17 articles
J.K. Rowling, BBC’s ‘Cormoran Strike’ Series Casts Lead Tom Burke (Exclusive)
4 hours ago | Variety - TV News | See recent Variety - TV News news »
British actor Tom Burke has been cast to star in the “Cormoran Strike” crime-drama TV series for the BBC, based on novels written by Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.
The series, set to air on flagship channel BBC One, consists of three-parter “The Cuckoo’s Calling,” two-parter “The Silkworm” and two-parter “Career of Evil.” Each episode will last an hour. They will be produced as three separate event dramas and are set to begin shooting this fall in London. Rowling’s company Brontë Film & TV is producing.
Burke, who most recently starred in BBC’s epic “War & Peace” as Fedor Dolokhov and in “The Musketeers” as Athos, will play Cormoran Strike, a war veteran-turned-private detective operating out of a tiny office in Central London. Though he’s wounded both physically and psychologically, Strike’s insight and background as a military police detective prove crucial in solving three complex cases that have confounded »
- Leo Barraclough
Rebecca Ferguson Joins Hugh Jackman’s ‘Greatest Showman’ (Exclusive)
7 hours ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
Rebecca Ferguson has been cast opposite Hugh Jackman in Fox’s P.T. Barnum musical biopic “The Greatest Showman” as Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind.
She joins Zac Efron, Michelle Williams and Zendaya on the project. Michael Gracey is directing from a script by Michael Arndt.
Chernin Entertainment and Laurence Mark are producing. Production is set to begin in the fall.
Justin Paul and Benj Pasek, who were Tony-nominated for “The Christmas Story,” are writing original songs for the film. Kira Goldberg is overseeing the project for Fox.
The project has been in development since 2009 with Jackman attached to play the showman, who rose from humble roots and was able to hoax a gullible public, as he created the three-ring Barnum & Bailey Circus that made him famous. Barnum gained fame as a 19th century impresario with tours of Tom Thumb and Lind; he began calling it the “Greatest Show on Earth »
- Dave McNary
Melissa McCarthy Developing Comedy Series at Fox
8 hours ago | Variety - TV News | See recent Variety - TV News news »
Melissa McCarthy is expanding her work as a TV producer.
The box office star is developing a family comedy with Fox, Variety has learned. She is attached as an executive producer, along with her husband and producing partner, Ben Falcone. Scribes Jim Cashman and Mitch Silpa are co-executive producers.
The untitled half-hour, single-cam comedy follows an unconventional family that is formed when a successful type-a man and his estranged sister, plus her two children, find themselves not only back in each other’s lives but also living under one roof.
Warner Bros. is the studio behind the series that is currently in development, having nabbed a script deal.
The project marks the first to be created by Cashman and Silpa. Both are actors and writers who have ties to McCarthy, having appeared in smaller roles in her films including “The Boss,” “Bridesmaids,” “Spy” and “The Heat.” Cashman is an alum of “Saturday Night Live” and Silpa has »
- Elizabeth Wagmeister
Leslie H. Martinson, Prolific TV and ‘Batman’ Movie Director, Dies at 101
11 hours ago | Variety - TV News | See recent Variety - TV News news »
Leslie H. Martinson, the prolific television director who is best known for helming the 1966 film “Batman: The Movie” has died. He was 101.
His family confirmed the death in a posting that said he died at home on Saturday, Sept. 3 of natural causes.
A native of Boston, Martinson started his career working for the Boston Evening Transcript before he started working as a script clerk at MGM in 1936.
Over the course of his long career, Martinson picked up over 100 directing credits, mostly for TV shows in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. He is responsible for episodes of “Maverick,” “The Brady Bunch,” “CHiPs,” “Diff’rent Strokes,” and many others.
While Martinson only directed two episodes of the wildly popular 1966 “Batman” TV show, (“The Penguin Goes Straight” and “Not Yet, He Ain’t”) he was asked to direct the movie that same year. He would also helm episodes of other superhero shows “The Green Hornet” and “Wonder Woman.”
Martinson »
- Seth Kelley
Narcos Renewed for Seasons 3 and 4
13 hours ago | TVLine.com | See recent TVLine.com news »
Just days after its sophomore run started streaming, Netflix’s Narcos in one fell swoop has been renewed for Seasons 3 and 4.
José Padilha and Eric Newman will continue to serve as executive producers of the series, which will debut Season 3 sometime in 2017, Netflix announced.
Narcos chronicles the real-life stories of the drug kingpins of the late 1980s and the corroborative efforts of law enforcement to meet them head on in brutal, bloody conflict. »
Paolo Sorrentino To Direct Silvio Berlusconi Pic ‘Loro’
13 hours ago | The Playlist | See recent The Playlist news »
You might think directing all ten episodes of a TV series would be wearying, but that’s not stopping Paolo Sorrentino. Fresh from helming the ten-episode “The Young Pope” for Sky/HBO (our review), the director is already gearing up his next feature film. And it’ll revolve around one of the most controversial Italian leaders in recent […]
The post Paolo Sorrentino To Direct Silvio Berlusconi Pic ‘Loro’ appeared first on The Playlist. »
- Kevin Jagernauth
Please, Stop Bugging James Gunn About The ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ Trailer
5 September 2016 4:00 PM, PDT | Slash Film | See recent Slash Film news »
If there’s one thing fans are clamoring the most for after San Diego Comic-Con 2016, it’s the footage from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 that played exclusively for the Hall H audience at the Marvel Studios panel. However, it seems some fans may be a little too excited to see the first footage from […]
»
- Ethan Anderton
One Direction Alum Zayn Malik & Dick Wolf To Produce Boy Band Drama For NBC
7 hours ago | Deadline TV | See recent Deadline TV news »
This is an eye-catching team-up — teen heartthrob Zayn Malik, former member of the hugely popular boy band One Direction, has partnered with venerable TV producer Dick Wolf for Boys, a drama series that has been set up at NBC. It hails from Universal TV, studio-based Wolf Entertainment as well as Len Blavatnik's Unigram and First Access Entertainment. Written by Sherri Cooper Landsman and Jennifer Levin, Boys does mirror some of Malik’s real-life experiences. It follows… »
Gary Oldman’s Winston Churchill Film ‘Darkest Hour’ Gets Release Date, Rounds Out Cast
10 hours ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
Focus Features has set a Nov. 24, 2017, release date for Gary Oldman’s “Darkest Hour” in the U.S.
Universal Pictures International is handling international distribution, starting with the U.K. on Dec. 29, 2017.
Oldman has been attached to play British Prime Minister Winston Churchill since April. Production is set to begin this fall.
The cast includes John Hurt as Neville Chamberlain, whom Churchill succeeded as Prime Minister; Lily James (“Downton Abbey”) as Churchill’s personal secretary; Ben Mendelsohn as King George VI; and Kristin Scott Thomas as Churchill’s wife, Clementine.
Joe Wright is directing “Darkest Hour,” derived from Churchill’s phrase to describe the period of World War II between the fall of France in June 1940 and the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union a year later in 1941, when the British Empire stood alone against Nazi Germany and the Axis Powers in Europe. During that period, the United Kingdom was »
- Dave McNary
Shout! Factory Calls up ‘Kirikori’ Animated Pair
31 minutes ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
North American online video platform, Shout! Factory has acquired rights to new animated feature “Kikoriki: Legend of The Golden Dragon” and its predecessor 2011 animated feature “Kikoriki: Team Invincible.” Both pictures are produced by Russia’s Riki Group and directed by Dennis Chernov.
For the new film Shout! Factory has theatrical, video-on-demand, digital, broadcast and home entertainment rights and plans releases on major entertainment distribution platforms and in packaged media through 2017.
The story follows the furry friends of Kikoriki Island on an adventure where a scientist invents a device that can transfer one personality into the body of another. Problems occur when one accidentally swaps bodies with a caterpillar.
The deal was signed with Australia-based sales agency Odin’s Eye Entertainment.
“(The films) are two highly entertaining comedies with truly nutty characters, clever storytelling, gentle satire and rich animation. The sharp, action-packed scripts were adapted by Hollywood animation veterans, and their »
- Patrick Frater
ABC Renews ‘Bachelor in Paradise’ for Season 4
55 minutes ago | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »
Get ready for more margarita-fueled mayhem in Mexico courtesy of the ABC as the network announced Tuesday that it has renewed “Bachelor in Paradise” for a fourth season. The reality show spinoff follows “Bachelor” and “Bachelorette” alumni as they explore new relationships while living together in a secluded and dreamy Mexican paradise, according to ABC’s show description. Also hosted by Chris Harrison, “Bachelor in Paradise” is more raucous and less romantic than its counterparts, featuring plenty of shocking twists, surprises, unexpected guests — and even more unexpected hookups. Also Read: 'Bachelorette' Villain Chad Johnson Apologizes for Mocking Sarah Herron's »
- Debbie Emery
ABC Picks Up Fourth Season of ‘Bachelor in Paradise’
58 minutes ago | Variety - TV News | See recent Variety - TV News news »
ABC has renewed “Bachelor in Paradise” for a fourth season.
The network announced the renewal Monday night during an episode of the series’ after-show, “Bachelor in Paradise: After Paradise.”
A spinoff of “The Bachelor” franchise, “Bachelor in Paradise” features alumni of both “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” living in a secluded tropical house together in Mexico.
Currently in the midst of its third season, “Bachelor in Paradise” is having its most-watched season yet. Airing two nights per week on both Monday and Tuesday nights, “Paradise” has grown 9% year-to-year from 5.7 million viewers to 6.2 million viewers. This year, the show has ranked as Monday night’s top series in adults 18-34, and the top show on both Monday and Tuesday nights among women 18-34.
Hosted by Chris Harrison, Next Entertainment produces “Bachelor in Paradise” in association with Warner Horizon Television. Exec producers are “Bachelor” creator Mike Fleiss, Martin Hilton, Nicole Woods and Elan Gale.
This »
- Elizabeth Wagmeister
Greg Berlanti in Talks to Direct ‘Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda’
1 hour ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
Showrunner Greg Berlanti is in talks to direct Fox 2000’s “Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.”
The project was set up last October with Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen at their Temple Hill company along with Pouya Shahbazian after Fox had acquired movie rights to Becky Albertalli’s coming-of-age novel.
Elizabeth Berger and Isaac Aptaker have adapted the script which follows a 16-year-old closeted gay student who is dealing with his secret being exposed after one of his personal emails falls into the wrong hands. The novel was published last year by HarperCollins.
Temple Hill has been active in adapting novels for the big screen, including “The Maze Runner,” “Paper Towns” and “The Fault in our Stars.” Shahbazian is a producer of the “Divergent” movies.
An early 2017 start date is being eyed.
Berlanti is best known for overseeing the comic-book TV adaptations “Arrow,” “The Flash” and “Supergirl.” He broke into »
- Dave McNary
WGA Candidates Signal Tough Contract Talks
1 hour ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »
Key candidates for the ruling boards of the Writers Guild of America have promised a tough stance at the bargaining table as negotiations loom on a successor deal with producers.
Former WGA West president Patric Verrone, “Mad Men” creator Matthew Weiner and “The Walking Dead” executive producer Glen Mazzara — all running for the eight open seats on the WGA West’s board — have weighed in with calls for solidarity and pledges that they will try to get writers more money. “House of Cards” showrunner Beau Willimon has promised he’ll be active in negotiations.
But there’s only minimal mention of a strike threat. The statements began arriving recently in booklets and have been posted on the guild’s website with the results announced Sept. 19.
“As a Board member, I promise to approach the future in unity with all writers,” Weiner wrote. “My lesson from 20 years of work (and negotiation »
- Dave McNary
Brit Hume Takes Over ‘On the Record’ with Surprising Message for Greta Van Susteren
1 hour ago | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »
Brit Hume took over Fox News’ “On the Record” Tuesday with a surprising message for former host Greta Van Susteren. Van Susteren’s last program was Thursday. Earlier Tuesday, she wrote on her Facebook page that she was leaving the network where she had worked for 14 years, saying it had “not felt like home to me” for years. As a result, she did not have the opportunity to say goodbye to viewers on the air. Fox News also quickly removed Van Susteren’s blog, Gretawire, from the network website. Hume nevertheless offered warm words of support to the outgoing host. »
- Scott Collins
National Board of Review Sets Date for Announcement of 2016 Year-End Honors
2 hours ago | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »
The National Board of Review will announce the winners of its 2016 honors on Tuesday, Nov. 29, the longstanding film group announced on Tuesday. “The Nbr is eagerly anticipating a continued strong year in movies with the exciting roster of films being released between now and the end of the year,” Nbr President Annie Schulhof in a statement said. “We once again look forward to being one of the first groups to announce the best in year-end filmmaking achievements and contributing to 2016’s ever-expanding awards conversation,” she added. Also Read: National Board of Review Sets Date for 2017 Awards Ceremony The National Board. »
- Meriah Doty
‘Narcos': What Happened To La Catedral After Escobar’s Death?
2 hours ago | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »
The first season of “Narcos” depicted Pablo Escobar’s rise to power in the Colombian drug trade, and season 2 showed his fall at the hands of rival drug dealers and law enforcement agencies who wanted him dead or alive. Looking back, the exact point where the two halves of this story meet can be seen at La Catedral. Escobar transformed the infamous prison into a luxurious hideaway, and now it has been transformed into a religious refuge for the elderly. In the final two episodes of season 1, we saw Escobar willingly hand himself over to Colombian police, but only after the. »
- Jeremy Fuster
11 New Things to Watch for This NFL Season (Photos)
2 hours ago | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »
From the broadcast booth to brand new penalties on the field of play, here are 11 things to watch for this NFL season. And yes, the stupid Color Rush uniform experiment is back in a big way. The 2016 National Football League season officially kicks off on Thursday night with a Super Bowl 50 matchup between the Carolina Panthers and returning champion Denver Broncos. This time around, Cam Newton’s runner-up squad is hopeful for a different outcome. Regardless of what happens in that game or in the final one of the postseason, there will be key differences this year — »
- Scott Collins and Tony Maglio
Get super aggro with James Franco in the 'Goat' trailer
2 hours ago | Hitfix | See recent Hitfix news »
Clip It: Each day, Jon Davis looks at the world of trailers, featurettes, and clips and puts it all in perspective. The Goat trailer looks so meaningless and derivative, I thought I had to be missing something. I searched the Interwebs to find out more, and yes, it turns out this film's intent is complexity. You wouldn't necessarily know it from the trailer but Goat is a drama. A drama that explores how hard it is to be a douche-bro. Just like the movie, I sound like I'm trying to be funny but I'm serious. It is hard to be a douche-bro. It's a lot of pent up hostility, man. Exploring male anger can be an interesting subject. I mean it is to me. Maybe because I'm a man, I don't know. (I also like Sour Patch Kids.) Anger is just a protection against hurt and sadness. It's a masking »
- Jon Davis
James Woods Rushes to Obama’s Defense on Twitter
2 hours ago | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »
Is it Opposite Day again already? Or is James Woods the latest famous victim of a social media hack? “Once Upon a Time in America” star and noted Hollywood conservative Woods found himself in an extremely rare situation on Tuesday: Taking to Twitter and actually defending President Obama. In a jarring turnaround from his usual stance on the Leader of the Free World, Woods actually rushed to Obama’s aid, notifying the Secret Service to a potential threat to the president. Also Read: James Woods' Twitter Tormentor Files Appeal in $10 Million 'Cocaine Addict' Lawsuit “.@SecretService You might be interested in this person… »
- Tim Kenneally
17 articles
« Prev | Next »