Features, Sarah Colvin, director of acquisitions at Neon, Jeb Brody, president of production at Amblin Partners,...
- 9/21/2023
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
The conference is taking place from September 26-28.
Mubi’s Bobby Allen, Blueprint Pictures’ Peter Czernin, Killer Films’ Christine Vachon, Casarotto Ramsay & Associates’ Anna Higgs and Netflix’s Teresa Moneo will all attend the second annual Creative Investors’ Conference at the San Sebastian International Film Festival this month.
Organised in collaboration with CAA Media Finance, it is taking place at the festival from September 26-28 and will comprise of a series of panels and discussions open to industry badge holders, under the Spanish Screenings: Financing & Tech strand.
Scroll down for the full list of participants
Roeg Sutherland, Benjamin Kramer and...
Mubi’s Bobby Allen, Blueprint Pictures’ Peter Czernin, Killer Films’ Christine Vachon, Casarotto Ramsay & Associates’ Anna Higgs and Netflix’s Teresa Moneo will all attend the second annual Creative Investors’ Conference at the San Sebastian International Film Festival this month.
Organised in collaboration with CAA Media Finance, it is taking place at the festival from September 26-28 and will comprise of a series of panels and discussions open to industry badge holders, under the Spanish Screenings: Financing & Tech strand.
Scroll down for the full list of participants
Roeg Sutherland, Benjamin Kramer and...
- 9/5/2023
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Sony, TriStar Pictures and Legendary Pictures have released the first trailer for Jeymes Samuel’s biblical epic “The Book of Clarence,” which is set to make its theatrical debut on Jan. 12, 2024.
“Book of Clarence” centers on the story of Clarence, a Jerusalemite man who is intrigued by the influence of Jesus and becomes a Messiah for his own personal gain. His journey leads him into an unexpected exploration of faith, per the film’s official logline.
The first trailer gives a glimpse into Lakeith Stanfield’s portrayal of Clarence as he attempts to become one of the Messiah’s apostles. Enthralled by the status of the 12 apostles, Clarence makes it his mission to join their forces.
Though the film does incorporate the use of biblical characters like Jesus, Mary Magdalene and John the Baptist, Samuel told Vanity Fair the story would “tell a Bible story about an everyman.”
Jay-Z, who...
“Book of Clarence” centers on the story of Clarence, a Jerusalemite man who is intrigued by the influence of Jesus and becomes a Messiah for his own personal gain. His journey leads him into an unexpected exploration of faith, per the film’s official logline.
The first trailer gives a glimpse into Lakeith Stanfield’s portrayal of Clarence as he attempts to become one of the Messiah’s apostles. Enthralled by the status of the 12 apostles, Clarence makes it his mission to join their forces.
Though the film does incorporate the use of biblical characters like Jesus, Mary Magdalene and John the Baptist, Samuel told Vanity Fair the story would “tell a Bible story about an everyman.”
Jay-Z, who...
- 8/29/2023
- by McKinley Franklin
- Variety Film + TV
El Muerto undated for now; Dumb Money moves up to September.
Jeymes Samuel’s The Book Of Clarence has been pushed back from September 22 to January 12 2024 as Sony Pictures announced several schedule changes on Wednesday (June 21).
The Legendary Pictures feature – Samuel’s follow-up to his 2021 western and BFI London Film Festival world premiere The Harder They Fall – stars Lakeith Stanfield in the title role, alongside Omar Sy, Rj Cyler, Benedict Cumberbatch, James McAvoy and Anna Diop.
The story is inspired by the classic Hollywood epics set in biblical times and tells of a down-on-his-luck Jerusalem man who embarks on a...
Jeymes Samuel’s The Book Of Clarence has been pushed back from September 22 to January 12 2024 as Sony Pictures announced several schedule changes on Wednesday (June 21).
The Legendary Pictures feature – Samuel’s follow-up to his 2021 western and BFI London Film Festival world premiere The Harder They Fall – stars Lakeith Stanfield in the title role, alongside Omar Sy, Rj Cyler, Benedict Cumberbatch, James McAvoy and Anna Diop.
The story is inspired by the classic Hollywood epics set in biblical times and tells of a down-on-his-luck Jerusalem man who embarks on a...
- 6/21/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
With the exit of long-tenured film executive Lisa Nishimura on Thursday, Netflix has officially entered its austerity age — whatever that may mean for the streaming powerhouse.
Nishimura’s 15 years at the company have spanned the streaming boom, Oscar wins and multiple restructuring efforts. Noted one industry veteran that has long worked with Nishimura, “It’s a signal that the most thoughtful, taste-driven era is being driven out.”
Under film head Scott Stuber, the film division was long bifurcated according to budgets: tentpoles and indies, with the former sitting around the $30 million to $40 million and way upwards, and the latter sitting below that. Former exec Tendo Nagenda, who joined the streamer from the four-quadrant heavy hitter Disney, oversaw films like the Russo brothers’ The Gray Man and the Extraction films, as well as the Knives Out franchise and The Old Guard. Nishimura’s team oversaw, well, most everything else.
“When I joined,...
Nishimura’s 15 years at the company have spanned the streaming boom, Oscar wins and multiple restructuring efforts. Noted one industry veteran that has long worked with Nishimura, “It’s a signal that the most thoughtful, taste-driven era is being driven out.”
Under film head Scott Stuber, the film division was long bifurcated according to budgets: tentpoles and indies, with the former sitting around the $30 million to $40 million and way upwards, and the latter sitting below that. Former exec Tendo Nagenda, who joined the streamer from the four-quadrant heavy hitter Disney, oversaw films like the Russo brothers’ The Gray Man and the Extraction films, as well as the Knives Out franchise and The Old Guard. Nishimura’s team oversaw, well, most everything else.
“When I joined,...
- 3/31/2023
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Unlike its predecessor, Dune: Part Two won’t be debuting at the Venice Film Festival, we can reveal.
The sequel, one of the year’s most anticipated movies, has an early-November global launch date so Venice is too early, we hear from sources — partly due to the VFX work still to do, partly due to the later release date.
Two years ago, Dune opened to much fanfare on the Lido before playing Toronto, New York and other festivals. The Warner Bros release was staggered globally between September and late October, when the film launched in the U.S.
Dune: Part Two still might get a fevered festival berth, however. New York, which runs September 29-October 15, is a possibility, for example.
The Legendary-produced movie sees Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Dave Bautista, Stellan Skargard, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem and Charlotte Rampling return to the franchise with new cast members Florence Pugh,...
The sequel, one of the year’s most anticipated movies, has an early-November global launch date so Venice is too early, we hear from sources — partly due to the VFX work still to do, partly due to the later release date.
Two years ago, Dune opened to much fanfare on the Lido before playing Toronto, New York and other festivals. The Warner Bros release was staggered globally between September and late October, when the film launched in the U.S.
Dune: Part Two still might get a fevered festival berth, however. New York, which runs September 29-October 15, is a possibility, for example.
The Legendary-produced movie sees Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Dave Bautista, Stellan Skargard, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem and Charlotte Rampling return to the franchise with new cast members Florence Pugh,...
- 3/29/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Studio executive Sherry Lansing, TriStar’s Dr. Jennifer Turner, Hallmark Media’s Wonya Lucas, Apple’s Rita Cooper Lee, and the documentary A Tree of Life: The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting will be among this year’s honorees of The African American Film Critics Association at the association’s 6th Annual Aafca Special Achievement Awards Luncheon on Saturday, April 8 at the California Yacht Club in Marina Del Rey.
The invitation-only event will honor:
Producer and studio executive Sherry Lansing with the Legacy Award for her prolific contributions to the industry as well as for her philanthropic endeavors; Executive Vice President of TriStar Television Dr. Jennifer Turner will receive the Salute to Excellence Award for her leadership and commitment to quality programming with an eye on inclusive casts and storylines; President and CEO of Hallmark Media Wonya Lucas will receive the TV Vanguard Award for her vision and leadership in guiding the...
The invitation-only event will honor:
Producer and studio executive Sherry Lansing with the Legacy Award for her prolific contributions to the industry as well as for her philanthropic endeavors; Executive Vice President of TriStar Television Dr. Jennifer Turner will receive the Salute to Excellence Award for her leadership and commitment to quality programming with an eye on inclusive casts and storylines; President and CEO of Hallmark Media Wonya Lucas will receive the TV Vanguard Award for her vision and leadership in guiding the...
- 3/20/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Shawn ‘Jay-Z’ Carter among producers. Cast includes Lakeith Stanfield, Anna Diop, Benedict Cumberbatch, David Oyelowo.
Sony has set a September 22 release for Bafta winner Jeymes Samuel’s next feature after The Harder They Fall, The Book Of Clarence from Legendary Pictures.
Said to be inspired by classic Hollywood epics set in biblical times, The Book Of Clarence tells the tale of the titular down-at-heel denizen of Jerusalem as he embarks on a misguided attempt to capitalise on the rise of celebrity and influence of the Messiah for his own personal gain.
The journey leads Clarence on an exploration of faith...
Sony has set a September 22 release for Bafta winner Jeymes Samuel’s next feature after The Harder They Fall, The Book Of Clarence from Legendary Pictures.
Said to be inspired by classic Hollywood epics set in biblical times, The Book Of Clarence tells the tale of the titular down-at-heel denizen of Jerusalem as he embarks on a misguided attempt to capitalise on the rise of celebrity and influence of the Messiah for his own personal gain.
The journey leads Clarence on an exploration of faith...
- 3/2/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Benedict Cumberbatch, James McAvoy, David Oyelowo, Alfre Woodard & more join ‘Book of Clarence’ cast
Benedict Cumberbatch and James McAvoy have joined the cast on the, now in production, movie ‘Book of Clarence’ from Jeymes Samuel.
Rj Cyler, ‘Titans’ TV star Anna Diop, David Oyelowo, Alfre Woodard and Marianne Jean-Baptiste have also joined Lakeith Stanfield and Omar Sy on the cast list.
The picture is inspired by classic Hollywood epics set in Biblical times and tells the tale of Clarence, a down-on-his-luck denizen of Jerusalem embarking on a misguided attempt to capitalize on the rise of celebrity and influence of the Messiah for his own personal gain. It is a journey that leads him on an exploration of the idea of faith and to a highly unexpected path of his own. Stanfield is playing Clarence.
Also in news – Thomas Brodie-Sangster to lead cast of Disney+ series ‘The Artful Dodger’
Samuel is directing from an original screenplay he wrote and is producing alongside James Lassiter (The Harder They Fall...
Rj Cyler, ‘Titans’ TV star Anna Diop, David Oyelowo, Alfre Woodard and Marianne Jean-Baptiste have also joined Lakeith Stanfield and Omar Sy on the cast list.
The picture is inspired by classic Hollywood epics set in Biblical times and tells the tale of Clarence, a down-on-his-luck denizen of Jerusalem embarking on a misguided attempt to capitalize on the rise of celebrity and influence of the Messiah for his own personal gain. It is a journey that leads him on an exploration of the idea of faith and to a highly unexpected path of his own. Stanfield is playing Clarence.
Also in news – Thomas Brodie-Sangster to lead cast of Disney+ series ‘The Artful Dodger’
Samuel is directing from an original screenplay he wrote and is producing alongside James Lassiter (The Harder They Fall...
- 12/6/2022
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Click here to read the full article.
Jeymes Samuel has added a novel’s worth of actors to The Book of Clarence, his follow-up to his smash feature debut, 2021 Western The Harder They Fall.
Rj Cyler, Benedict Cumberbatch, James McAvoy, Titans TV star Anna Diop, David Oyelowo, Alfre Woodard and Marianne Jean-Baptiste have joined Lakeith Stanfield and Omar Sy in the production, which hails from Legendary Pictures and began production Monday in Italy.
But wait, that’s not all.
Stranger Things star Caleb McLaughlin, Teyana Taylor (Coming 2 America), Babs Olusanmokun (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds), Eric Kofi Abrefa (Bmf), Nicholas Pinnock (Counterpart), BAFTA winner Micheal Ward (Empire of Light), Chase Dillon (The Harder They Fall), Tom Glynn-Carney (House of the Dragon) and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor (Ebony Maw in Avengers: Endgame) have also been added to the roll call.
According to Legendary, Clarence is inspired by classic Hollywood epics set in...
Jeymes Samuel has added a novel’s worth of actors to The Book of Clarence, his follow-up to his smash feature debut, 2021 Western The Harder They Fall.
Rj Cyler, Benedict Cumberbatch, James McAvoy, Titans TV star Anna Diop, David Oyelowo, Alfre Woodard and Marianne Jean-Baptiste have joined Lakeith Stanfield and Omar Sy in the production, which hails from Legendary Pictures and began production Monday in Italy.
But wait, that’s not all.
Stranger Things star Caleb McLaughlin, Teyana Taylor (Coming 2 America), Babs Olusanmokun (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds), Eric Kofi Abrefa (Bmf), Nicholas Pinnock (Counterpart), BAFTA winner Micheal Ward (Empire of Light), Chase Dillon (The Harder They Fall), Tom Glynn-Carney (House of the Dragon) and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor (Ebony Maw in Avengers: Endgame) have also been added to the roll call.
According to Legendary, Clarence is inspired by classic Hollywood epics set in...
- 12/5/2022
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Shooting is underway in Matera, Italy, on “Pins and Needles,” a Black biblical comedy directed by Jeymes Samuel and starring Omar Sy (“Lupin”) and Lakeith Stanfield (“Atlanta”).
Formerly know as “The Book of Clarence,” ‘Pins and Needles” marks Samuel’s follow-up to his directorial debut, the stylish Black Western “The Harder They Fall,” which also starred Stanfield and repped a new take on the oater genre.
Cameras started rolling on Samuel’s new film on Nov. 19 in the ancient southern Italian town known for its prehistoric whitewashed caves — the same locale where Mel Gibson shot “The Passion of the Christ,” and which more recently hosted Garth Davis’ “Mary Magdalene,” and Timur Bekmambetov’s “Ben Hur” remake. Matera is also the iconic location where the opening James Bond car chase in “No Time to Die” takes place.
Though plot details on “Pins and Needles” remain scarce, British multi-hyphenate Samuel, who is also known as The Bullitts,...
Formerly know as “The Book of Clarence,” ‘Pins and Needles” marks Samuel’s follow-up to his directorial debut, the stylish Black Western “The Harder They Fall,” which also starred Stanfield and repped a new take on the oater genre.
Cameras started rolling on Samuel’s new film on Nov. 19 in the ancient southern Italian town known for its prehistoric whitewashed caves — the same locale where Mel Gibson shot “The Passion of the Christ,” and which more recently hosted Garth Davis’ “Mary Magdalene,” and Timur Bekmambetov’s “Ben Hur” remake. Matera is also the iconic location where the opening James Bond car chase in “No Time to Die” takes place.
Though plot details on “Pins and Needles” remain scarce, British multi-hyphenate Samuel, who is also known as The Bullitts,...
- 11/22/2022
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
After saddling up for The Harder They Fall, Jeymes Samuel brings Lakeith Stanfield and Omar Sy to his next feature project, The Book of Clarence. Legendary recently snagged the rights to the film directed, written, and composed by Samuel, with James Lassiter, Shawn Carter, and Tendo Nagenda producing. The Book of Clarence isn’t the trio’s first rodeo with Samuel. Lassiter and Carter were producers on The Harder They Fall, while Nageda served as a producer on the rough-and-tumble Western.
Speaking about The Harder They Fall, Stanfield played Cherokee Bill in the movie starring Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz, Jonathan Majors, DeWanda Wise, Edi Gathegi, Rj Cyler, Jacob Howard, Regina King, Danielle Deadwyler, and more. The Harder They Fall received positive reviews from most critics when it moseyed onto Netflix in 2021. The praise made Samuel a talent to watch and kept Hollywood interested in his next effort.
Stanfield recently wrapped...
Speaking about The Harder They Fall, Stanfield played Cherokee Bill in the movie starring Idris Elba, Zazie Beetz, Jonathan Majors, DeWanda Wise, Edi Gathegi, Rj Cyler, Jacob Howard, Regina King, Danielle Deadwyler, and more. The Harder They Fall received positive reviews from most critics when it moseyed onto Netflix in 2021. The praise made Samuel a talent to watch and kept Hollywood interested in his next effort.
Stanfield recently wrapped...
- 10/19/2022
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Lakeith Stanfield (“Atlanta”) and Omar Sy (“Lupin”) are set to star in the next film from “The Harder They Fall” filmmaker Jeymes Samuel, a project called “The Book of Clarence,” an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
Legendary has acquired the rights to produce the film, with James Lassiter, Shawn Carter and Tendo Nagenda all attached as producers. Nagenda, who recently exited Netflix, previously oversaw production on “The Harder They Fall” at the streamer, and this is the second time that Lassiter, Carter and Samuel have collaborated following that feature.
Plot or even genre details for “The Book of Clarence” are being kept under wraps. However, Samuel will write, direct, produce and also compose for the new film, which will be his third feature following his Jonathan Majors-starring neo-Western from last year and “They Die By Dawn.”
Also Read:
‘Atlanta’ Season 4 Review: Donald Glover’s Series Comes...
Legendary has acquired the rights to produce the film, with James Lassiter, Shawn Carter and Tendo Nagenda all attached as producers. Nagenda, who recently exited Netflix, previously oversaw production on “The Harder They Fall” at the streamer, and this is the second time that Lassiter, Carter and Samuel have collaborated following that feature.
Plot or even genre details for “The Book of Clarence” are being kept under wraps. However, Samuel will write, direct, produce and also compose for the new film, which will be his third feature following his Jonathan Majors-starring neo-Western from last year and “They Die By Dawn.”
Also Read:
‘Atlanta’ Season 4 Review: Donald Glover’s Series Comes...
- 10/19/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Following the critical acclaim of his Netflix western The Harder They Fall, Jeymes Samuel’s follow-up, The Book of Clarence, looks to be gaining momentum having not only gained a new producing partner but two major stars to lead the ensemble. Sources tell Deadline that Legendary has acquired the BAFTA Award winner’s next film project with Lakeith Stanfield (Atlanta) and Omar Sy set to star. The film is an original project that Samuel wrote and will direct, produce and compose.
Plot details are being kept under wraps.
James Lassiter, Shawn Carter and Tendo Nagenda will produce the film. This marks the second time all three will collaborate on a Samuel film, with Lassiter and Carter joining Samuel as a producer on The Harder they Fall, while former Netflix exec Nagenda oversaw the production at the streamer.
Samuel’s voice and tone were on full display with his new...
Plot details are being kept under wraps.
James Lassiter, Shawn Carter and Tendo Nagenda will produce the film. This marks the second time all three will collaborate on a Samuel film, with Lassiter and Carter joining Samuel as a producer on The Harder they Fall, while former Netflix exec Nagenda oversaw the production at the streamer.
Samuel’s voice and tone were on full display with his new...
- 10/19/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Veteran film executive David Kosse is leaving his post as VP of International Film at Netflix amid a restructure of the company’s European content business. Kosse joined the streamer in 2019, overseeing all international film production and acquisitions with a focus on making and acquiring significant non-English language films with global appeal. He is expected to continue to produce for Netflix and others.
His decision to exit comes as the streamer has expanded, moving from a few offices outside the U.S. just four years ago to 29 in major cities throughout the world. It is now shifting to a regional structure in Europe, Middle East and Africa much as it already has in Asia Pacific and Latin America.
Going forward, Teresa Moneo will lead the International Film team and will report to Head of Global Film, Scott Stuber. The changes also result in all content categories (film and television...
His decision to exit comes as the streamer has expanded, moving from a few offices outside the U.S. just four years ago to 29 in major cities throughout the world. It is now shifting to a regional structure in Europe, Middle East and Africa much as it already has in Asia Pacific and Latin America.
Going forward, Teresa Moneo will lead the International Film team and will report to Head of Global Film, Scott Stuber. The changes also result in all content categories (film and television...
- 9/29/2022
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix’s restructuring continues with the impending departure of one of the streamer’s top film executives, Tendo Nagenda.
The veteran executive, who joined Netflix from Disney in 2018, shepherded such movies as “The Harder They Fall,” “Da 5 Bloods” and the upcoming “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” for the streamer. Variety can confirm that Nagenda’s last day in his role as VP of original film will be Sept. 1.
“Tendo joined the company four years ago and helped to build out our studio film team, who delivered movies such as ‘The Harder They Fall,’ ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,’ ‘The Old Guard,’ ‘Da 5 Bloods’ and ‘Hustle,'” Scott Stuber, Netflix’s head of global films, said in a statement. “He was integral in our evolution from acquiring and licensing films to making movies ourselves. We wish him all the best for the future.”
Prior to joining Netflix, Nagenda...
The veteran executive, who joined Netflix from Disney in 2018, shepherded such movies as “The Harder They Fall,” “Da 5 Bloods” and the upcoming “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” for the streamer. Variety can confirm that Nagenda’s last day in his role as VP of original film will be Sept. 1.
“Tendo joined the company four years ago and helped to build out our studio film team, who delivered movies such as ‘The Harder They Fall,’ ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,’ ‘The Old Guard,’ ‘Da 5 Bloods’ and ‘Hustle,'” Scott Stuber, Netflix’s head of global films, said in a statement. “He was integral in our evolution from acquiring and licensing films to making movies ourselves. We wish him all the best for the future.”
Prior to joining Netflix, Nagenda...
- 8/30/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Tendo Nagenda is exiting his post at Netflix, where he has served as VP, original film for the past four years. Nagenda’s last day at the streamer will be Sept. 1, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
Nagenda’s exit comes as Netflix is looking to streamline its film operations. Under film head Scott Stuber, Kira Goldberg and Ori Marmur will now run the studio film team, which handles the streamers big-budgeted features. The duo were upped in 2021 to run a team that was meant to focus on developing and producing big-budgeted films.
Elsewhere on Netflix’s film team, Niija Kuykendall, who joined the company in 2021, heads the features group focused on mid-sized film, while Netflix veteran Lisa Nishimura continues to head indie film.
Nagenda joined Netflix in 2018 from Disney, where he worked on both modestly budgeted features like Queen of Katwe and major...
Tendo Nagenda is exiting his post at Netflix, where he has served as VP, original film for the past four years. Nagenda’s last day at the streamer will be Sept. 1, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
Nagenda’s exit comes as Netflix is looking to streamline its film operations. Under film head Scott Stuber, Kira Goldberg and Ori Marmur will now run the studio film team, which handles the streamers big-budgeted features. The duo were upped in 2021 to run a team that was meant to focus on developing and producing big-budgeted films.
Elsewhere on Netflix’s film team, Niija Kuykendall, who joined the company in 2021, heads the features group focused on mid-sized film, while Netflix veteran Lisa Nishimura continues to head indie film.
Nagenda joined Netflix in 2018 from Disney, where he worked on both modestly budgeted features like Queen of Katwe and major...
- 8/29/2022
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
One of Netflix’s top film executives, Tendo Nagenda, is exiting the streamer on Sept. 1, TheWrap has learned.
Nagenda, who has been with Netflix since 2018 and reported directly to Global Head of Film Scott Stuber, led some of the decisions around Netflix’s bigger budget, four-quadrant titles, including “Extraction,” this summer’s “The Gray Man” and the upcoming “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.” Nagenda was offered the opportunity to remain with the streamer in a producing role but opted to pursue other opportunities.
Nagenda’s exit signals a larger, more simplified restructuring of its film team at Netflix, and it will now have one Studio Film team led by Kira Goldberg and Ori Marmur and reporting to Stuber. Both Goldberg and Marmur previously reported to Nagenda until their team branched off and worked parallel to Nagenda’s, with both still focused on big-budget titles. Some of the upcoming films...
Nagenda, who has been with Netflix since 2018 and reported directly to Global Head of Film Scott Stuber, led some of the decisions around Netflix’s bigger budget, four-quadrant titles, including “Extraction,” this summer’s “The Gray Man” and the upcoming “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.” Nagenda was offered the opportunity to remain with the streamer in a producing role but opted to pursue other opportunities.
Nagenda’s exit signals a larger, more simplified restructuring of its film team at Netflix, and it will now have one Studio Film team led by Kira Goldberg and Ori Marmur and reporting to Stuber. Both Goldberg and Marmur previously reported to Nagenda until their team branched off and worked parallel to Nagenda’s, with both still focused on big-budget titles. Some of the upcoming films...
- 8/29/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Tendo Nagenda is leaving Netflix this week. He’ll exit on September 1, a development that came from a move to simplify the structure of the film team. Under Head of Global Films Scott Stuber, Netflix has been methodically streamlining its executive structure. There will now be one Studio Film team led by Kira Goldberg and Ori Marmur, whose upcoming films include Slumberland, Heart of Stone and The Killer.
Nagenda was a fast-rising Disney executive who’d spent over eight years at the Mouse House when he was brought over by Stuber as one of his early major hires. Nagenda was an important part in Stuber’s shift from steering a film studio whose inventory was made up largely of licensed/third-party films to one that developed projects in-house and secured star-driven packages and quickly turned them into big-budget films.
Netflix has been the most nominated studio at the Oscars three years running,...
Nagenda was a fast-rising Disney executive who’d spent over eight years at the Mouse House when he was brought over by Stuber as one of his early major hires. Nagenda was an important part in Stuber’s shift from steering a film studio whose inventory was made up largely of licensed/third-party films to one that developed projects in-house and secured star-driven packages and quickly turned them into big-budget films.
Netflix has been the most nominated studio at the Oscars three years running,...
- 8/29/2022
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix has promoted Emily Feingold to be its new VP of Communications, overseeing comms for the U.S. and Canada.
Feingold has been with Netflix for five years and will continue to report to Netflix’s chief communications officer Rachel Whetstone.
“I am thrilled that Emily has been appointed as Netflix’s new VP of communications. She’s a creative, strategic executive, deeply committed to Netflix and with very broad experience in the entertainment industry,” Whetstone said in a statement.
The company’s former chief spokesperson Richard Siklos departed Netflix in March for a role at United Talent Agency.
Feingold for the past five years has been a communications director on Netflix’s film side, leading the communications for projects under Scott Stuber, Tendo Nagenda and Lisa Nishimura, and she’s also consulted Netflix co-ceo Ted Sarandos, among others.
Prior to Netflix, Feingold worked corporate strategy and communications at private investment firm Andell,...
Feingold has been with Netflix for five years and will continue to report to Netflix’s chief communications officer Rachel Whetstone.
“I am thrilled that Emily has been appointed as Netflix’s new VP of communications. She’s a creative, strategic executive, deeply committed to Netflix and with very broad experience in the entertainment industry,” Whetstone said in a statement.
The company’s former chief spokesperson Richard Siklos departed Netflix in March for a role at United Talent Agency.
Feingold for the past five years has been a communications director on Netflix’s film side, leading the communications for projects under Scott Stuber, Tendo Nagenda and Lisa Nishimura, and she’s also consulted Netflix co-ceo Ted Sarandos, among others.
Prior to Netflix, Feingold worked corporate strategy and communications at private investment firm Andell,...
- 4/12/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Netflix has promoted Emily Feingold to vice president of communications, Variety has learned exclusively.
The experienced and well-liked executive will now oversee communications for the streaming giant across the United States and Canada. She reports to Rachel Whetstone, Netflix chief communications officer.
“I am thrilled that Emily has been appointed as Netflix’s new VP of communications. She’s a creative, strategic executive, deeply committed to Netflix and with very broad experience in the entertainment industry,” Whetstone said.
For nearly five years, Feingold has served as a communications director and a principal in establishing Netflix’s expansive original film program. Movies head Scott Stuber and his team (including Lisa Nishimura and Tendo Nagenda) have been under her purview. She has also counseled top executives, including Netflix co-ceo Ted Sarandos, and the office of the CMO. Feingold essentially takes up the mantle left by former chief spokesperson Richard Siklos, who departed...
The experienced and well-liked executive will now oversee communications for the streaming giant across the United States and Canada. She reports to Rachel Whetstone, Netflix chief communications officer.
“I am thrilled that Emily has been appointed as Netflix’s new VP of communications. She’s a creative, strategic executive, deeply committed to Netflix and with very broad experience in the entertainment industry,” Whetstone said.
For nearly five years, Feingold has served as a communications director and a principal in establishing Netflix’s expansive original film program. Movies head Scott Stuber and his team (including Lisa Nishimura and Tendo Nagenda) have been under her purview. She has also counseled top executives, including Netflix co-ceo Ted Sarandos, and the office of the CMO. Feingold essentially takes up the mantle left by former chief spokesperson Richard Siklos, who departed...
- 4/12/2022
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Kid Cudi is set to make his feature directorial debut with the new Netflix movie, “Teddy,” a project he’s also written and in which he’ll star.
The musician and actor (who goes by Scott Mescudi on camera) announced the news in a lengthy social media post Tuesday, revealing that he’d been working on the project since 2013.
“I always wanted to write my own movie, so I said fuck it and started doing it,” he wrote. “The road has been long, from it being a tv show for years to finally being a film. So it means so fuckin much to finally be able to bring it to the screen next year, and I cant wait for u all to meet Teddy, his friends, his family and take a walk in his world for a bit.”
He went on to explain the premise of the movie, teasing that...
The musician and actor (who goes by Scott Mescudi on camera) announced the news in a lengthy social media post Tuesday, revealing that he’d been working on the project since 2013.
“I always wanted to write my own movie, so I said fuck it and started doing it,” he wrote. “The road has been long, from it being a tv show for years to finally being a film. So it means so fuckin much to finally be able to bring it to the screen next year, and I cant wait for u all to meet Teddy, his friends, his family and take a walk in his world for a bit.”
He went on to explain the premise of the movie, teasing that...
- 3/22/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
It’s a big deal when multi-hyphenate Shawn Carter — better known as Jay-Z — makes an appearance pretty much anywhere — and his presence at a Q&a at Hollywood’s Neuehouse on Tuesday night, moderated by Variety‘s Jazz Tangcay, was a really big deal.
Carter, who served as a producer on Netflix’s “The Harder They Fall,” was at the event to talk about his collaboration with friend and director/composer Jeymes Samuel.
Jay-Z, Jeymes and Jazz. Had the honor of moderating this Q&a tonight #TheHarderTheyFall pic.twitter.com/33gAqIz62N
— Jazz Tangcay (@jazzt) December 15, 2021
A fully-vaxxed and tested crowd of AMPAS voters and members of the music branch packed into the screening room as Carter explained how first-time director Samuel — who also goes by The Bullitts — spent over a decade going through different iterations of the film, which stars Regina King, Jonathan Majors, Lakeith Stanfield and Idris Elba.
Carter, who served as a producer on Netflix’s “The Harder They Fall,” was at the event to talk about his collaboration with friend and director/composer Jeymes Samuel.
Jay-Z, Jeymes and Jazz. Had the honor of moderating this Q&a tonight #TheHarderTheyFall pic.twitter.com/33gAqIz62N
— Jazz Tangcay (@jazzt) December 15, 2021
A fully-vaxxed and tested crowd of AMPAS voters and members of the music branch packed into the screening room as Carter explained how first-time director Samuel — who also goes by The Bullitts — spent over a decade going through different iterations of the film, which stars Regina King, Jonathan Majors, Lakeith Stanfield and Idris Elba.
- 12/15/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
BAFTA has unveiled its 2021 BAFTA Breakthrough cohort, including “It’s a Sin” star Lydia West and “Censor” director Prano Bailey-Bond.
Supported by Netflix, the annual talent initiative, which originally launched in 2013 as “Breakthrough Brits,” was renamed BAFTA Breakthrough in May 2020 and expanded to include the U.S. and India. Previous participants have included Paapa Essiedu, Letitia Wright, Florence Pugh and Josh O’Connor, among others.
This year’s cohort, drawn from the worlds of film, television and games, were hand-picked by a global jury made up of industry leaders including Niamh Algar (“Raise by Wolves”), Tim Renkow (“Jerk”) and ITV’s director of diversity and inclusion, Ade Rawcliffe, who chaired the jury.
24 participants hail from the U.K. and 12 from the U.S. As part of the BAFTA Breakthrough program they will receive access to one-to-one industry meetings, group roundtable sessions, networking opportunities within BAFTA’s membership, peer-to-peer support, global coaching, PR...
Supported by Netflix, the annual talent initiative, which originally launched in 2013 as “Breakthrough Brits,” was renamed BAFTA Breakthrough in May 2020 and expanded to include the U.S. and India. Previous participants have included Paapa Essiedu, Letitia Wright, Florence Pugh and Josh O’Connor, among others.
This year’s cohort, drawn from the worlds of film, television and games, were hand-picked by a global jury made up of industry leaders including Niamh Algar (“Raise by Wolves”), Tim Renkow (“Jerk”) and ITV’s director of diversity and inclusion, Ade Rawcliffe, who chaired the jury.
24 participants hail from the U.K. and 12 from the U.S. As part of the BAFTA Breakthrough program they will receive access to one-to-one industry meetings, group roundtable sessions, networking opportunities within BAFTA’s membership, peer-to-peer support, global coaching, PR...
- 12/8/2021
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Antoine Fuqua has entered into a first-look partnership with Netflix, continuing his relationship with the studio after the successful drama The Guilty starring Jake Gyllenhaal. The deal will focus primarily on films and documentary features.
Fuqua also announced Friday the renaming of his production company to Hill District Media, from the previously titled Fuqua Films. The new name emphasizes his background and roots that translate to his work on the screen.
“Working with Netflix on The Guilty was such a rewarding experience, both from an artistic and collaborative point of view,” said Fuqua. “I’m beyond excited to continue this relationship and expand our slate of films with a partner that shares our vision at Hill District Media.”
The deal comes following the strong reviews for The Guilty, which premiered at this year’s Toronto Film Festival. Fuqua is currently filming Emancipation starring Will Smith and also recently finished the...
Fuqua also announced Friday the renaming of his production company to Hill District Media, from the previously titled Fuqua Films. The new name emphasizes his background and roots that translate to his work on the screen.
“Working with Netflix on The Guilty was such a rewarding experience, both from an artistic and collaborative point of view,” said Fuqua. “I’m beyond excited to continue this relationship and expand our slate of films with a partner that shares our vision at Hill District Media.”
The deal comes following the strong reviews for The Guilty, which premiered at this year’s Toronto Film Festival. Fuqua is currently filming Emancipation starring Will Smith and also recently finished the...
- 12/3/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Antoine Fuqua has entered a new creative partnership with Netflix, focusing on feature and documentary films.
The multi-project agreement comes on the heels of the streaming premiere of “The Guilty,” for which star Jake Gyllenhaal is currently making awards rounds. As both a director and producer, Fuqua will execute the agreement under his newly renamed production banner Hill District Media.
“Working with Netflix on ‘The Guilty’ was such a rewarding experience, both from an artistic and collaborative point of view,” Fuqua told Variety. “I’m beyond excited to continue this relationship and expand our slate of films with a partner that shares our vision at Hill District Media.”
Tendo Nagenda, vice president at Netflix Film, added that Fuqua is an “impactful storyteller who believes art can create meaningful change in the world. We had a great collaboration with him on ‘The Guilty’ and look forward to telling many more stories together in the future.
The multi-project agreement comes on the heels of the streaming premiere of “The Guilty,” for which star Jake Gyllenhaal is currently making awards rounds. As both a director and producer, Fuqua will execute the agreement under his newly renamed production banner Hill District Media.
“Working with Netflix on ‘The Guilty’ was such a rewarding experience, both from an artistic and collaborative point of view,” Fuqua told Variety. “I’m beyond excited to continue this relationship and expand our slate of films with a partner that shares our vision at Hill District Media.”
Tendo Nagenda, vice president at Netflix Film, added that Fuqua is an “impactful storyteller who believes art can create meaningful change in the world. We had a great collaboration with him on ‘The Guilty’ and look forward to telling many more stories together in the future.
- 12/3/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Emmy-winning actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has officially added producer to his resume, with the launch of his production company House Eleven10.
Abdul-Mateen and House Eleven10 have also inked a creative partnership with Netflix, with the actor starring in and producing films for the streamer under the new production banner. Named as an homage to his childhood home in Oakland, Calif., House Eleven10 aims to “be a place where the legacy of the stories from Abdul-Mateen II’s youth will live on in creative form; a home for different narrative universes, illustrating both the magic and humanity within them including extraordinary stories about ordinary people.”
“I am so proud of the vision of House Eleven10 and couldn’t be more excited about Netflix’s shared passion for the ideas we’d like to put into the world,” Abdul-Mateen II said in a statement.
“I want our films and shows to be...
Abdul-Mateen and House Eleven10 have also inked a creative partnership with Netflix, with the actor starring in and producing films for the streamer under the new production banner. Named as an homage to his childhood home in Oakland, Calif., House Eleven10 aims to “be a place where the legacy of the stories from Abdul-Mateen II’s youth will live on in creative form; a home for different narrative universes, illustrating both the magic and humanity within them including extraordinary stories about ordinary people.”
“I am so proud of the vision of House Eleven10 and couldn’t be more excited about Netflix’s shared passion for the ideas we’d like to put into the world,” Abdul-Mateen II said in a statement.
“I want our films and shows to be...
- 11/30/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
After spending more than a decade teasing out a story of real-life Black cowboys, Jeymes Samuel was finally on location in Santa Fe, N.M., gearing up to shoot his feature directorial debut, the high-octane Western “The Harder They Fall.” His dream project was about to become a reality.
To help him realize his vision, he’d assembled an all-star cast headlined by Idris Elba, Jonathan Majors and Regina King, fresh off her supporting actress Oscar win for “If Beale Street Could Talk.” Netflix had put up $90 million to fund Samuel’s radical reimagining of what he calls the New West, an epic canvas populated by bandits and lawmen, saloonkeepers and stagecoach robbers, gunslingers and sharpshooters, all of whom are Black. The ensemble — which also features Zazie Beetz, Delroy Lindo and Lakeith Stanfield — had already earned its stripes at cowboy camp, learning to shoot old-school revolvers and ride horses like pros.
To help him realize his vision, he’d assembled an all-star cast headlined by Idris Elba, Jonathan Majors and Regina King, fresh off her supporting actress Oscar win for “If Beale Street Could Talk.” Netflix had put up $90 million to fund Samuel’s radical reimagining of what he calls the New West, an epic canvas populated by bandits and lawmen, saloonkeepers and stagecoach robbers, gunslingers and sharpshooters, all of whom are Black. The ensemble — which also features Zazie Beetz, Delroy Lindo and Lakeith Stanfield — had already earned its stripes at cowboy camp, learning to shoot old-school revolvers and ride horses like pros.
- 10/13/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Veteran Warner Bros. executive Niija Kuykendall has left the Burbank-based studio and joined Netflix in the streamer’s film division.
Kuykendall will act as vp of film and oversee a new features group focusing on mid-sized films. She will report to head of film, Scott Stuber, and joins film vps Tendo Nagenda, Ori Marmur, and Kira Goldberg.
The move buttresses Netflix’s movie division at a critical time. The company is trying to drastically ramp up production but also raise the level of quality of its original features.
And Kuykendall definitely has the experience. Joining Warners in 2008, she rose through the ranks to ...
Kuykendall will act as vp of film and oversee a new features group focusing on mid-sized films. She will report to head of film, Scott Stuber, and joins film vps Tendo Nagenda, Ori Marmur, and Kira Goldberg.
The move buttresses Netflix’s movie division at a critical time. The company is trying to drastically ramp up production but also raise the level of quality of its original features.
And Kuykendall definitely has the experience. Joining Warners in 2008, she rose through the ranks to ...
- 10/8/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Netflix has promoted executives Kira Goldberg and Ori Marmur to lead a new film team that will be focused on developing more big-budget, commercial films.
Goldberg and Marmur had previously reported to Tendo Nagenda, but now their team will continue to work closely and in parallel with his, with Nagenda continuing to lead a separate team that’s still focused on four-quadrant movies.
Goldberg and Marmur’s titles will remain VP of Studio Film, but their roles and responsibilities have increased, all with the eye of more growth in Netflix’s film slate. As a result, they’ll be tasked with hiring more people and more film executives.
Moving forward, Nagenda’s group is overseeing production and release of upcoming Netflix films such as “The Harder They Fall,” “The Gray Man” and “Knives Out 2,” while Goldberg and Marmur are overseeing “Don’t Look Up,” “Tick, Tick…Boom!,” “Red Notice,” “The Adam Project” and more.
Goldberg and Marmur had previously reported to Tendo Nagenda, but now their team will continue to work closely and in parallel with his, with Nagenda continuing to lead a separate team that’s still focused on four-quadrant movies.
Goldberg and Marmur’s titles will remain VP of Studio Film, but their roles and responsibilities have increased, all with the eye of more growth in Netflix’s film slate. As a result, they’ll be tasked with hiring more people and more film executives.
Moving forward, Nagenda’s group is overseeing production and release of upcoming Netflix films such as “The Harder They Fall,” “The Gray Man” and “Knives Out 2,” while Goldberg and Marmur are overseeing “Don’t Look Up,” “Tick, Tick…Boom!,” “Red Notice,” “The Adam Project” and more.
- 7/16/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Netflix is implementing some important leadership changes as it works to create more broadly entertaining film projects.
As part of that shift, executives Kira Goldberg and Ori Marmur have both been promoted and will head up a team tasked with developing and producing big-budget and four-quadrant films. Their team will be autonomous from the one led by Tendo Nagenda, who is also mandated with making commercial fare. Both Goldberg and Marmur previously reported to Nagenda. Under the new order, their teams are expected to continue to work closely together.
The staffing change is slightly confusing, because it comes with much broader responsibilities, but no new titles. Goldberg and Marmur were both promoted to vice presidents of original studio film last year. It’s being done because Netflix is ramping up its output dramatically. The studio will release more than 70 films this year, the equivalent of a movie a week. Traditional...
As part of that shift, executives Kira Goldberg and Ori Marmur have both been promoted and will head up a team tasked with developing and producing big-budget and four-quadrant films. Their team will be autonomous from the one led by Tendo Nagenda, who is also mandated with making commercial fare. Both Goldberg and Marmur previously reported to Nagenda. Under the new order, their teams are expected to continue to work closely together.
The staffing change is slightly confusing, because it comes with much broader responsibilities, but no new titles. Goldberg and Marmur were both promoted to vice presidents of original studio film last year. It’s being done because Netflix is ramping up its output dramatically. The studio will release more than 70 films this year, the equivalent of a movie a week. Traditional...
- 7/16/2021
- by Brent Lang and Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Peter Berg’s Film 44 has set a new first-look deal with Netflix, under which Berg will produce and direct live-action films and series for the streamer.
The new deal follows the success of last year’s “Spenser Confidential,” which Berg produced and directed at Netflix. The action film, starring Mark Wahlberg and Winston Duke, was a massive hit, with Netflix reporting 85 million members watching the film in its first four weeks.
“For me, in this moment, Netflix is the perfect creative fit,” Berg said in a statement. “I could not be more excited to get to work!”
The filmmaker and his scripted entertainment banner Film 44 have produced films such as “Lone Survivor,” “Deepwater Horizon,” “Mile 22,” “The Rundown,” “Hancock” and “Friday Night Lights” (both the 2004 feature film and the Emmy-winning television adaptation). Berg also served as executive producer and director of HBO’s “The Leftovers” and “Ballers.” Berg has...
The new deal follows the success of last year’s “Spenser Confidential,” which Berg produced and directed at Netflix. The action film, starring Mark Wahlberg and Winston Duke, was a massive hit, with Netflix reporting 85 million members watching the film in its first four weeks.
“For me, in this moment, Netflix is the perfect creative fit,” Berg said in a statement. “I could not be more excited to get to work!”
The filmmaker and his scripted entertainment banner Film 44 have produced films such as “Lone Survivor,” “Deepwater Horizon,” “Mile 22,” “The Rundown,” “Hancock” and “Friday Night Lights” (both the 2004 feature film and the Emmy-winning television adaptation). Berg also served as executive producer and director of HBO’s “The Leftovers” and “Ballers.” Berg has...
- 3/29/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Following the success of the Mark Wahlberg-starrer, Spenser Confidential, director Peter Berg is making a home at Netflix. The filmmaker, through his Film 44 entertainment banner, has entered into a first-look deal to produce and direct live-action films and series for the streaming giant.
Released in March of last year, Spenser Confidential was one of the most popular Netflix films with 85 million members viewing the film in the first 4 weeks. Berg currently has a couple of projects set up at Netflix including The Colonel’s Wife, which he will write, direct and produce, as well as Painkiller, a limited drama series about the origins of the opioid crisis.
“For me, in this moment, Netflix is the perfect creative fit. I could not be more excited to get to work!”, said Berg, who has a history of working with producer and Netflix film chief, Scott Stuber, having collaborated on a number...
Released in March of last year, Spenser Confidential was one of the most popular Netflix films with 85 million members viewing the film in the first 4 weeks. Berg currently has a couple of projects set up at Netflix including The Colonel’s Wife, which he will write, direct and produce, as well as Painkiller, a limited drama series about the origins of the opioid crisis.
“For me, in this moment, Netflix is the perfect creative fit. I could not be more excited to get to work!”, said Berg, who has a history of working with producer and Netflix film chief, Scott Stuber, having collaborated on a number...
- 3/29/2021
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Peter Berg’s Film 44 production company has secured a first-look deal with Netflix to produce and direct live-action films and series, they announced jointly Monday.
“For me, in this moment, Netflix is the perfect creative fit,” Berg said in a statement. “I could not be more excited to get to work!”
“Pete Berg has created iconic television. Authentic, visceral and kinetic, Berg’s style has elevated storytelling for years and we are proud to welcome him to Netflix,” Brian Wright, head of overall deals at Netflix, said.
Tendo Nagenda, vice president of Netflix Film, added, “Pete makes movies that captivate and thrill us…We’re thrilled to have him and Film 44 officially at Netflix.” Berg and Netflix film chief Scott Stuber have worked together in the past, including on the films “Patriot’s Day” and “Kingdom.”
Berg, a director, producer and actor, is the founder of Film Forties, a...
“For me, in this moment, Netflix is the perfect creative fit,” Berg said in a statement. “I could not be more excited to get to work!”
“Pete Berg has created iconic television. Authentic, visceral and kinetic, Berg’s style has elevated storytelling for years and we are proud to welcome him to Netflix,” Brian Wright, head of overall deals at Netflix, said.
Tendo Nagenda, vice president of Netflix Film, added, “Pete makes movies that captivate and thrill us…We’re thrilled to have him and Film 44 officially at Netflix.” Berg and Netflix film chief Scott Stuber have worked together in the past, including on the films “Patriot’s Day” and “Kingdom.”
Berg, a director, producer and actor, is the founder of Film Forties, a...
- 3/29/2021
- by Diane Haithman
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Hot off the success of Netflix’s first original musical Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, David E. Talbert and Lyn Sisson-Talbert have signing a first-look deal for their Golden Alchemy banner, to write, direct and produce movies for Netflix. It is the first overall deal for the prolific playwright and filmmaker, who partners in Golden Alchemy with his wife, a prolific producer and author on her own.
David E. Talbert began his career as a playwright and broke into directing on the studio level with the hit First Sunday. He followed with films that included Baggage Claim, Almost Christmas and El Camino Christmas, the latter of which he made for Netflix. He continued as a prolific playwright who has written and produced 14 national tours and wrote the novels Baggage Claim, Love on the Dotted Line, and Love Don’t Live Here No More: Book One of Doggy Tales, which he wrote with Snoop Dogg.
David E. Talbert began his career as a playwright and broke into directing on the studio level with the hit First Sunday. He followed with films that included Baggage Claim, Almost Christmas and El Camino Christmas, the latter of which he made for Netflix. He continued as a prolific playwright who has written and produced 14 national tours and wrote the novels Baggage Claim, Love on the Dotted Line, and Love Don’t Live Here No More: Book One of Doggy Tales, which he wrote with Snoop Dogg.
- 3/23/2021
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Cassidy Lange will be joining Netflix in January as Director, Original Studio Films, the streamer said Monday. She will report to Tendo Nagenda, VP Original Studio Films.
Prior to joining Netflix, Lange was at MGM, where she served as co-president of production. There, she was responsible for growing the studio’s film slate and leveraging its library to expand MGM’s franchises and existing IP, as well as developing high-profile original productions.
Lange joined MGM in 2011 as SVP Development and Production and during her tenure shepherded films including the yet-to-be-released 25th installment of the James Bond franchise No Time to Die, starring Daniel Craig and directed by Cary Fukunaga; the Addams Family animated comedy, as well as its sequel set for October 2021; Me Before You, based on Jojo Moyes’ international bestseller, which went on to gross $200 million worldwide; the action thriller Tomb Raider starring Alicia Vikander, which grossed $273M in worldwide box office; and Overboard,...
Prior to joining Netflix, Lange was at MGM, where she served as co-president of production. There, she was responsible for growing the studio’s film slate and leveraging its library to expand MGM’s franchises and existing IP, as well as developing high-profile original productions.
Lange joined MGM in 2011 as SVP Development and Production and during her tenure shepherded films including the yet-to-be-released 25th installment of the James Bond franchise No Time to Die, starring Daniel Craig and directed by Cary Fukunaga; the Addams Family animated comedy, as well as its sequel set for October 2021; Me Before You, based on Jojo Moyes’ international bestseller, which went on to gross $200 million worldwide; the action thriller Tomb Raider starring Alicia Vikander, which grossed $273M in worldwide box office; and Overboard,...
- 12/14/2020
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Cassidy Lange, the former MGM co-president of production, has landed at Netflix as director of original studio films.
In her new role, which will begin in January, she will report to Tendo Nagenda, vp original studio films.
Lange was at MGM for nine years, where she worked on such films as the Addams Family animated comedy, the Overboard remake and YA adaptation The Sun Is Also a Star, as well as the Tomb Raider reboot and Me Before You, which earned a collective $473 million at the global box office.
Lange, along with fellow co-president of production Adam Rosenberg, exited MGM this year after Michael De Luca took ...
In her new role, which will begin in January, she will report to Tendo Nagenda, vp original studio films.
Lange was at MGM for nine years, where she worked on such films as the Addams Family animated comedy, the Overboard remake and YA adaptation The Sun Is Also a Star, as well as the Tomb Raider reboot and Me Before You, which earned a collective $473 million at the global box office.
Lange, along with fellow co-president of production Adam Rosenberg, exited MGM this year after Michael De Luca took ...
- 12/14/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cassidy Lange, the former MGM co-president of production, has landed at Netflix as director of original studio films.
In her new role, which will begin in January, she will report to Tendo Nagenda, vp original studio films.
Lange was at MGM for nine years, where she worked on such films as the Addams Family animated comedy, the Overboard remake and YA adaptation The Sun Is Also a Star, as well as the Tomb Raider reboot and Me Before You, which earned a collective $473 million at the global box office.
Lange, along with fellow co-president of production Adam Rosenberg, exited MGM this year after Michael De Luca took ...
In her new role, which will begin in January, she will report to Tendo Nagenda, vp original studio films.
Lange was at MGM for nine years, where she worked on such films as the Addams Family animated comedy, the Overboard remake and YA adaptation The Sun Is Also a Star, as well as the Tomb Raider reboot and Me Before You, which earned a collective $473 million at the global box office.
Lange, along with fellow co-president of production Adam Rosenberg, exited MGM this year after Michael De Luca took ...
- 12/14/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
After the success of her documentary “13th” and miniseries “When They See Us,” Ava DuVernay has set her first feature film at Netflix.
The Oscar-nominated filmmaker will write, direct and produce the feature adaptation of Isabel Wilkerson’s critically-acclaimed novel “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.”
The film adaptation, titled “Caste,” will use a multiple-story structure to examine the “unspoken system that has shaped America and chronicles how our lives today are defined by a hierarchy of human divisions dating back generations.” The novel, published in August 2020 by Pulitzer Prize winner Wilkerson, was a New York Times best-seller and an Oprah’s Book Club selection.
DuVernay will produce ‘Caste’ alongside Array Filmworks’ Sarah Bremner and Paul Garnes. Netflix executive Tendo Nagenda will partner with DuVernay for the project, after previously working together on Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time,” the filmmaker’s 2018 adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s classic tale.
The...
The Oscar-nominated filmmaker will write, direct and produce the feature adaptation of Isabel Wilkerson’s critically-acclaimed novel “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.”
The film adaptation, titled “Caste,” will use a multiple-story structure to examine the “unspoken system that has shaped America and chronicles how our lives today are defined by a hierarchy of human divisions dating back generations.” The novel, published in August 2020 by Pulitzer Prize winner Wilkerson, was a New York Times best-seller and an Oprah’s Book Club selection.
DuVernay will produce ‘Caste’ alongside Array Filmworks’ Sarah Bremner and Paul Garnes. Netflix executive Tendo Nagenda will partner with DuVernay for the project, after previously working together on Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time,” the filmmaker’s 2018 adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s classic tale.
The...
- 10/14/2020
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Ava DuVernay is set to direct, write and produce her first feature film for Netflix, an adaptation of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson’s Nyt bestseller Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.
The project reunites DuVernay with Netflix exec Tendo Nagenda after the two collaborated on A Wrinkle in Time, the 2018 Disney sci-fi adventure pic that cemented DuVernay as the first Black woman to direct a live-action film that grossed more than $100 million at the domestic box office.
Through a multiple-story structure, Caste examines the unspoken system that has shaped America and chronicles how our lives today are defined by a hierarchy of human divisions dating back generations.
DuVernay, Sarah Bremner and Paul Garnes are producing the project via Array Filmworks.
DuVernay is no stranger to putting a lens on pertinent social issues that affect many people, especially those in the Black community. She did so with 13th, the hard-hitting...
The project reunites DuVernay with Netflix exec Tendo Nagenda after the two collaborated on A Wrinkle in Time, the 2018 Disney sci-fi adventure pic that cemented DuVernay as the first Black woman to direct a live-action film that grossed more than $100 million at the domestic box office.
Through a multiple-story structure, Caste examines the unspoken system that has shaped America and chronicles how our lives today are defined by a hierarchy of human divisions dating back generations.
DuVernay, Sarah Bremner and Paul Garnes are producing the project via Array Filmworks.
DuVernay is no stranger to putting a lens on pertinent social issues that affect many people, especially those in the Black community. She did so with 13th, the hard-hitting...
- 10/14/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Ava DuVernay has found her next feature film, an adaptation of the novel “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” by Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson, to direct for Netflix.
“Caste” is a New York Times bestseller and an Oprah’s Book Club selection, and the nonfiction book uses a structure of multiple stories to examines the long history of race in America across generations. The book chronicles how our lives today in America are defined by a hierarchy of human divisions dating back generations.
DuVernay will also write and produce “Caste” under her Array Filmworks banner, and Sarah Bremner and Paul Garnes of Array will also produce.
“Caste” is DuVernay’s first feature film at Netflix after she directed the limited series “When They See Us,” which received 16 Emmy nominations. The film will also reunite her with Netflix executive Tendo Nagenda, who worked with DuVernay on her previous feature, Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time.
“Caste” is a New York Times bestseller and an Oprah’s Book Club selection, and the nonfiction book uses a structure of multiple stories to examines the long history of race in America across generations. The book chronicles how our lives today in America are defined by a hierarchy of human divisions dating back generations.
DuVernay will also write and produce “Caste” under her Array Filmworks banner, and Sarah Bremner and Paul Garnes of Array will also produce.
“Caste” is DuVernay’s first feature film at Netflix after she directed the limited series “When They See Us,” which received 16 Emmy nominations. The film will also reunite her with Netflix executive Tendo Nagenda, who worked with DuVernay on her previous feature, Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time.
- 10/14/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Academy Award nominee Daniel Kaluuya has teamed up with Netflix for a feature film adaptation of British-Nigerian physicist-turned-author Femi Fadugba’s debut novel, “The Upper World,” the first in a planned series of novels that will be published by Penguin UK and HarperCollins US in mid-2021 and early 2022, respectively. Kaluuya will both star in and produce “The Upper World,” which, based on Fadugba’s background and stated intent, suggests a sci-fi story that might be more profound than the average.
“You may not know his name, but once you’ve read ‘The Upper World’ you won’t be able to forget it,” said Tendo Nagenda, Vice President, Netflix Films, in a press statement. “Films can impact and expand the way people see and experience life. ‘The Upper World’ will be one of those films. I’m neither from the place nor ‘time’ depicted in the pages of the debut novel.
“You may not know his name, but once you’ve read ‘The Upper World’ you won’t be able to forget it,” said Tendo Nagenda, Vice President, Netflix Films, in a press statement. “Films can impact and expand the way people see and experience life. ‘The Upper World’ will be one of those films. I’m neither from the place nor ‘time’ depicted in the pages of the debut novel.
- 8/13/2020
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
Netflix has acquired the film rights to Femi Fadugba’s debut novel The Upper World, which has Queen & Slim’s Daniel Kaluuya attached to produce and star.
The Ya novel is the first in a planned series of novels. It’s set to be released in the UK via, Penguin UK, in 2021, as well as in the U.S., through HarperCollins, early 2022.
Set in Peckham, London, the story follows Esso, who is caught in a deadly feud and on the verge of expulsion when he realizes he has an unexpected gift: access to a world where he can see glimpses of the past and the future. A generation away, Rhia is walking to football practice in 2035, unaware that the mysterious stranger she’s about to meet desperately needs her help to avert a bullet fired fifteen years ago.
Eric Newman, who brought the book to Netflix, is producing alongside Screen Arcade partner Bryan Unkeless,...
The Ya novel is the first in a planned series of novels. It’s set to be released in the UK via, Penguin UK, in 2021, as well as in the U.S., through HarperCollins, early 2022.
Set in Peckham, London, the story follows Esso, who is caught in a deadly feud and on the verge of expulsion when he realizes he has an unexpected gift: access to a world where he can see glimpses of the past and the future. A generation away, Rhia is walking to football practice in 2035, unaware that the mysterious stranger she’s about to meet desperately needs her help to avert a bullet fired fifteen years ago.
Eric Newman, who brought the book to Netflix, is producing alongside Screen Arcade partner Bryan Unkeless,...
- 8/13/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
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