You guys can back off David Zaslav for a minute: Bob Iger says Disney too has “killed a few projects.” The difference? They’ve done it quietly and at (presumably) a much earlier stage than, say, “Batgirl” or “Coyote vs. Acme,” the two most infamous (and most egregious) last-minute movie cancellations in recent Hollywood history.
“When we talk about improving our film slate there are really three approaches, one is you have to kill things you no longer believed in and that’s not easy in this business, because either you’ve gotten started, you have some sunk costs ,or it’s a relationship with either your employees or with the creative community, and it’s not an easy thing, but you’ve got to make those tough calls,” Disney CEO Iger said Tuesday at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference. “We’ve actually made those tough calls,...
“When we talk about improving our film slate there are really three approaches, one is you have to kill things you no longer believed in and that’s not easy in this business, because either you’ve gotten started, you have some sunk costs ,or it’s a relationship with either your employees or with the creative community, and it’s not an easy thing, but you’ve got to make those tough calls,” Disney CEO Iger said Tuesday at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference. “We’ve actually made those tough calls,...
- 3/5/2024
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
Phil Lord has a question for David Zaslav:
Is it anticompetitive if one of the biggest movie studios in the world shuns the marketplace in order to use a tax loophole to write off an entire movie so they can more easily merge with one of the other biggest movie studios in the world? Cause it Seems anticompetitive.
— Phil Lord (@philiplord) February 10, 2024
Lord’s tweet, of course, is about “Coyote vs. Acme.” Warner Bros. Discovery shelved the completed film, a la “Batgirl” — although, unlike that DC Comics production, the Looney Tunes movie was supposedly shopped and according to some reports, received offers. Wbd denies the reports of official offers being made.
Into the Accounting-Verse, we go.
A person with knowledge of the situation told IndieWire that Warner Bros. screened the film for a dozen distributors. Of these, 10 passed; the other two expressed interest in acquiring it, but for less...
Is it anticompetitive if one of the biggest movie studios in the world shuns the marketplace in order to use a tax loophole to write off an entire movie so they can more easily merge with one of the other biggest movie studios in the world? Cause it Seems anticompetitive.
— Phil Lord (@philiplord) February 10, 2024
Lord’s tweet, of course, is about “Coyote vs. Acme.” Warner Bros. Discovery shelved the completed film, a la “Batgirl” — although, unlike that DC Comics production, the Looney Tunes movie was supposedly shopped and according to some reports, received offers. Wbd denies the reports of official offers being made.
Into the Accounting-Verse, we go.
A person with knowledge of the situation told IndieWire that Warner Bros. screened the film for a dozen distributors. Of these, 10 passed; the other two expressed interest in acquiring it, but for less...
- 2/13/2024
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Four-time Emmy winning producer, writer and showrunner Lee Metzger has signed with Verve for representation. The move comes as Metzger expands further into the scripted space following last week’s release of Strawberry Spring, the first-ever podcast adaptation based on a short story by Stephen King.
Written, directed, and produced by Metzger, Strawberry Spring stars Milo Ventimiglia, Garrett Hedlund, Herizen F. Gaurdiola and Sydney Sweeney. Based on one short story from King’s Night Shift collection, it follows the story of a journalist (Hedlund) in his relentless pursuit of a serial killer known as “Springheel Jack”. In addition to Metzger, producers are Emmy winner Philip Alberstat, Audio Up Media and iHeartMedia. Strawberry Spring debuted at #1 on Apple’s Fiction and Drama Podcast charts upon release in over 32 countries.
Next up, Metzger will be adapting the life story of an iconic American singer, songwriter and rock icon. Details are being kept under wraps for now.
Written, directed, and produced by Metzger, Strawberry Spring stars Milo Ventimiglia, Garrett Hedlund, Herizen F. Gaurdiola and Sydney Sweeney. Based on one short story from King’s Night Shift collection, it follows the story of a journalist (Hedlund) in his relentless pursuit of a serial killer known as “Springheel Jack”. In addition to Metzger, producers are Emmy winner Philip Alberstat, Audio Up Media and iHeartMedia. Strawberry Spring debuted at #1 on Apple’s Fiction and Drama Podcast charts upon release in over 32 countries.
Next up, Metzger will be adapting the life story of an iconic American singer, songwriter and rock icon. Details are being kept under wraps for now.
- 9/9/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The Ever After with Jaleel White podcast, featuring the actor behind 90’s uber-nerd Steve Urkel from ABC sitcom Family Matters, is getting the TV treatment.
The podcast, which comes from Jared Gutstadt’s Audio Up, launched last year and Topic, the streaming service from First Look Media, has now ordered a 30-minute TV pilot.
It marks the first podcast from Gutstadt burgeoning business to make it to the small screen and comes as audio series continue to be a Hollywood goldmine.
Ever After will see White reminisce on his early days in the industry, and give viewers an insight into what life was like after the iconic run as Urkel ended. It will look back on White’s early to mid-90’s fame, as he shares the microphone with an array of fellow child star guests, to discuss how their paths diverged from their early days of fame.
The...
The podcast, which comes from Jared Gutstadt’s Audio Up, launched last year and Topic, the streaming service from First Look Media, has now ordered a 30-minute TV pilot.
It marks the first podcast from Gutstadt burgeoning business to make it to the small screen and comes as audio series continue to be a Hollywood goldmine.
Ever After will see White reminisce on his early days in the industry, and give viewers an insight into what life was like after the iconic run as Urkel ended. It will look back on White’s early to mid-90’s fame, as he shares the microphone with an array of fellow child star guests, to discuss how their paths diverged from their early days of fame.
The...
- 8/3/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Constant readers are about to become constant listeners as Stephen King enters the final frontier of storytelling: the podcast.
King has partnered with Audio Up Media, iHeart Media, and producer Lee Metzger (The Voice) to create Strawberry Spring, a new show based on a tale from his 1978 short story collection Night Shift.
The series follows a journalist as he hunts for a serial killer named Springheel Jack. Metzger will write and direct, while the show will star Garrett Hedlund, Milo Ventimiglia, Herizen F. Guardiola, Sydney Sweeney, Ken Marino, and Al Madrigal.
King has partnered with Audio Up Media, iHeart Media, and producer Lee Metzger (The Voice) to create Strawberry Spring, a new show based on a tale from his 1978 short story collection Night Shift.
The series follows a journalist as he hunts for a serial killer named Springheel Jack. Metzger will write and direct, while the show will star Garrett Hedlund, Milo Ventimiglia, Herizen F. Guardiola, Sydney Sweeney, Ken Marino, and Al Madrigal.
- 7/20/2021
- by Brenna Ehrlich
- Rollingstone.com
Exclusive: Audio Up, the podcast company co-founded by actor Dennis Quaid, has made a number of senior hires including the appointment of reality veteran David Hurwitz.
Hurwitz, who has exec produced series including ABC’s Don’t, NBC’s Fear Factor and Ellen’s Game of Games, joins the company as Head of Content.
This comes after the business, which is led by Jingle Punks founder Jared Gutstadt, scored investment from MGM and publishing and talent management company Primary Wave.
“The share of ear between people spending their time on Spotify, Apple, and countless other platforms, is now a full arm’s race. Whoever has the best content and the best talent, wins. We’re aiming to be the first in that race,” said Dennis Quaid.
Quaid, who recently starred in Amazon’s Goliath and Midway, is also chief artist-in-residence at the company, which made his podcast interview series, The Dennissance.
Audio...
Hurwitz, who has exec produced series including ABC’s Don’t, NBC’s Fear Factor and Ellen’s Game of Games, joins the company as Head of Content.
This comes after the business, which is led by Jingle Punks founder Jared Gutstadt, scored investment from MGM and publishing and talent management company Primary Wave.
“The share of ear between people spending their time on Spotify, Apple, and countless other platforms, is now a full arm’s race. Whoever has the best content and the best talent, wins. We’re aiming to be the first in that race,” said Dennis Quaid.
Quaid, who recently starred in Amazon’s Goliath and Midway, is also chief artist-in-residence at the company, which made his podcast interview series, The Dennissance.
Audio...
- 6/17/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Reza Aslan’s series Rough Draft with Reza Aslan has landed at Topic, which will make the interview show the first original series for its upcoming streaming service. The eight-episode series will begin shooting next month and is set to debut later this fall.
The show will be a refreshed, new version of Rough Draft that bowed on Ovation in 2016, Topic said. The series featured conversations with contemporary novelists, screenwriters, journalists and songwriters about their creative process in front of an audience. The new iteration will be set at a bar in Los Angeles.
Topic Gm Ryan Chanatry said Tuesday that the series “demonstrates the type of programming Topic will offer audiences — smart, intriguing, and inviting, created especially for culturally engaged content enthusiasts.”
Rough Draft is executive produced by Topic, Reza Aslan for BoomGen Studios, Philip Alberstat for Ntology, David Andreone for Andreone Arts, Jesse Rogg for Mack Sennett Studios,...
The show will be a refreshed, new version of Rough Draft that bowed on Ovation in 2016, Topic said. The series featured conversations with contemporary novelists, screenwriters, journalists and songwriters about their creative process in front of an audience. The new iteration will be set at a bar in Los Angeles.
Topic Gm Ryan Chanatry said Tuesday that the series “demonstrates the type of programming Topic will offer audiences — smart, intriguing, and inviting, created especially for culturally engaged content enthusiasts.”
Rough Draft is executive produced by Topic, Reza Aslan for BoomGen Studios, Philip Alberstat for Ntology, David Andreone for Andreone Arts, Jesse Rogg for Mack Sennett Studios,...
- 8/6/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Romeo and Juliet starring Haillee Steinfeld, Douglas Booth, Ed Westwick, Paul Giamatti adds Tom Wisdom. Carlo Carlie directs the romance from the script by Julian Fellowes, casting Wisdom (a.k.a. the Spartan who gets his head chopped off in Zack Snyder's 300) as Paris in the Shakespearean classic, reports Deadline. Also in the cast are Kodi Smit-McPhee, Christan Cooke and Lesley Manville. Producing are Simon Bosanquet, Dimitra Tsingou, Alexander Knoll, Lawrence Elman, Ileen Maisel, Doug Mankoff and Andrew Spaulding. Romeo and Juliet is being filmed in Italy and executive produced by Maco Cohen, Benedetto Habib, Phil Alberstat and Fabrizio Donvito. Wisdom's other credits include Daniel Adams' The Lightkeepers, Pirate Radio, and TV's Mile High...
- 2/1/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Romeo and Juliet starring Haillee Steinfeld, Douglas Booth, Ed Westwick, Paul Giamatti adds Tom Wisdom. Carlo Carlie directs the romance from the script by Julian Fellowes, casting Wisdom (a.k.a. the Spartan who gets his head chopped off in Zack Snyder's 300) as Paris in the Shakespearean classic, reports Deadline. Also in the cast are Kodi Smit-McPhee, Christan Cooke and Lesley Manville. Producing are Simon Bosanquet, Dimitra Tsingou, Alexander Knoll, Lawrence Elman, Ileen Maisel, Doug Mankoff and Andrew Spaulding. Romeo and Juliet is being filmed in Italy and executive produced by Maco Cohen, Benedetto Habib, Phil Alberstat and Fabrizio Donvito. Wisdom's other credits include Daniel Adams' The Lightkeepers, Pirate Radio, and TV's Mile High...
- 2/1/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Romeo and Juliet starring Haillee Steinfeld, Douglas Booth, Ed Westwick, Paul Giamatti adds Tom Wisdom. Carlo Carlie directs the romance from the script by Julian Fellowes, casting Wisdom (a.k.a. the Spartan who gets his head chopped off in Zack Snyder's 300) as Paris in the Shakespearean classic, reports Deadline. Also in the cast are Kodi Smit-McPhee, Christan Cooke and Lesley Manville. Producing are Simon Bosanquet, Dimitra Tsingou, Alexander Knoll, Lawrence Elman, Ileen Maisel, Doug Mankoff and Andrew Spaulding. Romeo and Juliet is being filmed in Italy and executive produced by Maco Cohen, Benedetto Habib, Phil Alberstat and Fabrizio Donvito. Wisdom's other credits include Daniel Adams' The Lightkeepers, Pirate Radio, and TV's Mile High...
- 2/1/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
CANNES -- Magnolia Pictures has acquired U.S. distribution rights to Jennifer Westfeldt's romantic comedy Ira & Abby.
Westfeldt, who made a name for herself writing and starring in 2001's Kissing Jessica Stein, served as exec producer and writer of Ira, which was directed by Robert Cary (Standard Time).
Westfeldt also stars in Ira, the tale of a neurotic New Yorker (Chris Messina) who falls in love with a free spirit (Westfeldt).
The cast includes Frances Conroy, Judith Light, Robert Klein, Jason Alexander, Fred Willard, Chris Parnell and Darrell Hammond.
"We are thrilled to be able to work on this film," said Ray Price, marketing chief at Landmark Theaters, Magnolia's sister company under the 2929 Entertainment banner. "Staking out the comedic travails of sex, love and misunderstanding, Jennifer Westfeldt continues to establish herself as a chronicler of her generation."
The deal was negotiated by Magnolia head of acquisitions Tom Quinn and head of business affairs Jason Janego with Rena Ronson and Phil Alberstat of William Morris Independent and producer Brad Zions.
Westfeldt, who made a name for herself writing and starring in 2001's Kissing Jessica Stein, served as exec producer and writer of Ira, which was directed by Robert Cary (Standard Time).
Westfeldt also stars in Ira, the tale of a neurotic New Yorker (Chris Messina) who falls in love with a free spirit (Westfeldt).
The cast includes Frances Conroy, Judith Light, Robert Klein, Jason Alexander, Fred Willard, Chris Parnell and Darrell Hammond.
"We are thrilled to be able to work on this film," said Ray Price, marketing chief at Landmark Theaters, Magnolia's sister company under the 2929 Entertainment banner. "Staking out the comedic travails of sex, love and misunderstanding, Jennifer Westfeldt continues to establish herself as a chronicler of her generation."
The deal was negotiated by Magnolia head of acquisitions Tom Quinn and head of business affairs Jason Janego with Rena Ronson and Phil Alberstat of William Morris Independent and producer Brad Zions.
- 5/14/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
PARK CITY -- In what may be one of the biggest sales at Sundance, Warner Independent Pictures is buying North American, U.K. and German rights to Clubland, Cherie Nowlan's Australian romance starring Brenda Blethyn.
Purchased for $4 million without access to international rights, which will be handled by executive producer and sales agent Tristan Whalley and Nicki Parfitt of Goalpost Film, the film may be the richest deal yet for a Sundance filmmaker. WIP confirmed the deal Monday afternoon. The distributor plans a summer 2007 release.
Clubland, which centers on an unconventional family that is threatened by the son falling in love with a beautiful girl, received a standing ovation from the audience after its second screening early Monday morning. The film premiered Sunday night to a packed house at the Eccles Theatre.
Paul Federbush and Courtney Armstrong negotiated on WIP's behalf. Rena Ronson, Phil Alberstat and Cassian Elwes of William Morris Independent repped the filmmakers.
Purchased for $4 million without access to international rights, which will be handled by executive producer and sales agent Tristan Whalley and Nicki Parfitt of Goalpost Film, the film may be the richest deal yet for a Sundance filmmaker. WIP confirmed the deal Monday afternoon. The distributor plans a summer 2007 release.
Clubland, which centers on an unconventional family that is threatened by the son falling in love with a beautiful girl, received a standing ovation from the audience after its second screening early Monday morning. The film premiered Sunday night to a packed house at the Eccles Theatre.
Paul Federbush and Courtney Armstrong negotiated on WIP's behalf. Rena Ronson, Phil Alberstat and Cassian Elwes of William Morris Independent repped the filmmakers.
- 1/22/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
CANNES -- William Morris Independent is in expansion mode. Now in its seventh year, WMA's independent division has made two key appointments and is busy prepping a slate of new titles with a raft of key talent, including Bryan Singer, Richard Gere, Dennis Hopper and Hayden Christensen. WMi co-heads Rena Ronson and Cassian Elwes announced the addition of film financing specialist and attorney Phil Alberstat, and the promotion of Jerome Duboz from WMi coordinator to agent Friday in Cannes. The appointments bring in a wealth of foreign expertise to WMi and doubles the manpower of the growing department, which packaged 23 films last year.
- 5/13/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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