Palisades Park Pictures has secured a distribution deal with Entertainment Film Distributors (Efd) for U.K. rights to “The Magic Faraway Tree,” an adaptation of Enid Blyton’s beloved children’s novel.
The family adventure feature stars Andrew Garfield (“The Amazing Spider-Man”), Claire Foy (“The Crown”), Nicola Coughlan (“Bridgerton”), Jessica Gunning (“Baby Reindeer”), Jennifer Saunders (“Absolutely Fabulous”) and Rebecca Ferguson (“Dune”).
Ben Gregor (“Britannia”) directs from a script by Simon Farnaby (“Paddington 2”). Currently in production, the film follows a modern family relocating to the English countryside, where the children discover a magical tree with eccentric inhabitants. At the top of the tree, they are transported to spectacular and fantastical lands and, through the joys and challenges of their adventures, the family learns to reconnect and value each other for the first time in years.
Pippa Harris (“1917”) and Nicolas Brown (“Penny Dreadful”) of Neal Street Productions produce alongside Danny Perkins...
The family adventure feature stars Andrew Garfield (“The Amazing Spider-Man”), Claire Foy (“The Crown”), Nicola Coughlan (“Bridgerton”), Jessica Gunning (“Baby Reindeer”), Jennifer Saunders (“Absolutely Fabulous”) and Rebecca Ferguson (“Dune”).
Ben Gregor (“Britannia”) directs from a script by Simon Farnaby (“Paddington 2”). Currently in production, the film follows a modern family relocating to the English countryside, where the children discover a magical tree with eccentric inhabitants. At the top of the tree, they are transported to spectacular and fantastical lands and, through the joys and challenges of their adventures, the family learns to reconnect and value each other for the first time in years.
Pippa Harris (“1917”) and Nicolas Brown (“Penny Dreadful”) of Neal Street Productions produce alongside Danny Perkins...
- 9/3/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Jennifer Saunders, Hiran Abeysekera and Pippa Bennett-Warner have signed on to star in the upcoming film adaptation of Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree.
The film is currently shooting in England at Shinfield Studios. Adapted by BAFTA Award-winner Simon Farnaby, the movie is directed by Ben Gregor.
The film is produced by Academy Award-nominee Pippa Harris and Nicolas Brown of Neal Street Productions, along with Danny Perkins (Greatest Days) of Elysian Film Group, and Jane Hooks. Executive Producers include Ashland Hill Media Finance’s Simon Williams, Joe Simpson, Jonathan Bross, and Palisades Park Pictures’ Tamara Birkemoe.
Ashland Hill Media Finance is fully financing The Magic Faraway Tree.
The film is currently shooting in England at Shinfield Studios. Adapted by BAFTA Award-winner Simon Farnaby, the movie is directed by Ben Gregor.
The film is produced by Academy Award-nominee Pippa Harris and Nicolas Brown of Neal Street Productions, along with Danny Perkins (Greatest Days) of Elysian Film Group, and Jane Hooks. Executive Producers include Ashland Hill Media Finance’s Simon Williams, Joe Simpson, Jonathan Bross, and Palisades Park Pictures’ Tamara Birkemoe.
Ashland Hill Media Finance is fully financing The Magic Faraway Tree.
- 8/8/2024
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Nicola Coughlan, Nonso Anozie and Jessica Gunning have joined the cast of the upcoming film adaptation of Enid Blyton’s beloved children’s classic, ‘The Magic Faraway Tree.’
Based on The Faraway Tree series of novels for children, the story follows Polly and Tim Thompson and their children, Beth, Joe and Fran, who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. There, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric occupants.
The inhabitants of the tree, capable of transporting visitors to fantastical far-off lands, will be played by Coughlan who is cast as beloved woodland fairy Silky, Nonso Anozie as self-appointed group leader Moonface, Jessica Gunning as Dame Washalot and Dustin Demri-Burns as Saucepan Man. Rounding out the cast of the magical denizens of the woodlands will be Mark Heap as Mr. Oom Boom Boom and Oliver Chris as Mr. Watzisname.
Also in news – Cillian Murphy...
Based on The Faraway Tree series of novels for children, the story follows Polly and Tim Thompson and their children, Beth, Joe and Fran, who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. There, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric occupants.
The inhabitants of the tree, capable of transporting visitors to fantastical far-off lands, will be played by Coughlan who is cast as beloved woodland fairy Silky, Nonso Anozie as self-appointed group leader Moonface, Jessica Gunning as Dame Washalot and Dustin Demri-Burns as Saucepan Man. Rounding out the cast of the magical denizens of the woodlands will be Mark Heap as Mr. Oom Boom Boom and Oliver Chris as Mr. Watzisname.
Also in news – Cillian Murphy...
- 6/6/2024
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Nicola Coughlan, Nonso Anozie and Jessica Gunning have joined the cast of the upcoming adaptation of Enid Blyton’s “The Magic Faraway Tree.”
Coughlan (“Bridgerton”) will portray the woodland fairy Silky, joined by Anozie (“Ted Lasso”) as Moonface. Gunning (“Baby Reindeer”) takes on the role of Dame Washalot, with Dustin Demri-Burns (“Slow Horses”) as Saucepan Man. Mark Heap (“Friday Night Dinner”) will play Mr. Oom Boom Boom, and Oliver Chris (“Trying”) Mr. Watzisname.
The film, based on Blyton’s beloved “The Faraway Tree” series, follows the Thompson family as they move to the English countryside and discover a magical tree. The fantastical tree’s residents transport visitors to distant lands, setting the stage for a series of whimsical adventures.
Adding to the star-studded cast, British icons Lenny Henry, Michael Palin and Simon Russell Beale will portray mystical wise men from the Land of Know-Alls. Previously announced cast members include Claire Foy and Andrew Garfield.
Coughlan (“Bridgerton”) will portray the woodland fairy Silky, joined by Anozie (“Ted Lasso”) as Moonface. Gunning (“Baby Reindeer”) takes on the role of Dame Washalot, with Dustin Demri-Burns (“Slow Horses”) as Saucepan Man. Mark Heap (“Friday Night Dinner”) will play Mr. Oom Boom Boom, and Oliver Chris (“Trying”) Mr. Watzisname.
The film, based on Blyton’s beloved “The Faraway Tree” series, follows the Thompson family as they move to the English countryside and discover a magical tree. The fantastical tree’s residents transport visitors to distant lands, setting the stage for a series of whimsical adventures.
Adding to the star-studded cast, British icons Lenny Henry, Michael Palin and Simon Russell Beale will portray mystical wise men from the Land of Know-Alls. Previously announced cast members include Claire Foy and Andrew Garfield.
- 6/6/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Nicola Coughlan, Nonso Anozie, and Jessica Gunning (Baby Reindeer) have signed on to star in The Magic Faraway Tree, the upcoming Enid Blyton adaptation from Neal Street Productions, Elysian Film Group and Ashland Hill Media Finance.
Based on The Faraway Tree series of novels for children, The Magic Faraway Tree follows Polly and Tim Thompson and their children, Beth, Joe, and Fran, who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. There, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric occupants. Ben Gregor (Britannia) is directing the feature.
Coughlan has been cast as the woodland fairy Silky, Anozie is the self-appointed group leader Moonface, and Gunning is Dame Washalot. The cast is rounded out by Dustin Demri-Burns as the Saucepan Man, Mark Heap as Mr.
Based on The Faraway Tree series of novels for children, The Magic Faraway Tree follows Polly and Tim Thompson and their children, Beth, Joe, and Fran, who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. There, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric occupants. Ben Gregor (Britannia) is directing the feature.
Coughlan has been cast as the woodland fairy Silky, Anozie is the self-appointed group leader Moonface, and Gunning is Dame Washalot. The cast is rounded out by Dustin Demri-Burns as the Saucepan Man, Mark Heap as Mr.
- 6/6/2024
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Sean Baker’s previous film, 2022’s Red Rocket (2022), began with *Nsync’s Spotify-topping “Bye Bye Bye,” but Anora starts with the slightly lesser-known “Greatest Days” by British boy band Take That. Musically, it’s a bold choice, at odds with the frenetic spirit of what for over half its running time is a high-decibel screwball comedy that spends a lot of time in its establishing scenes in a New York strip joint.
The tentative nature of the lyric however — “This could be the greatest day of our lives” — is slyly indicative of where this modern Cinderella story is going, a film of three parts that accelerates at speed, cruises at high altitude for a surprisingly long time, then comes back down to earth with a deeply affecting and almost unbearably melancholy coda that sends the audience out in silence.
The opening suggests a sister piece to Baker’s 2012 film Starlet,...
The tentative nature of the lyric however — “This could be the greatest day of our lives” — is slyly indicative of where this modern Cinderella story is going, a film of three parts that accelerates at speed, cruises at high altitude for a surprisingly long time, then comes back down to earth with a deeply affecting and almost unbearably melancholy coda that sends the audience out in silence.
The opening suggests a sister piece to Baker’s 2012 film Starlet,...
- 5/21/2024
- by Damon Wise
- Deadline Film + TV
Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy have joined the cast of magical family adventure feature “The Magic Faraway Tree,” based on Enid Blyton’s beloved children’s classic.
The film — from Neal Street Productions, Elysian Film Group and Ashland Hill Media Finance — has been adapted by BAFTA winner Simon Farnaby (“Wonka” and “Paddington 2”) and will be directed by Ben Gregor. Palisades Park Pictures are handling sales in Cannes. Principal photography will begin in June, with additional casting currently underway.
Based on “The Faraway Tree” series of novels for children, “The Magic Faraway Tree” follows Polly (Foy) and Tim (Garfield) and their children Beth, Joe and Fran — a modern family who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. Soon after the family’s arrival in the countryside, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents including treasured characters Moonface, Silky, Dame Washalot and Saucepan Man.
The film — from Neal Street Productions, Elysian Film Group and Ashland Hill Media Finance — has been adapted by BAFTA winner Simon Farnaby (“Wonka” and “Paddington 2”) and will be directed by Ben Gregor. Palisades Park Pictures are handling sales in Cannes. Principal photography will begin in June, with additional casting currently underway.
Based on “The Faraway Tree” series of novels for children, “The Magic Faraway Tree” follows Polly (Foy) and Tim (Garfield) and their children Beth, Joe and Fran — a modern family who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside. Soon after the family’s arrival in the countryside, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents including treasured characters Moonface, Silky, Dame Washalot and Saucepan Man.
- 5/3/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
According to a new report, Universal is looking make an original musical featuring Prince’s music, with Ryan Coogler as producer.
According to Hollywood scooper Jeff Sneider, Universal is looking to go in an interesting direction with its catalogue of Prince songs. Given the current trend for music biopics the studio is instead opting to go in a different direction when it comes to putting together a film project to use the music by Prince that it owns.
The report states that the studio is keen to develop a film that is inspired by Prince’s music rather than going down the straightforward biopic path. It continues that the musical legend’s estate feels that Prince’s 1984 film, Purple Rain (which starred the artist) already covered his life story, which seems to have pushed Universal into going in another direction.
Instead, it looks like we’ll be getting a jukebox...
According to Hollywood scooper Jeff Sneider, Universal is looking to go in an interesting direction with its catalogue of Prince songs. Given the current trend for music biopics the studio is instead opting to go in a different direction when it comes to putting together a film project to use the music by Prince that it owns.
The report states that the studio is keen to develop a film that is inspired by Prince’s music rather than going down the straightforward biopic path. It continues that the musical legend’s estate feels that Prince’s 1984 film, Purple Rain (which starred the artist) already covered his life story, which seems to have pushed Universal into going in another direction.
Instead, it looks like we’ll be getting a jukebox...
- 3/25/2024
- by Dan Cooper
- Film Stories
Exclusive: Netflix has greenlighted Black Rabbit, a limited series headlined and executive produced by Jason Bateman and Jude Law in their first on-screen pairing. Cleopatra Coleman (Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire), Amaka Okafor (Bodies), Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù (Gangs of London) and Dagmara Dominczyk (Succession) have joined the cast of the one-hour drama, from showrunners and executive producers Zach Baylin and Kate Susman and Bateman’s Aggregate Films under the company’s creative partnership with Netflix.
Bateman will direct the first two episodes of the series, created and written by Baylin and Susman based on an original idea. In it, when the owner of a New York City hotspot (Law) allows his turbulent brother (Bateman) back in his life, he opens the door to escalating dangers that threaten to bring down everything he’s built.
Executive producing are Bateman and Michael Costigan for Aggregate Films; Law and Ben Jackson...
Bateman will direct the first two episodes of the series, created and written by Baylin and Susman based on an original idea. In it, when the owner of a New York City hotspot (Law) allows his turbulent brother (Bateman) back in his life, he opens the door to escalating dangers that threaten to bring down everything he’s built.
Executive producing are Bateman and Michael Costigan for Aggregate Films; Law and Ben Jackson...
- 3/14/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Studiocanal is launching a genre label and has brought back former acquisitions, development, and production executive Jed Benedict to run it.
The as-yet-unnamed genre division will encompass film and TV series development, production, and distribution with the opportunity to dig deeper into Studiocanal’s catalogue of 9,000 titles spanning 100 years of film history.
Benedict is based in the UK and will also work with Studiocanal’s French production team. He reports to EVP global production Ron Halpern.
Benedict served at Studiocanal UK from 2012-20. He joined as senior acquisitions manger and acquired titles like David Mackenzie’s Hell Or High Water,...
The as-yet-unnamed genre division will encompass film and TV series development, production, and distribution with the opportunity to dig deeper into Studiocanal’s catalogue of 9,000 titles spanning 100 years of film history.
Benedict is based in the UK and will also work with Studiocanal’s French production team. He reports to EVP global production Ron Halpern.
Benedict served at Studiocanal UK from 2012-20. He joined as senior acquisitions manger and acquired titles like David Mackenzie’s Hell Or High Water,...
- 3/6/2024
- ScreenDaily
From American high school comedies to Oscar winners, plenty of 2023’s biggest and brightest films have skipped the DVD market in the UK.
(Correction: A previous version of this article claimed Nida Manzoor’s Polite Society couldn’t be found on DVD. It actually can. Don’t worry, we have fired the news-goblin responsible for the error.)
As recently as 2021, the idea that the previous year’s Best Picture Oscar winner wouldn’t get a UK physical media release would have been absurd.
In fact, to find a Best Picture winner that isn’t easily available on a UK disc format, you’d have to head all the way back to 1937. Try as we might to watch The Life Of Emile Zola on the secret DVD player at the top of Big Ben (don’t tell anyone), it looks like no one got round to burning it onto a disk...
(Correction: A previous version of this article claimed Nida Manzoor’s Polite Society couldn’t be found on DVD. It actually can. Don’t worry, we have fired the news-goblin responsible for the error.)
As recently as 2021, the idea that the previous year’s Best Picture Oscar winner wouldn’t get a UK physical media release would have been absurd.
In fact, to find a Best Picture winner that isn’t easily available on a UK disc format, you’d have to head all the way back to 1937. Try as we might to watch The Life Of Emile Zola on the secret DVD player at the top of Big Ben (don’t tell anyone), it looks like no one got round to burning it onto a disk...
- 1/30/2024
- by James Harvey
- Film Stories
Swiss film producers and financiers Karl Spoerri and Viviana Vezzani have been Sundance regulars for more than 15 years, but this edition is special.
The pair, who were driving forces behind the Zurich Film Festival (Zff) up until 2019, are in Park City this year with Thelma, which is the first feature from their new company Zurich Avenue to make it into Sundance.
Josh Margolin’s action-comedy-drama, starring 94-year-old June Squibb as a L.A. grandmother who sets off on a friend’s mobility scooter on a mission to track down an Internet scammer, is proving one of the early hits of the festival.
“On a personal level, it’s very meaningful because Sundance was always a big influence for us at the Zurich Film Festival from the start,” says Vezzani.
“We always loved going as programmers so getting Thelma accepted at Sundance was a dream come true.”
Former Zff co-founder and...
The pair, who were driving forces behind the Zurich Film Festival (Zff) up until 2019, are in Park City this year with Thelma, which is the first feature from their new company Zurich Avenue to make it into Sundance.
Josh Margolin’s action-comedy-drama, starring 94-year-old June Squibb as a L.A. grandmother who sets off on a friend’s mobility scooter on a mission to track down an Internet scammer, is proving one of the early hits of the festival.
“On a personal level, it’s very meaningful because Sundance was always a big influence for us at the Zurich Film Festival from the start,” says Vezzani.
“We always loved going as programmers so getting Thelma accepted at Sundance was a dream come true.”
Former Zff co-founder and...
- 1/20/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The long-gestating modern-day movie adaptation of Enid Blyton’s children’s classic The Magic Faraway Tree has got fresh impetus with new financiers and creatives aboard and a start date lined up for June of this year.
Elysian Film Group and Neal Street Productions are behind the project which is scripted by BAFTA winner Simon Farnaby, riding high off the success of box office hit Wonka, which he co-wrote with Paul King.
Ben Gregor (Britannia) is newly aboard to direct the feature, based on the book series by beloved British author Blyton, also known for creating hit kids properties such as Noddy and Famous Five.
Casting is in process on the film, which will be repped for worldwide sales at next month’s EFM by Tamara Birkemoe’s US and UK-based Palisades Park Pictures. CAA Media Finance is co-repping domestic.
Updated for a contemporary audience, The...
Elysian Film Group and Neal Street Productions are behind the project which is scripted by BAFTA winner Simon Farnaby, riding high off the success of box office hit Wonka, which he co-wrote with Paul King.
Ben Gregor (Britannia) is newly aboard to direct the feature, based on the book series by beloved British author Blyton, also known for creating hit kids properties such as Noddy and Famous Five.
Casting is in process on the film, which will be repped for worldwide sales at next month’s EFM by Tamara Birkemoe’s US and UK-based Palisades Park Pictures. CAA Media Finance is co-repping domestic.
Updated for a contemporary audience, The...
- 1/11/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Danny Perkins made waves in the British film industry back in 2018 when he left his long-time position as CEO of StudioCanal UK — a tenure that had seen him oversee major and beloved hits including Paddington 1 & 2, Tinker Tailer Soldier Spy and Shaun the Sheep Movie — to set up his own film and TV production company.
Elysian Film Group, which he launched with producer Kate Solomon (United 93), in early 2020 unveiled its distribution arm, backed by minority investment from CAA (the giant’s first investment in a U.K. distributor). The timing wasn’t great, however, coming less than a month before the first pandemic lockdown.
It was, understandably, a slow start on both the production and distribution front. But 2023 has seen the company — a nimble operation of just four staffers, including Perkins (who brings partners on board for big releases) — make some major noise. First up, it’s biggest in-house film to date,...
Elysian Film Group, which he launched with producer Kate Solomon (United 93), in early 2020 unveiled its distribution arm, backed by minority investment from CAA (the giant’s first investment in a U.K. distributor). The timing wasn’t great, however, coming less than a month before the first pandemic lockdown.
It was, understandably, a slow start on both the production and distribution front. But 2023 has seen the company — a nimble operation of just four staffers, including Perkins (who brings partners on board for big releases) — make some major noise. First up, it’s biggest in-house film to date,...
- 11/2/2023
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In 2014 and 2015, Vertigo published Si Spencer’s eight-issue graphic novel Bodies, a mind-bending mystery about four police officers from different historical eras who discover the same corpse in the same London location, decades apart. Featuring detectives from the present day, the 1940s, the 1890s and 2053, it’s a complex conspiracy thriller about a very dark future. Originally illustrated by four artists – Dean Ormston, Phil Winslade, Meghan Hetrick and Tula Lotay – each era had its own distinct feel and look.
Spencer, who had also written on other Vertigo titles including Judge Dredd and Books of Magick: Life During Wartime, sadly passed away in February 2021, meaning he wasn’t able to see Paul Tomalin’s eight-part Netflix series adapted from his work. It’s out now, with a sprawling cast of characters including Boiling Point and This Is England’s Stephen Graham, several established actors and a handful of newcomers. Here’s more about them.
Spencer, who had also written on other Vertigo titles including Judge Dredd and Books of Magick: Life During Wartime, sadly passed away in February 2021, meaning he wasn’t able to see Paul Tomalin’s eight-part Netflix series adapted from his work. It’s out now, with a sprawling cast of characters including Boiling Point and This Is England’s Stephen Graham, several established actors and a handful of newcomers. Here’s more about them.
- 10/19/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Disney, Picturehouse, Mubi lead with most nominations.
The shortlist for The Big Screen Awards 2023 has been announced, with Disney leading the way with 19 nominations, followed by Picturehouse with 16.
The Awards have seen a 47% increase in the number of entries from last year’s first edition of the relaunched Big Screen Awards, with 243 entries across all categories this year compared to 165 in 2022.
Disney is nominated in multiple categories including Theatrical Campaign of the Year for Studio/Saturation releases in 500+ cinemas, Big Screen Event of the Year (Premiere) and Brand Partnership of the Year. Its 19 nominations include those for Searchlight Pictures titles,...
The shortlist for The Big Screen Awards 2023 has been announced, with Disney leading the way with 19 nominations, followed by Picturehouse with 16.
The Awards have seen a 47% increase in the number of entries from last year’s first edition of the relaunched Big Screen Awards, with 243 entries across all categories this year compared to 165 in 2022.
Disney is nominated in multiple categories including Theatrical Campaign of the Year for Studio/Saturation releases in 500+ cinemas, Big Screen Event of the Year (Premiere) and Brand Partnership of the Year. Its 19 nominations include those for Searchlight Pictures titles,...
- 10/4/2023
- by Ben Dalton¬Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
Zurich Avenue, headed by producers and former Zurich Film Festival execs Karl Spoerri and Viviana Vezzani, has quickly amassed an impressive slate of projects since launching last year, including Annette Bening starrer “Nyad.”
Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi’s film, which chronicles the attempt by 64-year-old swimmer Diana Nyad to swim from Cuba to Florida, unspools at the Zurich Film Festival. Zurich Avenue co-developed the Netflix film, which was produced by Black Bear Pictures and Mad Chance.
Part of financing group SPG3 Entertainment, likewise co-founded by Spoerri along with Urs Wietlisbach and Alfred Gantner in 2020, Zurich Avenue has provided the producers with a more hands-on approach, allowing them to create their own slate. The company’s recent films include Bill Pohlad’s critically-acclaimed “Dreamin’ Wild,” starring Casey Affleck and Zooey Deschanel; Coky Giedroyc’s Take That musical “Greatest Days”; and the forthcoming Josh Margolin action-comedy “Thelma,” starring June Squibb...
Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi’s film, which chronicles the attempt by 64-year-old swimmer Diana Nyad to swim from Cuba to Florida, unspools at the Zurich Film Festival. Zurich Avenue co-developed the Netflix film, which was produced by Black Bear Pictures and Mad Chance.
Part of financing group SPG3 Entertainment, likewise co-founded by Spoerri along with Urs Wietlisbach and Alfred Gantner in 2020, Zurich Avenue has provided the producers with a more hands-on approach, allowing them to create their own slate. The company’s recent films include Bill Pohlad’s critically-acclaimed “Dreamin’ Wild,” starring Casey Affleck and Zooey Deschanel; Coky Giedroyc’s Take That musical “Greatest Days”; and the forthcoming Josh Margolin action-comedy “Thelma,” starring June Squibb...
- 9/30/2023
- by Ed Meza
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The Veterans is launching international sales on upcoming UK period comedy Fackham Hall at Toronto and has unveiled first members of the ensemble cast.
In the first significant deal announced during TIFF, Bleecker Street has acquired U.S. rights for the film.
First signings include Hero Fiennes Tiffin (The Woman King), Thomasin McKenzie (Last Night in Soho), Emma Laird (A Haunting In Venice) and Katherine Waterston, who appears in this year’s TIFF title The End We Start From alongside Jodie Comer and Benedict Cumberbatch.
Written by comedian Jimmy Carr in his screenwriting feature debut with Patrick Carr and the Dawson Brothers (The Bubble), Fackham Hall pokes fun at traditional period dramas like Downton Abbey and Gosford Park. The production is described as being “in the tradition of classic joke-a-minute spoof comedies like The Naked Gun series and Airplane!”.
Fiennes Tiffin will play a new porter who embarks on...
In the first significant deal announced during TIFF, Bleecker Street has acquired U.S. rights for the film.
First signings include Hero Fiennes Tiffin (The Woman King), Thomasin McKenzie (Last Night in Soho), Emma Laird (A Haunting In Venice) and Katherine Waterston, who appears in this year’s TIFF title The End We Start From alongside Jodie Comer and Benedict Cumberbatch.
Written by comedian Jimmy Carr in his screenwriting feature debut with Patrick Carr and the Dawson Brothers (The Bubble), Fackham Hall pokes fun at traditional period dramas like Downton Abbey and Gosford Park. The production is described as being “in the tradition of classic joke-a-minute spoof comedies like The Naked Gun series and Airplane!”.
Fiennes Tiffin will play a new porter who embarks on...
- 9/7/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Andrea Riseborough and Domhnall Gleeson are set to star in the romantic drama “Alice & Jack” for U.K. broadcaster Channel 4.
The series is lead directed by Juho Kuosmanen, helmer of the Golden Globe-nominated Cannes title “Compartment Number 6,” with a second block directed by BAFTA-nominated “Lilting” helmer Hong Khaou. The show is written by “Mad Men” scribe Victor Levin. It is a Fremantle production in partnership with BAFTA- and Emmy-winning Me + You Productions (“I Am Ruth”), Academy Award-nominated Groundswell Productions (“The Visitor”) and De Maio Entertainment. Fremantle is handling global sales on the project.
Rounding out the cast are Aisling Bea (“Greatest Days”), Aimee Lou Wood (“Sex Education”) and Sunil Patel (“This Time with Alan Partridge”).
Created and written by Levin, “Alice & Jack” is billed as “a love story for the ages.” An official synopsis for the show reads: When Alice (Riseborough) and Jack (Gleeson) first meet, they...
The series is lead directed by Juho Kuosmanen, helmer of the Golden Globe-nominated Cannes title “Compartment Number 6,” with a second block directed by BAFTA-nominated “Lilting” helmer Hong Khaou. The show is written by “Mad Men” scribe Victor Levin. It is a Fremantle production in partnership with BAFTA- and Emmy-winning Me + You Productions (“I Am Ruth”), Academy Award-nominated Groundswell Productions (“The Visitor”) and De Maio Entertainment. Fremantle is handling global sales on the project.
Rounding out the cast are Aisling Bea (“Greatest Days”), Aimee Lou Wood (“Sex Education”) and Sunil Patel (“This Time with Alan Partridge”).
Created and written by Levin, “Alice & Jack” is billed as “a love story for the ages.” An official synopsis for the show reads: When Alice (Riseborough) and Jack (Gleeson) first meet, they...
- 8/9/2023
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
’His House’ producers Martin Gentles and Ed King are executive producing.
Production has commenced in the UK on Albion, the latest feature from UK filmmaker Giles Borg, that is being shot across the space of a year.
It tells the story of two old friends who reunite across the four seasons, with Oscar Albert and Dan Christophersen producing for Far Away Films, and producers of Bafta winner His House Martin Gentles and Ed King executive producing. Greatest Days cinematographer Mike Eley is director of photography.
Cast and crew will be reunited at different times across 2023 and 2024, with the first of the four sections,...
Production has commenced in the UK on Albion, the latest feature from UK filmmaker Giles Borg, that is being shot across the space of a year.
It tells the story of two old friends who reunite across the four seasons, with Oscar Albert and Dan Christophersen producing for Far Away Films, and producers of Bafta winner His House Martin Gentles and Ed King executive producing. Greatest Days cinematographer Mike Eley is director of photography.
Cast and crew will be reunited at different times across 2023 and 2024, with the first of the four sections,...
- 8/1/2023
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Here’s the latest episode of The Filmmakers Podcast, part of the podcast roster here on Nerdly. If you haven’t heard the show yet, you can check out previous episodes on the official podcast site, whilst we’ll be featuring each and every new episode as it premieres.
For those unfamiliar with the series, The Filmmakers Podcast is a podcast about how to make films from micro-budget indie films to bigger-budget studio films and everything in between. Our hosts Giles Alderson, Dome Lenoir, Dan Richardson, Andrew Rodger and Cristian James talk about how to get films made, how to actually make them and how to try not to f… it up in their very humble opinion. Guests will come on and chat about their filmmaking experiences from directors, writers, producers and screenwriters, to actors, cinematographers and distributors.
The Filmmaker’s Podcast #346: ‘Greatest Days’ director Coky Giedroyc on how...
For those unfamiliar with the series, The Filmmakers Podcast is a podcast about how to make films from micro-budget indie films to bigger-budget studio films and everything in between. Our hosts Giles Alderson, Dome Lenoir, Dan Richardson, Andrew Rodger and Cristian James talk about how to get films made, how to actually make them and how to try not to f… it up in their very humble opinion. Guests will come on and chat about their filmmaking experiences from directors, writers, producers and screenwriters, to actors, cinematographers and distributors.
The Filmmaker’s Podcast #346: ‘Greatest Days’ director Coky Giedroyc on how...
- 7/6/2023
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Stars: Aisling Bea, Alice Lowe, Matthew McNulty, Emma Amos, Lara McDonnell, Jayde Adams, Ziggy Heath, Marc Wootton, Eliza Dobson, Amaka Okafor, Carragon Guest, Barry O’Connor | Written by Tim Firth | Directed by Coky Giedroyc
With a career that began in 1990, survived a break-up, Robbie Williams’ solo success, and Jason Orange leaving, it’s safe to say that Take That have done rather well. Writer Tim Firth utilised the band’s music for a jukebox musical which took the Mamma Mia! approach, before its success led to Firth adapting the musical to a film directed by Coky Giedroyc.
The story flashes back to 1993, where five best friends are obsessed with a band called “The Boys” who are not Take That, despite having hits such as Relight My Fire, Pray, and Never Forget. These flashbacks are intercut around a main story taking place 25 years later, when the friends reunite after losing touch to...
With a career that began in 1990, survived a break-up, Robbie Williams’ solo success, and Jason Orange leaving, it’s safe to say that Take That have done rather well. Writer Tim Firth utilised the band’s music for a jukebox musical which took the Mamma Mia! approach, before its success led to Firth adapting the musical to a film directed by Coky Giedroyc.
The story flashes back to 1993, where five best friends are obsessed with a band called “The Boys” who are not Take That, despite having hits such as Relight My Fire, Pray, and Never Forget. These flashbacks are intercut around a main story taking place 25 years later, when the friends reunite after losing touch to...
- 7/4/2023
- by James Rodrigues
- Nerdly
The Harrison Ford blockbuster dethroned ‘Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse’.
Rank Film (distributor) Three-day gross (June 30-July 2) Total gross to date Week 1. Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny (Disney) £5.4m £7.1m 1 2. Spider-Man: Across The Spiderverse (Sony) £1.5m £25.9m 5 3. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (Universal) £884,898 £884,898 1 4. The Little Mermaid (Disney) £837,544 £25m 6 5. Asteroid City (Universal) £797,946 £2.7m 2
Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.27
Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny opened to £5.4m at the UK-Ireland box office this weekend – enough to top the charts, but significantly down on the most recent title in the action franchise.
The Dial Of Destiny had the widest release of...
Rank Film (distributor) Three-day gross (June 30-July 2) Total gross to date Week 1. Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny (Disney) £5.4m £7.1m 1 2. Spider-Man: Across The Spiderverse (Sony) £1.5m £25.9m 5 3. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (Universal) £884,898 £884,898 1 4. The Little Mermaid (Disney) £837,544 £25m 6 5. Asteroid City (Universal) £797,946 £2.7m 2
Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.27
Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny opened to £5.4m at the UK-Ireland box office this weekend – enough to top the charts, but significantly down on the most recent title in the action franchise.
The Dial Of Destiny had the widest release of...
- 7/3/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ holds well.
RankFilm (distributor)Three-day gross (June 23-25)Total gross to date Week 1. Spider-Man: Across The Spiderverse (Sony) £2m £23.4m 4 2. The Flash (Warner Bros) £1.3m £6.8m 2 3. Asteroid City (Universal) £1.1m £1.2m 1 4. The Little Mermaid (Disney) £1.1m £23.7m 5 5. No Hard Feelings (Sony) £859,488 £1.2m 1
Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.27
Sony’s Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse has retaken the UK-Ireland box office lead on its fourth weekend in cinemas, reclaiming the top spot following a 59% drop for Warner Bros’ The Flash.
Spider-Verse added just shy of £2m on its fourth session – a 21.8% drop – and has swung to an impressive £23.4m already,...
RankFilm (distributor)Three-day gross (June 23-25)Total gross to date Week 1. Spider-Man: Across The Spiderverse (Sony) £2m £23.4m 4 2. The Flash (Warner Bros) £1.3m £6.8m 2 3. Asteroid City (Universal) £1.1m £1.2m 1 4. The Little Mermaid (Disney) £1.1m £23.7m 5 5. No Hard Feelings (Sony) £859,488 £1.2m 1
Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.27
Sony’s Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse has retaken the UK-Ireland box office lead on its fourth weekend in cinemas, reclaiming the top spot following a 59% drop for Warner Bros’ The Flash.
Spider-Verse added just shy of £2m on its fourth session – a 21.8% drop – and has swung to an impressive £23.4m already,...
- 6/26/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Warner Bros.’ superhero film “The Flash” debuted atop the U.K. and Ireland box office with £4.2 million ($5.4 million), according to numbers released by Comscore.
In second place, in its third weekend, Sony’s “Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse” swung to £2.6 million for a total of £20.3 million. In third position in its fourth weekend, Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” earned £1.3 million and now has a splashy £22 million total.
Paramount’s “Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts” collected £1.1 million in fourth place in its second weekend for a total of £4.99 million. Elysian’s “Greatest Days” debuted in fifth position with £536,955.
There was one more debut in the top 10. AA Films U.K.’s “Adipurush,” the latest version of Indian mythological epic “Ramayana,” bowed in sixth position with £252,628.
There are two mid-week releases this week, on Wednesday, June 21. On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, Studiocanal is releasing the final cut of cult British horror...
In second place, in its third weekend, Sony’s “Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse” swung to £2.6 million for a total of £20.3 million. In third position in its fourth weekend, Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” earned £1.3 million and now has a splashy £22 million total.
Paramount’s “Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts” collected £1.1 million in fourth place in its second weekend for a total of £4.99 million. Elysian’s “Greatest Days” debuted in fifth position with £536,955.
There was one more debut in the top 10. AA Films U.K.’s “Adipurush,” the latest version of Indian mythological epic “Ramayana,” bowed in sixth position with £252,628.
There are two mid-week releases this week, on Wednesday, June 21. On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, Studiocanal is releasing the final cut of cult British horror...
- 6/20/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Warner Bros blockbuster started below that of other Dceu standalone character titles.
Rank Film (distributor) Three-day gross (June 16-18) Total gross to date Week 1. The Flash (Warner Bros) £3.2m £4.3m 1 2. Spider-Man: Across The Spiderverse (Sony) £2.5m £20.2m 3 3. The Little Mermaid (Disney) £1.3m £22m 4 4. Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts (Paramount) £1.2m £5m 2 5. Greatest Days (Elysian Film Distribution) £389,235 £536,955 1
Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.28
Warner Bros’ The Flash topped the UK-Ireland box office on its opening weekend, with a £3.2m session.
Opening in 670 sites, the film took a £4,739 average. Its opening is the 10th-highest of 13 DC Extended Universe films to date, behind previous...
Rank Film (distributor) Three-day gross (June 16-18) Total gross to date Week 1. The Flash (Warner Bros) £3.2m £4.3m 1 2. Spider-Man: Across The Spiderverse (Sony) £2.5m £20.2m 3 3. The Little Mermaid (Disney) £1.3m £22m 4 4. Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts (Paramount) £1.2m £5m 2 5. Greatest Days (Elysian Film Distribution) £389,235 £536,955 1
Gbp to Usd conversion rate: 1.28
Warner Bros’ The Flash topped the UK-Ireland box office on its opening weekend, with a £3.2m session.
Opening in 670 sites, the film took a £4,739 average. Its opening is the 10th-highest of 13 DC Extended Universe films to date, behind previous...
- 6/19/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Where do we get those wonderful guests? This week's Empire Podcast brings you the audio from our recent Empire VIP Club Q&a with the one, the only Michael Keaton, on the occasion of his return to the role of Batman in Andy Muschietti's The Flash. Hear Keaton talk to Alex Godfrey about why he signed on to play Batman for Tim Burton, coming up with that voice, and the fun he's having reteaming with Burton on Beetlejuice 2, and then sign up to the Empire VIP Club, why don't you, so you can experience events like this in person. Our other guest this week is the wonderful Alice Lowe, who talks to Mike Muncer about her Take That musical comedy, Greatest Days, and about what we can expect from her next film as a director, Timestalker.
Then, in the podbooth, Chris Hewitt hosts and is joined by Helen O'Hara...
Then, in the podbooth, Chris Hewitt hosts and is joined by Helen O'Hara...
- 6/16/2023
- by Chris Hewitt
- Empire - Movies
Also opening is ‘Fleabag’ and ‘Pretty Red Dress’.
UK musical Greatest Days is taking on Warner Bros’ superhero title The Flash at the UK-Ireland box office this weekend as the two open in 603 and 670 locations, respectively.
Elysian Film Group is distributing Greatest Days, a jukebox musical using songs from boyband Take That, which follows a group of friends who reconnect 25 years later for the reunion concert of their teenage selves’ favourite band. It’s directed by Coky Giedroyc and adapted from the stage musical (The Band), with Aisling Bea leading the cast.
The Flash is opening marginally wider than Warner...
UK musical Greatest Days is taking on Warner Bros’ superhero title The Flash at the UK-Ireland box office this weekend as the two open in 603 and 670 locations, respectively.
Elysian Film Group is distributing Greatest Days, a jukebox musical using songs from boyband Take That, which follows a group of friends who reconnect 25 years later for the reunion concert of their teenage selves’ favourite band. It’s directed by Coky Giedroyc and adapted from the stage musical (The Band), with Aisling Bea leading the cast.
The Flash is opening marginally wider than Warner...
- 6/16/2023
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
To celebrate the release of Greatest Days, which opens this weekend in UK cinemas, we sat down with the film’s amazing cast and director to find out all about it.
Greatest Days follows five best friends who have the night of their lives seeing their favourite boy band in concert. Twenty-five years later their lives have changed in many different ways as they reunite for one more epic show by their beloved band, to relight their friendship and discover that maybe their greatest days are ahead of them. Greatest Days is the feel-good, universal story of love and friendship featuring the hit songs of Take That. Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, and Howard Donald are executive producers for the film.
Chatting to the extraordinary cast – Aisling Bea and Lara McDonnell, Jayde Adams and Carragon Guest, Alice Lowe and Eliza Dobson, Amaka Okafor, and Nandi Hudson and Jessie Mae Alonzo and...
Greatest Days follows five best friends who have the night of their lives seeing their favourite boy band in concert. Twenty-five years later their lives have changed in many different ways as they reunite for one more epic show by their beloved band, to relight their friendship and discover that maybe their greatest days are ahead of them. Greatest Days is the feel-good, universal story of love and friendship featuring the hit songs of Take That. Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, and Howard Donald are executive producers for the film.
Chatting to the extraordinary cast – Aisling Bea and Lara McDonnell, Jayde Adams and Carragon Guest, Alice Lowe and Eliza Dobson, Amaka Okafor, and Nandi Hudson and Jessie Mae Alonzo and...
- 6/16/2023
- by Scott Davis
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Sony’s “Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse” led the U.K. and Ireland box office for the second consecutive weekend with £4 million ($5.1 million), according to numbers from Comscore. The web-slinging animation now has a total of £16.2 million.
Paramount’s “Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts” debuted in second place with a healthy £2.9 million. In its third weekend, in second position, Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” collected £2.1 million for a total of £19.9 million. In fourth place, another Disney title, “Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 3” earned £511,837 in its sixth weekend for a total of £35.5 million.
Rounding off the top five in its fourth weekend was Universal’s “Fast X” with £475,640 and a total of £14.2 million.
There were three more debuts in the top 10. Bowing in eighth place was Disney’s “Chevalier” with £124,432. Rbe’s Punjabi-language “Maurh” debuted at ninth position with £31,975 and close behind was Picturehouse Entertainment’s “War Pony” in 10th with £31,792.
Coming up,...
Paramount’s “Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts” debuted in second place with a healthy £2.9 million. In its third weekend, in second position, Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” collected £2.1 million for a total of £19.9 million. In fourth place, another Disney title, “Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 3” earned £511,837 in its sixth weekend for a total of £35.5 million.
Rounding off the top five in its fourth weekend was Universal’s “Fast X” with £475,640 and a total of £14.2 million.
There were three more debuts in the top 10. Bowing in eighth place was Disney’s “Chevalier” with £124,432. Rbe’s Punjabi-language “Maurh” debuted at ninth position with £31,975 and close behind was Picturehouse Entertainment’s “War Pony” in 10th with £31,792.
Coming up,...
- 6/13/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
As the English summer settles into its brief annual pomp, so too arrives Greatest Days, the “official Take That musical”, adapted by Tim Frith from his own play and directed with a steady hand by Coky Giedroyc, and as wholesome, heady summer parties go you could do far worse. What could have been a jukebox retreade of some pop fluff here becomes a vibrant celebration of fandom’s sheer emotional transport. It’s very funny, very British, a little weird and extremely satisfying.
Aisling Bea is great as Rachel, a forty-something nurse who wins a golden ticket of sorts: a chance to see her teenage obsession, a nameless boyband, perform live in Athens. It sets in motion a reconnection with her old friends and themes, long since gone their separate ways since their time as screaming fans fantasising about life outside the seaside town of Clitheroe and living vicariously through some proper pop bangers.
Aisling Bea is great as Rachel, a forty-something nurse who wins a golden ticket of sorts: a chance to see her teenage obsession, a nameless boyband, perform live in Athens. It sets in motion a reconnection with her old friends and themes, long since gone their separate ways since their time as screaming fans fantasising about life outside the seaside town of Clitheroe and living vicariously through some proper pop bangers.
- 6/12/2023
- by Marc Burrows
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Independent titles ‘War Pony’, ‘Medusa Deluxe’ also starting in cinemas.
Paramount’s action blockbuster Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts will look to dominate the UK-Ireland box office this weekend, as the seventh film in the successful franchise.
Directed by Steven Caple Jr., Rise Of The Beasts is set during the 1990s, when a new faction of Transformers – cars that can turn into robots and back again – join the Autobots as allies in the battle for Earth.
Rise Of The Beasts is the first Transformers film for four-and-a-half years, since Travis Knight’s Bumblebee in December 2018. Starting in 595 cinemas, the new...
Paramount’s action blockbuster Transformers: Rise Of The Beasts will look to dominate the UK-Ireland box office this weekend, as the seventh film in the successful franchise.
Directed by Steven Caple Jr., Rise Of The Beasts is set during the 1990s, when a new faction of Transformers – cars that can turn into robots and back again – join the Autobots as allies in the battle for Earth.
Rise Of The Beasts is the first Transformers film for four-and-a-half years, since Travis Knight’s Bumblebee in December 2018. Starting in 595 cinemas, the new...
- 6/9/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
The total U.K. and Ireland box office for May 2023 is £78.2 million ($97.7 million) which is 19% lower than May 2022, per numbers released by Comscore.
Year-to-date 2023 is currently running 1% behind the same period in 2022. This is in contrast to most other territories where 2023 is significantly higher than last year, Comscore said.
“Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3” opened at the beginning of May and achieved the highest three-day opening of the year with £9.2 million. It is the highest-grossing film in May with £33.6 million. It is currently the 16th-biggest title in the MCU all-time chart in the territory, tracking just behind “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” which earned £34.4 million. “Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3” is also the second-biggest release of the year so far, behind Universal’s “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (£52.9 million).
In second position for the month is Universal’s “Fast X,” grossing £12.2 million since its debut two weeks ago. Its...
Year-to-date 2023 is currently running 1% behind the same period in 2022. This is in contrast to most other territories where 2023 is significantly higher than last year, Comscore said.
“Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3” opened at the beginning of May and achieved the highest three-day opening of the year with £9.2 million. It is the highest-grossing film in May with £33.6 million. It is currently the 16th-biggest title in the MCU all-time chart in the territory, tracking just behind “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” which earned £34.4 million. “Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3” is also the second-biggest release of the year so far, behind Universal’s “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (£52.9 million).
In second position for the month is Universal’s “Fast X,” grossing £12.2 million since its debut two weeks ago. Its...
- 6/2/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Is Take That back for good?
“Greatest Days” — the screen adaptation of the British pop act’s stage musical “The Band” — has unveiled its first trailer, with a U.K. and Ireland release date set for June 16.
News of the movie’s release comes just a week after the band was revealed as one of the acts set for King Charles’ coronation concert next month.
The group will also perform at a London premiere for “Greatest Days” on June 15. The performance will be broadcast alongside previews of the movie, which will screen at cinemas around the country on June 15.
Starring Aisling Bea (“The Way Up”), Alice Lowe (“Black Mirror”), Jayde Adams (“The Outlaws”) and Amaka Okafor (“The Responder”), “Greatest Days” follows five best friends who have the night of their lives seeing their favorite boy band in concert.
Twenty-five years later, their lives have changed in many different ways as...
“Greatest Days” — the screen adaptation of the British pop act’s stage musical “The Band” — has unveiled its first trailer, with a U.K. and Ireland release date set for June 16.
News of the movie’s release comes just a week after the band was revealed as one of the acts set for King Charles’ coronation concert next month.
The group will also perform at a London premiere for “Greatest Days” on June 15. The performance will be broadcast alongside previews of the movie, which will screen at cinemas around the country on June 15.
Starring Aisling Bea (“The Way Up”), Alice Lowe (“Black Mirror”), Jayde Adams (“The Outlaws”) and Amaka Okafor (“The Responder”), “Greatest Days” follows five best friends who have the night of their lives seeing their favorite boy band in concert.
Twenty-five years later, their lives have changed in many different ways as...
- 4/20/2023
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Welcome to Deadline’s International Disruptors, a feature where we shine a spotlight on industry players outside of the U.S. shaking up the offshore marketplace. This week we’re talking to Heretic co-founder Giorgos Karnavas about the growth of his Athens-based production and sales house he started in 2013 with Konstantinos Kontovrakis. The company played a pivotal role in co-producing Ruben Östlund’s Palme d’Or winner and Oscar contender Triangle of Sadness, its first English-language production.
Giorgos Karnavas is a little jet-lagged, but it’s been for the worthiest of causes. When Deadline sits down with the Heretic co-founder, he has just arrived back in Athens after a whirlwind trip to L.A. where he attended the Oscars for the first time with his co-production Triangle of Sadness. The Palme d’Or-winning title was up for Best Picture as well as Best Director for Ruben Östlund and, while it came away empty-handed,...
Giorgos Karnavas is a little jet-lagged, but it’s been for the worthiest of causes. When Deadline sits down with the Heretic co-founder, he has just arrived back in Athens after a whirlwind trip to L.A. where he attended the Oscars for the first time with his co-production Triangle of Sadness. The Palme d’Or-winning title was up for Best Picture as well as Best Director for Ruben Östlund and, while it came away empty-handed,...
- 3/22/2023
- by Diana Lodderhose
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Karl Spoerri, Viviana Vezzani and Tobias Gutzwiller are officially launching production label Zurich Avenue, which will sit under the banner of their finance company SPG3.
Based in Zurich and LA, the production-specific label will focus on film and TV and currently has ten English and German-language projects in different stages of production.
Among the slate is Bill Pohlad’s Venice Film Festival title Dreamin’ Wild, which stars Casey Affleck, Zooey Deschanel, Walton Goggins, Chris Messina, Noah Jupe, Jack Dylan Grazer and Beau Bridges, and tells the true story of musicians Donnie and Joe Emerson.
Pic was produced in partnership with River Road Entertainment and Innisfree Pictures while SPG3 co-financed with River Road. Kim Roth, Bill Pohlad, Jim Burke, Karl Spoerri and Viviana Vezzani served as producers.
Currently in production are Greatest Days and Nyad. Coky Giederoic directs the former, the big screen adaptation of UK comedy musical The Band,...
Based in Zurich and LA, the production-specific label will focus on film and TV and currently has ten English and German-language projects in different stages of production.
Among the slate is Bill Pohlad’s Venice Film Festival title Dreamin’ Wild, which stars Casey Affleck, Zooey Deschanel, Walton Goggins, Chris Messina, Noah Jupe, Jack Dylan Grazer and Beau Bridges, and tells the true story of musicians Donnie and Joe Emerson.
Pic was produced in partnership with River Road Entertainment and Innisfree Pictures while SPG3 co-financed with River Road. Kim Roth, Bill Pohlad, Jim Burke, Karl Spoerri and Viviana Vezzani served as producers.
Currently in production are Greatest Days and Nyad. Coky Giederoic directs the former, the big screen adaptation of UK comedy musical The Band,...
- 8/31/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Monsterland and I Came By outfit Two & Two Pictures has appointed Mila Cottray to the role of EVP Production and Finance based out of LA.
Cottray joins from financier SPG3 Entertainment where she held responsibilities for sourcing and acquiring productions for investment in film and TV, working on projects including Roland Emmerich’s Moonfall and Tim Firth’s Greatest Day.
Prior to SPG3, Cottray held positions with ICM Partners and Ingenious Media. As an Investment Associate at Ingenious, Cottray worked out of the London office financing and executive-producing on titles including Terminal, I Think We’re Alone Now and Beach Bum.
Two & Two are in post-production on Sean Penn starrer Black Flies, Paul Wesley horror History Of Evil and Netflix thriller I Came By with Kelly Macdonald, George MacKay and Hugh Bonneville. Founders Babak Anvari and Lucan Toh previously collaborated on BAFTA-winner Under The Shadow while 2019 thriller Wounds played at Sundance and Cannes.
Cottray joins from financier SPG3 Entertainment where she held responsibilities for sourcing and acquiring productions for investment in film and TV, working on projects including Roland Emmerich’s Moonfall and Tim Firth’s Greatest Day.
Prior to SPG3, Cottray held positions with ICM Partners and Ingenious Media. As an Investment Associate at Ingenious, Cottray worked out of the London office financing and executive-producing on titles including Terminal, I Think We’re Alone Now and Beach Bum.
Two & Two are in post-production on Sean Penn starrer Black Flies, Paul Wesley horror History Of Evil and Netflix thriller I Came By with Kelly Macdonald, George MacKay and Hugh Bonneville. Founders Babak Anvari and Lucan Toh previously collaborated on BAFTA-winner Under The Shadow while 2019 thriller Wounds played at Sundance and Cannes.
- 7/21/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Hello and welcome back to Deadline’s International Insider. If you’re not in Cannes enjoying the sun-soaked days and balmy evenings along the Croisette, allow us to provide you with everything you need to know, plus provide the lowdown on another big week in international entertainment.
Cannesdemonium
A matter of principle: Diana Lodderhose here reporting from Cannes. The 75th edition of the Cannes Film Festival is well underway and the sun is shining on international delegates for what feels like a return to pre-pandemic days. Deadline kicked off the week with a bang with Andreas’ exclusive about Cannes demanding copy approval as a condition for interviews with its chief Thierry Frémaux. After sitting down with the festival head in Paris last month, our International Editor was asked by the Cannes press department to water down and remove certain quotes, including comments about Roman Polanski and a lack of female directors.
Cannesdemonium
A matter of principle: Diana Lodderhose here reporting from Cannes. The 75th edition of the Cannes Film Festival is well underway and the sun is shining on international delegates for what feels like a return to pre-pandemic days. Deadline kicked off the week with a bang with Andreas’ exclusive about Cannes demanding copy approval as a condition for interviews with its chief Thierry Frémaux. After sitting down with the festival head in Paris last month, our International Editor was asked by the Cannes press department to water down and remove certain quotes, including comments about Roman Polanski and a lack of female directors.
- 5/20/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: ‘Get Ready For It’! Man-band Take That have shot a cameo scene for the Greatest Days film that features hits from the group’s song book.
Take That members Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald revealed exclusively to Deadline that they joined Greatest Days filmmaker Coky Giedroyc (Save Me) in Athens, Greece on Tuesday to shoot a short scene for producer Danny Perkins’ Elysian Film Group production.
It was a truly glamorous moment. “We play buskers,” Barlow joked.
Owen explained that the trio is seen busking at a train station in Athens. They perform the number “Shine”, a song from their 2006 comeback album Beautiful World.
”Yeah, we did the scene once Coky negotiated our ten-minute cameo down to about three seconds,” commented Barlow, to much hilarity from his bandmates who’d gathered in a suite at the Majestic Hotel in Cannes.
Owen’s tresses were being coiffed, Donald...
Take That members Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald revealed exclusively to Deadline that they joined Greatest Days filmmaker Coky Giedroyc (Save Me) in Athens, Greece on Tuesday to shoot a short scene for producer Danny Perkins’ Elysian Film Group production.
It was a truly glamorous moment. “We play buskers,” Barlow joked.
Owen explained that the trio is seen busking at a train station in Athens. They perform the number “Shine”, a song from their 2006 comeback album Beautiful World.
”Yeah, we did the scene once Coky negotiated our ten-minute cameo down to about three seconds,” commented Barlow, to much hilarity from his bandmates who’d gathered in a suite at the Majestic Hotel in Cannes.
Owen’s tresses were being coiffed, Donald...
- 5/19/2022
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
Beyond ‘Greatest Days’, Perkins has nine projects in development as part of Mews Films label
Danny Perkins is in Cannes, and he’s brought the remaining members of Take That with him. The Elysian Film Group founder and the band are introducing the first footage to buyers of Greatest Days, a musical set to the songs of Take That, based on the stage show The Band.
Greatest Days is the first title to come from Perkins’ Elysian Film Group, the production and distribution outfit he launched in 2018, following his departure as CEO from Studiocanal UK. After an 18-month delay owing to Covid,...
Danny Perkins is in Cannes, and he’s brought the remaining members of Take That with him. The Elysian Film Group founder and the band are introducing the first footage to buyers of Greatest Days, a musical set to the songs of Take That, based on the stage show The Band.
Greatest Days is the first title to come from Perkins’ Elysian Film Group, the production and distribution outfit he launched in 2018, following his departure as CEO from Studiocanal UK. After an 18-month delay owing to Covid,...
- 5/19/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Take That heart-throbs Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen are gearing up to conquer Cannes on Wednesday, the first time they’ve visited during the film festival. Let’s Pray that the sun will Shine and it will be their Greatest Day.
Fans of the (now middle-aged) boy band will know that Pray, Shine and Greatest Day are amongst the group’s biggest hits. It seems as if they wrote A Million Love Songs (that’s another one) that have stood the test of time since they formed over three decades ago.
The three remaining members of the band – Robbie Williams and Jason Orange do their own thing – will kick up their trendy trainers on the Majestic Pier to launch the exuberant promo for film Greatest Days, about a Take That -inspired 1990s boy band and the lives of five 16 year old girls who are obsessed with them.
Fans of the (now middle-aged) boy band will know that Pray, Shine and Greatest Day are amongst the group’s biggest hits. It seems as if they wrote A Million Love Songs (that’s another one) that have stood the test of time since they formed over three decades ago.
The three remaining members of the band – Robbie Williams and Jason Orange do their own thing – will kick up their trendy trainers on the Majestic Pier to launch the exuberant promo for film Greatest Days, about a Take That -inspired 1990s boy band and the lives of five 16 year old girls who are obsessed with them.
- 5/16/2022
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
Hello Insiders, Tom Grater here delivering a newsletter packed full of the week’s most important headlines from across the film and TV world.
Series Mania Delivers Optimism
Full of positivity: Series Mania is winding down today (although the prestigious International Competition winner is still to be announced) and it’s been a week full of optimism. European creatives and industry execs were out in droves for the first major festival that was almost entirely restriction-less. There was the odd teething problem (seeking press badges was akin to a joyless treasure hunt and patchy wi-fi was a constant talking point) but gone are the days of tests and masks and the delegates were loving it, with several well attended parties taking place when the sun went down.
Keeping it “local”: The message to take away from the forum sessions was loud and clear. The streamers and studios are in Europe and they want content,...
Series Mania Delivers Optimism
Full of positivity: Series Mania is winding down today (although the prestigious International Competition winner is still to be announced) and it’s been a week full of optimism. European creatives and industry execs were out in droves for the first major festival that was almost entirely restriction-less. There was the odd teething problem (seeking press badges was akin to a joyless treasure hunt and patchy wi-fi was a constant talking point) but gone are the days of tests and masks and the delegates were loving it, with several well attended parties taking place when the sun went down.
Keeping it “local”: The message to take away from the forum sessions was loud and clear. The streamers and studios are in Europe and they want content,...
- 3/25/2022
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Aisling Bea, Jayde Adams and Alice Lowe will star.
Canada’s Bron Releasing has taken worldwide sales rights to Coky Giedroyc’s UK feature Greatest Days, based on stage musical The Band, which is set to the music from boy band Take That.
Karl Spoerri and Viviana Vezzani’s Switzerland and Los Angeles-based SPG3, is financing and producing the feature, alongside Danny Perkins’ nascent UK outfit Elysian Film Group.
Aisling Bea, Jayde Adams, Alice Lowe, Amaka Okafor and Marc Wootton will star, with the UK shoot taking place in London and Clitheroe, plus Athens.
Giedroyc’s credits include How To Build A Girl...
Canada’s Bron Releasing has taken worldwide sales rights to Coky Giedroyc’s UK feature Greatest Days, based on stage musical The Band, which is set to the music from boy band Take That.
Karl Spoerri and Viviana Vezzani’s Switzerland and Los Angeles-based SPG3, is financing and producing the feature, alongside Danny Perkins’ nascent UK outfit Elysian Film Group.
Aisling Bea, Jayde Adams, Alice Lowe, Amaka Okafor and Marc Wootton will star, with the UK shoot taking place in London and Clitheroe, plus Athens.
Giedroyc’s credits include How To Build A Girl...
- 3/24/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Relight My Fire! It required a little Patience but Take That movie Greatest Days, which will star Aisling Bea, has set its cast and financiers ahead of shoot next month. The question now is: Could It Be Magic?
Cast confirmed for the feel-good UK comedy-musical includes comedian and 2020 BAFTA winner Bea (This Way Up), Alice Lowe (Black Mirror), Amaka Okafor (The Responder), Jayde Adams (Serious Black Jumper), Marc Wootton (Nativity), Lara McDonnell (Belfast), Jessie Mae Alonzo (Little Joe), Nandi Hudson (Army of Thieves), Carragon Guest and Eliza Dobson.
The film’s boy band, modeled on Take That, will comprise newcomers Aaron Bryan, Dalvin Cory, Joshua Jung, Mark Samaras and Mervin Noronha.
Bron Releasing has boarded worldwide sales on the project, which heralds from Danny Perkins’ Elysian Film Group. Filming is set to get underway next month on location in London, Lancashire (Clitheroe) and Athens.
Karl Spoerri and Viviana Vezzani...
Cast confirmed for the feel-good UK comedy-musical includes comedian and 2020 BAFTA winner Bea (This Way Up), Alice Lowe (Black Mirror), Amaka Okafor (The Responder), Jayde Adams (Serious Black Jumper), Marc Wootton (Nativity), Lara McDonnell (Belfast), Jessie Mae Alonzo (Little Joe), Nandi Hudson (Army of Thieves), Carragon Guest and Eliza Dobson.
The film’s boy band, modeled on Take That, will comprise newcomers Aaron Bryan, Dalvin Cory, Joshua Jung, Mark Samaras and Mervin Noronha.
Bron Releasing has boarded worldwide sales on the project, which heralds from Danny Perkins’ Elysian Film Group. Filming is set to get underway next month on location in London, Lancashire (Clitheroe) and Athens.
Karl Spoerri and Viviana Vezzani...
- 3/24/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Jonathan Kier hails indie buyer response during ”incredibly productive” market.
Sierra/Affinity has finalised a raft of major territory deals on its Cannes virtual market slate in the latest encouraging show of strength by independent international buyers.
Sierra/Affinity president Jonathan Kier noted a “robust and enthusiastic” reaction from distributors to The United States Vs. Billie Holiday, Arthur The King, and Greatest Days.
Rights to Lee Daniels’ The United States Vs. Billie Holiday, which is in post-production and will get an Oscar-qualifying Us release via Paramount in the upcoming awards cycle, have gone to eOne in the UK and Spain,...
Sierra/Affinity has finalised a raft of major territory deals on its Cannes virtual market slate in the latest encouraging show of strength by independent international buyers.
Sierra/Affinity president Jonathan Kier noted a “robust and enthusiastic” reaction from distributors to The United States Vs. Billie Holiday, Arthur The King, and Greatest Days.
Rights to Lee Daniels’ The United States Vs. Billie Holiday, which is in post-production and will get an Oscar-qualifying Us release via Paramount in the upcoming awards cycle, have gone to eOne in the UK and Spain,...
- 7/13/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
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