Totem films

Legendary Entertainment is partnering with Caroline Fraser of HarperCollins Productions ( Carmen Sandiego ) to produce a live-action Danny and the Dinosaur film, based on the bestselling children’s picture book series by Syd Hoff . HarperCollins Productions optioned media rights to the series from the Author’s Guild Foundation, which shares them with the Anti-Defamation League Foundation, ORT America, Inc., and the United Negro College Fund, Inc. The original book, published by HarperCollins in 1958, follows a young boy and a dinosaur who set off on a series of wonderful adventures together after meeting at a museum. It was followed up by six sequels penned by Hoff, with the full set selling more than 11 million copies in 12 languages. Hoff penned dozens of books for both children and adult readers prior to his passing in May 2004 at age 91. The New York City native was also known for his creation of thousands of cartoons — including those that were a regular … [Read more...] about Live-Action ‘Danny And The Dinosaur’ Film Based On Syd Hoff Children’s Books In Works From Legendary, HarperCollins

EXCLUSIVE: Aimee Carrero ( The Menu ) is set to lead the buddy action-comedy Code 3 opposite Rainn Wilson and Lil Rel Howery . Production is set to begin in February. She will portray Jessica, a newbie paramedic who is eager to learn is well-trained, and is superb under pressure. In the 24-hour shift where she’s training to replace Randy (Wilson), she’s in for an incredible day of surprises and realizations. The film, by director Christopher Leone, follows a day in the life of two overworked, underpaid, and nearly burnt-out paramedics. One EMT is so burnt-out by the job that he is forcing himself to resign, though he first must embark on one last 24-hour shift to train his replacement. Everything that could happen on the job, from the mundane to the extreme, then happens on this final, exhilarating day. The script for Code 3 hails from Leone and former paramedic Patrick Pianezza. Angela Cardon will oversee the project for Wayfarer Studios and will serve … [Read more...] about Aimee Carrero To Lead Buddy Film ‘Code 3’ Opposite Rainn Wilson & Lil Rel Howery

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

EXCLUSIVE : Tulsa King ‘s Jay Will has landed the title role in Rob Peace — the second feature from Academy Award-nominated actor Chiwetel Ejiofor , on the heels of the Netflix-acquired The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind , which he’s directing from his own script. The film, first announced in 2019, is based on Jeff Hobbs’ best-selling biography The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace: A Brilliant Young Man Who Left Newark for the Ivy League . It follows Robert Peace, who made his way to Yale on scholarship after growing up in a crime-ridden section of Newark, New Jersey. He’d major during his time there in molecular biophysics and biochemistry, working in a lab researching cancer and infectious diseases, while at the same time making six figures from the sale of marijuana. While Pearce graduated with honors in 2002, the promise of his future crumbled when he was killed in a drug-related shooting in 2011. The film currently in production is being produced by Los … [Read more...] about ‘Tulsa King’s Jay Will To Topline Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Second Feature ‘Rob Peace’

EXCLUSIVE : Academy Award and 3x Emmy winner Bill Conti ( The Right Stuff ) has been tapped to pen the score for Roselli’s Way , a new biopic on Italian American pop singer Jimmy Roselli. The film scripted by J.D. Zeik ( Ronin ) will watch as Roselli looks back on a career, in which he was forever the underdog in comparison to contemporary Frank Sinatra, among others. Michael Besman, James Deutch, Roger Birnbaum and Mark Kimsey will produce for EMP Productions, along with Spike Seldin and Neil Jesuele of Remarkable Media, and veteran music exec and record producer Ron Fair, who will also serve as music supervisor. James Ivory and Stephen Dembitzer will serve as exec producers. A director is not yet attached to the project, though the casting search for its title character is now under way. “The story behind one of the greatest voices of his era needs to be told,” Conti told Deadline. “Roselli’s life, though unknown is most compelling.” Conti won an Academy … [Read more...] about Bill Conti, Academy Award-Winning Composer Behind ‘The Right Stuff,’ Boards James Ivory-Backed Biopic ‘Roselli’s Way’

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 : Jason Bateman is set to direct The Pinkerton , a supernatural revenge-western hybrid that Warner Bros . and JJ Abrams ’ Bad Robot acquired two years ago. Pic was sold as a spec by F9’s Daniel Casey . It was the first original film project for Bad Robot since Warner Bros signed a big deal with the producer. Bateman and Michael Costigan will be exec producers. Bad Robot’s Abrams and Hannah Minghella are the producers. The Pinkertons were a private security guard and detective agency established in the U.S. by Scotsman Allan Pinkerton in 1850. Pinkerton became famous when he claimed to have foiled a plot to assassinate president-elect Abraham Lincoln, who later hired Pinkerton agents for his personal security during the Civil War. Bateman made his feature directing debut on Bad Words and followed with The Family Fang , and won an Emmy and two SAG Awards for directing episodes of Ozark, to go with the two Emmys he won for Best Actor on that … [Read more...] about Jason Bateman On The Case To Direct ‘The Pinkerton’ For Warner Bros & Bad Robot

Yorkshire and London-based production company Tempo Productions today announced that Georgia Bayliff, former Head of Film at finance outfit Silver Reel, will join Tempo’s executive team, where she will co-produce company projects. Bayliff will join Piers Tempest and Lauren Cox on the executive team at Tempo. Bayliff exits Silver Reel after most recently producing Paradise Highway , starring Morgan Freeman, Juliette Binoche, and Frank Grillo. She worked across the company’s film & TV slate for over seven years, sourcing and steering projects from development and finance through production to release. Tempo is gearing up to launch its 25th feature film into production. The company also has several films from its slate out in wide release, including Netflix’s Bank of Dave , Emily starring BAFTA 2023 EE Rising Star nominee Emma Mackey and Jon Wright’s creature horror Unwelcome which Warner Brothers released in UK cinemas. Announcing Bayliff’s new role, Tempest … [Read more...] about Tempo Productions Hires Former Silver Reel Executive

Award-winning writer, producer, comedian, and actor Quinta Brunson , creator of ABC and Warner Bros. Television’s TV series Abbott Elementary , will receive the ICG Publicists ( International Cinematographers Guild , IATSE Local 600) 2023 Television Showperson Award. The Television Showperson of the Year Award honors a person, persons, or company whose creative accomplishments in the formulation, development, production or presentation of projects for television best represents that special spirit traditionally defined as showmanship. Previous recipients include Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi, Ava DuVernay, Greg Berlanti, Ryan Murphy, John Landgraf, Ted Sarandos, Shonda Rhimes, and Chuck Lorre, among others. Brunson will be honored at the 60th Annual ICG Publicists Awards luncheon at The Beverly Hilton on Friday, March 10, 2023. The announcement was made today by Tim Menke and Sheryl Main, ICG Publicists Awards Chairs. “As publicists we applaud Quinta … [Read more...] about Quinta Brunson To Be Honored With 2023 Television Showperson Award at the 60th Annual ICG Publicists Luncheon