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‘Timeless’ Star Matt Lanter Joins ‘Pitch Perfect 3’ (Exclusive)
19 minutes ago
Matt Lanter, one of the breakout stars of the new NBC drama “Timeless,” has joined the cast of Universal’s “Pitch Perfect 3.”
Trish Sie is taking over directing duties from Elizabeth Banks, who helmed “Pitch Perfect 2.” Banks will reprise her role as Gail — a commentator for the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella — and remain a producer, along with Max Handelman of Brownstone Productions and Paul Brooks of Gold Circle Entertainment.
Kay Cannon wrote the screenplay, with additional drafts from Mike White and Dana Fox.
Plot details and a description of Lanter’s character have yet to be unveiled.
Related
John Lithgow Joins ‘Pitch Perfect 3’ Cast (Exclusive)
The film will hit theaters on Dec. 22. Vice President of Production Sara Scott will oversee the project for Universal.
Jason Moore directed the original film and helped launch the franchise when the movie, which cost $15 million to produce, went on »
- Justin Kroll
Berlinale: Tussle Over Unified Digital Market in Europe May Be Coming to a Head
43 minutes ago
The final countdown appears to have begun.
For nearly two years, the industry in Hollywood and Europe has sparred with the European Commission over proposals for a single digital market across the continent, which industry execs say would destroy the territorial film and TV licensing system that forms the backbone of their business. Now, the commission’s centerpiece proposal – an overhaul of copyright laws that would allow broadcasters to offer online services outside their country of origin – sits in the hands of the European Union’s Council of Ministers.
As the council considers the draft legislation, there is growing fear that the industry’s objections are being ignored. “Despite a totally united industry effort for many months, the concerns of the creative industries in Europe have not been heard or even taken into account,” said Martin Moszkowicz, at Germany’s Constantin, one of the country’s biggest film-tv companies.
The »
- John Hopewell
Berlinale: Italy’s True Colours Takes Sales on Brazil’s ‘Two Irenes’ (Exclusive)
1 hour ago
One year after making it’s Efm debut, Italian sales company True Colours is venturing into non-Italian movies by taking global sales on Brazilian helmer Fabio Meira’s “Two Irenes,” which world premieres in the Berlin Film Festival’s Generation program.
True Colours was launched last year by prominent companies Indigo Film and Lucky Red to boost the Italian film and TV industries and put the country back on the global content market map. It’s now dipping its toes in international waters with this first feature set during a sweltering Brazilian summer during which a 13-year-old named Irene discovers that her father has another family, and even another daughter with the same name.
Other True Colours Efm market premieres include Italian hit comedy “It’s The Law!,” by popular Sicilian duo Ficarra & Picone, that currently tops Italy’s box office chart, having grossed more than $9 million in four »
- Nick Vivarelli
Sony Classics Buys Daniela Vega’s Drama ‘A Fantastic Woman’
1 hour ago
Sony Pictures Classics has acquired all rights in North America, Australia and New Zealand to Sebastian Lelio’s “A Fantastic Woman” from Participant Media.
The film, starring Daniela Vega and Francisco Reyes, will have its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival in the competition section on Feb. 12.
The film is produced by Chile-based Fabula’s Juan de Dios Larrain and Pablo Larrain with German company Komplizen Film, and executive produced by Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King of Participant Media.
Vega portrays a waitress and singer named Marina who’s in love with Reyes’ character, an older man who suddenly falls ill and dies. She’s forced to confront his family and society.
Lelio said, “I’m thrilled Sony Pictures Classics will be releasing ‘A Fantastic Woman’ and am excited by their passion for Marina’s story. The story is one of great human strength, which I hope will »
- Dave McNary
Berlinale: HBO Takes U.S. Rights to ‘Inseparables,’ Argentina’s Remake of ‘The Untouchables’ (Exclusive)
1 hour ago
HBO Latino has taken U.S. pay TV/Svod rights to “Inseparables,” the Argentine remake of Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache’s French dramedy hit “Intouchables.”
Deal was made by Guido Rud at FilmSharks Intl.
Combining key driving forces behind Latin America’s film sector – top U.S. broadcasters, Hollywood studios and the remake business – deal suggests that pay TV buyers can already put on the table, in some cases, higher figures than theatrical distributors.
Further new accords include Brazil (Paris Filmes), Central America (Wiesner Distribution), Greece (Spentzos Film), Turkey (Tanweer) plus Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia (Eurofilms).
Spain, Germany, France, Japan and Australia are under discussions, Rud said.
The Argentine version, produced by Luis Alberto Scalella’s Sono Film and Viacom’s broadcaster Telefé, was released in Argentina by Disney on Aug. 11, scoring a robust $1.8 million B.O. and 350,000 admissions.
The original “The Intouchables” grossed $427 million worldwide.
Directed by Marcos Carnevale »
- Emiliano De Pablos
‘Arrival,’ ‘La La Land’ Among Film Music Critics Nominees
2 hours ago
The International Film Music Critics Assn. has announced nominations for the 13th annual Ifmca Awards for excellence in musical scoring in 2016. Leading the pack are Michael Giacchino and Justin Hurwitz with five nominations each, and Abel Korzeniowski, with four.
Giacchino is nominated for his work on comic book fantasy film “Doctor Strange” and the socially conscious box office hit “Zootopia.” In addition, his song “Night on the Yorktown” from “Star Trek Beyond” is up for film music composition of the year. A 36-time Ifmca Award nominee, Giacchino previously received score of the year honors in 2004 for “The Incredibles,” and in 2009 for “Up.”
Hurwitz’s “La La Land” work has already been a force this season, taking home two Golden Globes among countless other prizes. The contemporary homage to Hollywood movie musicals earned him Ifmca noms for score of the year, comedy score, and film music composition of the year. Hurwitz »
- Dani Levy
Berlinale: Filmax Intl. Picks Up Black Comedy ‘The Tunnel Gang’ (Exclusive)
2 hours ago
Filmax Intl., the sales arm of Barcelona’s Filmax Group, has picked up worldwide rights outside Spain to Pepon Montero’s black comedy “The Tunnel Gang,” toplining and produced by popular Spanish TV showman Arturo Valls.
Iván Díaz, Filmax Intl.’s head of sales, is introducing the film to buyers during the Berlin Film Festival.
“The Tunnel Gang” follows a group of survivors pulled from the rubble of a collapsed tunnel 15 days after their terrifying ordeal began, reflecting what happens next and how they get over such a traumatic experience.
The ensemble cast also includes Natalia de Molina (“Living Is Easy With Eyes Closed”), Raúl Cimas (“Open Windows”), and Manolo Solo, a recent supporting actor Goya Award winner for “The Fury of a Patient Man.”
EOne opened the film Jan. 20 in Spain; it’s grossed $1 million at the B.O. to date.
In his first feature as producer, via Pólvora Films, »
- Emiliano De Pablos
Berlinale: B-Reel to Produce Renck’s Thriller ‘Nothing’ (Exclusive)
2 hours ago
On track to ramp up its international profile with ambitious features, Stockholm-based outfit B-Reel Films is set to produce “There’s Nothing to be Afraid of,” a coming-of-age romance set amid the Swedish Christian fundamentalist cult Livets Ord, which will mark the feature film debut of Swedish filmmaker Johan Renck.
Renck has directed a raft of high-profile drama series, from Netflix’s “Bloodline,” to Sky’s “The Last Panthers” to episodes of “Breaking Bad” and “The Walking Dead,” among other shows. Renck has also helmed music videos of David Bowie’s “Lazarus” and “Blackstar.”
“Nothing,” based on based on Johan Heltne’s controversial book which is set in the early 1990s, centers on Jonathan, a 16-year-old belonging to the cult Livets Ord who is about to become an adult and falls in love with Nina while on a trip. Suffering from epileptic seizures, the young man starts seeing a psychologist, »
- Elsa Keslassy
Germans Skewer Trump at Berlin Film Festival Opening
3 hours ago
The opening night of the Berlinale was all about politics, from the red carpet, where Green Party politician and Bundestag vice president Claudia Roth sported a black dress adorned with the word “Unpresidented” in large letters – an apparent dig at U.S. President Donald Trump’s spelling aptitude and/or his perceived behavior as commander-in-chief – to officials and speakers taking the stage to talk about free speech, free art and resistance to oppression.
At Thursday’s ceremony in the Berlinale Palast, the new U.S. administration even took some hits from the evening’s host, German comedian and actress Anke Engelke. She had a question for international guests: “Are you here for the festival? Or is someone keeping you from going back to your home country?” That got a big laugh.
Engelke drew loud laughs as she greeted the jury, noting that last year Meryl Streep served as jury president. »
- Ed Meza
Harvey Weinstein Taps Trump’s Travel Ban for New ‘Lion’ Oscar Messaging
3 hours ago
When it comes to awards season, Harvey Weinstein has a long history of tethering his contenders to the zeitgeist, or at least to a wider-ranging socio-political concern. And it usually happens in phase two, as campaigns begin to pivot toward a win.
For “Philomena” in early 2014, writer-star Steve Coogan and the film’s eponymous subject Philomena Lee were shuffled off to Rome for an audience with Pope Francis. They were there as representatives of the Philomena Project, which aims to raise public awareness in Ireland and around the world on the issue of forced and illegal adoptions and to help reunite families with the advancement of open records legislation in Ireland.
Weinstein himself hit the morning shows on behalf of “The Imitation Game” in early 2015, calling on the British government to pardon the thousands whose lives had been ruined with convictions under laws forbidding homosexuality, which was not decriminalized in the U. »
- Kristopher Tapley
Berlinale: Catherine Gund, Daresha Kyi’s ‘Chavela’ Taken by Latido Films (Exclusive)
3 hours ago
Latido Films will handle international sales to “Chavela,” a documentary on this hugely influential Mexico-raised singer from directors Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi.
Featuring key figures in her life, such as Pedro Almodovar, “Chavela” world premieres at the Berlin Festival on Feb. 9 where Latido will introduce it to buyers.
Vargas’ friendship, maybe passionate affair, with Frida Kahlo and her epic drinking binges are the stuff of legend. She was also a muse for many.
Produced out of New York-based Aubin Pictures, founded by Gund, “Chavela” is inspired by footage shot by Gund when living in Mexico City in the winter of 1992 when she managed to meet Vargas and and videotaped their conversation.
“’Chavela’ is not merely an homage or a biography. It is a salute to freedom and integrity. ‘Chavela’ confronts the issues of this current, complicated political period, thus making it a timely and much-needed documentary,” said Latido’s Antonio Saura. »
- John Hopewell
Jeffrey Godsick to Head Sony Pictures New Branding Division
3 hours ago
Sony Pictures Entertainment has formed a new brand management division and promoted Jeffrey Godsick to lead the unit — a move to try to exploit the “long-term branding initiatives” for franchise films like “Hotel Transylvania,” “Jumanji,” “Spider-Man,” and “Smurfs.”
Sony’s global marketing and distribution boss, Josh Greenstein, announced the move in an email to employees Thursday morning. Godsick’s title will be executive vice president of worldwide partnerships and brand management.
The new division is charged with giving movies from Sony Pictures “new life beyond the screen,” Greenstein told workers. The memo continued: “These strategies will enhance our collaboration across other Sony Corporation businesses, expand our IP into cross-media opportunities beyond film, and develop new revenue streams. The new structure will offer more concentrated resources to support our growing global infrastructure, and further our ongoing commitment to leverage films for added value.”
Sony has been struggling to get traction with »
- James Rainey
Berlinale: Jia Zhangke, MK2 Reteam for ‘Money & Love’ (Exclusive)
3 hours ago
Chinese auteur Jia Zhangke, whose latest movie, “Montains May Depart,” competed at Cannes in 2015, is reteaming with French studio MK2 on his next directorial effort, “Money & Love,” a tumultuous love story set in China’s crime world.
“Money & Love’s” story opens in 2001, in Datong, a poor industrial city in China, where Qiao, a young dancer falls in love with Bin, a local mobster. During a fight between rival gangs Qiao fires a shot to protect him and subsequently gets sentenced to five years in prison. Upon her release, Qiao goes looking for Bin to try and start all over again.
Juliette Schrameck, managing director of MK2 Films, and Fionnuala Jamison, who heads international sales at MK2, said “Money & Love” would be Zhangke’s most ambitious drama to date in terms of scope and scale. “It’s an epic love story which unfolds over 15 years, as well as a thriller »
- Elsa Keslassy
‘Moonlight,’ Lee Daniels, Sidney Poitier Take Top Honors at Aafca Awards
3 hours ago
“Moonlight” shined bright at the 8th annual African-American Film Critics Association Awards on Wednesday night in Hollywood.
Barry Jenkins took the stage three times, accepting awards for best director, best independent film, and best picture for the Oscar-nominated drama. Jenkins was undoubtedly the man of the hour: Lee Daniels bowed to him before accepting his Cinema Vanguard Award, while John Singleton sang his praises — “none of us [directors] get it perfect, but Barry Jenkins has gotten it perfect.”
But the coming-of-age drama didn’t stop there. Prizes also went out to co-stars Mahershala Ali and Janelle Monae, who nabbed the org’s breakout performance trophy for her roles in “Moonlight” and “Hidden Figures.”
Sanaa Lathan, who presented the award to Ali, said she first met the Oscar-nominated actor about 20 years ago. “All the girls used to call him Hershey bar,” she admitted. “Lucky for us, he is finally getting the spotlight he deserves in ‘Moonlight. »
- Mannie Holmes
Hamptons Film Festival to Celebrate 25 Years With 25-Film Screening Series
3 hours ago
The Hamptons International Film Festival (Hiff) will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a special screening series of 25 films. As part of “25 Years: 25 Films,” Hiff will screen one film from each year of the festival in 24 different screenings spread across the Hamptons, Palm Beach, New York City and Los Angeles, culminating in a final screening and Lifetime Achievement Award presentation before the 25th annual festival in October.
The series kicks off Feb. 17 at Guild Hall in East Hampton with “The Piano,” which originally screened at Hiff in 1993. The series will then head to Palm Beach on Feb. 23 for 2010’s “Black Swan.” Other films to be screened include “The Artist,” “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Still Alice,” “The Cove,” “Open Water,” “Heavenly Creatures” and “Searching for Sugarman,” as well as the Oscar-nominated “Diving Bell and Butterfly,” “Embrace of the Serpent,” “I Am Not Your Negro.”
“We thought this would be a great opportunity to bring »
- Dani Levy
Emma Watts Promoted to 20th Century Fox Film Vice Chairman
3 hours ago
Emma Watts has been promoted to vice chairman of 20th Century Fox Film, the studio announced on Thursday.
Watts will continue to serve as production president, a post she has had since 2007. The promotion clears up Watts’ status at the company, a position that was in question after Stacey Snider took over as its sole chairman last summer. Watts had been a key ally of ousted studio chief Jim Gianopulos. There were mutterings that she did not get along with Snider, and bristled at her management style, but any differences appear to have been resolved.
Fox said her promotion was effective immediately. Watts is seen as having strong ties to the creative community, and played a key role in bringing several Fox hits, such as “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” “Gone Girl,” and “Deadpool,” to the screen.
Related
Dan Berger Tapped as Chief Spokesman for 20th Century Fox
In her new capacity, »
- Brent Lang
Mike Myers to Play Improv Mentor Del Close
3 hours ago
Mike Myers will play improv mentor Del Close in the upcoming biopic “Del,” to be directed by Betty Thomas.
Covert Media’s CEO Paul Hanson will produce the film alongside Thomas, The Second City’s Diane Alexander, State Street Pictures’ Robert Teitel, and Thruline Entertainment’s Ron West. Covert Media is fully financing and launching international sales at the Berlin Film Festival.
Executive producers are Harold Ramis Film School/Second City’s Andrew Alexander, Covert’s Elissa Friedman, Media Content Capital’s Sasha Shapiro, and Anton Lessine, along with Thruline’s Chris Henze.
Thomas will direct “Del” from a script by Nick Torokvei. The film follows an aspiring comedian who is counseled by Close, who was notorious for pushing his students to their limits. He’s best known for teaching students at Chicago’s Second City, including Myers, John Belushi, Chris Farley, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, and Tina Fey. Close »
- Dave McNary
Keanu Reeves’ Nascar Actioner ‘Rally Car’ Nabbed by Lionsgate
3 hours ago
Lionsgate has acquired U.S. distribution rights to the Keanu Reeves auto racing movie “Rally Car” at the start of the Berlin Film Festival.
The movie will be directed by Olivier Megaton from a script by Jeremy Lott based on a treatment by Stephen Hamel. Reeves is starring and producing through his Company Films along with Stephen Hamel (“Passengers) and Mark Gao and Gregory Ouanhon of Fundamental Films. Gary Glushon will executive produce.
“Rally Car” tells the story of a self-centered American Nascar driver who revitalizes his career by entering an international Rally Car race across the face of China, and learns to win as part of a team when he joins forces with a young Chinese woman who yearns to become a driver herself. The film will shoot in China and the United States.
Lionsgate opens “John Wick: Chapter 2,” which re-teams Reeves with “Matrix” co-star Laurence Fishburne, on Friday. »
- Dave McNary
Berlin Film Review: ‘Django’
3 hours ago
In Woody Allen’s “Sweet and Lowdown,” Sean Penn boasts, “I’m considered the best guitar player maybe that ever lived, certainly in this country. There’s this gypsy in France, and he’s the most beautiful thing I ever heard.” The only guitarist superior to Penn’s fictional Emmet Ray? Django Reinhardt, a Belgian-born hot-jazz strummer whose talent saved him during World War II.
As a historical-fiction account of this wartime chapter in the jazz legend’s life, “Django” delivers a showcase role for gifted actor Reda Kateb, who’s had small parts in “A Prophet” and “Zero Dark Thirty,” but is otherwise rarely seen outside of France. It also marks a rather poignant choice to open the 2017 Berlinale, since the film — while not an especially compelling or well-told biopic unto itself — shines much-needed attention on the plight of the Roma people at the hands of German (and French) officials. »
- Peter Debruge
Josh Hutcherson to Voice Animated ‘Elliot the Littlest Reindeer’
3 hours ago
“The Hunger Games” star Josh Hutcherson has been tapped to voice the lead role in Awesometown Entertainment’s animated pic “Elliot the Littlest Reindeer.”
Feature is directed by Jennifer Westcott and produced by Lucas Lynette-Krech. Executive producers are Dan Krech along with Victoria Westcott of Elgin Road; Mike Sears and Michael Emerson of M3; Jason Moring of Ddi, who made the announcement at the Berlin Film Festival; and Active Intl.
The animated adventure was written by Westcott and follows miniature horse Elliot, who follows his dream to earn a spot on Santa’s sleigh team after Blitzen retires. Other voice actors include Samantha Bee, John Cleese, Martin Short, Jeff Dunham.
“It’s a great script, with a powerful message wrapped into an accessible story. I really feel it will resonate with kids and adults alike… It was a fun process making Elliot’s character come to life… and collaborating with the team! »
- Variety Staff
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