There will be no third season for The Mysterious Benedict Society, the adventure series starring Tony Hale. The news, which comes more than a moth after Season 2 ended its run on the streamer, was revealed by co-creator/executive producer Phil Hay on Twitter.
“Dear friends- season 2 will mark the end of The Mysterious Benedict Society’s journey on Disney+. We love everyone who helped make this truly special and indeed life-affirming experience happen. No regrets- so proud of what we made!, Hay wrote. “The beauty of streaming is that the show lives on Disney+ and you can find it whenever you want to visit. Spoiler alert for how the story ends: the kids stay friends forever.”
Based on the bestselling YA book series by Trenton Lee Stewart, The Mysterious Benedict Society was originally greenlighted by Hulu and was one of the last series developed and sold by the late producer Jamie Tarses.
“Dear friends- season 2 will mark the end of The Mysterious Benedict Society’s journey on Disney+. We love everyone who helped make this truly special and indeed life-affirming experience happen. No regrets- so proud of what we made!, Hay wrote. “The beauty of streaming is that the show lives on Disney+ and you can find it whenever you want to visit. Spoiler alert for how the story ends: the kids stay friends forever.”
Based on the bestselling YA book series by Trenton Lee Stewart, The Mysterious Benedict Society was originally greenlighted by Hulu and was one of the last series developed and sold by the late producer Jamie Tarses.
- 1/29/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
The trailer for Disney+’s The Mysterious Benedict Society season two reveals Benedict and Number 2 have gone missing after planting clues for a scavenger hunt all over Europe. The new minute-and-a-half trailer arrived along with a poster for the family-friendly adventure series’ upcoming second season.
Season two will premiere on October 26, 2022 with the release of the first two episodes. Additional new episodes arrive on subsequent Wednesdays.
Tony Hale returns to lead the cast as Mr. Benedict and his twin brother, Dr. L.D. Curtain. Kristen Schaal stars as Number Two, MaameYaa Boafo is Rhonda Kazembe, Ryan Hurst plays Milligan, and Gia Sandhu stars as Ms. Perumal. Seth B. Carr is George “Sticky” Washington, Emmy DeOliveira plays Kate Wetherall, Mystic Inscho is Reynie Muldoon, and Marta Kessler plays Constance Contraire.
Writer Matt Manfredi and writer Phil Hay created the series based on Trenton Lee Stewart’s bestselling book series. Manfredi, Hay,...
Season two will premiere on October 26, 2022 with the release of the first two episodes. Additional new episodes arrive on subsequent Wednesdays.
Tony Hale returns to lead the cast as Mr. Benedict and his twin brother, Dr. L.D. Curtain. Kristen Schaal stars as Number Two, MaameYaa Boafo is Rhonda Kazembe, Ryan Hurst plays Milligan, and Gia Sandhu stars as Ms. Perumal. Seth B. Carr is George “Sticky” Washington, Emmy DeOliveira plays Kate Wetherall, Mystic Inscho is Reynie Muldoon, and Marta Kessler plays Constance Contraire.
Writer Matt Manfredi and writer Phil Hay created the series based on Trenton Lee Stewart’s bestselling book series. Manfredi, Hay,...
- 9/1/2022
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Exclusive: The Disney+ series The Mysterious Benedict Society will return with Season 2 on October 26, and Deadline has your first look at the trailer above. Following its two-episode premiere, new episodes will be released weekly on Wednesdays.
This season, the four gifted orphans who were recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict (Tony Hale) are sent on another mission to save the world from the nefarious plans of his twin brother Dr. L.D. Curtain (also Hale).
When Reynie (Mystic Inscho), Sticky (Seth Carr), Kate (Emmy DeOliveira), and Constance (Marta Kessler) discover that Mr. Benedict and Number Two (Kristen Schaal) have been kidnapped, they are tasked with putting together riddles and clues within a perilous scavenger hunt set by Mr. Benedict to foil Curtain’s latest scheme.
Relying on only their wits, intellect, and empathy, the group embarks on a globe-trotting adventure by air, land, sea, and pie truck, using their special...
This season, the four gifted orphans who were recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict (Tony Hale) are sent on another mission to save the world from the nefarious plans of his twin brother Dr. L.D. Curtain (also Hale).
When Reynie (Mystic Inscho), Sticky (Seth Carr), Kate (Emmy DeOliveira), and Constance (Marta Kessler) discover that Mr. Benedict and Number Two (Kristen Schaal) have been kidnapped, they are tasked with putting together riddles and clues within a perilous scavenger hunt set by Mr. Benedict to foil Curtain’s latest scheme.
Relying on only their wits, intellect, and empathy, the group embarks on a globe-trotting adventure by air, land, sea, and pie truck, using their special...
- 9/1/2022
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
“The Mysterious Benedict Society” has been renewed for Season 2 at Disney Plus.
Based on the YA book series of the same name by Trenton Lee Stewart, the series follows four gifted orphans who are recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict (Tony Hale). Along with Hale, the show stars Kristen Schaal, MaameYaa Boafo, Ryan Hurst, Gia Sandhu, Seth B. Carr, Emmy DeOliveira, Mystic Inscho and Marta Kessler.
Season 2 of “The Mysterious Benedict Society” picks up as the team of four intrepid orphans reunite a year after their first mission, when they were assembled by Mr. Benedict and his cohorts to foil the nefarious “Emergency” created by Benedict’s twin brother Dr. L.D. Curtain (also played by Hale). Now they must embark on a perilous journey, relying on wits, intellect, and empathy to try to try to stop Curtain as he shifts to a new strategy with global implications. Production on...
Based on the YA book series of the same name by Trenton Lee Stewart, the series follows four gifted orphans who are recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict (Tony Hale). Along with Hale, the show stars Kristen Schaal, MaameYaa Boafo, Ryan Hurst, Gia Sandhu, Seth B. Carr, Emmy DeOliveira, Mystic Inscho and Marta Kessler.
Season 2 of “The Mysterious Benedict Society” picks up as the team of four intrepid orphans reunite a year after their first mission, when they were assembled by Mr. Benedict and his cohorts to foil the nefarious “Emergency” created by Benedict’s twin brother Dr. L.D. Curtain (also played by Hale). Now they must embark on a perilous journey, relying on wits, intellect, and empathy to try to try to stop Curtain as he shifts to a new strategy with global implications. Production on...
- 9/28/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
The Mysterious Benedict Society seems have settled in nicely at Disney+ as the streaming service said Tuesday it has renewed the Tony Hale-starring series for Season 2. Production for the sophomore season will begin early next year.
Based on the bestselling YA book series by Trenton Lee Stewart, The Mysterious Benedict Society‘s second season will pick up as the team of four intrepid orphans reunite a year after their first mission, when they were assembled by Mr. Benedict (Hale) and his cohorts to foil the nefarious “Emergency” created by Benedict’s twin brother Dr. L.D. Curtain (also Hale). Now they must embark on a perilous journey, relying on wits, intellect and empathy to try to stop Curtain as he shifts to a new strategy with global implications.
In addition to two-time Veep Emmy winner Hale, The Mysterious Benedict Society stars Kristen Schaal, MaameYaa Boafo, Ryan Hurst, Gia Sandhu,...
Based on the bestselling YA book series by Trenton Lee Stewart, The Mysterious Benedict Society‘s second season will pick up as the team of four intrepid orphans reunite a year after their first mission, when they were assembled by Mr. Benedict (Hale) and his cohorts to foil the nefarious “Emergency” created by Benedict’s twin brother Dr. L.D. Curtain (also Hale). Now they must embark on a perilous journey, relying on wits, intellect and empathy to try to stop Curtain as he shifts to a new strategy with global implications.
In addition to two-time Veep Emmy winner Hale, The Mysterious Benedict Society stars Kristen Schaal, MaameYaa Boafo, Ryan Hurst, Gia Sandhu,...
- 9/28/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
The first season of “The Mysterious Benedict Society,” which is currently rolling out on Disney+, will stick to the source material provided by Trenton Lee Stewart’s beloved kids book of the same name, according to series creators Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay. But should the series continue into another season, that might not remain to be the case.
“The subsequent books are all wonderful, and they’re very different, too,” Hay said in an interview with TheWrap. “So if we were lucky enough to continue and get another season, I think it would likely draw from a lot of them in different ways, as opposed to being very, very specific.”
Hay and Manfredi said they hope to draw from all of the sequels (as well as Stewart’s prequel novel) for future episodes, mixing and matching elements rather than doing a straight adaptation.
“We don’t know yet because...
“The subsequent books are all wonderful, and they’re very different, too,” Hay said in an interview with TheWrap. “So if we were lucky enough to continue and get another season, I think it would likely draw from a lot of them in different ways, as opposed to being very, very specific.”
Hay and Manfredi said they hope to draw from all of the sequels (as well as Stewart’s prequel novel) for future episodes, mixing and matching elements rather than doing a straight adaptation.
“We don’t know yet because...
- 7/1/2021
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Meet Mr. Benedict: “He’s one of the pre-eminent scientists of our time.” His brother? Well, he isn’t.
Disney+ said today that The Mysterious Benedict Society, starring Tony Hale in a dual role as polar-opposite identical twins, will launch a with a two-episode premiere next week.
Based on Trenton Lee Stewart’s YA book series, the series follows four gifted orphans who are recruited by Hale’s Mr. Benedict to save the world from a global crisis known as the Emergency. Reynie, Sticky, Kate and Constance must infiltrate the mysterious L.I.V.E. Institute to discover the truth behind the crisis. When the headmaster, the sophisticated Dr. Curtain appears to be behind this worldwide panic, the kids of “The Mysterious Benedict Society” must devise a plan to defeat him.
Kristen Schaal, Ryan Hurst, MaameYaa Boafo, Gia Sandhu, Seth Carr, Emmy DeOliveira, Mystic Inscho and Marta Timofeeva co-star.
The...
Disney+ said today that The Mysterious Benedict Society, starring Tony Hale in a dual role as polar-opposite identical twins, will launch a with a two-episode premiere next week.
Based on Trenton Lee Stewart’s YA book series, the series follows four gifted orphans who are recruited by Hale’s Mr. Benedict to save the world from a global crisis known as the Emergency. Reynie, Sticky, Kate and Constance must infiltrate the mysterious L.I.V.E. Institute to discover the truth behind the crisis. When the headmaster, the sophisticated Dr. Curtain appears to be behind this worldwide panic, the kids of “The Mysterious Benedict Society” must devise a plan to defeat him.
Kristen Schaal, Ryan Hurst, MaameYaa Boafo, Gia Sandhu, Seth Carr, Emmy DeOliveira, Mystic Inscho and Marta Timofeeva co-star.
The...
- 6/21/2021
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Tony Hale has identified the only people who don’t love “Arrested Development”: Mr. and Mrs. Hale, his parents.
For Mother’s Day, Jimmy Kimmel had celebrity guests read real tweets from their mom. Here’s the one Hale read for the ABC late-night host: “Hey son, our new friends are Loving ‘Arrested Development. We still don’t get it.”
Happy Mother’s Day.
Kimmel asked Hale, who stopped by on Thursday to promote his new Disney+ series “The Mysterious Benedict Society,” if that was really real.
“My parents think ‘Arrested’ is dumb. To this day, they think it’s a stupid show,” Hale responded. “I’m not kidding. The only episode they thought was funny was when Martin Short was on. [My dad] was like, ‘Well he’s funny. That guy’s funny.'”
They’re not huge “Veep” people either, it turns out.
Hale’s dad “always has notes” on the HBO sitcom,...
For Mother’s Day, Jimmy Kimmel had celebrity guests read real tweets from their mom. Here’s the one Hale read for the ABC late-night host: “Hey son, our new friends are Loving ‘Arrested Development. We still don’t get it.”
Happy Mother’s Day.
Kimmel asked Hale, who stopped by on Thursday to promote his new Disney+ series “The Mysterious Benedict Society,” if that was really real.
“My parents think ‘Arrested’ is dumb. To this day, they think it’s a stupid show,” Hale responded. “I’m not kidding. The only episode they thought was funny was when Martin Short was on. [My dad] was like, ‘Well he’s funny. That guy’s funny.'”
They’re not huge “Veep” people either, it turns out.
Hale’s dad “always has notes” on the HBO sitcom,...
- 6/18/2021
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Tony Hale makes his debut as the eccentric Mr. Benedict in the trailer for Disney+’s The Mysterious Benedict Society. Based on Trenton Lee Stewart’s book series, the Disney+ series follows four gifted orphans who are recruited by Hale’s Mr. Benedict to save the world from a global crisis known as The Emergency. Reynie, Sticky, Kate, and Constance must infiltrate the mysterious L.I.V.E. Institute to discover the truth behind the crisis. When the headmaster, the sophisticated Dr. Curtain appears to be behind this worldwide panic, the kids of “The Mysterious Benedict Society” must devise a plan to defeat him. Kristen Schaal, Ryan Hurst, MaameYaa Boafo, Gia Sandhu, Seth Carr, Emmy DeOliveira, Mystic Inscho and Marta Timofeeva also act in the YA novel adaptation. The series, which is set to premiere June 25, is executive produced by Sonar Entertainment, 20th Television, Jamie Tarses, Karen Kehela Sherwood, Deepak Nayar,...
- 5/20/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney+ has released the first trailer for its upcoming “Mysterious Benedict Society” adaptation featuring dueling Tony Hales.
Based on the bestselling children’s book series by Trenton Lee Stewart, the eight-episode series follows four gifted orphans who are recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict (Hale) to save the world from a global crisis known as “The Emergency,” created by his evil twin brother, Dr. Curtain.
The four children — Reynie, Sticky, Kate and Constance — must infiltrate the mysterious L.I.V.E. Institute to discover the truth behind the crisis and devise a plan to defeat it.
The series also stars Kristen Schaal, Ryan Hurst, MaameYaa Boafo, Gia Sandhu, Seth Carr, Emmy DeOliveira, Mystic Inscho and Marta Kessler. It will debut on Disney+ on Friday, June 25.
Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay are writers and creators of the series, with Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin serving as showrunners. Additional executive producers on...
Based on the bestselling children’s book series by Trenton Lee Stewart, the eight-episode series follows four gifted orphans who are recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict (Hale) to save the world from a global crisis known as “The Emergency,” created by his evil twin brother, Dr. Curtain.
The four children — Reynie, Sticky, Kate and Constance — must infiltrate the mysterious L.I.V.E. Institute to discover the truth behind the crisis and devise a plan to defeat it.
The series also stars Kristen Schaal, Ryan Hurst, MaameYaa Boafo, Gia Sandhu, Seth Carr, Emmy DeOliveira, Mystic Inscho and Marta Kessler. It will debut on Disney+ on Friday, June 25.
Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay are writers and creators of the series, with Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin serving as showrunners. Additional executive producers on...
- 5/20/2021
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
“Loki,” the next Marvel Studios project for Disney Plus, will premiere June 11 on the streamer.
Additionally, Disney Plus announced the rest of its spring and early summer slate as follows: “Big Shot” will premiere April 16; “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” will launch May 4; “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” Season 2 will begin on May 14; “Zenimation” Season 2 will premiere June 11; “The Mysterious Benedict Society” will debut June 25; “Monsters at Work” will begin July 2; “Turner & Hooch” will launch July 16, and “Chip ‘N’ Dale: Park Live” will premiere July 23.
Following “WandaVision” and “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” “Loki” will be the latest MCU project to shift from big screen to small. It follows the titular God of Mischief (played by Tom Hiddleston) as he steps out of his brother’s shadow and takes places after the events of “Avengers: Endgame.” The show comes from head writer Michael Waldron and director...
Additionally, Disney Plus announced the rest of its spring and early summer slate as follows: “Big Shot” will premiere April 16; “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” will launch May 4; “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” Season 2 will begin on May 14; “Zenimation” Season 2 will premiere June 11; “The Mysterious Benedict Society” will debut June 25; “Monsters at Work” will begin July 2; “Turner & Hooch” will launch July 16, and “Chip ‘N’ Dale: Park Live” will premiere July 23.
Following “WandaVision” and “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” “Loki” will be the latest MCU project to shift from big screen to small. It follows the titular God of Mischief (played by Tom Hiddleston) as he steps out of his brother’s shadow and takes places after the events of “Avengers: Endgame.” The show comes from head writer Michael Waldron and director...
- 2/24/2021
- by Danielle Turchiano
- Variety Film + TV
Disney+ has set spring and summer premiere dates for and released first-look photos for new series Turner & Hooch, The Mysterious Benedict Society and Chip ‘N Dale: Park Life and the second season of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.
Here are the premiere dates in chronological order, with series descriptions and first-look photos:
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: Season 2
In Season 2, the East High Wildcats, who are preparing to perform Beauty and the Beast as their spring musical, face off against rival school North High to win a prestigious and cutthroat student theater competition. Wigs are snatched, loyalties are tested, and ballads are belted. The season also features new solos written by Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett.
Disney+ Sets Premiere Dates For ‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch’ And Marvel Studios’ ‘Loki’
The series stars Olivia Rodrigo, Joshua Bassett, Sofia Wylie, Matt Cornett, Larry Saperstein,...
Here are the premiere dates in chronological order, with series descriptions and first-look photos:
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: Season 2
In Season 2, the East High Wildcats, who are preparing to perform Beauty and the Beast as their spring musical, face off against rival school North High to win a prestigious and cutthroat student theater competition. Wigs are snatched, loyalties are tested, and ballads are belted. The season also features new solos written by Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett.
Disney+ Sets Premiere Dates For ‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch’ And Marvel Studios’ ‘Loki’
The series stars Olivia Rodrigo, Joshua Bassett, Sofia Wylie, Matt Cornett, Larry Saperstein,...
- 2/24/2021
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney+ revealed the debut dates for a whole bunch of new shows on Wednesday, including the John Stamos-starring “Big Shot,” “The Mysterious Benedict Society,” “Monsters at Work,” “Turner & Hooch” and “Chip ‘N’ Dale: Park Life.”
The streaming service also set Friday, May 14 as the return date for “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” Season 2, and has renewed “Zenimation” for a second season, which will premiere on Friday, June 11.
Below are Disney+’s premiere dates and the descriptions for its new, upcoming series, in chronological order. The Disney streaming service shared its news Wednesday during the Television Critics Association (TCA) press tour.
“Big Shot” – Friday, April 16
After getting ousted from the NCAA, a hothead men’s basketball coach must take a job at an all-girls high school. He soon learns that teenage girls are more than just X’s and O’s; they require empathy and vulnerability — foreign...
The streaming service also set Friday, May 14 as the return date for “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” Season 2, and has renewed “Zenimation” for a second season, which will premiere on Friday, June 11.
Below are Disney+’s premiere dates and the descriptions for its new, upcoming series, in chronological order. The Disney streaming service shared its news Wednesday during the Television Critics Association (TCA) press tour.
“Big Shot” – Friday, April 16
After getting ousted from the NCAA, a hothead men’s basketball coach must take a job at an all-girls high school. He soon learns that teenage girls are more than just X’s and O’s; they require empathy and vulnerability — foreign...
- 2/24/2021
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Disney’s adaptation of “The Mysterious Benedict Society” is moving from Hulu to sister streaming service Disney+, the company announced Friday.
Led by “Veep” alum Tony Hale, the series follows four gifted orphans who are recruited by an eccentric, benefactor to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as “The Institute,” they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications while creating a new sort of family along the way.
The eight-episode first season, which is based on the first book in the series by author Trenton Lee Stewart, is set to premiere in 2021.
Hale pulls double-duty on the series, starring as both Mr. Benedict, the “rumpled, affable eccentric genius” and head of the titular society, and his “frustratingly sharp, well-put-together (if villainous)” twin brother, Mr. Curtain. Kristen Schaal, Ryan Hurst, MaameYaa Boafo, Gia Sandhu, Seth Carr, Emmy DeOliveira, Mystic Inscho and Marta Timofeeva also star.
Led by “Veep” alum Tony Hale, the series follows four gifted orphans who are recruited by an eccentric, benefactor to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as “The Institute,” they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications while creating a new sort of family along the way.
The eight-episode first season, which is based on the first book in the series by author Trenton Lee Stewart, is set to premiere in 2021.
Hale pulls double-duty on the series, starring as both Mr. Benedict, the “rumpled, affable eccentric genius” and head of the titular society, and his “frustratingly sharp, well-put-together (if villainous)” twin brother, Mr. Curtain. Kristen Schaal, Ryan Hurst, MaameYaa Boafo, Gia Sandhu, Seth Carr, Emmy DeOliveira, Mystic Inscho and Marta Timofeeva also star.
- 11/13/2020
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
“The Mysterious Benedict Society” series is being moved to Disney Plus after originally being developed for Hulu.
The show was originally ordered to series at Hulu last year, but is now slated to debut on fellow Disney-owned streamer Disney Plus in 2021. It is based on the book series of the same name by Trenton Lee Stewart.
“‘The Mysterious Benedict Society’ is a beautifully executed adaptation of the celebrated and beloved book series. It’s original, clever and fun for the whole family, which makes it the perfect fit for Disney+,” said Dana Walden, chairman of Entertainment for Walt Disney Television. “One of the great benefits to creators working with our company is that we have a platform that’s right for every series, and having seen the first few episodes of this show, there is no better home for it than Disney+.”
This marks the first time a project has...
The show was originally ordered to series at Hulu last year, but is now slated to debut on fellow Disney-owned streamer Disney Plus in 2021. It is based on the book series of the same name by Trenton Lee Stewart.
“‘The Mysterious Benedict Society’ is a beautifully executed adaptation of the celebrated and beloved book series. It’s original, clever and fun for the whole family, which makes it the perfect fit for Disney+,” said Dana Walden, chairman of Entertainment for Walt Disney Television. “One of the great benefits to creators working with our company is that we have a platform that’s right for every series, and having seen the first few episodes of this show, there is no better home for it than Disney+.”
This marks the first time a project has...
- 11/13/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
The Mysterious Benedict Society, starring Veep’s Tony Hale, is on the move – going from Hulu to Disney+.
The series, which is based on Trenton Lee Stewart’s best-selling YA books, originally was developed for Hulu but will now premiere on Disney’s streaming service in 2021.
It marks the first example of a show moving in that direction, though titles such as High Fidelity and Love, Victor have previously moved in the other direction.
The decision appears to be related to the tone of the content. Dana Walden, chairman of Entertainment at Walt Disney Television, said Mysterious Benedict Society is “fun for the whole family” and calling it a “perfect fit” for Disney+.
This comes after Walden was handed a new title earlier this week as part of a restructure at the media conglomerate that saw it separate content creation and distribution. Walden oversees development and production operations of Disney TV Studios,...
The series, which is based on Trenton Lee Stewart’s best-selling YA books, originally was developed for Hulu but will now premiere on Disney’s streaming service in 2021.
It marks the first example of a show moving in that direction, though titles such as High Fidelity and Love, Victor have previously moved in the other direction.
The decision appears to be related to the tone of the content. Dana Walden, chairman of Entertainment at Walt Disney Television, said Mysterious Benedict Society is “fun for the whole family” and calling it a “perfect fit” for Disney+.
This comes after Walden was handed a new title earlier this week as part of a restructure at the media conglomerate that saw it separate content creation and distribution. Walden oversees development and production operations of Disney TV Studios,...
- 11/13/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Producers Lily Blavin and Niki Koss have launched a new production company, Lightning Strikes Productions, and are developing Dave Pelzer’s best-selling memoir “A Child Called ‘It’: One Child’s Courage to Survive.”
“A Child Called ‘It'” was published in 1995 and detailed the abuse Pelzer suffered as a child from his alcoholic mother. The book was on The New York Times’ bestseller list for several years. The project will focus on a child’s unyielding courage for survival enabling him to overcome extreme life-threatening odds.
Blavin is producing along with Paul Blavin, David Goldblum and Karen Kehela Sherwood. Goldblum and Tamlin Hall are writing the script.
Blavin and Koss have set up Lightning Strikes with a focus on telling stories that contribute to changing the world in a positive way, while serving as a cathartic escape. As part of the launch, they are currently in pre-production on an untitled documentary directed by Ross Kauffman,...
“A Child Called ‘It'” was published in 1995 and detailed the abuse Pelzer suffered as a child from his alcoholic mother. The book was on The New York Times’ bestseller list for several years. The project will focus on a child’s unyielding courage for survival enabling him to overcome extreme life-threatening odds.
Blavin is producing along with Paul Blavin, David Goldblum and Karen Kehela Sherwood. Goldblum and Tamlin Hall are writing the script.
Blavin and Koss have set up Lightning Strikes with a focus on telling stories that contribute to changing the world in a positive way, while serving as a cathartic escape. As part of the launch, they are currently in pre-production on an untitled documentary directed by Ross Kauffman,...
- 11/11/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
From VancouverFilm.Net, here is the Vancouver Film Production Update for June 2020, including features/ TV series temporarily suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic:
Features
Bonfire (Temporarily Suspended)
Local Production Company: No Clocks Productions Ltd.
Executive Producer: Tom Hammel
Producer: Jim Whitaker, Joe Roth
Director: David Lowery
Ellington (Temporarily Suspended)
Local Production Company: Swan Song BC Productions Inc.
Executive Producer: Shea Kammer, Jonathan King, Adam Shulman, Jacob Perlin
Director: Ben Cleary
Untitled Graham King Project (Temporarily Suspended)
Local Production Company: Cold Hut Production Ulc.
Executive Producer: Nicola Shindler, Graham King, Ken Kamins, Sally Wainwright, Colin Vaines
Producer: Nan Morales
Director: Nora Fingscheidt
TV Pilots
Kung Fu (Temporarily Suspended)
Local Production Company: 3253 Production Services Inc.
Executive Producer: Christina M. Kim, Martin Gero, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Hanelle Culpepper
Producer: Ian Smith
Director: Hanelle Culpepper
LA Brea (Temporarily Suspended)
Local Production Company: Gep La Brea Inc.
Executive Producer: David Appelbaum, Avi Nir, Alon Shtruzman,...
Features
Bonfire (Temporarily Suspended)
Local Production Company: No Clocks Productions Ltd.
Executive Producer: Tom Hammel
Producer: Jim Whitaker, Joe Roth
Director: David Lowery
Ellington (Temporarily Suspended)
Local Production Company: Swan Song BC Productions Inc.
Executive Producer: Shea Kammer, Jonathan King, Adam Shulman, Jacob Perlin
Director: Ben Cleary
Untitled Graham King Project (Temporarily Suspended)
Local Production Company: Cold Hut Production Ulc.
Executive Producer: Nicola Shindler, Graham King, Ken Kamins, Sally Wainwright, Colin Vaines
Producer: Nan Morales
Director: Nora Fingscheidt
TV Pilots
Kung Fu (Temporarily Suspended)
Local Production Company: 3253 Production Services Inc.
Executive Producer: Christina M. Kim, Martin Gero, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Hanelle Culpepper
Producer: Ian Smith
Director: Hanelle Culpepper
LA Brea (Temporarily Suspended)
Local Production Company: Gep La Brea Inc.
Executive Producer: David Appelbaum, Avi Nir, Alon Shtruzman,...
- 6/24/2020
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
Kristen Schaal, MaameYaa Boafo, Ryan Hurst, Gia Sandhu, Mystic Inscho, Emmy DeOliveira, Seth Carr and Marta Timofeeva (Welcome to Mercy) are set as series regulars opposite Tony Hale in The Mysterious Benedict Society, Hulu’s adventure drama series based on the best-selling Ya novel by Trenton Lee Stewart. The series hails from Sonar Entertainment, 20th Century Fox TV and Jamie Tarses’ Fanfare.
Written by Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, The Mysterious Benedict Society is the tale of four gifted orphans who are recruited by a eccentric, benefactor (Hale) to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as The Institute, they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications,...
Written by Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, The Mysterious Benedict Society is the tale of four gifted orphans who are recruited by a eccentric, benefactor (Hale) to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as The Institute, they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications,...
- 4/23/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Hulu’s upcoming series adaptation of “The Mysterious Benedict Society” has found its main cast.
Ryan Hurst, Kristen Schaal, MaameYaa Boafo, Gia Sandhu, Mystic Inscho, Emmy DeOliveira, Seth Carr, and Marta Timofeeva have all joined the show in series regular roles. They joined previously announced cast member Tony Hale, who will play Mr. Benedict and his twin brother, Mr. Curtain.
Based on the novel by Trenton Lee Stewart, “The Mysterious Benedict Society” is the tale of four gifted orphans who are recruited by an eccentric benefactor (Hale) to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as The Institute, they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications, while creating a new sort of family along the way.
Schaal has been cast as Number Two. Number Two is described as having the pointedness and precision of a well sharpened pencil. With an eccentric aura to her,...
Ryan Hurst, Kristen Schaal, MaameYaa Boafo, Gia Sandhu, Mystic Inscho, Emmy DeOliveira, Seth Carr, and Marta Timofeeva have all joined the show in series regular roles. They joined previously announced cast member Tony Hale, who will play Mr. Benedict and his twin brother, Mr. Curtain.
Based on the novel by Trenton Lee Stewart, “The Mysterious Benedict Society” is the tale of four gifted orphans who are recruited by an eccentric benefactor (Hale) to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as The Institute, they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications, while creating a new sort of family along the way.
Schaal has been cast as Number Two. Number Two is described as having the pointedness and precision of a well sharpened pencil. With an eccentric aura to her,...
- 4/23/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Hulu has tapped “Veep” alum Tony Hale to star in its adaptation of “The Mysterious Benedict Society.”
Based on the novel by Trenton Lee Stewart, the series follows four gifted orphans who are recruited by an eccentric, benefactor to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as “The Institute,” they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications, while creating a new sort of family along the way.
Hale will pull double-duty on the series, starring as both Mr. Benedict, the “rumpled, affable eccentric genius” and head of the titular society, and his “frustratingly sharp, well put-together (if villainous)” twin brother, Mr. Curtain.
Also Read: Judy Blume's 'Summer Sisters' Novel in Development as Hulu Limited Series
Matt Manfredi and and Phil Hay are adapting the series from the novels. Jamie Tarses and Karen Kehela Sherwood also serve as executive producers on the series...
Based on the novel by Trenton Lee Stewart, the series follows four gifted orphans who are recruited by an eccentric, benefactor to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as “The Institute,” they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications, while creating a new sort of family along the way.
Hale will pull double-duty on the series, starring as both Mr. Benedict, the “rumpled, affable eccentric genius” and head of the titular society, and his “frustratingly sharp, well put-together (if villainous)” twin brother, Mr. Curtain.
Also Read: Judy Blume's 'Summer Sisters' Novel in Development as Hulu Limited Series
Matt Manfredi and and Phil Hay are adapting the series from the novels. Jamie Tarses and Karen Kehela Sherwood also serve as executive producers on the series...
- 2/26/2020
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Veep standout Tony Hale has been tapped for the lead(s) in The Mysterious Benedict Society, Hulu’s adventure drama series based on the best-selling Ya novel by Trenton Lee Stewart. Two-time Emmy winner Hale will play the dual role of Mr. Benedict and his twin brother Mr. Curtain in the project from Sonar Entertainment, 20th Century Fox TV and Jamie Tarses’ Fanfare.
Written by Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, The Mysterious Benedict Society is the tale of four gifted orphans who are recruited by a eccentric, benefactor (Hale) to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as The Institute, they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications, while creating a new sort of family along the way.
Hale’s Mr. Benedict, a rumpled, affable eccentric genius, is the head of the Mysterious Benedict Society – a group of orphans he has recruited to save the world.
Written by Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, The Mysterious Benedict Society is the tale of four gifted orphans who are recruited by a eccentric, benefactor (Hale) to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as The Institute, they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications, while creating a new sort of family along the way.
Hale’s Mr. Benedict, a rumpled, affable eccentric genius, is the head of the Mysterious Benedict Society – a group of orphans he has recruited to save the world.
- 2/26/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Hulu is nearing a deal for a straight-to-series order for “The Mysterious Benedict Society,” based on the best-selling young adult novel of the same name by Trenton Lee Stewart, TheWrap has learned.
The show will be written by Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi, the writers behind Amazon’s “The Boys” series and the “Ride Along” films.
“The Mysterious Benedict Society” is described as the tale of four gifted orphans who are recruited by an eccentric benefactor to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as The Institute, they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications, while creating a new sort of family along the way.
Also Read: Hulu's 'Looking for Alaska' Trailer: Meet Alaska, the Coolest Girl in the World (Video)
Sonar Entertainment will co-produce with 20th Century Fox TV (part of Disney TV Studios) and Jamie Tarses’ Sony Pictures Television-based production company Fanfare.
The show will be written by Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi, the writers behind Amazon’s “The Boys” series and the “Ride Along” films.
“The Mysterious Benedict Society” is described as the tale of four gifted orphans who are recruited by an eccentric benefactor to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as The Institute, they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications, while creating a new sort of family along the way.
Also Read: Hulu's 'Looking for Alaska' Trailer: Meet Alaska, the Coolest Girl in the World (Video)
Sonar Entertainment will co-produce with 20th Century Fox TV (part of Disney TV Studios) and Jamie Tarses’ Sony Pictures Television-based production company Fanfare.
- 9/13/2019
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
Hulu is set to order a series version of Trenton Lee Stewart’s Ya novels “The Mysterious Benedict Society,” Variety has learned.
The series is described as the tale of four gifted orphans who are recruited by an eccentric benefactor to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as The Institute, they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications, while creating a new sort of family along the way.
Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay are adapting the series for television, with Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin set to serve as showrunners. Jamie Tarses, Karen Kehela Sherwood also executive producing. Sonar Entertainment developed the project and will serve as executive producers. 20th Century Fox Television is currently in negotiations to serve as the studio on the series.
“The Mysterious Benedict Society” novels were first published in 2007. Two sequels were subsequently published in 2008 and 2009 titled “The...
The series is described as the tale of four gifted orphans who are recruited by an eccentric benefactor to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as The Institute, they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications, while creating a new sort of family along the way.
Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay are adapting the series for television, with Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin set to serve as showrunners. Jamie Tarses, Karen Kehela Sherwood also executive producing. Sonar Entertainment developed the project and will serve as executive producers. 20th Century Fox Television is currently in negotiations to serve as the studio on the series.
“The Mysterious Benedict Society” novels were first published in 2007. Two sequels were subsequently published in 2008 and 2009 titled “The...
- 9/13/2019
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Hulu is finalizing deals for a straight-to-series order to The Mysterious Benedict Society, an adventure drama based on the best-selling Ya novel by Trenton Lee Stewart.
The project hails from Sonar Entertainment, which is expected to co-produce with Disney TV Studios’ 20th Century Fox TV, and Jamie Tarses’ Fanfare.
Written by writing duo Matt Manfredi and and Phil Hay (Ride Along movie franchise), The Mysterious Benedict Society is the tale of four gifted orphans who are recruited by a eccentric, benefactor to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as The Institute, they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications, while creating a new sort of family along the way.
Former Shadowhunters showrunners Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer serve as showrunners, James Bobin is set to direct the pilot episode. The trio executive produce with Manfredi, Hay, Tarses and Karen Kehela Sherwood (Frost/Nixon).
The Mysterious Benedict Society,...
The project hails from Sonar Entertainment, which is expected to co-produce with Disney TV Studios’ 20th Century Fox TV, and Jamie Tarses’ Fanfare.
Written by writing duo Matt Manfredi and and Phil Hay (Ride Along movie franchise), The Mysterious Benedict Society is the tale of four gifted orphans who are recruited by a eccentric, benefactor to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as The Institute, they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications, while creating a new sort of family along the way.
Former Shadowhunters showrunners Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer serve as showrunners, James Bobin is set to direct the pilot episode. The trio executive produce with Manfredi, Hay, Tarses and Karen Kehela Sherwood (Frost/Nixon).
The Mysterious Benedict Society,...
- 9/13/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Television’s biggest night took place in Century City, CA Saturday, September 16th, where the entertainment industry came together for the 11th annual “Evening Before” party, benefitting Mptf (Motion Picture & Television Fund).
Stars Attend 11th Annual Evening Before Party
Credit/Copyright: Getty Images For Mptf
The television industry, from Emmy presenters and nominees, to other TV industry members, helped raise funds to support their industry colleagues and friends who benefit from Mptf’s charitable programs and services such as financial assistance, crisis counseling, care giving support and of course the legendary retirement facility in Woodland Hills that is “home” to television and film veterans alike.
“The health and social service needs of our community continue to grow, especially during these last few years. The cost of delivering much-needed care can be overwhelming to Mptf’s resources, which makes events like the Evening Before more important now than ever,” said Jeffrey Katzenberg,...
Stars Attend 11th Annual Evening Before Party
Credit/Copyright: Getty Images For Mptf
The television industry, from Emmy presenters and nominees, to other TV industry members, helped raise funds to support their industry colleagues and friends who benefit from Mptf’s charitable programs and services such as financial assistance, crisis counseling, care giving support and of course the legendary retirement facility in Woodland Hills that is “home” to television and film veterans alike.
“The health and social service needs of our community continue to grow, especially during these last few years. The cost of delivering much-needed care can be overwhelming to Mptf’s resources, which makes events like the Evening Before more important now than ever,” said Jeffrey Katzenberg,...
- 9/19/2017
- Look to the Stars
The actress will play the lead in the thriller which the Los Angeles-based company will finance and introduce to worldwide buyers next week.
Jane Millen is scheduled to begin shooting in April 2017 and centres on a veteran detective battling her inner demons who is assigned to investigate the murder of wealthy couple.
Cynthia Mort, whose credits include The Brave One and Nina, will direct from her screenplay.
13 Films president Tannaz Anisi will produce the film alongside Karen Kehela Sherwood and former Endgame executive Greg Schenz.
Jai Khanna of Brillstein Entertainment Partners also serves as executive producer.
Kurylenko most recently appeared in Giuseppe Tornatore’s La Corrispondenza alongside Jeremy Irons and A Perfect Day with Benicio del Toro and Tim Robbins.
The 13 Films sales roster features family action adventure Four Kids And It starring Michael Caine, Bill Nighy, Paula Patton and Mathew Goode; political thriller Public Affairs with Thora Birch, Adrien Grenier and Mimi Rogers;sci-fi thriller Spectrum...
Jane Millen is scheduled to begin shooting in April 2017 and centres on a veteran detective battling her inner demons who is assigned to investigate the murder of wealthy couple.
Cynthia Mort, whose credits include The Brave One and Nina, will direct from her screenplay.
13 Films president Tannaz Anisi will produce the film alongside Karen Kehela Sherwood and former Endgame executive Greg Schenz.
Jai Khanna of Brillstein Entertainment Partners also serves as executive producer.
Kurylenko most recently appeared in Giuseppe Tornatore’s La Corrispondenza alongside Jeremy Irons and A Perfect Day with Benicio del Toro and Tim Robbins.
The 13 Films sales roster features family action adventure Four Kids And It starring Michael Caine, Bill Nighy, Paula Patton and Mathew Goode; political thriller Public Affairs with Thora Birch, Adrien Grenier and Mimi Rogers;sci-fi thriller Spectrum...
- 10/25/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Bel Powley and Kristen Wiig star in Marielle Heller’s adaptation of Phoebe Gloeckner’s graphic novel
Miranda Bailey is a veteran actress, writer, director and producer whose company Cold Iron Pictures just produced Marielle Heller’s “Diary of a Teenage Girl,” which premiered to strong reviews at Sundance on Saturday.
Bel Powley stars as the title character, who has an affair with her mother’s boyfriend, played by Alexander Skarsgard. Kristen Wiig co-stars in the film, which is being sold by UTA (domestic) and K5 (international).
Also Read: Sundance: ’99 Homes’ Director Calls Hollywood’s Lack of Diversity ‘Horrific’
Bailey...
Miranda Bailey is a veteran actress, writer, director and producer whose company Cold Iron Pictures just produced Marielle Heller’s “Diary of a Teenage Girl,” which premiered to strong reviews at Sundance on Saturday.
Bel Powley stars as the title character, who has an affair with her mother’s boyfriend, played by Alexander Skarsgard. Kristen Wiig co-stars in the film, which is being sold by UTA (domestic) and K5 (international).
Also Read: Sundance: ’99 Homes’ Director Calls Hollywood’s Lack of Diversity ‘Horrific’
Bailey...
- 1/25/2015
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
The Good Lie is titled after the lies in Huckleberry Finn, the type of lie that is a lie for the greater good, even if lying is wrong. The Good Lie, the movie, has a small opening this weekend in under 500 theaters and will hopefully begin to slowly expand to more theaters with it’s poster of smiling Reese Witherspoon’s head miraculously floating over an African desert. The poster for The Good Lie and the trailer for The Good Lie are, themselves, actual good lies because what looks like The Blind Side but with Reese Witherspoon is not, instead it’s one of those movies that will be shown to our children in school.
You remember the type of movie I’m talking about: you have a substitute or your teacher got a little ahead in the lesson plan or you have a half-holiday day so the class gets...
You remember the type of movie I’m talking about: you have a substitute or your teacher got a little ahead in the lesson plan or you have a half-holiday day so the class gets...
- 10/3/2014
- by Da7e
- LRMonline.com
The producers of The Good Lie have established the Good Lie Fund, named for the upcoming feature drama from Alcon Entertainment, Imagine Entertainment, Black Label Media and Warner Bros. Pictures. The film is based upon the harrowing and inspirational real-life experiences of thousands of children impacted by war in Sudan.
The Good Lie Fund (www.thegoodliefund.org) was created to support the humanitarian and educational needs of those who have come to be universally known as the Lost Boys and Girls, uprooted and orphaned by the Sudanese Civil War that began in 1983. Its initial focus will be the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, which came into being to meet the first wave of survivors of the conflict—the majority of them children, alone, and on foot—and which currently houses thousands of refugees fleeing from continuing violence and unrest.
The Fund will also seek to raise worldwide awareness of the...
The Good Lie Fund (www.thegoodliefund.org) was created to support the humanitarian and educational needs of those who have come to be universally known as the Lost Boys and Girls, uprooted and orphaned by the Sudanese Civil War that began in 1983. Its initial focus will be the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, which came into being to meet the first wave of survivors of the conflict—the majority of them children, alone, and on foot—and which currently houses thousands of refugees fleeing from continuing violence and unrest.
The Fund will also seek to raise worldwide awareness of the...
- 9/8/2014
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Reese Witherspoon stars in the feel good film on the fall – The Good Lie. Produced by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, the movie opens in theaters on October 3rd.
They were known simply as “The Lost Boys.”
Orphaned by the brutal Civil war in Sudan that began in 1983, these young victims traveled as many as a thousand miles on foot in search of safety. Fifteen years later, a humanitarian effort would bring 3600 lost boys and girls to America.
In The Good Lie, Philippe Falardeau, (writer and director of the Oscar- nominated Foreign Language film “Monsieur Lazhar”) brings the story of their survival and triumph to life. Academy Award winner Reese Witherspoon (“Walk the Line”) stars alongside Sudanese actors Arnold Oceng, Ger Duany, Emmanuel Jal, and newcomer Nyakuoth Weil, many of whom were also children of war.
Mamere and Theo are sons of the Chief in their village in Southern Sudan.
They were known simply as “The Lost Boys.”
Orphaned by the brutal Civil war in Sudan that began in 1983, these young victims traveled as many as a thousand miles on foot in search of safety. Fifteen years later, a humanitarian effort would bring 3600 lost boys and girls to America.
In The Good Lie, Philippe Falardeau, (writer and director of the Oscar- nominated Foreign Language film “Monsieur Lazhar”) brings the story of their survival and triumph to life. Academy Award winner Reese Witherspoon (“Walk the Line”) stars alongside Sudanese actors Arnold Oceng, Ger Duany, Emmanuel Jal, and newcomer Nyakuoth Weil, many of whom were also children of war.
Mamere and Theo are sons of the Chief in their village in Southern Sudan.
- 6/21/2014
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The Good Lie
Director: Philippe Falardeau
Writer: Margaret Nagle
Producers: Black Label Media’s Molly Smith, Imagine Ent.’s Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Karen Kehela Sherwood
U.S. Distributor: Right Available
Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Corey Stoll, Thad Luckinbill
With his film Monsieur Lazhar, nominated for Best Foreign Language Film, Canadian filmmaker Philippe Falardeau suddenly became a hot commodity and secured an English language debut starring Reese Witherspoon, an actress currently throwing herself into a gamut of independently minded film projects. While the plot sounds like a familiar configuration (several recent foreign films share a similar synopsis, like Terraferma or Le Havre), the director’s pedigree has us hopeful that this is definitely worth seeking out.
Gist: A Sudanese refugee is taken in by a straight-talking American woman in their new home in the United States.
Release Date: Reportedly in post-production, this seems like a vehicle prime for awards consideration grooming,...
Director: Philippe Falardeau
Writer: Margaret Nagle
Producers: Black Label Media’s Molly Smith, Imagine Ent.’s Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Karen Kehela Sherwood
U.S. Distributor: Right Available
Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Corey Stoll, Thad Luckinbill
With his film Monsieur Lazhar, nominated for Best Foreign Language Film, Canadian filmmaker Philippe Falardeau suddenly became a hot commodity and secured an English language debut starring Reese Witherspoon, an actress currently throwing herself into a gamut of independently minded film projects. While the plot sounds like a familiar configuration (several recent foreign films share a similar synopsis, like Terraferma or Le Havre), the director’s pedigree has us hopeful that this is definitely worth seeking out.
Gist: A Sudanese refugee is taken in by a straight-talking American woman in their new home in the United States.
Release Date: Reportedly in post-production, this seems like a vehicle prime for awards consideration grooming,...
- 2/21/2014
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Corey Stoll ("House Of Cards") and Sarah Baker ("The Campaign") have joined the cast of the drama "The Good Lie" at Alcon Entertainment and Warner Bros. Pictures.
Based on true events, the story follows a young Sudanese refugee (Arnold Oceng) who wins a lottery for relocation to the U.S. with three others.
Stoll will play Jack, the owner of an employment agency that helps the boys. Reese Witherspoon plays a brash American woman assigned to help them.
Philippe Falardeau ("Monsieur Lazhar") helms from a script by Margaret Nagle ("Boardwalk Empire").
Molly Smith, Trent and Thad Luckinbill, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Karen Kehela Sherwood are producing. Shooting begins Monday in Atlanta and Africa.
Source: Deadline...
Based on true events, the story follows a young Sudanese refugee (Arnold Oceng) who wins a lottery for relocation to the U.S. with three others.
Stoll will play Jack, the owner of an employment agency that helps the boys. Reese Witherspoon plays a brash American woman assigned to help them.
Philippe Falardeau ("Monsieur Lazhar") helms from a script by Margaret Nagle ("Boardwalk Empire").
Molly Smith, Trent and Thad Luckinbill, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Karen Kehela Sherwood are producing. Shooting begins Monday in Atlanta and Africa.
Source: Deadline...
- 4/4/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Reese Witherspoon is in talks to star in Philippe Falardeau's indie drama "The Good Lie" at Black Label Media.
The story follows a young refugee of the Sudanese Civil War who wins a lottery for relocation to the United States with three other lost boys.
They develop an unlikely friendship with a brash American woman assigned to help them, but the young man struggles to adjust to his new life and his feelings of guilt about the brother he left behind.
Falardeau ("Monsieur Lazhar") helms from a script by Margaret Nagle. Molly Smith, Trent Luckinbill, Thad Luckinbill, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Karen Kehela Sherwood will produce.
Source: Variety...
The story follows a young refugee of the Sudanese Civil War who wins a lottery for relocation to the United States with three other lost boys.
They develop an unlikely friendship with a brash American woman assigned to help them, but the young man struggles to adjust to his new life and his feelings of guilt about the brother he left behind.
Falardeau ("Monsieur Lazhar") helms from a script by Margaret Nagle. Molly Smith, Trent Luckinbill, Thad Luckinbill, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Karen Kehela Sherwood will produce.
Source: Variety...
- 1/25/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Reese Witherspoon is in talks to star in the The Good Lie directed by Philippe Falardeau (Monsieur Lazhar) with screenplay by Margaret Nagle (Warm Springs). The Good Lie will be produced by Molly Smith’s (The Blind Side) newly formed production and financing company Black Label Media. Along with the Black Label Media partners, Imagine’s Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Karen Kehela Sherwood are producers and Imagine’s Kim Roth and Reliance’s Deepak Nayar are named executive producers. Inspired by true events, The Good Lie follows a young refugee of the Sudanese Civil War who wins a lottery for relocation to the United States with three other lost boys. Encountering the modern world for the first time, they develop an unlikely friendship with a brash American woman assigned to help them, but the young man struggles to adjust to this new life and his feelings of guilt about the brother he left behind.
- 1/24/2013
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
Universal Pictures has some pretty big things in store for all of you movie lovers this year, and we have the scoop on their upcoming films. So check it out and enjoy!
Dream House (Sept 30th, 2011)
Genre: Suspense thriller
Cast: Daniel Craig, Naomi Watts, Rachel Weisz,Marton Csokas, Elias Koteas, Jane Alexander
Directed by: Jim Sheridan
Written by: David Loucka
Executive Producers: Rick Nicita, Mike Drake
Produced by: James G. Robinson, David Robinson, Daniel Bobker,Ehren Kruger
Some say that all houses have memories. For one man, his home is the place he would kill to forget. Daniel Craig, Naomi Watts and Rachel Weisz star in Dream House, a suspense thriller about a family that unknowingly moves into a home where grisly murders were committed.only to find themselves the killer.s next target.
Successful publisher Will Atenton (Craig) quit a high power job in Manhattan to relocate his wife,...
Dream House (Sept 30th, 2011)
Genre: Suspense thriller
Cast: Daniel Craig, Naomi Watts, Rachel Weisz,Marton Csokas, Elias Koteas, Jane Alexander
Directed by: Jim Sheridan
Written by: David Loucka
Executive Producers: Rick Nicita, Mike Drake
Produced by: James G. Robinson, David Robinson, Daniel Bobker,Ehren Kruger
Some say that all houses have memories. For one man, his home is the place he would kill to forget. Daniel Craig, Naomi Watts and Rachel Weisz star in Dream House, a suspense thriller about a family that unknowingly moves into a home where grisly murders were committed.only to find themselves the killer.s next target.
Successful publisher Will Atenton (Craig) quit a high power job in Manhattan to relocate his wife,...
- 7/30/2011
- by Melissa Howland
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
For those true geeks who keep a calendar of the upcoming movies throughout the year, Universal Pictures has some films that you may want to keep your eye out for. I’m the most interested in the first picture above for the 3rd version of The Thing and still wondering if it’ll be able to hold it’s own against the claustrophobia of the classic 1951 original and the shock value of John Carpenter’s 1981 horror film.
The Thing
Release: 10/14/2011
Genres: Thriller
Starring: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Joel Edgerton
Directed By: Matthijs van Heijningen
Produced By: Marc Abraham, Eric Newman
Synopsis:
Antarctica: an extraordinary continent of awesome beauty. It is also home to an isolated outpost where a discovery full of scientific possibility becomes a mission of survival when an alien is unearthed by a crew of international scientists. The shape-shifting creature, accidentally unleashed at this marooned colony, has the ability...
The Thing
Release: 10/14/2011
Genres: Thriller
Starring: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Joel Edgerton
Directed By: Matthijs van Heijningen
Produced By: Marc Abraham, Eric Newman
Synopsis:
Antarctica: an extraordinary continent of awesome beauty. It is also home to an isolated outpost where a discovery full of scientific possibility becomes a mission of survival when an alien is unearthed by a crew of international scientists. The shape-shifting creature, accidentally unleashed at this marooned colony, has the ability...
- 2/2/2011
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
New Delhi -- Reliance Big Entertainment has inked a partnership with Ron Howard and Brian Grazer's Imagine Entertainment to set up a writers' lab that will employ 10 screenwriters per year to develop both film and TV projects.
The partnership -- called Imagine Reliance Writers Lab -- extends last November's first-look deal between Imagine and Reliance, which also has similar silo funding deals with banners toplined by A-listers like George Clooney, Tom Hanks and Brad Pitt.
Reliance will fund an undisclosed amount for the program, which will be run by Imagine co-chairperson Karen Kehela Sherwood. Sherwood will oversee both the film development department at Imagine and also assign projects for the writers group. Reliance will have the rights to co-finance any project Imagine sets up at Universal Pictures or at other studios. Imagine has an existing first-look deal with Universal Pictures, which will have first rights on completed screenplays from the writers lab.
The partnership -- called Imagine Reliance Writers Lab -- extends last November's first-look deal between Imagine and Reliance, which also has similar silo funding deals with banners toplined by A-listers like George Clooney, Tom Hanks and Brad Pitt.
Reliance will fund an undisclosed amount for the program, which will be run by Imagine co-chairperson Karen Kehela Sherwood. Sherwood will oversee both the film development department at Imagine and also assign projects for the writers group. Reliance will have the rights to co-finance any project Imagine sets up at Universal Pictures or at other studios. Imagine has an existing first-look deal with Universal Pictures, which will have first rights on completed screenplays from the writers lab.
- 12/15/2010
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
While I had Ron Howard on the phone yesterday to discuss the Imagine/Reliance Writers Lab that Karen Kehela Sherwood will supervise, I wasn't going to let him get away without providing some update on The Dark Tower, the adaptation of Stephen King's novel series which Akiva Goldsman is writing and which Brian Grazer will produce with Goldsman and King. They plan to turn King's masterwork into a film trilogy with a network TV series programmed between films. Howard will direct the first film and the limited run series that will create a bridge to the second feature. "It is going well, and it has been incredibly stimulating to work on," Howard said. "It's dense, a great author's life work is not to be taken lightly. It has been utterly fascinating to explore it, and we are having great creative conversations. I've begun tossing and turning at 3 in the morning over it,...
- 12/14/2010
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Exclusive: Imagine Entertainment partners Brian Grazer and Ron Howard have started the Imagine/Reliance Writers Lab, an enterprising venture that pools a group of 10 screenwriters. Those writers are being paid a set annual salary to generate scripts in a variety of genres, and they are financially incentivized to participate in a collaborative support system. Universal Pictures and Reliance gets first crack at the screenplays that come out of the arrangement. The venture hatched from an idea that Howard has worked over in his mind for 15 years. The Lab will be run by Karen Kehela Sherwood, who has been an executive at Imagine for 24 years. She will continue to oversee other Imagine projects but will be the connective tissue between the writers who are participating in the experiment. “Basically at its core, the idea of this is meant to take away the loneliness from the creative process that writers face,” Howard told me.
- 12/13/2010
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
One of the benefits of shooting a movie in Manhattan is getting access to the town's stage talent. Matthew Broderick has been set by director Brett Ratner to join the cast of Tower Heist. He joins Ben Stiller, Eddie Murphy, Alan Alda, Tea Leoni, Gabourey Sidibe and Michael Pena in the Universal comedy. Broderick will play Chase Fitzhugh, a Wall Street guy who, like the building staff, had his finances cleaned out by the Bernie Madoff-like character played by Alda, who is under house arrest in the luxury penthouse apartment atop the building. Brian Grazer is producing and Karen Kehela Sherwood and Kim Roth are exec producers. Jeff Nathanson is rewriting Ted Griffin's draft.
- 10/26/2010
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Eddie Murphy is joining Ben Stiller and Alan Alda in Universal's "Tower Heist" according to Deadline. Brett Ratner is attached to direct with Imagine's Brian Grazer producing.
Murphy will also act as executive producer along with Karen Kehela Sherwood and Kim Roth. Jeff Nathanson is rewriting the script by Ted Griffin.
The storyline suggests that it's going to be a Wall Street crook versus maintenance workers comedy. The crook, who's under house arrest living the high life in a penthouse apartment, looted the workers. So the workers, led by an overworked building manager (to be played by Stiller), use their knowledge of the building to get back at the crook. It's like revenge of the janitors!
Murphy will also act as executive producer along with Karen Kehela Sherwood and Kim Roth. Jeff Nathanson is rewriting the script by Ted Griffin.
The storyline suggests that it's going to be a Wall Street crook versus maintenance workers comedy. The crook, who's under house arrest living the high life in a penthouse apartment, looted the workers. So the workers, led by an overworked building manager (to be played by Stiller), use their knowledge of the building to get back at the crook. It's like revenge of the janitors!
- 10/15/2010
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Eddie Murphy will star in the Universal comedy "Tower Heist," opposite Ben Stiller and Alan Alda.According to The Hollywood Reporter, Brett Ratner is directing.The project has seen several writers come and go, with Jeff Nathanson having rewritten the latest screenplay by Ted Griffin.The story follows an overworked residence manager (Stiller) of an exclusive apartment building who leads a team of the building's operations and maintenance workers on a meticulously planned heist of its penthouse tenant, a Wall Street player (Alda) who defrauded the workers of their pensions.Murphy will play a safecracker who aids Stiller and his gang. Brian Grazer will produce with Karen Kehela Sherwood and Kim Roth executive producing for Imagine Entertainment. Murphy is also executive producing.Murphy's latest films...
- 10/14/2010
- by Adnan Tezer
- Monsters and Critics
Exclusive: Eddie Murphy is set to join Ben Stiller and Alan Alda in Tower Heist, the Brett Ratner-directed caper film for Universal Pictures. Imagine's Brian Grazer is producing, and Murphy will join Karen Kehela Sherwood and Kim Roth as executive producers. Jeff Nathanson, Ratner's accomplice in the Rush Hour films, is rewriting the latest version by Ted Griffin. Murphy has been mentioned as a possible participant going back to the film's original configuration as an African American version of Ocean's Eleven, when it was called Trump Heist. Trump was dropped as was that casting equation, and now, the storyline deals with operations and maintenance workers in a luxury Manhattan high-rise whose pension funds were looted by a Bernie Madoff-like Wall Street crook, who is living high style in a penthouse apartment, under house arrest. Led by an overworked building manager (Stiller), the workers use their knowledge of the inner...
- 10/13/2010
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Reliance Big Entertainment has signed a development/production financing deal with Brian Grazer and Ron Howard's Imagine Entertainment. The first project under the deal will be the comedy Mofos, which is about two 20-something best friends who are unemployed, strapped for cash, down on their luck and decide to start up a business as Los Angeles' most unlikely male escorts. Mofos will be produced by Grazer, written by Josh Berghaus and Jay Shore and overseen by Karen Kehela Sherwood and Sarah Bowen at Imagine Entertainment. ...
- 12/3/2009
- BusinessofCinema
Bride of Frankenstein will be the latest horror remake to emerge from Universal and Imagine! The classic iconic image of a female monster (the first one in film?) is going to be reimagined for the 21st century by Neil Burger (The Illusionist), who will write and direct. Bride of Frankenstein has only been remade one other time, in 1985 starring Sting and Jennifer Beals. Who will play the Bride this time around?
The original 1935 movie was directed by James Whale and starred Boris Karloff as the monster and Elsa Lanchester as the titular bride...
It was a sequel to 1931's Frankenstein, also by Whale. The monster, played by Karloff, is on the run from an angry mob and persuades Dr. Frankenstein to create a female companion for him. The doctor is successful, but the bride rejects the monster, and her own unnatural existence, at the end of the movie.
Brian Grazer...
The original 1935 movie was directed by James Whale and starred Boris Karloff as the monster and Elsa Lanchester as the titular bride...
It was a sequel to 1931's Frankenstein, also by Whale. The monster, played by Karloff, is on the run from an angry mob and persuades Dr. Frankenstein to create a female companion for him. The doctor is successful, but the bride rejects the monster, and her own unnatural existence, at the end of the movie.
Brian Grazer...
- 6/17/2009
- by Superheidi
- Planet Fury
Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment, who appear to be the popular studio of this week with their entourage of films, electrocutes some life into the remake of The Bride of Frankenstein. The polished version is being written and directed by visually intriguing director Neil Burger, the same man who penned and helmed the Edward Norton starring film The Illusionist. Peeled off from The Hollywood Reporter is the rest of the information:
“Bride” has had a series of stops and starts. About five years ago, “American Splendor” scribes Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini were attached to write the screenplay for the Uni/Imagine update. Their concept was to set the picture in contemporary New York, with a young woman dying and then unnaturally brought back to life (Burger’s version is expected to differ significantly from that concept). Jacob Estes, a writer on Spider-Man spinoff “Venom,” also at one point...
“Bride” has had a series of stops and starts. About five years ago, “American Splendor” scribes Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini were attached to write the screenplay for the Uni/Imagine update. Their concept was to set the picture in contemporary New York, with a young woman dying and then unnaturally brought back to life (Burger’s version is expected to differ significantly from that concept). Jacob Estes, a writer on Spider-Man spinoff “Venom,” also at one point...
- 6/17/2009
- by Melissa Molina
- Atomic Popcorn
As Summer is coming to an end and Fall is fast approaching, Universal Pictures have let out their complete Fall Preview Line Up. The list contains a diverse selection of movies from based-on-true story drama "Flash of Genius" to children fantasy book adaptation "The Tale of Despereaux".
All of the information of those six films can be viewed below.
Flash of Genius
Based on The New Yorker Article Flash of Genius by: John Seabrook
Release date: October 3, 2008
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Cast: Greg Kinnear, Lauren Graham, Dermot Mulroney, Alan Alda
Directed by: Marc Abraham
Written by: Philip Railsback
Produced by: Roger Birnbaum, Gary Barber, Michael Lieber
Executive Producers: Jon Glickman, J. Miles Dale, Eric Newman, Tom Bliss
Official Site: www.flashofgenius.net
Synopsis:
Based on the true story of college professor and part-time inventor Robert Kearns' (Greg Kinnear) long battle with the U.S. automobile industry, Flash of Genius...
All of the information of those six films can be viewed below.
Flash of Genius
Based on The New Yorker Article Flash of Genius by: John Seabrook
Release date: October 3, 2008
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama
Cast: Greg Kinnear, Lauren Graham, Dermot Mulroney, Alan Alda
Directed by: Marc Abraham
Written by: Philip Railsback
Produced by: Roger Birnbaum, Gary Barber, Michael Lieber
Executive Producers: Jon Glickman, J. Miles Dale, Eric Newman, Tom Bliss
Official Site: www.flashofgenius.net
Synopsis:
Based on the true story of college professor and part-time inventor Robert Kearns' (Greg Kinnear) long battle with the U.S. automobile industry, Flash of Genius...
- 8/29/2008
- by AceShowbiz.com
- Aceshowbiz
Brian Helgeland has been brought on board to rewrite "Nottingham", Universal Pictures' revisionist take on the legend of Robin Hood. Russell Crowe is starring, Ridley Scott is directing and Imagine Entertainment's Brian Grazer is producing.
Crowe stars as the Sheriff of Nottingham in a scenario that sees him more noble lawman than an evil king's right-hand man and facing off with a more shadier Robin Hood in the Sherwood Forest.
Universal picked up "Nottingham" from Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris, creators of Showtime's "Sleeper Cell", in a massive bidding war in the winter, paying a handsome seven figures (HR 2/1).
The studio is hoping to being production early next year.
Dylan Clark is overseeing for the studio. Karen Kahela-Sherwood and Jim Whitaker oversee for Imagine.
Helgeland was nominated for a best adapted screenplay Oscar for writing 2004's "Mystic River" and won one for "L.A. Confidential", which he wrote with Curtis Hanson. Helgeland also is a director, whose credits include "Payback" and "A Knight's Tale".
He is repped by Endeavor.
Crowe stars as the Sheriff of Nottingham in a scenario that sees him more noble lawman than an evil king's right-hand man and facing off with a more shadier Robin Hood in the Sherwood Forest.
Universal picked up "Nottingham" from Ethan Reiff and Cyrus Voris, creators of Showtime's "Sleeper Cell", in a massive bidding war in the winter, paying a handsome seven figures (HR 2/1).
The studio is hoping to being production early next year.
Dylan Clark is overseeing for the studio. Karen Kahela-Sherwood and Jim Whitaker oversee for Imagine.
Helgeland was nominated for a best adapted screenplay Oscar for writing 2004's "Mystic River" and won one for "L.A. Confidential", which he wrote with Curtis Hanson. Helgeland also is a director, whose credits include "Payback" and "A Knight's Tale".
He is repped by Endeavor.
"Inside Man" is the dull title of a crackerjack crime thriller that also is the most commercial movie Spike Lee has directed.
Everything clicks. It has a solid, substantial marquee cast in Denzel Washington, Clive Owen and Jodie Foster; a cagey, even at times -- for a thriller -- thoughtful screenplay by Russell Gewirtz; and a production beautifully calibrated for its story and stars. This is the mother lode all action/suspense directors search for and Lee, who usually doesn't work in that genre, has hit it.
Boxoffice is bound to be strong, but can be even stronger if Universal's marketing and promotions successfully convince a broad spectrum of moviegoers that this is their movie. "Inside Man" takes material familiar to the point of triteness -- a bank heist, a hostage standoff and corruption New York-style, elements that have an almost nostalgic 1970s glow -- then turns everything on its head so the movie actually ends up saying something about American culture in 2006.
Without pushing things too far, "Inside Man" is the anti-"Crash" movie. Not that the film has no racial tensions and occasional flashes of prejudice, but "Inside Man" ultimately embraces the enormous ethnic and cultural diversity that is New York and by extension America. It even is a key plot point that in any give street of Manhattan you can broadcast a baffling language and someone is bound to know that language. Someone does.
The setup is indeed familiar enough that Lee and Gewirtz -- what a writing debut! -- actually rush through it. Four bad guys -- OK, it's really three guys and a girl -- take over a Manhattan branch bank disguised as painters. They hold about 50 people hostage. The NYPD gathers. Hostage negotiators Keith Frazier (Washington), who is under the cloud of a corruption scandal, and partner Bill Mitchell (Chiwetel Ejoifor) arrive on the scene. Emergency Services Unit Capt. John Darius (Willem Dafoe) bristles in a fit of jurisdictional pride and then the siege begins.
Only nothing goes as expected -- either for a bank heist or a bank heist movie. The head robber, Clive Owen's Dalton Russell, is a character at least as old as Alan Rickman's Eurotrash villain in "Die Hard", but this guy is somehow different: Unusually cool and calm, he is fully in control of the situation as he keeps a step or even a step and a half ahead of Frazier at all times. His gang blinds the bank's closed-circuit cameras, then force the hostages to dress in coverall outfits and facial disguises so police cannot tell the difference between hostage and hostage taker.
There is another perplexing element: The bank's board chairman Arthur Case (Christopher Plummer) clearly is more concerned about certain items in the safety deposit vault than in the lives of the hostages. So he hires slick, amoral power broker Madeline White (Foster) to handle very delicate negotiations with the New York mayor, Frazier and the hostage ringleader to protect his "interests."
For all the rising tension, beautifully orchestrated by Lee, Gewirtz leaves plenty of "air" in his story. Meaning, spaces to further develop characters or themes -- some an end to themselves and others that will pay off later. Example: An interchange between Dalton and a young black boy, who is his hostage, regarding the boy's super-violent pocket video game, in which a gangsta hero shoots his way through an urban environment, inspires moral indignation in the old-school thief. Seemingly fringe characters also have the encouraging habit of abruptly becoming integral to the plot or the conveyors of sharp observations about current American culture.
In the end, this "air" turns out to be more than air. There is an agenda within this intricately plotted, witty crime thriller. Helping Lee, whose direction has never been more astute, realize the script's high ambition is production designer Wynn Thomas, who keeps a claustrophobic experience feeling almost expansive; cinematographer Matthew Libatique, who makes things gritty but with dark, saturated, burnished tones that are never quite real; and Terence Blanchard's musical score, which becomes almost a character in itself, commenting on situations, holding back for others, then swelling expressively when circumstances warrant.
The film is even hip enough to open with "Chaiyya Chaiyya", one of the biggest Bollywood hits last year, then close with the same song remixed with rap. Very cool.
INSIDE MAN
Universal Pictures
Imagine Entertainment
Credits:
Director: Spike Lee
Screenwriter: Russell Gewirtz
Producer: Brian Grazer
Executive producers: Daniel M. Rosenberg, Jon Kilik, Karen Kehela Sherwood, Kim Roth
Director of photography: Matthew Libatique
Production designer: Wynn Thomas
Music: Terence Blanchard
Co-producer: Jonathan Filley
Costumes: Donna Berwick
Editor: Barry Alexander Brown
Cast:
Keith Frazier: Denzel Washington
Dalton Russell: Clive Owen
Madeline White: Jodie Foster
Arthur Case: Christopher Plummer
John Darius: Willem Dafoe
Bill Mitchell: Chiwetel Ejiofor
Steve Carlos: Andres Gomez
Stevie: Kim Director
Steve-O: James Ransone
MPAA rating R
Running time -- 128 minutes...
Everything clicks. It has a solid, substantial marquee cast in Denzel Washington, Clive Owen and Jodie Foster; a cagey, even at times -- for a thriller -- thoughtful screenplay by Russell Gewirtz; and a production beautifully calibrated for its story and stars. This is the mother lode all action/suspense directors search for and Lee, who usually doesn't work in that genre, has hit it.
Boxoffice is bound to be strong, but can be even stronger if Universal's marketing and promotions successfully convince a broad spectrum of moviegoers that this is their movie. "Inside Man" takes material familiar to the point of triteness -- a bank heist, a hostage standoff and corruption New York-style, elements that have an almost nostalgic 1970s glow -- then turns everything on its head so the movie actually ends up saying something about American culture in 2006.
Without pushing things too far, "Inside Man" is the anti-"Crash" movie. Not that the film has no racial tensions and occasional flashes of prejudice, but "Inside Man" ultimately embraces the enormous ethnic and cultural diversity that is New York and by extension America. It even is a key plot point that in any give street of Manhattan you can broadcast a baffling language and someone is bound to know that language. Someone does.
The setup is indeed familiar enough that Lee and Gewirtz -- what a writing debut! -- actually rush through it. Four bad guys -- OK, it's really three guys and a girl -- take over a Manhattan branch bank disguised as painters. They hold about 50 people hostage. The NYPD gathers. Hostage negotiators Keith Frazier (Washington), who is under the cloud of a corruption scandal, and partner Bill Mitchell (Chiwetel Ejoifor) arrive on the scene. Emergency Services Unit Capt. John Darius (Willem Dafoe) bristles in a fit of jurisdictional pride and then the siege begins.
Only nothing goes as expected -- either for a bank heist or a bank heist movie. The head robber, Clive Owen's Dalton Russell, is a character at least as old as Alan Rickman's Eurotrash villain in "Die Hard", but this guy is somehow different: Unusually cool and calm, he is fully in control of the situation as he keeps a step or even a step and a half ahead of Frazier at all times. His gang blinds the bank's closed-circuit cameras, then force the hostages to dress in coverall outfits and facial disguises so police cannot tell the difference between hostage and hostage taker.
There is another perplexing element: The bank's board chairman Arthur Case (Christopher Plummer) clearly is more concerned about certain items in the safety deposit vault than in the lives of the hostages. So he hires slick, amoral power broker Madeline White (Foster) to handle very delicate negotiations with the New York mayor, Frazier and the hostage ringleader to protect his "interests."
For all the rising tension, beautifully orchestrated by Lee, Gewirtz leaves plenty of "air" in his story. Meaning, spaces to further develop characters or themes -- some an end to themselves and others that will pay off later. Example: An interchange between Dalton and a young black boy, who is his hostage, regarding the boy's super-violent pocket video game, in which a gangsta hero shoots his way through an urban environment, inspires moral indignation in the old-school thief. Seemingly fringe characters also have the encouraging habit of abruptly becoming integral to the plot or the conveyors of sharp observations about current American culture.
In the end, this "air" turns out to be more than air. There is an agenda within this intricately plotted, witty crime thriller. Helping Lee, whose direction has never been more astute, realize the script's high ambition is production designer Wynn Thomas, who keeps a claustrophobic experience feeling almost expansive; cinematographer Matthew Libatique, who makes things gritty but with dark, saturated, burnished tones that are never quite real; and Terence Blanchard's musical score, which becomes almost a character in itself, commenting on situations, holding back for others, then swelling expressively when circumstances warrant.
The film is even hip enough to open with "Chaiyya Chaiyya", one of the biggest Bollywood hits last year, then close with the same song remixed with rap. Very cool.
INSIDE MAN
Universal Pictures
Imagine Entertainment
Credits:
Director: Spike Lee
Screenwriter: Russell Gewirtz
Producer: Brian Grazer
Executive producers: Daniel M. Rosenberg, Jon Kilik, Karen Kehela Sherwood, Kim Roth
Director of photography: Matthew Libatique
Production designer: Wynn Thomas
Music: Terence Blanchard
Co-producer: Jonathan Filley
Costumes: Donna Berwick
Editor: Barry Alexander Brown
Cast:
Keith Frazier: Denzel Washington
Dalton Russell: Clive Owen
Madeline White: Jodie Foster
Arthur Case: Christopher Plummer
John Darius: Willem Dafoe
Bill Mitchell: Chiwetel Ejiofor
Steve Carlos: Andres Gomez
Stevie: Kim Director
Steve-O: James Ransone
MPAA rating R
Running time -- 128 minutes...
- 3/20/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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