Michelle Yeoh has been set as the lead in the upcoming crime action-thriller ‘The Mother.’
Based on the screenplay by P.G. Cuschieri, Yeoh plays an immigrant mother and businesswoman trying to make a new life for her family in America. But when her two teenage sons stumble into trouble with a Boston crime ring, she’s forced to rekindle her past to save them.
Also in news – Ewan McGregor set for David Robert Mitchell’s mystery dinosaur movie
French actor-director Melanie Laurent will take the director’s chair while Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee will produce through Thunder Road (“John Wick Franchise”), alongside Arthur Sarkissian and John Schramm; Stuart Ford will executive produce for AGC Studios alongside 30West.
Production is set to kick off this summer. AGC International and CAA Media Finance represent the film’s worldwide distribution rights and will introduce the film to buyers at the upcoming EFM.
Based on the screenplay by P.G. Cuschieri, Yeoh plays an immigrant mother and businesswoman trying to make a new life for her family in America. But when her two teenage sons stumble into trouble with a Boston crime ring, she’s forced to rekindle her past to save them.
Also in news – Ewan McGregor set for David Robert Mitchell’s mystery dinosaur movie
French actor-director Melanie Laurent will take the director’s chair while Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee will produce through Thunder Road (“John Wick Franchise”), alongside Arthur Sarkissian and John Schramm; Stuart Ford will executive produce for AGC Studios alongside 30West.
Production is set to kick off this summer. AGC International and CAA Media Finance represent the film’s worldwide distribution rights and will introduce the film to buyers at the upcoming EFM.
- 2/15/2024
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Michelle Yeoh is to star in the action thriller 'The Mother'.The Oscar-winning actress has been cast in the high-octane movie from director Melanie Laurent.Michelle will play the role of Ann, an immigrant mother and businesswoman who is looking to make the best of her new life in America for her family.When her two teenage sons stumble into trouble with a corrupt Boston cop and a crime ring, Ann has no choice but to rekindle her past and will stop at nothing until her kids are safe.The movie will shoot this summer and has Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee producing for Thunder Road alongside Arthur Sarkissian and John Schramm.The film will be introduced to buyers at the European Film Market in Berlin this week.Michelle became the first Asian performer to win the Oscar for Best Actress last year for her role as Evelyn Quan Wang...
- 2/15/2024
- by Joe Graber
- Bang Showbiz
Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh is set to star in the action thriller The Mother.
Melanie Laurent will direct the high-octane movie being shopped to international buyers in Berlin. Yeoh will play Ann, an immigrant mother and businesswoman looking to make the best of her new life in America for her family.
When her two teenage sons stumble into trouble with a Boston dirty cop and a crime ring, Ann has no choice but to rekindle her past and stop at nothing until they are safe. Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee will produce through Thunder Road, alongside Arthur Sarkissian and John Schramm.
The Mother will shoot in summer 2024. Stuart Ford will executive produce for AGC Studios alongside 30West, which is financing the pic.
AGC International and CAA Media Finance hold the film’s worldwide distribution rights and will introduce the film to buyers at EFM in Berlin. Yeoh is represented by Aig.
Melanie Laurent will direct the high-octane movie being shopped to international buyers in Berlin. Yeoh will play Ann, an immigrant mother and businesswoman looking to make the best of her new life in America for her family.
When her two teenage sons stumble into trouble with a Boston dirty cop and a crime ring, Ann has no choice but to rekindle her past and stop at nothing until they are safe. Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee will produce through Thunder Road, alongside Arthur Sarkissian and John Schramm.
The Mother will shoot in summer 2024. Stuart Ford will executive produce for AGC Studios alongside 30West, which is financing the pic.
AGC International and CAA Media Finance hold the film’s worldwide distribution rights and will introduce the film to buyers at EFM in Berlin. Yeoh is represented by Aig.
- 2/14/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Michelle Yeoh is set to star in Melanie Laurent’s action thriller The Mother with AGC International launching sales at EFM.
Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee will produce through Thunder Road (John Wick franchise) alongside Arthur Sarkissian and John Schramm, with Stuart Ford serving as executive producer for AGC Studios alongside 30West, which is financing the project.
Based on the screenplay by P.G. Cuschieri, The Mother follows an immigrant businesswoman who revisits her past in order to help her two teenage sons after they fall foul of a corrupt Boston police officer and a crime ring.
Production is scheduled to commence this summer.
Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee will produce through Thunder Road (John Wick franchise) alongside Arthur Sarkissian and John Schramm, with Stuart Ford serving as executive producer for AGC Studios alongside 30West, which is financing the project.
Based on the screenplay by P.G. Cuschieri, The Mother follows an immigrant businesswoman who revisits her past in order to help her two teenage sons after they fall foul of a corrupt Boston police officer and a crime ring.
Production is scheduled to commence this summer.
- 2/14/2024
- ScreenDaily
Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh is getting back in the action business.
The “Everything Everywhere All At Once” star is lead “The Mother,” the latest turn behind the camera from French actor-director Melanie Laurent. The movie is based on the screenplay by P.G. Cuschieri.
The film sees Yeoh playing an immigrant mother and businesswoman trying to make a new life for her family in America. But when her two teenage sons stumble into trouble with a Boston crime ring, she’s forced to rekindle her past to save them.
AGC Studios are selling the project and will be introducing it to buyer at the European Film Market in Berlin. Thunder Road is producing while 30West is financing.
Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee will produce through Thunder Road (“John Wick Franchise”), alongside Arthur Sarkissian and John Schramm; Stuart Ford will executive produce for AGC Studios alongside 30West.
Production is set to kick off this summer.
The “Everything Everywhere All At Once” star is lead “The Mother,” the latest turn behind the camera from French actor-director Melanie Laurent. The movie is based on the screenplay by P.G. Cuschieri.
The film sees Yeoh playing an immigrant mother and businesswoman trying to make a new life for her family in America. But when her two teenage sons stumble into trouble with a Boston crime ring, she’s forced to rekindle her past to save them.
AGC Studios are selling the project and will be introducing it to buyer at the European Film Market in Berlin. Thunder Road is producing while 30West is financing.
Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee will produce through Thunder Road (“John Wick Franchise”), alongside Arthur Sarkissian and John Schramm; Stuart Ford will executive produce for AGC Studios alongside 30West.
Production is set to kick off this summer.
- 2/14/2024
- by Alex Ritman and Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh has boarded the action thriller The Mother.
The Mélanie Laurent action thriller is based on the screenplay by P.G. Cuschieri and follows an immigrant mother and businesswoman, Ann, who’s attempting to make the best of her new life in America with her family. When her two teenage sons stumble into trouble with a Boston dirty cop and a crime ring, the mother has no choice but to rekindle her past and will stop at nothing until they are safe.
Production is beginning this summer on the 30West financed production.
AGC International and CAA Media Finance represent the film’s worldwide distribution rights and will introduce the film to buyers at the upcoming EFM.
Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee will produce through Thunder Road (John Wick Franchise) alongside Arthur Sarkissian and John Schramm; Stuart Ford will executive produce for AGC Studios alongside 30West.
The Mélanie Laurent action thriller is based on the screenplay by P.G. Cuschieri and follows an immigrant mother and businesswoman, Ann, who’s attempting to make the best of her new life in America with her family. When her two teenage sons stumble into trouble with a Boston dirty cop and a crime ring, the mother has no choice but to rekindle her past and will stop at nothing until they are safe.
Production is beginning this summer on the 30West financed production.
AGC International and CAA Media Finance represent the film’s worldwide distribution rights and will introduce the film to buyers at the upcoming EFM.
Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee will produce through Thunder Road (John Wick Franchise) alongside Arthur Sarkissian and John Schramm; Stuart Ford will executive produce for AGC Studios alongside 30West.
- 2/14/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro and Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
A fourth Rush Hour movie is something that has occasionally pinged the news radar, for different reasons. In June of 2012, star Jackie Chan was saying he didn't think it would happen, only for producer Arthur Sarkissian to strike a more positive tone the following month. Now, a decade later, it's Chan who is saying that it's more likely.
Speaking at the Red Sea Film Festival, he said, "We’re talking about part 4 right now,” adding that he'd be speaking to the director about the idea in the evening.
He didn't clarify who he meant, but though Brett Ratner directed all of the other movies, which saw Chan's Hong Kong cop paired with Chris Tucker's chatty LAPD officer. Ratner, however, has effectively been a pariah in Hollywood since he was the subject of multiple claims of sexual misconduct.
It sounds, then, like someone new could be calling the shots, but...
Speaking at the Red Sea Film Festival, he said, "We’re talking about part 4 right now,” adding that he'd be speaking to the director about the idea in the evening.
He didn't clarify who he meant, but though Brett Ratner directed all of the other movies, which saw Chan's Hong Kong cop paired with Chris Tucker's chatty LAPD officer. Ratner, however, has effectively been a pariah in Hollywood since he was the subject of multiple claims of sexual misconduct.
It sounds, then, like someone new could be calling the shots, but...
- 12/8/2022
- by James White
- Empire - Movies
The Golden Angel Awards ceremony in San Gabriel, California, was an occasion that kept politics in the foreground, but which simultaneously managed to downplay the frosty current state of U.S.-China diplomatic relations.
The awards event on Friday night also served as the opening ceremony of the 18th edition of the Chinese American Film Festival (Caff) and Chinese American TV Festival (Catf), annual events which showcase Chinese movies in the home state of American moviemaking.
After an elegant fashion show by Chinese womenswear brand Yu Tai Xiang, U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu took to the stage to speak about the upcoming midterm elections in the U.S., talk up Chinese-American history, and to rail against the recent rise in anti-Asian hate crimes in the U.S.
“We need the [U.S.] public to know that Aapi [Asian American and Pacific Islander] history is American history,” she said.
Caff organizer James Su laid down a similarly laudable message.
The awards event on Friday night also served as the opening ceremony of the 18th edition of the Chinese American Film Festival (Caff) and Chinese American TV Festival (Catf), annual events which showcase Chinese movies in the home state of American moviemaking.
After an elegant fashion show by Chinese womenswear brand Yu Tai Xiang, U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu took to the stage to speak about the upcoming midterm elections in the U.S., talk up Chinese-American history, and to rail against the recent rise in anti-Asian hate crimes in the U.S.
“We need the [U.S.] public to know that Aapi [Asian American and Pacific Islander] history is American history,” she said.
Caff organizer James Su laid down a similarly laudable message.
- 11/7/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Lucy Hale (Ragdoll), Ashley Greene (The Immaculate Room), Vincent Laresca (Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood), Jake Cannavale (The Offer), Robert Davi (The Goonies), Greg Finley (I Love Us), Bo Dietl (Godfather of Harlem), Sid Rosenberg (Gravesend), Jeremy Luke (Pep) and James Russo (Gravesend) have signed on to star alongside Emile Hirsch in director Danny A. Abeckaser’s crime thriller Gemini Lounge, which marks the first feature from Rush Hour producer Arthur Sarkissian’s new media and entertainment company, Global Ascension Studios.
In Gemini Lounge, demoted detective Bobby Belucci (Hirsch) is given the opportunity to go undercover and take down the mob’s most ruthless killer, but his life and only chance at redemption spiral out of control as he loses himself in the role. Global Ascension is producing in partnership with Abeckaser’s 2B Films and Kyle Stefanski’s Wild7 Films, with Stefanski also set to appear in the feature,...
In Gemini Lounge, demoted detective Bobby Belucci (Hirsch) is given the opportunity to go undercover and take down the mob’s most ruthless killer, but his life and only chance at redemption spiral out of control as he loses himself in the role. Global Ascension is producing in partnership with Abeckaser’s 2B Films and Kyle Stefanski’s Wild7 Films, with Stefanski also set to appear in the feature,...
- 3/29/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
“The Flash” star Greg Finley is set to join Emile Hirsch (“Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood”) in indie crime thriller “Gemini Lounge,” Variety can confirm exclusively.
The film, the first from “Rush Hour” producer Arthur Sarkissian’s new media and entertainment company Global Ascension Studios, is directed by Danny A. Abeckaser (“Mob Town”).
“Gemini Lounge” sees Hirsh star as Bobby Belucci, a demoted detective who goes under cover in an attempt to take down the mob’s most ruthless killer. As Belucci loses himself in the role, he finds his life spiraling out of control – and with it, his last chance at redemption.
Finley will play one of the mob’s hitmen, gangster Anthony Senter.
Production has kicked off in the Los Angeles area, with additional photography to be shot in New York.
Finley is perhaps best known for his five season turn in “The Secret Life of the American Teenager...
The film, the first from “Rush Hour” producer Arthur Sarkissian’s new media and entertainment company Global Ascension Studios, is directed by Danny A. Abeckaser (“Mob Town”).
“Gemini Lounge” sees Hirsh star as Bobby Belucci, a demoted detective who goes under cover in an attempt to take down the mob’s most ruthless killer. As Belucci loses himself in the role, he finds his life spiraling out of control – and with it, his last chance at redemption.
Finley will play one of the mob’s hitmen, gangster Anthony Senter.
Production has kicked off in the Los Angeles area, with additional photography to be shot in New York.
Finley is perhaps best known for his five season turn in “The Secret Life of the American Teenager...
- 3/17/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Emile Hirsch (Into the Wild) has signed on to star in the crime thriller Gemini Lounge, marking the first feature from producer Rush Hour producer Arthur Sarkissian’s new media and entertainment company Global Ascension Studios.
In the film directed by Danny A. Abeckaser (Mob Town), demoted detective Bobby Belucci (Hirsch) is given the opportunity to go undercover and take down the mob’s most ruthless killer, but his life and only chance at redemption spiral out of control as he loses himself in the role.
Global Ascension is producing in partnership with Abeckaser’s 2B Films and Kyle Stefanski’s Wild7 Films.
“My goal with Global Ascension is to create quality films that attract the top talent in the industry, and I’m thrilled that Emile has signed on to play in the lead role in Gemini Lounge, for which he is perfectly cast,” said Sarkissian, who heads...
In the film directed by Danny A. Abeckaser (Mob Town), demoted detective Bobby Belucci (Hirsch) is given the opportunity to go undercover and take down the mob’s most ruthless killer, but his life and only chance at redemption spiral out of control as he loses himself in the role.
Global Ascension is producing in partnership with Abeckaser’s 2B Films and Kyle Stefanski’s Wild7 Films.
“My goal with Global Ascension is to create quality films that attract the top talent in the industry, and I’m thrilled that Emile has signed on to play in the lead role in Gemini Lounge, for which he is perfectly cast,” said Sarkissian, who heads...
- 3/2/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Briarcliff Entertainment, in partnership with Open Road Films, has acquired U.S. distribution rights to Memory, an action vehicle that stars Liam Neeson and is directed by Martin Campbell. Pic is financed by Teddy Schwarzman’s Black Bear Pictures. This marks the fourth pic for Neeson and Briarcliff/Open Road, following Honest Thief, The Marksman and the upcoming Blacklight. They’ve set a wide U.S. theatrical release on April 29, 2022, per Briarcliff and Open Road’s Tom Ortenberg and Black Bear’s Teddy Schwarzman and Michael Heimler.
In Memory, Neeson plays Alex Lewis, an expert assassin with a reputation for discreet precision. Caught in a moral quagmire, the assassin refuses to complete a job that violates his code and must quickly hunt down and kill the people who hired him before they and FBI agent Vincent Serra (Guy Pearce) find him first. Alex is built for revenge but, with...
In Memory, Neeson plays Alex Lewis, an expert assassin with a reputation for discreet precision. Caught in a moral quagmire, the assassin refuses to complete a job that violates his code and must quickly hunt down and kill the people who hired him before they and FBI agent Vincent Serra (Guy Pearce) find him first. Alex is built for revenge but, with...
- 12/14/2021
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
“The confident Ms. Q seems to be more than up for the task of carrying the lead in a “go-for-broke” energetic action-thriller.”
Read Jim Batts’ review Here.
Rescued as a child by the legendary assassin Moody (Samuel L. Jackson) and trained in the family business, Anna (Maggie Q) is the world’s most skilled contract killer. But when Moody – the man who was like a father to her and taught her everything she needs to know about trust and survival – is brutally killed, Anna vows revenge. As she becomes entangled with an enigmatic killer (Michael Keaton) whose attraction to her goes way beyond cat and mouse, their confrontation turns deadly and the loose ends of a life spent killing will weave themselves even tighter.
Directed by Martin Campbell and written by Richard Wenk, the film is produced by Arthur Sarkissian, Moshe Diamant, Rob Van Norden, Yariv Lerner, and Chris Milburn.
Read Jim Batts’ review Here.
Rescued as a child by the legendary assassin Moody (Samuel L. Jackson) and trained in the family business, Anna (Maggie Q) is the world’s most skilled contract killer. But when Moody – the man who was like a father to her and taught her everything she needs to know about trust and survival – is brutally killed, Anna vows revenge. As she becomes entangled with an enigmatic killer (Michael Keaton) whose attraction to her goes way beyond cat and mouse, their confrontation turns deadly and the loose ends of a life spent killing will weave themselves even tighter.
Directed by Martin Campbell and written by Richard Wenk, the film is produced by Arthur Sarkissian, Moshe Diamant, Rob Van Norden, Yariv Lerner, and Chris Milburn.
- 8/22/2021
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Daisy Head, who can currently be seen in the new Netflix series Shadow and Bone, has signed on for Paramount and eOne’s untitled Dungeons & Dragons film adaptation, based on the world of D&d, the popular Hasbro game franchise from Wizards of the Coast.
Head is joining the ensemble cast that includes Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Justice Smith, Rege-Jean Page, Hugh Grant, and Sophia Lillis. Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley co-wrote and are co-directing the film, with Goldstein recently tweeting that production was officially underway.
Jeremy Latcham and Hasbro’s Brian Goldner are producing the project.
Head can be seen as Genya Safin in Shadow and Bone. Her other credits include the Hulu series Harlots, the 2021 reboot of Wrong Turn franchise, and the Underworld franchise. She is repped by Luber Roklin Entertainment, UK agency Gordon and French, and attorney Derek Kroeger.
***
Paul Johansson (One Tree Hill) has...
Head is joining the ensemble cast that includes Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Justice Smith, Rege-Jean Page, Hugh Grant, and Sophia Lillis. Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley co-wrote and are co-directing the film, with Goldstein recently tweeting that production was officially underway.
Jeremy Latcham and Hasbro’s Brian Goldner are producing the project.
Head can be seen as Genya Safin in Shadow and Bone. Her other credits include the Hulu series Harlots, the 2021 reboot of Wrong Turn franchise, and the Underworld franchise. She is repped by Luber Roklin Entertainment, UK agency Gordon and French, and attorney Derek Kroeger.
***
Paul Johansson (One Tree Hill) has...
- 5/21/2021
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Rescued as a child by the legendary assassin Moody (Samuel L. Jackson) and trained in the family business, Anna (Maggie Q) is the world’s most skilled contract killer. But when Moody – the man who was like a father to her and taught her everything she needs to know about trust and survival – is brutally killed, Anna vows revenge.
As she becomes entangled with an enigmatic killer (Michael Keaton) whose attraction to her goes way beyond cat and mouse, their confrontation turns deadly and the loose ends of a life spent killing will weave themselves even tighter.
Directed by Martin Campbell (Casino Royale) and written by Richard Wenk, the film is produced by Arthur Sarkissian, Moshe Diamant, Rob Van Norden, Yariv Lerner, and Chris Milburn.
The film opens only in theaters August 20, 2021.
Maggie Q as Anna, Samuel L. Jackson as Moody, and Robert Patrick as Billy Boy in The Protégé.
As she becomes entangled with an enigmatic killer (Michael Keaton) whose attraction to her goes way beyond cat and mouse, their confrontation turns deadly and the loose ends of a life spent killing will weave themselves even tighter.
Directed by Martin Campbell (Casino Royale) and written by Richard Wenk, the film is produced by Arthur Sarkissian, Moshe Diamant, Rob Van Norden, Yariv Lerner, and Chris Milburn.
The film opens only in theaters August 20, 2021.
Maggie Q as Anna, Samuel L. Jackson as Moody, and Robert Patrick as Billy Boy in The Protégé.
- 5/11/2021
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Lionsgate has released the first trailer for The Protégé, a new action-thriller starring Maggie Q, Samuel L. Jackson, and Michael Keaton. The film opens in theaters on August 20th.
The Protégé stars Maggie Q as Anna, a contract killer who was rescued as a child by the legendary assassin Moody (Jackson) and trained as his protégé. When Moody is brutally killed, Anna plots revenge against his murderer (Keaton) in a weaving cat-and-mouse game. The trailer shows off plenty of knife fights, shootouts, and Bond-like glamour mixed with other harrowing action scenes,...
The Protégé stars Maggie Q as Anna, a contract killer who was rescued as a child by the legendary assassin Moody (Jackson) and trained as his protégé. When Moody is brutally killed, Anna plots revenge against his murderer (Keaton) in a weaving cat-and-mouse game. The trailer shows off plenty of knife fights, shootouts, and Bond-like glamour mixed with other harrowing action scenes,...
- 5/11/2021
- by Claire Shaffer
- Rollingstone.com
Update: Lionsgate has set a trio of release dates today, including the Maggie Q-Samuel L. Jackson-Michael Keaton action pic The PROTÉGÉ ne The Asset which will open on Aug. 20. against Universal’s Tom Hanks movie Bios and Paramount’s Paw Patrol.
In addition, the new Jennifer Lopez movie, which Armie Hammer dropped out of after a social media scandal erupted, Shotgun Wedding will load up on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 before the Independence Day weekend stretch which includes Universal/Illumination’s Minions: The Rise of Gru on July 1. Lopez and Josh Duhamel celebrated the release date news today on social:
Big news! @shotgunwedding hits theaters June 29, 2022! We cannot wait for you to see this movie...
In addition, the new Jennifer Lopez movie, which Armie Hammer dropped out of after a social media scandal erupted, Shotgun Wedding will load up on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 before the Independence Day weekend stretch which includes Universal/Illumination’s Minions: The Rise of Gru on July 1. Lopez and Josh Duhamel celebrated the release date news today on social:
Big news! @shotgunwedding hits theaters June 29, 2022! We cannot wait for you to see this movie...
- 4/28/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Martin Campbell’s action thriller ‘Memory’ has rounded out its ensemble cast, adding Emmy winner Guy Pearce, Monica Bellucci, Harold Torres, Taj Atwal and Ray Fearon.
The actors will star alongside Liam Neeson, who plays Alex Lewis, an expert assassin “with a reputation for discreet precision.”
According to the logline, when Alex refuses to complete a job for a dangerous criminal organization, he becomes a target and must go on the hunt for those who want him dead. Veteran FBI agents Vincent Serra (Pearce), Linda Amistead (Atwal) and Mexican intelligence liaison Hugo Marquez (Torres) are brought in to investigate the trail of bodies, leading them closer to Alex, but also drawing the ire of local tech mogul Davana Sealman (Bellucci). With the crime syndicate and FBI in hot pursuit, Alex has the skills to stay ahead, except for one thing — he is struggling with severe memory loss, affecting his every move.
The actors will star alongside Liam Neeson, who plays Alex Lewis, an expert assassin “with a reputation for discreet precision.”
According to the logline, when Alex refuses to complete a job for a dangerous criminal organization, he becomes a target and must go on the hunt for those who want him dead. Veteran FBI agents Vincent Serra (Pearce), Linda Amistead (Atwal) and Mexican intelligence liaison Hugo Marquez (Torres) are brought in to investigate the trail of bodies, leading them closer to Alex, but also drawing the ire of local tech mogul Davana Sealman (Bellucci). With the crime syndicate and FBI in hot pursuit, Alex has the skills to stay ahead, except for one thing — he is struggling with severe memory loss, affecting his every move.
- 4/14/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Principal photography underway in Bulgaria.
Guy Pearce and Monica Bellucci have joined Liam Neeson on Black Bear’s crime thriller Memory, which is being directed by Martin Campbell.
Harold Torres from ZeroZeroZero, Taj Atwal (Line Of Duty), and Ray Fearon (Beauty And The Beast) have also signed on.
Dario Scardapane adapted the screenplay from the book De Zaak Alzheimer by Jef Geeraerts, and Belgian film The Memory Of A Killer.
Principal photography is underway in Bulgaria on Memory, which centres on Alex Lewis (Neeson), an assassin with memory loss who goes after those who want him dead after he refuses...
Guy Pearce and Monica Bellucci have joined Liam Neeson on Black Bear’s crime thriller Memory, which is being directed by Martin Campbell.
Harold Torres from ZeroZeroZero, Taj Atwal (Line Of Duty), and Ray Fearon (Beauty And The Beast) have also signed on.
Dario Scardapane adapted the screenplay from the book De Zaak Alzheimer by Jef Geeraerts, and Belgian film The Memory Of A Killer.
Principal photography is underway in Bulgaria on Memory, which centres on Alex Lewis (Neeson), an assassin with memory loss who goes after those who want him dead after he refuses...
- 4/14/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Guy Pearce and Monica Bellucci are set to co-star opposite Liam Neeson in Memory, the indie crime thriller from Black Bear Pictures and Casino Royale director Martin Campbell. Harold Torres (ZeroZeroZero), Taj Atwal (Line of Duty), and Ray Fearon (Beauty and the Beast) round out the cast of the film, which is currently shooting in Bulgaria.
The pic is based on the book De Zaak Alzheimer by Jef Geeraerts as well as the Belgian film The Memory of a Killer, directed by Erik Van Looy.
Dario Scardapane penned the adaptation, which follows Alex Lewis (Neeson), an expert assassin with a reputation for discreet precision. When Alex refuses to complete a job for a dangerous criminal organization, he becomes a target and must go on the hunt for those who want him dead. Veteran FBI agents Vincent Serra (Pearce), Linda Amistead (Atwal), and Mexican intelligence liaison Hugo Marquez (Torres) are brought...
The pic is based on the book De Zaak Alzheimer by Jef Geeraerts as well as the Belgian film The Memory of a Killer, directed by Erik Van Looy.
Dario Scardapane penned the adaptation, which follows Alex Lewis (Neeson), an expert assassin with a reputation for discreet precision. When Alex refuses to complete a job for a dangerous criminal organization, he becomes a target and must go on the hunt for those who want him dead. Veteran FBI agents Vincent Serra (Pearce), Linda Amistead (Atwal), and Mexican intelligence liaison Hugo Marquez (Torres) are brought...
- 4/14/2021
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Stuart Ford’s AGC International has closed several global territories on “The Father,” starring Donnie Yen, directed by Tommy Wirkola (“Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters”)
Deals closed at the virtual Toronto market include with Leonine in Germany and Switzerland; Metropolitan in France; DeAPlaneta in Spain; Nordisk in Scandinavia; Rialto Distribution & Vertigo Releasing in Australia & New Zealand; Signature Entertainment in the U.K. and Ireland; Paradise/Mgn in Cis and Baltics; Just Media Group in Benelux; First Run in South Korea; MovieCloud in Taiwan; Italia Films in Greece, India, the Middle East and Turkey; Sahamongkolfilm in Thailand; HBO Asia for pan-Asian pay TV; Gsc in Malaysia; Golden Village in Singapore; Lusomundo in Portugal; United King in Israel; and Atm Films in the West Indies.
“The Father” is a fast-paced ode to the action movies of the 1980s. The cast also includes Alec Baldwin “(Mission Impossible: Fallout”) and Frank Grillo (“The Purge...
Deals closed at the virtual Toronto market include with Leonine in Germany and Switzerland; Metropolitan in France; DeAPlaneta in Spain; Nordisk in Scandinavia; Rialto Distribution & Vertigo Releasing in Australia & New Zealand; Signature Entertainment in the U.K. and Ireland; Paradise/Mgn in Cis and Baltics; Just Media Group in Benelux; First Run in South Korea; MovieCloud in Taiwan; Italia Films in Greece, India, the Middle East and Turkey; Sahamongkolfilm in Thailand; HBO Asia for pan-Asian pay TV; Gsc in Malaysia; Golden Village in Singapore; Lusomundo in Portugal; United King in Israel; and Atm Films in the West Indies.
“The Father” is a fast-paced ode to the action movies of the 1980s. The cast also includes Alec Baldwin “(Mission Impossible: Fallout”) and Frank Grillo (“The Purge...
- 9/28/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
AGC International inked key territory deals during the virtual TIFF market on Donnie Yen action pic The Father.
Pacts have gone down with Leonine in Germany and Switzerland; Metropolitan in France; DeAPlaneta in Spain; Nordisk in Scandinavia; Rialto Distribution & Vertigo Releasing in Australia & New Zealand; and Signature Entertainment in the U.K. and Ireland.
Buyers also included Paradise/Mgn in Cis and Baltics; Just Media Group in Benelux; First Run in South Korea; Relay Motion in Taiwan; Italia Films in Greece, India, the Middle East and Turkey; Sahamongkolfilm in Thailand; Gsc in Malaysia; HBO Asia for pan-Asian pay TV; Clover Films in Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam; Lusomundo in Portugal; United King in Israel; and Atm Films in the West Indies.
Negotiations are said to be ongoing with the few remaining unsold territories. CAA Media Finance are handling U.S. distribution rights.
Described as an ode to the revered action movies of the 1980s,...
Pacts have gone down with Leonine in Germany and Switzerland; Metropolitan in France; DeAPlaneta in Spain; Nordisk in Scandinavia; Rialto Distribution & Vertigo Releasing in Australia & New Zealand; and Signature Entertainment in the U.K. and Ireland.
Buyers also included Paradise/Mgn in Cis and Baltics; Just Media Group in Benelux; First Run in South Korea; Relay Motion in Taiwan; Italia Films in Greece, India, the Middle East and Turkey; Sahamongkolfilm in Thailand; Gsc in Malaysia; HBO Asia for pan-Asian pay TV; Clover Films in Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam; Lusomundo in Portugal; United King in Israel; and Atm Films in the West Indies.
Negotiations are said to be ongoing with the few remaining unsold territories. CAA Media Finance are handling U.S. distribution rights.
Described as an ode to the revered action movies of the 1980s,...
- 9/28/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Oscar-winning producer Mark Johnson, whose credits range from Rain Man to Breaking Bad, Briarcliff Entertainment CEO Tom Ortenberg and The Pursuit of Happyness writer-director Steve Conrad have been called to the bench as judges for the Script2Screens short screenplay competition for emerging writers.
Also joining the A-list judging panel is Rush Hour series producer Arthur M. Sarkissian, Paranormal Activity producer Steven Schneider and Jackie Tepper, producing partner of the Dances With Films Independent Film Festival in Los Angeles.
The judging panel will select one winning script to earn its writer $50,000 in cash and value to produce, shoot and edit a short film.
Script2Screens ...
Also joining the A-list judging panel is Rush Hour series producer Arthur M. Sarkissian, Paranormal Activity producer Steven Schneider and Jackie Tepper, producing partner of the Dances With Films Independent Film Festival in Los Angeles.
The judging panel will select one winning script to earn its writer $50,000 in cash and value to produce, shoot and edit a short film.
Script2Screens ...
Oscar-winning producer Mark Johnson, whose credits range from Rain Man to Breaking Bad, Briarcliff Entertainment CEO Tom Ortenberg and The Pursuit of Happyness writer-director Steve Conrad have been called to the bench as judges for the Script2Screens short screenplay competition for emerging writers.
Also joining the A-list judging panel is Rush Hour series producer Arthur M. Sarkissian, Paranormal Activity producer Steven Schneider and Jackie Tepper, producing partner of the Dances With Films Independent Film Festival in Los Angeles.
The judging panel will select one winning script to earn its writer $50,000 in cash and value to produce, shoot and edit a short film.
Script2Screens ...
Also joining the A-list judging panel is Rush Hour series producer Arthur M. Sarkissian, Paranormal Activity producer Steven Schneider and Jackie Tepper, producing partner of the Dances With Films Independent Film Festival in Los Angeles.
The judging panel will select one winning script to earn its writer $50,000 in cash and value to produce, shoot and edit a short film.
Script2Screens ...
Exclusive: Arthur Sarkissian, the producer of the Rush Hour franchise who launched Brett Ratner’s directing career and worked with him on three of those films, told Deadline today that he is “really horrified” and “just can’t believe it” in regards to sexual harassment allegations against Ratner. The producer and Ratner have been huddling for months on the next installment of Rush Hour 4 which Ratner would direct. While Sarkissian said he didn’t want to give up on Ratner…...
- 11/1/2017
- Deadline
Exclusive: The Us-Chinese production company and the screenwriter development platform have launched the Orb Media China-Hollywood Screenwriting Fellowship.
The award will finance and develop up to four projects for production and distribution within the Us and China each year.
Winners will each be offered a WGA-scale option fee of up to $13,374 against a purchase price of up to $133,739, depending on the final budget of each film. Each of the top 30 finallists will also be considered for first-look deals with Orb.
Orb is backed by private equity firm Falcon Investments and other financing partners including China Film Group and Zhong Ruan Investments.
“The big brass ring for sure is to make films that will be embraced by the world’s two largest markets with autonomy in both,” said Orb founder Peter Shiao. “Yet, for the amount of attention co-productions have gotten, so very little has been achieved.
“The reality is that it is a very hard thing to do. It...
The award will finance and develop up to four projects for production and distribution within the Us and China each year.
Winners will each be offered a WGA-scale option fee of up to $13,374 against a purchase price of up to $133,739, depending on the final budget of each film. Each of the top 30 finallists will also be considered for first-look deals with Orb.
Orb is backed by private equity firm Falcon Investments and other financing partners including China Film Group and Zhong Ruan Investments.
“The big brass ring for sure is to make films that will be embraced by the world’s two largest markets with autonomy in both,” said Orb founder Peter Shiao. “Yet, for the amount of attention co-productions have gotten, so very little has been achieved.
“The reality is that it is a very hard thing to do. It...
- 1/9/2017
- ScreenDaily
Bruno Wu, the founder and CEO of Sun Seven Stars Media Group, one of China’s largest privately-held entertainment companies, has teamed up with the writer of “The Magnificent Seven” to develop English-language action thriller “The Last Mission,” TheWrap has learned exclusively. The film will be the first in a slate of English-language films produced by Peak Time Entertainment, a joint venture between Wu subsidiary Seven Stars Entertainment and veteran Hollywood producer Arthur Sarkissian, who created the “Rush Hour” franchise. “Last Mission” follows four retired special forces officers who reunite for one final mission in Southeast Asia. It’s set to start filming.
- 11/3/2016
- by Matt Pressberg
- The Wrap
Exclusive: There are currently three competing Hatton Garden projects about the elderly London thieves who pulled off what’s billed as the biggest burglary in English legal history. One of them hails from producer Arthur Sarkissian and Chinese producing partner Bruno Wu. That version has now set Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais to pen the script for a UK fall shoot under the provisional title The Hatton Garden Story. The partners, who are producing under their Peak Time…...
- 8/2/2016
- Deadline
Exclusive: It’s a true story written for the big screen and producer Arthur Sarkissian is bringing it: Four older men — aged 76, 74, 67 and 58 — were the ringleaders in what has been dubbed the biggest burglary in English legal history. It happened during Easter weekend of last year, and they made off with a haul of $21M in gold and jewelry. But they weren’t just some old guys, but actually were career criminals who, it turned out, were responsible for some of the biggest…...
- 1/27/2016
- Deadline
CBS has set the premiere date for the “Rush Hour” TV series and moved the premiere date of “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders,” the network announced Friday. “Rush Hour,” based on the buddy cop films starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, will premiere on March 31 at 10 p.m. Et. The series stars Justin Hires and Jon Foo as Det. Carter and Det. Lee, respectively. Brett Ratner, who directed all three “Rush Hour” movies, is executive producing along with Bill Lawrence, Blake McCormick, Jeff Ingold, Jon Turteltaub, Arthur Sarkissian, Toby Emmerich and Steve Franks. Also Read: 'Angel From Hell'...
- 1/8/2016
- by Joe Otterson
- The Wrap
I had the pleasure of speaking with writer and director Rosemary Rodriguez in midtown Manhattan two days before her film "Silver Skies" will have its United States premiere at the Woodstock Film Festival on Saturday October 3.
Rosemary Rodriguez wrote and directed the feature, "Acts of Worship, "which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, was nominated for two Independent Spirit Awards, including the John Cassavetes Award for Best Feature. Her episodic TV work includes "Empire," "The Good Wife," (where she is a regular director), "Manhattan," "Rake," "Elementary" and "Vegas." She is currently directing the new Marvel series on Netflix, "Jessica Jones."
"Silver Skies," Rosemary’s second feature, chronicles a group of seniors whose lives turn upside down when their Los Angeles apartment complex threatens to be sold out from under them.
We began our conversation talking about the evolution of "Silver Skies."
Rodriguez : It took about ten years. I ended up going to the MacDowell Colony with an outline for "Silver Skies" and wrote the script while I was there. Then, when I directed a "Law and Order" episode, I hit it off with (star) Dennis Farina and he loved the script. He helped to get the movie made. Fast forward almost two years later I called Dennis and told him we got the money. We picked the start date, and then he passed away two weeks later. I was devastated when he passed away. But then things fell in place. Fred Roos and Arthur Sarkissian came to the reading of the script, and they said, ‘let’s do this movie.’ The movie is dedicated to Dennis. He was my guardian angel.
Kouguell: In "Silver Skies," the theme of ageism is tackled straight on. The characters in this ensemble piece are threatened with the possible loss of their homes and livelihood. You describe "Silver Skies" as very personal and inspired by your parents’ aging. The characters of Nick and Phil are inspired by your father, who was a bookie in Boston, and the character, Eve, by your mother.
Rodriguez : Valerie Perrine’s character always has flowers; that was my mother. I watched my parents get old when I was still young. I saw how their relationships changed. You think logic would say life would get easier when you get older, but the emotional truth is that life still happens on its own terms. I think seniors don’t have a voice in this world. These are people who want to have sex. They want to work. They want to spend money. Make money. Have money.
Kouguell: You don’t shy away from thought-provoking issues, facing this generation, including the sexual assault of one female character and another main character’s choice she made of personal survival that causes the death of her spouse.
Rodriguez : My role model for directors is Robert Altman. His movies were a slice of life. The ironic thing about being a human being on this planet is that you have no idea what is going to happen next. The movie is real life. You’re going on a roller coaster ride; there are parts you’re laughing because life is like that, and then the rug gets pulled right out from under you.
The issues women go through, and with this female character with her husband abusing her, and feeling guilty over surviving, doing whatever she had to survive, whatever way she needed to behave was maybe ‘not as a good girl’ would, and coming to terms with that. Sexual abuse to elders is real. Elder abuse is real. I wanted to bring that issue in, as well as bring in that feminist message in there.
Kouguell: In "Silver Skies," the trepidation and excitement of newfound love is complicated by raw emotion as seen in one character’s personal and financial insecurities with a recent widow.
Rodriguez : Love doesn’t stop people at a certain age, it doesn’t stop their desires. It doesn’t matter what age we are. To work with these wonderful actors and Alex Rocco in particular -- he was just like a teenage boy when doing his scenes with Valerie Perrine, saying: “I’m used to playing killers, I’m not used to playing lovers.”
(Alex Rocco passed away July 18 of this year.)
Rodriguez : The recent memorial for Alex was on the racetrack: “Friends of Rocco” – it was the seventh race, it was dedicated to him. I loved him dearly. I miss him dearly. It was intended as a celebration of this wonderful man. His character reminds me of my dad. As I told my dad when it became clear he had to retire, I told him, “You always wanted to go out a winner.”
Kouguell: The film stars Barbara Bain, George Hamilton, Jack McGee, Valerie Perrine, Mariette Hartley, Howard Hesseman, Jack Betts, and Alex Rocco. Did they have any input into the script?
Rodriguez : They definitely did. They stuck to the script a lot. I’m a big collaborator; I want to hear what people have to say. In the film George Hamilton’s character is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Jack McGee’s brother, George Hamilton’s mother, and my dad, all had Alzehimer’s and we shared our respective experiences to further develop George’s character. In a way it was a tribute for George to his mother, for Jack to his brother, and mine to my father.
Kouguell: You’ve earned great success as a director on "The Good Wife." How has directing television influenced your work as a director on "Silver Skies"?
Rodriguez : I can work efficiently and quickly, and in television that’s some of the skill set that gets developed. My instincts are very sharp. The idea out there is that we’re less creative working in television, but the real truth is we’re under such pressure that we can make decisions quickly, and also go with your heart and instincts. It’s very quick and very satisfying, and of course millions of people see your work in a shorter window of time and that is opposite of a movie.
Kouguell: Currently, you are the 4th Vice President of the Directors Guild of America. Although there is more media attention on the low percentage of women directors getting work in the industry, the numbers are still not rising fast enough.
Rodriguez : The DGA works very hard and we all work hard to address the issue of diversity. It’s been a problem for many years. My involvement in the DGA is reflective of how much the DGA cares about women directors and minority directors, and wants to get us out there. It’s a benefit to the Guild. There’s a lot of content there now and opportunity for diversity. I want to be meeting with you in a few years when this isn’t an issue any more; where there are not “female directors” – that there are just great storytellers and that we don’t have to separate each other.
Kouguell: Some final words about "Silver Skies"?
Rodriguez: The way these actors enriched my life was unexpected and so profound. These are people with 50 and 60-year careers in a tough industry. These actors showed up and put their hearts in these characters. They’re artists. They were there for the love for what they do. They just loved the characters. They had beautiful chemistry together. We are part of each other’s lives. I never could give back to them what they gave to me.
"Silver Skies" premieres at the Woodstock Film Festival on Saturday, October 3. http://www.woodstockfilmfestival.com/
Award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker, Susan Kouguell teaches screenwriting at Purchase College Suny, and presents international seminars on screenwriting and film. Author of Savvy Characters Sell Screenplays! and The Savvy Screenwriter, she is chairperson of Su-City Pictures East, LLC, a consulting company founded in 1990 where she works with writers, filmmakers, and executives worldwide. www.su-city-pictures.com, http://su-city-pictures.com/wpblog...
Rosemary Rodriguez wrote and directed the feature, "Acts of Worship, "which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, was nominated for two Independent Spirit Awards, including the John Cassavetes Award for Best Feature. Her episodic TV work includes "Empire," "The Good Wife," (where she is a regular director), "Manhattan," "Rake," "Elementary" and "Vegas." She is currently directing the new Marvel series on Netflix, "Jessica Jones."
"Silver Skies," Rosemary’s second feature, chronicles a group of seniors whose lives turn upside down when their Los Angeles apartment complex threatens to be sold out from under them.
We began our conversation talking about the evolution of "Silver Skies."
Rodriguez : It took about ten years. I ended up going to the MacDowell Colony with an outline for "Silver Skies" and wrote the script while I was there. Then, when I directed a "Law and Order" episode, I hit it off with (star) Dennis Farina and he loved the script. He helped to get the movie made. Fast forward almost two years later I called Dennis and told him we got the money. We picked the start date, and then he passed away two weeks later. I was devastated when he passed away. But then things fell in place. Fred Roos and Arthur Sarkissian came to the reading of the script, and they said, ‘let’s do this movie.’ The movie is dedicated to Dennis. He was my guardian angel.
Kouguell: In "Silver Skies," the theme of ageism is tackled straight on. The characters in this ensemble piece are threatened with the possible loss of their homes and livelihood. You describe "Silver Skies" as very personal and inspired by your parents’ aging. The characters of Nick and Phil are inspired by your father, who was a bookie in Boston, and the character, Eve, by your mother.
Rodriguez : Valerie Perrine’s character always has flowers; that was my mother. I watched my parents get old when I was still young. I saw how their relationships changed. You think logic would say life would get easier when you get older, but the emotional truth is that life still happens on its own terms. I think seniors don’t have a voice in this world. These are people who want to have sex. They want to work. They want to spend money. Make money. Have money.
Kouguell: You don’t shy away from thought-provoking issues, facing this generation, including the sexual assault of one female character and another main character’s choice she made of personal survival that causes the death of her spouse.
Rodriguez : My role model for directors is Robert Altman. His movies were a slice of life. The ironic thing about being a human being on this planet is that you have no idea what is going to happen next. The movie is real life. You’re going on a roller coaster ride; there are parts you’re laughing because life is like that, and then the rug gets pulled right out from under you.
The issues women go through, and with this female character with her husband abusing her, and feeling guilty over surviving, doing whatever she had to survive, whatever way she needed to behave was maybe ‘not as a good girl’ would, and coming to terms with that. Sexual abuse to elders is real. Elder abuse is real. I wanted to bring that issue in, as well as bring in that feminist message in there.
Kouguell: In "Silver Skies," the trepidation and excitement of newfound love is complicated by raw emotion as seen in one character’s personal and financial insecurities with a recent widow.
Rodriguez : Love doesn’t stop people at a certain age, it doesn’t stop their desires. It doesn’t matter what age we are. To work with these wonderful actors and Alex Rocco in particular -- he was just like a teenage boy when doing his scenes with Valerie Perrine, saying: “I’m used to playing killers, I’m not used to playing lovers.”
(Alex Rocco passed away July 18 of this year.)
Rodriguez : The recent memorial for Alex was on the racetrack: “Friends of Rocco” – it was the seventh race, it was dedicated to him. I loved him dearly. I miss him dearly. It was intended as a celebration of this wonderful man. His character reminds me of my dad. As I told my dad when it became clear he had to retire, I told him, “You always wanted to go out a winner.”
Kouguell: The film stars Barbara Bain, George Hamilton, Jack McGee, Valerie Perrine, Mariette Hartley, Howard Hesseman, Jack Betts, and Alex Rocco. Did they have any input into the script?
Rodriguez : They definitely did. They stuck to the script a lot. I’m a big collaborator; I want to hear what people have to say. In the film George Hamilton’s character is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Jack McGee’s brother, George Hamilton’s mother, and my dad, all had Alzehimer’s and we shared our respective experiences to further develop George’s character. In a way it was a tribute for George to his mother, for Jack to his brother, and mine to my father.
Kouguell: You’ve earned great success as a director on "The Good Wife." How has directing television influenced your work as a director on "Silver Skies"?
Rodriguez : I can work efficiently and quickly, and in television that’s some of the skill set that gets developed. My instincts are very sharp. The idea out there is that we’re less creative working in television, but the real truth is we’re under such pressure that we can make decisions quickly, and also go with your heart and instincts. It’s very quick and very satisfying, and of course millions of people see your work in a shorter window of time and that is opposite of a movie.
Kouguell: Currently, you are the 4th Vice President of the Directors Guild of America. Although there is more media attention on the low percentage of women directors getting work in the industry, the numbers are still not rising fast enough.
Rodriguez : The DGA works very hard and we all work hard to address the issue of diversity. It’s been a problem for many years. My involvement in the DGA is reflective of how much the DGA cares about women directors and minority directors, and wants to get us out there. It’s a benefit to the Guild. There’s a lot of content there now and opportunity for diversity. I want to be meeting with you in a few years when this isn’t an issue any more; where there are not “female directors” – that there are just great storytellers and that we don’t have to separate each other.
Kouguell: Some final words about "Silver Skies"?
Rodriguez: The way these actors enriched my life was unexpected and so profound. These are people with 50 and 60-year careers in a tough industry. These actors showed up and put their hearts in these characters. They’re artists. They were there for the love for what they do. They just loved the characters. They had beautiful chemistry together. We are part of each other’s lives. I never could give back to them what they gave to me.
"Silver Skies" premieres at the Woodstock Film Festival on Saturday, October 3. http://www.woodstockfilmfestival.com/
Award-winning screenwriter and filmmaker, Susan Kouguell teaches screenwriting at Purchase College Suny, and presents international seminars on screenwriting and film. Author of Savvy Characters Sell Screenplays! and The Savvy Screenwriter, she is chairperson of Su-City Pictures East, LLC, a consulting company founded in 1990 where she works with writers, filmmakers, and executives worldwide. www.su-city-pictures.com, http://su-city-pictures.com/wpblog...
- 10/2/2015
- by Susan Kouguell
- Sydney's Buzz
I’m a huge Chris Tucker fan. Always have been.
From his scene-stealing performance in The Fifth Element, to Russell Simmons’ HBO Def Comedy Jam and 1995’s Friday opposite Ice Cube, starring in Money Talks with Charlie Sheen, through to his role in Silver Linings Playbook, Tucker is forever a pleasure to watch and is still one of the funniest comedians.
I was thrilled to read that the actor would be headlining his first full length stand-up comedy special titled “Chris Tucker Live” which had its premiere on Friday, July 10 on Netflix. It is one of the funniest stand-up shows to come along in years.
In the hilarious show, Chris Tucker returns to the stage he loves and showcases his mind-blowing comedic chops. From his pitch perfect impersonations of Michael Jackson and Bill Clinton, his take on first dates and marriage, visiting Oprah Winfrey’s house, to his singular on-stage physicality,...
From his scene-stealing performance in The Fifth Element, to Russell Simmons’ HBO Def Comedy Jam and 1995’s Friday opposite Ice Cube, starring in Money Talks with Charlie Sheen, through to his role in Silver Linings Playbook, Tucker is forever a pleasure to watch and is still one of the funniest comedians.
I was thrilled to read that the actor would be headlining his first full length stand-up comedy special titled “Chris Tucker Live” which had its premiere on Friday, July 10 on Netflix. It is one of the funniest stand-up shows to come along in years.
In the hilarious show, Chris Tucker returns to the stage he loves and showcases his mind-blowing comedic chops. From his pitch perfect impersonations of Michael Jackson and Bill Clinton, his take on first dates and marriage, visiting Oprah Winfrey’s house, to his singular on-stage physicality,...
- 7/14/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Fresh off its Supergirl pickup on Wednesday and ahead of its upfronts presentation next week, CBS announced orders for six new series, some of which have familiar titles.
On the drama front, CBS greenlit TV adaptations of the films Limitless and Rush Hour and picked up the Criminal Minds spinoff Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders. The network also finally added a medical drama to its roster in the form of Code Black.
Based on the 2011 feature film starring Bradley Cooper, Limitless follows Brian Finch as he discovers the power of the mysterious drug Nzt and uses his drug-enhanced abilities to solve weekly cases for the FBI. It stars Jake McDorman, Jennifer Carpenter, Hill Harper, and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. Cooper is executive producing along with Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Heather Kadin, Todd Phillips, Ryan Kavanaugh, Tucker Tooley, Tom Forman, Craig Sweeny, and Marc Webb.
Rush Hour is inspired by the 1990s Jackie Chan/Chris Tucker franchise.
On the drama front, CBS greenlit TV adaptations of the films Limitless and Rush Hour and picked up the Criminal Minds spinoff Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders. The network also finally added a medical drama to its roster in the form of Code Black.
Based on the 2011 feature film starring Bradley Cooper, Limitless follows Brian Finch as he discovers the power of the mysterious drug Nzt and uses his drug-enhanced abilities to solve weekly cases for the FBI. It stars Jake McDorman, Jennifer Carpenter, Hill Harper, and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. Cooper is executive producing along with Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Heather Kadin, Todd Phillips, Ryan Kavanaugh, Tucker Tooley, Tom Forman, Craig Sweeny, and Marc Webb.
Rush Hour is inspired by the 1990s Jackie Chan/Chris Tucker franchise.
- 5/8/2015
- by A.R. Wilson
- SoundOnSight
CBS’ latest drama series orders for the 2015-16 TV season include a spinoff, two movie adaptations and a documentary-turned-tv drama.
RelatedSupergirl Lands Series Order at CBS
Having already declared Supergirl ready for takeoff, the Eye network on Thursday ordered to series the dramas Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, Rush Hour, Limitless and Code Black.
Related Fall TV: Jane Lynch’s Angel From Hell Among Comedies Ordered at CBS
Descriptions with casting are as follows:
Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders
Writer: Erica Messer
Other EPs: Mark Gordon, Nick Pepper
Cast: Gary Sinise, Daniel Henney and Tyler James Williams; Anna Gunn appeared...
RelatedSupergirl Lands Series Order at CBS
Having already declared Supergirl ready for takeoff, the Eye network on Thursday ordered to series the dramas Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, Rush Hour, Limitless and Code Black.
Related Fall TV: Jane Lynch’s Angel From Hell Among Comedies Ordered at CBS
Descriptions with casting are as follows:
Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders
Writer: Erica Messer
Other EPs: Mark Gordon, Nick Pepper
Cast: Gary Sinise, Daniel Henney and Tyler James Williams; Anna Gunn appeared...
- 5/8/2015
- TVLine.com
CBS’ Rush Hour pilot, based on Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan’s New Line Cinema film franchise, has finally locked in its leading duo.
RelatedPilot Season ’15: Scoop on This Fall’s (Possible) New Shows, Who’s In Them
Justin Hires (Key and Peele) will play Carter, an “irreverent and wildly confident” Lapd detective whose “unorthodox methods” often land him in trouble with his higher-ups. He joins Jon Foo (Batman Begins), recently cast as Carter’s Hong Kong-born partner Lee.
Additional series regulars include Aimee Garcia (Dexter) as Carter’s former partner Didi, and Jessika Van (The Messengers) as Lee’s younger sister Kim.
RelatedPilot Season ’15: Scoop on This Fall’s (Possible) New Shows, Who’s In Them
Justin Hires (Key and Peele) will play Carter, an “irreverent and wildly confident” Lapd detective whose “unorthodox methods” often land him in trouble with his higher-ups. He joins Jon Foo (Batman Begins), recently cast as Carter’s Hong Kong-born partner Lee.
Additional series regulars include Aimee Garcia (Dexter) as Carter’s former partner Didi, and Jessika Van (The Messengers) as Lee’s younger sister Kim.
- 3/14/2015
- TVLine.com
National Treasure and Last Vegas director Jon Turteltaub has signed on to helm the pilot episode of Rush Hour for CBS, according to Deadline. Based on New Line’s eponymous buddy cop franchise, the show is poised to revitalize the series in an entirely different medium while still retaining that fish out of water comedy heritage.
Fans of the original may disappointed to note that CBS’ rendition of Rush Hour won’t bring back stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker – once described as the fastest hands in the east meeting the biggest mouth of the west – for another bout of crime fighting action, but with Brett Ratner and Arthur Sarkissian returning to executive produce, the network’s small screen reboot could very well channel the gleeful, on-the-nose magic of the trilogy.
The pair will team up with Scrubs and Cougar Town‘ producer Bill Lawrence on the production, which will still...
Fans of the original may disappointed to note that CBS’ rendition of Rush Hour won’t bring back stars Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker – once described as the fastest hands in the east meeting the biggest mouth of the west – for another bout of crime fighting action, but with Brett Ratner and Arthur Sarkissian returning to executive produce, the network’s small screen reboot could very well channel the gleeful, on-the-nose magic of the trilogy.
The pair will team up with Scrubs and Cougar Town‘ producer Bill Lawrence on the production, which will still...
- 2/11/2015
- by Michael Briers
- We Got This Covered
Bill Lawrence and Blake McCormick will write the adaptation of the New Line Cinema film franchise starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker
CBS picked up three projects Monday, ordering comedy pilots from “My Name Is Earl” and “Raising Hope” creator Greg Garcia and “Modern Family” executive producer Bill Wrubel. On the drama side, the network has greenlit a pilot for a television adaptation of the New Line Cinema film franchise “Rush Hour.”
Like the film, the pilot is about a stoic, by-the-book Hong Kong police officer who finds himself partnered with a cocky Lapd officer after he’s assigned to a case in Los Angeles.
CBS picked up three projects Monday, ordering comedy pilots from “My Name Is Earl” and “Raising Hope” creator Greg Garcia and “Modern Family” executive producer Bill Wrubel. On the drama side, the network has greenlit a pilot for a television adaptation of the New Line Cinema film franchise “Rush Hour.”
Like the film, the pilot is about a stoic, by-the-book Hong Kong police officer who finds himself partnered with a cocky Lapd officer after he’s assigned to a case in Los Angeles.
- 1/27/2015
- by Jason Hughes
- The Wrap
The Rush Hour TV show that Brett Ratner and Arthur Sarkissian have been developing at Warner Bros. TV, with Bill Lawrence and Blake McCormick as creative leads, has now taken another step towards realization. CBS has given a pilot production commitment to the series, which means we’ll start to hear about the casting phase pretty soon. Deadline reports […]
The post ‘Rush Hour’ TV Show at CBS With Pilot Commitment appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘Rush Hour’ TV Show at CBS With Pilot Commitment appeared first on /Film.
- 10/8/2014
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
Director Brett Ratner and producer Arthur Sarkissian have teamed up again to produce a TV series based on the action comedy film franchise Rush Hour. The series is set up at Warner Bros. TV, and it will be an hourlong show on CBS.
The series will be written by Cougar Town co-creator Bill Lawrence and showrunner Blake McCormick. According to Deadline, the Rush Hour series will stay close to the concept of the first film in the franchise. That will include a by-the-book Hong Kong police officer, who was played by Jackie Chan in the movies, who is assigned to a case in Los Angeles, where he’s forced to work with an arrogant Lapd officer — originally played by Chris Tucker — who is not interested in working with a partner.
I'm not really all that interested in seeing anything that Ratner's name is attached too. I haven't been impressed with anything he's done in years.
The series will be written by Cougar Town co-creator Bill Lawrence and showrunner Blake McCormick. According to Deadline, the Rush Hour series will stay close to the concept of the first film in the franchise. That will include a by-the-book Hong Kong police officer, who was played by Jackie Chan in the movies, who is assigned to a case in Los Angeles, where he’s forced to work with an arrogant Lapd officer — originally played by Chris Tucker — who is not interested in working with a partner.
I'm not really all that interested in seeing anything that Ratner's name is attached too. I haven't been impressed with anything he's done in years.
- 10/5/2014
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Rush Hour is coming to CBS. The network has given a pilot production commitment to the television adaptation of the 1998 film, which hails from Cougar Town co-creator Bill Lawrence, Blake McCormick and Warner Bros. Television, EW has learned. Much like the premise of the film, which starred Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, the drama will follow a stoic, by-the-book Hong Kong police officer who is assigned to a case in Los Angeles and forced to work with a cocky African-American Lapd officer who has no interest in a partner. Lawrence and McCormick will write and executive-produce the one-hour action comedy with original director Brett Ratner,...
- 10/2/2014
- by Natalie Abrams
- EW - Inside TV
Rush Hour is to become a TV series.
Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence is developing a small-screen adaptation of the film franchise, Deadline reports.
Three Rush Hour movies starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker were released between 1998 and 2007.
The television version - co-written by Lawrence and Cougar Town colleague Blake McCormick - will stick close to the original premise, which saw a by-the-book Hong Kong police officer (played by Chan) teamed with a cocky Us cop (played by Tucker).
Brett Ratner - who directed all three films - will serve as an executive producer on the Rush Hour series, which comes from Warner Bros TV.
A fourth cinematic outing was previously mooted in 2012, with producer Arthur Sarkissian hinting at a "more down to earth, more gritty" new instalment.
Chris Tucker on Rush Hour 4 possibility: 'We need to do one more'
Watch a clip from 1998's Rush Hour below:...
Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence is developing a small-screen adaptation of the film franchise, Deadline reports.
Three Rush Hour movies starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker were released between 1998 and 2007.
The television version - co-written by Lawrence and Cougar Town colleague Blake McCormick - will stick close to the original premise, which saw a by-the-book Hong Kong police officer (played by Chan) teamed with a cocky Us cop (played by Tucker).
Brett Ratner - who directed all three films - will serve as an executive producer on the Rush Hour series, which comes from Warner Bros TV.
A fourth cinematic outing was previously mooted in 2012, with producer Arthur Sarkissian hinting at a "more down to earth, more gritty" new instalment.
Chris Tucker on Rush Hour 4 possibility: 'We need to do one more'
Watch a clip from 1998's Rush Hour below:...
- 10/1/2014
- Digital Spy
Warner Bros, Brett Ratner and Bill Lawrence are teaming up to take Rush Hour to our tellyboxes.
Yet another film is being adapted for TV – Rush Hour. In a trend that seems to be dominating future schedules about as much as comic book adaptations, Rush Hour is the latest in a long line of adaptations including everything from Spielberg blockbusters like Minority Report to Mark Wahlberg movies like Shooter.
Written by regular Warner Bros showrunner Bill Lawrence, co-creator of Cougar Town, the show will feature hour long episodes and, apparently, the plot of the original film. That is to say, it’s not a follow-up or a prequel, but a straight televisual remake.
The film franchise’s director Brett Ratner and its producer Arthur Sarkissian are involved with the new show on executive producer duties. We’d wager that this will involve quality control more than anything else, though.
Who...
Yet another film is being adapted for TV – Rush Hour. In a trend that seems to be dominating future schedules about as much as comic book adaptations, Rush Hour is the latest in a long line of adaptations including everything from Spielberg blockbusters like Minority Report to Mark Wahlberg movies like Shooter.
Written by regular Warner Bros showrunner Bill Lawrence, co-creator of Cougar Town, the show will feature hour long episodes and, apparently, the plot of the original film. That is to say, it’s not a follow-up or a prequel, but a straight televisual remake.
The film franchise’s director Brett Ratner and its producer Arthur Sarkissian are involved with the new show on executive producer duties. We’d wager that this will involve quality control more than anything else, though.
Who...
- 10/1/2014
- by rleane
- Den of Geek
Bill Lawrence, Arthur Sarkissian and Brett Ratner are reportedly looking to bring buddy film Rush Hour to TV. The 1998 classic film spawned many sequels and is looked upon with favor as a classic comedy. However, they are ow looking to expand it to the small screen for laughter and action. Warner Bros. TV is assisting with the very early plans while we have no TV networks expressing interest or any word on who they may cast the roles with. Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker have starred in the first 3 films.
I really am hopeful that they can. The movies were amazing and I think a TV version would be a great addition to the franchise. The only thing that will make or break it would be the cast. However, we don’t really having anything to go with on who they may consider. I just hope that they would pick...
I really am hopeful that they can. The movies were amazing and I think a TV version would be a great addition to the franchise. The only thing that will make or break it would be the cast. However, we don’t really having anything to go with on who they may consider. I just hope that they would pick...
- 10/1/2014
- by Sarah Peel
- Boomtron
With the "Rush Hour" film franchise pretty much over, Warner Bros. TV has decided to try and reinvent it on the small screen with a prime-time TV series reboot in the works.
"Cougar Town" co-creator Bill Lawrence and Blake McCormick will pen the series which follows a straight-laced Hong Kong police officer assigned to a case in Los Angeles. He finds himself forced to work with a cocky African-American L.A.P.D. officer who has no interest in having a partner.
Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker starred in the original 1998 film and its two subsequent sequels. Brett Ratner, who directed all three films, will serve as executive producer on the show alongside Arthur Sarkissian and Jeff Ingold.
Source: EW...
"Cougar Town" co-creator Bill Lawrence and Blake McCormick will pen the series which follows a straight-laced Hong Kong police officer assigned to a case in Los Angeles. He finds himself forced to work with a cocky African-American L.A.P.D. officer who has no interest in having a partner.
Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker starred in the original 1998 film and its two subsequent sequels. Brett Ratner, who directed all three films, will serve as executive producer on the show alongside Arthur Sarkissian and Jeff Ingold.
Source: EW...
- 10/1/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Please try to understand the words that are coming out of this article.
Related Fox Eyes Minority Report TV Series
An hourlong action-comedy series based on the Jackie Chan/Chris Tucker franchise Rush Hour is currently in the works from Warner Bros. TV, our sister site Deadline reports.
The project will reportedly be co-written and executive-produced by Bill Lawrence, with Arthur Sarkissian and Brett Ratner — the director of the franchise — also on board to executive-produce.
The Rush Hour movies follow Detective Inspector Lee (Chan) and Detective James Carter (Tucker) as they team up to solve various crimes. Three films have...
Related Fox Eyes Minority Report TV Series
An hourlong action-comedy series based on the Jackie Chan/Chris Tucker franchise Rush Hour is currently in the works from Warner Bros. TV, our sister site Deadline reports.
The project will reportedly be co-written and executive-produced by Bill Lawrence, with Arthur Sarkissian and Brett Ratner — the director of the franchise — also on board to executive-produce.
The Rush Hour movies follow Detective Inspector Lee (Chan) and Detective James Carter (Tucker) as they team up to solve various crimes. Three films have...
- 9/30/2014
- TVLine.com
Warner Bros. TV are bringing back the fish-out-of-water buddy comedy, Rush Hour. Don’t worry, you needn’t waste resources on rolling your eyes. Sure, everyone’s a smidgen cynical about the remake/reboot/adaptation cycle the industry is stuck in. But this new venture holds promise: Bill Lawrence, of Scrubs and Cougar Town fame, is on board to write and produce the show.
Under his Doozer Productions banner, Lawrence will co-write and produce along with Cougar Town showrunner Blake McCormick. As a massive fan of Lawrence’s comedy style, this news isn’t quite as sigh-worthy to me as it first seemed. Original franchise creator, Brett Ratner, and Arthur Sarkissian will also oversee the project as executive producers.
In what’s touted to be a series of hour-length episodes, we can expect the show to remain loyal to the Chris Tucker-Jackie Chan franchise:
Rush Hour is expected...
Under his Doozer Productions banner, Lawrence will co-write and produce along with Cougar Town showrunner Blake McCormick. As a massive fan of Lawrence’s comedy style, this news isn’t quite as sigh-worthy to me as it first seemed. Original franchise creator, Brett Ratner, and Arthur Sarkissian will also oversee the project as executive producers.
In what’s touted to be a series of hour-length episodes, we can expect the show to remain loyal to the Chris Tucker-Jackie Chan franchise:
Rush Hour is expected...
- 9/30/2014
- by Gem Seddon
- We Got This Covered
The Rush Hour film franchise could be getting a TV makeover. Warner Bros. Television is developing a prime-time version of the box office hits. Like the films, Rush Hour follows a by-the-book Hong Kong police officer who is assigned to a case in Los Angeles, where he's forced to work with a cocky African-American Lapd officer who has no interest in having a partner. Cougar Town co-creator Bill Lawrence, along with Blake McCormick, are the writers on the project. The original 1998 film and its two sequels starred Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker. Original director Brett Ratner is on board the...
- 9/30/2014
- by James Hibberd
- EW - Inside TV
Exclusive: Arthur Sarkissian and writer-director Tony Kaye are teaming to bring the story of Peg Entwistle to light as a movie. She is the blond-haired, blue-eyed actress who committed suicide by jumping off the ‘H’ of the Hollywood sign in 1932 after she was cut out of the David O. Selznick film Thirteen Women. She was only 24.
Sarkissian (Rush Hour) will produce the picture, and Kaye will write and plans to direct.
The Wales-born Entwistle started her career on Broadway in several plays from 1925-32 including The Wild Duck and The Uninvited Guest and in J.M. Barrie’s Alice Sit By The Fire before marrying Robert Keith. They divorced after she discovered that Keith had been married before and had a 6-year-old son she was not told about. Oddly enough, that son was Brian Keith, who later became an actor best known for the popular TV series Family Affair.
The beautiful...
Sarkissian (Rush Hour) will produce the picture, and Kaye will write and plans to direct.
The Wales-born Entwistle started her career on Broadway in several plays from 1925-32 including The Wild Duck and The Uninvited Guest and in J.M. Barrie’s Alice Sit By The Fire before marrying Robert Keith. They divorced after she discovered that Keith had been married before and had a 6-year-old son she was not told about. Oddly enough, that son was Brian Keith, who later became an actor best known for the popular TV series Family Affair.
The beautiful...
- 9/19/2014
- by Anita Busch
- Deadline
It looks like New Line Cinema is planning to develop Rush Hour 4. In an interview with IGN, Jackie Chan admitted that the studio wants to make another film in the franchise, but they don't have a script and until there is one, he's not interested. Here's his exact quote:
“Lately they want to make Rush Hour 4. I said ‘No, show me the script first. I don’t need another Rush Hour 4. You need Rush Hour 4. Show me the script.’ I don’t want to do a rubbish script just because they want to make the movie.”
Talk of a fourth Rush Hour movie started seven years ago, but thankfully nothing ever materialized from it. The last thing we reported on it was back in 2012 when producer Arthur Sarkissian, said that he was working with Chan and Chris Tucker on it. Here's what he had to say...
“Lately they want to make Rush Hour 4. I said ‘No, show me the script first. I don’t need another Rush Hour 4. You need Rush Hour 4. Show me the script.’ I don’t want to do a rubbish script just because they want to make the movie.”
Talk of a fourth Rush Hour movie started seven years ago, but thankfully nothing ever materialized from it. The last thing we reported on it was back in 2012 when producer Arthur Sarkissian, said that he was working with Chan and Chris Tucker on it. Here's what he had to say...
- 8/15/2014
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Zulay Henao, who co-starred in Tyler Perry's The Single Moms Club, has signed on to portray Vanessa del Rio in an untitled biopic centering on the adult film legend. The indie will mark the feature directorial debut of Thomas Mignone, a music video director for such bands as Mudvayne and Slipknot. Mignone also wrote the script. Photos Hollywood's 100 Favorite Films Datari Turner (Kilimanjaro) and Arthur Sarkissian, best known for the Rush Hour movies, are producing the drama, which is eyeing a production start in October and will shoot in Los Angeles and New York. With the cheap, crime-
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- 7/29/2014
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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