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Legendary Picks Up Rights to Classic Sci-Fi Novel 'Dune'

4 hours ago | The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News | See recent The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News news »

A new visit to the planet of Arrakis is being planned.

Legendary has picked up the film and television rights to Dune, the classic science-fiction novel by Frank Herbert, the company announced Monday.

Legendary said its agreement calls for the development and production of possible film and TV projects for a global audience.

Set in the distant future, Dune tells the story of Paul Atreides, whose family accepts control of the desert planet Arrakis. As the only producer of a highly valuable resource, control of Arrakis is highly contested among the noble families. After Paul and his family are betrayed, »

- Borys Kit

See full article at TVSeriesFinale.com »

Game of Thrones: Prequel Series Still Possible Says HBO Boss

50 minutes ago | TVSeriesFinale.com | See recent TVSeriesFinale news »

Winter is pretty much here, but what about spring, summer, and fall? HBO Programming President Casey Bloys says the premium cabler is talking to author George R.R. Martin about a possible Game of Thrones spin-off series. EW reports the talks are still in the preliminary stages.Don't expect any spoilers at this stage. According to the news outlet, Bloys said, "There are areas we are exploring, but I wouldn’t point to any one and say, 'This is what we’re going to do'."Read More… »

- TVSeriesFinale.com

TNT Orders ‘Snowpiercer’ Pilot From Tomorrow Studios

6 hours ago | Variety - TV News | See recent Variety - TV News news »

Bong Joon-ho’s “Snowpiercer” will be adapted for the small screen, Variety has learned. TNT has ordered a pilot for a “Snowpiercer” series, based on the 2014 film, from Tomorrow Studios. Josh Friedman will serve as executive producer and writer-showrunner.

The film, which won heaps of critical acclaim, imagines a world in which what remains of humanity lives aboard a train that endlessly circles a frozen Earth, with a brutal caste system enforced through which car a person inhabits. “‘Snowpiercer’ has one of the most original concepts to hit the screen in the last decade, and it’s one that offers numerous opportunities for deeper exploration in a series format,” said Sarah Aubrey, executive vice president of original programming for TNT. “We look forward to expanding TNT’s relationship with Tomorrow Studios and their take on a world where humanity is pushed to the extreme.”

This is the third project TNT has ordered from Tomorrow Studios, which »

- Oriana Schwindt

‘Fantastic Beasts’ Scores Massive $143.3 Million Foreign Box Office Debut

20 November 2016 10:08 AM, PST | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” got off to a roaring start at the international box office, taking in $143.3 million.

The Harry Potter spinoff debuted on over 24,000 screens in 63 markets. Combined with its $75 million North American bow, the film has earned $218.3 million.

Of course, re-entering the world of Hogwarts and wizardry didn’t come cheap. Warner Bros. spent $180 million to produce the film and tens of millions more to market it. The hope is it will kick off a new film franchise. Five films are planned in the series.

5 Things ‘Harry Potter’ Fans Will Recognize in ‘Fantastic Beasts’

“Fantastic Beasts” stars Eddie Redmayne as a collector of mythical creatures who unwittingly releases the critters in 1920s New York City. J.K. Rowling, the writer of the Harry Potter books, contributed the screenplay, with David Yates, who oversaw several previous boy wizard adventures, returning as director. Reviews have been solid. »

- Brent Lang

‘Manchester by the Sea’ Box Office Success Confirms Kenneth Lonergan’s Comeback

20 November 2016 1:18 PM, PST | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »

“Manchester by the Sea” debuted to rave reviews and a standing ovation last January at the Sundance Film Festival. The beautifully wrought story of a janitor (Casey Affleck) grappling with a family tragedy sparked an all-night bidding war that ended with a $10 million sale to Amazon.

But there are plenty of films that are embraced as modern masterpieces in the mountains of Utah only to collapse at the box office when audiences at lower altitudes get a look. Take “The Birth of a Nation,” which enjoyed a record-setting $17.5 million sale to Fox Searchlight, but flopped after word got out that Nate Parker, its director, writer, and star, had been accused of rape while a college student. It didn’t matter that Parker was ultimately acquitted; after news broke that his accuser had committed suicide, the film was rejected by audiences.

Nor is “The Birth of a Nation” alone. There are »

- Brent Lang

See full article at The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News »

'Fantastic Beasts': 5 Things to Expect in the Sequel

10 hours ago | The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News | See recent The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News news »

Now that Warner Bros. and J.K. Rowling's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them has landed in the muggle world with a $75 million domestic debut, it's time to look ahead to the sequel, which is slated to hit theaters in 2018. Rowling is already hard at work on the script (David Yates will return to direct), and there were plenty of breadcrumbs dropped in the first film that hint at where the sequel may lead.

[Warning: Spoilers from the first Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them ahead.]

Here are 5 things to expect from the »

- Rebecca Ford,Ashley Lee

‘Walking Dead’ Recap: A Visit to the Hilltop Offers Few Surprises (Spoilers)

21 hours ago | Variety - TV News | See recent Variety - TV News news »

Spoiler alert: Do not read until you’ve watched episode 5 of Season 7 of “The Walking Dead,” titled “Go-Getters.”

Meanwhile, at the Hilltop colony…

“The Walking Dead” has been working its way through human settlements like a family dropping in on relatives on Christmas Day, and this week, it’s Hilltop’s turn to see what’s under the tree. We’ve already been introduced to what Hilltop looks like under the Saviors’ rule, so “Go-Getters'” doesn’t bother much with the bigger picture, but even so, the seventh season’s fifth episode feels awfully thinly populated, as if the season was over-budget on extras and had to make do with referring to large crowds perpetually positioned just outside the frame.

Although last week’s “Service” showed us Maggie’s purported grave, it was clear that was a ruse, and “Go-Getters” shows us where she’s been, quite sensibly relocated to the only known place with a practicing »

- Sam Adams

TV News Roundup: ‘Dirk Gently’ Renewed for Season 2, Original ‘Twin Peaks’ Heading to Showtime

23 minutes ago | Variety - TV News | See recent Variety - TV News news »

In today’s TV news roundup, BBC America has renewed “Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency” for Season 2, plus the original “Twin Peaks” is heading to Showtime before the rebooted series debuts.

Specials

Showtime will offer its subscribers the first two seasons of the cult-classic series “Twin Peaks,” beginning Monday, Dec. 26 on Showtime On Demand and Showtime Anytime. Created and produced by Mark Frost and David Lynch, the binge-watching experience comes right before the series’ reboot in 2017, which picks up 25 years after its small-town inhabitants were shocked by the murder of high school student Laura Palmer.

Stephen Colbert will return as host at the 39th annual Kennedy Center Honors ceremony, which will be broadcast Tuesday, Dec. 27 at 9 p.m. on CBS. This year’s honorees include pianist Martha Argerich, rock band Eagles, actor Al Pacino, and singers Mavis Staples and James Taylor. Recipients are recognized for their lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts. Ricky Kirshner »

- Arya Roshanian

Donald Trump Scolds TV Media for Campaign Coverage in Tough Meeting

23 minutes ago | Variety - TV News | See recent Variety - TV News news »

When Donald Trump was a colorful real-estate developer, he soaked up media coverage like it was sunshine. Now that he’s about to become the next President of the United States, he seems to have had enough of it.

In what two people familiar with the incident described as a tough sit-down between the nation’s major TV-news outlets and the President-elect and his top advisers, Trump dressed down top executives and anchors Monday afternoon, reserving particularly harsh words for CNN and NBC News. The off-the-record meeting, convened by Trump’s staff over the last day or two, was rancorous, one of these people said, and not much substantive discussion was held, although there was some talk about his goals for shaping immigration policy, this person said.

Spokespersons for CNN and NBC News did not offer immediate comment. A Trump spokesperson could not be reached for immediate comment. Executives and anchors from CBS News, ABC News »

- Brian Steinberg

‘The Grand Tour,’ Jeremy Clarkson’s New Show, Breaks Amazon Viewership Record

30 minutes ago | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »

“The Grand Tour” is due for a victory lap already – at least according to Amazon. Last week’s premiere of the new automotive series featuring the former hosts of “Top Gear” has become the biggest show rollout ever on Amazon Prime Video. Amazon does not release official viewership numbers, but said on Monday that viewers in the U.S., U.K., Germany, Austria and Japan all streamed the premiere over the weekend. The series stars Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May doing what they do best–travelling the world and discussing anything and everything car-related. Clarkson, who is known for being impulsive and outspoken, »

- Joe Otterson

‘Pure Genius’ Episode Order Not Being Extended by CBS

31 minutes ago | Variety - TV News | See recent Variety - TV News news »

CBS has no plans to order additional episodes of medical drama “Pure Genius” this season, Variety has learned.

The series, a co-production of Universal Television and CBS Television Studios, becomes the Eye’s lone fall freshman show not to receive a full-season pickup. The network ordered additional episodes of comedies “Man With a Plan” and “The Great Indoors” last week, and had already picked up full seasons of “Kevin Can Wait,” “Bull,” and “MacGyver.”

Created and executive produced by Jason Katims and Sarah Watson, “Pure Genius” was CBS’ most recent run at launching a successful medical drama, a genre that the broadcaster has been trying to crack for several development cycles. But over four episodes, the series, which stars Dermot Mulrony and Augustus Prew, has averaged only a 0.9 Nielsen live-plus-same day rating among adults 18-49 on Thursdays at 10 p.m., leading into local news.

“Pure Genius” is not being pulled from its time period, and »

- Daniel Holloway

‘Pure Genius’ Does Not Receive Additional Episode Order at CBS

35 minutes ago | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »

CBS has decided not to order additional episodes of “Pure Genius,” TheWrap has confirmed. While this does not necessarily mean the series is canceled, it certainly does not bode well. “Pure Genius” is the only freshman CBS series this season to not get an additional episode order. “Bull,” “Kevin Can Wait,” “Man With a Plan,” “MacGyver,” and “The Great Indoors” have all been picked up for additional episodes at the network. However, all remaining scheduled episodes of “Pure Genius” will air as planned. Also Read: 'Man With a Plan,' 'Great Indoors' Score Full Season Orders at CBS The »

- Joe Otterson

Inside How ‘Moonlight’ Director Barry Jenkins and His Cast Turned Personal Pain Into Art

36 minutes ago | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »

A version of this story about “Moonlight” appeared in TheWrap Magazine’s The Race Begins Oscars Issue. A number of films got a boost at the Venice, Tellurice and Toronto International Film Festivals this fall, but nothing went from obscurity to hot property quite the way “Moonlight” did. After a strong bow in Telluride, Barry Jenkins’ deeply moving drama, which ventures bravely into the treacherous world of drug dealing, crack addiction, love, poverty, family and sexual identity in Miami in the 1990s, screened to a rapturous reception in Toronto, followed by an emotional Q&A with a tearful cast. Using three actors to. »

- Sharon Waxman

Dennis Rodman Charged With Hit-and-Run in Wrong Way Freeway Crash

43 minutes ago | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »

Former NBA star Dennis Rodman has been charged with hit-and-run with property damage after causing an accident by driving his SUV in the wrong direction on the freeway in July. Rodman, 55, has been charged with one misdemeanor count of hit and run with property damage, one misdemeanor count of driving a motor vehicle across a dividing section, one misdemeanor count of giving false information to a police officer, and one misdemeanor count of driving a motor vehicle without a valid license. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Santa Ana, California, on Jan. 20, 2017. If convicted, the former Chicago »

- Reid Nakamura

See full article at The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News »

Black Mask Studios Signs Three-Book Deal With Writer of Lgbt Comic Book ’Kim & Kim' (Exclusive)

50 minutes ago | The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News | See recent The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News news »

Kim & Kim, the cult comic centering on trans and queer interstellar bounty hunter girls from Black Mask Studios, is getting a sequel.

The second volume of the comic is part of Black Mask’s freshly-inked three-book deal with Magdalene Visaggio, the trans woman author who is giving voice to Lgbt characters in the indie comic scene.

The first comic out of the deal will be Quantum Teens Are Go, a high-octane crime adventure drawn by Erik Donovan (Constantine). Quantum Teens will follow two teenage sweethearts who spend their nights breaking into abandoned super-labs and stealing gear to try and build a time »

- Borys Kit

Thanksgiving Box Office: Disney’s ‘Moana’ to Feast on Brad Pitt’s ‘Allied,’ ‘Bad Santa 2’

54 minutes ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »

Disney has been drawing a lot of aces lately. From “Doctor Strange” to “Zootopia” to “Finding Dory,” the studio has amassed an impressive streak of blockbusters. “Moana,” its latest animated offering, will continue that hot hand.

The adventure about a girl from the Pacific islands who journeys across the ocean with a demigod will be the de facto choice for families when it debuts over Thanksgiving. The film is expected to sail to the top of the holiday box office, earning $75 million over the five-day period. It will premiere in more than 3,800 theaters, the majority of which will offer 3D showings. Disney didn’t release a budget, but most of the studio’s animated films cost north of $150 million. “Moana” features the voice of Dwayne Johnson and music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of “Hamilton.”

The biggest competition for “Moana” will be the second week of “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, »

- Brent Lang

‘Fast and Furious’ Star Sung Kang Signs With CAA

56 minutes ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »

Sung Kang, who is best known for his work in the “Fast and Furious” franchise, has signed with CAA for representation.

He is currently shooting a series regular role in the hit Starz series “Power,” created by Courtney Kemp, and will next be seen in the film “The Free World,” which had its world premiere at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival.

Kang recently starred in two Chinese features: “Hollywood Adventures,” produced by Justin Lin, and “Pali Road,” directed by Jonathan Lin. Sung’s credits also include starring in and co-producing the independent feature “Better Luck Tomorrow,” directed and produced by Justin Lin.

He is managed by Management 360. His attorneys are Rick Genow and Hannah Mulderink of Stone, Genow, Smelkinson, Binder & Christopher, Llp.

Related storiesCAA Hires Publishing Exec Kate ChildsSpencer Baumgarten to Leave CAA for ICM PartnersFan Bingbing Exits Wme for CAA »

- Justin Kroll

‘Wedding Crashers 2’ Movie in the Works at New Line

58 minutes ago | Variety - Film News | See recent Variety - Film News news »

New Line is in early development of a sequel to its 2005 hit “Wedding Crashers,” and has tapped the “Fist Fight” team of Evan Susser and Van Robichaux to write the script.

Isla Fisher — who appeared in the original — revealed that New Line was developing the sequel during a Nov. 18 interview on the “Today” show while she was discussing her role in Tom Ford’s drama “Nocturnal Animals.”

Fisher said Vince Vaughn told her at a recent party that the sequel was in the works but had no other details. The original, which grossed $285 million worldwide on a $40 million budget, centered on Vaughn and Owen Wilson playing divorce mediators crashing weddings to meet women and concluded with Vaughn’s character marrying Fisher’s character.

New Line hasn’t made deals for the sequel with stars Vaughn, Wilson, Fisher Rachel McAdams, Bradley Cooper or Will Ferrell, nor with director David Dobkin.

- Dave McNary

U Name It Challenge: What the Hell Is It?

1 hour ago | The Wrap | See recent The Wrap news »

Ladies and gentlemen, there’s a new challenge on the block — the #UNameItChallenge. This one falls somewhere between the Mannequin Challenge and the Trump Is Coming Challenge — you don’t have to stand still, but you don’t run away either. For the U Name It Challenge, you dance (on beat). It all started with a legendary gospel singer by the name of Shirley Caesar. Someone — Remix God Suede — took it upon himself to retool Caesar’s song “Hold My Mule,” specifically the part where she sings that she’s got “beans, greens, potatoes, tomatoes, lamb” and a variety of other foods. »

- Rasha Ali