‘Girl With a Pearl Earring’ Director Peter Webber Joins Wartime Thriller ‘Irena Sendler’ (Exclusive)
Peter Webber has signed on to direct the wartime thriller “Irena Sendler.” It tells the true story of Irena Sendler, a Polish social worker who defied the Nazis and organized a team of young women to smuggle 2,500 Jewish children out of the Warsaw Ghetto during the Holocaust. Casting is currently underway and production is expected to start in Poland later this year or early in 2024.
The script was penned by Agatha Dominik, Brian Pittman & Rachel Long, Stuart Hazeldine, and Jeff Most. The film will be produced by Most (“The Crow”), BAFTA Award winning and Academy Award winning producer Ewa Puszczyńska, Jeff Rice, Armory Films’ Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros, and Golden Globe winning producer Gareth Wiley of Phoenix Wiley.
“Irene Sendler was an icon, an inspiration, an incredibly brave young woman who risked her own life to save hundreds of young children in the Warsaw Ghetto from certain death at...
The script was penned by Agatha Dominik, Brian Pittman & Rachel Long, Stuart Hazeldine, and Jeff Most. The film will be produced by Most (“The Crow”), BAFTA Award winning and Academy Award winning producer Ewa Puszczyńska, Jeff Rice, Armory Films’ Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros, and Golden Globe winning producer Gareth Wiley of Phoenix Wiley.
“Irene Sendler was an icon, an inspiration, an incredibly brave young woman who risked her own life to save hundreds of young children in the Warsaw Ghetto from certain death at...
- 7/11/2023
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Here’s your first look at the brand new trailer for Charlie Day’s Fool’S Paradise.
The movie stars Charlie Day, Ken Jeong, Kate Beckinsale, Adrien Brody, Ray Liotta, Jason Sudeikis, Edie Falco, John Malkovich, Common, and Jillian Bell.
A satirical comedy about a down on his luck publicist, who gets his lucky break when he discovers a man recently released from a mental health facility looks just like a method actor who refuses to leave his trailer. With the help of a powerful producer, the publicist helps the man become a huge star, even marrying his beautiful leading lady. Their adventures lead them to cross paths with drunken costars, irreverent unhoused action heroes, unpredictable directors, super-agent, and power-mad moguls. Fame and fortune are not all they’re cracked up to be, and the two men must fight their way back to the things that matter the most.
Written...
The movie stars Charlie Day, Ken Jeong, Kate Beckinsale, Adrien Brody, Ray Liotta, Jason Sudeikis, Edie Falco, John Malkovich, Common, and Jillian Bell.
A satirical comedy about a down on his luck publicist, who gets his lucky break when he discovers a man recently released from a mental health facility looks just like a method actor who refuses to leave his trailer. With the help of a powerful producer, the publicist helps the man become a huge star, even marrying his beautiful leading lady. Their adventures lead them to cross paths with drunken costars, irreverent unhoused action heroes, unpredictable directors, super-agent, and power-mad moguls. Fame and fortune are not all they’re cracked up to be, and the two men must fight their way back to the things that matter the most.
Written...
- 4/11/2023
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Charlie Day just saved the Mushroom Kingdom, but the “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” star already has his next adventure lined up. Day is making his directorial debut with the satirical comedy “Fool’s Paradise,” and Roadside Attractions has released the first trailer for the feature.
Day, who also wrote the screenplay, stars in “Fool’s Paradise” as two characters: a mute man recently released from a mental health facility, and a temperamental method actor who refuses to finish production on his Western film. When the producer of the film (played by the late Ray Liotta) discovers the mute man wandering the streets of Los Angeles, he gets roped into filling in for the movie star. Soon, a publicist (Ken Jeong) gives him the stage name Latte Pronto and takes him under his wing, transforming the nobody into a huge star. The film follows Latte and the publicist as they navigate fame and fortune,...
Day, who also wrote the screenplay, stars in “Fool’s Paradise” as two characters: a mute man recently released from a mental health facility, and a temperamental method actor who refuses to finish production on his Western film. When the producer of the film (played by the late Ray Liotta) discovers the mute man wandering the streets of Los Angeles, he gets roped into filling in for the movie star. Soon, a publicist (Ken Jeong) gives him the stage name Latte Pronto and takes him under his wing, transforming the nobody into a huge star. The film follows Latte and the publicist as they navigate fame and fortune,...
- 4/11/2023
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
The gang of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia have recently spread their creative wings fairly recently despite now having the longest-running live-action comedy series on television. Each cast member has pulled double duty on the FX show and other projects to varying degrees. Now Charlie Day will be making his feature directorial debut with Fool’s Paradise, which has also been written by him and is starring him in dual roles. The trailer for Fool’s Paradise just dropped and invites you to partake in the madness that is show business.
The official synopsis reads,
A satirical comedy about a down on his luck publicist, who gets his lucky break when he discovers a man recently released from a mental health facility looks just like a method actor who refuses to leave his trailer. With the help of a powerful producer, the publicist helps the man become a huge star, even marrying his beautiful leading lady.
The official synopsis reads,
A satirical comedy about a down on his luck publicist, who gets his lucky break when he discovers a man recently released from a mental health facility looks just like a method actor who refuses to leave his trailer. With the help of a powerful producer, the publicist helps the man become a huge star, even marrying his beautiful leading lady.
- 4/11/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Roadside Attractions, Grindstone Entertainment, and Lionsgate have picked up North American distribution for Charlie Day’s feature directorial debut Fool’s Paradise.
Related Story Sundance Film Festival U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize Winners Through The Years – Photo Gallery Related Story Latinx House Returns To Sundance; 'Going Varsity In Mariachi' Doc & 'Divinity' Events Planned Related Story 'Emancipation's Antoine Fuqua To Direct Michael Jackson Biopic For Lionsgate; John Logan Script & 'Bohemian Rhapsody's Graham King Producing With Estate
The pic, previously entitled El Tonto, during its production, will get an exclusive run in theaters later this year. Lionsgate will release Fool’s Paradise on home entertainment.
Also written by the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia EP and star, Fool’s Paradise is a satirical comedy following a down-on-his0-luck publicist (Ken Jeong), who gets his lucky break when he discovers a man recently released from a mental health facility...
Related Story Sundance Film Festival U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize Winners Through The Years – Photo Gallery Related Story Latinx House Returns To Sundance; 'Going Varsity In Mariachi' Doc & 'Divinity' Events Planned Related Story 'Emancipation's Antoine Fuqua To Direct Michael Jackson Biopic For Lionsgate; John Logan Script & 'Bohemian Rhapsody's Graham King Producing With Estate
The pic, previously entitled El Tonto, during its production, will get an exclusive run in theaters later this year. Lionsgate will release Fool’s Paradise on home entertainment.
Also written by the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia EP and star, Fool’s Paradise is a satirical comedy following a down-on-his0-luck publicist (Ken Jeong), who gets his lucky break when he discovers a man recently released from a mental health facility...
- 1/18/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Armory Films and Motor Content is working with Scout Comics, Cgc Certified Guaranty Company and Comic Impressions for their new Script2Comic contest which will give the winner the chance to see their screenplay, teleplay, short story, or comic script come to life as a comic book series or graphic novel. On top of that, it will be optioned for development into a film or television series and produced by Armory Films and Motor Content.
“Most screenplays are read by a handful of people, then put on a shelf and never seen again. Comics can be discovered and enjoyed by an audience for years, decades and even centuries to come,” said Don Handfield from Motor Content, which recently saw its first comic series The Rift adapted into an episode of Steven Spielberg’s AppleTV+’s reboot of Amazing Stories. “There is no...
“Most screenplays are read by a handful of people, then put on a shelf and never seen again. Comics can be discovered and enjoyed by an audience for years, decades and even centuries to come,” said Don Handfield from Motor Content, which recently saw its first comic series The Rift adapted into an episode of Steven Spielberg’s AppleTV+’s reboot of Amazing Stories. “There is no...
- 5/18/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Writer/directors Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz are among the nominees for the DGA’s Outstanding First-Time Feature Film Director for 2019. The honor came after an unbelievable year for the partners, as they not only delivered their little movie that could, “The Peanut Butter Falcon,” which scored raves and the Narrative Spotlight Audience Award at SXSW, but landed a distribution deal with Roadside Attractions, which took them to over $20 million at the domestic box office. That doesn’t happen much anymore.
How did Nilson and Schwartz pull off this rare feat? Like many breakouts, the short filmmakers listened to their own intuition, crafted a unique story that touched them, and found gifted producers to back them.
Eight years ago in 2011, they met a young actor with Down syndrome, Zack Gottsagen, at a Venice camp for actors with disabilities. “We were enamored by him as a human being,” said Nilson in a telephone interview.
How did Nilson and Schwartz pull off this rare feat? Like many breakouts, the short filmmakers listened to their own intuition, crafted a unique story that touched them, and found gifted producers to back them.
Eight years ago in 2011, they met a young actor with Down syndrome, Zack Gottsagen, at a Venice camp for actors with disabilities. “We were enamored by him as a human being,” said Nilson in a telephone interview.
- 1/24/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Writer/directors Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz are among the nominees for the DGA’s Outstanding First-Time Feature Film Director for 2019. The honor came after an unbelievable year for the partners, as they not only delivered their little movie that could, “The Peanut Butter Falcon,” which scored raves and the Narrative Spotlight Audience Award at SXSW, but landed a distribution deal with Roadside Attractions, which took them to over $20 million at the domestic box office. That doesn’t happen much anymore.
How did Nilson and Schwartz pull off this rare feat? Like many breakouts, the short filmmakers listened to their own intuition, crafted a unique story that touched them, and found gifted producers to back them.
Eight years ago in 2011, they met a young actor with Down syndrome, Zack Gottsagen, at a Venice camp for actors with disabilities. “We were enamored by him as a human being,” said Nilson in a telephone interview.
How did Nilson and Schwartz pull off this rare feat? Like many breakouts, the short filmmakers listened to their own intuition, crafted a unique story that touched them, and found gifted producers to back them.
Eight years ago in 2011, they met a young actor with Down syndrome, Zack Gottsagen, at a Venice camp for actors with disabilities. “We were enamored by him as a human being,” said Nilson in a telephone interview.
- 1/24/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Hollywood loves to imitate success: Superhero movies, remakes, sequels. However, it’s been almost 33 years since Marlee Matlin won her Oscar for “Children of a Lesser God.” So why haven’t studio executives demanded more actors with disabilities to play characters with disabilities?
Since 1988, one-third of Oscar’s 30 lead actor winners were portraying a character with a disability, from Dustin Hoffman through Eddie Redmayne. That’s 10 in just one category. In contrast, there have been only two winning actors with disabilities — two! — in Oscar’s entire 91 years: Harold Russell and Matlin.
This column was designed to put current Oscar hopefuls into historical context. But after Russell and Matlin, there are no more names to cite.
Hollywood stepped up its push for inclusion/diversity in 2015, and this year’s Oscar race includes more black and female filmmakers than ever before. However, there are very few films featuring people with disabilities (or...
Since 1988, one-third of Oscar’s 30 lead actor winners were portraying a character with a disability, from Dustin Hoffman through Eddie Redmayne. That’s 10 in just one category. In contrast, there have been only two winning actors with disabilities — two! — in Oscar’s entire 91 years: Harold Russell and Matlin.
This column was designed to put current Oscar hopefuls into historical context. But after Russell and Matlin, there are no more names to cite.
Hollywood stepped up its push for inclusion/diversity in 2015, and this year’s Oscar race includes more black and female filmmakers than ever before. However, there are very few films featuring people with disabilities (or...
- 12/4/2019
- by Tim Gray
- Variety Film + TV
On Thursday, November 14, the Media Access Awards, in partnership with nonprofit disability services EasterSeals, hosted the 40th annual Media Access Awards.
Daryl "Chill" Mitchell, Actor in "NCIS:New Orleans," and Kurt Yaeger, Actor and Writer of "NCIS:NewOrleans," present the WGA West Evan Somers Memorial Award to Katherine Beattie, Writer of "NCIS:New Orleans".
The awards celebrate those who have redefined on-screen representation for people with disabilities and created more opportunities for the disability community in the entertainment industry.
Host Joe Mantegna, Actor in "Criminal Minds," welcomes everyone to the 40th annual Media Access Awards in partnership with Easterseals to celebrate the advancement and portrayal of people with disabilities in Hollywood.
The awards opened with a pre-taped skit by founder Norman Lear, joined by Jimmy Kimmel. Joe Mantegna, longtime disability advocate for EasterSeals and star of “Criminal Minds” joined actor, writer and producer of “This Close,” and former Media Access Awards winner,...
Daryl "Chill" Mitchell, Actor in "NCIS:New Orleans," and Kurt Yaeger, Actor and Writer of "NCIS:NewOrleans," present the WGA West Evan Somers Memorial Award to Katherine Beattie, Writer of "NCIS:New Orleans".
The awards celebrate those who have redefined on-screen representation for people with disabilities and created more opportunities for the disability community in the entertainment industry.
Host Joe Mantegna, Actor in "Criminal Minds," welcomes everyone to the 40th annual Media Access Awards in partnership with Easterseals to celebrate the advancement and portrayal of people with disabilities in Hollywood.
The awards opened with a pre-taped skit by founder Norman Lear, joined by Jimmy Kimmel. Joe Mantegna, longtime disability advocate for EasterSeals and star of “Criminal Minds” joined actor, writer and producer of “This Close,” and former Media Access Awards winner,...
- 11/19/2019
- Look to the Stars
When Shia Labeouf's Honey Boy made a buzzy premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January, the semi-autobiographical indie pic sold for $5 million to Amazon Studios, igniting talk of a comeback for its writer and star.
Elsewhere, Armony Films' Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros were finding it impossible find a distributor for The Peanut Butter Falcon, starring Labeouf as a down-and-out fisherman who befriends a young man with Down syndrome determined to attend a famous wrestling school.
Their big break came when Peanut Butter Falcon won the Audience Award at SXSW in March, despite being shut out of other festivals. Armory convinced ...
Elsewhere, Armony Films' Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros were finding it impossible find a distributor for The Peanut Butter Falcon, starring Labeouf as a down-and-out fisherman who befriends a young man with Down syndrome determined to attend a famous wrestling school.
Their big break came when Peanut Butter Falcon won the Audience Award at SXSW in March, despite being shut out of other festivals. Armory convinced ...
- 10/21/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
When Shia Labeouf's Honey Boy made a buzzy premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January, the semi-autobiographical indie pic sold for $5 million to Amazon Studios, igniting talk of a comeback for its writer and star.
Elsewhere, Armony Films' Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros were finding it impossible find a distributor for The Peanut Butter Falcon, starring Labeouf as a down-and-out fisherman who befriends a young man with Down syndrome determined to attend a famous wrestling school.
Their big break came when Peanut Butter Falcon won the Audience Award at SXSW in March, despite being shut out of other festivals. Armory convinced ...
Elsewhere, Armony Films' Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros were finding it impossible find a distributor for The Peanut Butter Falcon, starring Labeouf as a down-and-out fisherman who befriends a young man with Down syndrome determined to attend a famous wrestling school.
Their big break came when Peanut Butter Falcon won the Audience Award at SXSW in March, despite being shut out of other festivals. Armory convinced ...
- 10/21/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Endeavor Content has largely sold out on Shia Labeouf, Dakota Johnson and Zack Gottsagen drama The Peanut Butter Falcon, which has slow-burned its way to a healthy $19M at the U.S. box office for Roadside Attractions and Armory Films, after opening in early August.
Deals have closed with Rialto for Australia and New Zealand, Tobis in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Officine Ubu in Italy, Mis Label in Scandinavia, A Contracorriente Films in Spain, The Searchers in Benelux, Outside Films in
Portugal, Capella in Russia, Aeon Entertainment Co. Ltd. in Japan, Cdc in Latin America and South Africa, Eagle Films in the Middle East, Filmarti in Turkey, Falcon in Indonesia, Shaw in Singapore, Cai Chang in Taiwan and Golden A in Thailand. As we previously revealed, Signature will release in the UK on October 18.
The Mark Twain-style story, written and directed by Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson, also stars Bruce Dern,...
Deals have closed with Rialto for Australia and New Zealand, Tobis in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Officine Ubu in Italy, Mis Label in Scandinavia, A Contracorriente Films in Spain, The Searchers in Benelux, Outside Films in
Portugal, Capella in Russia, Aeon Entertainment Co. Ltd. in Japan, Cdc in Latin America and South Africa, Eagle Films in the Middle East, Filmarti in Turkey, Falcon in Indonesia, Shaw in Singapore, Cai Chang in Taiwan and Golden A in Thailand. As we previously revealed, Signature will release in the UK on October 18.
The Mark Twain-style story, written and directed by Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson, also stars Bruce Dern,...
- 10/7/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Stuart Hazeldine, who helmed Lionsgate’s $97M faith-based hit The Shack, will next direct the wartime thriller Irena Sendler, about the Polish social worker who organized a team of young women to smuggle 2,500 Jewish children out of the Warsaw Ghetto in defiance of the Nazi extermination program.
Pic will be produced by Armory Films which has been relishing some great success at the specialty box office recently with its SXSW and Deauville Audience winner The Peanut Butter Falcon (current B.O. $15M).
Irena Sendler is being written by Agatha Dominik, Brian Pittman & Rachel Long and Hazeldine. The film will be produced by Jeff Most, Jeff Rice, Armory Films’ Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros, and BAFTA and Oscar-winning producer Ewa Puszczyńska of Extreme Emotions. Golden Globe winning producer Gareth Wiley of Phoenix Wiley will serve as Ep.
Most along with Jeff Rice obtained Sendler’s authorized biography and life rights, including access to unpublished details about her life, as well as securing her blessing to tell her story prior to her passing in 2008. Ingenious Media arranged the funding for the development of the script.
Armory Films’ Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros tell Deadline, “What Irena and her courageous group of women were able to accomplish is miraculous. It’s remarkable that so few people know about her incredible story. We couldn’t be more excited to have Stuart on board to direct this incredible script and tell the world the story of the inspirational hero Irena Sendler.”
Most added, “Knowing her as I did, I’m certain that if Irena Sendler was alive today she would be thrilled that her story is in the capable hands of Stuart Hazeldine, who has crafted a compelling vision to bring one of the most daring, exciting and moving tales of WW2 to the big screen.”
Hazeldine’s feature directorial debut Exam starring Luke Mably and Chukwudi Iwuji and Gemma Chan was nominated for a BAFTA in the British filmmaker debut category. Hazeldine is repped by Wme, Brillstein Entertainment and Stone Genow Smelkinson Binder & Christopher.
Pic will be produced by Armory Films which has been relishing some great success at the specialty box office recently with its SXSW and Deauville Audience winner The Peanut Butter Falcon (current B.O. $15M).
Irena Sendler is being written by Agatha Dominik, Brian Pittman & Rachel Long and Hazeldine. The film will be produced by Jeff Most, Jeff Rice, Armory Films’ Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros, and BAFTA and Oscar-winning producer Ewa Puszczyńska of Extreme Emotions. Golden Globe winning producer Gareth Wiley of Phoenix Wiley will serve as Ep.
Most along with Jeff Rice obtained Sendler’s authorized biography and life rights, including access to unpublished details about her life, as well as securing her blessing to tell her story prior to her passing in 2008. Ingenious Media arranged the funding for the development of the script.
Armory Films’ Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros tell Deadline, “What Irena and her courageous group of women were able to accomplish is miraculous. It’s remarkable that so few people know about her incredible story. We couldn’t be more excited to have Stuart on board to direct this incredible script and tell the world the story of the inspirational hero Irena Sendler.”
Most added, “Knowing her as I did, I’m certain that if Irena Sendler was alive today she would be thrilled that her story is in the capable hands of Stuart Hazeldine, who has crafted a compelling vision to bring one of the most daring, exciting and moving tales of WW2 to the big screen.”
Hazeldine’s feature directorial debut Exam starring Luke Mably and Chukwudi Iwuji and Gemma Chan was nominated for a BAFTA in the British filmmaker debut category. Hazeldine is repped by Wme, Brillstein Entertainment and Stone Genow Smelkinson Binder & Christopher.
- 9/18/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Deadline has learned that Raja Gosnell has signed on to direct the live-action family film Santa: The Adventure Begins for Armory Films, Dnf Pictures and K. Jam Media.
Written by Tamara Taillie, Santa: The Adventure Begins follows the humble origins of Santa Claus as an orphan and young would-be toymaker. In a quest to know his true identity, Santa embarks upon a journey to the forbidden North. With a little help from his friends, Santa discovers the source of his extraordinary magic, and we learn how he finds his true love, his forever home and his destiny. Marisol Roncali and Chelsea Bloch are currently casting with principal photography set to begin late this year in Cologne, Germany, in cooperation with Mmc Studios.
Armory Films’ Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros have come on board...
Written by Tamara Taillie, Santa: The Adventure Begins follows the humble origins of Santa Claus as an orphan and young would-be toymaker. In a quest to know his true identity, Santa embarks upon a journey to the forbidden North. With a little help from his friends, Santa discovers the source of his extraordinary magic, and we learn how he finds his true love, his forever home and his destiny. Marisol Roncali and Chelsea Bloch are currently casting with principal photography set to begin late this year in Cologne, Germany, in cooperation with Mmc Studios.
Armory Films’ Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros have come on board...
- 7/18/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Signature Entertainment has picked up UK rights to SXSW Audience Award winner The Peanut Butter Falcon, starring Shia Labeouf, Dakota Johnson and newcomer Zack Gottsagen.
Labeouf plays as a small time outlaw turned unlikely coach who joins forces with Zak, a young man with Down Syndrome on the run from a nursing home and hoping to fulfil his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. Johnson plays Zak’s carer.
Also starring are Jon Bernthal, Thomas Hayden Church, Bruce Dern and John Hawkes. Writer-director duo Tyler Nilson and Michael Shwartz set the film up specifically for Gottsagen, who has Down syndrome, after they met him at a camp for disabled actors.
Signature struck the deal with Endeavor Content and will release theatrically and online later this year. The film will get its U.S. release on August 9 via Roadside Attractions.
Tim Zajaros and Christopher Lemole of Armory Films financed and...
Labeouf plays as a small time outlaw turned unlikely coach who joins forces with Zak, a young man with Down Syndrome on the run from a nursing home and hoping to fulfil his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. Johnson plays Zak’s carer.
Also starring are Jon Bernthal, Thomas Hayden Church, Bruce Dern and John Hawkes. Writer-director duo Tyler Nilson and Michael Shwartz set the film up specifically for Gottsagen, who has Down syndrome, after they met him at a camp for disabled actors.
Signature struck the deal with Endeavor Content and will release theatrically and online later this year. The film will get its U.S. release on August 9 via Roadside Attractions.
Tim Zajaros and Christopher Lemole of Armory Films financed and...
- 6/21/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Roadside Attractions has acquired U.S. distribution rights to The Peanut Butter Falcon, the road trip comedy that stars Shia Labeouf, Dakota Johnson and Zack Gottsagen and won the SXSW audience award this year after its world premiere there. The pic will now hit theaters August 9.
The film was written and directed by Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson specifically for Gottsagen, who has Down syndrome, after they met him at a camp for disabled actors. It centers on Zak (Gottsagen), who runs away from a residential nursing home to follow his dream of attending the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck (Thomas Haden Church). A strange turn of events pairs him on the road with Tyler (Labeouf), a small-time outlaw on the run, who becomes Zak’s unlikely coach and ally. Together they wind through deltas, elude capture, drink whisky, find God, catch fish, and convince...
The film was written and directed by Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson specifically for Gottsagen, who has Down syndrome, after they met him at a camp for disabled actors. It centers on Zak (Gottsagen), who runs away from a residential nursing home to follow his dream of attending the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck (Thomas Haden Church). A strange turn of events pairs him on the road with Tyler (Labeouf), a small-time outlaw on the run, who becomes Zak’s unlikely coach and ally. Together they wind through deltas, elude capture, drink whisky, find God, catch fish, and convince...
- 5/15/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Shia Labeouf’s “The Peanut Butter Falcon,” winner of the Audience Award at the SXSW Film Festival, has found a home.
Roadside Attractions has bought U.S. distribution rights to the adventure film, written and directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz.
Labeouf portrays a small-time outlaw and stars alongside Zack Gottsagen, a young man with Down syndrome, who runs away from a nursing home to follow his dream of attending the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck (Thomas Haden Church).
Labeouf becomes an unlikely coach and ally as the two characters wind through deltas, elude capture, drink whiskey, find God, and catch fish. They also convince a nursing home employee charged with Gottsagen’s return (Dakota Johnson), to join them on their journey. “The Peanut Butter Falcon” also stars Bruce Dern, John Hawkes, Jon Bernthal, and Yelawolf.
Roadside has set a release date of Aug.
Roadside Attractions has bought U.S. distribution rights to the adventure film, written and directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz.
Labeouf portrays a small-time outlaw and stars alongside Zack Gottsagen, a young man with Down syndrome, who runs away from a nursing home to follow his dream of attending the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck (Thomas Haden Church).
Labeouf becomes an unlikely coach and ally as the two characters wind through deltas, elude capture, drink whiskey, find God, and catch fish. They also convince a nursing home employee charged with Gottsagen’s return (Dakota Johnson), to join them on their journey. “The Peanut Butter Falcon” also stars Bruce Dern, John Hawkes, Jon Bernthal, and Yelawolf.
Roadside has set a release date of Aug.
- 5/15/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Roadside Attractions has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to “The Peanut Butter Falcon” starring Shia Labeouf and Dakota Johnson, the company announced Wednesday.
The adventure comedy made its world premiere at this year’s SXSW Film Festival and won an Audience Award, and Roadside will release the film on Aug. 9.
Newcomer Zack Gottsagen, an actor with Down syndrome whose character also deals with the condition, stars in the film that’s described as a modern Mark Twain adventure. Zak (Gottsagen) is a young man who runs away from a residential nursing home to follow his dream of attending the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck (Thomas Haden Church). A strange turn of events pairs him on the road with Tyler (Labeouf), a small time outlaw on the run, who becomes Zak’s unlikely coach and ally. Together they wind through deltas, elude capture, drink whisky,...
The adventure comedy made its world premiere at this year’s SXSW Film Festival and won an Audience Award, and Roadside will release the film on Aug. 9.
Newcomer Zack Gottsagen, an actor with Down syndrome whose character also deals with the condition, stars in the film that’s described as a modern Mark Twain adventure. Zak (Gottsagen) is a young man who runs away from a residential nursing home to follow his dream of attending the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck (Thomas Haden Church). A strange turn of events pairs him on the road with Tyler (Labeouf), a small time outlaw on the run, who becomes Zak’s unlikely coach and ally. Together they wind through deltas, elude capture, drink whisky,...
- 5/15/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Dakota Johnson, Thomas Hayden Church, newcomer Zack Gottsagen also star.
Roadside Attractions has acquired Us rights to Shia Labeouf road trip adventure The Peanut Butter Falcon, which Endeavor Content represents for international sales in Cannes.
Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson directed the SXSW audience award winner starring newcomer Zack Gottsagen as a young man with Down syndrome who runs away from a residential nursing home to follow his dream of attending the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck, played by Thomas Haden Church.
Along the way he befriends Tyler (Labeouf), a small-time outlaw who becomes an ally,...
Roadside Attractions has acquired Us rights to Shia Labeouf road trip adventure The Peanut Butter Falcon, which Endeavor Content represents for international sales in Cannes.
Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson directed the SXSW audience award winner starring newcomer Zack Gottsagen as a young man with Down syndrome who runs away from a residential nursing home to follow his dream of attending the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck, played by Thomas Haden Church.
Along the way he befriends Tyler (Labeouf), a small-time outlaw who becomes an ally,...
- 5/15/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Sierra/Affinity will be selling foreign on Charlie Day’s feature directorial debut El Tonto later this month at Cannes.
The Hollywood comedy, produced by Armory Films and Wrigley Pictures stars Day as an outcast mute who after arriving in Los Angeles by bus, becomes catapulted into becoming a celebrity, only to lose it all.
Day also wrote the feature which stars Kate Beckinsale, Adrien Brody, Ken Jeong, Jason Sudeikis, Ray Liotta, Common, Edie Falco, Jillian Bell and John Malkovich.
El Tonto is fully financed by Armory Film’s Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros. The pic is produced by Wrigley Pictures’ John Rickard, Armory’s Chris Lemole and Tim Zajaros, and Alex Saks. Principal photography wrapped last November in Los Angeles, and the film is currently in post.
Jonathan Kier, Sierra/Affinity’s President of Sales and Distribution, stated, “We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with such an immensely talented group of actors,...
The Hollywood comedy, produced by Armory Films and Wrigley Pictures stars Day as an outcast mute who after arriving in Los Angeles by bus, becomes catapulted into becoming a celebrity, only to lose it all.
Day also wrote the feature which stars Kate Beckinsale, Adrien Brody, Ken Jeong, Jason Sudeikis, Ray Liotta, Common, Edie Falco, Jillian Bell and John Malkovich.
El Tonto is fully financed by Armory Film’s Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros. The pic is produced by Wrigley Pictures’ John Rickard, Armory’s Chris Lemole and Tim Zajaros, and Alex Saks. Principal photography wrapped last November in Los Angeles, and the film is currently in post.
Jonathan Kier, Sierra/Affinity’s President of Sales and Distribution, stated, “We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with such an immensely talented group of actors,...
- 5/7/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros, the founders of Armory Films and producers of Mudbound, are teaming with Knightfall co-creator Don Handfield on The Dark Age, a sci-fi tale that will published as comic book series by Red 5 Comics and then pursued as a television project.
The Dark Age will be the first series in a slate of comic book titles launched under the collaboration between Armory Films and Handfield’s production company, Motor Television. The slate will be penned by Handfield with additional writers to be announced.
Illustrator Leo Rodriguez and colorist Dijjo Limawill handle the artwork for The Dark Age series from Red 5, which also published The Rift, Handfield’s debut effort in the comics world, which was acquired by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment to be adapted for an episode of the AppleTV+ revival of the Amazing Stories anthology series. Handfield also wrote The Mall, a...
The Dark Age will be the first series in a slate of comic book titles launched under the collaboration between Armory Films and Handfield’s production company, Motor Television. The slate will be penned by Handfield with additional writers to be announced.
Illustrator Leo Rodriguez and colorist Dijjo Limawill handle the artwork for The Dark Age series from Red 5, which also published The Rift, Handfield’s debut effort in the comics world, which was acquired by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment to be adapted for an episode of the AppleTV+ revival of the Amazing Stories anthology series. Handfield also wrote The Mall, a...
- 3/27/2019
- by Geoff Boucher
- Deadline Film + TV
The sole survivor of a plane crash in an icy wasteland lives by his wits as he waits for help to arrive. But when a long-awaitedrescue effort fails, he faces a life-or-death decision: remain in the relative safety of his camp and hope to be found,or embark on an arduous trek that may be the only hope for both him and a critically injured stranger.
An official selection of the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, Arctic marks the feature debut of writer and director Joe Penna, creator of the innovative and popular YouTube channel MysteryGuitarMan. Mads Mikkelsen delivers an engrossing tour de force performance as Overgård, a resourceful yet increasingly desperate man stranded in a remote, snow-covered wilderness.
Filmed in Iceland under grueling conditions, Arctic is a captivating,white knuckle cinematic experience that explores our insurmountable will to survive and overcome. The film is directed by Joe Penna from a script he co-wrote with Ryan Morrison.
An official selection of the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, Arctic marks the feature debut of writer and director Joe Penna, creator of the innovative and popular YouTube channel MysteryGuitarMan. Mads Mikkelsen delivers an engrossing tour de force performance as Overgård, a resourceful yet increasingly desperate man stranded in a remote, snow-covered wilderness.
Filmed in Iceland under grueling conditions, Arctic is a captivating,white knuckle cinematic experience that explores our insurmountable will to survive and overcome. The film is directed by Joe Penna from a script he co-wrote with Ryan Morrison.
- 1/4/2019
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Exclusive: Count Oscar winner Common in for Charlie Day’s independent Hollywood satire El Tonto. Common’s role is being kept under wraps, and that’s because it’s a pivotal one.
In El Tonto, Day does double duty, directing his first feature and playing a mute simpleton who upon stepping off the bus for the first time in Los Angeles is thrust into stardom, only to ultimately lose it all. Filming wraps this week.
Common joins a huge ensemble cast that includes Day, Kate Beckinsale, Jason Sudeikis, Oscar winner Adrien Brody, Ken Jeong, Edie Falco, Ray Liotta, Jillian Bell, Travis Fimmel, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Glenn Howerton, Katherine McNamara, Dean Norris, Edy Ganem and John Malkovich.
Armory Films’ Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros are producing alongside Wrigley Pictures’ John Rickard and Page Fifty-Four Pictures’ Alex Saks. Armory Films is solely financing the feature we hear.
In El Tonto, Day does double duty, directing his first feature and playing a mute simpleton who upon stepping off the bus for the first time in Los Angeles is thrust into stardom, only to ultimately lose it all. Filming wraps this week.
Common joins a huge ensemble cast that includes Day, Kate Beckinsale, Jason Sudeikis, Oscar winner Adrien Brody, Ken Jeong, Edie Falco, Ray Liotta, Jillian Bell, Travis Fimmel, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Glenn Howerton, Katherine McNamara, Dean Norris, Edy Ganem and John Malkovich.
Armory Films’ Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros are producing alongside Wrigley Pictures’ John Rickard and Page Fifty-Four Pictures’ Alex Saks. Armory Films is solely financing the feature we hear.
- 11/27/2018
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Charlie Day’s feature directorial debut El Tonto, which started production today in Los Angeles, has expanded its ensemble cast with Crazy Rich Asians’ Ken Jeong, The Pianist Oscar-winner Adrien Brody, Goodfellas Ray Liotta, and Vikings‘ Travis Fimmel joining along with Breaking Bad‘s Dean Norris and Devious Maids’ Edy Ganem
In El Tonto, Day plays a mute simpleton who upon stepping off the bus for the first time in Los Angeles is thrust into stardom, only to ultimately lose it all.
A Hollywood satire, El Tonto features Liotta playing a film producer, Ganem as the love interest to Day’s character, Jeong as a showbiz publicist and Norris in a cameo as a studio boss. They join previously announced Kate Beckinsale, Jason Sudeikis, John Malkovich, Edie Falco and Jillian Bell. Day’s Fox comedy series, The Cool Kids, which he co-created and serves as Ep on, recently received...
In El Tonto, Day plays a mute simpleton who upon stepping off the bus for the first time in Los Angeles is thrust into stardom, only to ultimately lose it all.
A Hollywood satire, El Tonto features Liotta playing a film producer, Ganem as the love interest to Day’s character, Jeong as a showbiz publicist and Norris in a cameo as a studio boss. They join previously announced Kate Beckinsale, Jason Sudeikis, John Malkovich, Edie Falco and Jillian Bell. Day’s Fox comedy series, The Cool Kids, which he co-created and serves as Ep on, recently received...
- 10/22/2018
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Kate Beckinsale, Jason Sudeikis, Edie Falco, John Malkovich and Jillian Bell are closing deals to join Charlie Day’s feature directorial debut El Tonto which starts shooting this month in Los Angeles.
The Armory Films and Metalworks Pictures financed and produced independent follows Day, who also wrote El Tonto, as a mute simpleton who gets off a bus in Los Angeles and by happenstance suddenly rises through the Hollywood scene to become a celebrity, only to then lose it all. Beckinsale will play a Hollywood starlet while Sudeikis will portray a film director who Day’s mute encounters.
John Rickard and his Wrigley Pictures (Rampage) banner is also producing the Hollywood satire with Alex Saks via her Page Fifty-Four Pictures. Rickard is coming off this past spring’s success, the Dwayne Johnson action pic Rampage which reaped $426.2M at the global box office. He previously worked with Day...
The Armory Films and Metalworks Pictures financed and produced independent follows Day, who also wrote El Tonto, as a mute simpleton who gets off a bus in Los Angeles and by happenstance suddenly rises through the Hollywood scene to become a celebrity, only to then lose it all. Beckinsale will play a Hollywood starlet while Sudeikis will portray a film director who Day’s mute encounters.
John Rickard and his Wrigley Pictures (Rampage) banner is also producing the Hollywood satire with Alex Saks via her Page Fifty-Four Pictures. Rickard is coming off this past spring’s success, the Dwayne Johnson action pic Rampage which reaped $426.2M at the global box office. He previously worked with Day...
- 10/3/2018
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Charlie Day is making his directorial debut in the Hollywood comedy “El Tonto,” which he will also produce and star in as an idiot deaf mute who becomes a celebrity and loses it all.
Armory Films and Metalwork Pictures have come on board to produce and finance the movie. Day also wrote the script.
The movie starts principal photography in Los Angeles next month. Armory Films’ Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros (“Mudbound”) and Metalwork Pictures’ Andrew Levitas will produce alongside Wrigley Pictures’ John Rickard and Page Fifty-Four Pictures’ Alex Saks (“The Florida Project”). Endeavor Content will represent the worldwide distribution rights.
Lemole and Zajaros said, “We’ve been looking to do something with Charlie for a while now. The script is hilarious, incredibly original and films like this just don’t get made anymore. We’re thrilled to get in on the ground floor of his directorial career, as we...
Armory Films and Metalwork Pictures have come on board to produce and finance the movie. Day also wrote the script.
The movie starts principal photography in Los Angeles next month. Armory Films’ Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros (“Mudbound”) and Metalwork Pictures’ Andrew Levitas will produce alongside Wrigley Pictures’ John Rickard and Page Fifty-Four Pictures’ Alex Saks (“The Florida Project”). Endeavor Content will represent the worldwide distribution rights.
Lemole and Zajaros said, “We’ve been looking to do something with Charlie for a while now. The script is hilarious, incredibly original and films like this just don’t get made anymore. We’re thrilled to get in on the ground floor of his directorial career, as we...
- 9/5/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Variety honored its 10 Producers to Watch for 2018 at a breakfast on Monday morning on Cannes’ Nespresso Beach.
First launched at the Cannes Film Festival in 1998, the event celebrates an eclectic mix of producers from the U.S. and the international film community, who are united in their commitment to bold and original storytelling.
The films produced by this year’s honorees have played festivals including Berlin, Sundance and Venice, with a number screening at Cannes. “As well as they’re doing, as exciting as they are right now, there’s even greater things ahead,” said Variety’s VP and executive editor Steven Gaydos.
Victor Loewy was also honored with a lifetime achievement award for his long and distinguished career. “You can’t tell the story of Cannes, you can’t tell the story of international cinema, you can’t tell the story of Canadian business in cinema, without knowing who...
First launched at the Cannes Film Festival in 1998, the event celebrates an eclectic mix of producers from the U.S. and the international film community, who are united in their commitment to bold and original storytelling.
The films produced by this year’s honorees have played festivals including Berlin, Sundance and Venice, with a number screening at Cannes. “As well as they’re doing, as exciting as they are right now, there’s even greater things ahead,” said Variety’s VP and executive editor Steven Gaydos.
Victor Loewy was also honored with a lifetime achievement award for his long and distinguished career. “You can’t tell the story of Cannes, you can’t tell the story of international cinema, you can’t tell the story of Canadian business in cinema, without knowing who...
- 5/14/2018
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Paris-based Backup Media has acquired multi-territory rights to Joe Penna’s feature debut “Arctic,” a gripping survival thriller starring Mads Mikkelsen (“Hannibal”) which will make its world premiere at Cannes Film Festival in the Midnight section.
Written by Penna and Ryan Morrison, “Arctic” follows Mikkelsen as a man stranded in the Arctic who is finally about to receive his long-awaited rescue. However, after a tragic accident, his opportunity is lost, and he must decide whether to remain in the relative safety of his camp, or to embark on a deadly trek through the unknown for potential salvation.
Armory Films’s Chris Lemole and Tim Zajaros, the duo behind Dee Rees’s Oscar-nominated “Mudbound,” produced “Arctic” alongside Noah C Haeussner of Union. Martha de Laurentiis, Manu Gargi and Einar Thorsteinsson exec produced the film. Xyz Films is representing the international rights with CAA/UTA handling domestic.
Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros...
Written by Penna and Ryan Morrison, “Arctic” follows Mikkelsen as a man stranded in the Arctic who is finally about to receive his long-awaited rescue. However, after a tragic accident, his opportunity is lost, and he must decide whether to remain in the relative safety of his camp, or to embark on a deadly trek through the unknown for potential salvation.
Armory Films’s Chris Lemole and Tim Zajaros, the duo behind Dee Rees’s Oscar-nominated “Mudbound,” produced “Arctic” alongside Noah C Haeussner of Union. Martha de Laurentiis, Manu Gargi and Einar Thorsteinsson exec produced the film. Xyz Films is representing the international rights with CAA/UTA handling domestic.
Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros...
- 4/30/2018
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Variety has selected its 10 Producers to Watch for 2018, a diverse mix of producers from the U.S. and the thriving international film scene. Variety Producers to Watch, which was originally launched at the Cannes Film Festival in 1998, returned to the Croisette last year and will once again be presented there this year.
Regardless of their home base, these producers all share a fierce commitment to storytelling. Their films have played festivals including Berlin, Sundance and Venice, and a number are screening at Cannes.
Producer Dina Emam’s her first narrative feature, “Yomeddine,” was selected for competition. It will vie alongside Russian-made “Leto,” a music filled biopic that Murad Osmann and Ilya Stewart produced for director Kirill Serebrennikov, now under house arrest in that country.
Variety has also selected the forces behind “I, Tonya,” an Oscar winner for Allison Janney (Tom Ackerley and Josey McNamara), and Rachel Song, who brought two...
Regardless of their home base, these producers all share a fierce commitment to storytelling. Their films have played festivals including Berlin, Sundance and Venice, and a number are screening at Cannes.
Producer Dina Emam’s her first narrative feature, “Yomeddine,” was selected for competition. It will vie alongside Russian-made “Leto,” a music filled biopic that Murad Osmann and Ilya Stewart produced for director Kirill Serebrennikov, now under house arrest in that country.
Variety has also selected the forces behind “I, Tonya,” an Oscar winner for Allison Janney (Tom Ackerley and Josey McNamara), and Rachel Song, who brought two...
- 4/24/2018
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
Company sets March release for Toronto Midnight Madness title.
Mom And Dad, the Nicolas Cage and Selma Blair-starring horror-thriller that premiered in Toronto’s Midnight Madness programme last year, has been picked up for UK distribution.
Source: Tiff
Mom And Dad
Vertigo Releasing has set a March 2 release for the title.
Directed and written by Brian Taylor, the film follows a teenage girl and her little brother who must survive a mass hysteria that causes parents to violently turn on their own kids. Cage and Blair play the parents, Anne Winters and Zackary Arthur play their children.
Producers on the film were Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros for Armory Films. Xyz handles sales.
Screen’s Toronto review called it ”delightfully twisted”.
Vertigo Releasing’s Ed Caffrey commented on the acquisition: “We’re delighted to be releasing Mom And Dad, it really stood out at Toronto this year as pure anarchic joy.”
Vertigo’s recent...
Mom And Dad, the Nicolas Cage and Selma Blair-starring horror-thriller that premiered in Toronto’s Midnight Madness programme last year, has been picked up for UK distribution.
Source: Tiff
Mom And Dad
Vertigo Releasing has set a March 2 release for the title.
Directed and written by Brian Taylor, the film follows a teenage girl and her little brother who must survive a mass hysteria that causes parents to violently turn on their own kids. Cage and Blair play the parents, Anne Winters and Zackary Arthur play their children.
Producers on the film were Christopher Lemole and Tim Zajaros for Armory Films. Xyz handles sales.
Screen’s Toronto review called it ”delightfully twisted”.
Vertigo Releasing’s Ed Caffrey commented on the acquisition: “We’re delighted to be releasing Mom And Dad, it really stood out at Toronto this year as pure anarchic joy.”
Vertigo’s recent...
- 1/12/2018
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Principal photography underway in Savannah, Georgia.
Armory Films has announced that John Hawkes, Jon Bernthal, Thomas Haden Church, and Yelawolf will join the cast of The Peanut Butter Falcon.
The film directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz centres on Zak, a young man with Down Syndrome who has been confined to live in a retirement home for most of his life.
One day he breaks out and takes to the road to try to find his hero, a retired wrestler named The Salt Water Redneck. Along the way Zak experiences adventure and danger, and joins forces with a desperado crab fisherman and a kind nurse.
The cast also includes newcomer Zachary Gottsagen, Shia Labeouf, Dakota Johnson, and Bruce Dern.
Armory Films’ Tim Zajaros and Christopher Lemole are producing and financing the film, alongside Bona Fide Productions’ Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa, T Bone Burnett, Lije Sarki, and David Thies. Burnett will also...
Armory Films has announced that John Hawkes, Jon Bernthal, Thomas Haden Church, and Yelawolf will join the cast of The Peanut Butter Falcon.
The film directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz centres on Zak, a young man with Down Syndrome who has been confined to live in a retirement home for most of his life.
One day he breaks out and takes to the road to try to find his hero, a retired wrestler named The Salt Water Redneck. Along the way Zak experiences adventure and danger, and joins forces with a desperado crab fisherman and a kind nurse.
The cast also includes newcomer Zachary Gottsagen, Shia Labeouf, Dakota Johnson, and Bruce Dern.
Armory Films’ Tim Zajaros and Christopher Lemole are producing and financing the film, alongside Bona Fide Productions’ Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa, T Bone Burnett, Lije Sarki, and David Thies. Burnett will also...
- 7/24/2017
- ScreenDaily
The actors join previously announced Shia Labeouf in the drama set to begin production this month.
Dakota Johnson and Bruce Dern will join Shia Labeouf in The Peanut Butter Falcon, which Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz will direct from their screenplay.
The Peanut Butter Falcon follows a down-on-his-luck crab fisherman as he embarks on a journey to get a young man with Down syndrome to a professional wresting school in rural North Carolina and away from the retirement home where he has lived most of his life.
Newcomer Zachary Gottsagen, who is the inspiration for the film, will play the principal character of Zak. Gottsagen lives with high-functioning Down syndrome, and became the inspiration for The Peanut Butter Falcon after Nilson and Schwartz met him while working at a non-profit arts organisation.
Principal Photography will commence on June 17 in Savannah, Georgia.
Armory Films’ Tim Zajaros and Christopher Lemole will produce and finance the film, alongside [link=co...
Dakota Johnson and Bruce Dern will join Shia Labeouf in The Peanut Butter Falcon, which Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz will direct from their screenplay.
The Peanut Butter Falcon follows a down-on-his-luck crab fisherman as he embarks on a journey to get a young man with Down syndrome to a professional wresting school in rural North Carolina and away from the retirement home where he has lived most of his life.
Newcomer Zachary Gottsagen, who is the inspiration for the film, will play the principal character of Zak. Gottsagen lives with high-functioning Down syndrome, and became the inspiration for The Peanut Butter Falcon after Nilson and Schwartz met him while working at a non-profit arts organisation.
Principal Photography will commence on June 17 in Savannah, Georgia.
Armory Films’ Tim Zajaros and Christopher Lemole will produce and finance the film, alongside [link=co...
- 6/14/2017
- ScreenDaily
Bruce Dern and Dakota Johnson are joining Shia Labeouf in The Peanut Butter Falcon.
Tyler Nilson and Mike Schwartz wrote and will direct the story about a crab fisherman as he embarks on a journey to get a young man with Down syndrome to a professional wresting school in rural North Carolina and away from the retirement home where he’s lived most of his life.
Newcomer Zachary Gottsagen, who is the inspiration for the film, will play the principal character of Zak.
Tim Zajaros and Christopher Lemole will produce and finance the film via their Armory Films banner. Bona Fide...
Tyler Nilson and Mike Schwartz wrote and will direct the story about a crab fisherman as he embarks on a journey to get a young man with Down syndrome to a professional wresting school in rural North Carolina and away from the retirement home where he’s lived most of his life.
Newcomer Zachary Gottsagen, who is the inspiration for the film, will play the principal character of Zak.
Tim Zajaros and Christopher Lemole will produce and finance the film via their Armory Films banner. Bona Fide...
- 6/14/2017
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Xyz Films handles international sales.
Armory Films, Union Entertainment Group and Pegasus Pictures have announced that Mads Mikkelsen is starring in the survival thriller Arctic.
Production is underway on the story centred on a man stranded in the Arctic, who is finally about to be rescued.
After a tragic accident, his opportunity is lost and he must decide whether to remain in the relative safety of his camp or embark on a deadly trek through the unknown for potential salvation.
Joe Penna directs and co-wrote the screenplay with Ryan Morrison.
Arctic is shooting on location in the Icelandic mountains. Chris Lemole and Tim Zajaros of Armory Films produce with Noah C Haeussner of Union.
Martha De Laurentiis, Einar Thorsteinsson and Cassian Elwes serve as executive producers.
Mikkelsen was most recently seen in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Marvel’s Doctor Strange. He reunites with Arctic executive producer De Laurentiis, with whom he...
Armory Films, Union Entertainment Group and Pegasus Pictures have announced that Mads Mikkelsen is starring in the survival thriller Arctic.
Production is underway on the story centred on a man stranded in the Arctic, who is finally about to be rescued.
After a tragic accident, his opportunity is lost and he must decide whether to remain in the relative safety of his camp or embark on a deadly trek through the unknown for potential salvation.
Joe Penna directs and co-wrote the screenplay with Ryan Morrison.
Arctic is shooting on location in the Icelandic mountains. Chris Lemole and Tim Zajaros of Armory Films produce with Noah C Haeussner of Union.
Martha De Laurentiis, Einar Thorsteinsson and Cassian Elwes serve as executive producers.
Mikkelsen was most recently seen in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and Marvel’s Doctor Strange. He reunites with Arctic executive producer De Laurentiis, with whom he...
- 4/19/2017
- ScreenDaily
Armory Films, Union Entertainment Group and Pegasus Pictures announced today that Mads Mikkelsen (Dr. Strange, Star Wars, The Hunt) is starring in the survival thriller Arctic, directed by Joe Penna. Co-written by Penna and Ryan Morrison, the film is being produced by Chris Lemole and Tim Zajaros of Armory Films and Noah C Haeussner of Union, and is being executive produced by Martha De Laurentiis, Einar Thorsteinsson and Cassian Elwes. The film also marks the first re-teaming of Mikkelsen and De Laurentiis since NBC’s “Hannibal.” Production is currently underway, with Xyz Films handling international sales.
The story surrounds a man (Mikkelsen) stranded in the Arctic, who is finally about to receive his long awaited rescue. However, after a tragic accident, his opportunity is lost and he must then decide whether to remain in the relative safety of his camp or embark on a deadly trek through the unknown for potential salvation.
The story surrounds a man (Mikkelsen) stranded in the Arctic, who is finally about to receive his long awaited rescue. However, after a tragic accident, his opportunity is lost and he must then decide whether to remain in the relative safety of his camp or embark on a deadly trek through the unknown for potential salvation.
- 4/19/2017
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Exclusive Update: The streaming platform has acquired Us and multiple territory rights at the end of the festival in what was reportedly the biggest deal of Park City.
Screen understands the acquisition was for the Us and Canada, the UK, Italy, Benelux, Japan, China, South Korea, India and southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, South Africa, Iceland, Baltics and the Cis.
Early reports indicated the deal was for $12.5m however that number was not confirmed to Screen at time of writing.
If it is accurate, Mudbound becomes the biggest deal so far of Sundance 2017, overtaking the $12m Amazon Studios paid for the Us and select territories on The Big Sick.
The film made waves when it debuted last Saturday in Premieres and a deal percolated throughout the remainder of the festival.
Dee Rees directed the story of two Second World War veterans – one black, one white – who return to the Deep South where they face battles of a different...
Screen understands the acquisition was for the Us and Canada, the UK, Italy, Benelux, Japan, China, South Korea, India and southeast Asia, Eastern Europe, South Africa, Iceland, Baltics and the Cis.
Early reports indicated the deal was for $12.5m however that number was not confirmed to Screen at time of writing.
If it is accurate, Mudbound becomes the biggest deal so far of Sundance 2017, overtaking the $12m Amazon Studios paid for the Us and select territories on The Big Sick.
The film made waves when it debuted last Saturday in Premieres and a deal percolated throughout the remainder of the festival.
Dee Rees directed the story of two Second World War veterans – one black, one white – who return to the Deep South where they face battles of a different...
- 1/30/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Soul singer Mary J. Blige has joined the cast of Dee Rees’ Mudbound alongside Jason Mitchell, Jason Clarke, Garrett Hedlund and Carey Mulligan. The project, which starts filming soon in New Orleans, follows two men returning home from World War II to work on a farm in rural Mississippi. Once there, they struggle to deal with racism and adjust to postwar life. Cassian Elwes, Charles King, Kim Roth, Sally Jo Effenson Chris Lemole, Tim Zajaros and Carl Effenson…...
- 5/25/2016
- Deadline
Exclusive: Carey Mulligan will star in the drama from director Dees Rees.
Black Bear Pictures is to co-finance Cannes sales title Mudbound, the latest addition to a growing stable of prestige titles that includes The Imitation Game, Gold and Efm sensation Suburbicon.
Good Universe has introduced the sub-$15m drama to international buyers here with Cassian Elwes and Wme Global jointly representing Us rights.
Director Dee Rees and a lead cast of Carey Mulligan, Jason Clarke, Garrett Hedlund and Jason Mitchell are preparing for a May 27 start in New Orleans on the story of two returning soldiers in post-war America who experience racism in rural Mississippi.
Charles King’s MacRo and Chris Lemole and Tim Zajaros’ Armory are co-financing. Black Bear founder Teddy Schwarzman and Dan Steinman join the executive producer roster alongside Poppy Hanks.
Elwes, King, Kim Roth, Sally Jo Effenson, Carl Effenson, Lemole and Zajaros are producing.
Black Bear Pictures is to co-finance Cannes sales title Mudbound, the latest addition to a growing stable of prestige titles that includes The Imitation Game, Gold and Efm sensation Suburbicon.
Good Universe has introduced the sub-$15m drama to international buyers here with Cassian Elwes and Wme Global jointly representing Us rights.
Director Dee Rees and a lead cast of Carey Mulligan, Jason Clarke, Garrett Hedlund and Jason Mitchell are preparing for a May 27 start in New Orleans on the story of two returning soldiers in post-war America who experience racism in rural Mississippi.
Charles King’s MacRo and Chris Lemole and Tim Zajaros’ Armory are co-financing. Black Bear founder Teddy Schwarzman and Dan Steinman join the executive producer roster alongside Poppy Hanks.
Elwes, King, Kim Roth, Sally Jo Effenson, Carl Effenson, Lemole and Zajaros are producing.
- 5/14/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Garrett Hedlund, Carey Mulligan, Jason Clarke and Jason Mitchell are all in negotiations to star in Dee Rees' indie drama "MudBound" for Macro and Zeal.
Virgil Williams ("Criminal Minds") penned the screenplay based on Hillary Jordan's 2008 novel of the same name about a city worker in a WWII-torn country who relocates his family to a failing Mississippi farm and is forced to overcome insurmountable hardships, including his brother's return from war.
Cassian Elwes, Charles King, Kim Roth, Sally Jo Effenson Chris Lemole, Tim Zajaros and Carl Effenson are producing. No distributor is currently attached.
Source: Variety...
Virgil Williams ("Criminal Minds") penned the screenplay based on Hillary Jordan's 2008 novel of the same name about a city worker in a WWII-torn country who relocates his family to a failing Mississippi farm and is forced to overcome insurmountable hardships, including his brother's return from war.
Cassian Elwes, Charles King, Kim Roth, Sally Jo Effenson Chris Lemole, Tim Zajaros and Carl Effenson are producing. No distributor is currently attached.
Source: Variety...
- 3/21/2016
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Carey Mulligan and Jason Clarke are set to star in the indie drama “Mudbound,” based on the award-winning novel by Hillary Jordan, TheWrap has exclusively learned. Garrett Hedlund and Jason Mitchell are in negotiations to co-star in the film, which Dee Rees (“Pariah”) will direct from a script by Virgil Williams. Cassian Elwes, Charles King, Kim Roth, Sally Jo Effenson and Carl Effenson are producing, while Chris Lemole, Tim Zajaros and Poppy Hanks will executive produce. Joe Drake will sell foreign rights. Set in 1946, “Mudbound” will find Mulligan playing city-bred Laura McAllan, who’s trying to raise her children on her husband’s Mississippi.
- 3/21/2016
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
Horror icons Robert Englund (“A Nightmare on Elm Street”) and Lin Shaye (“Insidious”) are set to star in the indie horror-thriller “The Midnight Man” from writer-director Travis Z, TheWrap has learned. The duo previously starred together in “2001 Maniacs” back in 2005. “Midnight Man” is a co-production between top Latin American distributor Gussi Films and Zeal Media, the production/finance company launched in February by Cassian Elwes and Armory Films partners Chris Lemole and Tim Zajaros. Elwes (“Dallas Buyers Club”) is producing the film, while Frankie Lindquist of Scooty Woop Elite is also expected to be involved in a producing capacity. Lemole and.
- 3/9/2016
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
Oscar winner Nicolas Cage has signed on to star in the upcoming horror-thriller “Mom and Dad” from “Crank” writer-director Brian Taylor, it was announced Friday. “Mom and Dad” follows a teenage girl and her little brother who must survive a wild 24 hours, during which a mass hysteria of unknown origins causes parents to turn violently on their own kids. The film will be produced by Tim Zajaros and Christopher Lemole of Armory Films, while Cassian Elwes and Jere Hausfater will serve as executive producers. This will be the second film for Armory and Elwes and their newly-minted Zeal Media. Xyz Films.
- 2/12/2016
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
"Mom and Dad," from writer/director Brian Taylor — who worked with Cage on 2011's "Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance" — follows a teenage girl and her little brother, who must survive 24 hours during which a mass hysteria of unknown origins causes parents to turn violently on their own kids. The film is produced by Armory Films' Tim Zajaros and Christopher Lemole, with Cassian Elwes and Jere Hausfater executive producing. This is the second film for Armory and Elwes under their new Zeal Media shingle, after recently wrapped "Billionaire Boys Club," starring Ansel Elgort, Taron Egerton, Emma Roberts, and Kevin Spacey Xyz is handling sales for several other titles in the Berlin market, including the action-thriller "Pilgrimage," starring Jon Bernthal, Richard Armitage, and Tom Holland, and "6 Days," starring Jamie Bell,...
- 2/12/2016
- by Matt Brennan
- Thompson on Hollywood
Nicolas Cage has made a deal to star in Mom And Dad, a new horror thriller to be written and directed by Cage’s Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance co-helmer Brian Taylor. The new pic centers on a teenage girl and her little brother who must survive a wild 24 hours during which a mass hysteria of unknown origins causes parents to turn violently on their own kids. Filming is set to begin production in July, with Armory Films’ Tim Zajaros and Christopher Lemole producing…...
- 2/12/2016
- Deadline
Xyz Films has begun talks with worldwide distributors at the Efm on the horror-thriller.
Brian Taylor, who directed Cage in Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance, will helm the project about a teenage girl and her little brother who must survive a 24-hour mass hysteria that causes parents to attack their children.
Production on Mom And Dad is scheduled to begin in July. Tim Zajaros and Christopher Lemole of Armory Films produce and Cassian Elwes and Jere Hausfater serve as executive producers.
This will be the second film for Armory and Elwes and their freshly minted finance and production vehicle Zeal Media.
“This is the kind of role Nic was put here to play,” said Taylor. “Human, funny, scary – somehow grounded while at the same time completely off the rails. For a filmmaker there is nothing quite like the experience of Nic Cage bringing a character you’ve written to life.”
Xyz Films’ Berlin...
Brian Taylor, who directed Cage in Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance, will helm the project about a teenage girl and her little brother who must survive a 24-hour mass hysteria that causes parents to attack their children.
Production on Mom And Dad is scheduled to begin in July. Tim Zajaros and Christopher Lemole of Armory Films produce and Cassian Elwes and Jere Hausfater serve as executive producers.
This will be the second film for Armory and Elwes and their freshly minted finance and production vehicle Zeal Media.
“This is the kind of role Nic was put here to play,” said Taylor. “Human, funny, scary – somehow grounded while at the same time completely off the rails. For a filmmaker there is nothing quite like the experience of Nic Cage bringing a character you’ve written to life.”
Xyz Films’ Berlin...
- 2/12/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The team behind the Kevin Spacey-Ansel Elgort drama that Good Universe will be selling in Berlin have deepened their ties.
On the eve of the Efm, the project’s producer Cassian Elwes and executive producers Chris Lemole and Tim Zajaros of Armory Films have launched the production and finance venture Zeal Media Co.
The company will aim to make up to eight films a year and focus on “sophisticated, thought-provoking and talent-driven material in an effort to make high quality films that will be remembered.”
Billionaire Boys Club is based on the true story of young white collar murderer Joe Hunt and recently wrapped production.
James Cox directs Spacey, Elgort, Taron Edgerton, Emma Roberts, Jeremy Irvine, and Bokeem Woodbine.
Elwes jointly represents Us rights with CAA and produces the film with Holly Wiersma. Crystal Lourd and Jere Hausfater are on board as executive producers with the Armory duo.
Armory and Elwes...
On the eve of the Efm, the project’s producer Cassian Elwes and executive producers Chris Lemole and Tim Zajaros of Armory Films have launched the production and finance venture Zeal Media Co.
The company will aim to make up to eight films a year and focus on “sophisticated, thought-provoking and talent-driven material in an effort to make high quality films that will be remembered.”
Billionaire Boys Club is based on the true story of young white collar murderer Joe Hunt and recently wrapped production.
James Cox directs Spacey, Elgort, Taron Edgerton, Emma Roberts, Jeremy Irvine, and Bokeem Woodbine.
Elwes jointly represents Us rights with CAA and produces the film with Holly Wiersma. Crystal Lourd and Jere Hausfater are on board as executive producers with the Armory duo.
Armory and Elwes...
- 2/9/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Cassian Elwes and Armory Films partners Chris Lemole and Tim Zajaros, are launching Zeal Media Co., an indie film company aiming with a goal of financing and/or producing up to eight films per year. The company will focus on sophisticated, thought-provoking and talent-driven material to stand in the marketplace. The first film to come through the new company will be Billionaire Boys Club, currently in post. The film, based on the true story of young white collar…...
- 2/9/2016
- Deadline
“Scream Queens” star Emma Roberts is in negotiations to play the female lead in “Billionaire Boys Club” alongside Ansel Elgort, Taron Egerton and Kevin Spacey, an individual familiar with the project has told TheWrap. James Cox (“Wonderland”) is directing the indie movie, which will be produced by Cassian Elwes and Holly Wiersma. Armory Films is financing and its principals Tim Zajaros and Chris Lemole will executive produce with Crystal Lourd, Jere Hausfater and Logan Levy. Written by Cox and Captain Mauzner, “Billionaires Boys Club” is based on a true story about a group of wealthy young men whose leader, Joe Hunt,...
- 11/5/2015
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
The Oscar winner will play murdered Beverly Hills high-flier Ron Levin alongside Ansel Elgort and Taron Egerton on the project that Good Universe introduces to buyers this week.
Holly Wiersma and Cassian Elwes are producing and Elwes represents Us rights with CAA. Princpal photography is set to begin in New Orleans on December 7.
Armory Films finances and Tim Zajaros and Chris Lemole serve as executive producers alongside Crystal Lourd and Jere Hausfater.
James Cox directs Billionaire Boys Club from a script he co-wrote with Captain Mauzner.
Elgort will play financial whizzkid Joe Hunt and Egerton will portray his lieutenant Dean Karney who together lured the sons of rich families from the Harvard School For Boys into a ponzi scheme.
When their money ran dry Hunt and others resorted to murder, including the killing of Levin in the mid-1980s. Karny would later testify against Hunt at the murder trial.
Elgort stars in the Divergent franchise and appeared...
Holly Wiersma and Cassian Elwes are producing and Elwes represents Us rights with CAA. Princpal photography is set to begin in New Orleans on December 7.
Armory Films finances and Tim Zajaros and Chris Lemole serve as executive producers alongside Crystal Lourd and Jere Hausfater.
James Cox directs Billionaire Boys Club from a script he co-wrote with Captain Mauzner.
Elgort will play financial whizzkid Joe Hunt and Egerton will portray his lieutenant Dean Karney who together lured the sons of rich families from the Harvard School For Boys into a ponzi scheme.
When their money ran dry Hunt and others resorted to murder, including the killing of Levin in the mid-1980s. Karny would later testify against Hunt at the murder trial.
Elgort stars in the Divergent franchise and appeared...
- 11/3/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
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