CBS has given a pilot order to Unplanned in Akron, a multi-camera comedy from Schuyler Helford (Call Me Kat), Erik Feig’s Picturestart and CBS Studios.
Written by Helford with Emily R. Wilson supervising, Unplanned In Akron is a series about two teenagers navigating parenthood in the best way they know how. With a little help from their friends and parents, they’ll learn that mistakes in life don’t have to derail your life – they will learn that no matter what age you are, taking care of a child is no joke — but sometimes, you just gotta laugh (or cry) your way through it.
Wilson executive produces alongside Samie Kim Falvey and Feig for Picturestart as well as Chris Mills and Chris Emerson from Authentic Talent and Literary. Helford co-executive produces. Luke Esselen oversees for Picturestart. CBS Studios is the studio.
Unplanned in Akron is the...
Written by Helford with Emily R. Wilson supervising, Unplanned In Akron is a series about two teenagers navigating parenthood in the best way they know how. With a little help from their friends and parents, they’ll learn that mistakes in life don’t have to derail your life – they will learn that no matter what age you are, taking care of a child is no joke — but sometimes, you just gotta laugh (or cry) your way through it.
Wilson executive produces alongside Samie Kim Falvey and Feig for Picturestart as well as Chris Mills and Chris Emerson from Authentic Talent and Literary. Helford co-executive produces. Luke Esselen oversees for Picturestart. CBS Studios is the studio.
Unplanned in Akron is the...
- 2/23/2022
- by Denise Petski and Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Ziffren Brittenham partner Eric Sherman has left to become Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel of Thunder Road Films and game1. Sherman will oversee business and legal affairs for both Thunder Road Films and game1, as well as Asbury Park Pictures.
“We have relied on Eric’s wisdom, counsel, and decency as one of our outside lawyers for more than a decade. Now we are blessed that Eric joins us at both Thunder Road and game1 to continue the rapid growth of both companies,” says Basil Iwanyk, founder and CEO.
Said Sherman: “I have worked side by side with Basil, Erica and their team at Thunder Road for over ten years. Basil’s acumen as a producer in both the studio system and in the independent world is a combination that is rarely seen today in the film making business. Continuing my journey with him in a more hands-on role,...
“We have relied on Eric’s wisdom, counsel, and decency as one of our outside lawyers for more than a decade. Now we are blessed that Eric joins us at both Thunder Road and game1 to continue the rapid growth of both companies,” says Basil Iwanyk, founder and CEO.
Said Sherman: “I have worked side by side with Basil, Erica and their team at Thunder Road for over ten years. Basil’s acumen as a producer in both the studio system and in the independent world is a combination that is rarely seen today in the film making business. Continuing my journey with him in a more hands-on role,...
- 2/1/2022
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: CBS is developing Unplanned In Akron, a multi-camera comedy from Picturestart and CBS Studios.
Written by actor-writer Schuyler Helford (Call Me Kat) with Emily R. Wilson supervising, Unplanned In Akron is a series about two teenagers navigating parenthood in the best way they know how. With a little help from their friends and parents, they will learn that no matter what age you are, taking care of a child is no joke — but sometimes, you just gotta laugh (or cry) your way through it.
Wilson executive produces alongside Samie Kim Falvey and Erik Feig for Picturestart as well as Chris Mills and Chris Emerson from Authentic Talent and Literary. Helford co-executive produces. Luke Esselen oversees for Picturestart.
As a writer, Helford has been on CBS’ radar; she was a writer for the network’s 2017 Showcase.
On-screen, she most recently recurred on the Fox comedy series Call Me Kat...
Written by actor-writer Schuyler Helford (Call Me Kat) with Emily R. Wilson supervising, Unplanned In Akron is a series about two teenagers navigating parenthood in the best way they know how. With a little help from their friends and parents, they will learn that no matter what age you are, taking care of a child is no joke — but sometimes, you just gotta laugh (or cry) your way through it.
Wilson executive produces alongside Samie Kim Falvey and Erik Feig for Picturestart as well as Chris Mills and Chris Emerson from Authentic Talent and Literary. Helford co-executive produces. Luke Esselen oversees for Picturestart.
As a writer, Helford has been on CBS’ radar; she was a writer for the network’s 2017 Showcase.
On-screen, she most recently recurred on the Fox comedy series Call Me Kat...
- 1/14/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
UTA has signed Estevan Oriol for representation in all areas, Variety has learned exclusively.
He will continue to be managed by Marco Valadez at The ID Agency and represented by attorney Eric Sherman at Ziffren Brittenham Llp.
Most recently, Oriol executive produced the Universal Pictures feature “Lowriders” and produced and directed the Netflix documentary “L.A. Originals.” He is also attached as an executive producer on the George Lopez-led drama series “Once Upon a Time in Aztlan,” which Variety exclusively reported has been set up for development at Amazon.
Oriol began his career as a tour manager for Cypress Hill and House of Pain. His photography, which has documented his life on the road as a tour manager, has been showcased in several galleries and institutions, including the Smithsonian Center for Latino Initiatives, Mesa Contemporary Art Center, Petersen Automotive Museum and The Museum of Contemporary Art, as well as...
He will continue to be managed by Marco Valadez at The ID Agency and represented by attorney Eric Sherman at Ziffren Brittenham Llp.
Most recently, Oriol executive produced the Universal Pictures feature “Lowriders” and produced and directed the Netflix documentary “L.A. Originals.” He is also attached as an executive producer on the George Lopez-led drama series “Once Upon a Time in Aztlan,” which Variety exclusively reported has been set up for development at Amazon.
Oriol began his career as a tour manager for Cypress Hill and House of Pain. His photography, which has documented his life on the road as a tour manager, has been showcased in several galleries and institutions, including the Smithsonian Center for Latino Initiatives, Mesa Contemporary Art Center, Petersen Automotive Museum and The Museum of Contemporary Art, as well as...
- 12/18/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Another classic video game is getting the movie treatment: Ubisoft’s 2003 cult favorite “Beyond Good and Evil,” with “Pokemon: Detective Pikachu” director Rob Letterman attached to direct at Netflix, two individuals with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
The film will be a hybrid of live action and animation, and Netflix is currently in early development on the project.
Released in 2003, “Beyond Good and Evil” is a sci-fi action and adventure game set in the year 2435. The story follows Jade, a young photojournalist who searches for the truth about an ongoing war and an alien threat on her remote home planet, suspecting that military leaders may be collaborating with the aliens.
Also Read: Xbox, Ubisoft and Every Virtual Gaming Announcement Scheduled This Summer
“We’re excited to work with Netflix on the ‘Beyond Good and Evil’ feature film and we look forward to sharing more in the future,” Ubisoft Film and Television...
The film will be a hybrid of live action and animation, and Netflix is currently in early development on the project.
Released in 2003, “Beyond Good and Evil” is a sci-fi action and adventure game set in the year 2435. The story follows Jade, a young photojournalist who searches for the truth about an ongoing war and an alien threat on her remote home planet, suspecting that military leaders may be collaborating with the aliens.
Also Read: Xbox, Ubisoft and Every Virtual Gaming Announcement Scheduled This Summer
“We’re excited to work with Netflix on the ‘Beyond Good and Evil’ feature film and we look forward to sharing more in the future,” Ubisoft Film and Television...
- 7/31/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Hit Japanese manga Promised Neverland is being adapted into a live-action series for Amazon by Heroes’ Masi Oka, Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse writer and director Rodney Rothman and Vertigo Entertainment.
Fox 21 and Amazon Studios are producing the English-language adaptation with Rothman set to direct and exec produce, with Oka, Roy Lee and Miri Yoon of Vertigo also EPs. Meghan Malloy (Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse) will write the pilot.
Promised Neverland, which was originally written by Kaiu Shirai and illustrated by Posuka Demizu, follows a group of the smartest kids at a seemingly idyllic orphanage uncover its dark truth when they break a rule to never leave the orphanage grounds. Once the truth is discovered, they begin to plan an escape to save all of the children. The manga has sold over 20M copies worldwide and has been serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine published by Shueisha.
It is...
Fox 21 and Amazon Studios are producing the English-language adaptation with Rothman set to direct and exec produce, with Oka, Roy Lee and Miri Yoon of Vertigo also EPs. Meghan Malloy (Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse) will write the pilot.
Promised Neverland, which was originally written by Kaiu Shirai and illustrated by Posuka Demizu, follows a group of the smartest kids at a seemingly idyllic orphanage uncover its dark truth when they break a rule to never leave the orphanage grounds. Once the truth is discovered, they begin to plan an escape to save all of the children. The manga has sold over 20M copies worldwide and has been serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine published by Shueisha.
It is...
- 6/10/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Sony Pictures is developing an English-language feature adaptation, If Cats Disappeared from the World, based on Genki Kawamura’s bestselling Japanese book and 2016 Japanese film of the same name. Kit Steinkellner, creator of the Facebook Watch series, Sorry for Your Loss, will pen the screenplay with Kawamura producing and Toho film, the production company of the Japanese film adaptation, attached to the project as well.
Heroes alum Masi Oka is also producing the pic alongside Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway helmer Will Gluck and Jodi Hildebrand through Gluck’s Olive Bridge Entertainment.
More from Deadline'Spider-Man: Far From Home' Reps Sony's Most Profitable Movie Of 2019: No. 8 In Deadline's Most Valuable Blockbuster Tournament'Bloodshot' Filmmaker David S.F. Wilson Inks With CAA'Jumanji: The Next Level' Climbs To No. 10 On Deadline's 2019 Most Valuable Blockbuster Tournament
The story follows The Young Postman whose days are numbered. Estranged from his family and living alone with only his cat,...
Heroes alum Masi Oka is also producing the pic alongside Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway helmer Will Gluck and Jodi Hildebrand through Gluck’s Olive Bridge Entertainment.
More from Deadline'Spider-Man: Far From Home' Reps Sony's Most Profitable Movie Of 2019: No. 8 In Deadline's Most Valuable Blockbuster Tournament'Bloodshot' Filmmaker David S.F. Wilson Inks With CAA'Jumanji: The Next Level' Climbs To No. 10 On Deadline's 2019 Most Valuable Blockbuster Tournament
The story follows The Young Postman whose days are numbered. Estranged from his family and living alone with only his cat,...
- 4/23/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: CBS is developing Repeat, a drama series executive produced by Masi Oka and Sabrina Wind, from ABC Studios.
Written and executive produced by David Hayter Repeat is based on the award-winning book of the same name by Kurumi Inui and the 2018 TV series, which aired on Yomiuri Television in Japan.
In Repeat, the opportunity to travel back 10 months to relive their pasts seems like an incredible gift to a group of strangers, giving them the chance to right wrongs, undo mistakes, and set their lives on a better path, but their new choices have unforeseen results as they unravel a larger conspiracy with deadly consequences.
The general idea, about stranger with supernatural abilities, is reminiscent of Oka’s NBC series Heroes where the powers of his character, fan favorite Hiro Nakamura, included traveling in time.
Oka and Hayter executive produce alongside Wind via her recently launched WindPower Entertainment,...
Written and executive produced by David Hayter Repeat is based on the award-winning book of the same name by Kurumi Inui and the 2018 TV series, which aired on Yomiuri Television in Japan.
In Repeat, the opportunity to travel back 10 months to relive their pasts seems like an incredible gift to a group of strangers, giving them the chance to right wrongs, undo mistakes, and set their lives on a better path, but their new choices have unforeseen results as they unravel a larger conspiracy with deadly consequences.
The general idea, about stranger with supernatural abilities, is reminiscent of Oka’s NBC series Heroes where the powers of his character, fan favorite Hiro Nakamura, included traveling in time.
Oka and Hayter executive produce alongside Wind via her recently launched WindPower Entertainment,...
- 10/4/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
MGM announced on Thursday that it has tapped stage and television director Liesl Tommy to helm “Respect,” the studio’s Aretha Franklin biopic.
Tommy, a South African-born American stage director, is best known for her direction of the 2016 Tony-nominated play “Eclipsed,” which was written by “Black Panther” star Danai Gurira.
“The story of Aretha Franklin’s journey from child prodigy in Detroit to international supernova is rife with struggle and triumph, making her life one of the great American stories of all time,” Tommy said in a statement. “As a filmmaker there is no greater gift than to be able to bring this transcendent chronicle of a woman’s fight for self-realization to visual life with the enormous talents of the soulful Jennifer Hudson, Callie Khouri, and our incredible producers.”
Also Read: Aretha Franklin Documentary 'Amazing Grace' Acquired by Neon for Early 2019 Release
The film covers the life...
Tommy, a South African-born American stage director, is best known for her direction of the 2016 Tony-nominated play “Eclipsed,” which was written by “Black Panther” star Danai Gurira.
“The story of Aretha Franklin’s journey from child prodigy in Detroit to international supernova is rife with struggle and triumph, making her life one of the great American stories of all time,” Tommy said in a statement. “As a filmmaker there is no greater gift than to be able to bring this transcendent chronicle of a woman’s fight for self-realization to visual life with the enormous talents of the soulful Jennifer Hudson, Callie Khouri, and our incredible producers.”
Also Read: Aretha Franklin Documentary 'Amazing Grace' Acquired by Neon for Early 2019 Release
The film covers the life...
- 1/10/2019
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
MGM has set stage director Liesl Tommy to direct Respect, the feature film about music icon Aretha Franklin. Oscar winning Dreamgirls star Jennifer Hudson was handpicked by Franklin to play her, and Oscar-winning Thelma & Louise and Nashville creator Callie Khouri is writing. Liesl is the first black woman to earn a Tony Award nomination for Best Direction of a Play. The film covers the life of the late Franklin from singing as a child in her father’s church’s choir to becoming an iconic superstar and civil rights activist. MGM Motion Picture Group president Jonathan Glickman announced it.
Tradecraft’s Scott Bernstein is producing with Harvey Mason, Jr., latter a Grammy Award nominated music producer who has written and produced songs for both Franklin and Hudson. Glickman and Adam Rosenberg oversee for the studio.
Tommy got six Tony noms for Eclipsed, including Best Director. Her work includes a...
Tradecraft’s Scott Bernstein is producing with Harvey Mason, Jr., latter a Grammy Award nominated music producer who has written and produced songs for both Franklin and Hudson. Glickman and Adam Rosenberg oversee for the studio.
Tommy got six Tony noms for Eclipsed, including Best Director. Her work includes a...
- 1/10/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, Disney has donated $500,000 for fire recovery efforts, the African American Film Critics Association honors “Crazy Rich Asians,” the Duplass brothers support an independent film and Chance the Rapper boards an MGM musical.
Recovery Efforts
Walt Disney Company has committed $500,000 to support relief and recovery efforts in response to the wildfires that continue to threaten California.
The donation will provide support to firefighters on the front lines as they work to contain the fires and will assist California residents.
“The firefighters are true heroes, and we honor their tireless commitment as they continue to battle these devastating wildfires,” said Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger. “Our hearts go out to the families and communities that have been so severely affected.”
Disney’s donations will go to the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund, which supports intermediate and long-term recovery efforts from major California wildfires...
Recovery Efforts
Walt Disney Company has committed $500,000 to support relief and recovery efforts in response to the wildfires that continue to threaten California.
The donation will provide support to firefighters on the front lines as they work to contain the fires and will assist California residents.
“The firefighters are true heroes, and we honor their tireless commitment as they continue to battle these devastating wildfires,” said Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger. “Our hearts go out to the families and communities that have been so severely affected.”
Disney’s donations will go to the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund, which supports intermediate and long-term recovery efforts from major California wildfires...
- 11/14/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
MGM announced on Tuesday that it has acquired the rights to develop a movie musical called “Hope” with musician and actor Chance the Rapper.
Told through original music to be created by Grammy-winning songwriter and producer Nico Segal and his collaborators, “Hope” will follow a group of Chicago teenagers that band together to turn art into action within their community.
Chance, a three time Grammy-winning hip-hop artist and producer has also made a name for himself as a prominent social activist, especially in his home city of Chicago, launching #SaveChicago with his father to combat gun violence; donating $1 million to local schools; and creating Social Works, an organization aimed at empowering youth through arts, education and civic engagement within the city.
Also Read: MGM Partners With Lantern Entertainment to Develop, Distribute 'Boys in the Boat'
Chance and his longtime manager Haight Films’ Pat Corcoran partnered with Tradecraft’s Scott Bernstein...
Told through original music to be created by Grammy-winning songwriter and producer Nico Segal and his collaborators, “Hope” will follow a group of Chicago teenagers that band together to turn art into action within their community.
Chance, a three time Grammy-winning hip-hop artist and producer has also made a name for himself as a prominent social activist, especially in his home city of Chicago, launching #SaveChicago with his father to combat gun violence; donating $1 million to local schools; and creating Social Works, an organization aimed at empowering youth through arts, education and civic engagement within the city.
Also Read: MGM Partners With Lantern Entertainment to Develop, Distribute 'Boys in the Boat'
Chance and his longtime manager Haight Films’ Pat Corcoran partnered with Tradecraft’s Scott Bernstein...
- 11/13/2018
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Chance The Rapper is at the center of Hope, an original movie musical that MGM will develop and finance. The three-time Grammy winner is partnered as producer with Haight Films’ Pat Corcoran and Tradecraft’s Scott Bernstein, latter of whom was a producer on Straight Outta Compton. Scripting will be Carlito Rodriguez, whose credits include the Fox series Empire and HBO’s The Leftovers. Grammy-winning songwriter and producer Nico Segal (formerly known as Donnie Trumpet) will oversee the creation of the film’s original music. Segal is a longtime collaborator who with Chance formed Chance and The Social Experiment in Chicago and broke through with the 2015 album Surf. The pieces were put together by MGM Motion Picture Group president Jonathan Glickman.
Told through original music from Nico and his collaborators, Hope follows a group of Chicago teenagers that band together to turn art into action within their community.
Chance the Rapper...
Told through original music from Nico and his collaborators, Hope follows a group of Chicago teenagers that band together to turn art into action within their community.
Chance the Rapper...
- 11/13/2018
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
He-Man has found new masters.
Sony Pictures and Mattel have tapped the directing duo of Aaron and Adam Nee to helm the He-Man movie “Masters of the Universe,” sources tell Variety.
Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, and Steve Tisch will produce with DeVon Franklin.
The movie will be based on the beloved Mattel toyline, which spawned a successful animated TV series (1983-85) as well as a 1987 film. The property centers on the warrior He-Man, the last hope of a magical land called Eternia. Dolph Lundgren starred in the original pic as the title character, while Frank Langella played the villainous Skeletor.
The pic is written by David Goyer, who is also an executive producer. Goyer had circled the director’s chair, but prior engagements forced him to pass on directing, though insiders say he is extremely involved in the development of the film.
Sony has already dated the movie...
Sony Pictures and Mattel have tapped the directing duo of Aaron and Adam Nee to helm the He-Man movie “Masters of the Universe,” sources tell Variety.
Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, and Steve Tisch will produce with DeVon Franklin.
The movie will be based on the beloved Mattel toyline, which spawned a successful animated TV series (1983-85) as well as a 1987 film. The property centers on the warrior He-Man, the last hope of a magical land called Eternia. Dolph Lundgren starred in the original pic as the title character, while Frank Langella played the villainous Skeletor.
The pic is written by David Goyer, who is also an executive producer. Goyer had circled the director’s chair, but prior engagements forced him to pass on directing, though insiders say he is extremely involved in the development of the film.
Sony has already dated the movie...
- 4/19/2018
- by Justin Kroll
- Variety Film + TV
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