EXCLUSIVE : Matt Reeves ’ 6th & Idaho is teaming with ZQ Entertainment to produce God’s Country — a new genre film starring Scream VI’ s Melissa Barrera , which will mark the American directorial debut of Egor Abramenko ( Sputnik ). The film going into production this summer will have Barrera playing a young Salvadoran woman who travels to Kentucky to meet her fiancé. What she uncovers is something sinister beyond comprehension, as her American dream curdles into a nightmare of biblical proportions. Will Soodik ( Westworld ) wrote the script. Reeves ( The Batman ) and Rafi Crohn ( Tales from the Loop ) will produce for 6th & Idaho, alongside ZQ Entertainment’s Ara Keshishian and Petr Jákl (who financed the development), Adam Kassan ( End of Watch ), and Barrera. WME reps foreign and co-represents domestic rights with CAA Media Finance, and will introduce the project at EFM. “Egor is an exciting emerging talent,” Reeves told Deadline, “and … [Read more...] about Matt Reeves’ 6th & Idaho, ZQ Entertainment Team On ‘God’s Country’ Starring Melissa Barrera; Egor Abramenko Directing – EFM
Haas f1 team update
Andrew Lloyd Webber Updates Son’s Grave Condition, Says He’s ‘Bravely Fighting’
Andrew Lloyd Webber is thanking fans for their outpouring of support in the wake of his eldest son’s diagnosis with gastric cancer. The composer issued an Instagram video and revealed that his son, Nicholas, 43, has entered hospice care. “I want to thank you for the outpouring of messages of support for my son, Nick. He’s now been moved into a hospice and he’s battling away,” he said in the video. “I think he’s over the worst of this first bout of pneumonia that he’s got as a result of his cancer, which is just ghastly. We’re all here and the family here has gathered around, and it was the right place for us all to be I think. “I’m going to go see Nick in a minute and I’m going to pass on all of the fantastic wishes that I’ve had for him from everywhere all around the world,” he added. Webber, age 74, talked about his 43-year-old son’s illness earlier this month . “As my friends and family know, he has been fighting gastric cancer for the last 18 months and Nick is … [Read more...] about Andrew Lloyd Webber Updates Son’s Grave Condition, Says He’s ‘Bravely Fighting’
Blackhawks Reportedly Won’t Wear Pride Warm-Ups Over Security Concerns For Players
Getty UPDATE 10:44 AM PT -- The Blackhawks said the NHL made the decision to prevent the org. from wearing Pride-themed warm-up jerseys ... after discussions with security officials. UPDATE Chicago coach Luke Richardson called the move "an unfortunate situation" -- adding, "that’s just what we have to deal with." UPDATE "I don’t think we can control the world issues, so that takes it out of our hands," Richardson said. "We’re just making decisions as best we can as an organization and for everybody.” The Chicago Blackhawks will not wear Pride-themed warm-up jerseys for Pride Night on Sunday, according to a report ... citing security concerns for their Russian players after the country passed an anti-LGBTQ law making it illegal to promote "gay propaganda" in Russia. According to the Associated Press , the Blackhawks -- who've worn Pride warmup jerseys before -- ultimately decided against wearing the jerseys this season for the April 12 … [Read more...] about Blackhawks Reportedly Won’t Wear Pride Warm-Ups Over Security Concerns For Players
Walter Presents Seals Five-Title Drama Deal With Beta For Australia & New Zealand
EXCLUSIVE: Non-English language drama streamer Walter Presents has acquired a package of five drama titles from Beta for release on its services in Australia and New Zealand. The titles include Italian YA drama The Sea Beyond , Spanish investigative drama Rapa and German WWII miniseries The Turncoat . The Sea Beyond , revolving around young inmates in a Naples prison, has enjoyed strong ratings in Italy on Rai, RaiPlay and Netflix since its launch in late 2020. The third season is currently enjoying linear success on Rai2. Rapa , which was the most watched show on Spanish streamer Movistar Plus+ in 2022, follows a high school teacher and local police officer in the Spanish port city of Ferrol, who form an unlikely team in solving a murder case. Two-part, event mini-series The Turncoat is about a young German soldier in 1944, who is posted to a small unit in the Polish woods, where he connects with local partisans and becomes torn between a sense … [Read more...] about Walter Presents Seals Five-Title Drama Deal With Beta For Australia & New Zealand
BBC Must Explain Glossy U.S. Acquisitions After Being Accused By ITV Of Chasing Ratings
The BBC has been told that it must be more transparent about its content acquisitions strategy after being accused by ITV of buying glossy U.S. shows to chase ratings. Ofcom , the UK’s media regulator, said the BBC must explain in its Annual Plan how buying content, as opposed to commissioning British originals, supports “distinctiveness” and engages different audiences. The BBC is funded by the British public to the tune of £3.8B ($4.7B), meaning it has an obligation to be distinct from commercial rivals like ITV and serve all audiences. Ofcom made the intervention as part of plans to update the BBC’s operating licence for a digital age from next month. A guiding principle of the changes is transparency, with Ofcom arguing that the BBC has not always provided proper “detail and clarity” on updates to its output and services. In a submission to Ofcom’s review, ITV said the BBC had “dramatically increased” its spend on acquired content over the past six years, … [Read more...] about BBC Must Explain Glossy U.S. Acquisitions After Being Accused By ITV Of Chasing Ratings
Mary J. Blige Books Two More Lifetime Original Movies Inspired By Her Music
EXCLUSIVE: Mary J. Blige is back at Lifetime to executive produce two new original movies inspired by her biggest hits — Mary J. Blige’s Real Love and Mary J. Blige’s Strength of a Woman . The flicks will premiere on back-to-back Saturdays, beginning June 10 at 8 p.m. The movies are headlined by Ajiona Alexus ( Empire , 13 Reasons Why ) and Da’Vinchi ( BMF, All American ) with Princess Davis, Austin Anozie, Shiraine Haas and Garfield Wilson rounding out the casts. Blige serves as an executive producer on both original films through her own production banner, Blue Butterfly with Ashaunna K. Ayars and Q. Nicole Jackson as co-producers. Mary J. Blige’s Real Love follows 18-year-old Kendra (Alexus) as she sets off on her own for the first time at an HBCU in North Carolina. Attending on a scholarship, Kendra is determined to focus on school while balancing work study and keeping things professional with Ben (Da’Vinchi), her photo class partner. Despite … [Read more...] about Mary J. Blige Books Two More Lifetime Original Movies Inspired By Her Music
CAA TV Lit Agent Christopher Licata Joins 42 As Manager
EXCLUSIVE: Television literary agent Christopher Licata has left CAA — and agenting. He has joined Los Angeles and London-based management and production company 42 ( The Silent Twins, The Flatshare ) as a manager. Based in 42’s Los Angeles office, Licata will continue to specialize in literary talent representation, working with creators and writers across television and film. Licata had been a TV agent at CAA since 2017. He will continue to represent a number of his clients in his new role of manager at 42, including showrunners Alena Smith, Caitlin Parrish & Erica Weiss, Jeffrey Paul King, and Ben Roy; New York Times bestselling author Mackenzi Lee; Australian TV creator and screenwriter Maria Lewis; and Mexican filmmaker and TV creator Carlos Rincones. “Chris is a whirlwind of ideas and creativity, and his exceptional clients have a partner and guide that is built for management,” said Josh Varney, 42 Managing Partner. “As we continue to build our domestic … [Read more...] about CAA TV Lit Agent Christopher Licata Joins 42 As Manager
Radha Mitchell, Adam Demos & Bart Edwards Lead Romance Drama ‘Take My Hand’; Filming Underway In Australia
EXCLUSIVE : Principal photography has begun on Take My Hand , a romantic drama feature starring Radha Mitchell ( Finding Neverland ), Adam Demos ( UnReal ), Bart Edwards ( The Witcher ), Meg Fraser ( Bloody Hell ) and former Big Brother contestant Xavier Molyneux making his film debut. Former Neighbours star and singer Natalie Bassingthwaite ( Elvis ) is also among cast. Director Raftopolous co-wrote the screenplay with Dave Paterson ( 2067 ) based on the true love story between himself and his current wife. Take My Hand follows vibrant young Australian woman Laura, who forges a successful banking career in London and seemingly has the perfect marriage. Her world is turned upside down when she is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and her husband starts to show his true colors. When a tragic accident leaves her a widowed mother with three sons, she returns home to Australia, and is reunited with Michael, a high school friend and a divorcee with one … [Read more...] about Radha Mitchell, Adam Demos & Bart Edwards Lead Romance Drama ‘Take My Hand’; Filming Underway In Australia
Picturestart & Picture Perfect Federation Set JC Lee To Direct ‘Bad Genius’; Unveil Key Cast & Int’l Deals
Picturestart and Picture Perfect Federation have set JC Lee to direct the English-language remake of Thai hit Bad Genius and also announced key cast members as well as a raft of international presales. Lee also takes co-writing credits for the English-language screenplay with Julius Onah, who was previously announced as the director. The pair previously collaborated on the Sundance 2019 title Luce , adapted from Lee’s original play of the same name. Up-and-coming talents Callina Liang, star of ITVX teen drama Tell Me Everything , and Jabari Banks (Bel-Air) will star with veteran UK actor Benedict Wong ( Doctor Stranger In The Multiverse Of Madness ). The English remake is billed as a high-stakes, high-octane thriller about a diverse group of young people who team up to fight the system of injustice and inequity and take down the rigged academic institutions around them. It is produced by Erik Feig and Jessica Switch at Picturestart with Patrick … [Read more...] about Picturestart & Picture Perfect Federation Set JC Lee To Direct ‘Bad Genius’; Unveil Key Cast & Int’l Deals
Anderson Cooper To Host New CNN Sunday Primetime Series ‘The Whole Story’
Anderson Cooper will host a new Sunday primetime series for CNN , The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper , as the network works to revitalize its nighttime lineup. The new series, which will be a recurring weekly series, will feature single subject episodes from the network’s longform storytelling team. That will include special interviews, profiles and investigations. The debut is set for April 16 at 8 PM ET. Among the planned episodes will be Sara Sidner’s look at San Francisco and the social issues plaguing the city; Pamala Brown’s examination of claims that Johnson & Johnson’s now discontinued baby powder caused cancer; David Culver’s Magic Mushrooms , looking at the medicine and the money surrounding the psychedelic plant; Erica Hill’s look at the upcoming coronation of King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla; and Nick Paton Walsh’s embed with a group of migrants from Central American on their way to seek asylum in the United States. Susan Chun is the … [Read more...] about Anderson Cooper To Host New CNN Sunday Primetime Series ‘The Whole Story’