Exclusive: Skydance has taken on the challenge of turning the bestselling YA fantasy novel series Ranger’s Apprentice into a live action film, with the hope it can become a franchise. Skydance has gotten control of the John Flanagan book series, and has closed a big deal with Hidden Figures helmer Ted Melfi to adapt, direct, and produce the film. Kim Quinn will also be producer.
Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger will produce alongside Melfi and Quinn. Flanagan will be executive producer, and Matt Grimm will oversee for Skydance.
I’ve heard that Melfi has made a deal worth high 7-figures if the movie gets made. His task will be to take the first two volumes – The Ruins of Gorlan & The Burning Bridge – and get a franchise off the ground that focuses on an orphan named Will who becomes an apprentice to a group of mysterious protectors known as the Rangers.
Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger will produce alongside Melfi and Quinn. Flanagan will be executive producer, and Matt Grimm will oversee for Skydance.
I’ve heard that Melfi has made a deal worth high 7-figures if the movie gets made. His task will be to take the first two volumes – The Ruins of Gorlan & The Burning Bridge – and get a franchise off the ground that focuses on an orphan named Will who becomes an apprentice to a group of mysterious protectors known as the Rangers.
- 1/5/2024
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
We heard it was in the works, and now the deal is done. Dick Cook Studios and Film Carnival have entered into a minimum $500M motion picture financing production agreement. Under terms of the agreement, Film Carnival has committed to finance 100% of Dcs motion pictures. Dcs will be responsible for the development, production, worldwide distribution and marketing of the movies. The first film under the agreement is Ranger's Apprentice co-written by Paul Haggis (Million Doll…...
- 3/29/2016
- Deadline
Having just worked together on the upcoming thriller "The Next Three Days", writer/director Paul Haggis ("Crash," "In the Valley of Elah") and actor Russell Crowe could be re-teaming for "The Equalizer" at Escape Artists says The Hollywood Reporter.
Based on the late 80's CBS television series, Crowe is attached to star as Robert McCall, a former operative of a covert intelligence organisation who seeks redemption for his dark past via offering his services to those being persecuted and in need of help.
In the series, McCall brought justice to various hoodlums, killers, dealers, rapists and other scum on the streets of New York City. He also performed assignments for the head of his former organisation, and dealt with his estranged son.
Haggis is attached to tackle the script though is not going to direct at present. That could change however as the one project he is attached to direct,...
Based on the late 80's CBS television series, Crowe is attached to star as Robert McCall, a former operative of a covert intelligence organisation who seeks redemption for his dark past via offering his services to those being persecuted and in need of help.
In the series, McCall brought justice to various hoodlums, killers, dealers, rapists and other scum on the streets of New York City. He also performed assignments for the head of his former organisation, and dealt with his estranged son.
Haggis is attached to tackle the script though is not going to direct at present. That could change however as the one project he is attached to direct,...
- 9/29/2010
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
In June of this year we got word that the long-rumored TV-to-film version of The Equalizer was actually moving forward with Russell Crowe attached to the role originated by the late Edward Woodward. At the time there was no script, and there is still no script, but that could change soon. Paul Haggis, who just directed Crowe in The Next Three Days, is in negotiations to write. THR reports that "the direction of the feture version is still being plotted," i.e. that decisions on what the tone of the film might be are still being made. The follow-up question might easily be: will Haggis direct? THR brings up the possibility, but says only that such a thing is a possibility at the moment. He doesn't have another directorial gig booked at the moment, because his other possible helming project was Ranger's Apprentice, which is locked up in MGM's murky future.
- 9/28/2010
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
Fresh off their collaboration on "The Next Three Days," Paul Haggis and Russell Crowe may be working together on a new project: "The Equalizer."
Crowe has long been attached as a star and producer of the feature adaptation of the late-'80s TV series, and Haggis, who just directed Crowe in the upcoming Lionsgate thriller "Days," is negotiating to take on the script. While the direction of the feature version is still being plotted, the original CBS series concerned the exploits of a former secret agent turned vigilante who could be hired to right wrongs.
Edward Woodward originated the role of Robert McCall, who provided services for clients free of charge, on the condition they returned his help if he ever came calling. As opposed to the jokiness of the era's other shows such as "The A-Team," "Magnum P.I." and "Simon & Simon," "The Equalizer" was remarkably grim. It also...
Crowe has long been attached as a star and producer of the feature adaptation of the late-'80s TV series, and Haggis, who just directed Crowe in the upcoming Lionsgate thriller "Days," is negotiating to take on the script. While the direction of the feature version is still being plotted, the original CBS series concerned the exploits of a former secret agent turned vigilante who could be hired to right wrongs.
Edward Woodward originated the role of Robert McCall, who provided services for clients free of charge, on the condition they returned his help if he ever came calling. As opposed to the jokiness of the era's other shows such as "The A-Team," "Magnum P.I." and "Simon & Simon," "The Equalizer" was remarkably grim. It also...
- 9/28/2010
- by By Jay A. Fernandez and Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
United Artists is hitting the books.
The Tom Cruise-run MGM wing has hired literary scout Claire Lundberg to accelerate UA's lit acquisitions. The New York-based Lundberg, who was director of development at Scott Rudin Prods., will report to production president Don Granger.
"Claire is not only an experienced hand with great instincts," said UA COO Elliott Kleinberg, "she is also a film fanatic whose passion makes her a welcome addition to our team."
While with Rudin, Lundberg was involved in acquiring Khaled Hosseini's "A Thousand Splendid Suns," which Steven Zaillian is adapting; Conn & Hall Iggulden's "The Dangerous Book for Boys"; and Stacey Schiff's "Cleopatra." She also worked as a book scout for Linda Clark Associates.
UA already has "Valkyrie" scribe Christopher McQuarrie on board to adapt "The Monster of Florence"; Paul Haggis and Alissa Haggis adapting "Ranger's Apprentice"; Charles Randolph adapting "The Birthday Party"; and Jose Rivera working...
The Tom Cruise-run MGM wing has hired literary scout Claire Lundberg to accelerate UA's lit acquisitions. The New York-based Lundberg, who was director of development at Scott Rudin Prods., will report to production president Don Granger.
"Claire is not only an experienced hand with great instincts," said UA COO Elliott Kleinberg, "she is also a film fanatic whose passion makes her a welcome addition to our team."
While with Rudin, Lundberg was involved in acquiring Khaled Hosseini's "A Thousand Splendid Suns," which Steven Zaillian is adapting; Conn & Hall Iggulden's "The Dangerous Book for Boys"; and Stacey Schiff's "Cleopatra." She also worked as a book scout for Linda Clark Associates.
UA already has "Valkyrie" scribe Christopher McQuarrie on board to adapt "The Monster of Florence"; Paul Haggis and Alissa Haggis adapting "Ranger's Apprentice"; Charles Randolph adapting "The Birthday Party"; and Jose Rivera working...
- 1/26/2009
- by By Jay A. Fernandez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Christopher McQuarrie has signed on for double duty with United Artists.
UA has brought in the Oscar-winning scribe to write and produce two high-profile projects: "The Champions" and "The Monster of Florence." President of production Don Granger is overseeing both for the studio.
McQuarrie is also a co-writer with Nathan Alexander on UA's Christmas release, "Valkyrie."
"Chris is a remarkable talent who always brings a valuable perspective to the table," UA co-owner and "Valkyrie" star Tom Cruise said. "We are thrilled to be working with him on both projects."
"Champions" is derived from a late-'60s British television series about a group of government agents who encounter a hidden civilization that grants them superhuman talents. McQuarrie is hashing out the script with Guillermo del Toro, who will also produce the film but is not attached to direct.
Cruise and former UA co-owner and CEO Paula Wagner also are producing.
"Monster...
UA has brought in the Oscar-winning scribe to write and produce two high-profile projects: "The Champions" and "The Monster of Florence." President of production Don Granger is overseeing both for the studio.
McQuarrie is also a co-writer with Nathan Alexander on UA's Christmas release, "Valkyrie."
"Chris is a remarkable talent who always brings a valuable perspective to the table," UA co-owner and "Valkyrie" star Tom Cruise said. "We are thrilled to be working with him on both projects."
"Champions" is derived from a late-'60s British television series about a group of government agents who encounter a hidden civilization that grants them superhuman talents. McQuarrie is hashing out the script with Guillermo del Toro, who will also produce the film but is not attached to direct.
Cruise and former UA co-owner and CEO Paula Wagner also are producing.
"Monster...
- 11/17/2008
- by By Jay A. Fernandez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Paul Haggis has inked an overall deal with United Artists that will have the two-time Oscar winner writing, producing and possibly directing projects with the studio through his newly created Hwy61 production shingle.
Under the terms of the pact, which is nonexclusive and leaves Haggis free to collaborate elsewhere, the Crash director is expected to produce two films a year with his producing partner Michael Nozik.
First up for Hwy61 -- the name is taken from the Bob Dylan song -- will be an adaptation of the children's literature series Ranger's Apprentice, with Haggis writing the screenplay with his daughter Alissa and possibly directing. UA optioned the rights to the fantasy series by Australian author John Flanagan this month.
Also under the newly struck partnership, the Santa Monica-based Hwy61 and the Paula Wagner/Tom Cruise-helmed studio have optioned the rights to the Joseph Weisberg novel An Ordinary Spy.
Haggis said he is hoping to create a home for writers and directors.
Under the terms of the pact, which is nonexclusive and leaves Haggis free to collaborate elsewhere, the Crash director is expected to produce two films a year with his producing partner Michael Nozik.
First up for Hwy61 -- the name is taken from the Bob Dylan song -- will be an adaptation of the children's literature series Ranger's Apprentice, with Haggis writing the screenplay with his daughter Alissa and possibly directing. UA optioned the rights to the fantasy series by Australian author John Flanagan this month.
Also under the newly struck partnership, the Santa Monica-based Hwy61 and the Paula Wagner/Tom Cruise-helmed studio have optioned the rights to the Joseph Weisberg novel An Ordinary Spy.
Haggis said he is hoping to create a home for writers and directors.
- 1/31/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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