EXCLUSIVE : Media mogul Jose ‘Pepe’ Bastón is looking to ramp up his interests in the U.S. after signing with Allied Management Group , the company founded by former NBCU exec John Pollak and actor Wilmer Valderrama. Bastón, who spent three decades at Mexican media giant Televisa, has signed with the company through its partnership with Monica Gil and Carolina Aymerich’s CRE84U. The aim is to grow Bastón and his Elefantec Global studio’s business in the English-language market in the U.S. Elefantec Global, which is based in Los Angeles, Bogota and Mexico City and has relationships throughout Latin America and the U.S., is behind projects such as Miguel Bose biopic Bose and limited series La Rebelion and has a partnership with Fox-owned MarVista Entertainment. It comes as U.S. buyers look to grow their Latino-infused content. Bastón said, “Our mission is to create cultural relevant content not only for the global Latino audience but also for worldwide audiences … [Read more...] about Jose ‘Pepe’ Bastón Signs With John Pollak & Wilmer Valderrama’s Allied Management Group
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Regal Parent Cineworld Has Draft Plan With Lenders To Restructure, Emerge From Chapter 11; Still Taking Third-Party Bids
Counsel for bankrupt Cineworld said today the Regal parent has received the outline of a restructuring plan from lenders, a blueprint that would take it out of bankruptcy, although it’s also still pursuing a possible sale of assets. At a hearing at bankruptcy court in the Southern District of Texas, Cineworld attorney Joshua Sussberg said debt holders had submitted over the weekend a term sheet of a debt-for-equity exchange and a “significant” rights offering to fund the business going forward. He didn’t provide details of the plan, which has no specific financing commitments yet. A group of 35 funds holds a combined $6 billion in Cineworld debt. Meanwhile, the company continues with a sale process and Sussberg said has signed multiple non-disclosure agreements with interested parties including financial and strategic buyers of “all shapes and sizes and with all different kinds of proposals.” Non-binding offers are due Feb. 16. “Our lenders are effectively a bidder and … [Read more...] about Regal Parent Cineworld Has Draft Plan With Lenders To Restructure, Emerge From Chapter 11; Still Taking Third-Party Bids
Disney Stock Plunges 13% To New Multi-Year Low On Earnings Miss, Weak Profit Outlook – Update
UPDATED with closing stock price: Disney stock closed at $86.75 a share, down more than 13% as investors punished the company for its disappointing quarterly earnings report and weak earnings forecast. The single-day plunge was the biggest for Disney shares since the onset of Covid in the U.S. in March 2020, when it also fell 13%. The shares have fallen more than 43% in 2022 to date, compared with a drop of less than 10% for the Dow Jones Industrial Average. PREVIOUS: Disney stock has fallen more than 11% today on double its normal trading volume, as investors recalibrate their expectations in light of a shaky quarterly earnings report. At $88.53, Disney shares were at their lowest point since they dipped into the $80s for a couple of trading days during Covid lockdowns in March 2020. Prior to that, the last time the stock closed at or below $86.75 was in 2015. Bears seized on the company’s much-lower-than-expected profit forecast as well as a significant … [Read more...] about Disney Stock Plunges 13% To New Multi-Year Low On Earnings Miss, Weak Profit Outlook – Update
Former YMU Business Exec Joins Rebranded Digital Content Indie Cowshed Collective
EXCLUSIVE: Digital content indie Cowshed Social has rebranded to Cowshed Collective , signed a former YMU Chief Business Officer and split into four divisions. Cowshed, which creates content for Gen-Zs, will now operate with a Studios, Social, Creators and Ventures division. Studios will focus on producing content for broadcasters, Social on building brands, Creators on talent development and Ventures will be business-to-business. Hamizadeh is a signature hire who joins as Chief Business Officer. She is a former YMU Chief Business Officer and has also worked at UK publisher Haymarket. She joins soon after former Channel 4 and BBC Studios exec Matt Ford, while Cowshed Collective also recently hired former LADbible Group Head Of Production Joana Gutscher. “Cowshed is an impressive business that understands content, production, and how to deliver for clients to a high standard all within one agency,” said Hamizadeh. “I’m delighted to be involved in the next stage of … [Read more...] about Former YMU Business Exec Joins Rebranded Digital Content Indie Cowshed Collective
‘Whitney’ Director Kevin Macdonald Partners With Rebranded Banijay Label Workerbee Group
Whitney director Kevin Macdonald has struck a multi-project deal with rebranded Banijay label Workerbee Group. Macdonald, whose past credits include the celebrated Houston doc, Oscar winner One Day in September and Marley, will work closely with Workerbee’s new Films division to jointly identify premium unscripted projects to collaborate on. The pair have previously collaborated on hit A+E Janet Jackson doc series Janet and the new partnership has already spawned a major feature doc for a streamer, which will be announced shortly. “On a personal level I’m huge fan of Kevin’s approach to storytelling and his partnerships with our lead Director Ben Hirsh have produced our most exciting documentary projects to date,” said Workerbee CEO Rick Murray. “Knowing we are going to forge more high-profile films together is a great way to kick start our Workerbee Films division.” Macdonald added: “I’ve had a rewarding time working with Rick and the Workerbee team … [Read more...] about ‘Whitney’ Director Kevin Macdonald Partners With Rebranded Banijay Label Workerbee Group
‘Tehran’ Renewed For Season 3 At Apple TV+ As Hugh Laurie Joins Espionage Drama
Hugh Laurie is headed to Tehran as the espionage drama has been renewed for a third season by Apple TV+ . The Night Manager and House, M.D. star has joined the cast of the Israeli spy thriller. He’ll play a South African nuclear inspector and will join an ensemble cast that includes newcomers Sasson Gabai, Bahar Pars and Phoenix Raei. Returning stars include Niv Sultan , who plays Mossad agent Tamar Rabinyan, along with Sahun Toub and Shila Ommi. The show follows Sultan as a hacker agent who infiltrates Iran’s capital Tehran under a false identity. Apple TV+ has greenlit production on Season 3, which has now begun and will follow Tamar as she tries to find a way to reinvent herself and win back Mossad’s support. Moshe Zonder, Dana Eden and Maor Kohn are co-creators and Daniel Syrkin the director. Exec producers are Eden and Shula Spiegel for Donna and Shula Productions, Alon Aranya for Paper Plane Productions, Julien Leroux for Paper Entertainment, Peter … [Read more...] about ‘Tehran’ Renewed For Season 3 At Apple TV+ As Hugh Laurie Joins Espionage Drama
Paul Giamatti To Dive Deep Into Aliens, Conspiracies & Hoaxes In Weekly Podcast Series ‘Chinwag’
EXCLUSIVE : Paul Giamatti is set to explore topics such as aliens, conspiracies, hoaxes and altered states of consciousness in Chinwag , a new weekly podcast series. The Billions star and author and philosopher Stephen Asma are hosting the series, which comes from Treefort Media and Giamatti’s own Touchy Feely Films. The series, which launches on April 5, will feature an eclectic lineup of guests and will see the pair delve into questions such as ‘Are we living in a simulation?’ ‘What’s the most perfect sentence in literature?’ and ‘Is Bigfoot interdimensional?’ as well as topics such as science, the occult, philosophy, and magic mushrooms. It will be available on all major podcast platforms and YouTube. Treefort Media, which was founded by CEO Kelly Garner, is behind podcasts such as Fatal Voyage: The Mysterious Death of Natalie Wood , scripted Sherlock Holmes audio drama Moriarty, Killing Hollywood: The Cotton Club Murder and Killer Psyche. Touchy … [Read more...] about Paul Giamatti To Dive Deep Into Aliens, Conspiracies & Hoaxes In Weekly Podcast Series ‘Chinwag’
Henry Golding To Star In Nacho Vigalondo’s Madrid-Set Sci-Fi Romance ‘Daniela Forever’ — EFM
EXCLUSIVE : Henry Golding ( Crazy Rich Asians ) is set to star in the sci-fi romance Daniela Forever , a new film from Spanish filmmaker Nacho Vigalondo ( Colossal ), which XYZ is financing and launching for sales at the EFM . Daniela Forever , which is set to shoot in Madrid, Spain, this spring/summer, will see Golding play a man struggling to come to terms with the sudden death of his girlfriend in an accident six months prior. So, he signs up for a sleep trial that allows him to reconstruct his life with her through the use of lucid dreams. Nahikari Ipiña and Nacho Vigalondo are producing at Sayaka Producciones, along with Benoit Roland at Wrong Men, Leire Apellaniz at Señor y Señora, and XYZ Films. “This movie is built around a deeply human character trapped in twisted plot, something Henry Golding is so perfect for this almost feels unreal,” said Vigalondo. “I’m enthusiastic about the team gathered around this project, and I hope the story delivers … [Read more...] about Henry Golding To Star In Nacho Vigalondo’s Madrid-Set Sci-Fi Romance ‘Daniela Forever’ — EFM
Andrew Scott & Others Join Netflix’s ‘Back In Action’ With Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz
EXCLUSIVE : Netflix has added four to its action-comedy Back in Action , with Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz. The newest actors to sign on are BAFTA winners Andrew Scott (C atherine Called Birdy ) and Jamie Demetriou ( Cruella ), McKenna Roberts ( Euphoria ) and Rylan Jackson ( Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves ). Details as to the storyline and characters of Diaz’s first feature since 2014’s Annie are under wraps. But Kyle Chandler and Glenn Close are also aboard for roles, as previously announced. Seth Gordon ( Horrible Bosses ) is directing from his script written with Neighbors ‘ Brendan O’Brien. Producers are Jenno Topping, Peter Chernin and Sharla Sumpter Bridgett ( Ford v Ferrari , Hidden Figures ) for Chernin Entertainment, Beau Bauman ( Central Intelligence ) for Good One Productions, and Gordon for Exhibit A. Foxx, Datari Turner, O’Brien and Tim Lewis are serving as exec producers. Scott won his BAFTA for his work as the … [Read more...] about Andrew Scott & Others Join Netflix’s ‘Back In Action’ With Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz
Warner Bros Discovery Abandons Plan To Shut Down Discovery+ As Stand-Alone Service As It Moves Ahead With HBO Max Merger
Warner Bros Discovery has ditched plans for a 100% merger of streaming services HBO Max and Discovery+ and will continue offering the latter as a stand-alone product. Insiders confirmed the strategic shift with Deadline after it was initially reported by The Wall Street Journal . The WSJ cited unidentified people familiar with the decision, saying they felt Discovery+ subscribers could balk at paying a higher price for a combined service. HBO Max costs $16 a month, or $10 with ads, compared with $7 and $5 for the respective equivalents of Discovery+. Over the past several months, WBD execs have talked of combining the two into a single offering. HBO Max has already been featuring Discovery titles more prominently of late, even though the ultimate fit between prestige HBO fare and Discovery mainstays like 90-Day Fiancé has been questioned both inside and outside of the company. The plan now is to continue to have Discovery+ in the market even as a newly … [Read more...] about Warner Bros Discovery Abandons Plan To Shut Down Discovery+ As Stand-Alone Service As It Moves Ahead With HBO Max Merger