Movie News

Donald Trump ’s plan to take his nascent media company public has had another setback, as federal prosecutors have issued subpoenas to board members of the firm that was to acquire it en route to an IPO. Digital World Acquisition Corp., a special-purpose acquisition company (aka a blank-check firm), said in an SEC filing that the subpoenas are part of probes of the company by the Department of Justice and the SEC. The actions “could materially delay, materially impede, or prevent the consummation of the business combination,” the filing warned. The initial product of Trump’s ambitions in media and technology is social media platform Truth Social, which has been operating for the past few months but to little effect. It has not drawn users away from other social media platforms, as was its initial intent. Trump was banned by Twitter after his statements and behavior on January 6, 2021, after the assault on the U.S. Capitol. Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. and … [Read more...] about Donald Trump Media Business Plans Muddied By New Twist In Federal Merger Probe

EXCLUSIVE : Kids TV specialist Sinking Ship Entertainment (SSE) has appointed Paris-based exec Karine Rubin as Director of Sales for Europe. Reporting to department heads Kate Sanagan and Marilyn Kynaston, Rubin will be responsible for the company’s sales efforts throughout Europe, Middle East and Africa. She joins with 15 years of experience, including most recently as Film Sales Manager with Toei Animation. She had earlier stints with Gulli and Fremantle in France. Recent international deals for Sinking Ship have included HR/Ki.ka in Germany picking up Odd Squad , CBBC acquiring Odd Squad and Endlings , France Television buying Odd Squad , and Showmax taking Endlings and Odd Squad across Africa. “We are thrilled to have Karine join us,” said Sanagan. “Her experience and skills are an excellent match for the rest of the team, and we are excited to be working with her to continue to grow our brands across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.” Upcoming … [Read more...] about Sinking Ship Entertainment Appoints Paris-Based Karine Rubin As Director Of Sales For Europe, Middle East & Africa

EXCLUSIVE: Dominic West , who portrays British monarch in-waiting Prince Charles in the upcoming fifth season of The Crown , has told us that season six, which shoots from August, “will be as tumultuous as it gets”, because it will explore the tragic death of Princess Diana. Season five is already in the can and will stream on Netflix later this year. West, star of TV hits The Wire and The Affair , and recent movie Downton Abbey: A New Era, spoke to Deadline on Sunday night during a poetry reading at London’s Delaunay restaurant. The soiree, which included the recital of three T.S. Eliot poems, was held for The Josephine Hart Poetry Hour, an event established thirty years ago by Hart, the novelist, poet and a leading light of London’s literary and theater set until her death in 2011. Hart’s 1991 novel Damage was adapted for the screen by David Hare and was directed by Louis Malle. Princess Diana’s death will be tackled when The Crown , … [Read more...] about Dominic West Tells Us There Are “Tumultuous” Times Ahead For ‘The Crown’ During London Poetry Soiree

Longtime friends and collaborators Antonio Banderas and Andrew Lloyd Webber are joining forces under the banner of new company Amigos Para Siempre (APS), aimed at producing theatre, musicals and live entertainment shows, including some of Webber’s best-loved works, for major Spanish-speaking markets. Under the initiative, Spanish-language rights to Webber’s shows will be ceded to the new company by the UK composer’s London-based company Really Useful Group. Shows earmarked for Spanish adaptations include The Phantom of the Opera, Sunset Boulevard, Starlight Express, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Cinderella, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and School of Rock. The name of the company, which translates as “friends forever”, derives from a song Webber composed for the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, which was performed at the closing ceremony by Sarah Brightman and José Carreras. The pair announced the new initiative at a media event in the … [Read more...] about Antonio Banderas, Andrew Lloyd Webber To Bring Top Musicals And Theatre Shows To Spanish-Speaking World

Luther and Marvel Universe actor Idris Elba is in talks with Miroma over supporting the marketing network’s potential £1B ($1.2B) bid to British broadcaster Channel 4 , according to The Sunday Times. The paper claims the actor is discussing a joint bid alongside Marc Boyan, who founded the international marketing firm Miroma Group . It emerged in October that Miroma had appointed bankers to explore an acquisition when the channel is officially made available. Elba runs his own production company, Green Door Pictures, but has never owned a media business the size of Channel 4. He is best known for BBC drama Luther and HBO’s The Wire , along with film roles in the likes of Beast of No Nation , Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and several Marvel movies. The British government is set on selling the state-owned Channel 4 to allow it to better compete in the digital era, though the controversial plan has been largely opposed by the industry and seen by many as … [Read more...] about Idris Elba ‘In Talks’ To Join Marketing Firm Miroma’s Estimated $1.2B Bid To Buy British Broadcaster Channel 4

Under fire actor Kevin Spacey ’s life and upcoming legal cases are to be the subject of a two-part doc series from British broadcaster Channel 4 . British broadcaster Channel 4 has ordered a two-part doc series that promises to take a “forensic” look at actor Kevin Spacey. Spacey Unmasked (working title) will look at Spacey’s life, from his emergence on Broadway and meteoric rise to stardom through to his fall from grace amidst multiple allegations of grooming, sexual harassment and abuse. It will also follow the outcomes of two upcoming cases: a civil case brought by Spacey’s first public accuser, Anthony Rapp, which will be heard in New York in October; and the criminal case in the UK, where Spacey stands accused of several crimes. Roast Beef Productions, which was behind docs such as Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer , is producing in association with All3Media International. Kira Phillips, who directed Channel 4’s doc Jeremy Kyle: Death on Daytime , is … [Read more...] about Kevin Spacey Doc Set At Channel 4 With ‘Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer’ Firm Roast Beef And Brit TV Vet Dorothy Byrne

Comedy legend Carol Burnett is set to guest star on the sixth and final season of Better Call Saul . She’ll portray a character named Marion, but the storyline has not been revealed. The final episodes will conclude the complicated journey and transformation of its compromised hero, Jimmy McGill (Bob Odenkirk), into criminal lawyer Saul Goodman. “I’m thrilled to be a part of my favorite show,” said Burnett. As prevously announced, Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, will appear reprising their Breaking Bad roles of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman, respectively, as the show comes to an end. Better Call Saul stars Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Rhea Seehorn, Patrick Fabian, Michael Mando, Tony Dalton and Giancarlo Esposito and is executive produced by Peter Gould, Vince Gilligan, Mark Johnson, Melissa Bernstein, Thomas Schnauz, Gordon Smith, Alison Tatlock, Diane Mercer, and Michael Morris. The series, produced by Sony Pictures Television, returns for its final six … [Read more...] about Carol Burnett To Guest Star On ‘Better Call Saul’ Final Season

EXCLUSIVE: Izzy Meikle-Small ( Never Let Me Go, Snow White and the Huntsman ) and Joey Phillips ( Billy Elliot ) has joined the cast of Starz ‘s Outlander for Season 7. The pair will play brother and sister Rachel Hunter and Dr. Denzell Hunter, respectively. Fans of the book series will be familiar with the two new characters. Rachel and Denzell are Quakers whose quiet country life is changed when Young Ian (John Bell) arrives at their farm with a sick and injured William Ransom (Charles Vandervaart). Dr. Denzell Hunter has been trained in medicine in Boston and London. As a firm believer in liberty, he is preparing to join the Revolutionary Army as a surgeon. His younger sister Rachel is modest but shows flashes of a fiery spirit that attracts the admiration of both William and Young Ian. “We’re excited to welcome Izzy and Joey to the Outlander family and can’t wait for fans to see how these two fantastic actors bring Rachel and Denzell to life,” Matthew … [Read more...] about ‘Outlander’: Izzy Meikle-Small And Joey Phillips Join Season 7 Cast

EXCLUSIVE Ozark actor McKinley Belcher III will join the cast of Broadway ’s upcoming Death of a Salesman revival starring Wendell Pierce and Sharon D Clarke this fall, producers announced today. Belcher will play Happy Loman, son of Willy (Pierce) and Linda (Clarke) Loman. The revival begins previews September 19 at the Hudson Theatre for a strictly limited 17-week engagement. Belcher joins other previously announced cast members Khris Davis as Biff and André De Shields as Willy’s brother Ben. The production reimagines, for the first time on Broadway, Arthur Miller’s classic play from the perspective of an African American family, living and working in a White, Capitalist world. Produced by Cindy Tolan, Elliott & Harper Productions and Kwame Kwei-Armah, Death of a Salesman is directed by Miranda Cromwell, who co-directed the London production alongside Marianne Elliott. “I couldn’t be more thrilled to step into the continuum to tell the story of … [Read more...] about ‘Ozark’ Actor McKinley Belcher III Joins Broadway’s ‘Death Of A Salesman’ Revival

EXCLUSIVE : Here’s your first trailer for thriller The Most Dangerous Game , a remake of the 1930s classic. Starring are Tom Berenger ( Platoon ), Chris “CT” Tamburello (MTV’s The Challenge ), two-time Oscar nominee Bruce Dern ( Nebraska ), Judd Nelson ( The Breakfast Club ), and Caspar Van Dien ( Starship Troopers ). North America home ent firm Mill Creek Entertainment is co-producer, marking their first co-pro on a scripted feature, and will release stateside in early August. The Koenig Pictures production was made in association with Charach Productions. The original “man hunting man” story gets a twist as father and son are washed ashore after their steamership explodes. The men find refuge on a mysterious island where their nefarious host, Baron Von Wolf, reveals to them that the island is his game preserve where human beings serve as the ultimate hunt. Berenger plays a man who has been hiding on the island but whose sanity is on the verge of collapse. … [Read more...] about ‘The Most Dangerous Game’: First Trailer For Thriller Remake Starring Chris “CT” Tamburello, Bruce Dern, Tom Berenger