The longer the Paramount sale process drags out, the less likely it appears any major transactions surrounding the company will take place.
The merger and acquisition talks surrounding Paramount Global continue, but the company’s options are beginning to narrow. The first company to make a meaningful pursuit of Paramount was David Ellison’s Skydance, and when the two sides entered an exclusive negotiating period in April, many observers thought a deal was just a matter of time. During that window, Sony teamed up with the private equity firm Apollo Global Management to craft a $26 billion all-cash bid, in case Paramount and Skydance’s talks came to naught. Since the exclusive window with Skydance has lapsed, Paramount’s board has been considering the Sony/Apollo offer and, a new report from Bloomberg, it appears that things are moving forward as the two sides have signed a non-disclosure agreement. However, there...
The merger and acquisition talks surrounding Paramount Global continue, but the company’s options are beginning to narrow. The first company to make a meaningful pursuit of Paramount was David Ellison’s Skydance, and when the two sides entered an exclusive negotiating period in April, many observers thought a deal was just a matter of time. During that window, Sony teamed up with the private equity firm Apollo Global Management to craft a $26 billion all-cash bid, in case Paramount and Skydance’s talks came to naught. Since the exclusive window with Skydance has lapsed, Paramount’s board has been considering the Sony/Apollo offer and, a new report from Bloomberg, it appears that things are moving forward as the two sides have signed a non-disclosure agreement. However, there...
- 5/20/2024
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Although reactions to the series have been mixed, Fubar has been renewed for a second season on Netflix, as the streaming service obviously sees some potential in the Arnold Schwarzenegger-led action comedy series. Now, we know that Arnie will be back for the second season, as well as many familiar faces from Season 1, but we have just received news that a Hollywood legend is joining the second season of the series as one of its female leads. The actress in question is Carrie-Anne Moss, best known for her work in The Matrix franchise, and it seems that she will be another new challenge for Arnie’s character.
The second season of Fubar is currently being worked on, but Netflix hasn’t confirmed a release date for the season. The first season of the series consists of a total of eight episodes.
As for Moss’ entry into the world of Fubar,...
The second season of Fubar is currently being worked on, but Netflix hasn’t confirmed a release date for the season. The first season of the series consists of a total of eight episodes.
As for Moss’ entry into the world of Fubar,...
- 5/13/2024
- by Arthur S. Poe
- Fiction Horizon
Partners Sony and Apollo have formally reached out to Paramount’s special board committee asking to discuss a potential $26 billion cash offer, Deadline has learned. It comes as Par’s exclusive negotiating window with David Ellison’s Skydance is set to expire.
Paramount share are up more than 13% on the news. Investors would vastly prefer a Sony/Apollo acquisition to a Skydance deal as it is currently configured, even after Skydance made a revised offer, that was said to be its best and last, last week.
Sony and Apollo’s overture is really jus a start, a non-binding expression of interest, Deadline has learned, in meeting and exploring the contours of a possible deal. While Skydance has been given access to Paramount’s books for the last month, Sony and Apollo have yet to do any due diligence.
The partners would buy out the whole company and take it private.
Paramount share are up more than 13% on the news. Investors would vastly prefer a Sony/Apollo acquisition to a Skydance deal as it is currently configured, even after Skydance made a revised offer, that was said to be its best and last, last week.
Sony and Apollo’s overture is really jus a start, a non-binding expression of interest, Deadline has learned, in meeting and exploring the contours of a possible deal. While Skydance has been given access to Paramount’s books for the last month, Sony and Apollo have yet to do any due diligence.
The partners would buy out the whole company and take it private.
- 5/2/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith and Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
The three Paramount Global executives installed to run the company after Bob Bakish was removed as CEO sought to reassure employees that they have a long-term strategy.
On Monday, Paramount Global said Bakish was stepping down as CEO and leaving the board. In his place, the company established an “Office of the CEO” committee led by three divisional heads: George Cheeks, president and CEO of CBS; Chris McCarthy, president and CEO, Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks; and Brian Robbins, president and CEO of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon.
The shake-up added further fuel to the uncertainty about the media conglomerate’s future. Bakish’s exit came as the Paramount Global board and controlling shareholder Shari Redstone were working to close a deal to merge Paramount with David Ellison’s Skydance Media.
The three new heads of Paramount Global’s Office of the CEO sent a memo to staff after the news was announced.
On Monday, Paramount Global said Bakish was stepping down as CEO and leaving the board. In his place, the company established an “Office of the CEO” committee led by three divisional heads: George Cheeks, president and CEO of CBS; Chris McCarthy, president and CEO, Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks; and Brian Robbins, president and CEO of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon.
The shake-up added further fuel to the uncertainty about the media conglomerate’s future. Bakish’s exit came as the Paramount Global board and controlling shareholder Shari Redstone were working to close a deal to merge Paramount with David Ellison’s Skydance Media.
The three new heads of Paramount Global’s Office of the CEO sent a memo to staff after the news was announced.
- 4/29/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish is out as the company unveiled a triumvirate leadership team shortly before its Q1 earnings report on Monday, amid ongoing uncertainty over who will eventually own the company.
Paramount Global has established an Office of the CEO comprising George Cheeks, president and CEO of CBS, Chris McCarthy, president and CEO, Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks, and Brian Robbins, president and CEO of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon.
It is understood Bakish, who has worked with controlling shareholder Shari Redstone for more than 25 years since he joined Viacom in 1997, did not favour the bid...
Paramount Global has established an Office of the CEO comprising George Cheeks, president and CEO of CBS, Chris McCarthy, president and CEO, Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks, and Brian Robbins, president and CEO of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon.
It is understood Bakish, who has worked with controlling shareholder Shari Redstone for more than 25 years since he joined Viacom in 1997, did not favour the bid...
- 4/29/2024
- ScreenDaily
Skydance and Paramount are deep into hashing out a complicated deal that would see the David Ellison’s studio and its backers take control of the storied film and television company owned by Shari Redstone. The exclusive month-long negotiating period through May 3 is likely to be extended perhaps by a few weeks, Deadline hears, given the complexity of the transaction.
The rough contours of a Skydance deal would see a circa $2 billion payout to Redstone for a majority stake in family holding Nai (which controls Paramount though its voting Class A shares) as well as the National Amusements theater chain and associated real estate assets. Step two would see Paramount acquire Skydance in an all-stock deal valued at circa $4-5 billion. That’s being worked on and will likely wind up at the high end of the range.
Skydance’s last capital raise in the fall of 2022, with Kkr as a new investor,...
The rough contours of a Skydance deal would see a circa $2 billion payout to Redstone for a majority stake in family holding Nai (which controls Paramount though its voting Class A shares) as well as the National Amusements theater chain and associated real estate assets. Step two would see Paramount acquire Skydance in an all-stock deal valued at circa $4-5 billion. That’s being worked on and will likely wind up at the high end of the range.
Skydance’s last capital raise in the fall of 2022, with Kkr as a new investor,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith and Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Paramount’s all-audience movie If, starring Ryan Reynolds and directed by John Krasinski, is heading for a $40M-plus opening on May 17 — which is very good for a non-holiday in May and for an original movie.
Krasinski produced, directed and wrote If.
The PG movie is hot with parents, kids and the 17-34 crowd, especially female. If arrived on three-week pre-release tracking with a very-high 16 “unaided” — that’s the category where those polled express interest in a movie without being prompted. That’s higher than what DreamWorks Animation/Universal’s Kung Fu Panda 4 arrived on tracking with; that fourthquel debuted to $57.9M.
Comps are tricky for If: Hello?! When was the last PG-rated live-action conceived tentpole based on an original property? There was the Jennifer Aniston-Owen Wilson 2008 dog romance Marley & Me, which debuted to $36.3M, but that doesn’t count. There also was 2004’s Nicolas Cage action...
Krasinski produced, directed and wrote If.
The PG movie is hot with parents, kids and the 17-34 crowd, especially female. If arrived on three-week pre-release tracking with a very-high 16 “unaided” — that’s the category where those polled express interest in a movie without being prompted. That’s higher than what DreamWorks Animation/Universal’s Kung Fu Panda 4 arrived on tracking with; that fourthquel debuted to $57.9M.
Comps are tricky for If: Hello?! When was the last PG-rated live-action conceived tentpole based on an original property? There was the Jennifer Aniston-Owen Wilson 2008 dog romance Marley & Me, which debuted to $36.3M, but that doesn’t count. There also was 2004’s Nicolas Cage action...
- 4/25/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix will be out in force at France’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival once again this June, after last year’s high-profile attendance with Nimona as well as teasers for Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget and Blue Eye Samurai.
Its annual Annecy presentation will see directors Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham give a sneak peek of Aardman’s upcoming new and still untitled Wallace & Gromit film, while Zack Snyder, executive producer Deborah Snyder and Xilam Animation Director Slimane Aniss will unveil clips from the adult animated series Twilight of the Gods.
The Netflix event will also feature material from The Twits and Skydance Animation’s Spellbound directed by Vicky Jenson (Shrek) and featuring Rachel Zegler, Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem and John Lithgow in the voice cast.
The new Wallace & Gromit feature will also be spotlighted in the wider festival with an exhibition featuring some of the puppets from the upcoming sequel.
Its annual Annecy presentation will see directors Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham give a sneak peek of Aardman’s upcoming new and still untitled Wallace & Gromit film, while Zack Snyder, executive producer Deborah Snyder and Xilam Animation Director Slimane Aniss will unveil clips from the adult animated series Twilight of the Gods.
The Netflix event will also feature material from The Twits and Skydance Animation’s Spellbound directed by Vicky Jenson (Shrek) and featuring Rachel Zegler, Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem and John Lithgow in the voice cast.
The new Wallace & Gromit feature will also be spotlighted in the wider festival with an exhibition featuring some of the puppets from the upcoming sequel.
- 4/22/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Four directors of Paramount Global will not standing for re-election at the annual meeting, an SEC filing has confirmed, paring the board down to seven directors.
Shareholders will vote on directors and other matters at the meet, which Paramount has set for June 4.
The proxy statement, which also lists the salaries of a company’s top five highest paid executives, said CEO Bob Bakish saw his compensation package dip slightly in 2023 to $31.3 million from $32 million in the prior year. He was by far the top-paid member of the senior management team, with the next-best-compensated being CFO Naveen Chopra, with a total package worth $8 million.
Bakish saw a $3.1 million base salary, stock awards worth $15.5 million and a cash incentive bonus of $12.4 million plus another $200+k for a total of $31.26 million.
Paramount is currently in an exclusive 30-day exclusive negotiating window with David Ellison’s Skydance Media for a deal that is...
Shareholders will vote on directors and other matters at the meet, which Paramount has set for June 4.
The proxy statement, which also lists the salaries of a company’s top five highest paid executives, said CEO Bob Bakish saw his compensation package dip slightly in 2023 to $31.3 million from $32 million in the prior year. He was by far the top-paid member of the senior management team, with the next-best-compensated being CFO Naveen Chopra, with a total package worth $8 million.
Bakish saw a $3.1 million base salary, stock awards worth $15.5 million and a cash incentive bonus of $12.4 million plus another $200+k for a total of $31.26 million.
Paramount is currently in an exclusive 30-day exclusive negotiating window with David Ellison’s Skydance Media for a deal that is...
- 4/11/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith and Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Dawn Ostroff (left) and Frederick Terrell are two members of the Paramount board that are said to be departing in the coming weeks. (Courtesy photos)
Paramount Global is set to lose four members of its board of directors in the coming weeks as the company continues to explore a potential tie-up with film and television production company Skydance Media, according to a report.
On Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal said the company could disclose the departures in a regulatory filing as soon as this week.
Three outgoing board members — former Spotify advertising executive Dawn Ostroff, ex-Sony Entertainment president Nicole Seligman and investment and banking executive Frederick Terrell — were part of a special committee at Paramount tasked with exploring different potential suitors for a merger or acquisition of the entertainment company’s assets with another firm.
The other departing board member, Robert Klieger, is the personal attorney of Shari Redstone,...
Paramount Global is set to lose four members of its board of directors in the coming weeks as the company continues to explore a potential tie-up with film and television production company Skydance Media, according to a report.
On Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal said the company could disclose the departures in a regulatory filing as soon as this week.
Three outgoing board members — former Spotify advertising executive Dawn Ostroff, ex-Sony Entertainment president Nicole Seligman and investment and banking executive Frederick Terrell — were part of a special committee at Paramount tasked with exploring different potential suitors for a merger or acquisition of the entertainment company’s assets with another firm.
The other departing board member, Robert Klieger, is the personal attorney of Shari Redstone,...
- 4/11/2024
- by Matthew Keys
- The Desk
The nearly two-year old dogfight between Paramount and the family of the writer of the 1983 article that inspired the franchise is over, at least for now.
In an order released late on April 5, U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson grounded the copyright infringement, breach of contract, and declaratory relief action by the Israeli-based widow and son of Ehud Yonay
“Defendant is entitled to summary judgment on plaintiffs Shosh Yonay and Yuval Yonay’s claims for breach of contract, declaratory relief, and copyright infringement,” he wrote in a the one-page judgment in favor of Paramount Pictures (read it here). “Plaintiffs shall take nothing and Defendant shall have its costs of suit.”
“Plaintiffs contend that the Article and Sequel are substantially similar because they have similar plots, sequences of events, pacing, themes, moods, dialogue, characters, and settings,” the judge said in a separate 14-page minutes in chambers...
In an order released late on April 5, U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson grounded the copyright infringement, breach of contract, and declaratory relief action by the Israeli-based widow and son of Ehud Yonay
“Defendant is entitled to summary judgment on plaintiffs Shosh Yonay and Yuval Yonay’s claims for breach of contract, declaratory relief, and copyright infringement,” he wrote in a the one-page judgment in favor of Paramount Pictures (read it here). “Plaintiffs shall take nothing and Defendant shall have its costs of suit.”
“Plaintiffs contend that the Article and Sequel are substantially similar because they have similar plots, sequences of events, pacing, themes, moods, dialogue, characters, and settings,” the judge said in a separate 14-page minutes in chambers...
- 4/8/2024
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Marvel Rivals is an upcoming game, inspired by the competitive nature of Overwatch, and features a plethora of Marvel heroes and villains. NetEase has been working day and night ever since the existence of the game leaked days prior, and it dropped an official teaser image that featured obscure heroes from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse.
While not the full lineup, there are a significant number of famous heroes and heroines set to appear in Marvel Rivals.
Into The Spider-Verse Heroine Will Appear In Marvel Rivals
Peni Parker is the local spider of Earth-14512 and has appeared in both Spider-Verse movies.
Peni Parker appeared in both Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse films in a supporting role, and has been reduced to a background character with a short cameo and one line in the sequel Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, but NetEase is giving her due in their game. This...
While not the full lineup, there are a significant number of famous heroes and heroines set to appear in Marvel Rivals.
Into The Spider-Verse Heroine Will Appear In Marvel Rivals
Peni Parker is the local spider of Earth-14512 and has appeared in both Spider-Verse movies.
Peni Parker appeared in both Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse films in a supporting role, and has been reduced to a background character with a short cameo and one line in the sequel Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, but NetEase is giving her due in their game. This...
- 3/28/2024
- by Rouvin Josef Quirimit
- FandomWire
Shari Redstone holds Paramount’s ultimate fate in her hands, and appears to be narrowing her focus to David Ellison’s offer for the company.
Another day, another update on the potential sale of Paramount Global. Earlier this week, it was reported that the private equity firm Apollo Global Management had offered $11 billion for Paramount’s TV and movie studios, which constitutes a greater sum than the entire company’s current market cap. But a new report from the Financial Times suggests that Paramount’s controlling shareholder Shari Redstone is not convinced by the offer, and is leaning toward a bid by billionaire David Ellison, owner of Skydance Media.
Redstone prefers to sell Paramount as a whole company, as opposed to stripping it for parts and selling it piece by piece. Ellison may bring in former NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell and former CNN head Jeff Zucker to run cable and...
Another day, another update on the potential sale of Paramount Global. Earlier this week, it was reported that the private equity firm Apollo Global Management had offered $11 billion for Paramount’s TV and movie studios, which constitutes a greater sum than the entire company’s current market cap. But a new report from the Financial Times suggests that Paramount’s controlling shareholder Shari Redstone is not convinced by the offer, and is leaning toward a bid by billionaire David Ellison, owner of Skydance Media.
Redstone prefers to sell Paramount as a whole company, as opposed to stripping it for parts and selling it piece by piece. Ellison may bring in former NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell and former CNN head Jeff Zucker to run cable and...
- 3/22/2024
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra blew the collective minds of everyone in attendance during the State of Unreal livestream of 2024 where countless presentations, demonstrations, and announcements were made. Various industry leakers have shared details of other games that may come in the future and it may be a welcome surprise to some.
Unannounced video game announcements can be a hit-and-miss, while some have solid shreds of evidence to build a case on, others are just pure rumor and speculation. Days before the State of Unreal, the title for the upcoming Marvel game from Uncharted creator Amy Hennig and Skydance New Media was leaked, which gave the leaker some credibility about his claims of a Matrix game.
Marvel 1943: Rise Of Hydra Leaker ClaimsTeases News For A Matrix Game Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra features both Captain America and Black Panther in Paris during World War II.
An X user called...
Unannounced video game announcements can be a hit-and-miss, while some have solid shreds of evidence to build a case on, others are just pure rumor and speculation. Days before the State of Unreal, the title for the upcoming Marvel game from Uncharted creator Amy Hennig and Skydance New Media was leaked, which gave the leaker some credibility about his claims of a Matrix game.
Marvel 1943: Rise Of Hydra Leaker ClaimsTeases News For A Matrix Game Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra features both Captain America and Black Panther in Paris during World War II.
An X user called...
- 3/21/2024
- by Rouvin Josef Quirimit
- FandomWire
Seeking to carve out a slice of Hollywood’s growing interest in golf and golf content, a new media and commerce startup called Pro Shop has raised nearly $20 million to expand the sport’s presence in the entertainment world.
Co-founded by Chad Mumm, the executive producer of Netflix’s Full Swing docuseries, and former Puck CEO Joe Przycki, Pro Shop has raised $19.25 million from lead investor Powerhouse Capital (The Athletic, Wondery), the PGA Tour, former CAA partner Jim Toth and EP Golf Ventures (a Jv between the PGA of America and Elysian Park Ventures), among others.
Under the terms of the deal, Pro Shop will acquire Skratch, a digital and social media brand launched by the PGA Tour to appeal to younger consumers. It will also get a slate of rights from the tour, including highlights, archival footage and the right to film at PGA Tour events. The PGA Tour...
Co-founded by Chad Mumm, the executive producer of Netflix’s Full Swing docuseries, and former Puck CEO Joe Przycki, Pro Shop has raised $19.25 million from lead investor Powerhouse Capital (The Athletic, Wondery), the PGA Tour, former CAA partner Jim Toth and EP Golf Ventures (a Jv between the PGA of America and Elysian Park Ventures), among others.
Under the terms of the deal, Pro Shop will acquire Skratch, a digital and social media brand launched by the PGA Tour to appeal to younger consumers. It will also get a slate of rights from the tour, including highlights, archival footage and the right to film at PGA Tour events. The PGA Tour...
- 3/7/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Mila Kunis is set to star in 'The 47 Night Stand'.The 40-year-old actress will also produce Skydance's new movie, which is being written by 'Friends' and 'How I Met Your Mother' writer Greg Malins.As reported by Deadline, the film is still in its early stages with a synopsis and logline being kept closely under wraps for now.However, the outlet noted that it's been described as a "fresh and funny take on romance in the tradition of classic favorites".Kunis will serve as producer through her Orchard Farm Productions, along with Ruben Fleisher and Skydance trio David Eillson, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger.It won't be former 'That 70s Show' star's first foray into a big screen romantic comedy, having previously appeared in the likes of 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' and 'Friends With Benefits'.Her next movie role will be in indie comedy 'Goodrich',...
- 2/29/2024
- by Alistair McGeorge
- Bang Showbiz
Amazon is heading to North Carolina with the creators of Netflix’s drama Outer Banks.
The retailer and streamer has handed out an eight-episode, straight-to-series order for The Runarounds, a music drama that follows a post-high school band as they try to make it big. The series is not a spinoff of Outer Banks but it does feature the same group — The Runarounds — that was previously featured in a season three episode of the hugely popular young adult drama on Netflix.
From Obx co-creator Jonas Pate and with a teleplay from David Wilcox (Fringe), the fictional drama is inspired by the real band of the same name and will star the group’s members — William Lipton (General Hospital), Axel Ellis, Jeremy Yun, Zendé Murdock and Jesse Golliher — as well as Lilah Pate and Kelley Pereira. Lilah Pate, the daughter of The Runarounds creator Jonas Pate, has had a recurring role in Obx.
The retailer and streamer has handed out an eight-episode, straight-to-series order for The Runarounds, a music drama that follows a post-high school band as they try to make it big. The series is not a spinoff of Outer Banks but it does feature the same group — The Runarounds — that was previously featured in a season three episode of the hugely popular young adult drama on Netflix.
From Obx co-creator Jonas Pate and with a teleplay from David Wilcox (Fringe), the fictional drama is inspired by the real band of the same name and will star the group’s members — William Lipton (General Hospital), Axel Ellis, Jeremy Yun, Zendé Murdock and Jesse Golliher — as well as Lilah Pate and Kelley Pereira. Lilah Pate, the daughter of The Runarounds creator Jonas Pate, has had a recurring role in Obx.
- 2/26/2024
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In an effort to cut costs, Paramount Global is laying off 800 employees, a person with knowledge of the situation told IndieWire.
The publicly traded corporation has been the subject of several different acquisition talks, from Skydance to Byron Allen. The Skydance offer, led by David Ellison and his RedBird backers, is the more likely of the two. It is probable Ellison will acquire control of Paramount through a purchase of Shari Redstone’s National Amusements, Inc., rather than an all-out acquisition of Paramount Global itself. Allen’s proposed plan is to buy the entire company outright and strip it for parts, but his finances don’t seem in order to pull off such a stunt. Still, he put forth a $30 billion offer — its legitimacy is in the eye of the seller.
Per the New York Times, Redstone in 2023 also discussed a potential deal with Netflix, Apple, and Amazon.
In a...
The publicly traded corporation has been the subject of several different acquisition talks, from Skydance to Byron Allen. The Skydance offer, led by David Ellison and his RedBird backers, is the more likely of the two. It is probable Ellison will acquire control of Paramount through a purchase of Shari Redstone’s National Amusements, Inc., rather than an all-out acquisition of Paramount Global itself. Allen’s proposed plan is to buy the entire company outright and strip it for parts, but his finances don’t seem in order to pull off such a stunt. Still, he put forth a $30 billion offer — its legitimacy is in the eye of the seller.
Per the New York Times, Redstone in 2023 also discussed a potential deal with Netflix, Apple, and Amazon.
In a...
- 2/13/2024
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
It’s already been a busy 2024 for Netflix. Out is long time film chief Scott Stuber; in are live sports (sort of), a huge Sundance splash, and 18 Oscar nominations, the most of any individual studio. What does the next 11 months have in store? Answer: a hell of a lot.
Netflix on February 1 released a teaser video for its biggest properties arriving in 2024, including more than 50 new movies and 90 new and returning series. The highlight is “Squid Game 2,” the follow-up season to the South Korean dystopian smash hit that became Netflix’s biggest show of all time.
At the end of Netflix’s mega-tease, we see Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) and his new bright-red hair walking through an airport when a mysterious voice on his phone tells him, “You’re going to regret the choice you made.”
“I’m going to find you, no matter what it takes,” he says in return.
Netflix on February 1 released a teaser video for its biggest properties arriving in 2024, including more than 50 new movies and 90 new and returning series. The highlight is “Squid Game 2,” the follow-up season to the South Korean dystopian smash hit that became Netflix’s biggest show of all time.
At the end of Netflix’s mega-tease, we see Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) and his new bright-red hair walking through an airport when a mysterious voice on his phone tells him, “You’re going to regret the choice you made.”
“I’m going to find you, no matter what it takes,” he says in return.
- 2/1/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
New reports indicate that Skydance Media would fully merge itself with Paramount Global if it acquired the company.
Merger and acquisition talks surrounding Paramount aren’t dying down. The latest company to come calling about potentially acquiring National Amusements — the holding company owned by Shari Redstone that controls 77% of Paramount Global’s voting stock — is Skydance Media, and new reports are providing additional details about what its takeover of Paramount would look like. It now appears that Skydance has not only made an initial offer to purchase Paramount but that the deal is contingent on being able to merge the two companies into a private entity.
Skydance would acquire all of Paramount Global, merge with it, and take the company private if an acquisition took place. A deal is not imminent, as talks are still in the early stages and may come to nothing in the end. Taking Paramount private...
Merger and acquisition talks surrounding Paramount aren’t dying down. The latest company to come calling about potentially acquiring National Amusements — the holding company owned by Shari Redstone that controls 77% of Paramount Global’s voting stock — is Skydance Media, and new reports are providing additional details about what its takeover of Paramount would look like. It now appears that Skydance has not only made an initial offer to purchase Paramount but that the deal is contingent on being able to merge the two companies into a private entity.
Skydance would acquire all of Paramount Global, merge with it, and take the company private if an acquisition took place. A deal is not imminent, as talks are still in the early stages and may come to nothing in the end. Taking Paramount private...
- 1/25/2024
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
The news of Tom Cruise setting a “strategic partnership” with Warner Bros. has certain “Top Gun” fans barrel-rolling out of control. Don’t panic, put on your oxygen mask before you attempt to help others — and definitely don’t jump without a chute, because a third “Top Gun” has been in development for a while now, a source told IndieWire.
“Top Gun: Maverick” screenwriter Ehren Kruger is working on the next film in the franchise, according to Puck News. The threequel-creating installment will reunite Cruise with his “Maverick” co-stars Miles Teller and Glen Powell. Producers Jerry Bruckheimer and David Ellison will be back, and “Top Gun: Maverick” director Joseph Kosinski is also set to return — either as director (again), or at least to produce.
Paramount Pictures declined comment on this story; a spokesperson for “Top Gun” co-producer Skydance did not immediately respond to our requests for comment.
As IndieWire previously reported,...
“Top Gun: Maverick” screenwriter Ehren Kruger is working on the next film in the franchise, according to Puck News. The threequel-creating installment will reunite Cruise with his “Maverick” co-stars Miles Teller and Glen Powell. Producers Jerry Bruckheimer and David Ellison will be back, and “Top Gun: Maverick” director Joseph Kosinski is also set to return — either as director (again), or at least to produce.
Paramount Pictures declined comment on this story; a spokesperson for “Top Gun” co-producer Skydance did not immediately respond to our requests for comment.
As IndieWire previously reported,...
- 1/12/2024
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
Fountain Of Youth will be directed by Guy Ritchie, with Natalie Portman and John Krasinski taking the lead roles. More here.
Just yesterday, we got the news of an April release date for the next Guy Ritchie-directed feature, The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare. That film has a star-heavy cast, including Henry Cavill, Eiza González, Alan Ritchson, Alex Pettyfer, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Babs Olusamokun, Henrique Zaga, Til Schweiger, Henry Golding, and Cary Elwes.
Ritchie has wasted little time getting his next project going, though, and he’s venturing more in the direction of blockbuster filmmaking again. Apple and Skydance have lured him to Fountain Of Youth, a heist adventure movie about two siblings who aren’t getting on, on the search for, well, the fountain of youth. Sounds a bit Indiana Jones-influenced on the surface.
The star power at the head of it? According to Deadline, that’d be Natalie Portman and John Krasinski,...
Just yesterday, we got the news of an April release date for the next Guy Ritchie-directed feature, The Ministry Of Ungentlemanly Warfare. That film has a star-heavy cast, including Henry Cavill, Eiza González, Alan Ritchson, Alex Pettyfer, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Babs Olusamokun, Henrique Zaga, Til Schweiger, Henry Golding, and Cary Elwes.
Ritchie has wasted little time getting his next project going, though, and he’s venturing more in the direction of blockbuster filmmaking again. Apple and Skydance have lured him to Fountain Of Youth, a heist adventure movie about two siblings who aren’t getting on, on the search for, well, the fountain of youth. Sounds a bit Indiana Jones-influenced on the surface.
The star power at the head of it? According to Deadline, that’d be Natalie Portman and John Krasinski,...
- 1/12/2024
- by Simon Brew
- Film Stories
Skydance has teamed with Paramount on several hit movies recently, including ‘Top Gun: Maverick.’
Is Paramount going dancing in 2024? It seems possible, as a new report from The Wall Street Journal indicates that Skydance Media, a California-based production company, is the latest group to engage Paramount’s controlling shareholders in a discussion about a potential acquisition.
Skydance is reportedly interested in acquiring all of Paramount’s assets in a cash deal. Discussions between Paramount and Skydance representatives are reportedly further along than talks between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. Paramount is having a tough time working out the economics of streaming as traditional cable declines. Get 30 Days Free $5.99+ / month paramountplus.com
For a Limited Time, Get 1 Month of Paramount+ With Code: Wantmore
Will Skydance Succeed in its Pursuit of Paramount?
Skydance and Paramount are quite familiar with each other. The Paramount-distributed hit “Top Gun: Maverick” was produced in part by Skydance,...
Is Paramount going dancing in 2024? It seems possible, as a new report from The Wall Street Journal indicates that Skydance Media, a California-based production company, is the latest group to engage Paramount’s controlling shareholders in a discussion about a potential acquisition.
Skydance is reportedly interested in acquiring all of Paramount’s assets in a cash deal. Discussions between Paramount and Skydance representatives are reportedly further along than talks between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. Paramount is having a tough time working out the economics of streaming as traditional cable declines. Get 30 Days Free $5.99+ / month paramountplus.com
For a Limited Time, Get 1 Month of Paramount+ With Code: Wantmore
Will Skydance Succeed in its Pursuit of Paramount?
Skydance and Paramount are quite familiar with each other. The Paramount-distributed hit “Top Gun: Maverick” was produced in part by Skydance,...
- 1/11/2024
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Exclusive: Skydance has taken on the challenge of turning the bestselling YA fantasy novel series Ranger’s Apprentice into a live action film, with the hope it can become a franchise. Skydance has gotten control of the John Flanagan book series, and has closed a big deal with Hidden Figures helmer Ted Melfi to adapt, direct, and produce the film. Kim Quinn will also be producer.
Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger will produce alongside Melfi and Quinn. Flanagan will be executive producer, and Matt Grimm will oversee for Skydance.
I’ve heard that Melfi has made a deal worth high 7-figures if the movie gets made. His task will be to take the first two volumes – The Ruins of Gorlan & The Burning Bridge – and get a franchise off the ground that focuses on an orphan named Will who becomes an apprentice to a group of mysterious protectors known as the Rangers.
Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger will produce alongside Melfi and Quinn. Flanagan will be executive producer, and Matt Grimm will oversee for Skydance.
I’ve heard that Melfi has made a deal worth high 7-figures if the movie gets made. His task will be to take the first two volumes – The Ruins of Gorlan & The Burning Bridge – and get a franchise off the ground that focuses on an orphan named Will who becomes an apprentice to a group of mysterious protectors known as the Rangers.
- 1/5/2024
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
The most consequential entertainment business story of 2024 was kickstarted by two pro operators having a pre-Christmas meal. The Dec. 19 lunch between Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav and Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish, held at Paramount’s New York office, instantly ignited a firestorm of “what ifs,” as the future of the storied studio was suddenly in question.
Is Paramount for sale? Or is controlling shareholder National Amusements? Or both? But the future of Paramount — and for that matter Wbd — may be defined by a cast of characters straight out of central casting: A trio of scions forging their own path in the footsteps of their mogul fathers (Shari Redstone, David Ellison, Brian Roberts); a pair of self-made billionaire investors who find their fortunes tied up in the debt-laden companies at the heart of the deal (John Malone, Warren Buffett); and a handful of professional executives seeking moguldom — or at...
Is Paramount for sale? Or is controlling shareholder National Amusements? Or both? But the future of Paramount — and for that matter Wbd — may be defined by a cast of characters straight out of central casting: A trio of scions forging their own path in the footsteps of their mogul fathers (Shari Redstone, David Ellison, Brian Roberts); a pair of self-made billionaire investors who find their fortunes tied up in the debt-laden companies at the heart of the deal (John Malone, Warren Buffett); and a handful of professional executives seeking moguldom — or at...
- 1/4/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It’s fair to say that many in Hollywood are wishing good riddance to 2023.
Between the brutal Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes, a crumbling TV advertising market, and looming uncertainty over the economy and generative artificial intelligence, it was a year to forget for the business.
While the strikes are over and everyone is back to work (at least after the holidays), 2024 is shaping up to be nearly as uncertain, with venerable Hollywood studios likely to make market-moving decisions, the continuing evolution of generative AI spooking creatives, and macroeconomic factors all taking their toll.
Here are some of the big business questions The Hollywood Reporter has for 2024:
Shari Redstone’s Paramount’s Predicament Buy, sell or…?
What will Shari Redstone do? Does the mogul pursue a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, now that we know Bob Bakish and David Zaslav talked about a possible deal on Dec.
Between the brutal Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes, a crumbling TV advertising market, and looming uncertainty over the economy and generative artificial intelligence, it was a year to forget for the business.
While the strikes are over and everyone is back to work (at least after the holidays), 2024 is shaping up to be nearly as uncertain, with venerable Hollywood studios likely to make market-moving decisions, the continuing evolution of generative AI spooking creatives, and macroeconomic factors all taking their toll.
Here are some of the big business questions The Hollywood Reporter has for 2024:
Shari Redstone’s Paramount’s Predicament Buy, sell or…?
What will Shari Redstone do? Does the mogul pursue a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, now that we know Bob Bakish and David Zaslav talked about a possible deal on Dec.
- 12/27/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Global are in talks for a potential merger, IndieWire has confirmed. It’s the very early days — especially considering Wbd is in an M&a timeout until April.
As Axios first reported, Warner Bros. Discovery chief David Zaslav journeyed to the Paramount offices in Times Square for an hours-long meeting on Tuesday with Paramount CEO Bob Bakish. Rumor has it they were not there to reminisce about the “Trl” days.
He and Bakish discussed potential synergies between their two companies, including how Max — itself the combination of Discovery+ and HBO Max — could complement Paramount+ (now with Showtime!). There are also possibilities within each company’s news, sports, and kids programming — plus, HBO and Showtime could stop competing with each other and join forces. (Not that it’s been much of a competition lately.)
Zaslav has also spoken with Paramount Global’s controlling shareholder Shari Redstone about a potential deal.
As Axios first reported, Warner Bros. Discovery chief David Zaslav journeyed to the Paramount offices in Times Square for an hours-long meeting on Tuesday with Paramount CEO Bob Bakish. Rumor has it they were not there to reminisce about the “Trl” days.
He and Bakish discussed potential synergies between their two companies, including how Max — itself the combination of Discovery+ and HBO Max — could complement Paramount+ (now with Showtime!). There are also possibilities within each company’s news, sports, and kids programming — plus, HBO and Showtime could stop competing with each other and join forces. (Not that it’s been much of a competition lately.)
Zaslav has also spoken with Paramount Global’s controlling shareholder Shari Redstone about a potential deal.
- 12/20/2023
- by Tony Maglio
- Indiewire
Hannah Waddingham and Octavia Spencer are going to be in a new TV series together!
News about the new show was announced right after Hannah was spotted stepping out for an appearance on Good Morning America on Tuesday morning (December 19) in New York City.
Hannah is currently promoting her Apple TV+ Christmas special, which is currently streaming.
So, what do you need to know about Hannah and Octavia‘s new show?
Keep reading to find out more…
The untitled series will have eight episodes and Variety reports that six streamers made offers for the show with Amazon winning out for Prime Video.
Waddingham “plays Judith, who has secretly been working as a highly trained assassin. That’s a double life that Judith’s best friend Debbie (Spencer) knows nothing about — until a hit goes wrong. Now Judith and Debbie are on the run, aiming to stay one step ahead of a mysterious enemy.
News about the new show was announced right after Hannah was spotted stepping out for an appearance on Good Morning America on Tuesday morning (December 19) in New York City.
Hannah is currently promoting her Apple TV+ Christmas special, which is currently streaming.
So, what do you need to know about Hannah and Octavia‘s new show?
Keep reading to find out more…
The untitled series will have eight episodes and Variety reports that six streamers made offers for the show with Amazon winning out for Prime Video.
Waddingham “plays Judith, who has secretly been working as a highly trained assassin. That’s a double life that Judith’s best friend Debbie (Spencer) knows nothing about — until a hit goes wrong. Now Judith and Debbie are on the run, aiming to stay one step ahead of a mysterious enemy.
- 12/19/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
What a difference a few days can make. Hollywood studios’ push to turn their streaming business profitable, the acceleration of cord-cutting, the writers and actors strikes, as well as a weak advertising market, have been at the forefront of investors’ minds all year. But just before the end of 2023, industry deal chatter has moved back into the spotlight with a vengeance, led by reports that Paramount Global parent National Amusements (Nai) could come into play.
The chatter, sparked by a Puck item, centers on whether Top Gun mogul David Ellison’s Skydance Media and private equity firm RedBird Capital are eyeing a run at Shari Redstone’s Nai and its controlling stake in Paramount Global, led by CEO Bob Bakish. A sale of Paramount, home to Paramount Studios, CBS, Showtime, MTV, Comedy Central, BET and Nickelodeon, could reshape the Hollywood landscape, as any ownership change may mean assets are reevaluated...
The chatter, sparked by a Puck item, centers on whether Top Gun mogul David Ellison’s Skydance Media and private equity firm RedBird Capital are eyeing a run at Shari Redstone’s Nai and its controlling stake in Paramount Global, led by CEO Bob Bakish. A sale of Paramount, home to Paramount Studios, CBS, Showtime, MTV, Comedy Central, BET and Nickelodeon, could reshape the Hollywood landscape, as any ownership change may mean assets are reevaluated...
- 12/11/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
With dual strikes reverberating through the entertainment ecosystem — and actor and writer deals off-limits for much of 2023 — Hollywood dealmaking has been more challenging than ever. Still, there were multiple billion-dollar mergers, a flurry of acquisitions by representation and content companies, and opportunities for talent in podcasting and endorsements. Meet the lawyers, bankers, reps and execs who negotiated some of the year’s most interesting and multi-figured pacts.
Profiles by Winston Cho, Erik Hayden, Caitlin Huston, Georg Szalai, Etan Vlessing and Alex Weprin.
M&a’s Heavy Muscle
Sky-high interest rates, geopolitical instability, recession anxiety and heightened scrutiny from federal antitrust enforcers have made this a choppy year for corporate dealmaking. Against this backdrop, the first half of 2023 saw a notable drop-off in premerger filings compared to 2021 and 2022, when M&a activity reached record levels.
The year was anchored by a few megadeals, including Microsoft’s $75 billion purchase of Activision Blizzard to become a gaming monolith,...
Profiles by Winston Cho, Erik Hayden, Caitlin Huston, Georg Szalai, Etan Vlessing and Alex Weprin.
M&a’s Heavy Muscle
Sky-high interest rates, geopolitical instability, recession anxiety and heightened scrutiny from federal antitrust enforcers have made this a choppy year for corporate dealmaking. Against this backdrop, the first half of 2023 saw a notable drop-off in premerger filings compared to 2021 and 2022, when M&a activity reached record levels.
The year was anchored by a few megadeals, including Microsoft’s $75 billion purchase of Activision Blizzard to become a gaming monolith,...
- 12/4/2023
- by Ashley Cullins, Editor
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Reacher star Alan Ritchson confirmed via a short video that the action drama based on Lee Childs’ novels will return for season three. Ritchson’s announcement from the set of the upcoming third season of Reacher was shared during the Prime Video Panel at Ccxp in São Paulo, Brazil.
Ritchson didn’t share any details on season three; however, the video did include a lengthy preview clip from season two.
Season two premieres on December 15, 2023 and stars Ritchson as the titular character, Maria Sten as Frances Neagley, Serinda Swan as Karla Dixon, and Shaun Sipos as David O’Donnell. Ferdinand Kingsley plays A.M., Robert Patrick is Shane Langston, and Domenick Lombardozzi is NYPD detective Guy Russ.
Emmy nominee Nick Santora (Prison Break) adapted the 11th book of Lee Child’s bestselling series (Bad Luck and Trouble) for season two. Santora serves as executive producer and showrunner, with author Child involved as an executive producer.
Ritchson didn’t share any details on season three; however, the video did include a lengthy preview clip from season two.
Season two premieres on December 15, 2023 and stars Ritchson as the titular character, Maria Sten as Frances Neagley, Serinda Swan as Karla Dixon, and Shaun Sipos as David O’Donnell. Ferdinand Kingsley plays A.M., Robert Patrick is Shane Langston, and Domenick Lombardozzi is NYPD detective Guy Russ.
Emmy nominee Nick Santora (Prison Break) adapted the 11th book of Lee Child’s bestselling series (Bad Luck and Trouble) for season two. Santora serves as executive producer and showrunner, with author Child involved as an executive producer.
- 12/2/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Originally announced back in 2021, the all-new “Terminator: The Anime Series” is coming soon to Netflix, and a first-look teaser was debuted out of “Geeked Week” this afternoon.
Check it out below and read on for everything you need to know.
The anime hails from Japanese animation studio Production Ig (Ghost in the Shell). The eight-episode series is part of the Terminator universe but will center around new characters.
Here’s the official synopsis…
“2022: A future war has raged for decades between the few human survivors and an endless army of machines. 1997: The AI known as Skynet gained self-awareness and began its war against humanity. Caught between the future and this past is a soldier sent back in time to change the fate of humanity. She arrives in 1997 to protect a scientist named Malcolm Lee who works to launch a new AI system designed to compete with Skynet’s impending attack on humanity.
Check it out below and read on for everything you need to know.
The anime hails from Japanese animation studio Production Ig (Ghost in the Shell). The eight-episode series is part of the Terminator universe but will center around new characters.
Here’s the official synopsis…
“2022: A future war has raged for decades between the few human survivors and an endless army of machines. 1997: The AI known as Skynet gained self-awareness and began its war against humanity. Caught between the future and this past is a soldier sent back in time to change the fate of humanity. She arrives in 1997 to protect a scientist named Malcolm Lee who works to launch a new AI system designed to compete with Skynet’s impending attack on humanity.
- 11/11/2023
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
“The Americans” showrunner Joel Fields slammed the Writers’ Guild of America for its failure to condemn Hamas’ attack on Israel.
“The Writers Guild has failed us deeply,” he said Wednesday during a panel at Variety’s Hollywood & Antisemitism Summit. “For an organization that constantly puts out statements to make sure that it’s on the right side of history, it has sadly issued its statements through its silence.”
The latest criticism of the WGA’s response to Israel follows an open letter signed by a group of screenwriters, which included Fields, Eli Roth, Graham Yost, Amy Chozick, Jerry Seinfeld, Steven Levitan, Scott Frank, Amy Sherman-Palladino, among others.
“When it comes to taking a stand, the Writers Guild of America has always led by example. When employers sought to exploit our work, the Guild bravely spoke up. When the BLM movement took flight, the Guild rightfully spoke up. When the #MeToo...
“The Writers Guild has failed us deeply,” he said Wednesday during a panel at Variety’s Hollywood & Antisemitism Summit. “For an organization that constantly puts out statements to make sure that it’s on the right side of history, it has sadly issued its statements through its silence.”
The latest criticism of the WGA’s response to Israel follows an open letter signed by a group of screenwriters, which included Fields, Eli Roth, Graham Yost, Amy Chozick, Jerry Seinfeld, Steven Levitan, Scott Frank, Amy Sherman-Palladino, among others.
“When it comes to taking a stand, the Writers Guild of America has always led by example. When employers sought to exploit our work, the Guild bravely spoke up. When the BLM movement took flight, the Guild rightfully spoke up. When the #MeToo...
- 10/19/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Exclusive: While quarterback Brock Purdy continues to kick ass with the San Francisco 49ers, Skydance is looking to the tell story of another player that shares Purdy’s nickname “Mr. Irrelevant,” the moniker given to the last pick in the NFL draft. Sources tell Deadline that the studio is developing a movie about John Tuggle, who was given the title after being the last pick of the last round of the 1983 NFL draft. Jonathan Levine is directing and Nick Santora is penning the script.
The pic will be produced by Skydance Sports, with Levine producing with Gillian Bohrer for Megamix along with Santora, who’ll produce through his banner Blackjack Films. The film will tell the inspiring, heartfelt and true story of Tuggle, drafted by the New York Giants, and his enduring impact on his team and teammates.
“Mr. Irrelevant” first started in 1976 with the drafting of USC receiver Paul Salata,...
The pic will be produced by Skydance Sports, with Levine producing with Gillian Bohrer for Megamix along with Santora, who’ll produce through his banner Blackjack Films. The film will tell the inspiring, heartfelt and true story of Tuggle, drafted by the New York Giants, and his enduring impact on his team and teammates.
“Mr. Irrelevant” first started in 1976 with the drafting of USC receiver Paul Salata,...
- 10/3/2023
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz is weighing in on the forthcoming Barney film that has Daniel Kaluuya attached.
“It’s too early to be specific, but I can tell you we are taking a fresh approach that will be fun, entertaining and culturally oriented. It will not be an odd movie,” Kreiz told Semafor in an interview.
Mattel is leaning in on producing films based on their IP and earlier this year Mattel Films executive Kevin McKeon teased that the Barney film would be “surrealistic.”
“We’re leaning into the millennial angst of the property rather than fine-tuning this for kids,” McKeon said in an interview with The New Yorker. “It’s really a play for adults. Not that it’s R-rated, but it’ll focus on some of the trials and tribulations of being thirtysomething, growing up with Barney—just the level of disenchantment within the generation.”
Following the success of Barbie,...
“It’s too early to be specific, but I can tell you we are taking a fresh approach that will be fun, entertaining and culturally oriented. It will not be an odd movie,” Kreiz told Semafor in an interview.
Mattel is leaning in on producing films based on their IP and earlier this year Mattel Films executive Kevin McKeon teased that the Barney film would be “surrealistic.”
“We’re leaning into the millennial angst of the property rather than fine-tuning this for kids,” McKeon said in an interview with The New Yorker. “It’s really a play for adults. Not that it’s R-rated, but it’ll focus on some of the trials and tribulations of being thirtysomething, growing up with Barney—just the level of disenchantment within the generation.”
Following the success of Barbie,...
- 10/1/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Marc Webb has closed a deal to direct Skydance’s long-in-development Bermuda Triangle action-adventure titled “Bermuda,” according to an individual with knowledge of the project.
The logline is being kept under wraps.
Although Skydance has been developing “Bermuda” for a while, the current version is still in its initial stages, and no writer is currently attached to it until the WGA strike ends. Webb will consult on the script, but it is not expected to take up co-writing duties.
David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger will produce for Skydance. Aimee Rivera will oversee the project for Skydance.
Coming off the hugely successful “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,” Skydance’s live-action film slate includes “Heart of Stone,” “Spy Kids: Armageddon” and “The Old Guard 2” for Netflix as well as “The Family Plan,” “The Gorge,” and “Mayday” for Apple TV+ and “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two.
The logline is being kept under wraps.
Although Skydance has been developing “Bermuda” for a while, the current version is still in its initial stages, and no writer is currently attached to it until the WGA strike ends. Webb will consult on the script, but it is not expected to take up co-writing duties.
David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger will produce for Skydance. Aimee Rivera will oversee the project for Skydance.
Coming off the hugely successful “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,” Skydance’s live-action film slate includes “Heart of Stone,” “Spy Kids: Armageddon” and “The Old Guard 2” for Netflix as well as “The Family Plan,” “The Gorge,” and “Mayday” for Apple TV+ and “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two.
- 9/19/2023
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Brutal and violent, Mike Hammer is a no-holds-barred private investigator created by Mickey Spillane and featured in novels, movies, TV shows, comics, and more. Mike Hammer is set to return to the big screen as Skydance has acquired the rights to the franchise and is planning to develop a movie based on the iconic character.
No writers, directors, or actors attached to the new Mike Hammer movie at this time, which is hardly a surprise given the ongoing WGA and SAG strikes. The rights to the character have been in dispute for quite some time. Mickey Spillane died in 2006, just one month after the death of his manager. The manager’s estate tried to claim ownership of Mike Hammer, but following years in court, those rights reverted to Spillane’s estate.
Starting with the novel I, the Jury, Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer novels have sold over 250 million copies worldwide.
No writers, directors, or actors attached to the new Mike Hammer movie at this time, which is hardly a surprise given the ongoing WGA and SAG strikes. The rights to the character have been in dispute for quite some time. Mickey Spillane died in 2006, just one month after the death of his manager. The manager’s estate tried to claim ownership of Mike Hammer, but following years in court, those rights reverted to Spillane’s estate.
Starting with the novel I, the Jury, Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer novels have sold over 250 million copies worldwide.
- 8/3/2023
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
The rights to Mickey Spillane’s and Max Allan Collins’ “Mike Hammer” franchise have been acquired by Skydance, an insider with knowledge of the project said Wednesday.
Skydance intends to adapt and produce the bestselling book series into a feature film, centered around the iconic character.
At this time, the studio has not enlisted any writers, directors, or talent for the project.
The Mike Hammer franchise is an iconic and enduring series of detective novels and films created by the renowned American author Mickey Spillane.
The franchise centers around the character of Mike Hammer, a tough and hardboiled private investigator with a no-nonsense approach to solving crimes. First introduced in the 1947 novel “I, the Jury,” Mike Hammer quickly became a beloved figure in the noir fiction genre.
The franchise comprises numerous novels, short stories, and comic books, as well as several film adaptations and a television series. Throughout the years,...
Skydance intends to adapt and produce the bestselling book series into a feature film, centered around the iconic character.
At this time, the studio has not enlisted any writers, directors, or talent for the project.
The Mike Hammer franchise is an iconic and enduring series of detective novels and films created by the renowned American author Mickey Spillane.
The franchise centers around the character of Mike Hammer, a tough and hardboiled private investigator with a no-nonsense approach to solving crimes. First introduced in the 1947 novel “I, the Jury,” Mike Hammer quickly became a beloved figure in the noir fiction genre.
The franchise comprises numerous novels, short stories, and comic books, as well as several film adaptations and a television series. Throughout the years,...
- 8/3/2023
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
One thing you can’t fault Robert Rodriguez for — he makes the movies he wants to make. The notorious do-it-yourself director found his way into the studio system by way of cutting down production costs by working a number of positions himself and creatively shooting around normally complicated set-ups. His bets usually paid off when his films would hit and make a profit, thanks to his ingenuity. Ever since, he’s existed with one foot inside as well as one foot outside of Hollywood. After The Book of Boba Fett and the recent thriller Hypnotic, Rodriguez has returned to his unlikely family franchise hit with Spy Kids: Armageddon.
The official synopsis from Netflix reads,
When the children of the world’s greatest secret agents unwittingly help a powerful Game Developer unleash a computer virus that gives him control of all technology, they must become spies themselves to save their parents and the world.
The official synopsis from Netflix reads,
When the children of the world’s greatest secret agents unwittingly help a powerful Game Developer unleash a computer virus that gives him control of all technology, they must become spies themselves to save their parents and the world.
- 7/31/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Gal Gadot, star of the “Wonder Woman” movies and periodic ensemble player in The “Fast” Saga, is getting her crack at a Netflix female-led actioner.
In “Heart of Stone,” Gadot stars as an MI6 agent who secretly works for a covert peacekeeping organization known as The Charter. However, things go awry, as they often do in these films, leaving the professional badass comparatively isolated from her MI6 life and having to save the day with little backup. What follows is the expected assortment of action stunts (including a snowy mountaintop skydiving escape) and more conventional sky-high fight scene amid fisticuffs and shootings.
So, no, “Heart of Stone” doesn’t seem to reinvent the wheel, but if it works on its own terms then that will be enough for most Netflix viewers. Whether it spawns a new franchise, well, there’s a long road between “This is the start of a new franchise!
In “Heart of Stone,” Gadot stars as an MI6 agent who secretly works for a covert peacekeeping organization known as The Charter. However, things go awry, as they often do in these films, leaving the professional badass comparatively isolated from her MI6 life and having to save the day with little backup. What follows is the expected assortment of action stunts (including a snowy mountaintop skydiving escape) and more conventional sky-high fight scene amid fisticuffs and shootings.
So, no, “Heart of Stone” doesn’t seem to reinvent the wheel, but if it works on its own terms then that will be enough for most Netflix viewers. Whether it spawns a new franchise, well, there’s a long road between “This is the start of a new franchise!
- 6/17/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Well, we can file this one under the least surprising TV news of the year.
Netflix has confirmed it is staying in business with Arnold Schwarzenegger with the pickup of Fubar Season 2.
The series got off the ground running for the streaming service in May, vaulting to the #1 spot in the weekly Netflix Top 10.
Any project featuring the Terminator alum will perform well, and it's because he's a global star.
Fubar reached the Top 10 in 90 countries worldwide, solidifying its renewal after a decent reaction to the episodes from viewers.
It's unclear when Fubar season 2 will actually premiere, but it probably won't be in production in the near future.
The WGA strike will delay several projects, so the writing won't resume until a fair deal is reached.
Netflix confirmed Fubar's fate during the Tudum Global Fan Event, which also included an Elite Season 7 premiere date, a Witcher Sneak Peek, and so much more.
Netflix has confirmed it is staying in business with Arnold Schwarzenegger with the pickup of Fubar Season 2.
The series got off the ground running for the streaming service in May, vaulting to the #1 spot in the weekly Netflix Top 10.
Any project featuring the Terminator alum will perform well, and it's because he's a global star.
Fubar reached the Top 10 in 90 countries worldwide, solidifying its renewal after a decent reaction to the episodes from viewers.
It's unclear when Fubar season 2 will actually premiere, but it probably won't be in production in the near future.
The WGA strike will delay several projects, so the writing won't resume until a fair deal is reached.
Netflix confirmed Fubar's fate during the Tudum Global Fan Event, which also included an Elite Season 7 premiere date, a Witcher Sneak Peek, and so much more.
- 6/17/2023
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Summer’s tentpole rumble continues this weekend with Paramount’s seventh Transformers movie, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, which is heat-seeking $155 million at the worldwide box office for its opening frame, $100M of that offshore.
The movie reps a concentrated reboot by the studio of the long-in-tooth robots-in-disguise franchise, which has suffered in latter installments from declining ticket sales. This is the second Transformers movie not directed by Michael Bay after 2018’s Bumblebee (though Bay still produces), and looks to distinguish itself from the fray with its introduction of the robotic animals from the Hasbro franchise. Creed II director Steven Caple Jr. is at the helm and the movie stars In the Heights’ Anthony Ramos and The Deuce and Judas and the Black Messiah’s Dominique Fishback. The pic cost a net $195M co-financed by Skydance.
‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is tracking strong with Hispanic,...
The movie reps a concentrated reboot by the studio of the long-in-tooth robots-in-disguise franchise, which has suffered in latter installments from declining ticket sales. This is the second Transformers movie not directed by Michael Bay after 2018’s Bumblebee (though Bay still produces), and looks to distinguish itself from the fray with its introduction of the robotic animals from the Hasbro franchise. Creed II director Steven Caple Jr. is at the helm and the movie stars In the Heights’ Anthony Ramos and The Deuce and Judas and the Black Messiah’s Dominique Fishback. The pic cost a net $195M co-financed by Skydance.
‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is tracking strong with Hispanic,...
- 6/7/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro and Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
After being a box office stable for decades, Arnold Schwarzenegger is finally coming to the world of television. Netflix has released the first trailer for “Fubar,” its upcoming action comedy about a CIA operative who joins his daughter for one final mission. The eight-episode series is set to premiere on the streaming service May 25.
The first few seconds of the “Fubar” trailer make it look like your typical Schwarzenegger movie. Luke (Schwarzenegger) is captured by a group of thugs who seem hellbent on making him pay. Seconds later, he breaks free and makes good on his promise to “kill all of you and then leave.” Back at the CIA, he’s surrounded by adoring co-workers who are happy to celebrate his impending retirement. But all of his happiness fades when Luke learns that his daughter Emma (Monica Barbaro) has followed in his footsteps to join this highly secretive and dangerous world.
The first few seconds of the “Fubar” trailer make it look like your typical Schwarzenegger movie. Luke (Schwarzenegger) is captured by a group of thugs who seem hellbent on making him pay. Seconds later, he breaks free and makes good on his promise to “kill all of you and then leave.” Back at the CIA, he’s surrounded by adoring co-workers who are happy to celebrate his impending retirement. But all of his happiness fades when Luke learns that his daughter Emma (Monica Barbaro) has followed in his footsteps to join this highly secretive and dangerous world.
- 4/19/2023
- by Kayla Cobb
- The Wrap
Arnold Schwarzenegger is ready to fill a pothole in Netflix’s action series lineup.
Below is the official trailer for the icon’s new series Fubar, a project loosely inspired by his 1994 hit True Lies. The series represents the Terminator star and former California governor’s first regular TV gig.
The setup: “When a father (Schwarzenegger) and daughter (Monica Barbaro) learn that they’ve each secretly been working as CIA operatives for years, they realize their entire relationship has been a lie and they truly don’t know one another at all. Forced to team up as partners, the series tackles universal family dynamics set against a global backdrop of spies, action and humor.”
The series co-stars Barbaro, coming off Top Gun: Maverick in a performance that displays myriad action-drama-comedy talents, as she goes toe-to-toe with the 76-year-old icon (she was also famously one of only a few actors who...
Below is the official trailer for the icon’s new series Fubar, a project loosely inspired by his 1994 hit True Lies. The series represents the Terminator star and former California governor’s first regular TV gig.
The setup: “When a father (Schwarzenegger) and daughter (Monica Barbaro) learn that they’ve each secretly been working as CIA operatives for years, they realize their entire relationship has been a lie and they truly don’t know one another at all. Forced to team up as partners, the series tackles universal family dynamics set against a global backdrop of spies, action and humor.”
The series co-stars Barbaro, coming off Top Gun: Maverick in a performance that displays myriad action-drama-comedy talents, as she goes toe-to-toe with the 76-year-old icon (she was also famously one of only a few actors who...
- 4/19/2023
- by James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ti West has locked in an all-star cast for his Mia Goth-led A24 horror pic MaXXXine, with Elizabeth Debicki (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3.), Moses Sumney (The Idol), Michelle Monaghan (Nanny), Bobby Cannavale (The Watcher), Lily Collins (Emily in Paris), Halsey (Americana), Giancarlo Esposito (Better Call Saul) and Kevin Bacon (City on a Hill) closing deals for roles.
MaXXXine is the third title in A24‘s first major horror franchise, on the heels of West’s films X and Pearl, both of which were released to much acclaim last year. The ’70s-set X had Goth pulling double duty as Maxine, who sees her pornography-shooting friends violently murdered in Texas, and one of their elderly assailants, Pearl. The latter film, set in 1918, meanwhile, served up an origin story for the latter villain character.
MaXXXine reverses the franchise’s trajectory through time to pick with Maxine after the violent events of X,...
MaXXXine is the third title in A24‘s first major horror franchise, on the heels of West’s films X and Pearl, both of which were released to much acclaim last year. The ’70s-set X had Goth pulling double duty as Maxine, who sees her pornography-shooting friends violently murdered in Texas, and one of their elderly assailants, Pearl. The latter film, set in 1918, meanwhile, served up an origin story for the latter villain character.
MaXXXine reverses the franchise’s trajectory through time to pick with Maxine after the violent events of X,...
- 4/5/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: With their action-romcom Ghosted bowing next month, Skydance and director Dexter Fletcher already have found their next project as the studio has closed a deal with Dexter Fletcher to direct the upcoming feature project Fountain of Youth written by James Vanderbilt.
Related Story ‘Ghosted’ Trailer: Chris Evans & Ana De Armas Lead Apple’s Romantic Action-Adventure Pic Related Story Peter Farrelly, Paul Wernick And Rhett Reese Team On Comedy 'Balls Up' For Skydance Related Story 'Ghosted' Director Dexter Fletcher Hints At April Release Of Film Starring Chris Evans & Ana De Armas
Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger will produce along with Tripp Vinson, Project X Entertainment’s James Vanderbilt, William Sherak and Paul Neinstein. Radio Silence and Dalia Ibelhauptaitė will serve as executive producers. Matt Grimm will oversee the project for Skydance.
Plot details are being kept under wraps,...
Related Story ‘Ghosted’ Trailer: Chris Evans & Ana De Armas Lead Apple’s Romantic Action-Adventure Pic Related Story Peter Farrelly, Paul Wernick And Rhett Reese Team On Comedy 'Balls Up' For Skydance Related Story 'Ghosted' Director Dexter Fletcher Hints At April Release Of Film Starring Chris Evans & Ana De Armas
Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger will produce along with Tripp Vinson, Project X Entertainment’s James Vanderbilt, William Sherak and Paul Neinstein. Radio Silence and Dalia Ibelhauptaitė will serve as executive producers. Matt Grimm will oversee the project for Skydance.
Plot details are being kept under wraps,...
- 3/9/2023
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Sigourney Weaver has joined the cast of Apple Original Films and Skydance’s The Gorge starring Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy. Scott Derrickson is on board to direct with Zach Dean penning the script, which he sold on spec to Skydance last year. In addition to starring, Teller will serve as executive producer.
Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger are producing alongside Crooked Highway’s Derrickson, C. Robert Cargill, Sherryl Clark, as well as Dean, Adam Kolbrenner and Greg Goodman. Plot details are being kept under wraps, but the film is described as a high-action, genre-bending love story.
The Gorge marks the latest collaboration for Skydance and Teller following his leading role in Top Gun: Maverick. Skydance and Dean also recently collaborated on The Tomorrow War.
Weaver is coming off a busy 2022 that included returning to the world of Pandora in Disney/20th Century’s Avatar: The Way of Water.
Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger are producing alongside Crooked Highway’s Derrickson, C. Robert Cargill, Sherryl Clark, as well as Dean, Adam Kolbrenner and Greg Goodman. Plot details are being kept under wraps, but the film is described as a high-action, genre-bending love story.
The Gorge marks the latest collaboration for Skydance and Teller following his leading role in Top Gun: Maverick. Skydance and Dean also recently collaborated on The Tomorrow War.
Weaver is coming off a busy 2022 that included returning to the world of Pandora in Disney/20th Century’s Avatar: The Way of Water.
- 3/1/2023
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Fubar. Arnold Schwarzenegger as Luke Brunner in episode 101 of Fubar. Cr. Christos Kalohoridis/Netflix © 2023 Netflix has released the official First Look at Fubar (previously announced as Untitled Arnold Schwarzenegger Project), premiering globally on May 25, 2023. This action-comedy spy series marks Schwarzenegger’s first television project. Quote from Star/Executive Producer Arnold Schwarzenegger: “Everywhere I go, people ask me when I’m going to do another big action comedy like True Lies. Well, here it is. Fubar will kick your ass and make you laugh – and not just for two hours. You get a whole season. It’s been a joy to work with Nick, Skydance, and Netflix to give my fans exactly what they’ve been waiting for.” Quote from Creator, Showrunner & Executive Producer Nick Santora: “Fubar is, by far, the most surreal project of my career. I grew up watching Arnold Schwarzenegger films — I’d hit my dad up...
- 2/27/2023
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in his first television series with Netflix’s Fubar, premiering May 25, 2023. The new series, described as an action-comedy spy series, just launched its first teaser trailer and unveiled the first batch of photos.
“Everywhere I go, people ask me when I’m going to do another big action comedy like True Lies. Well, here it is. Fubar will kick your ass and make you laugh – and not just for two hours. You get a whole season. It’s been a joy to work with Nick, Skydance, and Netflix to give my fans exactly what they’ve been waiting for,” said series star and executive producer Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Netflix offered this description of the eight-episode season:
“A CIA Operative on the verge of retirement discovers a family secret. Forced to go back into the field for one last job, the series tackles universal family dynamics set against a global backdrop of spies,...
“Everywhere I go, people ask me when I’m going to do another big action comedy like True Lies. Well, here it is. Fubar will kick your ass and make you laugh – and not just for two hours. You get a whole season. It’s been a joy to work with Nick, Skydance, and Netflix to give my fans exactly what they’ve been waiting for,” said series star and executive producer Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Netflix offered this description of the eight-episode season:
“A CIA Operative on the verge of retirement discovers a family secret. Forced to go back into the field for one last job, the series tackles universal family dynamics set against a global backdrop of spies,...
- 2/27/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Arnold Schwarzenegger will bring action and comedy to Netflix with the premiere of Fubar.
The eight-part series is set to launch globally on May 25, 2023.
"A CIA Operative on the verge of retirement discovers a family secret," reads the official description.
"Forced to go back into the field for one last job, the series tackles universal family dynamics set against a global backdrop of spies, action, and humor."
The official teaser trailer has the drama you would expect from a project with Schwarzenegger attached.
It looks like a lot of fun!
What's more, the cast is excellent, too.
Monica Barbaro, Milan Carter, Gabriel Luna, Fortune Feimster, Travis Van Winkle, Fabiana Udenio, Barbara Eve Harris, Aparna Brielle, Andy Buckley, and Jay Baruchel star alongside the Terminator actor.
"Everywhere I go, people ask me when I'm going to do another big action comedy like True Lies," Schwarzenegger said in a statement about the series.
The eight-part series is set to launch globally on May 25, 2023.
"A CIA Operative on the verge of retirement discovers a family secret," reads the official description.
"Forced to go back into the field for one last job, the series tackles universal family dynamics set against a global backdrop of spies, action, and humor."
The official teaser trailer has the drama you would expect from a project with Schwarzenegger attached.
It looks like a lot of fun!
What's more, the cast is excellent, too.
Monica Barbaro, Milan Carter, Gabriel Luna, Fortune Feimster, Travis Van Winkle, Fabiana Udenio, Barbara Eve Harris, Aparna Brielle, Andy Buckley, and Jay Baruchel star alongside the Terminator actor.
"Everywhere I go, people ask me when I'm going to do another big action comedy like True Lies," Schwarzenegger said in a statement about the series.
- 2/27/2023
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.