Amazon Prime Video is exploring more global franchise opportunities following the success of the Russo Brothers’ Citadel. James Farrell , the streamer’s VP, International, told a Series Mania audience that it is “highly likely” his non-U.S. team will seek more Citadel- like universes across both scripted and unscripted. A Tomb Raider movie and TV series penned by Phoebe Waller-Bridge are already reported to be in the works. “It’s such a cool way to take [subscribers] on a journey and no one has really done it before,” said Farrell. From the Russo’s AGBO, Midnight Radio, Cattleya and Amazon Studios, the spy thriller is airing as three versions from the U.S., India and Italy, starring the likes of Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. The U.S. version drops next month. The idea was born from a conversation between Amazon Studios boss Jennifer Salke and the Russos, according to Farrell, who said they were discussing “what a global show looks like in the … [Read more...] about Amazon Prime Video Exploring More Global Franchises In Same Vein As ‘Citadel’ – Series Mania
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‘Trunk’: Amazon Prime Video Greenlights High-Octane German Feature
EXCLUSIVE: A backpacker’s battle to escape the locked boot of a car and regain her memory is to be the plot of Amazon Prime Video ’s latest German movie. In high-octane thriller Trunk (working title), Sina Martens ( The Perfumier, Tatort) will play Malina, who wakes up disoriented to discover to her horror that she is missing more than her memory. With her mobile phone as her only link to the outside world, she wages a desperate battle for survival as the vehicle races inexorably towards a terrible mystery. Even if she makes it – she will never be the same. The movie has echoes of claustrophobic single-location action features such as Ryan Reynolds’ Buried and is being produced by German indie Outside the Club. Marc Schießer is writing, directing and producing and Tobias Lohf will also produce. Amazon Head of German Originals Philip Pratt said Trunk will “take viewers on a wild ride through all the emotions.” He told Deadline more movies “in this realm” could … [Read more...] about ‘Trunk’: Amazon Prime Video Greenlights High-Octane German Feature
Amazon Prime Video’s ‘The Gryphon’ Execs Talk Up “The Biggest German Fantasy Since ‘The NeverEnding Story’”
EXCLUSIVE: The execs behind Prime Video Germany’s big-budget fantasy epic The Gryphon have opened up about forging what originals boss Philip Pratt has dubbed “the biggest [German fantasy] project since The NeverEnding Story .” The Gryphon has been almost five years in the making, going back to the days when Head of German Originals Pratt was first heading up a small, local team. The show is being previewed at Series Mania this morning. From Dark producer W&B TV and Dog Haus , The Gryphon is based on fantasy novelist Wolfgang Hohlbein ’s book series that has sold more than 40M copies worldwide over four decades. It follows three outsiders, Mark, Memo and Becky, who come into contact with a fantastic world called the Black Tower. There, the Griffin, a world-devouring monster, has been mercilessly plundering and subjugating all living creatures for centuries and the three friends, of all people, seem destined to end this reign of terror. Showrunners … [Read more...] about Amazon Prime Video’s ‘The Gryphon’ Execs Talk Up “The Biggest German Fantasy Since ‘The NeverEnding Story’”
Amazon Prime Video Confirms Newcastle United Doc
Amazon Prime Video has confirmed its latest sports doc will follow Newcastle United , with Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story indie 72 Films producing with Lorton Entertainment . The as-yet-untitled series exploring the Saudi-owned club will not form part of Prime Video’s All or Nothing series, which has so far spotlighted Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. Cameras have been following Newcastle all season, one in which they are likely to finish higher in the Premier League than they have for years after they were acquired by a consortium including the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which attracted much controversy. They are chasing qualification for the Champion’s League and reached their first cup final for 24 years, which they lost to Manchester United. 72 Films, which also makes the All or Nothing docs, is partnering with Lorton, the producer behind Disney+’s upcoming Wagatha Christie doc. “We are thrilled to be working with Newcastle … [Read more...] about Amazon Prime Video Confirms Newcastle United Doc
Amazon Laying Off Thousands More As Job Cuts In Sector Expand
Amazon is laying off another 9,000 workers as job cuts in the tech sector expand at a time of growing economic uncertainty. It follows cuts last fall and early this year. “Given the uncertain economy in which we reside, and the uncertainty that exists in the near future, we have chosen to be more streamlined in our costs and headcount,” Jassy said in a memo to staff today. “As we’ve just concluded the second phase of our operating plan (“OP2”) this past week, I’m writing to share that we intend to eliminate about 9,000 more positions in the next few weeks—mostly in AWS, PXT, Advertising, and Twitch. This was a difficult decision, but one that we think is best for the company long term,” he said. (PXT is People eXperience and Technology,) Tech companies have been shedding staff at a rapid clip. Meta Platforms, the corporate parent of Facebook , Instagram and WhatsApp, recently announced plans to cut another 10,000 jobs and undergo a hiring freeze in what CEO Mark … [Read more...] about Amazon Laying Off Thousands More As Job Cuts In Sector Expand
‘We Were Liars’ Series Adaptation From Julie Plec & Carina Adly MacKenzie Lands Series Order At Amazon
Amazon is moving forward with its series adaptation of E. Lockhart’s novel We Were Liars . The streamer has handed the project, which comes from Julie Plec , Carina Adly MacKenzie and Universal Television and Amazon Studios, a series order. It comes after the project emerged at the streamer in development in December. RELATED: 2023 Prime Video Pilots & Series Orders Plec and her My So-Called Company banner and Universal Television, where The Vampire Diaries co-creator is based, optioned the 2014 book as part of a trio of deals with Lockhart in the summer. Plec and Roswell, New Mexico co-creator Carina Adly MacKenzie are adapting the book. Plec is writing the first episode, and MacKenzie is writing the second. We Were Liars is a “tragic” love story and an amnesia thriller set on a privately owned island off the coast of Massachusetts. Focusing on the the theme of consequences of one’s mistakes, the series follows the wealthy, seemingly … [Read more...] about ‘We Were Liars’ Series Adaptation From Julie Plec & Carina Adly MacKenzie Lands Series Order At Amazon
‘Grand Death Lotto’: Ayden Mayeri, Seann William Scott, Dolly De Leon & Donald Elise Watkins Join Amazon Action-Comedy
EXCLUSIVE : Amazon Studios has begun setting the supporting cast for its Paul Feig -helmed action-comedy Grand Death Lotto , with Ayden Mayeri ( Somebody I Used to Know ), Seann William Scott ( Welcome to Flatch ), Dolly de Leon ( Triangle of Sadness ) and Donald Elise Watkins ( Project Artemis ) signing on for roles. John Cena, Awkwafina and Simu Liu lead the ensemble of the pic now in production, as previously announced. The Amazon Original Movie is set in a very near future, in which a Grand Lottery has been established in economically challenged California. The only catch? You’ll need to kill the winner before sundown in order to legally claim their prize. New L.A. transplant Katie (Awkwafina) accidentally finds herself with the winning ticket and must join forces with amateur jackpot protector Noel (Cena) to make it to sundown in order to claim her multi-billion-dollar prize, all while dealing with Noel’s protection rival Louis Lewis (Liu), who also … [Read more...] about ‘Grand Death Lotto’: Ayden Mayeri, Seann William Scott, Dolly De Leon & Donald Elise Watkins Join Amazon Action-Comedy
Amazon’s ‘Butch & Sundance’ Series Sets Showrunners
Amazon has set the creative team for its Butch & Sundance series. The adaptation, which has Regé-Jean Page and Glen Powell in talks to star, will see Alex Metcalf serve as showrunner with Kaz Firpo and Ryan Firpo serving as co-showrunners. The project, which landed a series order last year, was created by the Firpo cousins, who wrote Marvel’s Eternals . Metcalf was previously showrunner of Showtime’s The Loudest Voice and has written on shows such as Sharp Objects and UnReal . RELATED: 2023 Prime Video Pilots & Series Orders The trio will exec produce. The series is set in an alternate version of America, where legendary outlaws Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid take on their biggest heist yet — this time with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Bridgerton star Page is expected to play Butch Cassidy and Top Gun: Maverick star Powell is set to play the Sundance Kid. The series comes from AGBO and Amazon Studios with … [Read more...] about Amazon’s ‘Butch & Sundance’ Series Sets Showrunners
‘The Sticky’: Margo Martindale, Chris Diamantopoulos & Guillaume Cyr To Star; EP Jamie Lee Curtis To Guest Star In Amazon Series
Three-time Emmy winner Margo Martindale , Chris Diamantopoulos and Guillaume Cyr are set to star in The Sticky , Prime Video’s Canadian comedy series from Blumhouse Television, Jamie Lee Curtis ’ Comet Pictures, Jonathan Levine’s Megamix and Sphere Media. Newly minted Oscar winner Curtis will guest star in the series, inspired by the true story dubbed the “Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist,” which made headlines around the world in 2011 when 70% of the global maple syrup supply — about CAN$18 million worth — was stolen. The English-language series is starting production in Quebec for a 2024 premiere and will film in and around Montreal with Canadian directors Michael Dowse ( Goon, Stuber ) and Joyce Wong ( Wexford Plaza, Sort of ). The Sticky revolves around Ruth Landry (Martindale), a tough, supremely competent maple syrup farmer who’s had it with being hemmed in by the polite, bureaucratic conventions native to her country’s identity. Especially now … [Read more...] about ‘The Sticky’: Margo Martindale, Chris Diamantopoulos & Guillaume Cyr To Star; EP Jamie Lee Curtis To Guest Star In Amazon Series
Jharrel Jerome To Star As Wrestler Anthony Robles In Artists Equity & Amazon Studios’ Jennifer Lopez Movie ‘Unstoppable’
EXCLUSIVE: Jharrel Jerome , the Emmy winner, Moonlight actor and EP/star of the upcoming Prime Video series, I’m a Virgo, which just premiered at SXSW, has signed on to star in Artists Equity ’s tentatively titled Unstoppable , the Jennifer Lopez starring, Billy Goldenberg directing project we first told you about yesterday. Robles is a three-time All-American wrestler born with one leg who won a national championship at Arizona State. Robles, we hear, will be heavily involved in the project which Amazon Studios is in talks to acquire. Robles in early 2019 broke the Guinness world record for most pull-ups in a minute with 62 reps. Robles was born without a right leg. At the age of 14, he tried out wrestling for the first time in Mesa, Arizona, at a mere 90 lbs. His first year he went 5-8, however, Robles remained determined that he could be a champion in the sport one day. Robles is also an inspirational speaker. The second big project from Ben Affleck and … [Read more...] about Jharrel Jerome To Star As Wrestler Anthony Robles In Artists Equity & Amazon Studios’ Jennifer Lopez Movie ‘Unstoppable’