Leslie West, the mammoth guitarist whose ringing guitar tones and gravelly voice propelled the rock band Mountain, has died at 75. His death was confirmed by Dean Guitars. His family later confirmed that he died of a heart attack.
“With a heavy heart, we are saddened to hear about the passing of #Dean Artist and part of the Dean family, Leslie West. Legendary and one of a kind. Rest In Peace.” Dean Guitars CEO Evan Rubinson shared his personal condolences via Twitter writing, “To a man that I truly loved more than most — the funniest, most honest guy I’ve met.”
West suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Florida. He was rushed to a hospital but never regained consciousness.
West will forever be known as the roaring voice behind the bar band classic Mississippi Queen, a cut on Mountain’s debut album. Years before Blue Oyster Cult made the cowbell a cultural joke,...
“With a heavy heart, we are saddened to hear about the passing of #Dean Artist and part of the Dean family, Leslie West. Legendary and one of a kind. Rest In Peace.” Dean Guitars CEO Evan Rubinson shared his personal condolences via Twitter writing, “To a man that I truly loved more than most — the funniest, most honest guy I’ve met.”
West suffered a cardiac arrest at his home in Florida. He was rushed to a hospital but never regained consciousness.
West will forever be known as the roaring voice behind the bar band classic Mississippi Queen, a cut on Mountain’s debut album. Years before Blue Oyster Cult made the cowbell a cultural joke,...
- 12/23/2020
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Leslie West, the towering guitarist who created the hard-rock milestone “Mississippi Queen” with his band Mountain, died Wednesday morning. West’s brother, Larry West Weinstein, confirmed the musician’s death to Rolling Stone. He was 75. The cause of death was cardiac arrest. On Monday, West was rushed to a hospital after suffering cardiac arrest at his home near Daytona, Florida, where he never regained consciousness.
Released in 1970 on Mountain’s debut album, Climbing!, “Mississippi Queen” was two and a half minutes of boisterous bliss built around West’s burly yowl...
Released in 1970 on Mountain’s debut album, Climbing!, “Mississippi Queen” was two and a half minutes of boisterous bliss built around West’s burly yowl...
- 12/23/2020
- by David Browne
- Rollingstone.com
Exclusive: We have learned that Marc Maron and Stephen Root have boarded the real-life inspired drama To Leslie which stars Andrea Riseborough as a West Texas single mom who wins the lottery, spends it fast, leaving a world of heartbreak in her wake.
Maron will play Sweeney, a lonely motel manager living a quiet life in West Texas, who takes a chance on Leslie when no one else will. Root will portray Dutch, a grizzled ex-biker willing to help Leslie so long as she plays by his rules.
Michael Morris is directing off Ryan Binaco’s screenplay. Production is already occurring here in Los Angeles.
Eduardo Cisneros, Ceci Cleary, Claude Dal Farra, Brian Keady, Kelsey Law, Jason Shuman, and Philip Waley are producing. John Gilbert of Bluewater Lane Productions and Ward Cleary and Binaco are EPs. Mister Smith Entertainment is handling international sales and UTA Independent Film Group...
Maron will play Sweeney, a lonely motel manager living a quiet life in West Texas, who takes a chance on Leslie when no one else will. Root will portray Dutch, a grizzled ex-biker willing to help Leslie so long as she plays by his rules.
Michael Morris is directing off Ryan Binaco’s screenplay. Production is already occurring here in Los Angeles.
Eduardo Cisneros, Ceci Cleary, Claude Dal Farra, Brian Keady, Kelsey Law, Jason Shuman, and Philip Waley are producing. John Gilbert of Bluewater Lane Productions and Ward Cleary and Binaco are EPs. Mister Smith Entertainment is handling international sales and UTA Independent Film Group...
- 12/16/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Jennifer Hudson is producing and eyed to star in an untitled Christmas song comedy at New Line.
The feature will include both new and classic Christmas songs and center on a down-and-out singer’s life being turned upside down when she is mistaken for writing the next Christmas hit. Ira Madison III is writing the screenplay.
Hudson will next be seen as Aretha Franklin in the biopic “Respect,” directed by Liesl Tommy. Hudson, who was hand-picked by Franklin to play the role, executive produced the film. MGM is planning an Aug. 13, 2021, release date for “Respect,” which also stars Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald and Mary J. Blige.
Jonathan Glickman will produce the Christmas song movie through his Glickmania banner. Molly Mankiewicz will executive produce. The project reunites Hudson with Glickman, who is also producing “Respect.” His credits include “The Dark Half,” “Forever,” “Scandalous!” and “The Addams Family 2.”
Hudson...
The feature will include both new and classic Christmas songs and center on a down-and-out singer’s life being turned upside down when she is mistaken for writing the next Christmas hit. Ira Madison III is writing the screenplay.
Hudson will next be seen as Aretha Franklin in the biopic “Respect,” directed by Liesl Tommy. Hudson, who was hand-picked by Franklin to play the role, executive produced the film. MGM is planning an Aug. 13, 2021, release date for “Respect,” which also stars Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald and Mary J. Blige.
Jonathan Glickman will produce the Christmas song movie through his Glickmania banner. Molly Mankiewicz will executive produce. The project reunites Hudson with Glickman, who is also producing “Respect.” His credits include “The Dark Half,” “Forever,” “Scandalous!” and “The Addams Family 2.”
Hudson...
- 12/9/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: New Line has made a preemptive deal for a music-driven holiday comedy pitch that will be fashioned as a potential star vehicle for Jennifer Hudson, the Oscar-winning Dreamgirls star who’ll next star as Aretha Franklin in the upcoming Respect.
The film will be scripted by Ira Madison III, and Hudson will make her debut as producer, alongside Glickmania’s Jonathan Glickman, who’s produced the MGM drama Respect, the drama in which, Aretha Franklin, before she died, handpicked Hudson to star in the story of her life.
The New Line film calls for Hudson to sing Christmas standards, as well as new holiday tunes. She has been getting into the holiday swing lately, singing Oh Santa! with singing divas Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande, for Carey’s Magical Christmas Special on Apple TV+. The video has become a viral sensation.
The hope is for Hudson to play a...
The film will be scripted by Ira Madison III, and Hudson will make her debut as producer, alongside Glickmania’s Jonathan Glickman, who’s produced the MGM drama Respect, the drama in which, Aretha Franklin, before she died, handpicked Hudson to star in the story of her life.
The New Line film calls for Hudson to sing Christmas standards, as well as new holiday tunes. She has been getting into the holiday swing lately, singing Oh Santa! with singing divas Mariah Carey and Ariana Grande, for Carey’s Magical Christmas Special on Apple TV+. The video has become a viral sensation.
The hope is for Hudson to play a...
- 12/9/2020
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
92nd Oscars®
Emmy®-nominated producer Jesse Collins, Oscar®-nominated producer Stacey Sher and Oscar-winning filmmaker Steven Soderbergh will produce the 93rd Oscars®, Academy President David Rubin announced today. It will be their first involvement with the Oscars, which airs live on ABC and broadcast outlets worldwide on Sunday, April 25, 2021.
“The upcoming Oscars is the perfect occasion for innovation and for re-envisioning the possibilities for the awards show. This is a dream team who will respond directly to these times,” said Academy President David Rubin and Academy CEO Dawn Hudson. “The Academy is excited to work with them to deliver an event that reflects the worldwide love of movies and how they connect us and entertain us when we need them the most.”
“We’re thrilled and terrified in equal measure. Because of the extraordinary situation we’re all in, there’s an opportunity to focus on the movies and the...
Emmy®-nominated producer Jesse Collins, Oscar®-nominated producer Stacey Sher and Oscar-winning filmmaker Steven Soderbergh will produce the 93rd Oscars®, Academy President David Rubin announced today. It will be their first involvement with the Oscars, which airs live on ABC and broadcast outlets worldwide on Sunday, April 25, 2021.
“The upcoming Oscars is the perfect occasion for innovation and for re-envisioning the possibilities for the awards show. This is a dream team who will respond directly to these times,” said Academy President David Rubin and Academy CEO Dawn Hudson. “The Academy is excited to work with them to deliver an event that reflects the worldwide love of movies and how they connect us and entertain us when we need them the most.”
“We’re thrilled and terrified in equal measure. Because of the extraordinary situation we’re all in, there’s an opportunity to focus on the movies and the...
- 12/8/2020
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
“This is a dream team who will respond directly to these times.”
Producers Jesse Collins and Stacey Sher and filmmaker Steven Soderbergh will produce the 93rd annual Academy Awards on April 25, 2021.
“The upcoming Oscars is the perfect occasion for innovation and for re-envisioning the possibilities for the awards show,” said Academy president David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson
“This is a dream team who will respond directly to these times. The Academy is excited to work with them to deliver an event that reflects the worldwide love of movies and how they connect us and entertain us when we need them the most.
Producers Jesse Collins and Stacey Sher and filmmaker Steven Soderbergh will produce the 93rd annual Academy Awards on April 25, 2021.
“The upcoming Oscars is the perfect occasion for innovation and for re-envisioning the possibilities for the awards show,” said Academy president David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson
“This is a dream team who will respond directly to these times. The Academy is excited to work with them to deliver an event that reflects the worldwide love of movies and how they connect us and entertain us when we need them the most.
- 12/8/2020
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Director Steven Soderbergh and producers Stacey Sher and Jesse Collins will produce the 93rd Academy Awards on April 25, 2021, the Academy announced on Tuesday.
The announcement did not specify whether the show would be in-person or virtual, a decision that will not be made until the course of the Covid-19 pandemic is clearer.
While Collins is a television producer with a long history of producing live awards shows like the Grammys, BET Awards and Soul Train Awards and Sher is a veteran producer with Oscar nominations for “Django Unchained” and “Erin Brockovich,” the presence of Soderbergh on the producing team is a surprise and something of a coup for Academy president David Rubin.
Soderbergh, who won the Best Director Oscar for “Traffic” in 2000, is an adventurous and iconoclastic film and television director whose work includes “sex, lies and videotape,” “Contagion,” “Out of Sight,” the “Oceans” movies, “Magic Mike” and the recent...
The announcement did not specify whether the show would be in-person or virtual, a decision that will not be made until the course of the Covid-19 pandemic is clearer.
While Collins is a television producer with a long history of producing live awards shows like the Grammys, BET Awards and Soul Train Awards and Sher is a veteran producer with Oscar nominations for “Django Unchained” and “Erin Brockovich,” the presence of Soderbergh on the producing team is a surprise and something of a coup for Academy president David Rubin.
Soderbergh, who won the Best Director Oscar for “Traffic” in 2000, is an adventurous and iconoclastic film and television director whose work includes “sex, lies and videotape,” “Contagion,” “Out of Sight,” the “Oceans” movies, “Magic Mike” and the recent...
- 12/8/2020
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
The Academy has chosen three first-time Oscar producers for the delayed 2021 show: Emmy-nominated Grammy Show producer Jesse Collins will team with filmmakers Stacey Sher and Steven Soderbergh, who worked together on Oscar-winner “Erin Brockovich,” to produce the 93rd Oscars which, due to the pandemic will air live on ABC and around the world on Sunday, April 25, two months later than usual.
There has been some debate about what form the Oscar show will take, whether in-person or in hybrid form like the Emmys. Clearly, the Academy will do what it takes to keep participants safe. Directing Oscar winner Soderbergh (“Traffic”) has earned recent praise, not only for his filmmaking, but for leading the taskforce at the Directors Guild of America that has set Covid safety guidelines for the industry.
“The upcoming Oscars is the perfect occasion for innovation and for re-envisioning the possibilities for the awards show,” stated Academy President...
There has been some debate about what form the Oscar show will take, whether in-person or in hybrid form like the Emmys. Clearly, the Academy will do what it takes to keep participants safe. Directing Oscar winner Soderbergh (“Traffic”) has earned recent praise, not only for his filmmaking, but for leading the taskforce at the Directors Guild of America that has set Covid safety guidelines for the industry.
“The upcoming Oscars is the perfect occasion for innovation and for re-envisioning the possibilities for the awards show,” stated Academy President...
- 12/8/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
In what could be the most challenging producing assignment ever for an Oscar show, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today tapped Jesse Collins, Stacey Sher and Steven Soderbergh to produce the 93rd Annual Academy Awards. The show is set for Sunday April 25, their latest date ever, due to delays caused by the coronavirus crisis.
This will be the first involvement in steering the Oscar show for each of them, though Soderbergh is no stranger to the event; he won the 2000 Directing Oscar for Traffic after also being nominated in the same category that year for Erin Brockovich. His numerous directing credits include sex, lies, and videotape, the Oceans trilogy, Magic Mike and his latest debuting this week, Let Them All Talk.
Sher, a veteran producer, is a two-time Best Picture Oscar nominee for Django Unchained and Erin Brockovich, the latter repping a previous professional pairing with Soderbergh,...
This will be the first involvement in steering the Oscar show for each of them, though Soderbergh is no stranger to the event; he won the 2000 Directing Oscar for Traffic after also being nominated in the same category that year for Erin Brockovich. His numerous directing credits include sex, lies, and videotape, the Oceans trilogy, Magic Mike and his latest debuting this week, Let Them All Talk.
Sher, a veteran producer, is a two-time Best Picture Oscar nominee for Django Unchained and Erin Brockovich, the latter repping a previous professional pairing with Soderbergh,...
- 12/8/2020
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
Another series whose production was interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic has successfully finished its season. Genius: Aretha, the third installment in National Geographic’s anthology series, wrapped production today in Atlanta. The show commemorated the occasion with photos on Instagram featuring star Cynthia Erivo as music icon Aretha Franklin as well as executive producer/showrunner Suzan-Lori Parks, who sent the cast and crew a welcome-back note the day the series resumed production last month, and executive producer/director Anthony Hemingway.
The caption accompanying the photos notes that Genius: Aretha will debut in 2021.
Genius: Aretha, about the legendary “Chain of Fools” singer, had filmed 5 1/2 episodes of its eight-episode order when production shut down mid-March amid the escalating coronavirus outbreak. Two weeks later, Nat Geo delayed the premiere of the limited series, originally slated for May 25, for “later this year.” An early 2021 debut had been considered a more likely scenario given the lengthy pandemic-related hiatus,...
The caption accompanying the photos notes that Genius: Aretha will debut in 2021.
Genius: Aretha, about the legendary “Chain of Fools” singer, had filmed 5 1/2 episodes of its eight-episode order when production shut down mid-March amid the escalating coronavirus outbreak. Two weeks later, Nat Geo delayed the premiere of the limited series, originally slated for May 25, for “later this year.” An early 2021 debut had been considered a more likely scenario given the lengthy pandemic-related hiatus,...
- 11/25/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
We have a winner!
Monday's season finale of Dancing With the Stars awarded one of the four finalists the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.
Kaitlyn Bristowe, Nelly, Justina Machado, and Nev Schulman remained in the running to win the whole season.
Each couple had two routines on the milestone episode, one involving a repeat of one of their favorite performances, and the other, a fan-favorite freestyle.
Bristowe and Artem Chigvintsev opened the episode with an Argentine tango to "Toxic" by Britney Spears.
Yep, they garnered another perfect score.
Their final performance on the series was "Sparkling Diamonds" from Moulin Rouge, which gave them another perfect score.
Nelly and Daniella Karagach went with a samba to "Rhythm of the Night," by DeBarge.
The performance netted them a 27/30.
For their freestyle, they danced to "Savage" by Megan Thee Stallion and "Hypnotize" by The Notorious B.I.G.
They nabbed a perfect score of 30/30.
Not bad!
Monday's season finale of Dancing With the Stars awarded one of the four finalists the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.
Kaitlyn Bristowe, Nelly, Justina Machado, and Nev Schulman remained in the running to win the whole season.
Each couple had two routines on the milestone episode, one involving a repeat of one of their favorite performances, and the other, a fan-favorite freestyle.
Bristowe and Artem Chigvintsev opened the episode with an Argentine tango to "Toxic" by Britney Spears.
Yep, they garnered another perfect score.
Their final performance on the series was "Sparkling Diamonds" from Moulin Rouge, which gave them another perfect score.
Nelly and Daniella Karagach went with a samba to "Rhythm of the Night," by DeBarge.
The performance netted them a 27/30.
For their freestyle, they danced to "Savage" by Megan Thee Stallion and "Hypnotize" by The Notorious B.I.G.
They nabbed a perfect score of 30/30.
Not bad!
- 11/24/2020
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
The season 29 finale of “Dancing with the Stars” was Monday night, November 23, and it all came down to four celebs: “Bachelorette” star Kaitlyn Bristowe, actress Justina Machado, rapper Nelly and “Catfish” host Nev Schulman. So which of them earned the judges’ scores and viewer votes they needed to become the next Mirror Ball champion? Scroll down for our live blog with all the minute-by-minute developments and our running commentary throughout the night.
There were two rounds of dances tonight to decide the ultimate victor. In the first round the celebs reprised their favorite dance from the season, but with new creative elements: Bristowe’s Argentine tango to Britney Spears‘s “Toxic,” Machado’s cha cha to “Respect” by Aretha Franklin, Nelly’s samba to “Rhythm of the Night” be DeBarge, and Schulman’s paso doble to “Black Swan.”
See‘Dancing with the Stars’: Top 15 Best Pro Dancers Ever
Then...
There were two rounds of dances tonight to decide the ultimate victor. In the first round the celebs reprised their favorite dance from the season, but with new creative elements: Bristowe’s Argentine tango to Britney Spears‘s “Toxic,” Machado’s cha cha to “Respect” by Aretha Franklin, Nelly’s samba to “Rhythm of the Night” be DeBarge, and Schulman’s paso doble to “Black Swan.”
See‘Dancing with the Stars’: Top 15 Best Pro Dancers Ever
Then...
- 11/24/2020
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
(Warning: This post contains spoilers for the Season 29 finale of “Dancing With the Stars.”)
“Dancing With the Stars” handed out the Season 29 mirrorball trophy on Monday night, bringing to a close the show’s first socially distanced season, as well as the ABC dancing competition’s first season under new host and executive producer Tyra Banks.
The season began back in September with a high-profile celebrity cast that included “Tiger King” star Carole Baskin, “Selling Sunset’s” Chrishell Stause, “Cheer” coach Monica Aldama, Kaitlyn Bristowe of the “Bachelor” franchise, Backstreet Boys singer Aj McLean, former NBA player Charles Oakley and former Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir, among others.
But heading into Monday’s finale, it was down to the final four couples: Bristowe and her professional dance partner Artem Chigvintsev, “One Day at A Time” star Justina Machado and pro Sasha Farber, Rapper Nelly and pro Daniella Karagach, and “Catfish...
“Dancing With the Stars” handed out the Season 29 mirrorball trophy on Monday night, bringing to a close the show’s first socially distanced season, as well as the ABC dancing competition’s first season under new host and executive producer Tyra Banks.
The season began back in September with a high-profile celebrity cast that included “Tiger King” star Carole Baskin, “Selling Sunset’s” Chrishell Stause, “Cheer” coach Monica Aldama, Kaitlyn Bristowe of the “Bachelor” franchise, Backstreet Boys singer Aj McLean, former NBA player Charles Oakley and former Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir, among others.
But heading into Monday’s finale, it was down to the final four couples: Bristowe and her professional dance partner Artem Chigvintsev, “One Day at A Time” star Justina Machado and pro Sasha Farber, Rapper Nelly and pro Daniella Karagach, and “Catfish...
- 11/23/2020
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
The “Dancing with the Stars” finale is here, and no matter who wins, the Mvp will definitely be Nelly.
As previously announced, the rapper will perform a medley of his greatest hits in addition to, you know, competing for the Mirrorball. On the docket are his classics “Ride Wit Me” and “Hot in Herre,” and his latest single “Lil Bit” with Florida Georgia Line. Let’s hope “Dilemma” makes it so we can all roast him and Kelly Rowland for texting via Microsoft Excel again. Never gets old. Daniella Karagach and her hubby, Pasha Pashkov, will dance while Nelly performs, so they can totally reenact this Excel extravaganza.
The final four couples will perform two numbers: a repeat of their favorite dance of the season and the freestyle. Kaitlyn Bristowe and Nev Schulman are redoing dances for which they received 30s, so there’s nowhere to go but down. But...
As previously announced, the rapper will perform a medley of his greatest hits in addition to, you know, competing for the Mirrorball. On the docket are his classics “Ride Wit Me” and “Hot in Herre,” and his latest single “Lil Bit” with Florida Georgia Line. Let’s hope “Dilemma” makes it so we can all roast him and Kelly Rowland for texting via Microsoft Excel again. Never gets old. Daniella Karagach and her hubby, Pasha Pashkov, will dance while Nelly performs, so they can totally reenact this Excel extravaganza.
The final four couples will perform two numbers: a repeat of their favorite dance of the season and the freestyle. Kaitlyn Bristowe and Nev Schulman are redoing dances for which they received 30s, so there’s nowhere to go but down. But...
- 11/22/2020
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
ABC has given a big put pilot commitment to Family Affair, a single-camera family comedy with musical elements from husband-and-wife writer-producers Devon and Ranada Shepard, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Universal Music/Polygram Entertainment and ABC Signature.
Written by Devon and Ranada Shepard, Family Affair centers on A-ron, a faded R&b star and committed bachelor whose life is thrown into a tailspin when he’s saddled with raising his sister’s four kids. A-ron is overwhelmed and underwater until he discovers that musical talent runs in the family. These kids can sing! With their sights set on success, A-ron’s about to learn that managing a music group might be hard, but raising four kids is even harder.
The Shepards executive produce with Jackson via his G Unit Film & Television, Blige and Bruce Miller via her Blue Butterfly, David Blackman and Daniel Inkeles for Universal Music/Polygram Entertainment and Noah Rosenberg.
Written by Devon and Ranada Shepard, Family Affair centers on A-ron, a faded R&b star and committed bachelor whose life is thrown into a tailspin when he’s saddled with raising his sister’s four kids. A-ron is overwhelmed and underwater until he discovers that musical talent runs in the family. These kids can sing! With their sights set on success, A-ron’s about to learn that managing a music group might be hard, but raising four kids is even harder.
The Shepards executive produce with Jackson via his G Unit Film & Television, Blige and Bruce Miller via her Blue Butterfly, David Blackman and Daniel Inkeles for Universal Music/Polygram Entertainment and Noah Rosenberg.
- 11/19/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Bron Media Corp. has finalized a strategic investment and partnership with Turbine Studios, home to Steve McQueen’s “Small Axe” anthology series.
Turbine is a UK-based film and television production outfit headed by “The Crown” producer Andrew Eaton, “Small Axe” producers Tracey Scoffield and David Tanner and “The Fall” producer Justin Thomson.
Under the deal, unveiled Thursday, Turbine Studios will work closely with Bron to develop, package, and produce original IP driven from the UK and Europe. Turbine will also be a strategic partner to Bron, supporting some of the company’s film and television productions across Europe.
The companies said the investment allows Bron to have greater influence in the UK market for UK commissions due to Turbine’s deep knowledge of UK and European marketplace, commissioning systems and buyers, the British production community, crew, locations, regional financial schemes, studios, creative talent, agencies and management companies.
Bron is best...
Turbine is a UK-based film and television production outfit headed by “The Crown” producer Andrew Eaton, “Small Axe” producers Tracey Scoffield and David Tanner and “The Fall” producer Justin Thomson.
Under the deal, unveiled Thursday, Turbine Studios will work closely with Bron to develop, package, and produce original IP driven from the UK and Europe. Turbine will also be a strategic partner to Bron, supporting some of the company’s film and television productions across Europe.
The companies said the investment allows Bron to have greater influence in the UK market for UK commissions due to Turbine’s deep knowledge of UK and European marketplace, commissioning systems and buyers, the British production community, crew, locations, regional financial schemes, studios, creative talent, agencies and management companies.
Bron is best...
- 11/19/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Scott Budnick’s impact and advocacy-focused company One Community has inked a deal to co-finance the forthcoming Aretha Franklin biopic Respect directed by Liesl Tommy and starring Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson. MGM will team with Bron Creative and One Community to release Respect domestically via UA Releasing on August 13, 2021. The film will be distributed internationally by Universal Pictures International.
One Community is the company behind socially-poignant films like Just Mercy. Founded by producer-turned-social advocate Budnick, One Community invests in projects that align with the company’s core belief in the power of storytelling as a tool for social change. The company designs impact campaigns that bring together non-profit and advocacy partners in an effort to convert audience empathy into action. Franklin was not only a groundbreaking artist during a time of civil unrest, but she was very much an advocate and activist for social change. That said, One Community...
One Community is the company behind socially-poignant films like Just Mercy. Founded by producer-turned-social advocate Budnick, One Community invests in projects that align with the company’s core belief in the power of storytelling as a tool for social change. The company designs impact campaigns that bring together non-profit and advocacy partners in an effort to convert audience empathy into action. Franklin was not only a groundbreaking artist during a time of civil unrest, but she was very much an advocate and activist for social change. That said, One Community...
- 11/18/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Actor and Grammy-winning recording artist Kid Cudi (aka Scott Mescudi) has teamed with Dennis Cummings and Karina Manashil to found production and music management company Mad Solar with the backing of Bron, which provides corporate back office and production support, including financing, marketing, and sales.
“Beyond excited to be launching my production company Mad Solar and partnering with Bron, whose creative vision and storytelling has transformed the industry,” Mescudi said. “I am so very proud of the slate that we are developing and can’t Wait for you all to see what we got cookin’.”
Mad Solar is producing the upcoming Netflix animated series Entergalactic, which Mescudi co-created alongside Kenya Barris. Based on original music by Mescudi, the series, which Mescudi writes, executive produces and stars in, follows a young man on his journey to discover love.
Additionally, Mad Solar has teamed with A24 and Bron Studios on the horror film X.
“Beyond excited to be launching my production company Mad Solar and partnering with Bron, whose creative vision and storytelling has transformed the industry,” Mescudi said. “I am so very proud of the slate that we are developing and can’t Wait for you all to see what we got cookin’.”
Mad Solar is producing the upcoming Netflix animated series Entergalactic, which Mescudi co-created alongside Kenya Barris. Based on original music by Mescudi, the series, which Mescudi writes, executive produces and stars in, follows a young man on his journey to discover love.
Additionally, Mad Solar has teamed with A24 and Bron Studios on the horror film X.
- 11/17/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The Good Fight’s Audra McDonald is among a number of stars to have joined The Gilded Age, Julian Fellowes’ period drama for HBO.
McDonald, who is also set to star in MGM’s Aretha Franklin biopic Respect, joins as a special guest star.
A slew of Broadway stars added as major recurring guest stars. They include The King and I’s Kelli O’Hara, Hello, Dolly!’s Donna Murphy, who is also in Starz’ Power, Fun Home’s Michael Cerveris, who also starred in Netflix’s Mindhunter, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof’s Debra Monk, Promises Promises’ Katie Finneran, who was also in CBS All Access’ Why Women Kill, To Kill A Mockinbird’s Celia Keenan-Bolger, Gary’s Kristine Nielsen and King Lear’s John Douglas Thompson.
They join series regulars stars Christine Baranski, Carrie Coon, Cynthia Nixon, Morgan Spector, Denée Benton, Louisa Jacobson, Taissa Farmiga, Blake Ritson,...
McDonald, who is also set to star in MGM’s Aretha Franklin biopic Respect, joins as a special guest star.
A slew of Broadway stars added as major recurring guest stars. They include The King and I’s Kelli O’Hara, Hello, Dolly!’s Donna Murphy, who is also in Starz’ Power, Fun Home’s Michael Cerveris, who also starred in Netflix’s Mindhunter, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof’s Debra Monk, Promises Promises’ Katie Finneran, who was also in CBS All Access’ Why Women Kill, To Kill A Mockinbird’s Celia Keenan-Bolger, Gary’s Kristine Nielsen and King Lear’s John Douglas Thompson.
They join series regulars stars Christine Baranski, Carrie Coon, Cynthia Nixon, Morgan Spector, Denée Benton, Louisa Jacobson, Taissa Farmiga, Blake Ritson,...
- 11/13/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
There’s a lot of uncertainty in this year’s Oscar race, with the ceremony pushed back until late April and an eligibility period that does not conform to a calendar year. And yet the studio release slate for some of its biggest 2020 titles have shuffled so many times that many have wondered if there will even be enough viable Oscar contenders. We assure you there will be, but it won’t be the films listed here, which removed from 2020’s box office and could have a chance for 2022’s awards. And there’s still a few more movies opening late this year and in early 2021 that if, if moved, could shake up the race even further.
“West Side Story”
Steven Spielberg’s remake of “West Side Story” figured to be a huge Oscar contender, considering that the original managed to win 10 Oscars back in 1961. But Disney moved its release...
“West Side Story”
Steven Spielberg’s remake of “West Side Story” figured to be a huge Oscar contender, considering that the original managed to win 10 Oscars back in 1961. But Disney moved its release...
- 11/5/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
There was no shortage of frights over the Halloween weekend as a pair of new big-screen chillers managed to break into the Top 10 in another eerily quiet weekend at the domestic box office.
The more successful of the two newcomers (by far) was Focus Features’ Come Play, which debuted at No. 1 with $3.2 million. The PG-13-rated indie about a monster that manifests itself through smart phones and other mobile devices opened in 2,183 theaters and managed to scare up a $1,442 per-screen average. It has yet to open internationally.
Although hardly a blockbuster bow even with the lowered expectations of the coronavirus era, the film which stars Gillian Jacobs and John Gallagher Jr. came out of the gate strong enough to unseat Liam Neeson’s Honest Thief from its two-week reign as the No. 1 movie in North America.
Knocked from its perch to the runner-up spot, Honest Thief stumbled 42.7%, pulling in $1.4 million in its fourth week.
The more successful of the two newcomers (by far) was Focus Features’ Come Play, which debuted at No. 1 with $3.2 million. The PG-13-rated indie about a monster that manifests itself through smart phones and other mobile devices opened in 2,183 theaters and managed to scare up a $1,442 per-screen average. It has yet to open internationally.
Although hardly a blockbuster bow even with the lowered expectations of the coronavirus era, the film which stars Gillian Jacobs and John Gallagher Jr. came out of the gate strong enough to unseat Liam Neeson’s Honest Thief from its two-week reign as the No. 1 movie in North America.
Knocked from its perch to the runner-up spot, Honest Thief stumbled 42.7%, pulling in $1.4 million in its fourth week.
- 11/2/2020
- by Chris Nashawaty <mail@boxofficemojo.com>
- Box Office Mojo
Production of Turkish TV dramas has resumed at a steady pace undeterred by coronavirus concerns and, though the hand of censorship is being felt, shows are getting edgier.
While the pandemic forced production to grind to a halt in March, by September almost all producers had started shooting again in Turkey, though “roughly 80% of them have run into some problems with Covid-19 on their teams,” says Ahmet Ziyalar, president and COO of sales and production company Inter Medya.
Inter Medya is close to wrapping the shoot of “Respect” (“Saygi”) a series it is making for Turkish streaming platform BluTV in which the protagonist, played by Nejat Işler (“Winter Sleep”), “is a sociopath obsessed with the idea of respect,” according to the synopsis.
Ziyalar says increasingly Turkish dramas are being made for streamers, which means episodes are getting shorter — 50 minutes, whereas for linear TV the local norm is 90 minutes or more...
While the pandemic forced production to grind to a halt in March, by September almost all producers had started shooting again in Turkey, though “roughly 80% of them have run into some problems with Covid-19 on their teams,” says Ahmet Ziyalar, president and COO of sales and production company Inter Medya.
Inter Medya is close to wrapping the shoot of “Respect” (“Saygi”) a series it is making for Turkish streaming platform BluTV in which the protagonist, played by Nejat Işler (“Winter Sleep”), “is a sociopath obsessed with the idea of respect,” according to the synopsis.
Ziyalar says increasingly Turkish dramas are being made for streamers, which means episodes are getting shorter — 50 minutes, whereas for linear TV the local norm is 90 minutes or more...
- 10/12/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
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