Baobab studios

UPDATED with ITV Studios statement: The Writers Guild of America, East has been trying to get a contract with ITV Studios for nearly five years. It still doesn’t have one, but is getting its day in court. A federal trial has been scheduled for January 11 on a complaint issued by the National Labor Relations Board against the U.S.-based non-fiction production arm of the UK giant. The complaint follows the NLRB’s investigation of charges brought by the WGAE, alleging that early this year ITV implemented a health insurance plan over the objections of the guild which is the collective bargaining representative of ITV’s writer-producers. ITV’s shows include NBC variety series Best Time Ever With Neil Patrick Harris , A&E’s The First 48 and TLC’s Four Weddings . The NLRB determined that ITV violated its duty to bargain in good faith with the WGAE, unlawfully implemented the health plan and illegally dropped a monthly stipend the company had been paying to the … [Read more...] about ITV Studios Dispute With WGA East Gets Trial Date

EXCLUSIVE : Michael Jackson will be played by the late icon’s 26-year old nephew Jaafar Jackson in the Antoine Fuqua -directed film biopic for Lionsgate . Fuqua just posted a confirmation on Instagram. The singer and songwriter is the son of Jermaine Jackson , who is the brother of Michael and member of The Jackson 5. Jaafar has been singing and dancing since age 12, and has showcased himself singing tunes from Sam Cooke to Marvin Gaye, along with originals. As Deadline revealed last week, the Emancipation helmer signed on to next direct Michael , which has a script by John Logan . The film’s being produced by Graham King , who turned the Freddie Mercury Queen story into the blockbuster Bohemian Rhapsody . GK Films will produce alongside the co-executors of Jackson’s estate, John Branca and John McClain. As you can see from the video below, the young man has the voice and moves to do right by his uncle. As an actor, he might well learn more than he … [Read more...] about Michael Jackson Nephew Jaafar Jackson To Play King Of Pop In Antoine Fuqua-Directed Biopic

Netflix has released the key art for its anticipated One Piece live-action series based on one of the best-selling manga titles of all time. The series is slated to premiere later this year. The key art poster reveals Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, wearing the character’s signature red vest and straw hat. In addition to Luffy, the key art teases the live-action debuts of Zoro, Nami, Usopp, and Sanji, the primary Straw Hats, played by Mackenyu (Roronoa Zoro), Emily Rudd (Nami), Jacob Romero Gibson (Usopp) and Taz Skylar (Sanji). See the full image below. Based on the manga title by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece will follow the other-worldly adventures of Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew as they explore exotic islands and endless oceans in search for the ultimate treasure “One Piece” to become the next Pirate King. Steven Maeda ( Lost, The X-Files ) is the writer, showrunner and executive producer. Matt Owens ( Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Luke Cage ) is … [Read more...] about ‘One Piece’: Netflix Live-Action Pirate Adventure Series Unveils First-Look Key Art Of Cast

EXCLUSIVE: Independent studio wiip has preemptively acquired An Honest Man , an upcoming novel by Michael Koryta , to develop as a television drama series, with Koryta attached to pen the adaptation. An Honest Man tells the story of Israel Pike, a man just released from prison for killing his own father, who returns to his ancestral island home in northern Maine and quickly becomes the primary suspect when seven men, including two Senate rivals and the prosecutor who sent Pike to prison, are found dead aboard a yacht drifting offshore. Lt. Jenn Salazar of the Maine State Police takes the lead in the investigation on Salvation Point Island, operating with secrets of her own to protect. The novel will be published by Mulholland Books July 25, 2023. wiip’s Paul Lee, Mark Roybal and Nate Winslow will executive produce alongside Koryta. During his tenure at 20th Century Fox, Roybal acquired Koryta’s Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021) which starred Angelina Jolie and … [Read more...] about Wiip To Develop ‘An Honest Man’, Upcoming Book By Michael Koryta, For Television

EXCLUSIVE: Heather McCauley has joined Anonymous Content as Chief Operating Officer. In addition to operations, McCauley will oversee the company’s Human Resources, Finance, Business Affairs, and Legal departments. She is based out of the company’s LA office and begins her new position immediately. “Heather is an incredible leader, a brilliant thinker, and an opportunistic strategist. She is the calm in the storm and a wonderful human,” said Anonymous Content CEO, Dawn Olmstead. “She also shares Anonymous Content’s dedication to building a company culture that further elevates the great people who comprise our stellar team. We could not be more excited to have her join the leadership team and look forward to the impact she will have here.” “I have long admired Anonymous Content for its impressive growth over the years and unique ability to always stand at the forefront of the entertainment industry. This company has a long and storied history pioneering unique … [Read more...] about Anonymous Content Names Heather McCauley As Chief Operating Officer

EXCLUSIVE : Luke Hemsworth ( Westworld ) has been tapped for the title role in Gunner , a new action pic from director Dimitri Logothetis ( Jiu Jitsu , Kickboxer: Retaliation ). The film written by The Fast and the Furious scribe Gary Scott Thompson follows Special forces veteran Lee Gunner (Hemsworth) as he takes his two boys on a camping trip where the boys stumble upon a fentanyl lab and are kidnapped by drug runners. Unfortunately for the drug runners, Lee will stop at nothing to get his boys back safely, going up against not only the criminal cartel, but the FBI and local police as well, using the full force of his deadly abilities to reunite his family. Joel Shapiro ( Killerman ) will produce alongside Logothetis, magiCity Studios and Acme Rocket Fuel. Hemsworth portrayed Westworld Security Head Ashley Stubbs across all four seasons of HBO’s sci-fi drama Westworld and last summer returned for a cameo in Thor: Love and Thunder , having first … [Read more...] about Luke Hemsworth To Star In Action Pic ‘Gunner’ From ‘Kickboxer’ Franchise’s Dimitri Logothetis

The iconic DC villain Bane , best known for breaking Batman’s back, continues to be the character that got away for Dave Bautista . The wrestler-turned-actor shared in an interview with Insider published on Monday that he approached James Gunn about the prospect of playing Bane following his Guardians of the Galaxy director’s ascension as Co-CEO and Co-Chair of DC Studios. “I have had conversations with James about that,” Bautista said, “but I think the direction he’s leaning in, completely rebooting that whole universe, he’s starting from scratch…and I think you need to do that.” Bautista went on to say that he believes if DC is to be “revived,” Gunn and Co-CEO/Co-Chair Peter Safran “need to start from scratch” — reimagining the cinematic universe with younger talent front and center. “You need to start to plan for the next 15 years, and I just don’t think you can do that with me. And I understand that,” said the actor. “And, also, I have to say that I … [Read more...] about Dave Bautista Lets DC Role Of Bane Go After Making One Last Pitch To ‘Guardians’ Collaborator James Gunn

EXCLUSIVE: After lengthy negotiations, Fox Entertainment and Hulu have closed a new multi-year deal for in-season streaming rights to the broadcast network’s primetime series. The agreement also includes an extensive multi-platform marketing partnership. Under the pact, all Fox primetime entertainment programming – ranging from Family Guy and The Simpsons to The Cleaning Lady and new breakout drama The Accused to The Masked Singer and Next Level Chef — will continue to stream on the Disney-controlled Hulu the next day following their linear telecast. Additionally, the deal adds a new element — joint Fox and Hulu branding across all Fox marketing efforts for its programming on the network’s platforms and beyond as well as on Hulu. Financial details are not been disclosed. Word of the new deal comes on the heels of Fox announcing last week two-year renewals for its animated stalwarts, The Simpsons, Family Guy and Bob’s Burgers , all produced by Disney … [Read more...] about Fox Entertainment & Hulu Ink New Deal For In-Season Streaming Rights To Network’s Shows

EXCLUSIVE: Paramount Global just announced that Showtime will be integrated into Paramount+ across both streaming and linear later this year. In preparation for the move, the premium cable network, which will be renamed as Paramount+ with Showtime, had been re-evaluating its programming slate over the past several weeks under its new top executive Chris McCarthy. As a result, Showtime will not be proceeding with new series Three Women , starring Shailene Woodley, Betty Gilpin, DeWanda Wise and Gabrielle Creevy, which has been completed. The drama has been quietly shopped by its producers, and I hear there has been interest, with at least one offer on the table. Additionally, Showtime has opted not to pick up Season 2 of two freshman drama series: Let the Right One In , starring Demián Bichir, and American Gigolo , headlined by Jon Bernthal. The former, inspired by the bestselling 2004 novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist and its 2008 Swedish film adaptation, … [Read more...] about Showtime Not Proceeding With ‘Three Women’, Cancels ‘Let The Right One In’ & ‘American Gigolo’ Amid Consolidation With Paramount+

The creators of series including Tuca & Bertie and Gordita Chronicles , which both were axed at Warner Bros Discovery, have taken the conglomerate to task for the recent moves. Those joining the WGA West in blasting the WBD on Monday include Claudia Forestieri, creator and executive producer of Gordita Chronicles ; Lisa Hanawalt, creator and executive producer of Tuca & Bertie ; and Moisés Zamora, creator and executive producer of Whistleblower , a project in development at HBO Max. Forestieri, whose Gordita Chronicles was canceled last summer after one season and subsequently pulled from HBO Max, said the merger of Warner Bros and Discovery “has provided pretty stark and immediate evidence that industry consolidation not only harms diversity and inclusion.” Hanawalt said that the female-led Tuca & Bertie , which was canceled in November after two seasons and being saved from its cancellation at Netflix, said, “It’s already harder for … [Read more...] about ‘Tuca & Bertie’ & ‘Gordita Chronicles’ Creators Join With WGA To Slam Warner Bros Discovery Over Cancellations