Hunger games catching fire

EXCLUSIVE : Sweden’s Arvet Agency is producing horror film The Deacon from Venice Award-winning filmmaker Tequoia Urbina . The Stockholm-based company has acquired script and media rights to the project following a deal with Magnolia Tree Productions. Pic is described as a horror story set in the present day about a family who are given shelter by a church community, but all is not what it seems. Atlanta-based filmmaker Urbina directed, wrote and produced Venice Short Film Award winning pic Gehenna and has packaged The Deacon as a “high concept indie horror,” according to Arvet CEO Grace Maharaj. She added: “We are looking for IP to enter the North American market with and when we read Tequoia’s script, we loved the themes she has touched on with family secrets and the vulnerable in society who have nowhere to turn for help when there is an economic downturn.” Maharaj said the project speaks to Arvet’s dual strategy of seeking IP with a “unique Nordic … [Read more...] about ‘The Deacon’: Sweden’s Arvet Agency Behind Horror From Venice Award-Winning Filmmaker Tequoia Urbina

Showtime and Channel 4 comedy Entitled from the production company behind Fleabag has unveiled full cast and rolled cameras in Manchester. Joining Fleabag and Stranger Things star Brett Gelman in Two Brothers Pictures’ eight-parter are Donald Sumpter ( Game of Thrones ), Brendan Patricks ( Downton Abbey ), Pippa Bennett-Warner ( Gangs of London ), Mark Quartley ( Lucky Man ), Jonathan Livingstone ( Peacock ), Charlotte Louise Arrowsmith ( This is Going to Hurt ) and Kelly Wenham (Merlin). Entitled stars Gelman as Gabe, a conniving American widower who posthumously must get to know The Beaucrofts, his British wife’s eccentric estranged family, in their crumbling gothic mansion in the English countryside. As Gabe’s search for closure and truth reveal a newly inherited fortune, each family member’s ambition comes to a head. Matt Morgan ( Mister Winner) created Entitled , which entered production in Manchester this week. Director is … [Read more...] about ‘Entitled’: Showtime & Channel 4 Comedy From ‘Fleabag’ Team Unveils Cast & Begins Production

Swedish video game company Embracer Group has acquired Middle-earth Enterprises, a division of The Saul Zaentz Company, which owns the intellectual property catalogue and worldwide rights to The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. But the deal means Embracer Group will pick up the motion picture, video game, board game, merchandising, theme parks and stage production rights relating to The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit franchises as well as matching rights in other Middle-earth-related literary works authorized by the Tolkien Estate and HarperCollins, which have yet to be explored. “I am truly excited to have The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit , one of the world’s most epic fantasy franchises join the Embracer family, opening up more transmedia opportunities including synergies across our global group,” said Lars Wingefors, Founder and Group CEO Embracer Group. “I am … [Read more...] about Embracer Group Acquires IP Rights To ‘Lord Of The Rings’ And ‘The Hobbit’

Randy Martin , the so-called "Lone Wolf" reality TV home renovator, has died after a cancer battle. His death was announced Wednesday on his FB page as well as by his costars from "Texas Flip N Move," the Snow Sisters, who had the same statement. It reads, "We are broken hearted over The Lone Wolf Randy Martin who passed away early this morning. Please pray for his wife and family as they navigate this difficult time. You will be missed." Waiting for your permission to load the Facebook Video. Donna Snow tells TMZ ... Randy, a longtime friend/associate, died from cancer, and he was at his home when he passed, with his wife, Judy , by his side. We're told Donna visited him recently and he appeared fairly weak and in bad health. Judy confirms Donna's account, elaborating to us that he had liver cancer and had been diagnosed in May 2022. She notes ... he was beloved by all, even strangers. RM has been on the show pretty much since the beginning. The series … [Read more...] about ‘Texas Flip N Move’ Star The Lone Wolf Randy Martin Dead at 65

A popular standup TV franchise is making a comeback. Scott Koondel ’s Sox Entertainment has acquired global rights to Caroline’s Comedy Hour, which ran on A&E Network from 1989-96. Koondel, former CBS Chief Content and Licensing Officer, plans to produce new installments, which he will shop alongside 100 library episodes from the show’s original run as a lower-cost comedy programming alternative for cable networks and streamers. Koondel was retained to distribute the package of new and old episodes by Caroline’s owner Caroline Hirsch. The A&E series was hosted by Carol Leifer, Colin Quinn and Rich Jeni and featured acts appearing at Hirsch’s New York comedy club, including Marc Maron, Bill Hicks, Joy Behar, Denis Leary, Jon Stewart, Louis CK, Richard Belzer, Judy Tenuta, Susie Essman, Mario Cantone, Ray Romano, Colin Quinn, Larry Miller, Jeff Foxworthy, Lewis Black, George Lopez, Al Franklin, Kevin James, Norm MacDonald, Caroline Rhea, Jay Mohr, Gilbert … [Read more...] about ‘Caroline’s Comedy Hour’ Revival Set As Scott Koondel Acquires Rights To 1990s Standup Series

UPDATED with confirmation: USC and UCLA made it official Thursday: the schools are moving from the Pac-12 Conference to the Big Ten Conference in 2024. The jump, which both schools confirmed late in the day amid swirling media reports of a deal in the works, is the latest major disruption of the college sports landscape, which has been altered by players gaining rights to name, image and likeness (NIL) revenue and the rise of the five conferences in the top tier of the ultra-lucrative sport of football. While the realignment would apply to all sports, football controls the vast majority of the dollars flowing to schools from media rights. In USC’s statement today, it noted that the schools’ move date is effective August 2, 2024, “enabling both schools to remain in the Pac-12 Conference for the duration of the Pac-12’s existing media rights agreements.” “Over the past three years, we have worked hard to ground our university decisions in what is best for our … [Read more...] about USC And UCLA Confirm Jump From Pac-12 To Big Ten Conference In Latest Upheaval In College Sports – Update

BACKGRID If Antonio Brown wants Jerry Jones to call him, it won't be about making him a Dallas Cowboy ... 'cause the legendary owner says he'd rather give his young receivers a chance. The former Buccaneer spoke about his NFL future with TMZ Sports last week ... and while he has a boomin' rap career, it definitely sounded like he wasn't ready to step away from the game just yet -- saying, "Tell Jerry Jones to call me!" TMZSports.com Despite a pretty banged up receiver room with several injuries to key players, Jones seems uninterested in the idea of bringing in the Super Bowl champ. Antonio Brown Interested In Cowboys, 'Tell Jerry Jones To Call Me' "We're good," Jones says of AB's interest. "But, we want to give these young guys a real chance to make this team." While the Hall of Fame owner is focused on youth, it doesn't mean it can't happen -- either that, or Jones was just being REALLY nice about the situation and just didn't … [Read more...] about Jerry Jones Brushes Off Antonio Brown’s Cowboys Interest, We Have Young Guys

TMZ.com Lil Durk is back on the move, following a scary moment during his Lollapalooza set last month where a stage prop exploded in his face. The Chicago drill rapper recently joined DJ Khaled on his tour bus, where Durk was all smiles and bandage-free as the "We The Best" hitmaker spouted off inspirational quotes to promote his new album. Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media. Durk announced he was taking a mental health break a couple of weeks ago following the eye injury. No word yet if the hiatus is officially over or if it'll affect his tour -- slated for mid-October -- but judging from his energy with Khaled, Smurkio appears to be back. Lil Durk Announces He's Taking Time Off After Suffering Injury in Explosion DJ Khaled has been corralling all the top rappers in the game for his upcoming album "God Did" ... Drake , Lil Baby , Future and Jay-Z are just some of the names that have buzzed … [Read more...] about Lil Durk Resurfaces With DJ Khaled Following Eye Injury at Concert