Vice distribution

With demand surging for sports-themed films and TV series, Authentic Brands Group and David Glasser’s 101 Studios have launched Sports Illustrated Studios, an exclusive home for film and TV adaptations of the magazine’s work. Plans call for several scripted or unscripted feature films and TV series per year, as well as podcasts. Their basis will be the magazine’s “unique looks at the culture and characters that transcend the game,” in the words of the official announcement. In charge of all production, distribution and marketing for Sports Illustrated Studios will be 101 Studios, which Glasser started after leaving his longtime post at the Weinstein Company. First out of the gate will be Covers , an episodic look at SI ’s top cover stories of all time, culled from a roster of thousands involving a host of sports figures, teams, celebrities and political figures. “Sports Illustrated has covered every major story in sports since the 1950s and, before the … [Read more...] about Sports Illustrated Studios Launches As Joint Film/TV Venture By Authentic Brands And 101 Studios

Disney has eliminated a small business unit focused on exploring the metaverse , part of its initial efforts to reduce its workforce by about 7,000 employees. About 50 workers were part of the group dedicated to “next-generation storytelling and consumer experiences.” The elimination of the unit, first reported by The Wall Street Journal , was confirmed to Deadline by a person familiar with the staff reductions. Mike White, a former consumer products exec who had been leading the unit, will remain at the company in a yet-to-be-determined role, the source said. On Monday, Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed in a staff memo that the first of three rounds of layoffs is starting this week as the company pushes toward a stated goal of $5.5 billion in cost savings. Word emerged Monday evening of a number of exec departures across the company’s general entertainment operations. Former CEO Bob Chapek at one time talked up the metaverse as a significant growth opportunity … [Read more...] about Disney Unplugs Metaverse Unit During Initial Round Of Layoffs

Mike Pence must testify before a grand jury about his conversations with Donald Trump , forcing the former vice president to comply with a subpoena issued as part of a special counsel investigation of efforts to overturn the election on January 6 . CNN, citing unnamed sources, broke the news of Judge James Boasberg’s decision, and it was quickly confirmed by other outlets. According to CNnNand other outlets, the judge ruled in a sealed order that even though Pence has to appear before a grand jury, he could decline to answer questions related to his actions on January 6. Pence had argued that he was immune under the Constitution’s Speech or Debate Clause, given that he was serving as president of the Senate in overseeing the counting of the electoral votes. Pence has not said whether he would appeal the ruling. Special Prosecutor Jack Smith is investigating Trump’s role in trying to overturn the results of the election, as well as the former president’s … [Read more...] about Mike Pence Must Testify To Grand Jury Investigating Donald Trump And January 6th, Judge Rules

EXCLUSIVE: Showrunner and producer Ingrid Escajeda has signed a first look deal with Universal TV to develop and produce projects for broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Escajeda also launched her own shingle, Sugarwitch Productions. Under the Sugarwitch banner, she will write, develop and produce her own projects as well as collaborate with other writers to supervise and produce their passion projects. “I’m over the moon to be working with UTV,” said Escajeda in a statement. “My goal has always been to have a production company where writers feel inspired and protected. Given the incredible enthusiasm and support the UTV team has always shown me, I knew they were the perfect partners for it.” “We’re thrilled to be able to continue working with Ingrid as a writer and showrunner, while at the same time becoming the home for her as a producer,” said Adam Giagni, Sr. Vice President, Drama Development for Universal Television . “She is a true visionary creator, and … [Read more...] about Showrunner/Producer Ingrid Escajeda Signs First-Look Deal With Universal Television

EXCLUSIVE : Gravitas Ventures has nabbed North American rights to the Shia LaBeouf -led drama Padre Pio from filmmaker Abel Ferrara , slating it for a day-and-date release on June 2nd. In the film penned by Maurizio Braucci and Ferrara, which world premiered at last year’s Venice Film Festival, it’s the end of World War I and the young Italian soldiers are making their way back to San Giovanni Rotondo, a land of poverty, historic violence and the ironclad rule of the church and its wealthy landowners. Families are desperate; the men are broken, but victorious. Padre Pio (Shia Labeouf) also arrives, to a remote Capuchin monastery, to begin his ministry evoking an aura of compelling charisma, saintliness and storied visions of Jesus, Mary and the Devil himself. The eve of the first free election in Italy then sets the stage for an historic, and metaphoric massacre — an apocalyptic event that changes the course of the world. Cristina Chiriac, Marco Leonardi, Asia … [Read more...] about Shia LaBeouf Drama ‘Padre Pio’ From Abel Ferrara Sets Gravitas Ventures Release

Barbie Bassett has not been on air for the NBC affiliate WLBT since March 8, when she and other employees were discussing Snoop Dogg’s addition to his wine line on air. Bassett said, “Fo shizzle, my nizzle,” when the idea of a Snoop collaboration with a newsroom journalist was raised. (“Nizzle” is slang for the N-word.) Two high-profile media personalities have now come to Bassett’s defense. “She can’t say, ‘Fo shizzle, my (expletive)?’ ” Charlamagne Tha God said Monday on his nationally syndicated radio program The Breakfast Club . “Oh, I guess because (it’s) a derivative of (N-word).” Charlamagne added: “She might not even know what (N-word) means. Come on, we got to stop man. That’s not a reason to fire that woman.” The 20-year WLBT anchor has not officially been fired, but her biography has been removed from the station’s web site. Whoopi Goldberg weighed in on the subject yesterday on The View . “There has to be a book of stuff that nobody could … [Read more...] about Whoopi Goldberg & Charlamagne Tha God Defend Mississippi TV News Anchor Who Was Removed After Quoting Snoop Dogg Lyric On Air

EXCLUSIVE : Paramount + has greenlit a UK original drama series based on Sarah Pinborough’s sleep deprivation thriller novel Insomnia . The adaptation will be produced by Left Bank Pictures , the UK production company that reimagined Pinborough’s Behind Her Eyes for Netflix in 2021. Pinborough will adapt Insomnia for the screen, telling the story of successful career woman Emma Averill, who fears she is losing her mind after suffering from sleep deprivation two weeks before turning 40. Her mother had a similar experience at the same age, suffering a violent psychotic breakdown on the night of her 40th birthday. But even as she relives the experience of her mother, Averill believes other forces may be at work. Her mother is hospitalized with a sudden injury, her estranged sister returns without warning, and she feels as if she is being watched. Only by investigating the truth of her painful past, can she find the answers to her present. Insomnia is … [Read more...] about ‘Insomnia’: Paramount+ Orders Sarah Pinborough Series From ‘Behind Her Eyes’ Producer Left Bank