Comedian and actor Chris Rock is in final talks to direct and produce a biopic on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with Steven Spielberg serving as an executive producer through his production company Amblin Partners.
The project will be an adaptation of “King: A Life,” a critically acclaimed biography of the civil rights leader written by Jonathan Eig and published earlier this year. The book draws from recently released documents related to King. These range from personal letters to White House telephone transcripts and FBI documents related to director J. Edgar Hoover’s hostile and racist surveillance of King.
It was not immediately clear whether Rock will also star in the film. He has played the lead in the three features he’s previously directed, as well as writing them.
The last feature Rock directed was 2014’s “Top Five.” Before that, he directed 2007’s “I Think I Love My Wife” and 2003’s “Head of State.
The project will be an adaptation of “King: A Life,” a critically acclaimed biography of the civil rights leader written by Jonathan Eig and published earlier this year. The book draws from recently released documents related to King. These range from personal letters to White House telephone transcripts and FBI documents related to director J. Edgar Hoover’s hostile and racist surveillance of King.
It was not immediately clear whether Rock will also star in the film. He has played the lead in the three features he’s previously directed, as well as writing them.
The last feature Rock directed was 2014’s “Top Five.” Before that, he directed 2007’s “I Think I Love My Wife” and 2003’s “Head of State.
- 10/5/2023
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Chris Rock is in final negotiations to direct and produce a biopic based on the life of Martin Luther King Jr. at Universal, an individual with knowledge of the project told IndieWire.
The film, which will be executive produced by Steven Spielberg, will be based on “King: A Life,” Jonathan Eig’s new biography that Universal has optioned and that The New York Times called the “definitive” bio of MLK Jr. and the first comprehensive account of his life in decades.
The project will be produced by Amblin Partners, with Kristie Macosko Krieger serving as producer, and Spielberg as EP.
“King: A Life” was a Nyt Bestseller and a National Book Award nominee. The book utilizes new FBI information from previously untapped primary sources and hundreds of interviews. Eig presents King Jr. as courageous but emotionally troubled, someone who demanded peaceful protest but also grappled with his own frailties.
This...
The film, which will be executive produced by Steven Spielberg, will be based on “King: A Life,” Jonathan Eig’s new biography that Universal has optioned and that The New York Times called the “definitive” bio of MLK Jr. and the first comprehensive account of his life in decades.
The project will be produced by Amblin Partners, with Kristie Macosko Krieger serving as producer, and Spielberg as EP.
“King: A Life” was a Nyt Bestseller and a National Book Award nominee. The book utilizes new FBI information from previously untapped primary sources and hundreds of interviews. Eig presents King Jr. as courageous but emotionally troubled, someone who demanded peaceful protest but also grappled with his own frailties.
This...
- 10/5/2023
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Chris Rock and Steven Spielberg are collaborating on a movie about the life of Martin Luther King Jr.
Rock is in final talks to direct and produce the project, with Spielberg on board as executive producer. Universal Pictures is backing the biographical drama after optioning Jonathan Eig’s biography “King: A Life.”
Eig’s book has been called the definitive biography of the late civil rights icon. It uses new FBI information and hundreds of interviews to paint a portrayal of King as a “courageous but emotionally troubled individual who demanded peaceful protest while grappling with his own frailties and a government that hunted him.” Since it’s early in the development process, casting has not been announced.
Universal’s senior VP of production development Ryan Jones will oversee the project on behalf of the studio. The untitled movie will be produced by Amblin Partners, with Kristie Macosko Krieger serving as producer,...
Rock is in final talks to direct and produce the project, with Spielberg on board as executive producer. Universal Pictures is backing the biographical drama after optioning Jonathan Eig’s biography “King: A Life.”
Eig’s book has been called the definitive biography of the late civil rights icon. It uses new FBI information and hundreds of interviews to paint a portrayal of King as a “courageous but emotionally troubled individual who demanded peaceful protest while grappling with his own frailties and a government that hunted him.” Since it’s early in the development process, casting has not been announced.
Universal’s senior VP of production development Ryan Jones will oversee the project on behalf of the studio. The untitled movie will be produced by Amblin Partners, with Kristie Macosko Krieger serving as producer,...
- 10/5/2023
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Universal Pictures is gearing up to tell a definitive cinematic biopic about the life of Martin Luther King Jr. The studio has optioned the rights to adapt Jonathan Eig’s critically acclaimed biography King: A Life. Chris Rock is in final talks to direct and produce, and Steven Spielberg will be executive producer.
The film will be produced by Amblin Partners, with Kristie Macosko Krieger serving as producer along with Rock. King: A Life has been a big bestseller, and is nominated for the National Book Award. It has been hailed as a definitive biography of the civil rights icon Dr. King, for its use of previously untapped sources that include newly declassified FBI information. The book sketches out the courageous man who demanded peaceful protests in the segregationist south, all the while grappling with his own frailties and a federal government that haunted his every step instead of...
The film will be produced by Amblin Partners, with Kristie Macosko Krieger serving as producer along with Rock. King: A Life has been a big bestseller, and is nominated for the National Book Award. It has been hailed as a definitive biography of the civil rights icon Dr. King, for its use of previously untapped sources that include newly declassified FBI information. The book sketches out the courageous man who demanded peaceful protests in the segregationist south, all the while grappling with his own frailties and a federal government that haunted his every step instead of...
- 10/5/2023
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Amblin Partners has closed a preemptive deal to acquire feature film rights for the highly anticipated novel Assassins Anonymous by Rob Hart, which will be published in 2024.
In the novel, the world’s deadliest hitman has left his violent life behind and joined a clandestine 12-step support group for reformed assassins. But when he is attacked by a mysterious assailant, he must risk everything to find out who’s after him and why—and he must survive without breaking his pledge never to kill again. The novel blends the pulse-pounding action of John Wick with the humor and humanity of Barry.
Hart will executive produce. The project will be overseen at Amblin by Lauren Abrahams, EVP Production.
Hart is the author of seven novels, including The Warehouse; The Paradox Hotel, which was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award that was named one of the best books of 2022 by...
In the novel, the world’s deadliest hitman has left his violent life behind and joined a clandestine 12-step support group for reformed assassins. But when he is attacked by a mysterious assailant, he must risk everything to find out who’s after him and why—and he must survive without breaking his pledge never to kill again. The novel blends the pulse-pounding action of John Wick with the humor and humanity of Barry.
Hart will executive produce. The project will be overseen at Amblin by Lauren Abrahams, EVP Production.
Hart is the author of seven novels, including The Warehouse; The Paradox Hotel, which was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award that was named one of the best books of 2022 by...
- 4/13/2023
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Amazon Studios is expanding its fantasy realm.
The studio, which already produces The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and The Wheel of Time (the latter with Sony Pictures Television), is developing Jennifer L. Armentrout’s From Blood and Ash novels as a TV series. The Boys and Star Trek: Discovery writer and producer Anne Cofell Saunders will adapt the books.
From Blood and Ash centers on a young woman named Poppy, who is chosen at birth as The Maiden of her kingdom who will “Ascend” and bring in a new era of peace and prosperity. Duty-bound to fulfill her destiny, she’s also isolated from the world. Per the show’s description, “She can only dream of freedom, even as she secretly trains and fights with her guards to protect the realm from the evil that took her family. When an extraordinary, golden-eyed guard enters her life...
The studio, which already produces The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and The Wheel of Time (the latter with Sony Pictures Television), is developing Jennifer L. Armentrout’s From Blood and Ash novels as a TV series. The Boys and Star Trek: Discovery writer and producer Anne Cofell Saunders will adapt the books.
From Blood and Ash centers on a young woman named Poppy, who is chosen at birth as The Maiden of her kingdom who will “Ascend” and bring in a new era of peace and prosperity. Duty-bound to fulfill her destiny, she’s also isolated from the world. Per the show’s description, “She can only dream of freedom, even as she secretly trains and fights with her guards to protect the realm from the evil that took her family. When an extraordinary, golden-eyed guard enters her life...
- 3/9/2023
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Paul Lee’s independent studio wiip (Mare of Easttown) has optioned the rights to Gary M. Pomerantz’s bestselling nonfiction book Where Peachtree Meets Sweet Auburn: The Saga of Two Families and The Making of Atlanta to adapt for television.
In Where Peachtree Meets Sweet Auburn, Pomerantz traces five generations of two of Atlanta’s defining political family dynasties — the Allens, descending from slave owners, and the Dobbses, descending from slaves. These families produced the two most influential mayors of the modern South: Ivan Allen Jr. and Maynard Jackson Jr.
Through interviews and research, Pomerantz shows how the families rose to social, economic and political prominence but also demonstrates how their compelling lives paralleled the shifting relations between Atlanta’s blacks and whites, as the city grew to become the capital of the New South. It is a representative story of the transformation of a city and the entire South.
In Where Peachtree Meets Sweet Auburn, Pomerantz traces five generations of two of Atlanta’s defining political family dynasties — the Allens, descending from slave owners, and the Dobbses, descending from slaves. These families produced the two most influential mayors of the modern South: Ivan Allen Jr. and Maynard Jackson Jr.
Through interviews and research, Pomerantz shows how the families rose to social, economic and political prominence but also demonstrates how their compelling lives paralleled the shifting relations between Atlanta’s blacks and whites, as the city grew to become the capital of the New South. It is a representative story of the transformation of a city and the entire South.
- 9/15/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Black Bear Pictures, the team behind Benedict Cumberbatch feature film The Imitation Game, is heading back to Bletchley Park – this time for the small screen.
The company’s television division has optioned the rights to Kate Quinn’s novel The Rose Code and is developing it as a scripted TV series.
The book, which was published by William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins earlier this month and which Black Bear Television won in a competitive situation, tells the World War II story of three female codebreakers at Bletchley Park.
As England prepares to fight the Nazis, three very different women answer the call to a mysterious country estate, Bletchley Park, where the best minds in Britain train to break German military codes. Through their friendship, these women find the strength to survive war, loss, heartbreak, and the impossible pressure of secrecy. Navigating two distinct timelines, the novel is blend of history,...
The company’s television division has optioned the rights to Kate Quinn’s novel The Rose Code and is developing it as a scripted TV series.
The book, which was published by William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins earlier this month and which Black Bear Television won in a competitive situation, tells the World War II story of three female codebreakers at Bletchley Park.
As England prepares to fight the Nazis, three very different women answer the call to a mysterious country estate, Bletchley Park, where the best minds in Britain train to break German military codes. Through their friendship, these women find the strength to survive war, loss, heartbreak, and the impossible pressure of secrecy. Navigating two distinct timelines, the novel is blend of history,...
- 3/31/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
In a competitive situation, Paramount Players has won the adaptive rights to the new novel from bestselling author S.A. Cosby.
Titled “Razorblade Tears,” the book is set for release this July from Flatiron Books. Cosby is the author of “Blacktop Wasteland,” the top seller in mystery thrillers on Amazon in 2020, which was also named a New York Times notable book of the year.
“Razorblade Tears” is a Southern noir about two men who team up to seek vengeance for their murdered sons in the face of intolerance and prejudice in the rural South, finding redemption along the way.
Jerry Bruckheimer and Chad Oman are producing the feature, which has yet to attach a director. Melissa Reid brought the book in for Jerry Bruckheimer Films.
This is the second high-profile score from newly minted Paramount Players President Jeremy Kramer, whose division at the iconic studio is committed to creating hit genre films from unique,...
Titled “Razorblade Tears,” the book is set for release this July from Flatiron Books. Cosby is the author of “Blacktop Wasteland,” the top seller in mystery thrillers on Amazon in 2020, which was also named a New York Times notable book of the year.
“Razorblade Tears” is a Southern noir about two men who team up to seek vengeance for their murdered sons in the face of intolerance and prejudice in the rural South, finding redemption along the way.
Jerry Bruckheimer and Chad Oman are producing the feature, which has yet to attach a director. Melissa Reid brought the book in for Jerry Bruckheimer Films.
This is the second high-profile score from newly minted Paramount Players President Jeremy Kramer, whose division at the iconic studio is committed to creating hit genre films from unique,...
- 1/13/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Gabrielle Union-founded I’ll Have Another Productions has picked up the rights to The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls, the debut novel from broadcast journalist Anissa Gray. The book is being developed into a series under I’ll Have Another’s first-look production deal with Sony Pictures Television.
Erika L. Johnson, a writer/producer who’s worked on shows like Queen Sugar, Shades Of Blue, and Showtime’s The Good Lord Bird, will pen the adaptation and serve as an executive producer.
Published in 2019, the story explores sisterhood, mothers and daughters, identity within a family, and how the relationships that form who you are, can also be the ones to swallow you whole. It’s about three sisters whose lives are thrown into chaos when the eldest sister and her husband are arrested for white-collar crimes in a small Michigan town. This incident will expose each sister’s deep-buried childhood trauma,...
Erika L. Johnson, a writer/producer who’s worked on shows like Queen Sugar, Shades Of Blue, and Showtime’s The Good Lord Bird, will pen the adaptation and serve as an executive producer.
Published in 2019, the story explores sisterhood, mothers and daughters, identity within a family, and how the relationships that form who you are, can also be the ones to swallow you whole. It’s about three sisters whose lives are thrown into chaos when the eldest sister and her husband are arrested for white-collar crimes in a small Michigan town. This incident will expose each sister’s deep-buried childhood trauma,...
- 10/14/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Justin Hartley (This Is Us) is attached to executive produce and star in The Noel Diary, a feature adaptation of Richard Paul Evans’ New York Times bestselling novel. Netflix has acquired rights to the book. Bonnie Bedelia and Treat Williams will also star in the film, directed by Father of the Bride helmer Charles Shyer.
Published in 2017, the story follows bestselling author Jacob Turner who returns home on Christmas to settle his estranged mother’s estate. There he discovers a diary that may hold secrets to his own past and that of Rachel — a beautiful young woman on a mysterious journey of her own. Together, they embark on an adventure to confront their pasts and discover a future that’s totally unexpected.
Producers are Timothy O. Johnson of Johnson Production Group, Margret Huddleston and Stephanie Slack. Norman Stephens will serve as executive producer alongside Hartley.
Published in 2017, the story follows bestselling author Jacob Turner who returns home on Christmas to settle his estranged mother’s estate. There he discovers a diary that may hold secrets to his own past and that of Rachel — a beautiful young woman on a mysterious journey of her own. Together, they embark on an adventure to confront their pasts and discover a future that’s totally unexpected.
Producers are Timothy O. Johnson of Johnson Production Group, Margret Huddleston and Stephanie Slack. Norman Stephens will serve as executive producer alongside Hartley.
- 8/26/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: HBO Max has optioned the Lev Rosen Ya novel Camp and will turn it into a feature film. Dan Jinks will produce through his Dan Jinks Company. Script will be written by Kit Williamson, the creator, director and star of the Emmy-nominated Lgbtq series EastSiders, which recently premiered its fourth and final season on Netflix.
Sixteen-year-old Randy Kapplehoff loves spending the summer at Camp Outland, a camp for queer teens. It’s where he met his best friends. It’s where he takes to the stage in the big musical. And it’s where he fell for Hudson Aaronson-Lim – who’s only into straight-acting guys and barely knows not-at-all-straight-acting Randy even exists. Randy reinvents himself over the summer as Del, a buff, masculine and on-the-market camper. Even if it means giving up show tunes, nail polish, and his unicorn bedsheets, he’s determined to get Hudson to fall for him.
Sixteen-year-old Randy Kapplehoff loves spending the summer at Camp Outland, a camp for queer teens. It’s where he met his best friends. It’s where he takes to the stage in the big musical. And it’s where he fell for Hudson Aaronson-Lim – who’s only into straight-acting guys and barely knows not-at-all-straight-acting Randy even exists. Randy reinvents himself over the summer as Del, a buff, masculine and on-the-market camper. Even if it means giving up show tunes, nail polish, and his unicorn bedsheets, he’s determined to get Hudson to fall for him.
- 5/18/2020
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Mexican-American author Sandra Cisneros’ coming-of-age novel The House on Mango Street is to be adapted into a TV drama by Gaumont, the producer behind Netflix hit Narcos.
The House on Mango Street is made up of series of vignettes about the characters that populate a blue-collar Chicago neighborhood, seen through the eyes of a Mexican-American teenager, who acts as narrator for the reader.
Regarded as a classic of Chicana literature, the 1984 book has been described as a telenovela of sorts by The New York Times and has made its way on to the curriculum in some U.S. schools and colleges.
Cisneros has previously declined offers to adapt the book for film and TV, according to Gaumont, but she changed her mind amid the explosion in streaming services and the ongoing dialogue about immigration in America.
“I write because the world we live in is a house on fire,...
The House on Mango Street is made up of series of vignettes about the characters that populate a blue-collar Chicago neighborhood, seen through the eyes of a Mexican-American teenager, who acts as narrator for the reader.
Regarded as a classic of Chicana literature, the 1984 book has been described as a telenovela of sorts by The New York Times and has made its way on to the curriculum in some U.S. schools and colleges.
Cisneros has previously declined offers to adapt the book for film and TV, according to Gaumont, but she changed her mind amid the explosion in streaming services and the ongoing dialogue about immigration in America.
“I write because the world we live in is a house on fire,...
- 1/22/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The Alienist writer John Sayles is developing a limited series set in the world of televangelism with Agc Television.
Sayles, who has been nominated for a best screenwriting Oscar for Passion Fish and Lone Star, is developing Electric Church with Black Mirror director John Hillcoat on board to direct.
Sayles co-created the project with Marc-Edouard Leon. The drama tells the true story behind the rise of the Christian Right. In the 1980’s, larger-than-life personalities such as Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, Pat Robertson, and Jerry Falwell ruled the airwaves. They were rich, they were idolized, they epitomized religious excess. The series will explore how their paths collided in an epic saga that would change the face of American politics.
Sayles will exec produce with Hillcoat, Agc Studios founder Stuart Ford, Agc Television President Lourdes Diaz and Agc’s Head of Film Greg Shapiro with Jonathan Pavesi producing.
The deal...
Sayles, who has been nominated for a best screenwriting Oscar for Passion Fish and Lone Star, is developing Electric Church with Black Mirror director John Hillcoat on board to direct.
Sayles co-created the project with Marc-Edouard Leon. The drama tells the true story behind the rise of the Christian Right. In the 1980’s, larger-than-life personalities such as Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, Pat Robertson, and Jerry Falwell ruled the airwaves. They were rich, they were idolized, they epitomized religious excess. The series will explore how their paths collided in an epic saga that would change the face of American politics.
Sayles will exec produce with Hillcoat, Agc Studios founder Stuart Ford, Agc Television President Lourdes Diaz and Agc’s Head of Film Greg Shapiro with Jonathan Pavesi producing.
The deal...
- 5/21/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Picture Perfect Federation, the company recently launched by Patrick Wachsberger and Pascal Breton (pictured), has acquired adaptation rights to Allison Pataki’s novels “The Accidental Empress” and “Sisi: Empress on Her Own,” to produce a female-driven period series with a modern spin.
The two novels chart the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria who is still widely known throughout Europe as the beloved “Sisi.”
It will be the first international TV series about the unconventional Empress, who was the Princess Diana of her time. Romy Schneider made Sisi famous with her legendary performance in the 1955 movie “Sissi” which is one of the most successful German-language movies of all time.
Picture Perfect Federation, a joint venture between Patrick Wachsberger’s Picture Perfect Entertainment and Pascal Breton’s Federation Entertainment, will handle international sales on the show. Michael Shamberg’s Mas Production will be executive producing the series with Pataki, who is...
The two novels chart the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria who is still widely known throughout Europe as the beloved “Sisi.”
It will be the first international TV series about the unconventional Empress, who was the Princess Diana of her time. Romy Schneider made Sisi famous with her legendary performance in the 1955 movie “Sissi” which is one of the most successful German-language movies of all time.
Picture Perfect Federation, a joint venture between Patrick Wachsberger’s Picture Perfect Entertainment and Pascal Breton’s Federation Entertainment, will handle international sales on the show. Michael Shamberg’s Mas Production will be executive producing the series with Pataki, who is...
- 4/5/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Picture Perfect Federation, the company recently launched by Patrick Wachsberger’s Picture Perfect Entertainment, has teamed with Pascal Breton’s Federation Entertainment to acquire Allison Pataki’s two bestselling novels — The Accidental Empress and Sisi: Empress on Her Own — to be developed as a series on the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria. She was considered the Princes Diana of her time and still widely known throughout Europe.
Picture Perfect Federation will handle worldwide distribution with Michael Shamberg’s Mas Production exec producing along with the author. The series will be a thoroughly female driven period piece with a modern spin. It’s about a strong woman’s journey to accept and embrace her power in order to make her mark and live on her own terms in a male dominated world. Wide in scope with rich period details, this premium drama spanning from 1853 up until the start of World...
Picture Perfect Federation will handle worldwide distribution with Michael Shamberg’s Mas Production exec producing along with the author. The series will be a thoroughly female driven period piece with a modern spin. It’s about a strong woman’s journey to accept and embrace her power in order to make her mark and live on her own terms in a male dominated world. Wide in scope with rich period details, this premium drama spanning from 1853 up until the start of World...
- 4/5/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
eOne Acquires TV Rights To Bruce Henderson’s ‘Sons and Soldiers’ Book With Eric Tuchman & David Ayer
Entertainment One has acquired the television rights to Bruce Henderson’s book Sons and Soldiers: The Untold Story of the Jews Who Escaped the Nazis and Returned with the U.S. Army to Fight Hitler, to develop as a series, with Emmy winner Eric Tuchman (The Handmaid’s Tale) attached to pen the adaptation and David Ayer to direct. Ayer and Chris Long’s Cedar Park Entertainment will produce with Storyby Entertainment as part of their first-look deals with eOne. eOne is the studio and will distribute the project worldwide.
Sons and Soldiers is the little-known saga of young German Jews, dubbed The Ritchie Boys, who fled Nazi Germany in the 1930s, came of age in America, and returned to Europe at enormous personal risk as members of the U.S. Army to play a key role in the Allied victory. The book was originally published in 2017 by William Morrow.
Tuchman...
Sons and Soldiers is the little-known saga of young German Jews, dubbed The Ritchie Boys, who fled Nazi Germany in the 1930s, came of age in America, and returned to Europe at enormous personal risk as members of the U.S. Army to play a key role in the Allied victory. The book was originally published in 2017 by William Morrow.
Tuchman...
- 10/19/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The Ink Factory and Marc Platt Prods. are joining forces to adapt “We Were Never Here,” the highly anticipated novel from Lara Prescott based on events surrounding the publication of Boris Pasternak’s “Doctor Zhivago.”
The project sets up a high-caliber partnership between The Ink Factory, the team behind BBC and AMC series “The Night Manager” and the upcoming “The Little Drummer Girl,” and Platt, the Oscar-nominated producer of “La La Land” and “Bridge of Spies.” The partners have just sealed the deal for the book and are now assessing whether it will be a movie or series adaptation.
“We Were Never Here” is a thriller and love story set in the 1950s, during the Cold War. It centers on a CIA plan to engineer the publication of “Doctor Zhivago” in Pasternak’s home country of Russia. The authorities there had ordered the manuscript destroyed and the book banned because...
The project sets up a high-caliber partnership between The Ink Factory, the team behind BBC and AMC series “The Night Manager” and the upcoming “The Little Drummer Girl,” and Platt, the Oscar-nominated producer of “La La Land” and “Bridge of Spies.” The partners have just sealed the deal for the book and are now assessing whether it will be a movie or series adaptation.
“We Were Never Here” is a thriller and love story set in the 1950s, during the Cold War. It centers on a CIA plan to engineer the publication of “Doctor Zhivago” in Pasternak’s home country of Russia. The authorities there had ordered the manuscript destroyed and the book banned because...
- 9/27/2018
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
The Venice Film Festival begins August 29 and possibly the most anticipated American entry is the world premiere of “A Star Is Born” starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, who also directed the film. This is at least the fourth telling of this tale. The stars change, the style of music changes, but the story apparently has something that is evergreen — the title, coincidentally, of Barbra Streisand’s Oscar-winning song in the 1976 version.
The latest big-screen reboot of “Charlie’s Angels” was announced earlier this summer, and as we speak, Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner are prepping a reimagining of “West Side Story.” It might make sense to attempt a new take on a great idea that didn’t work the first time. (The Rat Pack’s “Oceans 11” became the much better George Clooney version.) But for an iconic musical that won 10 Oscars?
The list of failed remakes is long. Another winner of ten-plus Oscars,...
The latest big-screen reboot of “Charlie’s Angels” was announced earlier this summer, and as we speak, Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner are prepping a reimagining of “West Side Story.” It might make sense to attempt a new take on a great idea that didn’t work the first time. (The Rat Pack’s “Oceans 11” became the much better George Clooney version.) But for an iconic musical that won 10 Oscars?
The list of failed remakes is long. Another winner of ten-plus Oscars,...
- 8/15/2018
- by Mary Murphy and Michele Willens
- The Wrap
Veteran literary agent Lucy Stille, who was one of the founding partners of Paradigm, has joined Apa, where she'll focus on expanding the agency's literary presence on the East Coast. After 21 years at Paradigm, Stille is ready for a new challenge, and she'll be working out of Apa's new offices in midtown Manhattan. She recently negotiated the sale of Glenn Greenwald's book “No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the Nsa, and the U.S. Surveillance State” to Sony Pictures. Also read: Sony, James Bond Producers to Adapt Glenn Greenwald's Edward Snowden Book “Despite terrific years at Paradigm working with many wonderful colleagues,...
- 6/6/2014
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
Veteran literary agent Lucy Stille has joined Apa, The Hollywood Reporter has exclusively learned. In doing so, she leaves Paradigm, the agency she helped establish 21 years ago. Stille will focus on expanding Apa’s literary presence on the east coast, working out of its new offices in New York City. The agency recently moved into a 28,000-square-foot space comprising the entire 17th floor of the Sports Illustrated building in midtown Manhattan. "Despite terrific years at Paradigm working with many wonderful colleagues, I'm thrilled to be joining Apa," Stille said in a statement. "Their commitment and enthusiasm for a
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- 6/5/2014
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sony has optioned rights to Glenn Greenwald’s book No Place To Hide and teamed up with James Bond franchise producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of Eon Productions.
No Place To Hide: Edward Snowden, The Nsa, And The U.S. Surveillance State looks at Pulitzer Prize-winning Greenwald’s involvement in working with Snowden to break the story about levels od Nsa surveillance. The book was published on May 13.
Columbia Pictures evp of production Elizabeth Cantillon oversees for the studio.
Lucy Stille at Paradigm brokered the deal with Dan Conaway at Writers House.
No Place To Hide: Edward Snowden, The Nsa, And The U.S. Surveillance State looks at Pulitzer Prize-winning Greenwald’s involvement in working with Snowden to break the story about levels od Nsa surveillance. The book was published on May 13.
Columbia Pictures evp of production Elizabeth Cantillon oversees for the studio.
Lucy Stille at Paradigm brokered the deal with Dan Conaway at Writers House.
- 5/14/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Sony Pictures Entertainment today announced that it optioned the film rights to No Place To Hide: Edward Snowden, the Nsa, and the U.S. Surveillance State, the new book by Glenn Greenwald, whose reporting on the revelations contained in Snowden’s top-secret Nsa documents won the Pulitzer Prize for The Guardian newspaper.
Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of Eon Productions will produce the film.
Greenwald’s highly-anticipated book examines the journalist’s personal involvement in working with Snowden to break numerous stories about the U.S. government’s intelligence gathering operations. The book is both a thrilling personal narrative of the events as they unfolded, and an important historical reflection on the broader implications of the Nsa’s activities.
Commenting on the announcement, Doug Belgrad, president of Columbia Pictures, said, “Edward Snowden’s explosive revelations have raised important questions about the role of government in protecting its citizens...
Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli of Eon Productions will produce the film.
Greenwald’s highly-anticipated book examines the journalist’s personal involvement in working with Snowden to break numerous stories about the U.S. government’s intelligence gathering operations. The book is both a thrilling personal narrative of the events as they unfolded, and an important historical reflection on the broader implications of the Nsa’s activities.
Commenting on the announcement, Doug Belgrad, president of Columbia Pictures, said, “Edward Snowden’s explosive revelations have raised important questions about the role of government in protecting its citizens...
- 5/14/2014
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
There is either a couple of football fans or Jerry Maguire/Moneyball with this year’s most liked unproduced screenplay. Close to 300 hundred film executives provided with the Black List creators a top ten of their favorite screenplays of the year and the consensus first overall pick (with 65 votes) comes from the recently featured in Variety (10 Screenwriters to Watch 2012) tandem of Rajiv Joseph & Scott Rothman and their drama which has nothing to do with enlisting in the armed forces. Draft Day – about the day in the life of a fictitious Buffalo Bills Gm appears to currently be in turnaround — which only means I expect to see this greenlight perhaps a little later than sooner – worth noting: top spot almost guarantees that the film will indeed go into production (2006, 2010 and 2011 are the exceptions.) Among the more alluring logline subjects we find on the list, I’d be keen on reading the...
- 12/18/2012
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert and Good Universe have acquired multipicture rights to Susan Ee’s bestselling Amazon Publishing book series Angelfall. Sam Raimi (Spider-Man trilogy) and Rob Tapert (The Possession) will produce. Joe Drake (Hunger Games) and Nathan Kahane (Hope Springs) will executive produce.
Initially self-published, Susan Ee’s fantasy novel was released this past fall through Amazon Children’s Publishing after being courted by multiple publishing houses. Angelfall became an instant success across a broad demographic of readers resonating with the ravenous young adult crowd as well as adults. The book ranked #1 on Amazon’s Most Wished For Teen Book list and #1 best seller in Sci-fi & Fantasy. Susan Ee is a lawyer turned writer and Angelfall is her debut novel. The second book in the series will release in Fall 2013.
Sam Raimi said,
“Susan is a brilliant writer. She has created a fantastic world with instantly engaging and real characters.
Initially self-published, Susan Ee’s fantasy novel was released this past fall through Amazon Children’s Publishing after being courted by multiple publishing houses. Angelfall became an instant success across a broad demographic of readers resonating with the ravenous young adult crowd as well as adults. The book ranked #1 on Amazon’s Most Wished For Teen Book list and #1 best seller in Sci-fi & Fantasy. Susan Ee is a lawyer turned writer and Angelfall is her debut novel. The second book in the series will release in Fall 2013.
Sam Raimi said,
“Susan is a brilliant writer. She has created a fantastic world with instantly engaging and real characters.
- 11/14/2012
- by Kellvin Chavez
- LRMonline.com
Independent Film Week kicked off on Sunday at Lincoln Center and co-writer/co-producer of Brooklyn Flee, Devon Kirkpatrick, and I sat in a room full of Emerging Narratives filmmakers nervously awaiting our moment to practice pitch our scripts in front of an esteemed industry panel. We spent two hours the day before sketching out our thoughts over bad guacamole and happy hour Chardonnay, attempting to figure out what makes a good two minute pitch.
After a few hours, Devon and I parted ways needing to take a moment to center ourselves before a hectic week. I went home to fall asleep after ten minutes of the movie Singles and eating takeout in my pajamas and Devon was probably cuddling with her dog or something.
On Sunday morning, while most people were dreaming of the mimosas they’d have at brunch, we stood in front of a small amphitheater of people...
After a few hours, Devon and I parted ways needing to take a moment to center ourselves before a hectic week. I went home to fall asleep after ten minutes of the movie Singles and eating takeout in my pajamas and Devon was probably cuddling with her dog or something.
On Sunday morning, while most people were dreaming of the mimosas they’d have at brunch, we stood in front of a small amphitheater of people...
- 9/18/2012
- by Alexandra Roxo
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
The Ifp and the Film Society of Lincoln Center have announced a collaborative program to take place during this year’s New York Film Festival called Emerging Visions.
According to the press release, Emerging Visions will take place Oct. 3 at Lincoln Center’s Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center with 25 emerging filmmaking talents attending with a documentary or narrative feature that has been selected from Ifp and the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s talent pool. They will be paired with an established director or producer who will mentor them through the current filmmaking landscape, offering guidance and connections to filmmakers on both their current projects and careers. Each filmmaker will receive mentorship and year round support from both organizations through annual memberships and participation in panels and events. The program will also include a live pitching session featuring panelists Christine Vachon (producer, Killer Digital), John Sloss (principal, Cinetic Media), Lucy Stille (agent,...
According to the press release, Emerging Visions will take place Oct. 3 at Lincoln Center’s Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center with 25 emerging filmmaking talents attending with a documentary or narrative feature that has been selected from Ifp and the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s talent pool. They will be paired with an established director or producer who will mentor them through the current filmmaking landscape, offering guidance and connections to filmmakers on both their current projects and careers. Each filmmaker will receive mentorship and year round support from both organizations through annual memberships and participation in panels and events. The program will also include a live pitching session featuring panelists Christine Vachon (producer, Killer Digital), John Sloss (principal, Cinetic Media), Lucy Stille (agent,...
- 9/13/2011
- by Jason Guerrasio
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
The novella "Embassy" recently was sent around to producers by Joel Gotler, president of the Intellectual Property Group, inviting them to team with him to create a movie package to offer major studios. What was unusual was not that the thriller was written in five days by New York real estate investor, hedge-fund manager and author Richard Doetsch, or that it was published by Simon & Schuster but isn't available in bookstores. What was new was that "Embassy" has been published as a Vook, a hybrid of text and embedded video that intertwine to tell the story of a hostage crisis and can be read and viewed full-screen online or on any mobile device.
The Vook, Gotler says, is "the hottest thing right now."
What the Vook offers, along with a dramatic "Die Hard"-style story, is compelling video that helps sell the concept -- an element many producers are adding...
The Vook, Gotler says, is "the hottest thing right now."
What the Vook offers, along with a dramatic "Die Hard"-style story, is compelling video that helps sell the concept -- an element many producers are adding...
- 10/29/2009
- by By Alex Ben Block
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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