Exclusive: Former Fifth Season film head Alexis Garcia has launched CAT5, an action film label that will be backed by his former employers, who are among other investors and partners to be announced at later date. As one of its first projects, CAT5 has signed on to co-finance Black Bear’s Levon’s Trade. The film is in production, with David Ayer-directing the Jason Statham vehicle that was adapted from the Chuck Dixon novel by Sylvester Stallone, with revisions by Ayer. Garcia joins as an executive producer. The film is in production in London and slated for wide theatrical release in the U.S. by Amazon MGM Studios on January 17, 2025.
Garcia spent seven years with Fifth Season and Graham Taylor and Chris Rice, helping build it from its 2017 launch as Endeavor Content. Before that he spent a decade at Endeavor/WME under Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell, where he...
Garcia spent seven years with Fifth Season and Graham Taylor and Chris Rice, helping build it from its 2017 launch as Endeavor Content. Before that he spent a decade at Endeavor/WME under Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell, where he...
- 5/2/2024
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Josh Rosenbaum has been promoted to partner at Ken Kao’s Waypoint Entertainment, the production and finance company behind Neon’s upcoming horror thriller Cuckoo.
Rosenbaum, who began his career at WME, joined the company in 2015 and has worked on films that include 2017’s Hostiles, Jared Leto starrer The Outsider, and Jonah Hill’s directorial debut, Mid 90s. Rosenbaum’s appointment to the newly created post comes after the company signed on to a slate deal with Neon that will see the company produce and finance films in the $10 million range with the speciality label.
“Whether advocating for filmmakers or seamlessly collaborating with our partner teams, those fortunate enough to work alongside him can attest to his undeniable creative prowess,” said Kao. “His multifaceted contributions across all areas of the business have been pivotal to our success, and I am excited to have him as a Partner, propelling Waypoint to even greater heights.
Rosenbaum, who began his career at WME, joined the company in 2015 and has worked on films that include 2017’s Hostiles, Jared Leto starrer The Outsider, and Jonah Hill’s directorial debut, Mid 90s. Rosenbaum’s appointment to the newly created post comes after the company signed on to a slate deal with Neon that will see the company produce and finance films in the $10 million range with the speciality label.
“Whether advocating for filmmakers or seamlessly collaborating with our partner teams, those fortunate enough to work alongside him can attest to his undeniable creative prowess,” said Kao. “His multifaceted contributions across all areas of the business have been pivotal to our success, and I am excited to have him as a Partner, propelling Waypoint to even greater heights.
- 5/1/2024
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Fifth Season has promoted Christopher Slager to head of film as it expands in-house production and development and announced that Alexis Garcia is leaving to set up his own venture with backing from the company.
Slager, who has been at Fifth Season for some time, previously served as a partner and SVP of film finance and sales at Endeavor Content, and before that worked at WME.
Prior to that he was at Focus Features. Credits include The Florida Project, Mudbound, The Banker, The Peanut Butter Falcon, Pig, and the Book Club franchise.
Slager will take charge of the film studio...
Slager, who has been at Fifth Season for some time, previously served as a partner and SVP of film finance and sales at Endeavor Content, and before that worked at WME.
Prior to that he was at Focus Features. Credits include The Florida Project, Mudbound, The Banker, The Peanut Butter Falcon, Pig, and the Book Club franchise.
Slager will take charge of the film studio...
- 3/27/2024
- ScreenDaily
Fifth Season has upped Christopher Slager to Head of Film as the studio expands its in-house production and development of feature films.
Slager will oversee the studio’s anticipated productions including Netflix/Artists Equity’s Animals, starring Matt Damon and directed by Ben Affleck, as well as the Samuel L. Jackson and Joel Kinnaman movie The Beast directed by Emmy winner James Madigan.
Alexis Garcia, who previously managed features, will launch a new venture with backing from Fifth Season, details to be announced down the road. Garcia will remain a consultant to the studio during his transition.
Among those titles on the horizon for Fifth Season under Slager’s watch are Stephen Chbosky’s Nonnas, starring Vince Vaughn, Susan Sarandon, and Linda Cardellini; Jan Komasa’s Anniversary, starring Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler, Dylan O’Brien, Zoey Deutch, Phoebe Dynevor, Madeline Brewer, Mckenna Grace, and Daryl McCormack; Nick Rowland’s She Rides Shotgun,...
Slager will oversee the studio’s anticipated productions including Netflix/Artists Equity’s Animals, starring Matt Damon and directed by Ben Affleck, as well as the Samuel L. Jackson and Joel Kinnaman movie The Beast directed by Emmy winner James Madigan.
Alexis Garcia, who previously managed features, will launch a new venture with backing from Fifth Season, details to be announced down the road. Garcia will remain a consultant to the studio during his transition.
Among those titles on the horizon for Fifth Season under Slager’s watch are Stephen Chbosky’s Nonnas, starring Vince Vaughn, Susan Sarandon, and Linda Cardellini; Jan Komasa’s Anniversary, starring Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler, Dylan O’Brien, Zoey Deutch, Phoebe Dynevor, Madeline Brewer, Mckenna Grace, and Daryl McCormack; Nick Rowland’s She Rides Shotgun,...
- 3/27/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Neon and Waypoint have struck a strategic financial partnership to collaborate on a theatrical slate of “bold, genre-spanning”larger independent features.
The non-exclusive pact sees Waypoint, led by Ken Kao, invest in the slate after the partners worked together on Tilman Singer’s Cuckoo, which premiered in Berlinale Special gala last month.
Waypoint founder and president Kao said, “Our joint venture will focus on the underserved market of larger independent films, specifically in the $10m+ range that often get overlooked by studios and streamers.”
Neon founder and CEO Tom Quinn hailed Waypoint’s “commitment and unique ability to create bold,...
The non-exclusive pact sees Waypoint, led by Ken Kao, invest in the slate after the partners worked together on Tilman Singer’s Cuckoo, which premiered in Berlinale Special gala last month.
Waypoint founder and president Kao said, “Our joint venture will focus on the underserved market of larger independent films, specifically in the $10m+ range that often get overlooked by studios and streamers.”
Neon founder and CEO Tom Quinn hailed Waypoint’s “commitment and unique ability to create bold,...
- 3/19/2024
- ScreenDaily
Neon, the studio that backed Oscar-winners “Anatomy of a Fall” and “Parasite,” has ironed out a deal with Waypoint Entertainment, the production company behind “The Favourite” and “The Nice Guys,” to bring more mid-budget movies to the big screen.
The deal follows the company’s collaboration on the Hunter Schafer-led horror movie “Cuckoo,” which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and SXSW. Waypoint’s investment will allow Neon to expand its production and distribution efforts, something it’s been attempting to do since the New York-based distributor explored a sale in 2022 as a way to grow its business. Though a deal with investor Steven Rales, the wealthy businessman who founded the production company Indian Paintbrush, never came to fruition, Neon has managed to bolster its footprint. It recently launched an international sales division to handle the global distribution of its films.
“Our joint venture will focus on the underserved market of larger independent films,...
The deal follows the company’s collaboration on the Hunter Schafer-led horror movie “Cuckoo,” which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival and SXSW. Waypoint’s investment will allow Neon to expand its production and distribution efforts, something it’s been attempting to do since the New York-based distributor explored a sale in 2022 as a way to grow its business. Though a deal with investor Steven Rales, the wealthy businessman who founded the production company Indian Paintbrush, never came to fruition, Neon has managed to bolster its footprint. It recently launched an international sales division to handle the global distribution of its films.
“Our joint venture will focus on the underserved market of larger independent films,...
- 3/19/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Neon is bolstering its production and distribution capabilities with a new financial investment from the producers of its most recent film, “Cuckoo,” which just screened at the SXSW Film Festival.
Indie-studio Neon has formed a strategic financial partnership with Waypoint Entertainment, a production company led by producer Ken Kao that’s been behind films like “The Favourite” and “The Nice Guys.” Together, the two companies will work on a slate of genre films intended for theatrical release.
The deal is non-exclusive, and no details on the slate of films were announced today — but the films will be indies in the $10 million+ range. The investment should give Neon a bit more financial firepower to compete with the likes of A24. Neon will handle global distribution on each of Waypoint’s titles via its newly-launched international sales division.
“Ken Kao and the Waypoint team have long demonstrated their commitment and unique ability to create bold,...
Indie-studio Neon has formed a strategic financial partnership with Waypoint Entertainment, a production company led by producer Ken Kao that’s been behind films like “The Favourite” and “The Nice Guys.” Together, the two companies will work on a slate of genre films intended for theatrical release.
The deal is non-exclusive, and no details on the slate of films were announced today — but the films will be indies in the $10 million+ range. The investment should give Neon a bit more financial firepower to compete with the likes of A24. Neon will handle global distribution on each of Waypoint’s titles via its newly-launched international sales division.
“Ken Kao and the Waypoint team have long demonstrated their commitment and unique ability to create bold,...
- 3/19/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Taron Egerton crime-thriller She Rides Shotgun quietly got underway last month with supporting cast set as Ana Sophia Heger (Life In Pieces), Rob Yang (Succession), John Carroll Lynch (Mindhunter), Odessa A’zion (Fresh Kills) and David Lyons (Truth Be Told).
Based on the novel by Jordan Harper and directed by Nick Rowland (Calm With Horses), pic is written by Harper with revisions by Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski (The Night House) and Rowland. Filming is expected to wrap later this month.
The production synopsis reads: “After years in prison, Nate (Egerton) has made some dangerous enemies, including the powerful criminal gang he worked for on the inside. Desperate for a fresh start, Nate cuts ties with his old crew on his release from prison, but the gang retaliates by putting a hit on his family. Nate picks up Polly, the shy eleven-year-old daughter he hardly knows and goes on the...
Based on the novel by Jordan Harper and directed by Nick Rowland (Calm With Horses), pic is written by Harper with revisions by Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski (The Night House) and Rowland. Filming is expected to wrap later this month.
The production synopsis reads: “After years in prison, Nate (Egerton) has made some dangerous enemies, including the powerful criminal gang he worked for on the inside. Desperate for a fresh start, Nate cuts ties with his old crew on his release from prison, but the gang retaliates by putting a hit on his family. Nate picks up Polly, the shy eleven-year-old daughter he hardly knows and goes on the...
- 2/8/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
“Criminal,” the comic book series written by Ed Brubaker and illustrated by Sean Phillips, has been given a series order by Amazon Prime Video. The upcoming drama will premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
Both Brubaker and Phillips will executive produce the project. Additionally, Brubaker will serve as co-showrunner alongside crime fiction author Jordan Harper, who has previously worked on shows such as Starz’s “Hightown,” Fox’s “Gotham” and CBS’ “The Mentalist.” In 2018, Harper won the Edgar Award for Best Debut Novel for his gritty book “She Rides Shotgun.”
“’Criminal’ is a beloved graphic novel created by the most iconic team in the history of comics,” Nick Pepper, head of U.S. SVOD wholly owned development for Amazon MGM Studios, said in a press release. “I know our global Prime Video customers will immediately embrace this story, and I look forward to working with Ed,...
Both Brubaker and Phillips will executive produce the project. Additionally, Brubaker will serve as co-showrunner alongside crime fiction author Jordan Harper, who has previously worked on shows such as Starz’s “Hightown,” Fox’s “Gotham” and CBS’ “The Mentalist.” In 2018, Harper won the Edgar Award for Best Debut Novel for his gritty book “She Rides Shotgun.”
“’Criminal’ is a beloved graphic novel created by the most iconic team in the history of comics,” Nick Pepper, head of U.S. SVOD wholly owned development for Amazon MGM Studios, said in a press release. “I know our global Prime Video customers will immediately embrace this story, and I look forward to working with Ed,...
- 1/8/2024
- by Kayla Cobb
- The Wrap
Amazon’s Prime Video has ordered a series adaptation of the Ed Brubaker graphic novel “Criminal,” Variety has confirmed.
Brubaker created the graphic novel along with Sean Phillips. Both serve as executive producers. Brubaker also wrote the pilot script and will serve as co-showrunner alongside executive producer Jordan Harper.
“’Criminal’ is a beloved graphic novel created by the most iconic team in the history of comics,” said Nick Pepper, head of U.S. SVOD wholly owned development at Amazon MGM Studios. “I know our global Prime Video customers will immediately embrace this story, and I look forward to working with Ed, Jordan, and the team to bring it to the screen.”
The series is executive produced by Brubaker, Harper, and Sean Phillips, Sarah Carbiener, and Phillip Barnett. Legendary Television will also serve as an executive producer. The series is produced by Amazon MGM Studios.
“Sean and I have been building...
Brubaker created the graphic novel along with Sean Phillips. Both serve as executive producers. Brubaker also wrote the pilot script and will serve as co-showrunner alongside executive producer Jordan Harper.
“’Criminal’ is a beloved graphic novel created by the most iconic team in the history of comics,” said Nick Pepper, head of U.S. SVOD wholly owned development at Amazon MGM Studios. “I know our global Prime Video customers will immediately embrace this story, and I look forward to working with Ed, Jordan, and the team to bring it to the screen.”
The series is executive produced by Brubaker, Harper, and Sean Phillips, Sarah Carbiener, and Phillip Barnett. Legendary Television will also serve as an executive producer. The series is produced by Amazon MGM Studios.
“Sean and I have been building...
- 1/8/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Prime Video has given a series order to Criminal, a drama based on the multi-Eisner Award-winning graphic novel series created by Ed Brubaker, who writes the comic, and Sean Phillips, who illustrates it. Brubaker, who penned the pilot script, will co-showrun the TV series with crime fiction author Jordan Harper (Hightown).
The project, produced by Amazon MGM Studios, has been on fast track development at Amazon, which opened a writers room in early 2023. The process was interrupted by the WGA strike.
Criminal is described as an interlocking universe of crime stories. As Brubaker explained to Deadline in a 2019 interview, “Criminal tells the interweaving saga of several generations of families tied together by the crimes and murders of the past.”
Brubaker and Harper executive produce alongside Phillips, Sarah Carbiener, Phillip Barnett and Legendary Television.
“Criminal is a beloved graphic novel created by the most iconic team in the history of comics,...
The project, produced by Amazon MGM Studios, has been on fast track development at Amazon, which opened a writers room in early 2023. The process was interrupted by the WGA strike.
Criminal is described as an interlocking universe of crime stories. As Brubaker explained to Deadline in a 2019 interview, “Criminal tells the interweaving saga of several generations of families tied together by the crimes and murders of the past.”
Brubaker and Harper executive produce alongside Phillips, Sarah Carbiener, Phillip Barnett and Legendary Television.
“Criminal is a beloved graphic novel created by the most iconic team in the history of comics,...
- 1/8/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Despite the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, sales agents and distributors are convening in Santa Monica this week in the hopes of reconnecting with buyers and kicking off deal discussions at the American Film Market.
After an underwhelming Toronto Film Festival, which saw little deal activity, there’s hope that a few of the starry packages being shopped at AFM will get picked up. But given the climate in Hollywood, many projects won’t officially hit the market until February at the European Film Market in Berlin. The marketplace is not only strained by the strike but the shifting appetites and belt-tightening at the major studios and streamers. At the same time, the return of buyers from China to AFM after several years away is seen as a positive sign.
“Given the strikes and the tough global climate, many of the top international sales agents and talent agencies are holding back...
After an underwhelming Toronto Film Festival, which saw little deal activity, there’s hope that a few of the starry packages being shopped at AFM will get picked up. But given the climate in Hollywood, many projects won’t officially hit the market until February at the European Film Market in Berlin. The marketplace is not only strained by the strike but the shifting appetites and belt-tightening at the major studios and streamers. At the same time, the return of buyers from China to AFM after several years away is seen as a positive sign.
“Given the strikes and the tough global climate, many of the top international sales agents and talent agencies are holding back...
- 10/31/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy and John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
The American Film Markets runs October 31-November 5
Screen International is rounding up the key projects launched before and during this year’s American Film Market.
Refresh the page for latest updates.
They Follow
The sequel to the 2014 cult horror It Follows with Maika Monroe reprising her role and David Robert Mitchell returning to direct. Neon will co-produce alongside Good Fear Content. Starts filming in early 2024.
World sales: HanWay
Bad Apples
Saoirse Ronan leads Jonatan Etzler’s English-language debut - a satirical comedy and thriller about a school teacher who locks one of her students in her basement. Produced by Pulse Films,...
Screen International is rounding up the key projects launched before and during this year’s American Film Market.
Refresh the page for latest updates.
They Follow
The sequel to the 2014 cult horror It Follows with Maika Monroe reprising her role and David Robert Mitchell returning to direct. Neon will co-produce alongside Good Fear Content. Starts filming in early 2024.
World sales: HanWay
Bad Apples
Saoirse Ronan leads Jonatan Etzler’s English-language debut - a satirical comedy and thriller about a school teacher who locks one of her students in her basement. Produced by Pulse Films,...
- 10/31/2023
- by Screen staff
- ScreenDaily
Ahead of the AFM, Black Bear is launching sales on Fifth Season crime-thriller She Rides Shotgun, which is set to star Golden Globe winner Taron Egerton (Rocketman) in the lead role.
Nick Rowland (Calm With Horses) will direct the screenplay written by Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski (The Night House) based on the work of crime author Jordan Harper, adapted from his novel of the same name, which received the 2018 Edgar Award for Best Debut Novel, with revisions by Rowland.
Fifth Season will fully finance and produce alongside Brad Weston (Queen & Slim) and Collin Creighton (Okja) for Makeready, and Hiro Murai and Nate Matteson (The Bear) for Superfrog. Egerton is also set to serve as executive producer.
Principal photography is eyed for early 2024. The movie has an interim agreement through SAG-AFTRA. Additional casting is underway.
The official synopsis reads: “After years in prison, Nate (Egerton) has made some dangerous enemies,...
Nick Rowland (Calm With Horses) will direct the screenplay written by Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski (The Night House) based on the work of crime author Jordan Harper, adapted from his novel of the same name, which received the 2018 Edgar Award for Best Debut Novel, with revisions by Rowland.
Fifth Season will fully finance and produce alongside Brad Weston (Queen & Slim) and Collin Creighton (Okja) for Makeready, and Hiro Murai and Nate Matteson (The Bear) for Superfrog. Egerton is also set to serve as executive producer.
Principal photography is eyed for early 2024. The movie has an interim agreement through SAG-AFTRA. Additional casting is underway.
The official synopsis reads: “After years in prison, Nate (Egerton) has made some dangerous enemies,...
- 10/26/2023
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
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