Cobra Kai star Paul Walter Hauser has several wonderful credits to his name, and recently, the upcoming MCU movie Fantastic Four added the actor to the list of cast. While Hauser’s role in the movie is under wraps as any further detail of the movie, including the plot, a new MCU report seems to indicate his potential role in the movie.
Paul Walter Hauser in Cobra Kai
Hauser has been one of the prominent stars in both small and big screens. Most recently, the actor and professional wrestler voiced Dark in Orion and the Dark for Netflix. Prior to that, Hauser claimed the 2024 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for playing Larry Hall in Apple TV+ true crime drama show, Black Bird. His MCU casting has now created the hype for the movie.
Paul Walter Hauser Joined the Fantastic Four Cast...
Paul Walter Hauser in Cobra Kai
Hauser has been one of the prominent stars in both small and big screens. Most recently, the actor and professional wrestler voiced Dark in Orion and the Dark for Netflix. Prior to that, Hauser claimed the 2024 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for playing Larry Hall in Apple TV+ true crime drama show, Black Bird. His MCU casting has now created the hype for the movie.
Paul Walter Hauser Joined the Fantastic Four Cast...
- 5/3/2024
- by Lachit Roy
- FandomWire
For the first time since the show became exclusive to Peacock, The Office has made the weekly streaming rankings.
The long-running comedy series racked up 602 million minutes of viewing time for the week of Jan. 22-28, good enough for ninth place among library series. It’s the first appearance for The Office — which was a regular entrant in the early days of the Nielsen rankings — since it left Netflix for Peacock at the beginning of 2021.
At the top of the rankings for the week is Griselda, Netflix’s drama about the infamous drug queenpin starring Sofia Vergara. The series had 1.59 billion minutes of watch time over its first four days of release (it premiered Jan. 25). Reacher (741 million minutes) hung on in second place among original series a week after its second season finale on Prime Video, beating out Netflix’s docuseries American Nightmare (676 million).
Kids’ favorite Bluey led the acquired...
The long-running comedy series racked up 602 million minutes of viewing time for the week of Jan. 22-28, good enough for ninth place among library series. It’s the first appearance for The Office — which was a regular entrant in the early days of the Nielsen rankings — since it left Netflix for Peacock at the beginning of 2021.
At the top of the rankings for the week is Griselda, Netflix’s drama about the infamous drug queenpin starring Sofia Vergara. The series had 1.59 billion minutes of watch time over its first four days of release (it premiered Jan. 25). Reacher (741 million minutes) hung on in second place among original series a week after its second season finale on Prime Video, beating out Netflix’s docuseries American Nightmare (676 million).
Kids’ favorite Bluey led the acquired...
- 2/22/2024
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The week of Jan. 15-21 was a big one for streaming.
Seven titles — three original series, three acquired shows and one movie — each drew more than 1 billion minutes of viewing for the week, the most that have ever hit that mark in the four-year history of Nielsen’s streaming charts. The previous high was six, which has happened four times (including two weeks earlier).
Kids’ favorite Bluey was the overall No. 1, with just over 1.5 billion minutes on Disney+. Reacher (1.23 billion) reclaimed the top spot among original shows from the prior week‘s leader, Fool Me Once, which fell by more than 50 percent to 1.06 billion minutes of watch time. Netflix’s heist movie Lift grew by 19 percent week-to-week, scoring 1.04 billion minutes.
Young Sheldon (1.16 billion minutes), Netflix’s docuseries American Nightmare (1.12 billion) and Grey’s Anatomy (1.09 billion) also hit the billion-minute mark.
Former NBC series This Is Us was the latest recipient of...
Seven titles — three original series, three acquired shows and one movie — each drew more than 1 billion minutes of viewing for the week, the most that have ever hit that mark in the four-year history of Nielsen’s streaming charts. The previous high was six, which has happened four times (including two weeks earlier).
Kids’ favorite Bluey was the overall No. 1, with just over 1.5 billion minutes on Disney+. Reacher (1.23 billion) reclaimed the top spot among original shows from the prior week‘s leader, Fool Me Once, which fell by more than 50 percent to 1.06 billion minutes of watch time. Netflix’s heist movie Lift grew by 19 percent week-to-week, scoring 1.04 billion minutes.
Young Sheldon (1.16 billion minutes), Netflix’s docuseries American Nightmare (1.12 billion) and Grey’s Anatomy (1.09 billion) also hit the billion-minute mark.
Former NBC series This Is Us was the latest recipient of...
- 2/15/2024
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Netflix’s Top 10 Films-List: Kevin Hart’s Lift Rules At #1 Once Again! (Picture Credit: IMDb)
After ruling the box office, The Super Mario Bros Movie is also going steady on the list of Netflix’s Top 10 Films for the past several weeks. Kevin Hart-led Lift is also enjoying a good run on the list. Movies like Mindcage and The Hill have also earned their places on the list’s top five positions. Scroll below more.
Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal has debuted on the list in fourth place and might be able to climb up in later weeks. Movies including Badland Hunters, Sixty Minutes, and Society of the Snow are in the top three in the non-English category, respectively.
Kevin Hart’s Lift is a comedy action heist film and has all the right ingredients to impress the viewers. It has been on the list for three weeks, and...
After ruling the box office, The Super Mario Bros Movie is also going steady on the list of Netflix’s Top 10 Films for the past several weeks. Kevin Hart-led Lift is also enjoying a good run on the list. Movies like Mindcage and The Hill have also earned their places on the list’s top five positions. Scroll below more.
Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal has debuted on the list in fourth place and might be able to climb up in later weeks. Movies including Badland Hunters, Sixty Minutes, and Society of the Snow are in the top three in the non-English category, respectively.
Kevin Hart’s Lift is a comedy action heist film and has all the right ingredients to impress the viewers. It has been on the list for three weeks, and...
- 1/31/2024
- by Esita Mallik
- KoiMoi
The movie Queenpins is currently becoming a hit for Netflix, but no, it was not made for the streaming service.
Kristen Bell, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, and Bebe Rexha star in the comedy, which is inspired by a true story.
Queenpins follows “a bored and frustrated suburban homemaker, Connie (Bell) and her best pal JoJo (Howell-Baptiste), a vlogger with dreams, who turn a hobby into a multi-million dollar counterfeit coupon caper. After firing off a letter to the conglomerate behind a box of cereal gone stale, and receiving an apology along with dozens of freebies, the duo hatch an illegal coupon club scheme that scams millions from mega-corporations and delivers deals to legions of fellow coupon clippers. On the trail to total coupon dominance, a hapless Loss Prevention Officer (Paul Walter Hauser) from the local supermarket chain joins forces with a determined U.S. Postal Inspector (Vince Vaughn) in hot pursuit of...
Kristen Bell, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, and Bebe Rexha star in the comedy, which is inspired by a true story.
Queenpins follows “a bored and frustrated suburban homemaker, Connie (Bell) and her best pal JoJo (Howell-Baptiste), a vlogger with dreams, who turn a hobby into a multi-million dollar counterfeit coupon caper. After firing off a letter to the conglomerate behind a box of cereal gone stale, and receiving an apology along with dozens of freebies, the duo hatch an illegal coupon club scheme that scams millions from mega-corporations and delivers deals to legions of fellow coupon clippers. On the trail to total coupon dominance, a hapless Loss Prevention Officer (Paul Walter Hauser) from the local supermarket chain joins forces with a determined U.S. Postal Inspector (Vince Vaughn) in hot pursuit of...
- 1/25/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Top 10 Netflix Films: Lift, The Equalizer 3, Leo & More (Picture Credit: IMDb)
Yet another week of 2024 has passed with a whole bunch of new choices for films to watch on the Ott Platform Netflix. A lot of new releases ensure that they keep the viewers hooked. While new releases like The Legend of Tarzan and The Kitchen made their way to the top 10 most-watched films of the week, the older releases continued to rule the charts.
In the Non-English films category, the Spanish film Society Of The Snow rules the list at number 1, followed by the German film Sixty Minutes at number 2 and the Telugu film Salaar at number 3. The Arabic film From Your Ashes, which dropped this week, has secured the fourth spot, while Maborishi, a Japanese anime film, secured the fifth spot.
Coming to the English films, The Legend Of Tarzan, The Kitchen, Stillwater, Wild, The Forever Purge, and...
Yet another week of 2024 has passed with a whole bunch of new choices for films to watch on the Ott Platform Netflix. A lot of new releases ensure that they keep the viewers hooked. While new releases like The Legend of Tarzan and The Kitchen made their way to the top 10 most-watched films of the week, the older releases continued to rule the charts.
In the Non-English films category, the Spanish film Society Of The Snow rules the list at number 1, followed by the German film Sixty Minutes at number 2 and the Telugu film Salaar at number 3. The Arabic film From Your Ashes, which dropped this week, has secured the fourth spot, while Maborishi, a Japanese anime film, secured the fifth spot.
Coming to the English films, The Legend Of Tarzan, The Kitchen, Stillwater, Wild, The Forever Purge, and...
- 1/24/2024
- by Trisha Gaur
- KoiMoi
The importance of revenue earned by studios from PVOD rentals reasserts itself with news that, as of Tuesday, all but two of the wide films released from either December 22 or December 25 will have home availability. That’s one month or less after their theatrical releases.
Top holiday grosser “Wonka” (Warner Bros.), which opened a week earlier, sleeper rom-com hit “Anyone but You” (Sony), and “The Iron Claw” remain theater-exclusive. Otherwise, the rush for home gold has taken over.
Three of these titles — “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” (WB), “Migration” (Universal), and “Ferrari” (Neon) debut on Tuesday. They will join “The Color Purple” (WB) and “The Boys in the Boat” (Amazon MGM), both of which came out last week, 22 days after release.
The results for the week actually showed that four earlier films scored better overall during the week. “Purple” did best at Vudu (#4), but only #8 at Apple TV and #10 at Google Play.
Top holiday grosser “Wonka” (Warner Bros.), which opened a week earlier, sleeper rom-com hit “Anyone but You” (Sony), and “The Iron Claw” remain theater-exclusive. Otherwise, the rush for home gold has taken over.
Three of these titles — “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” (WB), “Migration” (Universal), and “Ferrari” (Neon) debut on Tuesday. They will join “The Color Purple” (WB) and “The Boys in the Boat” (Amazon MGM), both of which came out last week, 22 days after release.
The results for the week actually showed that four earlier films scored better overall during the week. “Purple” did best at Vudu (#4), but only #8 at Apple TV and #10 at Google Play.
- 1/22/2024
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
Atomic Entertainment, the Emmy-nominated team behind acclaimed projects such as Nat Geo’s hit series Brain Games, Netflix’s live-action science series Brainchild, and the hit family podcast Who Smarted?, is thrilled to announce the launch of their latest venture into podcasting with the release of Slaycation. This gripping and darkly comedic true crime podcast takes listeners on a twisted journey through the chilling world of murders and mysterious deaths that take place on vacation.
Hosted by a true crime enthusiast, her comedy writer husband, and a seasoned TV producer, Slaycation offers a refreshing twist on the true crime genre by blending comedy, twisty turny storytelling, a husband & wife dynamic and respect for the victims and survivors involved, while focusing exclusively on cases of murder and suspicious deaths that happened while the victims were on vacation! Listeners can expect to be both captivated and entertained as they delve into the...
Hosted by a true crime enthusiast, her comedy writer husband, and a seasoned TV producer, Slaycation offers a refreshing twist on the true crime genre by blending comedy, twisty turny storytelling, a husband & wife dynamic and respect for the victims and survivors involved, while focusing exclusively on cases of murder and suspicious deaths that happened while the victims were on vacation! Listeners can expect to be both captivated and entertained as they delve into the...
- 1/10/2024
- Podnews.net
Contains spoilers for Queenpins
It’s early doors in 2024 and a movie about a couple of women who have no money using coupons to defraud big companies is no.1 on Netflix UK. It figures.
Written and directed by Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly, Queenpins was originally released in 2021 to Showtime and Paramount+ but now it has appeared on Netflix UK it seems to have captured a new audience.
The movie stars Kristen Bell, reunited with her The Good Place co-star Kirby Howell-Baptiste as skint friends who come up with a scheme to sell stolen coupons over the internet at a very cut down price. The women make millions but, not being criminal masterminds, they get caught and prosecuted, with Bell’s Connie serving jail time, and Howell-Baptiste’s JoJo getting a more lenient non-custodial sentence.
The film is fiction but it is inspired by a real case that went down...
It’s early doors in 2024 and a movie about a couple of women who have no money using coupons to defraud big companies is no.1 on Netflix UK. It figures.
Written and directed by Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly, Queenpins was originally released in 2021 to Showtime and Paramount+ but now it has appeared on Netflix UK it seems to have captured a new audience.
The movie stars Kristen Bell, reunited with her The Good Place co-star Kirby Howell-Baptiste as skint friends who come up with a scheme to sell stolen coupons over the internet at a very cut down price. The women make millions but, not being criminal masterminds, they get caught and prosecuted, with Bell’s Connie serving jail time, and Howell-Baptiste’s JoJo getting a more lenient non-custodial sentence.
The film is fiction but it is inspired by a real case that went down...
- 1/3/2024
- by Rosie Fletcher
- Den of Geek
Exclusive: Good Deed Entertainment has acquired U.S. rights to the indie comedy That’s Funny, written, directed by, and starring Alex Grossman. Co-starring Ben Cain (Cruel Summer), Melanie Hutsell (Saturday Night Live), and Nicole Forester (Jack Reacher), the film arrives on Amazon, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu on November 17 before opening in select theaters December 7.
That’s Funny centers on a middle-aged man (Grossman) so driven to realize his dream of becoming a comedian, he’s missing out on all the beautiful moments already before him. On his journey of transformation, he returns to the competitive world of stand-up comedy that takes him from Los Angeles to his hometown of Flint, Michigan. With humor and vulnerability, ultimately both his act and perspective evolve as he realizes the present moment is the best place to be.
The pic is Grossman’s second on the heels of Hickey, a coming-of-age...
That’s Funny centers on a middle-aged man (Grossman) so driven to realize his dream of becoming a comedian, he’s missing out on all the beautiful moments already before him. On his journey of transformation, he returns to the competitive world of stand-up comedy that takes him from Los Angeles to his hometown of Flint, Michigan. With humor and vulnerability, ultimately both his act and perspective evolve as he realizes the present moment is the best place to be.
The pic is Grossman’s second on the heels of Hickey, a coming-of-age...
- 11/3/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
We’re not sure who asked for it, but Vince Vaughn is returning to star in a sequel to his 2004 comedy Dodgeball, reports Deadline.
The film is in early development stages at 20th Century Studios, with Jordan VanDina attached to write the script based on an idea from Vaughn. This isn’t the first time Vaughn has worked together with VanDina; the actor starred in The Binge, a 2020 parody of The Purge that was also penned by the writer.
At this time, there’s no word yet about whether Rawson Marshall Thurber — who wrote and directed the original Dodgeball — will be involved with the sequel. However, Thurber previously said “never say never” about expanding the Dodgeball universe. Vaughn, who will likely produce the movie, is the only actor currently attached.
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story certainly offers a deep roster of actors to pull from, including Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor,...
The film is in early development stages at 20th Century Studios, with Jordan VanDina attached to write the script based on an idea from Vaughn. This isn’t the first time Vaughn has worked together with VanDina; the actor starred in The Binge, a 2020 parody of The Purge that was also penned by the writer.
At this time, there’s no word yet about whether Rawson Marshall Thurber — who wrote and directed the original Dodgeball — will be involved with the sequel. However, Thurber previously said “never say never” about expanding the Dodgeball universe. Vaughn, who will likely produce the movie, is the only actor currently attached.
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story certainly offers a deep roster of actors to pull from, including Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor,...
- 4/27/2023
- by Eddie Fu
- Consequence - Film News
Everyone's favorite globe-trotting, brown jacket-wearing, and ethically dubious archaeologist is returning to the spotlight. That's right: 12 years after being fired by the Smithsonian, Rip Digman is coming out of retirement and eager to prove he's still got what it takes to be a world-class "Archie." To quote the man, the myth, the legend himself in the newly-unveiled "Digman!" trailer, "The only dating I'm interested in ... is carbon dating."
"Digman!," which is set to drop on Comedy Central a few months before that so-called world-renowned professor of archeology, Dr. Henry Walton Jones, Jr., heads out for his final adventure in "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny," is an adult animated comedy series created by Andy Samberg and Neil Campbell. The duo previously worked together on the Samberg-led "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" (where Campbell served as both a supervising producer and staff writer), and seem to have carried the beloved sitcom's irreverent, progressive...
"Digman!," which is set to drop on Comedy Central a few months before that so-called world-renowned professor of archeology, Dr. Henry Walton Jones, Jr., heads out for his final adventure in "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny," is an adult animated comedy series created by Andy Samberg and Neil Campbell. The duo previously worked together on the Samberg-led "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" (where Campbell served as both a supervising producer and staff writer), and seem to have carried the beloved sitcom's irreverent, progressive...
- 3/9/2023
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Exclusive: Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding Jr. (Jerry Maguire) has joined the cast of director Josh Webber’s holiday pic Athena Saves Christmas, with Christina Cooper coming aboard as producer.
The film follows Samuel (Paxton Kubitz) and his friends, along with Sam’s trusted dog Athena, on an adventure of a lifetime, as they match wits with a mob boss and look to solve a series of riddles, in order to save Christmas for their town.
Webber is also producing for Webber Films, alongside Michael Girgenti, Henry Penzi and Cooper. Tony Mercedes and Tamara Johnson are serving as EPs, with Robert Miano (Fast & Furious), Richard Portnow (Hitchcock), Mars Callahan, Glenn Plummer, Kaitlyn Raymond and more rounding out the cast. Gooding Jr. is repped by manager and attorney Peter Toumbekis.
***
Liam O’Donnell, Chad Law
Exclusive: Liam O’Donnell (XYZ Films’ Skyline franchise) has been tapped to direct the action-thriller Triggermen...
The film follows Samuel (Paxton Kubitz) and his friends, along with Sam’s trusted dog Athena, on an adventure of a lifetime, as they match wits with a mob boss and look to solve a series of riddles, in order to save Christmas for their town.
Webber is also producing for Webber Films, alongside Michael Girgenti, Henry Penzi and Cooper. Tony Mercedes and Tamara Johnson are serving as EPs, with Robert Miano (Fast & Furious), Richard Portnow (Hitchcock), Mars Callahan, Glenn Plummer, Kaitlyn Raymond and more rounding out the cast. Gooding Jr. is repped by manager and attorney Peter Toumbekis.
***
Liam O’Donnell, Chad Law
Exclusive: Liam O’Donnell (XYZ Films’ Skyline franchise) has been tapped to direct the action-thriller Triggermen...
- 3/3/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Kristen Bell is headed back to Netflix to topline a new comedy series.
The Frozen and The Good Place actress will star in an untitled show from creator Erin Foster (Barely Famous) and executive producer Steven Levitan (Modern Family, Reboot) about “the unlikely relationship between an irreverent, outspoken, agnostic woman and an unconventional rabbi,” per the show’s logline. Bell will play the agnostic woman and also serve as an executive producer.
The series is the second at Netflix for Bell, who also starred in the streamer’s thriller parody The Woman in the House Across the Street From the Girl in the Window last year.
Bell is coming off Amazon’s feature film The People We Hate at the Wedding and will be part of the voice cast for an upcoming Paw Patrol movie. Her credits also include Queenpins, Hulu’s Veronica Mars revival and the Bad Moms movies.
The Frozen and The Good Place actress will star in an untitled show from creator Erin Foster (Barely Famous) and executive producer Steven Levitan (Modern Family, Reboot) about “the unlikely relationship between an irreverent, outspoken, agnostic woman and an unconventional rabbi,” per the show’s logline. Bell will play the agnostic woman and also serve as an executive producer.
The series is the second at Netflix for Bell, who also starred in the streamer’s thriller parody The Woman in the House Across the Street From the Girl in the Window last year.
Bell is coming off Amazon’s feature film The People We Hate at the Wedding and will be part of the voice cast for an upcoming Paw Patrol movie. Her credits also include Queenpins, Hulu’s Veronica Mars revival and the Bad Moms movies.
- 3/1/2023
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Get ready to meet your new favorite archaeologist hero, Rip Digman! Comedy Central has revealed the first-look trailer for the animated series "Digman!" which stars Andy Samberg in the lead role. What's more, this is the first animated series ever to be written and produced by Samberg, along with his co-creator and showrunner Neil Campbell ("Brooklyn Nine-Nine"). And rest assured, Samberg is just the tip of the iceberg as far as the cast goes.
The series is set in a world where archaeologists are massive celebrities and the coolest people on the planet. That premise, it turns out, was capable of getting some major talent to lend their voices. The A-list ensemble includes Clancy Brown ("Spongebob Squarepants"), Andy Daly ("Review"), Cole Escola ("Difficult People"), Harvey Guillen ("Harley Quinn"), Kirby Howell-Baptiste ("Queenpins"), Marc Evan Jackson ("The Good Place"), Rachel Kaly ("High Maintenance"), Kerri Kenney ("Reno 9-1-1"), Lauren Lapkus ("Jurassic World...
The series is set in a world where archaeologists are massive celebrities and the coolest people on the planet. That premise, it turns out, was capable of getting some major talent to lend their voices. The A-list ensemble includes Clancy Brown ("Spongebob Squarepants"), Andy Daly ("Review"), Cole Escola ("Difficult People"), Harvey Guillen ("Harley Quinn"), Kirby Howell-Baptiste ("Queenpins"), Marc Evan Jackson ("The Good Place"), Rachel Kaly ("High Maintenance"), Kerri Kenney ("Reno 9-1-1"), Lauren Lapkus ("Jurassic World...
- 2/15/2023
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Nasim Cambron has been appointed as Executive Vice President of Worldwide Publicity for Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group. She will assume the post on November 7, reporting to Lionsgate Motion Picture Group’s Co-President of Marketing, Keri Moore.
Cambron comes to Lionsgate from STXfilms, where she most recently served as Executive Vice President of Publicity. She will now oversee a team coordinating earned media on a slate that includes John Wick: Chapter 4; The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the prequel to the studio’s nearly 3 billion franchise; Now You See Me 3, to be directed by Ruben Fleischer; Expendables 4; the reimagining of the beloved classic Dirty Dancing, starring and executive produced by Jennifer Grey; the John Wick offshoot Ballerina, starring Knives Out‘s Ana de Armas; and a new continuation of the billion-dollar Saw franchise starring Tobin Bell.
Other slate highlights include Are You There God? It’s Me,...
Cambron comes to Lionsgate from STXfilms, where she most recently served as Executive Vice President of Publicity. She will now oversee a team coordinating earned media on a slate that includes John Wick: Chapter 4; The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the prequel to the studio’s nearly 3 billion franchise; Now You See Me 3, to be directed by Ruben Fleischer; Expendables 4; the reimagining of the beloved classic Dirty Dancing, starring and executive produced by Jennifer Grey; the John Wick offshoot Ballerina, starring Knives Out‘s Ana de Armas; and a new continuation of the billion-dollar Saw franchise starring Tobin Bell.
Other slate highlights include Are You There God? It’s Me,...
- 11/4/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Kirby Howell-Baptiste has signed on to star opposite Colin Farrell in the Apple series “Sugar,” Variety has learned.
The project was first ordered to series in June. Exact plot and character details for the show remain under wraps, aside from the fact that it is described as a genre-bending contemporary take on the private detective story set in Los Angeles.
Howell-Baptiste was most recently seen in the Netflix series adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s “The Sandman,” playing the role of Death, one of the seven Endless. She is also known for her roles in shows like “Barry,” “The Good Place,” “Killing Eve,” “Why Women Kill,” and the revival of “Veronica Mars.” She also made appearances in both the first and second seasons of the hit HBO Max comedy series “Hacks.” On the film side, Howell-Baptiste has been in features such as “Cruella,” “Queenpins,” and “Happily.”
She is repped by CAA,...
The project was first ordered to series in June. Exact plot and character details for the show remain under wraps, aside from the fact that it is described as a genre-bending contemporary take on the private detective story set in Los Angeles.
Howell-Baptiste was most recently seen in the Netflix series adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s “The Sandman,” playing the role of Death, one of the seven Endless. She is also known for her roles in shows like “Barry,” “The Good Place,” “Killing Eve,” “Why Women Kill,” and the revival of “Veronica Mars.” She also made appearances in both the first and second seasons of the hit HBO Max comedy series “Hacks.” On the film side, Howell-Baptiste has been in features such as “Cruella,” “Queenpins,” and “Happily.”
She is repped by CAA,...
- 8/17/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Kirby Howell-Baptiste will star opposite Colin Farrell in the Apple TV+ series Sugar.
Deadline revealed exclusively in December that the genre-bending series was in development with Farrell set to star and executive produce. Sugar is created by Mark Protosevich, whose feature work includes Thor and I Am Legend.
2022 Apple TV+ Pilots & Series Orders
Details regarding the plot continue to be under wraps, but Deadline hears it’s an L.A.-set contemporary take on the private detective story.
Hailing from Apple Studios, Sugar is directed by Oscar nominee Fernando Meirelles, who also serves as executive producer alongside Oscar and Emmy nominee Simon Kinberg, Audrey Chon, Scott Greenberg and Chip Vucelich.
Howell-Baptiste most recently portrayed Death in The Sandman and Dr. Mae Turner in the Netflix animated series Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous. Up next, she will star in the Disney+ series Culprits alongside Eddie Izzard and Gemma Arterton.
Deadline revealed exclusively in December that the genre-bending series was in development with Farrell set to star and executive produce. Sugar is created by Mark Protosevich, whose feature work includes Thor and I Am Legend.
2022 Apple TV+ Pilots & Series Orders
Details regarding the plot continue to be under wraps, but Deadline hears it’s an L.A.-set contemporary take on the private detective story.
Hailing from Apple Studios, Sugar is directed by Oscar nominee Fernando Meirelles, who also serves as executive producer alongside Oscar and Emmy nominee Simon Kinberg, Audrey Chon, Scott Greenberg and Chip Vucelich.
Howell-Baptiste most recently portrayed Death in The Sandman and Dr. Mae Turner in the Netflix animated series Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous. Up next, she will star in the Disney+ series Culprits alongside Eddie Izzard and Gemma Arterton.
- 8/17/2022
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Adam Fogelson has been appointed Vice Chair of the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group and will begin September 1 as he segues from his role as STX Entertainment Motion Picture Group Chairman, a post he’s held for the last eight years.
In his new role at Lionsgate, Fogelson will oversee worldwide marketing and theatrical distribution and be part of the Motion Picture Group’s leadership team involved in all aspects of planning and executing their content strategy. He will report directly to Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Joe Drake.
At STX, Fogelson built a notable feature slate of mid-budget films, aimed at specific demos, that crossed over to wider audiences. They include Jennifer Lopez’s highest-grossing pic at the domestic box office, Hustlers; the 314M-grossing Bad Moms franchise; The Upside (125M WW); and The Gentlemen (115M WW), among others. Like many other studios, STX pivoted during the pandemic,...
In his new role at Lionsgate, Fogelson will oversee worldwide marketing and theatrical distribution and be part of the Motion Picture Group’s leadership team involved in all aspects of planning and executing their content strategy. He will report directly to Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Chair Joe Drake.
At STX, Fogelson built a notable feature slate of mid-budget films, aimed at specific demos, that crossed over to wider audiences. They include Jennifer Lopez’s highest-grossing pic at the domestic box office, Hustlers; the 314M-grossing Bad Moms franchise; The Upside (125M WW); and The Gentlemen (115M WW), among others. Like many other studios, STX pivoted during the pandemic,...
- 7/25/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Cara Santana (Vida) has signed on to star alongside Marcia Gay Harden, Halston Sage, Andrew Richardson and Aidan Quinn in Annette Haywood-Carter’s indie comedy Daughter of the Bride (w/t) for MarVista Entertainment and Particular Crowd.
The film currently in production centers on Diane (Harden) and Kate (Sage) — mother and daughter and inseparable friends, whose lives are turned upside down when mom announces her engagement to a mystery man (Quinn) that she’s been dating for only a few weeks. In a series of comical events, Kate must come to terms with letting her mother be happy with someone else while she navigates her own love life and career aspirations. Kate subconsciously tries to sabotage the wedding plans, despite officiating the ceremony, and unexpectedly meets a mystery man (Richardson) of her own that seems too good to be true.
Karen Bloch Morse wrote the script. The film is...
The film currently in production centers on Diane (Harden) and Kate (Sage) — mother and daughter and inseparable friends, whose lives are turned upside down when mom announces her engagement to a mystery man (Quinn) that she’s been dating for only a few weeks. In a series of comical events, Kate must come to terms with letting her mother be happy with someone else while she navigates her own love life and career aspirations. Kate subconsciously tries to sabotage the wedding plans, despite officiating the ceremony, and unexpectedly meets a mystery man (Richardson) of her own that seems too good to be true.
Karen Bloch Morse wrote the script. The film is...
- 6/28/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Tyler Dean Flores (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier), Imani Lewis (First Kill), Christian Vunipola (Queenpins), Suraj Partha (Modern Family) and Raúl Castillo (Cha Cha Real Smooth) will star in Miguel Wants to Fight, a coming-of-age comedy that American High is producing for Hulu, which has entered production.
The film centers on Miguel (Flores), a 17-year-old who asks his three best friends to help him get in his first fight ever before he moves to a new city. It stems from Hulu’s partnership with American High, which has also seen the release of titles including Big Time Adolescence, Plan B, Crush and The Binge.
Emmy winner Oz Rodriguez (Kenan) is directing from a script by Jason Concepcion and Shea Serrano.
The film centers on Miguel (Flores), a 17-year-old who asks his three best friends to help him get in his first fight ever before he moves to a new city. It stems from Hulu’s partnership with American High, which has also seen the release of titles including Big Time Adolescence, Plan B, Crush and The Binge.
Emmy winner Oz Rodriguez (Kenan) is directing from a script by Jason Concepcion and Shea Serrano.
- 5/23/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Jeremy Renner will star as Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist David Armstrong in Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly’s currently untitled feature.
Armstrong – who – through a riveting and perilous journey – uncovered the secrets of how the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma fueled a national nightmare.
Over a four-year investigation, Armstrong discovered evidence that, in order to maximize their profits, members of the Sackler family knew of and supported Purdue’s concealment of the strength and addiction risks of the drug OxyContin. Since the release of OxyContin, more than two hundred thousand Americans have died from prescription painkiller related overdoses. Also in news – Margot Robbie to head up ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ prequel The film will be written and directed by award-winning, husband-wife filmmakers Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly. Journalist David Armstrong says: “I am gratified that a movie audience will learn of the story behind this crisis, which has ruined so many lives.
Armstrong – who – through a riveting and perilous journey – uncovered the secrets of how the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma fueled a national nightmare.
Over a four-year investigation, Armstrong discovered evidence that, in order to maximize their profits, members of the Sackler family knew of and supported Purdue’s concealment of the strength and addiction risks of the drug OxyContin. Since the release of OxyContin, more than two hundred thousand Americans have died from prescription painkiller related overdoses. Also in news – Margot Robbie to head up ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ prequel The film will be written and directed by award-winning, husband-wife filmmakers Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly. Journalist David Armstrong says: “I am gratified that a movie audience will learn of the story behind this crisis, which has ruined so many lives.
- 5/23/2022
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Exclusive: Jeremy Renner is set to star as the journalist who helped blow the lid off the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma’s role in the rampant spread of the highly addictive painkiller OxyContin. The two-time Oscar nominee will play Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist David Armstrong in a drama that is being sold here in the Cannes Market through Expanded Media/Lbi Entertainment and 101 Studios.
The film will be written and directed by husband-wife filmmakers Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly. Julie Yorn and Patrick Walmsley from Expanded Media/Lbi Entertainment and 101 Studios’ David C. Glasser will produce. David Hutkin, Ron Burkle and Bob Yari will executive produce for 101 Studios.
Over a four-year investigation, Armstrong discovered evidence that, in order to maximize their profits, members of the Sackler family knew of and supported Purdue’s concealment of the strength and addiction risks of the drug OxyContin.
The film will be written and directed by husband-wife filmmakers Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly. Julie Yorn and Patrick Walmsley from Expanded Media/Lbi Entertainment and 101 Studios’ David C. Glasser will produce. David Hutkin, Ron Burkle and Bob Yari will executive produce for 101 Studios.
Over a four-year investigation, Armstrong discovered evidence that, in order to maximize their profits, members of the Sackler family knew of and supported Purdue’s concealment of the strength and addiction risks of the drug OxyContin.
- 5/21/2022
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Stephen Root (Barry) and Tim Blake Nelson (Old Henry) have signed on to star alongside Oscar and Emmy winner Kathy Bates, two-time Oscar nominee and Emmy winner John Malkovich and Lewis Pullman in Thelma, an upcoming indie to be directed by two-time Emmy nominee Ken Kwapis. The Exchange will be introducing the title to international buyers at the 2022 Cannes Film Market, with ICM Partners and UTA Independent Film Group handling domestic.
Thelma recounts the true story of the mother of John Kennedy Toole (Pullman), the Pulitzer Prize winning author of A Confederacy of Dunces. Toole died by suicide before finding a home for his masterpiece, and his mother Thelma (Bates) made it her life’s mission, through outrageous gamesmanship, to see the book published. She eventually succeeded in getting the manuscript into the hands of writer Walker Percy (Malkovich), who became the novel’s champion. It...
Thelma recounts the true story of the mother of John Kennedy Toole (Pullman), the Pulitzer Prize winning author of A Confederacy of Dunces. Toole died by suicide before finding a home for his masterpiece, and his mother Thelma (Bates) made it her life’s mission, through outrageous gamesmanship, to see the book published. She eventually succeeded in getting the manuscript into the hands of writer Walker Percy (Malkovich), who became the novel’s champion. It...
- 5/11/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
STX Entertainment will remain an independent film studio as the private investment firm The Najafi Companies has now closed the deal to acquire Robert Simonds’ studio from Eros International, the companies announced Friday.
Simonds will serve as STX chairman and Noah Fogelson, currently the president, will become the new CEO.
Adam Fogelson will continue to serve as chairman of the Motion Picture Group, Andrew Warren will continue as CFO, and John Friedberg will continue overseeing the international and acquisitions divisions for the motion picture group out of the company’s London office.
The studio behind “Bad Moms,” “Hustlers” and “Greenland” was sold to The Najafi Companies last December in a 173 million deal. However, it included a 45-day “go-shop” period in which Lionsgate explored a last minute acquisition of its own of STX. As previously reported by TheWrap, that deal fell through with an offer that was said to be below the 173 million offered by Najafi.
Simonds will serve as STX chairman and Noah Fogelson, currently the president, will become the new CEO.
Adam Fogelson will continue to serve as chairman of the Motion Picture Group, Andrew Warren will continue as CFO, and John Friedberg will continue overseeing the international and acquisitions divisions for the motion picture group out of the company’s London office.
The studio behind “Bad Moms,” “Hustlers” and “Greenland” was sold to The Najafi Companies last December in a 173 million deal. However, it included a 45-day “go-shop” period in which Lionsgate explored a last minute acquisition of its own of STX. As previously reported by TheWrap, that deal fell through with an offer that was said to be below the 173 million offered by Najafi.
- 4/22/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: There’s been a lot of biting rumors around STX Entertainment during the past four months, from a potential sale to Lionsgate to possibly filing Chapter 11. These are not coming to realization as the Hustlers and Bad Moms studio now can breathe a sigh of relief, having fully closed its sale to The Najafi Companies, with Birch Grove LP and 777 Partners now also providing financing.
The Forest Road Company originally was part of the Najafi consortium in taking over STX’s debt, but it no longer is part of the revived studio going forward.
All of this puts STX Entertainment in a position to remain independent, now completely separated from Eros International, which we’ve heard has had its own financial baggage, further complicating affairs for the Burbank studio. All of this is good for the greater independent film ecosphere as STX won’t be a theatrical distributor to...
The Forest Road Company originally was part of the Najafi consortium in taking over STX’s debt, but it no longer is part of the revived studio going forward.
All of this puts STX Entertainment in a position to remain independent, now completely separated from Eros International, which we’ve heard has had its own financial baggage, further complicating affairs for the Burbank studio. All of this is good for the greater independent film ecosphere as STX won’t be a theatrical distributor to...
- 4/22/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Deal cements independence from Eros International.
Following months of speculation The Najafi Companies has closed its acquisition of STX Entertainment.
Robert Simonds will serve as STX chairman and Noah Fogelson, currently president, becomes the new CEO. Adam Fogelson will continue to serve as chairman of the motion picture group, Andrew Warren will continue as CFO, and John Friedberg will continue to run international sales and acquisitions in London.
As Birch Grove LP and 777 Partners provided financing for the deal, which cements STX Entertainment’s independence from Eros International. The Najafi Companies invests across multiple sectors and has “significant” holdings in consumer,...
Following months of speculation The Najafi Companies has closed its acquisition of STX Entertainment.
Robert Simonds will serve as STX chairman and Noah Fogelson, currently president, becomes the new CEO. Adam Fogelson will continue to serve as chairman of the motion picture group, Andrew Warren will continue as CFO, and John Friedberg will continue to run international sales and acquisitions in London.
As Birch Grove LP and 777 Partners provided financing for the deal, which cements STX Entertainment’s independence from Eros International. The Najafi Companies invests across multiple sectors and has “significant” holdings in consumer,...
- 4/22/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Ben Stiller’s former production partner Nicholas Weinstock has struck a first-look deal with Fremantle.
Weinstock’s Invention Studios, which he founded at the back end of 2021, will develop and produce TV, new media and podcasts under terms of the agreement.
Lorenzo De Maio, whose De Maio Entertainment counts Fremantle as a backer, will be a strategic advisor and partner across the Invention slate.
Fremantle will also support Weinstock’s other venture, Craft Services, an online network and support system for emerging writers and directors.
Weinstock was the creative head of Stiller’s Red Hour Films, developing and exec producing Showtime’s limited series Escape at Dannemora among other projects.
He is also producer of Hulu movie Plus One, Netflix films Alex Strangelove and The Package and Paramount+’s Queenpins and developed and executive produced Apple TV+’s series Severance and EPed its upcoming High Desert, starring Patricia Arquette.
“Nicky...
Weinstock’s Invention Studios, which he founded at the back end of 2021, will develop and produce TV, new media and podcasts under terms of the agreement.
Lorenzo De Maio, whose De Maio Entertainment counts Fremantle as a backer, will be a strategic advisor and partner across the Invention slate.
Fremantle will also support Weinstock’s other venture, Craft Services, an online network and support system for emerging writers and directors.
Weinstock was the creative head of Stiller’s Red Hour Films, developing and exec producing Showtime’s limited series Escape at Dannemora among other projects.
He is also producer of Hulu movie Plus One, Netflix films Alex Strangelove and The Package and Paramount+’s Queenpins and developed and executive produced Apple TV+’s series Severance and EPed its upcoming High Desert, starring Patricia Arquette.
“Nicky...
- 4/11/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
The latest actor to join the cast of upcoming Universal Monsters spinoff movie Renfield is James Moses Black, Deadline reports this afternoon. No word yet on the character James Moses Black will be playing in the film. Universal Pictures has enlisted Nicolas Cage to play Count Dracula in the upcoming feature film Renfield, based […]
The post James Moses Black Added to the Cast of Universal’s ‘Renfield’ appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.
The post James Moses Black Added to the Cast of Universal’s ‘Renfield’ appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.
- 2/23/2022
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Exclusive: James Moses Black is the latest addition to the cast of Renfield, the Universal monster movie from director Chris McKay.
He joins an ensemble that includes Nicholas Hoult, Nicolas Cage, Awkwafina, Ben Schwartz, Adrian Martinez, Shohreh Aghdashloo and Bess Rouss, as previously announced.
The film based on an original story outline by Robert Kirkman centers on Renfield (Hoult), who has grown sick and tired of his centuries as Dracula’s (Cage) lackey. The henchman finds a new lease on life and maybe even redemption when he falls for feisty, perennially angry traffic cop Rebecca Quincy (Awkwafina).
Ryan Ridley wrote the script. McKay is producing the film shooting in New Orleans with Skybound Entertainment’s film team, including Kirkman, David Alpert, Bryan Furst and Sean Furst. His producing partner Samantha Nisenboim is serving as executive producer.
Black most recently found...
He joins an ensemble that includes Nicholas Hoult, Nicolas Cage, Awkwafina, Ben Schwartz, Adrian Martinez, Shohreh Aghdashloo and Bess Rouss, as previously announced.
The film based on an original story outline by Robert Kirkman centers on Renfield (Hoult), who has grown sick and tired of his centuries as Dracula’s (Cage) lackey. The henchman finds a new lease on life and maybe even redemption when he falls for feisty, perennially angry traffic cop Rebecca Quincy (Awkwafina).
Ryan Ridley wrote the script. McKay is producing the film shooting in New Orleans with Skybound Entertainment’s film team, including Kirkman, David Alpert, Bryan Furst and Sean Furst. His producing partner Samantha Nisenboim is serving as executive producer.
Black most recently found...
- 2/23/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Action movie “The Contractor” will become the first title under the new ViacomCBS and Paramount+ integration of Showtime content across the streaming platform.
Tarik Saleh directs “The Contractor,” which reunites “Hell or High Water” stars Chris Pine and Ben Foster as two former Special Forces operatives who turn to contract work after being involuntarily discharged from the Army.
James Harper (Pine) is desperate to provide for his family, and turns to a private underground military force, led by a mysterious coordinator (Kiefer Sutherland). When the very first assignment goes awry, the elite soldier finds himself caught in a dangerous conspiracy and on the run for his life.
“We gave them our minds, our bodies, and our spirits,” Pine as James says in the trailer. “They chewed us up and spit us out.”
Gillian Jacobs, Eddie Marsan, Fares Fares, Nina Hoss, and Amira Casar also star in the J.P. Davis–penned movie.
Tarik Saleh directs “The Contractor,” which reunites “Hell or High Water” stars Chris Pine and Ben Foster as two former Special Forces operatives who turn to contract work after being involuntarily discharged from the Army.
James Harper (Pine) is desperate to provide for his family, and turns to a private underground military force, led by a mysterious coordinator (Kiefer Sutherland). When the very first assignment goes awry, the elite soldier finds himself caught in a dangerous conspiracy and on the run for his life.
“We gave them our minds, our bodies, and our spirits,” Pine as James says in the trailer. “They chewed us up and spit us out.”
Gillian Jacobs, Eddie Marsan, Fares Fares, Nina Hoss, and Amira Casar also star in the J.P. Davis–penned movie.
- 2/17/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Showtime and Paramount Home Entertainment have acquired the U.S. rights to director Tarik Saleh’s thriller “The Contractor” — and released the first trailer for a film that reteams Chris Pine and Ben Foster from Taylor Sheridan’s “Hell or High Water.”
As with the recent acquisition of “Queenpins,” which was also sold by the financially troubled indie studio STXfilms, “The Contractor” will get a limited theatrical release from Paramount on April 1 along with a simultaneous release on premium video-on-demand platforms. The film will also stream on Showtime and Paramount+ later this year.
Pine stars as as Special Forces Sergeant James Harper, who is involuntarily discharged from the Army and cut off from his pension. In debt, out of options and desperate to provide for his family, Harper contracts with a private underground military force. When the very first assignment goes awry, the elite soldier finds himself caught in a...
As with the recent acquisition of “Queenpins,” which was also sold by the financially troubled indie studio STXfilms, “The Contractor” will get a limited theatrical release from Paramount on April 1 along with a simultaneous release on premium video-on-demand platforms. The film will also stream on Showtime and Paramount+ later this year.
Pine stars as as Special Forces Sergeant James Harper, who is involuntarily discharged from the Army and cut off from his pension. In debt, out of options and desperate to provide for his family, Harper contracts with a private underground military force. When the very first assignment goes awry, the elite soldier finds himself caught in a...
- 2/16/2022
- by Thom Geier
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Showtime and Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment have acquired U.S. distribution rights to the Tarik Saleh-directed action movie The Contractor starring Hell or High Water stars Chris Pine and Ben Foster.
Following a similar collaboration on the comedy Queenpins, which STX sold to Paramount+ and Showtime for $20M as Deadline first reported, this deal will see The Contractor released in a limited number of theaters in the U.S. by Paramount with a simultaneous PVOD release across platforms. The film will arrive on Showtime and Paramount+ later in 2022. It was announced yesterday at the ViacomCBS Investor day that Paramount+ will be integrating Showtime content this summer with an in-app upgrade to the pay-tv channel’s programming.
Pine stars as Special Forces Sergeant James Harper in The Contractor, a guy who is involuntarily discharged from the Army and cut off from his pension. In debt, out of options and...
Following a similar collaboration on the comedy Queenpins, which STX sold to Paramount+ and Showtime for $20M as Deadline first reported, this deal will see The Contractor released in a limited number of theaters in the U.S. by Paramount with a simultaneous PVOD release across platforms. The film will arrive on Showtime and Paramount+ later in 2022. It was announced yesterday at the ViacomCBS Investor day that Paramount+ will be integrating Showtime content this summer with an in-app upgrade to the pay-tv channel’s programming.
Pine stars as Special Forces Sergeant James Harper in The Contractor, a guy who is involuntarily discharged from the Army and cut off from his pension. In debt, out of options and...
- 2/16/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Lionsgate is looking to absorb part of, or all of STX Entertainment, Deadline has learned from sources.
STX was recently rescued back in early December from a draconian merger with Eros by Jahm Najafi’s Phoenix-based The Najafi Companies for $173M.
As Deadline first reported, that move by Najafi was an interim step on the way to a later, possibly bigger, transaction. It sounds like, Lionsgate is it. A key element of the agreement then was a “go-shop period,” a 45-day span during which the board of directors of ErosSTX, with the assistance of its financial advisor, Lazard, could solicit alternative proposals from third parties. Reportedly there are other suitors in the mix for the STX assets which include Jennifer Lopez’s highest grossing live-action domestic movie, Hustlers ($105M) and the Bad Moms comedy franchise.
Najafi deal back in December included the refinancing of STX’s debt and provided a significant investment in growth.
STX was recently rescued back in early December from a draconian merger with Eros by Jahm Najafi’s Phoenix-based The Najafi Companies for $173M.
As Deadline first reported, that move by Najafi was an interim step on the way to a later, possibly bigger, transaction. It sounds like, Lionsgate is it. A key element of the agreement then was a “go-shop period,” a 45-day span during which the board of directors of ErosSTX, with the assistance of its financial advisor, Lazard, could solicit alternative proposals from third parties. Reportedly there are other suitors in the mix for the STX assets which include Jennifer Lopez’s highest grossing live-action domestic movie, Hustlers ($105M) and the Bad Moms comedy franchise.
Najafi deal back in December included the refinancing of STX’s debt and provided a significant investment in growth.
- 1/26/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Lionsgate is in discussions to acquire some or all of STX Entertainment, the seven-year-old company founded by veteran producer Robert Simonds, insiders familiar with the matter told Variety. It’s an 11th hour wrinkle in the studio’s planned sale to a private equity player.
Talks began late last year, according to sources, after STX had secured a buyer in The Najafi Companies, an investment firm run by Jahm Najafi, the vice chairman of the Phoenix Suns. In addition to Lionsgate, several other players are said to be bidding on STX though it’s unclear which suitor is in the lead (or if any substantially exceed Najafi’s offer).
A Lionsgate spokesperson declined to comment on the matter. An STX spokesperson had no comment.
At the end of 2021, STX was up against a wall to secure an outright buyer after attempting to sell off its film library — which includes titles like Jennifer Lopez’s “Hustlers,...
Talks began late last year, according to sources, after STX had secured a buyer in The Najafi Companies, an investment firm run by Jahm Najafi, the vice chairman of the Phoenix Suns. In addition to Lionsgate, several other players are said to be bidding on STX though it’s unclear which suitor is in the lead (or if any substantially exceed Najafi’s offer).
A Lionsgate spokesperson declined to comment on the matter. An STX spokesperson had no comment.
At the end of 2021, STX was up against a wall to secure an outright buyer after attempting to sell off its film library — which includes titles like Jennifer Lopez’s “Hustlers,...
- 1/26/2022
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
As Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston get embroiled in another international caper for “Murder Mystery 2,” the Netflix sequel has rounded out its ensemble cast.
Mark Strong, Mélanie Laurent, Jodie Turner-Smith, Kuhoo Verma, Enrique Arce, Tony Goldwyn, Annie Mumolo and Zurin Villanueva have signed on for second installment, with Adeel Akhtar’s Maharajah and John Kani’s Colonel Ulenga returning.
“Murder Mystery” was a massive hit for Netflix, breaking viewership records upon its 2019 debut with the streamer reporting close to 30.9 million households tuned in over the first 3 days of release. “Murder Mystery 2” will be directed by Jeremy Garelick from a script by James Vanderbilt, with revisions by Garelick.
Sandler and Aniston produce the project under their respective banners. Also producing are Tripp Vinson for Vinson Films, James Stern for Endgame Entertainment and Vanderbilt. Executive producers are Barry Bernardi, Kevin Grady, Kyle Newacheck, Tim Herlihy, Beau Flynn, Julie Goldstein and Lucas Smith.
Mark Strong, Mélanie Laurent, Jodie Turner-Smith, Kuhoo Verma, Enrique Arce, Tony Goldwyn, Annie Mumolo and Zurin Villanueva have signed on for second installment, with Adeel Akhtar’s Maharajah and John Kani’s Colonel Ulenga returning.
“Murder Mystery” was a massive hit for Netflix, breaking viewership records upon its 2019 debut with the streamer reporting close to 30.9 million households tuned in over the first 3 days of release. “Murder Mystery 2” will be directed by Jeremy Garelick from a script by James Vanderbilt, with revisions by Garelick.
Sandler and Aniston produce the project under their respective banners. Also producing are Tripp Vinson for Vinson Films, James Stern for Endgame Entertainment and Vanderbilt. Executive producers are Barry Bernardi, Kevin Grady, Kyle Newacheck, Tim Herlihy, Beau Flynn, Julie Goldstein and Lucas Smith.
- 1/24/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Image Source: Getty / Emma McIntyre
Ilia Isorelýs Paulino has one simple request for The Sex Lives of College Girls season two. "I want to see Lila f*cking!" she told me during one of the most entertaining Zoom interviews I've done to date. On the Mindy Kaling- and Justin Noble-produced HBO Max show, Paulino became an instant fan favorite as Lila, a wisecracking Essex College student who works at Sips coffee shop alongside Kimberly (Pauline Chalamet) and Canaan (Christopher Meyer). Though she only has a handful of lines in season one, Lila always packs a comedic punch, doling out perfectly timed jokes and side-eye galore - and I can personally attest that Paulino herself is just as hysterical when the cameras stop rolling.
The 26-year-old daughter of Dominican immigrants, Paulino had a rather circuitous journey to acting. "I was this kid with a really thick Spanish accent, and...
Ilia Isorelýs Paulino has one simple request for The Sex Lives of College Girls season two. "I want to see Lila f*cking!" she told me during one of the most entertaining Zoom interviews I've done to date. On the Mindy Kaling- and Justin Noble-produced HBO Max show, Paulino became an instant fan favorite as Lila, a wisecracking Essex College student who works at Sips coffee shop alongside Kimberly (Pauline Chalamet) and Canaan (Christopher Meyer). Though she only has a handful of lines in season one, Lila always packs a comedic punch, doling out perfectly timed jokes and side-eye galore - and I can personally attest that Paulino herself is just as hysterical when the cameras stop rolling.
The 26-year-old daughter of Dominican immigrants, Paulino had a rather circuitous journey to acting. "I was this kid with a really thick Spanish accent, and...
- 12/22/2021
- by Victoria Messina
- Popsugar.com
STX Entertainment, the studio built by Robert Simonds, has freed itself from an ill-starred merger with Mumbai-based Eros Intl. Entering a definite agreement to acquire STX for $173 million is Jahm Najafi’s Phoenix-based The Najafi’s Companies.
The takeover appears to be an interim step on the way to a subsequent, possibly bigger, transaction. A key element of the agreement is a “go-shop period,” a 45-day span during which the board of directors of ErosSTX, with the assistance of its financial advisor, Lazard, can solicit alternative proposals from third parties.
The acquisition price does not include counting customary adjustments for transaction expenses and debt, including repayment of STX Entertainment debt of about $148 million.
If ErosSTX terminates the Najafi purchase agreement because it accepts a better offer, it will pay a termination fee of $4.5 million (plus the return of $2 million that Najafi has funded as a deposit) to Najafi. Likewise, Najafi...
The takeover appears to be an interim step on the way to a subsequent, possibly bigger, transaction. A key element of the agreement is a “go-shop period,” a 45-day span during which the board of directors of ErosSTX, with the assistance of its financial advisor, Lazard, can solicit alternative proposals from third parties.
The acquisition price does not include counting customary adjustments for transaction expenses and debt, including repayment of STX Entertainment debt of about $148 million.
If ErosSTX terminates the Najafi purchase agreement because it accepts a better offer, it will pay a termination fee of $4.5 million (plus the return of $2 million that Najafi has funded as a deposit) to Najafi. Likewise, Najafi...
- 12/7/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro and Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
STX Entertainment is up for sale only 16 months after it merged with Indian studio Eros International.
The combined entity, ErosSTX Global, announced Tuesday that it was engaged in talks with a third party to sell the division behind films like “Bad Moms” and Jennifer Lopez’s “Hustlers.” The company has hired Lazard as a financial advisor on the potential transaction. News of the sale coincided with a 28% dive for the publicly traded entity on the New York Stock Exchange.
“[ErosSTX] has entered into exclusive negotiations with a third party for the sale of its STX Entertainment subsidiary, during which the parties will conduct mutual diligence and negotiate definitive agreements,” an announcement read. The potential buyer was not identified.
ErosSTX also negotiated an extension with senior lenders to resolve $127.4 million in debt. Should a sale materialize before December 3, repayment deadlines could extend into February 2022.
In August, Variety reported that the company was...
The combined entity, ErosSTX Global, announced Tuesday that it was engaged in talks with a third party to sell the division behind films like “Bad Moms” and Jennifer Lopez’s “Hustlers.” The company has hired Lazard as a financial advisor on the potential transaction. News of the sale coincided with a 28% dive for the publicly traded entity on the New York Stock Exchange.
“[ErosSTX] has entered into exclusive negotiations with a third party for the sale of its STX Entertainment subsidiary, during which the parties will conduct mutual diligence and negotiate definitive agreements,” an announcement read. The potential buyer was not identified.
ErosSTX also negotiated an extension with senior lenders to resolve $127.4 million in debt. Should a sale materialize before December 3, repayment deadlines could extend into February 2022.
In August, Variety reported that the company was...
- 11/16/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
T-Mobile is adding another streaming freebie to its customer perks.
ViacomCBS, looking to beef up Paramount Plus’s subscriber rolls, inked a deal with T-Mobile under which the wireless carrier will give one free year of the ad-supported tier of the streaming service to all new and existing customers on postpaid plans.
Starting next Tuesday (Nov. 9), eligible T-Mobile customers can redeem one year of Paramount Plus Essential via this link. After 12 months, the subscription will automatically renew for $4.99 per month (or the then-current price).
The free Paramount Plus offer is on top of the one-year-free promo T-Mobile is running with Apple TV Plus, available to most wireless subscribers. The carrier also bundles Netflix for no extra cost with most Magenta and Magenta Max plans.
ViacomCBS announced the T-Mobile pact as part of releasing Q3 earnings results, netting 4.3 million global streaming subscribers in the period — driven by Paramount Plus — to reach nearly 47 million.
ViacomCBS, looking to beef up Paramount Plus’s subscriber rolls, inked a deal with T-Mobile under which the wireless carrier will give one free year of the ad-supported tier of the streaming service to all new and existing customers on postpaid plans.
Starting next Tuesday (Nov. 9), eligible T-Mobile customers can redeem one year of Paramount Plus Essential via this link. After 12 months, the subscription will automatically renew for $4.99 per month (or the then-current price).
The free Paramount Plus offer is on top of the one-year-free promo T-Mobile is running with Apple TV Plus, available to most wireless subscribers. The carrier also bundles Netflix for no extra cost with most Magenta and Magenta Max plans.
ViacomCBS announced the T-Mobile pact as part of releasing Q3 earnings results, netting 4.3 million global streaming subscribers in the period — driven by Paramount Plus — to reach nearly 47 million.
- 11/4/2021
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
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Need a movie to watch this Halloween? “Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin” officially arrived on Paramount+ on Friday.
The David Eubanks-directed horror film, about a woman searching for information on her mother’s disappearance, marks the seventh installment in the “Paranormal Activity” franchise.
Emily Bader stars in the horror flick as Margot, a documentary filmmaker who heads to a secluded Amish community in the hopes of meeting and learning about her long-lost mother and extended family. After a string of strange occurrences and discoveries, she soon realizes that people in the community could be hiding a sinister secret.
Roland Buck III, Henry Ayres-Brown, and Tom Nowicki round out the cast.
“Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin...
Need a movie to watch this Halloween? “Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin” officially arrived on Paramount+ on Friday.
The David Eubanks-directed horror film, about a woman searching for information on her mother’s disappearance, marks the seventh installment in the “Paranormal Activity” franchise.
Emily Bader stars in the horror flick as Margot, a documentary filmmaker who heads to a secluded Amish community in the hopes of meeting and learning about her long-lost mother and extended family. After a string of strange occurrences and discoveries, she soon realizes that people in the community could be hiding a sinister secret.
Roland Buck III, Henry Ayres-Brown, and Tom Nowicki round out the cast.
“Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin...
- 10/29/2021
- by Latifah Muhammad
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Kirby Howell-Baptiste is the latest addition to the cast of Mr. Harrigan’s Phone, Netflix’s film adaptation of the short story by Stephen King, from Blumhouse and Ryan Murphy Productions.
In the feature written and directed by John Lee Hancock, she will appear alongside previously announced cast members Jaeden Martell, Donald Sutherland and Joe Tippett.
Mr. Harrigan’s Phone was one of four stories in King’s latest collection of novellas, If It Bleeds. It centers on Craig (Martell), a young boy living in a small town, who befriends older, reclusive billionaire, Mr. Harrigan (Sutherland). The two form a bond over books and an iPhone, but when the man passes away, the boy discovers that not everything dead is gone, and finds himself able to communicate with his friend from the grave through the iPhone that was buried with him.
Howell-Baptiste...
In the feature written and directed by John Lee Hancock, she will appear alongside previously announced cast members Jaeden Martell, Donald Sutherland and Joe Tippett.
Mr. Harrigan’s Phone was one of four stories in King’s latest collection of novellas, If It Bleeds. It centers on Craig (Martell), a young boy living in a small town, who befriends older, reclusive billionaire, Mr. Harrigan (Sutherland). The two form a bond over books and an iPhone, but when the man passes away, the boy discovers that not everything dead is gone, and finds himself able to communicate with his friend from the grave through the iPhone that was buried with him.
Howell-Baptiste...
- 10/27/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
All products and services featured by IndieWire are independently selected by IndieWire editors. However, IndieWire may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
“Madame X,” the new concert film centered around Madonna’s epic performances in Lisbon, Portugal, began streaming exclusively on Paramount+ on Friday.
The film, directed by Ricardo Gomes and Sknx, delivers an unprecedented, intimate experience that takes viewers on a journey through Madonna’s theater tour as her fearless alter-ego, Madame X, a globe-trotting secret agent who travels around the world, fighting for freedom.
“Sharing my vision with global audiences has been profoundly meaningful to me,” the 63-year-old icon said in a statement. “The opportunity to bring its message and the incandescent artistry of all involved to an even wider audience comes at a time when music is so deeply needed to remind...
“Madame X,” the new concert film centered around Madonna’s epic performances in Lisbon, Portugal, began streaming exclusively on Paramount+ on Friday.
The film, directed by Ricardo Gomes and Sknx, delivers an unprecedented, intimate experience that takes viewers on a journey through Madonna’s theater tour as her fearless alter-ego, Madame X, a globe-trotting secret agent who travels around the world, fighting for freedom.
“Sharing my vision with global audiences has been profoundly meaningful to me,” the 63-year-old icon said in a statement. “The opportunity to bring its message and the incandescent artistry of all involved to an even wider audience comes at a time when music is so deeply needed to remind...
- 10/8/2021
- by Latifah Muhammad
- Indiewire
Jena Malone, Danny Huston, Janet Suzman Board AGC Studios Horror-Thriller ‘Consecration’ (Exclusive)
Jena Malone (“Neon Demon”), Danny Huston (“Wonder Woman”) and Dame Janet Suzman (“Nicholas and Alexandra”) are among the cast of AGC Studios’ supernatural horror-thriller “Consecration,” Variety can reveal.
The film, first reported by Variety back in July, is currently shooting in London and Scotland. The pic is fully financed and co-produced by Stuart Ford’s indie operation AGC Studios.
The movie is centred on the suspicious death of a priest, whose sister (Malone) goes to the Mount Saviour Convent in Scotland to find out what really happened to her brother, with the help of Father Romero (Huston). There, she soon uncovers murder, sacrilege and a disturbing truth about her own shadowy past that brings long-buried trauma to the surface.
AGC International, the international sales and distribution arm of AGC Studios, is handling worldwide sales.
Christopher Smith is directing the project from a script he co-wrote with Laurie Cook. Meanwhile, Xavier Marchand...
The film, first reported by Variety back in July, is currently shooting in London and Scotland. The pic is fully financed and co-produced by Stuart Ford’s indie operation AGC Studios.
The movie is centred on the suspicious death of a priest, whose sister (Malone) goes to the Mount Saviour Convent in Scotland to find out what really happened to her brother, with the help of Father Romero (Huston). There, she soon uncovers murder, sacrilege and a disturbing truth about her own shadowy past that brings long-buried trauma to the surface.
AGC International, the international sales and distribution arm of AGC Studios, is handling worldwide sales.
Christopher Smith is directing the project from a script he co-wrote with Laurie Cook. Meanwhile, Xavier Marchand...
- 10/6/2021
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
[The following story contains spoilers from Queenpins.]
It wasn’t long after Queenpins writer-directors Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly read about a $40 million counterfeit coupon scam that the married filmmakers set off for Phoenix, Arizona, the site of the real caper that inspired the STX comedy starring Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste.
“We came from television news and journalism, and then into documentary and scripted narrative, so we’re drawn to things that are inspired by true stories,” Gaudet tells The Hollywood Reporter. “But, it’s always a journey finding those.”
Knowing that compelling, real-life tales are often optioned quickly,...
It wasn’t long after Queenpins writer-directors Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly read about a $40 million counterfeit coupon scam that the married filmmakers set off for Phoenix, Arizona, the site of the real caper that inspired the STX comedy starring Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste.
“We came from television news and journalism, and then into documentary and scripted narrative, so we’re drawn to things that are inspired by true stories,” Gaudet tells The Hollywood Reporter. “But, it’s always a journey finding those.”
Knowing that compelling, real-life tales are often optioned quickly,...
- 10/5/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
[The following story contains spoilers from Queenpins.]
It wasn’t long after Queenpins writer-directors Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly read about a $40 million counterfeit coupon scam that the married filmmakers set off for Phoenix, Arizona, the site of the real caper that inspired the STX comedy starring Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste.
“We came from television news and journalism, and then into documentary and scripted narrative, so we’re drawn to things that are inspired by true stories,” Gaudet tells The Hollywood Reporter. “But, it’s always a journey finding those.”
Knowing that compelling, real-life tales are often optioned quickly,...
It wasn’t long after Queenpins writer-directors Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly read about a $40 million counterfeit coupon scam that the married filmmakers set off for Phoenix, Arizona, the site of the real caper that inspired the STX comedy starring Kristen Bell and Kirby Howell-Baptiste.
“We came from television news and journalism, and then into documentary and scripted narrative, so we’re drawn to things that are inspired by true stories,” Gaudet tells The Hollywood Reporter. “But, it’s always a journey finding those.”
Knowing that compelling, real-life tales are often optioned quickly,...
- 10/5/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
With the movie Queenpins life has come full-circle for Kristen Bell. It’s the story of women who manage to build themselves an enormous empire through extreme couponing. And though the characters in the movie — like the real-life women upon whom they’re based — made a lot of their money through illegal schemes, Bell says […]
The post Kristen Bell & Her Family Connection To ‘Queenpins’ appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post Kristen Bell & Her Family Connection To ‘Queenpins’ appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 10/4/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
There’s a fascinating story behind the new movie Queenpins, a real-life tale of women who pull off a multimillion-dollar scam by using coupons. Kristen Bell stars as one of the women who masterminded the plot. And even though she thinks it could have been done as a true crime thriller, she likes the work that […]
The post Kristen Bell: ‘Queenpins’ Movie Put A New Spin On The Story appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
The post Kristen Bell: ‘Queenpins’ Movie Put A New Spin On The Story appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.
- 9/13/2021
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com
For as much as “Queenpins” is a story about a very real crime, there’s a whole lot of comedy happening in the film — including some good old fashioned poop humor. But for star Paul Walter Hauser, that moment was actually one he really didn’t look forward to filming.
As Ken Miller (Hauser) and Simon Kilmurry (Vince Vaughn) stake out Connie (Kristen Bell) and Jojo’s (Kirby Howell-Baptiste) comings and goings, they find themselves sitting in a car all night long. In the morning, they follow the women to their base of operations bright and early. Unfortunately for Ken, this coincides with his regularly scheduled morning bowel movement. But, because he takes his job very seriously, he refuses to get out of the car and potentially reveal himself — inevitably leading to him defecating in his pants, right there in the passenger seat.
“You hear actors talk about how they...
As Ken Miller (Hauser) and Simon Kilmurry (Vince Vaughn) stake out Connie (Kristen Bell) and Jojo’s (Kirby Howell-Baptiste) comings and goings, they find themselves sitting in a car all night long. In the morning, they follow the women to their base of operations bright and early. Unfortunately for Ken, this coincides with his regularly scheduled morning bowel movement. But, because he takes his job very seriously, he refuses to get out of the car and potentially reveal himself — inevitably leading to him defecating in his pants, right there in the passenger seat.
“You hear actors talk about how they...
- 9/10/2021
- by Andi Ortiz
- The Wrap
Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly had a specific ambition in mind with their new film, "Queenpins." "What we realized is we wanted to write this love letter to the post office," Pullapilly said. Not only that, but for audiences to leave their comedy about a crime involving counterfeit coupons and write a letter to a loved one. The pure power of letters, as well as the dangerous power of coupons, is the moral of this crime story.
The married filmmaking duo previously directed "Beneath the Harvest Sky." With "Queenpins," they've written and directed their first comedy. It's a change of pace they...
The post Queenpins Directors Break Down the Movie's $40 Million Extreme Couponing Scam [Interview] appeared first on /Film.
The married filmmaking duo previously directed "Beneath the Harvest Sky." With "Queenpins," they've written and directed their first comedy. It's a change of pace they...
The post Queenpins Directors Break Down the Movie's $40 Million Extreme Couponing Scam [Interview] appeared first on /Film.
- 9/10/2021
- by Jack Giroux
- Slash Film
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