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Production Executive Ange Giannetti Re-Ups With Sony
27 minutes ago
Veteran production executive Andrea “Ange” Giannetti has re-upped her contract with Sony’s motion picture group, the studio plans to announce today.
A key overseer of films like “Zero Dark Thirty, “Sausage Party,” and the “Da Vinci Code” franchise, Giannetti’s signing of a new, long-term contract is seen as a boost to the Culver City studio.
Giannetti has served since 2003 as executive vice president, production in Sony Pictures Entertainment’s motion picture group. In previous jobs with the studio, she served with Columbia Television (starting in 1990), as a creative executive with the TriStar Pictures label (1996), before joining Columbia Pictures in 1998.
Related
Paramount Taps Former Sony Exec Andrew Gumpert as COO
Among the films she has been associated with are last year’s “Passengers,” and “The Magnificent Seven,” along with “Julie & Julia,” “Hancock” and “Equalizer.” Her upcoming projects include the Christmas 2017 release “Jumanji,” starring Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, and Kevin Hart, »
- James Rainey
Box Office: James McAvoy’s ‘Split’ Muzzling ‘A Dog’s Purpose,’ ‘Resident Evil’
42 minutes ago
James McAvoy’s horror-thriller “Split” is showing plenty of staying power, heading for its second consecutive victory at the North American box office with about $19 million at 3,199 sites, early estimates showed Friday.
The opening of controversial family drama “A Dog’s Purpose” appeared to be performing at the lower end of expectations in second — with about $18 million at 3,058 sites — following a boycott launched by PETA over a leaked video showing a German Shepherd struggling during production. The filmmakers have insisted that PETA and TMZ have mischaracterized what took place.
PETA’s PR attack appears to have had a moderate toll, given that forecasts before the boycott was launched were as high as $25 million. “Split” should dominate moviegoing on Friday with $7 million while “A Dog’s Purpose” puts its paws on about $5 million.
Related
PETA Responds: No, American Humane, ‘A Dog’s Purpose’ is Not to be a Prop (Guest Column)
Universal is handling both titles, »
- Dave McNary
Mark Gill Out as President of Millennium Films
45 minutes ago
Veteran Hollywood executive Mark Gill is exiting the presidency of Avi Lerner’s Millennium Films after six years in the post.
Lerner and Trevor Short will continue to operate Millennium, which was launched in 1996 as a subsidiary of Nu Image.
Gill’s tenure included “The Expendables 2” and “The Expendables 3,” which combined for $530 million in worldwide grosses, along with Gerard Butler’s “Olympus Has Fallen” and “London Has Fallen” which took in more than $370 million.
Gill joined Millennium after his company the Film Department closed down. That company’s top performer was “Law Abiding Citizen,” which grossed $133 million at the worldwide box office.
Gill also served as the founding president of Warner Independent Pictures, which was closed down by Warner Bros. in 2008. In that role, he oversaw “March of the Penguins” and “Good Night, and Good Luck.”
Prior to Warner Independent, Gill worked at Stratus Film and served as the Miramax/L. »
- Dave McNary
SAG Awards Predictions 2017: Who Will Win
1 hour ago
The 23rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards will be held Sunday at 5 p.m. Pt/8 p.m. Et. Could Denzel Washington upset the season’s strongest overall contender, Casey Affleck? Is “Veep” poised to finally bring home an ensemble win on the TV side? And might “Hidden Figures” surprise with the evening’s final prize? See what our experts think below.
Film
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Jenelle Riley’s Pick: Casey Affleck, “Manchester by the Sea”
It’s time to see if Affleck’s run of critical awards is reflected by his peers. It could go several ways — don’t underestimate Denzel Washington — but I’m sticking with Affleck at this point.
Kris Tapley’s Pick: Casey Affleck, “Manchester by the Sea”
Indeed, Washington has somehow never won a SAG Award. They have a chance to rectify that by honoring one of his greatest performances yet, »
- Debra Birnbaum, Geoff Berkshire, Jenelle Riley and Kristopher Tapley
Sundance: Amazon Buys Prison Drama ‘Crown Heights’ (Exclusive)
2 hours ago
Amazon Studios has picked up world rights to the Sundance prison drama “Crown Heights” for $2 million-plus, Variety has learned.
The movie, which premiered to strong reviews on Monday as part of the U.S. Dramatic Competition, stars Lakeith Stanfield (“Short Term 12”) as a real-life Brooklyn man wrongfully convicted of murder. His only hope at freedom is his friend (played by former NFL cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha), who fights for more than 20 years to reverse the verdict.
Matt Ruskin directed and wrote the film, which was shot in New York. Ruskin, Asomugha, and Natalie Galazka produced the pic, which will receive a theatrical release.
“Crown Heights” is the fifth title Amazon has acquired out of Sundance, after “The Big Sick” (a romantic comedy that sold for $12 million), the 90s comedy “Landline,” and the documentaries “Long Strange Trip” and “City of Ghosts. »
- Ramin Setoodeh and Brent Lang
Film Review: ‘Lost in Florence’
2 hours ago
An American jock discovers the macho thrill of historic Florentine football after his girlfriend dumps him in Evan Oppenheimer’s yawningly ordinary though superficially polished “Lost in Florence.” Shot in a Florence that’s never been so empty of tourists (either Oppenheimer isn’t good with crowds, or extras cost too much), this romantic drama largely devoid of drama sees the hunky lead, played with plenty of torn shirt or bare-chested desirability by Brett Dalton (“Agents of Shield”), get his life back on track through sport and the love of a charismatic Italian girl – even though, as we’re constantly told, Italian women are difficult. Bland even for the armchair traveler, “Lost” is as inoffensive as a picture-souvenir booklet, and equally unmemorable.
Eric (Dalton) is visiting his cousin Anna (Stana Katic) and her Florentine hubby Gianni (Marco Bonini) with his longtime girlfriend Colleen (Emily Atack). Unfortunately, his big romantic buildup »
- Jay Weissberg
Berlin: Ethan Hawke, Noomi Rapace to Star in Thriller ‘Stockholm’
3 hours ago
Ethan Hawke and Noomi Rapace will star in the thriller “Stockholm” with production starting in April.
“Stockholm” is written and directed by Robert Budreau. Sierra/Affinity is handling international sales and will offer it to buyers for the first time at the European Film Market in Berlin at the Berlin Film Festival.
Scott Aversano and Will Russell-Shapiro will executive produce and oversee the thriller via the Aversano Films banner along with Jason Blum at Blumhouse Productions. Nicholas Tabarrok will produce through his Darius Films banner, with Budreau via his Lumanity banner, and Jonathan Bronfman at his JoBro Productions banner.William Santor, John Hills and Andrew Chang-Sang are also executive producing for financier Productivity Media.
The project is based on the 1973 bank heist and hostage crisis in Stockholm that was documented in the 1974 New Yorker article “The Bank Drama” written by Daniel Lang. Hostages bonded with their captors and turned against the authorities, »
- Dave McNary
Iraqi Filmmaker Withdraws Visa Application for Miami Festival Over Trump’s Expected Immigration Restrictions
3 hours ago
Hussein Hassan, the director of the Iraqi film “Reseba — The Dark Wind,” has withdrawn his visa application to the U.S. for clearance to attend the North American premiere of his film at the upcoming Miami Film Festival.
The producer of the film, Mehmet Aktas, said Hassan withdrew his application as an act of “peaceful protest” about President Donald Trump’s expected order that will restrict entrance to the U.S. for those from some Middle Eastern nations.
Miami Film Festival director Jaie Laplante said the festival will proceed with the screening as scheduled, but with a “deep sense of loss and disappointment.”
“One of Miami Film Festival’s core values is to bridge cultural understanding, to provoke thought and discussion, and ‘The Dark Wind’ is one of the most timely, moving, and important films in this year’s festival,” Laplante said. “It is essential that roadblocks not be put »
- Dave McNary
Relativity Media Facing Eviction From Beverly Hills Offices
4 hours ago
The long downward spiral of Relativity Media has taken another turn, with the company’s landlord going to court to evict the failing entertainment concern from its Beverly Hills offices.
An unlawful detainer action filed this month in Superior Court in Santa Monica says Ryan Kavanaugh’s company owes $437,452 in back rent and other charges for its third-floor space at 9242 Beverly Boulevard. The property’s owner, Beverly Place L.P., claims that additional charges of $4,589.21 per day have been piling up since Dec. 30.
The partnership that owns the offices — which sit atop a first-floor Mercedes Benz dealership — says Relativity needs to pay up and get out immediately. Beverly place demands “restitution and possession of the premises” along with “forfeiture of the lease,” and the overdue payments.
Related
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Relativity did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Variety »
- James Rainey
PETA Responds: No, American Humane, ‘A Dog’s Purpose’ Is Not to Be a Prop (Guest Column)
4 hours ago
This guest column is in response to recently published piece written by American Humane’s Robin Ganzert.
Every reasonable person was horrified by the behind-the-scenes video footage showing that a terrified dog named Hercules was forced into rushing water on the set of “A Dog’s Purpose.” Meanwhile, every person with a vested interest in seeing the film succeed has jumped in at the deep end to defend the footage — including the American Humane Association (Aha), those folks whose “No Animals Were Harmed” disclaimer appears at the bottom of a lot of films, including those for which animals were actually harmed.
Aha’s bread and butter is the use of animals in film and television, and animals are paying with their lives for what many of us believe is an overly cozy relationship with animal trainers. In recent years, 27 animals died on the set of “The Hobbit,” three horses died »
- Lisa Lange
Adam Shankman to Direct Kate Beckinsale in ‘Chocolate Money’
4 hours ago
In a pre-Berlin market move, Adam Shankman has come on board to direct Kate Beckinsale in mother-daughter drama “The Chocolate Money.”
Cornerstone Films will be launching international sales to buyers at the European Film Market in Berlin next month. UTA is repping domestic rights.
The project is based on Ashley Prentice Norton’s novel with Emma Forrest adapting. The story is set in 1980s New York, centered on the relationship between a rich chocolate heiress and her precocious young daughter.
The mother lives a free-wheeling, rock-star lifestyle, and her extravagant parties are legendary. Dazzled by her mother’s situation and constantly craving her attention, the daughter finds escape in reading beauty magazines and taking photos.
Beckinsale is producing with Mar-Key Pictures President Leslie Urdang, Miranda de Pencier and Kelly E. Ashton. Producers plan to begin shooting in New York City in the spring.
Shankman is directed from a script that Emma Forrest co-wrote with Beckinsale. »
- Dave McNary
‘Tomb Raider’ Casts Dominic West as Lara Croft’s Father
5 hours ago
British actor Dominic West is joining Alicia Vikander in MGM-Warner Bros.’ “Tomb Raider” reboot and will portray Lara Croft’s father.
Vikander became attached to the role of Lara Croft last April. Walton Goggins and Daniel Wu are also attached.
MGM and Warner Bros acquired the rights from Gk Films which had previously purchased the film rights in 2011 from Square Enix Ltd. Graham King is serving as producer and Roar Uthaug (“The Wave”) will direct.
Related
‘Tomb Raider’ Reboot Casts Walton Goggins as Villain Opposite Alicia Vikander (Exclusive)
The original “Tomb Raider” game was published in 1996 by London-based video game company Eidos, and went on to become one of the most successful video games of the time. Eidos is now part of an international interactive entertainment group, Square Enix.
The “Tomb Raider” franchise has sold over 45 million copies worldwide. Paramount’s two films starring Angelina Jolie as British archaeologist »
- Dave McNary
Stephen Karam’s ‘Speech & Debate’ Movie Set for Release in April
5 hours ago
The movie version of “Speech & Debate,” the first play by “The Humans” Tony winner Stephen Karam, has lined up a day-and-date release in theaters and on VOD in April.
Related
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Kristin Chenoweth and More Broadway Stars Turn Out For Stephen Karam’s First Movie
Karam adapted the screenplay for the film, directed by Dan Harris and featuring a cast that includes “Humans” actress Sarah Steele, who also starred in the original Off Broadway premiere of “Speech & Debate.” Production company Sycamore Pictures (“Begin Again,” “The Hollars,” “The Way, Way Back”) has partnered with independent distributor Vertical Entertainment for the movie’s release, which will see the film hit iTunes, VOD and select theaters on April 7.
With Liam James (“The Way, Way Back”) and Austin P. McKenzie (“Spring Awakening”) also playing lead roles, the cast includes Kal Penn, Janeane Garofalo and Roger Bart, along with cameos by theater names including Lin-Manuel Miranda and Darren Criss. »
- Gordon Cox
Kate Middleton and Prince William to Attend 2017 BAFTAs
6 hours ago
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, will attend the 2017 BAFTAs.
William, who has served as President of BAFTA since 2010, and the Middleton will walk the red carpet at London’s Royal Albert Hall and attend the awards ceremony, according to a release issued by the Academy on Friday.
The Duke will also present the BAFTA Fellowship, the awards’ lifetime achievement award.
“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are fantastic supporters of BAFTA. We very much look forward to welcoming Their Royal Highnesses at the Ee British Academy Film Awards on Sunday 12 February,” said Amanda Berry OBE and Chief Executive of BAFTA.
The 2017 BAFTAs will be hosted by Stephen Fry on Feb. 12 and will be broadcast on BBC One.
Related storiesBAFTA Nominations: A Good Day for Ken Loach and 'La La Land,' Less So for DiversityBAFTA Film Award Nominations: 'La La Land' Leads Race'Spider-Man: »
- Seth Kelley
Sundance Film Review: ‘Roxanne Roxanne’
6 hours ago
One of the built-in hooks of the biopic is that it tends to involve fame and fortune. Even if the person in question winds up descending from fame and squandering the fortune, tumbling into addiction and falling from grace, at least he or she had their moment in the sun. Part of the genre’s allure is that we get to revel in that moment. That’s why the hardscrabble hip-hop biopic “Roxanne Roxanne” is in a category all its own.
The movie tells the story of Roxanne Shanté (née Lolita Shanté Gooden), the girl rapper from the Queensbridge projects who in 1984, at the age of 14, recorded (in one tossed-off take) “Roxanne’s Revenge,” an answer record to U.T.F.O.’s “Roxanne, Roxanne” that quickly became an epochal underground single. The original U.T.F.O. track dissed a girl named Roxanne for being cold and hard to get. »
- Owen Gleiberman
Goteborg Highlights the Best TV Drama From the Nordic Region – and Belgium
7 hours ago
“We were early introducing TV drama into the Göteborg program, so this year’s Game Changers and Creators is the eleventh time the festival is dedicating a two-day seminar to this part of the industry,” said head of industry, Cia Edström, of the Göteborg International Film Festival, who has organised the program with Finnish-Swedish film critic and TV presenter Andrea Reuter.
“From the beginning we have had a special interest in screenplays, so we will introduce a large number of upcoming TV series from the Nordic production companies, as well, commented Edström, who has been working for the festival since 2004. She added that – as the title says – the seminar will also highlight new commissioners, what stories they are looking for, their strategies and how they stitch together a budget in today’s drama landscape.
One changers/creator opens events: U.S.-French former senior vp at HBO, Anne Thomopoulos, who »
- Jorn Rossing Jensen
Box Office: ‘A Dog’s Purpose’ Licked by ‘Resident Evil’ on Thursday
7 hours ago
Screen Gems’ “Resident Evil: The Final Chapter” opened with a solid $1 million at 2,464 North America locations in Thursday night previews.
That was more than double the take for Universal’s controversial family drama “A Dog's Purpose,” which launched with a moderate $455,000 in 2,255 domestic sites.
“Resident Evil: Final Chapter” is projected to finish the weekend with about $13 million to $14 million at 3,104 sites. The film — which has a $40 million price tag — marks the sixth and final installment in the franchise adaptation of Capcom’s video game series.
Milla Jovovich — who has been in all six movies — portrays the only survivor of what was meant to be humanity’s final stand against the undead. Ali Larter, Shawn Roberts, Iain Glen (“Game of Thrones”), Ruby Rose, Eoin Macken, South Korean actor Lee Joon-Gi and Fraser James also star with Paul W.S. Anderson returning to direct.
“A Dog’s Purpose” faces serious »
- Dave McNary
Taylor Swift, Zayn Malik Star in Sultry ‘Fifty Shades Darker’ Music Video (Watch)
7 hours ago
Zayn Malik and Taylor Swift star in the new music video for their “Fifty Shades Darker” song “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever.”
In the video, Malik and Swift fend off the paparazzi, put on their best angsty faces and smash things in hotel rooms. The two only appear briefly together in a sultry, strobe lit sequence toward the end of the song.
Swift and Malik have both teased clips from the music video over the past few days on social media. The song, released in December, follows in a lineage of “Fifty Shades of Grey” bangers “Love Me Like You Do” by Ellie Goulding and “Earned It,” which earned an Academy Award nomination for the Weeknd. The track was also Swift’s sole vocal release for 2016.
Swift wrote the song with Jack Antonoff and Sam Dew. Antonoff, who notably collaborated with Swift on her album “1989,” also produced the single. »
- Seth Kelley
Film Review: ‘Resident Evil: The Final Chapter’
14 hours ago
Yes, the movie is called “Resident Evil: The Final Chapter,” but don’t let that get your hopes up. After all, “Resident Evil: Extinction” (2007) was hyped as “the third and final installment of the ‘Resident Evil’ trilogy,” and that was three chapters ago. In fact, the last scene of this frenzied yet tedious post-apocalyptic farrago strongly suggests that the long-running, video game-inspired franchise could very easily continue. All that’s missing is a climatic close-up of lead player Milla Jovovich dropping all pretense and winking at the audience, then laughing out loud.
Actually, that might have been a welcome sight for those of us who have been following the franchise since 2002, when the first “Resident Evil” movie introduced Jovovich as Alice, the most resilient of the commandos sent to the Hive, an underground laboratory of the mysterious Umbrella Corporation, after the experimental T-virus transformed several of the facility’s researchers »
- Joe Leydon
‘Dim the Fluorescents,’ ‘Strad Style’ Win Slamdance Awards (Exclusive)
17 hours ago
Daniel Warth’s “Dim the Fluorescents” and Stefan Avalos’ documentary “Strad Style” have won the Sparky Awards for grand jury prizes at the 23rd Slamdance Film Festival.
“Strad Style” also won audience award for documentaries while Bill Watterson’s “Dave Made a Maze” took the audience trophy for narrative features. The winners were announced Thursday night at the Treasure Mountain Inn in Park City, Utah.
“Independent film is made beautiful not by those individual artists that form celebrity culture but by creative collaboration,” said Peter Baxter, Slamdance co-founder and president. “At Slamdance this year we’ve experienced an entire program of beautiful independent film and the promise of great emerging artists continuing the legacy of what we set out to do. With our awards we honor several filmmakers yet we know and must acknowledge Slamdance has just been made stronger by everyone of them who has taken part.”
Related
- Dave McNary
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