Books

Comic book artist Lee Moder , who co-created the Courtney Whitmore version of Stargirl with Geoff Johns in 1999, has passed away, according to ComicBook.com and statements from his peers. The web site cited a family friend, who indicated that Moder died quietly at home sometime on or before January 15th. No cause of his death was given. Moder was 53. A TV series based on the Stargirl character ran for three seasons on the CW, ending last December. DC ’s Stargirl followed Courtney and her stepfather Pat Dugan (Luke Wilson) as she leads an unlikely group of young heroes to take on the legacy of DC’s very first superhero team, the Justice Society of America. Johns served as showrunner, and executive produced the series with Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter. Moder worked in the comics industry for nearly three decades. In that time he drew titles like Legion of Super-Heroes and Wonder Woman at DC. He also provided art for issues of Highlander and Red Sonja … [Read more...] about Lee Moder Dies: Comic Book Artist And Stargirl Co-Creator Was 53

A television series based on the critically acclaimed comic book series Wytches is headed to Prime Video . The streaming platform has ordered an animated series adaptation of Scott Snyder and Jock’s comic books, from Plan B Entertainment , Project 51 Productions, and Amazon Studios. Wytches will premiere on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Wytches tells the story of a 17-year-old Sailor Rooks, whose family moves to a remote New England town after a tragic accident, only to discover that a burrow of monsters—ancient creatures that prey on our darkest fears and desires—lurks beneath the town. Comic book creators Snyder and Jock will executive produce the series alongside Plan B Entertainment, Project 51 Productions’ Kevin Kolde, and Amazon Studios. “Driven by the pairing of Scott and Jock along with our partners at Plan B and Project 51 Productions, Wytches fuses nail biting horror and evocative drama while unearthing the … [Read more...] about ‘Wytches’: Prime Video Orders Animated Horror Series Adaptation Of Comic Books From Plan B Entertainment

In a first-time first-person account of her life and career, legendary singer, actress, director and producer Barbra Streisand will publish her memoir, My Name is Barbra , on November 7, 2023 via Penguin Random House imprint Viking. The Penguin Group made it official on Tuesday, calling the tome “engrossing and delightful.” There have been dozens of books written about the now 80-year-old artist, but this will be the first to tell her story in her own words. And by account, it’s a lot of words. Pre-order listings have it clocking in at 1,040 pages. Fitting for a woman whose groundbreaking career has spanned six decades and included two Oscars, five Emmys, 10 Grammys, 11 Golden Globes and a Tony as well as countless other awards. Streisand is among the handful of EGOT winners and has one of the most recognizable voices in the history of popular music. She has been nominated for a Grammy 46 times. Her first Oscar was for Best Actress, in a breakout performance as … [Read more...] about Barbra Streisand’s First Memoir, ‘My Name Is Barbra’, Set For Fall Release

EXCLUSIVE : Renate Reinsve ( The Worst Person in the World ), Peter Sarsgaard ( Dopesick ), and O-T Fagbenle ( The Handmaid’s Tale ) have joined the main cast of Presumed Innocent , Apple TV+ ’s upcoming limited series from David E. Kelley, J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot and Warner Bros. TV, where the company is based. They join previously cast Jake Gyllenhaal, who also executive produces, Ruth Negga, Bill Camp and Elizabeth Marvel. Inspired by Scott Turow’s courtroom thriller, Presumed Innocent is the story of a horrific murder that upends the Chicago Prosecuting Attorneys’ office when one of its own is suspected of the crime. The book was published in 1987 and was turned into a 1990 feature starring Harrison Ford in the role Gyllenhaal is taking on. As reimagined by Kelley, who is an attorney by trade, Presumed Innocent the TV series will be exploring obsession, sex, politics, and the power and limits of love, as the accused fights to hold his family and … [Read more...] about ‘Presumed Innocent’: Renate Reinsve, Peter Sarsgaard & O-T Fagbenle Join Apple TV+ Limited Series

EXCLUSIVE : Two time Oscar nominee Helena Bonham Carter is reteaming with The Crown director Jessica Hobbs on period drama The Offing , which Beta Cinema will launch sales on at next week’s EFM . Emmy winner Hobbs, who is currently directing HBO drama The Palace with Kate Winslet and Hugh Grant, has directed the second-most episodes of Netflix’s smash series The Crown , including multiple eps with Bonham Carter as Princess Margaret. Their new collaboration is an adaptation of Benjamin Myers’ well-received novel set in post war northern England. The film charts the intense and uplifting relationship between a teenage boy and a hard drinking, foul-mouthed, bohemian recluse called Dulcie (Bonham Carter). Casting is underway for the 16 year-old Robert, a shy, nature-loving son of a miner who sets out to see a little more of the world before he follows his father down the pit. Under Dulcie’s eccentric tutelage, his life opens up to food, girls, and the … [Read more...] about Helena Bonham Carter Reteams With ‘The Crown’ Director Jessica Hobbs On Period Drama ‘The Offing’, Beta Launches Sales — EFM

Netflix has set a March 23 premiere date for action thriller The Night Agent and released a slew of first-look images. See them below and watch a teaser above. Created and showrun by Shawn Ryan ( S.W.A.T., The Shield , the 10-episode drama stars Gabriel Basso as Peter Sutherland, a low-level FBI agent who works in the basement of the White House, manning an emergency hotline for American spies that never rings. Then a call comes in from a terrified civilian, Rose Larkin ( Luciane Buchanan ). Peter must protect Rose and work with her to uncover a fast-moving and dangerous conspiracy that ultimately leads all the way to the Oval Office and threatens the country. Hong Chau , Sarah Desjardins, Fola Evans-Akingbola, Eve Harlow, Enrique Murciano Phoenix Raei and DB Woodside also star in the series from Sony Pictures Television Studios based on the novel by Matthew Quirk. RELATED: 2023 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & … [Read more...] about ‘The Night Agent’ Gets Netflix Premiere Date & First-Look Images

Something Rotten ! , the hit 2015 Broadway comedy set during the time of Shakespeare, includes an early scene in which a rival of the Bard is encouraged to add tunes to his plays and invent something called “the musical.” The rival playwright quickly dismisses the idea before enthusiastically breaking into song. In a new trailer for Hulu’s Mel Brooks comedy History of The World Part II , Shakespeare is seen leading what appears to be a writers room when one of the scribes suggests adding music to his plays. Shakespeare dismisses the idea before enthusiastically breaking into song. Something Rotten! book writer John O’Farrell took note of the similarities in a series of tweets this morning, saying the Brooks’ project “hath ripped us off.” O’Farrell, who also wrote the book for the Mrs. Doubtfire musical, tweets: Forsooth, Mel Brooks’ new film hath ripped us off Something Rotten! Our premise was ‘What if they came up with the idea of the musical in … [Read more...] about Musical Writer Smells ‘Something Rotten’ With ‘History Of The World Part II’ Shakespeare Scene

EXCLUSIVE : Jennette McCurdy , fresh from promoting her memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died , has signed with CAA . It comes as I’m Glad My Mom Died , which was published by Simon & Schuster last year, has spent the last 25 weeks on the New York Times best-seller list. McCurdy, who was one of the stars of Nickelodeon’s iCarly and Sam and Cat ostensibly retired from acting in 2017, having starred in Netflix series Between . She has focused on writing and directing including short films Kenny, The Grave, The McCurdys and Strong Independent Women. While she was promoting her book, she admitted that she would consider returning to acting if she wrote something for herself, her focus is on writing and directing. I’m Glad My Mom Died told the story of her career as a child actress and her difficult relationship with her abusive mother. It has sold nearly 2M copies. McCurdy is also repped by Mainstay Entertainment, Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, … [Read more...] about Jennette McCurdy Signs With CAA

EXCLUSIVE : Patricia Cornwell ’s Kay Scarpetta books have completed their long journey to the screen with a blockbuster TV series starring Oscar winner Nicole Kidman in the title role and Oscar nominee Jamie Lee Curtis as the famous forensic pathologist’s sister Dorothy, I have learned. Kidman is executive producing through Blossom Films and Curtis through Comet Pictures the drama, from writer-showrunner Liz Sarnoff ( Barry ) and Blumhouse Television, which I hear is nearing a two-season straight-to-series order at Prime Video. A rep for the streamer declined comment as deals for the project, to be produced by Amazon Studios and Blumhouse, are still being finalized. It is expected to receive an order for two eight-episode seasons, sources said. Kidman’s Kay Scarpetta is a brilliant forensic pathologist, inspired by former Virginia Chief Medical Examiner Marcella Farinelli Fierro, who uses forensic technology to solve crimes. Curtis will play Kay’s flighty sister, … [Read more...] about Nicole Kidman & Jamie Lee Curtis To Star In & EP Patricia Cornwell’s ‘Kay Scarpetta’ TV Series At Amazon From Liz Sarnoff & Blumhouse

EXCLUSIVE : Steve Coogan is set to star in The Penguin Lessons , with The Full Monty ’s Peter Cattaneo to direct the Jeff Pope -scripted adaptation of the Tom Michell nonfiction bestseller. The management/production company 42 partners Rory Aitken and Ben Pugh will produce alongside Robert Walak. Rocket Science is handling international sales and will introduce the film at the European Film Market , with CAA Media Finance repping U.S. distribution rights. The Penguin Lessons is the true story of a disillusioned Englishman who went to work in a school in Argentina in 1976. Expecting an easy ride, he discovered instead a complicated and divided nation – and a class of practically unteachable young boys. When he finds a small penguin washed up on an oil-slicked beach, his life is turned upside down – and the penguin becomes not only a valued friend, but also a teacher of life’s most important lessons, for Tom, the boys and many others. “We were captivated by … [Read more...] about EFM Hot Package: Steve Coogan Stars In Peter Cattaneo-Helmed ‘The Penguin Lessons’