A lawsuit against Vin Diesel over xXx: Return of Xander Cage is back in action after a California appeals court on Monday reversed a decision that ended it three years ago.
George Zakk, a producer of the original 2002 xXx film, in May 2016 sued the actor and Revolution Studios, claiming he was shut out of the sequel. Zakk worked with Diesel through his company One Race Films until 2007, and claims he's entitled to credit and payment on any sequels of films he helped create. (Diesel, One Race and The H Collective bought the rights to the xXx sequels from ...
George Zakk, a producer of the original 2002 xXx film, in May 2016 sued the actor and Revolution Studios, claiming he was shut out of the sequel. Zakk worked with Diesel through his company One Race Films until 2007, and claims he's entitled to credit and payment on any sequels of films he helped create. (Diesel, One Race and The H Collective bought the rights to the xXx sequels from ...
- 3/26/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A lawsuit against Vin Diesel over xXx: Return of Xander Cage is back in action after a California appeals court on Monday reversed a decision that ended it three years ago.
George Zakk, a producer of the original 2002 xXx film, in May 2016 sued the actor and Revolution Studios, claiming he was shut out of the sequel. Zakk worked with Diesel through his company One Race Films until 2007, and claims he's entitled to credit and payment on any sequels of films he helped create. (Diesel, One Race and The H Collective bought the rights to the xXx sequels from ...
George Zakk, a producer of the original 2002 xXx film, in May 2016 sued the actor and Revolution Studios, claiming he was shut out of the sequel. Zakk worked with Diesel through his company One Race Films until 2007, and claims he's entitled to credit and payment on any sequels of films he helped create. (Diesel, One Race and The H Collective bought the rights to the xXx sequels from ...
- 3/26/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
George Zakk is doubling down on his legal actions against Vin Diesel over the film “xXx: The Return of Xander Cage.” Zakk, who sued the actor in 2016 claiming to be owed money from the 2017 film, has once again filed a complaint against the actor, this time asking for at least $2 million. In the latest suit, filed Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, Zakk says that he was “instrumental in creating, developing and bringing to fruition” the original “xXx” film, released in 2002, and had an agreement in which he was entitled to at least $200,000 in compensation and...
- 1/10/2018
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
Vin Diesel stiffed the producer of the latest chapter of his 'xXx' movies ... according to a new lawsuit filed against the movie star. George Zakk says he was hired as an executive producer for "xXx: The Return of Xander Cage" ... which was released in January 2017. Zakk says he was supposed to get an on-screen credit for his work on the film, plus a salary of $200k. However, he says when the movie was released he got no credit,...
- 1/9/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Just over a year after Vin Diesel was dragged into court by the former chief of his production company over cash and credits on xXX: Return of Xander Cage and other films, a judge has allowed The Fast and the Furious franchise star to drive off the murky case. In a downtown hearing this morning in Los Angeles Superior Court, Judge John Doyle shut down the third amended complaint from George Zakk, effectively ending the matter that started last May. Having been knocked…...
- 5/22/2017
- Deadline
A tax incentive will be in a place by 2018.
Indonesian and international experts discussed the opportunities for more international shoots to come to the archipelago, in a panel at the Indonesian pavilion in the Village International on Saturday.
Endah Sulistianti, deputy chairman of the Indonesian Agency for Creative Economy, spoke about how the current government is developing the film sector and is working on having a tax incentive in place by 2018.
Five cities have started their own film commissions to offer one-stop shops for filmmakers – they are Siak, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Bojonegoro and Banyuwangi.
Los Angeles-based producer George Zakk, whose credits include The Chronicles Of Riddick, recalled his experience of shooting 2013’s The Philosophers in Indonesia and praised affordability, “extraordinary” locations, and the skill of local crews.
The panel also included Lalu Rois Amri, head of locations promotion at the Indonesia Film Council; and Jakarta-based producer Meiske Taurisia of Palari Films. Screen International...
Indonesian and international experts discussed the opportunities for more international shoots to come to the archipelago, in a panel at the Indonesian pavilion in the Village International on Saturday.
Endah Sulistianti, deputy chairman of the Indonesian Agency for Creative Economy, spoke about how the current government is developing the film sector and is working on having a tax incentive in place by 2018.
Five cities have started their own film commissions to offer one-stop shops for filmmakers – they are Siak, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Bojonegoro and Banyuwangi.
Los Angeles-based producer George Zakk, whose credits include The Chronicles Of Riddick, recalled his experience of shooting 2013’s The Philosophers in Indonesia and praised affordability, “extraordinary” locations, and the skill of local crews.
The panel also included Lalu Rois Amri, head of locations promotion at the Indonesia Film Council; and Jakarta-based producer Meiske Taurisia of Palari Films. Screen International...
- 5/22/2017
- by wendy.mitchell@screendaily.com (Wendy Mitchell)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Mathilde Epstein joins as Film Mode COO.
Clay Epstein’s Los Angeles-based Film Mode Entertainment continues to ramp up a year after launch, partnering with James M. Vernon’s Screen Corporation on a slate of films and bringing on Mathilde Epstein [pictured] as COO.
Epstein kicks off with worldwide sales on The Ninth Passenger starring Jesse Metcalfe, Tom Maden, Alexia Fast and Timothy V. Murphy as students on a luxury yacht who fall prey to a mutant creature. Ian Pfaff directs and Corey Large and Felipe Dieppa are the producers.
Screen Corporation will develop and finance the roster, which includes The Girl Who Invented Kissing starring Suki Waterhouse as a seductive drifter who beguiles two small town brothers.
Vincent Piazza, Dash Mihok, Abbie Cornish and Luke Wilson star and Tom Sierchio directed. Large produced with George Zakk, while Joan LeSeur and Fliepe Dieppa served as executive producers.
Film Mode has also brought on sales veteran and former...
Clay Epstein’s Los Angeles-based Film Mode Entertainment continues to ramp up a year after launch, partnering with James M. Vernon’s Screen Corporation on a slate of films and bringing on Mathilde Epstein [pictured] as COO.
Epstein kicks off with worldwide sales on The Ninth Passenger starring Jesse Metcalfe, Tom Maden, Alexia Fast and Timothy V. Murphy as students on a luxury yacht who fall prey to a mutant creature. Ian Pfaff directs and Corey Large and Felipe Dieppa are the producers.
Screen Corporation will develop and finance the roster, which includes The Girl Who Invented Kissing starring Suki Waterhouse as a seductive drifter who beguiles two small town brothers.
Vincent Piazza, Dash Mihok, Abbie Cornish and Luke Wilson star and Tom Sierchio directed. Large produced with George Zakk, while Joan LeSeur and Fliepe Dieppa served as executive producers.
Film Mode has also brought on sales veteran and former...
- 5/19/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
It's not quite over, but Vin Diesel got a Los Angeles Superior Court judge on Wednesday to reject the various claims brought by George Zakk over the forthcoming film, xXx: Return of Xander Cage, a sequel to Diesel's 2002 action hit. Zakk formerly ran Diesel's production company, One Race Films, but left it back in 2007. In his lawsuit, Zakk alleges that he had an oral agreement whereby he got a $250,000 to $275,000 fee and producer credits for each of Diesel's films that Zakk helped develop. He's essentially claiming that he's entitled to post-termination benefits on
read more...
read more...
- 8/31/2016
- by Eriq Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Vin Diesel may be headed into court over xXx: The Return Of Xander Cage, the second sequel to xXx. No, he's not being sued for making a (second) sequel to a fourteen year old film no one really cares about. Diesel is being sued because someone isn't receiving a fee they claim Diesel agreed to.
From TheWrap:
"In his lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, George Zakk claims that he worked for Diesel’s production company One Race Films developing projects. According to the suit, in exchange for his services, Zakk received producers’ credits and a fee ranging from $250,000 to $275,000."
Even though Zakk's business relationship with Diesel ended in 2007, Zakk still claims he is due fees for sequels as well as an Executive Producer credit.
Source: The Wrap...
From TheWrap:
"In his lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, George Zakk claims that he worked for Diesel’s production company One Race Films developing projects. According to the suit, in exchange for his services, Zakk received producers’ credits and a fee ranging from $250,000 to $275,000."
Even though Zakk's business relationship with Diesel ended in 2007, Zakk still claims he is due fees for sequels as well as an Executive Producer credit.
Source: The Wrap...
- 5/12/2016
- by Philip Sticco
- LRMonline.com
Following the poor box office return of 2005.s xXx: State Of The Union, it was assumed that the franchise would lay dormant forever. However, Vin Diesel.s resurgence with the Fast & Furious series saw a new interest in a xXx film emerge, and he.s been working on bringing a third installment to the big screen for a while. Vin Diesel has now come up against some resistance, though, in the shape of a former producer who insists that he.s owed around $275,000 for the upcoming film. According to The Wrap, George Zakk filed his lawsuit against Vin Diesel and his production company in Los Angeles Superior Court. George Zakk insists that he worked for Vin Diesel.s production company One Race Films, helping to develop projects. In exchange for his actions, George Zakk was supposed to receive producers. credits and a fee that was between $250,000 and $275,000. Here.s where...
- 5/11/2016
- cinemablend.com
Vin Diesel might have a chance to flex his muscle in a courtroom soon. Diesel is being sued by a former producer who claims that he’s owed money for the upcoming sequel to “xXx.” In his lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday, George Zakk claims that he worked for Diesel’s production company One Race Films developing projects. According to the suit, in exchange for his services, Zakk received producers’ credits and a fee ranging from $250,000 to $275,000. Also Read: Vin Diesel Posts Emotionally Loaded 'Fast & Furious 8' Poster on Facebook Zakk says that their relationship was terminated after.
- 5/11/2016
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
Vin Diesel is giving his former business partner a triple X screw job ... according to a lawsuit the guy just filed against Diesel. In the docs, George Zakk says he ran Vin's production company, One Race Films, since 1995 -- and their deal called for him to get a piece of the pie every time Vin made a movie. Zakk says he was supposed to get $250k to $275k and a credit of at least producer on each film.
- 5/10/2016
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Whether you saw it in theaters of not, you’ll never have gotten the full experience of Riddick, directed by David Twohy and starring Vin Diesel, until you’ve obtained and watched it in your home entertainment center. Here are all the details in the official press release below.
Vin Diesel Returns As The Most Wanted Man In The Universe In A Stunning New Chapter Of The Explosive Sci-fi Adventure Franchise Riddick Be The First To Own It On Digtal HD December 17, 2013 Never-before-seen Unrated Director’S Cut With Alternate Ending Coming To Blu-Ray™ Combo Pack Including Blu-Ray, DVD & Digital HD With Ultraviolet™ January 14, 2014 Also Available: Riddick: The Complete Collection Including Riddick, Pitch Black And The Chronicles Of Riddick Plus The Chronicles Of Riddick: Dark Fury “One Hell of a Thrill Ride.”—Joel D. Amos, Moviefanatic.Com
Universal City, California, November 12, 2013— Vin Diesel returns to the larger-than-life role...
Vin Diesel Returns As The Most Wanted Man In The Universe In A Stunning New Chapter Of The Explosive Sci-fi Adventure Franchise Riddick Be The First To Own It On Digtal HD December 17, 2013 Never-before-seen Unrated Director’S Cut With Alternate Ending Coming To Blu-Ray™ Combo Pack Including Blu-Ray, DVD & Digital HD With Ultraviolet™ January 14, 2014 Also Available: Riddick: The Complete Collection Including Riddick, Pitch Black And The Chronicles Of Riddick Plus The Chronicles Of Riddick: Dark Fury “One Hell of a Thrill Ride.”—Joel D. Amos, Moviefanatic.Com
Universal City, California, November 12, 2013— Vin Diesel returns to the larger-than-life role...
- 11/14/2013
- by Jess Orso
- ScifiMafia
Zachary Quinto ("Star Trek"), Adelaide Clemens ("The Great Gatsby"), Stephen Graham ("Boardwalk Empire") and Natalie Dormer ("Game of Thrones") are set to star in Tom Sierchio's indie drama "The Girl Who Invented Kissing".
The story follows two brothers whose lives are interrupted when a nameless young drifter walks out of the rain and into their bar.
Timothy Simons ("Veep") also stars in the film which George Zakk and Cybill Lui will produce.
Source: Variety...
The story follows two brothers whose lives are interrupted when a nameless young drifter walks out of the rain and into their bar.
Timothy Simons ("Veep") also stars in the film which George Zakk and Cybill Lui will produce.
Source: Variety...
- 9/20/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Riddick, the latest chapter of the groundbreaking saga that began with 2000′s hit sci-fi film Pitch Black and 2004′s The Chronicles of Riddick reunites writer/director David Twohy (A Perfect Getaway, The Fugitive) and star Vin Diesel (the Fast and Furious franchise, xXx). Diesel reprises his role as the antihero Riddick, a dangerous, escaped convict wanted by every bounty hunter in the known galaxy.
The infamous Riddick has been left for dead on a sun-scorched planet that appears to be lifeless. Soon, however, he finds himself fighting for survival against alien predators more lethal than any human he’s encountered. The only way off is for Riddick to activate an emergency beacon and alert mercenaries who rapidly descend to the planet in search of their bounty.
The first ship to arrive carries a new breed of merc, more lethal and violent, while the second is captained by a man whose...
The infamous Riddick has been left for dead on a sun-scorched planet that appears to be lifeless. Soon, however, he finds himself fighting for survival against alien predators more lethal than any human he’s encountered. The only way off is for Riddick to activate an emergency beacon and alert mercenaries who rapidly descend to the planet in search of their bounty.
The first ship to arrive carries a new breed of merc, more lethal and violent, while the second is captained by a man whose...
- 8/27/2013
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Check out Vin Diesel in a new image from Riddick directed by David Twohy. The sci-fi film also stars Katee Sackhoff, Karl Urban, Dave Bautista, Bokeem Woodbine and Nolan Gerard Funk, finding theaters via Universal Pictures on a yet-to-be-announced date. Twohy helms as well as scripting based on the characters create by Jim and Ken Wheat. The story follows Riddick who is betrayed by his own kind and left for dead on a desolate planet, fighting for survival against alien predators, and becoming more powerful and dangerous than ever. Diesel produces alongside Ted Field and Samantha Vincent while Mike Drake and George Zakk serve as executive producers on the film.
- 1/23/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Check out Vin Diesel in a new image from Riddick directed by David Twohy. The sci-fi film also stars Katee Sackhoff, Karl Urban, Dave Bautista, Bokeem Woodbine and Nolan Gerard Funk, finding theaters via Universal Pictures on a yet-to-be-announced date. Twohy helms as well as scripting based on the characters create by Jim and Ken Wheat. The story follows Riddick who is betrayed by his own kind and left for dead on a desolate planet, fighting for survival against alien predators, and becoming more powerful and dangerous than ever. Diesel produces alongside Ted Field and Samantha Vincent while Mike Drake and George Zakk serve as executive producers on the film.
- 1/23/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Kevin Spacey has been nominated twice for an Oscar for American Beauty in 1999 and before that for his role as Roger 'Verbal' Kint in Bryan Singer's The Usual Suspects. Oh, and he also won the Oscar both of those times. However, it's now been over ten years since Spacey was nominated for an Oscar and as far as 2010 goes he's only got one opportunity, his role as Jack Abramoff in the recently deceased George Hickenlooper's Casino Jack, which finally hits theaters in New York and Los Angeles this coming Friday. Does he stand a chance at earning one of those precious five Best Actor slots? Today I've got an exclusive red band clip to help you decide.
Right now I have Spacey in the #12 slot in my Best Actor predictions and I'm willing to say two slots are currently up for grabs as Colin Firth (The King's Speech...
Right now I have Spacey in the #12 slot in my Best Actor predictions and I'm willing to say two slots are currently up for grabs as Colin Firth (The King's Speech...
- 12/13/2010
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
We have the full-length trailer, a "show me the money" clip as well as fresh pics from Ato Pictures' comedy "Casino Jack." George Hickenlooper ("Factory Girl," "The Man from Elusian Fields") directs the comedy focusing on the wild excesses and escapades of Jack Abramoff. Starring are Kevin Spacey, Barry Pepper, Kelly Preston, Jon Lovitz, Rachelle Lefevre, Conrad Pla, Christian Campbell, Yannick Bisson, Spencer Garrett, Hannah Endicott-Douglas and David Fraser. The film is produced by Gary Howsam, Bill Marks and George Vitetzakis from an original screenplay by Norman Snider. Executive Producers are Richard Rionda Del Castro, Lewin Webb, Donald Zuckerman, Dana Brunetti, Patricia Eberle, Warren Nimchuk, Angelo Paletta and Domenic Serafino.
- 10/22/2010
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Ato Pictures has acquired the U.S. theatrical rights to the Kevin Spacey-starrer "Casino Jack" ahead of its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
CAA earlier sold the U.S. rights to the true-life drama about convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff on behalf of Rollercoaster Entertainment to James Schramm's Metropolitan Inc., but that deal fell through a month ago.
The George Hickenlooper indie pic also stars Barry Pepper, Kelly Preston, Jon Lovitz and Rachelle Lefevre.
Ato is targeting a late December release.
The film was produced by Gary Howsam, Bill Marks and George Zakk from an original screenplay by Norman Snider.
Executive Producers are Richard Rionda Del Castro, Lewin Webb, Donald Zuckerman, Dana Brunetti, Patricia Eberle, Warren Nimchuk, Angelo Paletta and Domenic Serafino. The Associate Producer is Rick Chad.
Hickenlooper and the cast will be in Toronto for a Sept. 16 gala premiere of "Casino Jack" at Roy Thomson Hall.
CAA earlier sold the U.S. rights to the true-life drama about convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff on behalf of Rollercoaster Entertainment to James Schramm's Metropolitan Inc., but that deal fell through a month ago.
The George Hickenlooper indie pic also stars Barry Pepper, Kelly Preston, Jon Lovitz and Rachelle Lefevre.
Ato is targeting a late December release.
The film was produced by Gary Howsam, Bill Marks and George Zakk from an original screenplay by Norman Snider.
Executive Producers are Richard Rionda Del Castro, Lewin Webb, Donald Zuckerman, Dana Brunetti, Patricia Eberle, Warren Nimchuk, Angelo Paletta and Domenic Serafino. The Associate Producer is Rick Chad.
Hickenlooper and the cast will be in Toronto for a Sept. 16 gala premiere of "Casino Jack" at Roy Thomson Hall.
- 9/9/2010
- by By Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Toronto -- In what is shaping up as one of the best acquisition title fields at the Toronto International Film Festival in years, CAA will be shopping George Hickenlooper's "Casino Jack," starring Kevin Spacey, in two weeks' time.
CAA earlier sold the U.S. rights to the true-life drama about convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff on behalf of Rollercoaster Entertainment to James Schramm's Metropolitan Inc., but that deal fell through a few weeks ago.
So the U.S. theatrical distribution rights are back on the table, and Rollercoaster's Gary Howsam says the film's producer, Hannibal Pictures, and CAA plan a full-court press in Toronto.
"We produced the film in Toronto. We hoped to have the world premiere here, and we got that," Howsam said.
Spacey will be in Toronto on the first weekend to do a press junket for the U.S. and foreign press.
And the film's producers...
CAA earlier sold the U.S. rights to the true-life drama about convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff on behalf of Rollercoaster Entertainment to James Schramm's Metropolitan Inc., but that deal fell through a few weeks ago.
So the U.S. theatrical distribution rights are back on the table, and Rollercoaster's Gary Howsam says the film's producer, Hannibal Pictures, and CAA plan a full-court press in Toronto.
"We produced the film in Toronto. We hoped to have the world premiere here, and we got that," Howsam said.
Spacey will be in Toronto on the first weekend to do a press junket for the U.S. and foreign press.
And the film's producers...
- 8/31/2010
- by By Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Metropolitan, Inc. has acquired the U.S. theatrical rights to the feature film “Casino Jack” by Rollercoaster Entertainment, Inc. The film is slated to hit theaters sometime in fall 2010. The project is based on the true story of disgraced Washington power broker Jack Abramoff eventually found guilty of bribery and corruption charges. “Casino Jack” was directed by George Hickenlooper (”Factory Girl”) based on the screenplay by Norman Snider. Gary Howsam, Bill Marks and George Vitetzakis produced the film. Richard Rionda Del Castro, Donald Zuckerman, Lewin Webb, Dana Brunetti, Patricia Eberle, Warren Nimchuk, Angelo Paletta and Domenic Serafino are executive producers, and Rick Chad is an associate producer. Kevin Spacey, [...]...
- 3/30/2010
- by Costa Koutsoutis
- ShockYa
Political biopic "Casino Jack" has been acquired for domestic distribution by Metropolitan. The film will apparently open this fall, Variety reports. Metropolitan, led by James Schramm, made the announcement Monday. The film stars Kevin Spacey, Kelly Preston, Jon Lovitz, Barry Pepper, Conrad Pla, Christian Campbell, Yannick Bisson, Spencer Garrett, Hannah Endicott-Douglas and David Fraser. Kevin Spacey plays Jack Abramoff, a disgraced Washington power broker who was once a high-powered lobbyist. However, his bribery schemes as well as fraudulent dealings with Indian casinos eventually found him serving a prison sentence. Gary Howsam, Bill Marks and George Vitetzakis produced. Richard Rionda Del Castro, Donald Zuckerman, Lewin Webb, Dana Brunetti, Patricia Eberle, Warren Nimchuk, Angelo Paletta and Domenic Serafino served as executive producers.
- 3/30/2010
- Upcoming-Movies.com
James Schramm's Metropolitan, Inc. has acquired U.S. theatrical distribution rights to the feature film "Casino Jack" from Rollercoaster Entertainment, Inc. The company plans a fall release.
Based on the true story of disgraced Washington power broker Jack Abramoff, "Casino Jack" was directed by George Hickenlooper ("Factory Girl") from an original screenplay by Norman Snider. Kevin Spacey, Barry Pepper, Kelly Preston, Jon Lovitz, Spencer Garrett and Rachelle Lafevre star.
Gary Howsam, Bill Marks and George Vitetzakis produced the film, with Richard Rionda Del Castro, Donald Zuckerman, Lewin Webb, Dana Brunetti, Patricia Eberle, Warren Nimchuk, Angelo Paletta and Domenic Serafino serving as executive producers. Rick Chad is an associate producer.
"This was a golden opportunity to make a film about white collar thuggery in Washington," said Hickenlooper. "It's 'Wall Street' and 'GoodFellas' in our nation's capitol, which cinematically feels more relevant now than ever."
CAA and Cassian Elwes brokered the deal on behalf of Rollercoaster.
Based on the true story of disgraced Washington power broker Jack Abramoff, "Casino Jack" was directed by George Hickenlooper ("Factory Girl") from an original screenplay by Norman Snider. Kevin Spacey, Barry Pepper, Kelly Preston, Jon Lovitz, Spencer Garrett and Rachelle Lafevre star.
Gary Howsam, Bill Marks and George Vitetzakis produced the film, with Richard Rionda Del Castro, Donald Zuckerman, Lewin Webb, Dana Brunetti, Patricia Eberle, Warren Nimchuk, Angelo Paletta and Domenic Serafino serving as executive producers. Rick Chad is an associate producer.
"This was a golden opportunity to make a film about white collar thuggery in Washington," said Hickenlooper. "It's 'Wall Street' and 'GoodFellas' in our nation's capitol, which cinematically feels more relevant now than ever."
CAA and Cassian Elwes brokered the deal on behalf of Rollercoaster.
- 3/29/2010
- by By Jay A. Fernandez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Metropolitan Inc, led by film industry veteran James Schramm, is about to announce it has acquired the U.S. theatrical distribution rights from rights holder Rollercoaster Entertainment to Casino Jack. I've heard the company committed 8 figures to acquire and support the planned nationwide release of Casino Jack this fall, including $9M P&A and an aggressive Oscar campaign. The feature film produced by George Vitetzakis directed by George Hickenlooper (Factory Girl) from an original screenplay by Norman Snider, stars 2-time Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey as Jack Abramoff, the high-powered Washington D.C. lobbyist convicted in 2006 of defrauding American Indian casinos and [...]...
- 3/29/2010
- by Nikki Finke
- Deadline Hollywood
Opens
Friday, June 11
The last time we saw Riddick -- he of the few words, shiny peepers and cool goggles -- the imposing Vin Diesel character was fending off nasty nocturnal flying creatures on an abandoned planet.
But that was four years ago, and in the interim, "Pitch Black" became a tidy little cult hit, launching Diesel as a well-paid action star who now also wears a producer's hat.
Armed with a bigger budget, bigger sets and a bigger-name cast, writer-director David Twohy gets to geek out big time with "The Chronicles of Riddick", but in this case, bigger doesn't mean better.
Where the first installment filled its budget constraints nicely, building intriguing characters and an atmospheric visual style onto a foundation laid by the likes of Rod Serling, Gene Roddenberry, John Carpenter and, most notably, the Ridley Scott and James Cameron "Alien" pictures, the sequel is an overstuffed, ponderous affair that sends its anti-hero on an epic excursion into dullsville.
While the Riddick faithful who know their Mercs from their Furyans will be sufficiently pleased by the film's sweeping visuals and expanded "Matrix"-style mythology, the uninitiated will probably feel like they've been strapped to a chair and forced to watch a "Deep Space Nine" marathon.
In an effort to lure the original's core audience, Universal has included a free movie ticket in newly released deluxe DVD editions of "Pitch Black". But while the ploy might help jump-start the opening weekend, the picture is unlikely to reach a sufficiently broadened fan base.
The story begins with an on-the-run Riddick again being pursued by bounty-hunting Mercs (as in mercenaries) out to snag the career con, but the cat-and-mouse game is briefly disrupted by a much larger battle waged by the Necromongers, a ruthless army of soul-stealing warriors who either convert or kill everything in their path.
Riddick is asked to help prevent the impending apocalypse by the cleric Imam (Keith David), one of the precious few survivors from the last movie. But, like Garbo, Riddick just wants to be alone.
Fortunately for the future of the universe, he's ultimately persuaded to fight the good fight but on his own anti-heroic terms.
Writer-director Twohy admittedly starts with an intriguing approach. Breaking away from the traditional elements of good and evil, he instead works from a palette of varying shades of black, then stands back and gauges where audience sympathy lies in an arena inhabited by the bad and the badder.
Unfortunately, he also has tried to turn the Riddick enterprise into a sprawling, Tolkien-powered epic, jamming the screen with too many historical parallels and a confusion of new characters.
In order to fill the latter order, Diesel's physical presence has been supplemented by a bunch of stage heavyweights, including Judi Dench as a wispy ambassador and Colm Feore as the Necro supreme leader. Also on board are Thandie Newton and Linus Roach.
Thanks to the boosted budget, it's all visually quite impressive, with the new production moving from the Australian Outback to cavernous Vancouver soundstages to accommodate the oversized canvas.
Even if it's not enough to guarantee a Riddick trilogy, all that Fritz Lang-meets-D.W. Griffith production design should make for swell DVD extras, not to mention a slew of video games.
The Chronicles of Riddick
Universal Pictures
Radar Pictures/One Race Films
Credits:
Director-screenwriter: David Twohy
Producers: Scott Kroopf, Vin Diesel
Based on characters created by: Jim & Ken Wheat
Executive producers: Ted Field, George Zakk, David Womark
Director of photography: Hugh Johnson
Production designer: Holger Gross
Editors: Martin Hunter, Dennis Virkler
Costume designers: Ellen Mirojnick
Michael Dennison
Visual effects supervisor: Peter Chiang
Music: Graeme Revell
Cast:
Riddick: Vin Diesel
Dame Vaako: Thandie Newton
Vaako: Karl Urban
Lord Marshal: Colm Feore
The Purifier: Linus Roach
Iman: Keith David
Aereon: Judi Dench
MPAA rating: PG-13
Running time -- 119 minutes...
Friday, June 11
The last time we saw Riddick -- he of the few words, shiny peepers and cool goggles -- the imposing Vin Diesel character was fending off nasty nocturnal flying creatures on an abandoned planet.
But that was four years ago, and in the interim, "Pitch Black" became a tidy little cult hit, launching Diesel as a well-paid action star who now also wears a producer's hat.
Armed with a bigger budget, bigger sets and a bigger-name cast, writer-director David Twohy gets to geek out big time with "The Chronicles of Riddick", but in this case, bigger doesn't mean better.
Where the first installment filled its budget constraints nicely, building intriguing characters and an atmospheric visual style onto a foundation laid by the likes of Rod Serling, Gene Roddenberry, John Carpenter and, most notably, the Ridley Scott and James Cameron "Alien" pictures, the sequel is an overstuffed, ponderous affair that sends its anti-hero on an epic excursion into dullsville.
While the Riddick faithful who know their Mercs from their Furyans will be sufficiently pleased by the film's sweeping visuals and expanded "Matrix"-style mythology, the uninitiated will probably feel like they've been strapped to a chair and forced to watch a "Deep Space Nine" marathon.
In an effort to lure the original's core audience, Universal has included a free movie ticket in newly released deluxe DVD editions of "Pitch Black". But while the ploy might help jump-start the opening weekend, the picture is unlikely to reach a sufficiently broadened fan base.
The story begins with an on-the-run Riddick again being pursued by bounty-hunting Mercs (as in mercenaries) out to snag the career con, but the cat-and-mouse game is briefly disrupted by a much larger battle waged by the Necromongers, a ruthless army of soul-stealing warriors who either convert or kill everything in their path.
Riddick is asked to help prevent the impending apocalypse by the cleric Imam (Keith David), one of the precious few survivors from the last movie. But, like Garbo, Riddick just wants to be alone.
Fortunately for the future of the universe, he's ultimately persuaded to fight the good fight but on his own anti-heroic terms.
Writer-director Twohy admittedly starts with an intriguing approach. Breaking away from the traditional elements of good and evil, he instead works from a palette of varying shades of black, then stands back and gauges where audience sympathy lies in an arena inhabited by the bad and the badder.
Unfortunately, he also has tried to turn the Riddick enterprise into a sprawling, Tolkien-powered epic, jamming the screen with too many historical parallels and a confusion of new characters.
In order to fill the latter order, Diesel's physical presence has been supplemented by a bunch of stage heavyweights, including Judi Dench as a wispy ambassador and Colm Feore as the Necro supreme leader. Also on board are Thandie Newton and Linus Roach.
Thanks to the boosted budget, it's all visually quite impressive, with the new production moving from the Australian Outback to cavernous Vancouver soundstages to accommodate the oversized canvas.
Even if it's not enough to guarantee a Riddick trilogy, all that Fritz Lang-meets-D.W. Griffith production design should make for swell DVD extras, not to mention a slew of video games.
The Chronicles of Riddick
Universal Pictures
Radar Pictures/One Race Films
Credits:
Director-screenwriter: David Twohy
Producers: Scott Kroopf, Vin Diesel
Based on characters created by: Jim & Ken Wheat
Executive producers: Ted Field, George Zakk, David Womark
Director of photography: Hugh Johnson
Production designer: Holger Gross
Editors: Martin Hunter, Dennis Virkler
Costume designers: Ellen Mirojnick
Michael Dennison
Visual effects supervisor: Peter Chiang
Music: Graeme Revell
Cast:
Riddick: Vin Diesel
Dame Vaako: Thandie Newton
Vaako: Karl Urban
Lord Marshal: Colm Feore
The Purifier: Linus Roach
Iman: Keith David
Aereon: Judi Dench
MPAA rating: PG-13
Running time -- 119 minutes...
Opens
Friday, June 11
The last time we saw Riddick -- he of the few words, shiny peepers and cool goggles -- the imposing Vin Diesel character was fending off nasty nocturnal flying creatures on an abandoned planet.
But that was four years ago, and in the interim, "Pitch Black" became a tidy little cult hit, launching Diesel as a well-paid action star who now also wears a producer's hat.
Armed with a bigger budget, bigger sets and a bigger-name cast, writer-director David Twohy gets to geek out big time with "The Chronicles of Riddick", but in this case, bigger doesn't mean better.
Where the first installment filled its budget constraints nicely, building intriguing characters and an atmospheric visual style onto a foundation laid by the likes of Rod Serling, Gene Roddenberry, John Carpenter and, most notably, the Ridley Scott and James Cameron "Alien" pictures, the sequel is an overstuffed, ponderous affair that sends its anti-hero on an epic excursion into dullsville.
While the Riddick faithful who know their Mercs from their Furyans will be sufficiently pleased by the film's sweeping visuals and expanded "Matrix"-style mythology, the uninitiated will probably feel like they've been strapped to a chair and forced to watch a "Deep Space Nine" marathon.
In an effort to lure the original's core audience, Universal has included a free movie ticket in newly released deluxe DVD editions of "Pitch Black". But while the ploy might help jump-start the opening weekend, the picture is unlikely to reach a sufficiently broadened fan base.
The story begins with an on-the-run Riddick again being pursued by bounty-hunting Mercs (as in mercenaries) out to snag the career con, but the cat-and-mouse game is briefly disrupted by a much larger battle waged by the Necromongers, a ruthless army of soul-stealing warriors who either convert or kill everything in their path.
Riddick is asked to help prevent the impending apocalypse by the cleric Imam (Keith David), one of the precious few survivors from the last movie. But, like Garbo, Riddick just wants to be alone.
Fortunately for the future of the universe, he's ultimately persuaded to fight the good fight but on his own anti-heroic terms.
Writer-director Twohy admittedly starts with an intriguing approach. Breaking away from the traditional elements of good and evil, he instead works from a palette of varying shades of black, then stands back and gauges where audience sympathy lies in an arena inhabited by the bad and the badder.
Unfortunately, he also has tried to turn the Riddick enterprise into a sprawling, Tolkien-powered epic, jamming the screen with too many historical parallels and a confusion of new characters.
In order to fill the latter order, Diesel's physical presence has been supplemented by a bunch of stage heavyweights, including Judi Dench as a wispy ambassador and Colm Feore as the Necro supreme leader. Also on board are Thandie Newton and Linus Roach.
Thanks to the boosted budget, it's all visually quite impressive, with the new production moving from the Australian Outback to cavernous Vancouver soundstages to accommodate the oversized canvas.
Even if it's not enough to guarantee a Riddick trilogy, all that Fritz Lang-meets-D.W. Griffith production design should make for swell DVD extras, not to mention a slew of video games.
The Chronicles of Riddick
Universal Pictures
Radar Pictures/One Race Films
Credits:
Director-screenwriter: David Twohy
Producers: Scott Kroopf, Vin Diesel
Based on characters created by: Jim & Ken Wheat
Executive producers: Ted Field, George Zakk, David Womark
Director of photography: Hugh Johnson
Production designer: Holger Gross
Editors: Martin Hunter, Dennis Virkler
Costume designers: Ellen Mirojnick
Michael Dennison
Visual effects supervisor: Peter Chiang
Music: Graeme Revell
Cast:
Riddick: Vin Diesel
Dame Vaako: Thandie Newton
Vaako: Karl Urban
Lord Marshal: Colm Feore
The Purifier: Linus Roach
Iman: Keith David
Aereon: Judi Dench
MPAA rating: PG-13
Running time -- 119 minutes...
Friday, June 11
The last time we saw Riddick -- he of the few words, shiny peepers and cool goggles -- the imposing Vin Diesel character was fending off nasty nocturnal flying creatures on an abandoned planet.
But that was four years ago, and in the interim, "Pitch Black" became a tidy little cult hit, launching Diesel as a well-paid action star who now also wears a producer's hat.
Armed with a bigger budget, bigger sets and a bigger-name cast, writer-director David Twohy gets to geek out big time with "The Chronicles of Riddick", but in this case, bigger doesn't mean better.
Where the first installment filled its budget constraints nicely, building intriguing characters and an atmospheric visual style onto a foundation laid by the likes of Rod Serling, Gene Roddenberry, John Carpenter and, most notably, the Ridley Scott and James Cameron "Alien" pictures, the sequel is an overstuffed, ponderous affair that sends its anti-hero on an epic excursion into dullsville.
While the Riddick faithful who know their Mercs from their Furyans will be sufficiently pleased by the film's sweeping visuals and expanded "Matrix"-style mythology, the uninitiated will probably feel like they've been strapped to a chair and forced to watch a "Deep Space Nine" marathon.
In an effort to lure the original's core audience, Universal has included a free movie ticket in newly released deluxe DVD editions of "Pitch Black". But while the ploy might help jump-start the opening weekend, the picture is unlikely to reach a sufficiently broadened fan base.
The story begins with an on-the-run Riddick again being pursued by bounty-hunting Mercs (as in mercenaries) out to snag the career con, but the cat-and-mouse game is briefly disrupted by a much larger battle waged by the Necromongers, a ruthless army of soul-stealing warriors who either convert or kill everything in their path.
Riddick is asked to help prevent the impending apocalypse by the cleric Imam (Keith David), one of the precious few survivors from the last movie. But, like Garbo, Riddick just wants to be alone.
Fortunately for the future of the universe, he's ultimately persuaded to fight the good fight but on his own anti-heroic terms.
Writer-director Twohy admittedly starts with an intriguing approach. Breaking away from the traditional elements of good and evil, he instead works from a palette of varying shades of black, then stands back and gauges where audience sympathy lies in an arena inhabited by the bad and the badder.
Unfortunately, he also has tried to turn the Riddick enterprise into a sprawling, Tolkien-powered epic, jamming the screen with too many historical parallels and a confusion of new characters.
In order to fill the latter order, Diesel's physical presence has been supplemented by a bunch of stage heavyweights, including Judi Dench as a wispy ambassador and Colm Feore as the Necro supreme leader. Also on board are Thandie Newton and Linus Roach.
Thanks to the boosted budget, it's all visually quite impressive, with the new production moving from the Australian Outback to cavernous Vancouver soundstages to accommodate the oversized canvas.
Even if it's not enough to guarantee a Riddick trilogy, all that Fritz Lang-meets-D.W. Griffith production design should make for swell DVD extras, not to mention a slew of video games.
The Chronicles of Riddick
Universal Pictures
Radar Pictures/One Race Films
Credits:
Director-screenwriter: David Twohy
Producers: Scott Kroopf, Vin Diesel
Based on characters created by: Jim & Ken Wheat
Executive producers: Ted Field, George Zakk, David Womark
Director of photography: Hugh Johnson
Production designer: Holger Gross
Editors: Martin Hunter, Dennis Virkler
Costume designers: Ellen Mirojnick
Michael Dennison
Visual effects supervisor: Peter Chiang
Music: Graeme Revell
Cast:
Riddick: Vin Diesel
Dame Vaako: Thandie Newton
Vaako: Karl Urban
Lord Marshal: Colm Feore
The Purifier: Linus Roach
Iman: Keith David
Aereon: Judi Dench
MPAA rating: PG-13
Running time -- 119 minutes...
- 6/11/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Everybody Loves Raymond Emmy-winner Brad Garrett is making a move to the big screen, signing on for a supporting role in The Pacifier for the Walt Disney Co. and Spyglass Entertainment. Shooting is scheduled to start in Vancouver in mid-April on the Adam Shankman-helmed project, which finds Vin Diesel starring as an undercover agent hired to protect a government scientist and his family. Garrett will play a high school coach and principal who is somewhat of a nemesis to Diesel's character. Also joining the cast is Catch That Kid star Max Thieriot who will play a member of the family alongside American Dreams star Brittany Snow. Thomas Lennon and Robert Garent penned the screenplay. Spyglass toppers Roger Birnbaum and Gary Barber are producing along with the company's Jonathan Glickman. Spyglass' Derek Evans is executive producing with Shankman, Jennifer Gibgot, George Zakk and Garrett Grant. At the studio, the project is being overseen by Kristin Burr for production topper Nina Jacobson. Garrett is repped by ICM, Raw Talent and attorney Michael Gendler. Pacifier marks Thieriot's second feature film following Kid for Fox. He is repped by the Gersh Agency and manager Don Gibble.
- 3/19/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
American Dreams star Brittany Snow will make her feature film debut opposite Vin Diesel in the Adam Shankman-directed The Pacifier for the Walt Disney Co. and Spyglass Entertainment. Shooting is scheduled to start in mid-April on the family film, which finds Diesel starring as an undercover agent hired to protect a government scientist and his family. Snow will play the eldest daughter in the clan that Diesel is watching over. Thomas Lennon and Robert Garent penned the screenplay. Spyglass toppers Roger Birnbaum and Gary Barber are producing along with the company's Jonathan Glickman. Spyglass' Derek Evans is executive producing with Shankman, Jennifer Gibgot, George Zakk and Garrett Grant. At the studio, the project is being overseen by Kristin Burr for production topper Nina Jacobson. Snow is repped by Innovative Artists and attorney Cliff Gilbert-Lurie.
- 2/19/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Newcomer Alexa Davalos has joined the cast of Universal Pictures' Chronicles of Riddick for writer-director David Twohy, Radar Pictures and One Race Prods. Production begins June 9 in Vancouver, with Vin Diesel, Judi Dench, Colm Feore, Thandie Newton and Karl Urban also starring. Riddick follows the adventures of intergalactic prisoner Riddick, a character introduced in the 2000 film Pitch Black. The second installment finds Riddick, now a hunted man, in the middle of two opposing forces in a major crusade. Davalos will play Kyra, a grown-up version of a character that appeared in Black who initially was thought to be a boy but turned out to be a girl. Nick Chinlund also has been added to the cast, playing a character named Toombs. Scott Kroopf, Tom Engelman and Diesel are producing the project. Ted Field, George Zakk and Peter McGregor Scott are executive producing. Universal president of production Scott Stuber, senior vp Donna Langley and director of development Jeffrey Kirschenbaum are overseeing. Davalos, repped by ICM and the Firm, next stars in HBO's And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself opposite Antonio Banderas for director Bruce Beresford.
- 5/13/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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