Hollywood News Review
Here in Mississippi we may not be breaking the news stories, but we can at least condense the film industry news coverage from Hollywood Reporter, Variety and a ton of movie blogs all down to a much more readable size for ya! Check back every Saturday for the news! Know something I don’t – be sure to comment and add to the discussion!
One note for this and future articles, we have removed the film fest update as to make it its own article each week. So, look for that tomorrow!
Our Loss
Stanley Dudelson, chairman of Taurus Entertainment
Pet Projects:
Mike Judge setting up ‘Extract’: Jason Bateman to star in comedy
Iain Smith to exec produce ‘Year’:K. Lorrel Manning adapting film from own play
Lichtenstein to direct 3-D action pic:Karl Urban to star in ‘Relentless’
Mel Gibson returns for ‘Darkness’:Actor back onscreen with ‘Edge’
Soderbergh to direct ‘Girlfriend’:Koppelman, Levien to write script
Senator to adapt ‘Clock Tower’:Weinstein Co. to sell pic
Combs gets the acting bug:Mogul eyes gigs beyond Broadway debut
Movie in the works about Spitzer’s fall
» ‘Simpsons’ director signs for ‘Pet’
Studio Works
Anderson, Chan join WMA: Duo take leave of Endeavor, CAA
Grosvenor finances ‘Spartans’ duo:Lionsgate to release untitled project
Distributors aloft at Cloud Ten:Faith-inspired film unit pacts with Koch, CNI
Summit enters ‘Arena’:Film unit snaps up sci-fi thriller
Filho comedy to begin production:Fox readies Brazilian helmer’s ‘Se eu’ sequel
Columbia gets ‘Dumped’:Studio picks up Rothman’s spec script
WB sets ‘Saas’ for local distribution:Indian feature set for release on Sept. 12
Magnolia seeing ‘Red’:Film unit scoops up rights to thriller
Lionsgate sets up ‘Pencilneck’:Benderspink will develop comic adaptation
Shochiku films flow to new stream:Film unit to bow online on May 21
Wolfe’s ‘Simmons’ deemed Essential:Film group to finance bigscreen adaptation
Indian Film Co. goes on pact spree:Company signs deal to produce ‘Partner’
Ascot buys British trio:‘Shoes,’ ‘London,’ ‘Starter’ picked up
Killer Films pacts with Arcady Bay:‘Terabithia’ trio preps Paterson’s ‘Gilly Hopkins’
Paramount ups LeeAnne Stables:Exec VP to oversee global marketing alliances
United Artists spies Surnow thriller:Martin Campbell to direct film
Par, Plan B addicted to memoir pair:Duo nabs film rights to ‘Beautiful Boy,’ ‘Tweak’
» ThinkFilm picks up ‘Roman Polanski’ rights
Industry in Trouble
China, Russia still a piracy threat: U.S. officials call situation ‘serious’ in the the annual Special 301 section report released this week. Intellectual Property rights around the world may be improving but not in China, Russia and seven other countries.
Jeffrey Katzenberg urges action:Tensions mount over slow digital rollout
» AMPTP splashes cold water on SAG
On a positive note, MGM Check-Bouncing In Check:Parretti’s studio makes its interest payments on time, after falling short on earlier bills
Other Tidbits:
London man wins Filmaka contest:21-year-old receives $5 million to direct feature
Mariah Carey is the ‘diva next door’: Songstress talks about move to ‘Tennessee’
Puzzle pieces deals:Firm to specialize in brokering partnerships
Kimberly Peirce set for Sarris Award:Columbia festival to honor ‘Stop-Loss’ director
French to honor Nicola Piovani:Composer to get Order of Arts and Letters
Sex and the city to premiere in a big city..not the big apple.
Oxford Film Freak 