After Dennis Quaid accepted CinemaCon’s cinema icon award during the closing night Big Screen Achievement Awards, host Kevin Frazier surprised the veteran actor with a birthday cake as the crowd inside the Colosseum sang “Happy Birthday.”
Quaid turned 70 on Tuesday, and it was a fitting celebration for the star, who was feeling particularly reflective about where he’s at in his life and career at this chapter. “I’m on my sixth decade in this wonderful business,” Quaid said in accepting the honor, which arrives as he has The Long Game in theaters this weekend and the release of Reagan on the horizon. “To tell you the truth, I really do feel like I have more fun. I enjoy it now more than when I was young and hungry — not trying to get anywhere. I do it because I love it and that makes me kind of the luckiest guy on Earth,...
Quaid turned 70 on Tuesday, and it was a fitting celebration for the star, who was feeling particularly reflective about where he’s at in his life and career at this chapter. “I’m on my sixth decade in this wonderful business,” Quaid said in accepting the honor, which arrives as he has The Long Game in theaters this weekend and the release of Reagan on the horizon. “To tell you the truth, I really do feel like I have more fun. I enjoy it now more than when I was young and hungry — not trying to get anywhere. I do it because I love it and that makes me kind of the luckiest guy on Earth,...
- 4/12/2024
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Casey Wasserman’s eponymous sports and music management company has closed a deal to acquire the longstanding talent representation and production shop Brillstein Entertainment Partners.
Wasserman formally announced the transaction on Monday alongside Brillstein Co-CEOs Cynthia Pett and Jon Liebman. The acquisition bolsters Wasserman verticals like marketing and content creation (Brillstein produced “The Sopranos”), and also formally puts the grandson of legendary movie mogul Lew Wasserman in the Hollywood talent fold — welcoming star clients like Brad Pitt, Florence Pugh, Adam Sandler, Tiffany Haddish, Elizabeth Olsen and the newly named Lois Lane: Rachel Brosnahan.
Brillstein leaders Pett, Liebman, Marc Gurvitz and Sandy Wernick will continue to lead their company and join Wasserman’s executive leadership team. Same for partners including George Freeman, Missy Malkin, David McIlvain, Alex Murray, Andrea Pett and Tim Sarkes, as well as 30-plus managers in New York and Los Angeles. Previously known as Brillstein Grey, the...
Wasserman formally announced the transaction on Monday alongside Brillstein Co-CEOs Cynthia Pett and Jon Liebman. The acquisition bolsters Wasserman verticals like marketing and content creation (Brillstein produced “The Sopranos”), and also formally puts the grandson of legendary movie mogul Lew Wasserman in the Hollywood talent fold — welcoming star clients like Brad Pitt, Florence Pugh, Adam Sandler, Tiffany Haddish, Elizabeth Olsen and the newly named Lois Lane: Rachel Brosnahan.
Brillstein leaders Pett, Liebman, Marc Gurvitz and Sandy Wernick will continue to lead their company and join Wasserman’s executive leadership team. Same for partners including George Freeman, Missy Malkin, David McIlvain, Alex Murray, Andrea Pett and Tim Sarkes, as well as 30-plus managers in New York and Los Angeles. Previously known as Brillstein Grey, the...
- 9/18/2023
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Wasserman has finalized plans to acquire Brillstein Entertainment Partners. The entertainment management and production company run by Cynthia Pett and Jon Liebman will now be under the umbrella of Wasserman’s sports marketing and talent management.
The current Wasserman clients, including but not limited to athletes and musicians, will now be able to potentially more closely participate in films, shows or related content created by Brillstein and using the IP already existing within Brillstein. The pitch to current and future clients is an exchange of services and ideas across marketing, representation, content creation and talent management arms all under one proverbial roof.
“Cynthia [Pett] and I will continue to be co-ceos and will continue to run our production company/talent management company,” co-ceo Jon Leibman told TheWrap. “We will retain our identity.”
Concurrently, Wasserman Chairman and CEO Casey Wasserman told TheWrap, “Every company we acquire we operate as a single...
The current Wasserman clients, including but not limited to athletes and musicians, will now be able to potentially more closely participate in films, shows or related content created by Brillstein and using the IP already existing within Brillstein. The pitch to current and future clients is an exchange of services and ideas across marketing, representation, content creation and talent management arms all under one proverbial roof.
“Cynthia [Pett] and I will continue to be co-ceos and will continue to run our production company/talent management company,” co-ceo Jon Leibman told TheWrap. “We will retain our identity.”
Concurrently, Wasserman Chairman and CEO Casey Wasserman told TheWrap, “Every company we acquire we operate as a single...
- 9/18/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Just over a year ago, the leadership of Brillstein Entertainment Partners — a pioneering Hollywood company founded in 1969 by talent broker icon Bernie Brillstein, who managed names like Lorne Michaels, Garry Shandling, Brad Pitt, Nicolas Cage and Mike Myers — started thinking about strategic options for their business, including a sale.
The management and production firm had been led by co-CEOs Cynthia Pett and Jon Liebman since 2005, when the duo bought out the stake of executive Brad Grey and Brillstein-Grey dropped the latter name from the shingle. (Notably, the late Grey, who went on to become CEO of Paramount Pictures, took the backend interest in HBO’s The Sopranos, which had been produced by Brillstein, with him.)
Liebman, a New York entertainment attorney who joined Brillstein in 1998, says informal conversations were held in 2022 with Casey Wasserman, whose namesake company — which includes sports talent agents and a booking agency — has been on the acquisition hunt,...
The management and production firm had been led by co-CEOs Cynthia Pett and Jon Liebman since 2005, when the duo bought out the stake of executive Brad Grey and Brillstein-Grey dropped the latter name from the shingle. (Notably, the late Grey, who went on to become CEO of Paramount Pictures, took the backend interest in HBO’s The Sopranos, which had been produced by Brillstein, with him.)
Liebman, a New York entertainment attorney who joined Brillstein in 1998, says informal conversations were held in 2022 with Casey Wasserman, whose namesake company — which includes sports talent agents and a booking agency — has been on the acquisition hunt,...
- 9/18/2023
- by Erik Hayden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sports and music representation powerhouse Wasserman has finalized its acquisition of Brillstein Entertainment Partners, the venerable Hollywood management and production company. Terms were not disclosed. Deadline exclusively revealed the acquisition talks back in February.
Wasserman chairman and CEO Casey Wasserman and Brillstein co-CEOs Cynthia Pett and Jon Liebman made the announcement. It puts Wasserman, grandson of the iconic Hollywood representative and studio chief Lew Wasserman, directly into the film and TV representation and production game for the first time. It is the second strategic alignment for Wasserman, who took over the lucrative music touring business that was once the most profitable part of the Paradigm agency, at a time when the pandemic grounded live touring revenues.
It would be the latest move in management after 3Arts made a deal with Lionsgate, and Range Media Partners linked with Automatik.
Wasserman, Pett and Liebman believe their cultures will mesh in their compatible business and staffs.
Wasserman chairman and CEO Casey Wasserman and Brillstein co-CEOs Cynthia Pett and Jon Liebman made the announcement. It puts Wasserman, grandson of the iconic Hollywood representative and studio chief Lew Wasserman, directly into the film and TV representation and production game for the first time. It is the second strategic alignment for Wasserman, who took over the lucrative music touring business that was once the most profitable part of the Paradigm agency, at a time when the pandemic grounded live touring revenues.
It would be the latest move in management after 3Arts made a deal with Lionsgate, and Range Media Partners linked with Automatik.
Wasserman, Pett and Liebman believe their cultures will mesh in their compatible business and staffs.
- 9/18/2023
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Thruline Entertainment has promoted longtime talent manager Ashley Franklin to Partner.
Franklin has been at Thruline since 2011, guiding the careers of such actors as Lacey Chabert, Matt Czuchry, Emily Bergl and Lindy Booth, all of whom have been clients of hers for more than 15 years. Before transitioning into management, Franklin spent several years at the William Morris Agency, first as a mailroom trainee then as assistant to then-agent George Freeman before getting promoted to agent.
“We are so pleased to recognize Ashley in this way,” said Thruline partner Jb Roberts. “She is a fierce advocate for her clients, a trusted colleague and valuable mentor.”
Thruline Entertainment’s acting clients also include Allison Janney, Eric Stonestreet, Michael Cera, Ron Livingston, John Hawkes and Blair Underwood.
The company’s TV production credits include Hulu series The Great, starring Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult, which launches its third season in May; upcoming AMC crime drama Parish,...
Franklin has been at Thruline since 2011, guiding the careers of such actors as Lacey Chabert, Matt Czuchry, Emily Bergl and Lindy Booth, all of whom have been clients of hers for more than 15 years. Before transitioning into management, Franklin spent several years at the William Morris Agency, first as a mailroom trainee then as assistant to then-agent George Freeman before getting promoted to agent.
“We are so pleased to recognize Ashley in this way,” said Thruline partner Jb Roberts. “She is a fierce advocate for her clients, a trusted colleague and valuable mentor.”
Thruline Entertainment’s acting clients also include Allison Janney, Eric Stonestreet, Michael Cera, Ron Livingston, John Hawkes and Blair Underwood.
The company’s TV production credits include Hulu series The Great, starring Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult, which launches its third season in May; upcoming AMC crime drama Parish,...
- 3/27/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
London, March 25 (Ians) The UK Space Agency is planning to send two experiments that are aimed to improve understanding of currently incurable child brain tumours and the muscle ageing process, to the International Space Station (Iss).
The 2.6 million pound project, to be launched in 2025, will be supervised by astronauts on board the Iss for up to six months before returning to Earth for the results to be analysed, the space agency said in a statement.
The Institute of Cancer Research’s D(Mg) 2 project received 1.2 million pounds in funds from the UK Space Agency.
D(Mg) 2 aims to understand how to diffuse midline glioma — one of the most common types of “primary high grade” brain tumour to afflict children. It has, so far, been impossible to cure due to the amount of different cell types it contains.
The space agency awarded University of Liverpool’s MicroAge II project 1.4 million pounds...
The 2.6 million pound project, to be launched in 2025, will be supervised by astronauts on board the Iss for up to six months before returning to Earth for the results to be analysed, the space agency said in a statement.
The Institute of Cancer Research’s D(Mg) 2 project received 1.2 million pounds in funds from the UK Space Agency.
D(Mg) 2 aims to understand how to diffuse midline glioma — one of the most common types of “primary high grade” brain tumour to afflict children. It has, so far, been impossible to cure due to the amount of different cell types it contains.
The space agency awarded University of Liverpool’s MicroAge II project 1.4 million pounds...
- 3/25/2023
- by News Bureau
- GlamSham
New Delhi, Nov 25 (Ians) India’s Science & Technology Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh on Thursday held an online meeting with the United Kingdom Science Minister, George Freeman, wherein the two discussed Green Energy collaboration between the two countries among other issues. The India-uk Science & Technology (S&t) collaboration has been growing at a rapid pace […]...
- 11/25/2021
- by Glamsham Bureau
- GlamSham
Jonathan Majors is only 31 years old. In all likelihood, he’s been on your radar for no more than four years. So why does it feel damn-near impossible to contextualize, let alone list, his strengths as an actor? Watching the “Last Man in San Francisco” breakout and “Lovecraft Country” Emmy nominee is like glimpsing an electrical current — always pulsing, never predictable, and impossible to ignore. Whether he’s reading a book on the side of the road or sprinting at full speed through gunfire, Majors gives off that surreal star quality; the kind of magnetism that makes you want to know how he does it.
In speaking with the Yale drama graduate, a few items stand out. For one, when Jonathan Majors reads a script, he doesn’t just read it; he takes notes.
“There’s script’s everywhere here. I can show you, man,” he said, chatting over Zoom...
In speaking with the Yale drama graduate, a few items stand out. For one, when Jonathan Majors reads a script, he doesn’t just read it; he takes notes.
“There’s script’s everywhere here. I can show you, man,” he said, chatting over Zoom...
- 8/11/2021
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
Per Emmy tradition, all of the guest acting contenders had to designate their episode submissions on the initial nominations ballot, so we already know all of the entries for the Best Drama Guest Actor nominees. The 2021 Emmy nominees for this category are Don Cheadle (“The Falcon and the Winter Soldier”), Charles Dance (“The Crown”), Timothy Olyphant (“The Mandalorian”), Courtney B. Vance (“Lovecraft Country”) and Carl Weathers (“The Mandalorian”). Scroll down to see which episodes the Emmy voters will be watching to judge the nominees’ performances.
SEEHannah Einbinder (‘Hacks’): Emmys 2021 episode submission revealed
Cheadle’s submission for “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” is “New World Order,” which streamed March 19 on Disney+ as the first episode of Season 1. Emmy ballot description: “Colonel James Rhodes / War Machine (Cheadle) is an officer with the United States Air Force and a member of the Avengers. He is present when Sam Wilson donates Captain...
SEEHannah Einbinder (‘Hacks’): Emmys 2021 episode submission revealed
Cheadle’s submission for “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” is “New World Order,” which streamed March 19 on Disney+ as the first episode of Season 1. Emmy ballot description: “Colonel James Rhodes / War Machine (Cheadle) is an officer with the United States Air Force and a member of the Avengers. He is present when Sam Wilson donates Captain...
- 7/21/2021
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Courtney B. Vance already has an Emmy Award on his mantel for playing Johnnie Cochran on “The People v. O.J. Simpson” (2016). But now the actor could join an exclusive club of people who’ve received two acting nominations in the same year, thanks to his heralded roles on Nat Geo’s limited series “Genius: Aretha” and HBO’s drama series “Lovecraft Country.”
SEECynthia Erivo (‘Genius: Aretha’) on being ‘blown away’ by opportunity to portray the Queen of Soul
More than half of Gold Derby’s Emmy Experts — 14 out of 27 — predict Vance will receive a nom in Best Movie/Limited Supporting Actor for his real-life portrayal of C. L. Franklin, father of Aretha Franklin (Cynthia Erivo). On “Genius: Aretha,” Vance perfectly embodies the complicated baptist minister who was also known for being a womanizer and a partier. “He was a man of his times,” Vance told Gold Derby in our recent interview.
SEECynthia Erivo (‘Genius: Aretha’) on being ‘blown away’ by opportunity to portray the Queen of Soul
More than half of Gold Derby’s Emmy Experts — 14 out of 27 — predict Vance will receive a nom in Best Movie/Limited Supporting Actor for his real-life portrayal of C. L. Franklin, father of Aretha Franklin (Cynthia Erivo). On “Genius: Aretha,” Vance perfectly embodies the complicated baptist minister who was also known for being a womanizer and a partier. “He was a man of his times,” Vance told Gold Derby in our recent interview.
- 6/30/2021
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Dennis Quaid will play Rick Kirkham in the upcoming Peacock series “Joe Exotic.” Kirkham, an American journalist based in Norway, was the “Tiger King’s” reality show producer. Quaid joins previously announced series leads Kate McKinnon, who will play Carole Baskin, and John Cameron Mitchell, who will play Joe Exotic. It was also recently announced that Brian Van Holt will play John Reinke, Sam Keeley will play John Finlay and Natt Wolff will play Travis Maldonado.
Adapted from the Wondery Podcast of the same name, “Joe Exotic” centers on Carole Baskin (McKinnon), a big cat enthusiast, who learns that fellow exotic animal lover Joe “Exotic” Schreibvogel (Mitchell) is breeding and using his big cats for profit. She sets out to shut down his venture, inciting a quickly escalating rivalry. But Carole has a checkered past of her own and when the claws come out, Joe will stop at nothing to...
Adapted from the Wondery Podcast of the same name, “Joe Exotic” centers on Carole Baskin (McKinnon), a big cat enthusiast, who learns that fellow exotic animal lover Joe “Exotic” Schreibvogel (Mitchell) is breeding and using his big cats for profit. She sets out to shut down his venture, inciting a quickly escalating rivalry. But Carole has a checkered past of her own and when the claws come out, Joe will stop at nothing to...
- 6/3/2021
- by Mónica Marie Zorrilla
- Variety Film + TV
Dennis Quaid has entered the tiger’s den and will join Peacock’s Joe Exotic (working title) as Rick Kirkham.
The limited series, based on the Wondery podcast, the Emmy-nominated actor will take on Joe’s reality show producer. He will appear opposite Tony Award winner John Cameron Mitchell who is set to star as Joe “Exotic” Schreibvogel, as previously announced. Other cast members announced to this point include Emmy winner Kate McKinnon, who plays Carole Baskin, Brian Van Holt, who plays John Reinke, Nat Wolff, who is set to portray yet another of Joe’s husbands, Travis Maldonado, and Sam Keely who will play John Finlay.
The series picks up with big cat enthusiast Carole Baskin, as she learns that fellow exotic animal lover Joe “Exotic” Schreibvogel is breeding and using his big cats for profit. She sets out to shut down his venture, inciting a quickly escalating rivalry.
The limited series, based on the Wondery podcast, the Emmy-nominated actor will take on Joe’s reality show producer. He will appear opposite Tony Award winner John Cameron Mitchell who is set to star as Joe “Exotic” Schreibvogel, as previously announced. Other cast members announced to this point include Emmy winner Kate McKinnon, who plays Carole Baskin, Brian Van Holt, who plays John Reinke, Nat Wolff, who is set to portray yet another of Joe’s husbands, Travis Maldonado, and Sam Keely who will play John Finlay.
The series picks up with big cat enthusiast Carole Baskin, as she learns that fellow exotic animal lover Joe “Exotic” Schreibvogel is breeding and using his big cats for profit. She sets out to shut down his venture, inciting a quickly escalating rivalry.
- 6/3/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
Dennis Quaid is the latest to join Peacock’s upcoming scripted series on Joe Exotic.
Quaid will play Rick Kirkham, who was Joe’s reality TV show producer.
Based on the Wondery podcast “Joe Exotic,” hosted and reported by Robert Moor, the limited series will center on Carole Baskin, a big cat enthusiast, who learns that fellow exotic animal lover Joe “Exotic” Schreibvogel is breeding and using his big cats for profit. She sets out to shut down his venture, inciting a quickly escalating rivalry. But Carole has a checkered past of her own and when the claws come out, Joe will stop at nothing to expose what he sees as her hypocrisy. The results prove dangerous.
Kate McKinnon stars in the series as Carole Baskin, alongside John Cameron Mitchell as Schreibvogel. Brian Van Holt will play John Reinke. Nat Wolff and Sam Keeley will play Joe’s husbands Travis Maldonado and John Finlay,...
Quaid will play Rick Kirkham, who was Joe’s reality TV show producer.
Based on the Wondery podcast “Joe Exotic,” hosted and reported by Robert Moor, the limited series will center on Carole Baskin, a big cat enthusiast, who learns that fellow exotic animal lover Joe “Exotic” Schreibvogel is breeding and using his big cats for profit. She sets out to shut down his venture, inciting a quickly escalating rivalry. But Carole has a checkered past of her own and when the claws come out, Joe will stop at nothing to expose what he sees as her hypocrisy. The results prove dangerous.
Kate McKinnon stars in the series as Carole Baskin, alongside John Cameron Mitchell as Schreibvogel. Brian Van Holt will play John Reinke. Nat Wolff and Sam Keeley will play Joe’s husbands Travis Maldonado and John Finlay,...
- 6/3/2021
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Russell Crowe has joined the cast of Marvel’s Thor: Love and Thunder, joining Chris Hemsworth, who is reprising his role as the God of Thunder; Natalie Portman; and Christian Bale, who will be playing the villain. Crowe’s role is being kept under wraps and the hope was to surprise fans with this fun cameo when the film was released, but following recent photos of Crowe hanging out with the cast all over Australia, Deadline has confirmed he is in the movie.
Insiders say Crowe is one of many surprises to come out of the film, with Matt Damon also confirmed to reprise his cameo from Thor: Ragnarok.
Taika Waititi is back as director of the of the movie with plot details being kept under wraps. The film is set to bow on May 6, 2022.
Crowe was recently tapped to star opposite Zac Efron in Peter Farrelly’s The Greatest Beer Run Ever,...
Insiders say Crowe is one of many surprises to come out of the film, with Matt Damon also confirmed to reprise his cameo from Thor: Ragnarok.
Taika Waititi is back as director of the of the movie with plot details being kept under wraps. The film is set to bow on May 6, 2022.
Crowe was recently tapped to star opposite Zac Efron in Peter Farrelly’s The Greatest Beer Run Ever,...
- 3/29/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Director Peter Farrelly finally is ready to follow his Best Picture Oscar winner Green Book. Apple Studios is in talks to finance The Greatest Beer Run Ever, with Zac Efron and Russell Crowe in talks to star and Bill Murray is being courted for a supporting role.
Since that victorious Oscar Night, Farrelly has had his sights set on this film, which he developed with Skydance. He co-wrote the script with Brian Currie and Pete Jones, based on the bestselling book The Greatest Beer Run Ever: A Memoir of Friendship, Loyalty and War by Chick Donahue and J.T. Molloy. The film will produced by Andrew Muscato and Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger. I’m hearing that they are tying down the details but that the film will be made as an Apple Original Films title.
Beer Run tells Donohue’s story of leaving New York...
Since that victorious Oscar Night, Farrelly has had his sights set on this film, which he developed with Skydance. He co-wrote the script with Brian Currie and Pete Jones, based on the bestselling book The Greatest Beer Run Ever: A Memoir of Friendship, Loyalty and War by Chick Donahue and J.T. Molloy. The film will produced by Andrew Muscato and Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger. I’m hearing that they are tying down the details but that the film will be made as an Apple Original Films title.
Beer Run tells Donohue’s story of leaving New York...
- 3/23/2021
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Courtney B. Vance has a gift for tapping into rich and complex, larger-than-life men. In 2016, for example, he won an Emmy for his portrayal of real-life lawyer Johnnie Cochran in “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”; just last year he took on the role of George Freeman in HBO’s “Lovecraft Country”( for which he now sees a SAG Award ensemble nomination) and now he can be seen as Pastor C.L. Franklin aka the titular Queen of Soul’s father in National Geographic’s four-night event, “Genius: Aretha.”
How did you balance getting inside C.L.’s mind to portray him with the father-daughter relationship he had with Aretha? Did you have to separate and compartmentalize his story from theirs?
The generation that he came from were sharecroppers, and the idea that a Black man could actually go from sharecropping with no future to being the “Million-Dollar...
How did you balance getting inside C.L.’s mind to portray him with the father-daughter relationship he had with Aretha? Did you have to separate and compartmentalize his story from theirs?
The generation that he came from were sharecroppers, and the idea that a Black man could actually go from sharecropping with no future to being the “Million-Dollar...
- 3/22/2021
- by Danielle Turchiano
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Oscar-winner Morgan Freeman and Oscar-nominee Florence Pugh are set to star in A Good Person, written and to be directed by Golden Globe-nominee Zach Braff.
The film will follow Allison (Pugh), whose life falls apart following her involvement in a fatal accident. In the following years, it is the unlikely relationship she forms with her would-be father-in-law (Freeman) that helps her live a life worth living.
CAA Media Finance is arranging financing and will represent domestic rights. Rocket Science is handling international sales and will introduce the project to buyers at the upcoming virtual Berlin market.
The film reunites Braff with screen icon Freeman, who starred in the actor-filmmaker’s last directorial outing, Going In Style. The Warner Bros movie remake took $85M at the global box office in 2017. Braff most recently directed on Apple hit Ted Lasso. Se7en and Million Dollar Baby star Freeman is in post on action-comedy The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard.
The film will follow Allison (Pugh), whose life falls apart following her involvement in a fatal accident. In the following years, it is the unlikely relationship she forms with her would-be father-in-law (Freeman) that helps her live a life worth living.
CAA Media Finance is arranging financing and will represent domestic rights. Rocket Science is handling international sales and will introduce the project to buyers at the upcoming virtual Berlin market.
The film reunites Braff with screen icon Freeman, who starred in the actor-filmmaker’s last directorial outing, Going In Style. The Warner Bros movie remake took $85M at the global box office in 2017. Braff most recently directed on Apple hit Ted Lasso. Se7en and Million Dollar Baby star Freeman is in post on action-comedy The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard.
- 2/26/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: George Freeman, who saw a 20-year run at WME end in June and continued to represent most of his clients independently as manager, has landed at Brillstein Entertainment Partners. He has brought a lengthy list of clients with him.
Freeman’s list includes Russell Crowe; Dennis Quaid; director Ramin Bahrani; Adarsh Gourav, director and star of the upcoming Netflix film The White Tiger; American Gods, Hannibal & Pushing Daisies writer/EP Bryan Fuller; Florence Pugh, Oscar-nominated Little Women star who next co-stars in Black Widow); actor Arinze Kene (stars with Rachel Brosnahan in Amazon’s I Am Your Woman); actor Russell Tovey (Looking and Years and Years); and director Josie Rourke (Mary Queen of Scots).
A publicist before becoming an agent, Freeman said he chose Brillstein because he had such lasting relationships with its partners along his career track. None longer than CEO Jon Liebman. That relationship goes all the way back to kindergarten.
Freeman’s list includes Russell Crowe; Dennis Quaid; director Ramin Bahrani; Adarsh Gourav, director and star of the upcoming Netflix film The White Tiger; American Gods, Hannibal & Pushing Daisies writer/EP Bryan Fuller; Florence Pugh, Oscar-nominated Little Women star who next co-stars in Black Widow); actor Arinze Kene (stars with Rachel Brosnahan in Amazon’s I Am Your Woman); actor Russell Tovey (Looking and Years and Years); and director Josie Rourke (Mary Queen of Scots).
A publicist before becoming an agent, Freeman said he chose Brillstein because he had such lasting relationships with its partners along his career track. None longer than CEO Jon Liebman. That relationship goes all the way back to kindergarten.
- 10/1/2020
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
As a kinda-sorta anthology series, Lovecraft Country has enjoyed spending whole episodes highlighting characters other than just the core duo of Tic (Jonathan Majors) and Leti (Jurnee Smollett). Episode 5 caught up with Leti’s sister Ruby (Wunmi Mosaku) and her transformative ways. Then episode 6 introduced Ji-ah, an important, foxy figure in Tic’s life.
Based on the trailer for episode 7, Lovecraft Country is set to feature its supporting cast even more now. By all appearances, “I Am.” is the Hippolyta Freeman hour of the show. Give the teaser a watch below.
To refresh your memory on who Hippolyta even is (as it’s been awhile since she’s had lines of the show), the character played by Aunjanue Ellis is the wife of the dearly-departed George Freeman (Courtney B. Vance) and therefore Tic’s aunt. George promised Hippolyta that one day they would travel the country together, filling out George’s “Safe Negro Travel Guide.
Based on the trailer for episode 7, Lovecraft Country is set to feature its supporting cast even more now. By all appearances, “I Am.” is the Hippolyta Freeman hour of the show. Give the teaser a watch below.
To refresh your memory on who Hippolyta even is (as it’s been awhile since she’s had lines of the show), the character played by Aunjanue Ellis is the wife of the dearly-departed George Freeman (Courtney B. Vance) and therefore Tic’s aunt. George promised Hippolyta that one day they would travel the country together, filling out George’s “Safe Negro Travel Guide.
- 9/22/2020
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
The following contains spoilers for Lovecraft Country.
The ending of Lovecraft Country’s second episode could have very well been the season finale, if not series finale, of many other shows. All in the span of two episodes’ time, our heroes Tic Freeman (Jonathan Majors), Leti Lewis (Jurnee Smollett), and George Freeman (Courtney B. Vance) meet their proverbial archvillians, learn of their plan, and ultimately dispatch them.
Tic even reaches a series finale level of catharsis by meeting the shade of his ancestor, Hannah, who assists him in defeating Samuel Braithwhite (Tony Goldwyn) and helps him find safe passage out of the crumbling Braithwhite Manor. In the process, George loses his life. The events of “Whitey’s on the Moon” are so enormous and consequential that it might have been hard to viewers of the show to imagine where it could possibly go next.
That question is answered definitively in episode 3 “Holy Ghost.
The ending of Lovecraft Country’s second episode could have very well been the season finale, if not series finale, of many other shows. All in the span of two episodes’ time, our heroes Tic Freeman (Jonathan Majors), Leti Lewis (Jurnee Smollett), and George Freeman (Courtney B. Vance) meet their proverbial archvillians, learn of their plan, and ultimately dispatch them.
Tic even reaches a series finale level of catharsis by meeting the shade of his ancestor, Hannah, who assists him in defeating Samuel Braithwhite (Tony Goldwyn) and helps him find safe passage out of the crumbling Braithwhite Manor. In the process, George loses his life. The events of “Whitey’s on the Moon” are so enormous and consequential that it might have been hard to viewers of the show to imagine where it could possibly go next.
That question is answered definitively in episode 3 “Holy Ghost.
- 8/31/2020
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
Jonathan Majors is relishing his opportunity to play a new brand of hero on HBO’s “Lovecraft Country,” where the actor stars as Atticus “Tic” Freeman, a Korean war veteran whose love of sci-fi and fantasy novels turns (maybe a bit too) realistic after he returns home to look for his missing father.
From the HBO series’ opening sequence — which Majors says “blew his mind” when watching it on-screen — it was clear that Atticus and Majors had stepped into a brave new world.
“The colors, the sounds, it was IMAX on our TVs all of a sudden. I remember looking out as Atticus [on set during that scene], and it was people and it was active and it was great, but it didn’t have all that color,” Majors tells Variety. “It is even beyond my wildest dreams to be stepping into this world now and doing what we’re doing with the show.”
And speaking of the opening scene,...
From the HBO series’ opening sequence — which Majors says “blew his mind” when watching it on-screen — it was clear that Atticus and Majors had stepped into a brave new world.
“The colors, the sounds, it was IMAX on our TVs all of a sudden. I remember looking out as Atticus [on set during that scene], and it was people and it was active and it was great, but it didn’t have all that color,” Majors tells Variety. “It is even beyond my wildest dreams to be stepping into this world now and doing what we’re doing with the show.”
And speaking of the opening scene,...
- 8/18/2020
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
This Lovecraft Country review contains spoilers.
Lovecraft Country Season 1, Episode 1
We’re introduced to Atticus “Tic” Freeman (Jonathan Majors) in a dream sequence. What begins as a straightforward black and white scene of Tic in the trenches morphs into a colorful panorama of the fantastical, a smorgasbord of sci-fi hors d’oeuvres. Overhead, flying saucers hover, while creatures of unknown origin fly about the sky. A red woman (Jamie Chung) descends from a spaceship, and alerts our hero to the imminent threat of a rising Cthulhu. Before the Elder God can raise hell, Jackie Robinson smashes it to shit with a single swing of his bat. Tic abruptly awakens.
In real life, Tic is on the back of a greyhound. As the bus crosses yet another bridge named after a dead racist, Tic flips the bridge the bird, a final fuck you to the Jim Crow South. Unfortunately, the bus breaks down.
Lovecraft Country Season 1, Episode 1
We’re introduced to Atticus “Tic” Freeman (Jonathan Majors) in a dream sequence. What begins as a straightforward black and white scene of Tic in the trenches morphs into a colorful panorama of the fantastical, a smorgasbord of sci-fi hors d’oeuvres. Overhead, flying saucers hover, while creatures of unknown origin fly about the sky. A red woman (Jamie Chung) descends from a spaceship, and alerts our hero to the imminent threat of a rising Cthulhu. Before the Elder God can raise hell, Jackie Robinson smashes it to shit with a single swing of his bat. Tic abruptly awakens.
In real life, Tic is on the back of a greyhound. As the bus crosses yet another bridge named after a dead racist, Tic flips the bridge the bird, a final fuck you to the Jim Crow South. Unfortunately, the bus breaks down.
- 8/17/2020
- by Kayti Burt
- Den of Geek
The real challenge with this series will be identifying the true monsters.
What appeared to be a simple missing-person case was introduced on Lovecraft Country Season 1 Episode 1.
But there's nothing simple about the journey taken by Atticus "TIc" Freeman, his uncle George Freeman, and his childhood friend Letitia "Leti" Lewis across the eastern half of 1950s America.
Misha Green (Underground) is the showrunner, writer, director, and executive producer for Lovecraft Country, while Jordan Peele (The Twilight Zone) and J.J. Abrams also serve as executive producers.
With such firepower behind the camera, this timely adaptation of the Matt Ruff novel effectively takes aim at the systematic racism, which sadly still exists in this country more than a half-century later.
Tic is a fan of pulp fiction but not particularly of the racist horror writer H.P. Lovecraft, for whom the novel and production is named.
The title refers to Lovecraft's native New England,...
What appeared to be a simple missing-person case was introduced on Lovecraft Country Season 1 Episode 1.
But there's nothing simple about the journey taken by Atticus "TIc" Freeman, his uncle George Freeman, and his childhood friend Letitia "Leti" Lewis across the eastern half of 1950s America.
Misha Green (Underground) is the showrunner, writer, director, and executive producer for Lovecraft Country, while Jordan Peele (The Twilight Zone) and J.J. Abrams also serve as executive producers.
With such firepower behind the camera, this timely adaptation of the Matt Ruff novel effectively takes aim at the systematic racism, which sadly still exists in this country more than a half-century later.
Tic is a fan of pulp fiction but not particularly of the racist horror writer H.P. Lovecraft, for whom the novel and production is named.
The title refers to Lovecraft's native New England,...
- 8/17/2020
- by Dale McGarrigle
- TVfanatic
Exclusive: UTA has signed multi-hyphenate Dennis Quaid for worldwide representation in all areas.
The Day After Tomorrow and Midway actor recently co-founded podcast studio Audio Up with Jared Gutstadt. Pods launched to date include The Dennissance, which sees the actor chat through life experiences with fellow celebrities, The Pet Show with Jimmy Jellinek, and Uncle Drank: The Totally Hammered Podcast with Gary Busey, which debuts in October.
On the film side, Quaid is in development on Charley Pride Story, which he will produce along with Ben Howard’s production company Third Coast Content. Quaid is also set to star in the Ronald Reagan biopic, Reagan, produced by Mark Joseph, with production aiming to begin in the near future.
For TV, Quaid recently starred in and executive produced Netflix’s upcoming holiday-themed comedy series Merry Happy Whatever. He was also in the third season of Amazon’s Goliath opposite Billy Bob Thornton,...
The Day After Tomorrow and Midway actor recently co-founded podcast studio Audio Up with Jared Gutstadt. Pods launched to date include The Dennissance, which sees the actor chat through life experiences with fellow celebrities, The Pet Show with Jimmy Jellinek, and Uncle Drank: The Totally Hammered Podcast with Gary Busey, which debuts in October.
On the film side, Quaid is in development on Charley Pride Story, which he will produce along with Ben Howard’s production company Third Coast Content. Quaid is also set to star in the Ronald Reagan biopic, Reagan, produced by Mark Joseph, with production aiming to begin in the near future.
For TV, Quaid recently starred in and executive produced Netflix’s upcoming holiday-themed comedy series Merry Happy Whatever. He was also in the third season of Amazon’s Goliath opposite Billy Bob Thornton,...
- 7/29/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Bozoma Saint John is stepping down as Cmo for Endeavor to take the same position with Netflix.
Saint John replaces Jackie Lee-Joe, who is leaving the company after less than a year on the job for personal reasons, an individual with knowledge of the move told TheWrap. Lee-Joe has been with her family in Australia since the coroanvirus pandemic began.
“Bozoma Saint John is an exceptional marketer who understands how to drive conversations around popular culture better than almost anyone. As we bring more great stories to our members around the world, she’ll define and lead our next exciting phase of creativity and connection with consumers,” said Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer.
Also Read: Endeavor Secures $260 Million Loan Amid Cost-Cutting Measures
Added Saint John: “I’m thrilled to join Netflix, especially at a time when storytelling is critical to our global, societal well-being. I feel honored to contribute my...
Saint John replaces Jackie Lee-Joe, who is leaving the company after less than a year on the job for personal reasons, an individual with knowledge of the move told TheWrap. Lee-Joe has been with her family in Australia since the coroanvirus pandemic began.
“Bozoma Saint John is an exceptional marketer who understands how to drive conversations around popular culture better than almost anyone. As we bring more great stories to our members around the world, she’ll define and lead our next exciting phase of creativity and connection with consumers,” said Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer.
Also Read: Endeavor Secures $260 Million Loan Amid Cost-Cutting Measures
Added Saint John: “I’m thrilled to join Netflix, especially at a time when storytelling is critical to our global, societal well-being. I feel honored to contribute my...
- 6/30/2020
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
BAFTA nominated Little Women star Florence Pugh has signed with CAA. This closely follows the exit of her longtime agent George Freeman from WME. He will stay in her life, as manager. Freeman is making that transition now — he is expected to land with a management/production company — after being let go from the agency after mistakenly hitting ‘reply all’ on a biting internal email meant for a single recipient.
Pugh has become a sought after actress in a short amount of time. Her ascent started with the William Oldroyd-directed Lady Macbeth, followed by the Ari Aster-directed Midsommar, the David Mackenzie-directed Outlaw King, Stephen Merchant-directed Fighting With My Family and the Chan-wook Park-directed BBC miniseries The Little Drummer Girl.
Pugh will next be seen opposite Scarlett Johansson in the Cate Shortland-directed Black Widow for Marvel, and she’ll begin production this fall starring in the...
Pugh has become a sought after actress in a short amount of time. Her ascent started with the William Oldroyd-directed Lady Macbeth, followed by the Ari Aster-directed Midsommar, the David Mackenzie-directed Outlaw King, Stephen Merchant-directed Fighting With My Family and the Chan-wook Park-directed BBC miniseries The Little Drummer Girl.
Pugh will next be seen opposite Scarlett Johansson in the Cate Shortland-directed Black Widow for Marvel, and she’ll begin production this fall starring in the...
- 6/24/2020
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
CAA has signed “Little Women” star Florence Pugh.
Pugh received Academy Award and BAFTA Award nominations for her performance in the Greta Gerwig-directed “Little Women,” which has grossed more than $209 million at the global box office.
She will next be seen in Marvel’s “Black Widow,” directed by Cate Shortland, opposite Scarlett Johansson, Rachel Weisz and David Harbour. Later this fall, she will begin production on Olivia Wilde’s “Don’t Worry Darling” with Chris Pine, Shia Labeouf and Dakota Johnson.
Pugh first gained recognition with her breakthrough performance in “Lady Macbeth,” directed by William Oldroyd. She also starred in Ari Aster’s follow-up to “Hereditary,” A24’s “Midsomar,” as well as David Mackenzie’s “Outlaw King,” which also toplined Pine. Other credits include Stephen Merchant’s “Fighting With My Family,” which Dwayne Johnson produced and starred in. On the TV side, she led Park Chan-wook’s BBC miniseries “The Little Drummer Girl.
Pugh received Academy Award and BAFTA Award nominations for her performance in the Greta Gerwig-directed “Little Women,” which has grossed more than $209 million at the global box office.
She will next be seen in Marvel’s “Black Widow,” directed by Cate Shortland, opposite Scarlett Johansson, Rachel Weisz and David Harbour. Later this fall, she will begin production on Olivia Wilde’s “Don’t Worry Darling” with Chris Pine, Shia Labeouf and Dakota Johnson.
Pugh first gained recognition with her breakthrough performance in “Lady Macbeth,” directed by William Oldroyd. She also starred in Ari Aster’s follow-up to “Hereditary,” A24’s “Midsomar,” as well as David Mackenzie’s “Outlaw King,” which also toplined Pine. Other credits include Stephen Merchant’s “Fighting With My Family,” which Dwayne Johnson produced and starred in. On the TV side, she led Park Chan-wook’s BBC miniseries “The Little Drummer Girl.
- 6/24/2020
- by Justin Kroll
- Variety Film + TV
George Freeman, a partner and senior vice president of talent at WME whose clients included Russell Crowe, Kenneth Branagh, and Dennis Quaid, has been fired after sending an inappropriate email to multiple people within the company, an agency representative told TheWrap.
Freeman’s email contained profanities and “insensitive” comments that disparaged one of Freeman’s colleagues at the agency, according to Deadline, which first reported the news. The email was intended for one person but was accidentally sent to a wide number of recipients.
Neither the content of the email nor the targeted colleague have been made public.
Also Read: WME Agent George Freeman Fired Over Inappropriate Reply-All Email Disparaging Colleague
After objections were raised by other WME employees, Freeman apologized to coworkers and to the specific person he insulted for the email. After a review of the matter, Freeman was terminated.
Freeman had been with the company since 2000, when...
Freeman’s email contained profanities and “insensitive” comments that disparaged one of Freeman’s colleagues at the agency, according to Deadline, which first reported the news. The email was intended for one person but was accidentally sent to a wide number of recipients.
Neither the content of the email nor the targeted colleague have been made public.
Also Read: WME Agent George Freeman Fired Over Inappropriate Reply-All Email Disparaging Colleague
After objections were raised by other WME employees, Freeman apologized to coworkers and to the specific person he insulted for the email. After a review of the matter, Freeman was terminated.
Freeman had been with the company since 2000, when...
- 6/19/2020
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Veteran WME agent George Freeman has been let go by the agency today because of an e-mail he meant to send to an individual but mistakenly dispersed to a large number of colleagues. The e-mail contained strong language and insensitive comments at the expense of a fellow WME agent we won’t name here. The language was deemed objectionable and offended some. While Freeman apologized to the colleague and to the company as a whole and owned his mistake, the decision was made to let him go.
Freeman has a strong list of clients. Among them is Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe, directors Ridley Scott, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Condon and Ric Roman Waugh, writers Mark Boal and Bryan Fuller, and actors Jodie Comer, Florence Pugh, Luke Evans, Mark Strong, Dennis Quaid, Richard E. Grant and Teresa Palmer.
Attempts to reach Freeman for comment were unavailing.
Freeman has a strong list of clients. Among them is Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe, directors Ridley Scott, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Condon and Ric Roman Waugh, writers Mark Boal and Bryan Fuller, and actors Jodie Comer, Florence Pugh, Luke Evans, Mark Strong, Dennis Quaid, Richard E. Grant and Teresa Palmer.
Attempts to reach Freeman for comment were unavailing.
- 6/19/2020
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
In our new series, we look at eight cities where live music has exploded — from legendary hubs like New Orleans and Nashville, to rising hot spots like Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Portland, Maine. The latest? Chicago, where artists are pushing the envelope at secret clubs, strip clubs and more.
Chicago has always been a city for musical risk-taking. It’s where the Chess brothers helped introduce electric blues to the world and Kanye West changed rap 50 years later. Today, it’s home to one of the most adventurous, experimental scenes in the country.
Chicago has always been a city for musical risk-taking. It’s where the Chess brothers helped introduce electric blues to the world and Kanye West changed rap 50 years later. Today, it’s home to one of the most adventurous, experimental scenes in the country.
- 1/30/2020
- by Natalie Weiner
- Rollingstone.com
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