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ICYMI: SSN’s Top Stories For 8/11 – 8/15/14

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Skylight

Go Hunting for Your Next Franchise at These 8 Treasured Indie LA Bookstores

Whether you’re a development exec, writer, director, producer, or agent, these brick-and-mortar gems are worth frequenting to jumpstart your creative juices and are treasure troves for those in the film and TV industry. SSN brings you eight of our favorite indie bookstores. Your next project awaits! (SSN)

LA’s Top Indie Bookstores Reveal the Hidden Gems, Trends & Adaptation-Worthy Titles

SSN looks at some of the bestsellers, trends, and hidden gems with cinematic potential, recommended by those who know best—the booksellers, owners, and mangers who are on the floor with the public. Several booksellers and managers tell SSN what’s trending, which titles are perennial best sellers, and what obscure finds they think are worthy of adaptation. (SSN)

SSN Awards Watch: Why the Press was Moved to Applause at the 'Whiplash' Screening

It’s never too early to predict the year’s awards contenders as films like Boyhood, Mr. Turner, Foxcatcher, and The Grand Budapest Hotel have moved audiences and critics alike to declare them early awards season sure –things. Now, Chazelle’s first feature, Whiplash, which ran at a recent press screening, inspired a room full of critics to spontaneously burst into applause at the end – SSN’s writer included. More here (SSN)

As Batman V. Superman Flies to Theaters March 25, How Have Other Film Release Shifts Panned Out?

While it’s not great to take a hit for a date shift, it’s monumentally worse to release a movie that’s half-baked. In addition, studios are changing the rules of opening certain types of films in a season to a year-around affair that’s a no-rules gambit. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. SSN analyzes some recent movie shifts and whether it was a smart move or not, from The Monuments Men to Maleficent. (SSN)

Summer Snapshot: Are Movies Getting the Audience They Deserve?

Yes, plenty of movies earn hundreds of millions (or even billions) of dollars despite being universally reviled but, increasingly, summer movies strive to be more than the mindless drivel we’ve grown accustomed to seeing, and are being rewarded for it. SSN takes a look here (SSN)

On The Set For 8/18/14: Olivia Wilde Starts Meadowland, John Krasinski Wraps The Hollars

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at arrivals for 71st Golden Globes Awards - Arrivals 4, The Beverly Hilton Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA January 12, 2014. Photo By: Linda Wheeler/Everett Collection

Starts

Dark Signal 08/18/2014 Logline: A stranded woman must solve the mystery of a murdered girl whose spirit has returned with a message. Production Company: Yona Films Director: Edward Evers-Swindell Executive Producer: Neil Marshall Producers: Jonas Babics, Paul DuBois Cast: James Cosmo, Cinzia Monreale, Eleanor Gecks, Gareth David-Lloyd Screenwriters: Edward Evers-Swindell, Antony Jones SSN Insight: Project marks the feature producing debut of Jonas Babics and Paul DuBois. Executive Producer Neil Marshall wrote and directed the horror film “The Descent” (UK/2006).

Meadowland 08/18/2014 Logline: A married couple suffers through their son's disappearance, and while the husband, a New York City police officer, turns to more traditional forms of healing, the wife goes down an unexpected path and finds herself in danger. Production Companies: Untitled Entertainment, Bron Studios Director: Reed Morano Executive Producers: Jennifer Levine, Jason Cloth Producers: Olivia Wilde, Matt Tauber, Aaron Gilbert, Margot Hand Cast: Olivia Wilde, Elisabeth Moss, Natasha Lyonne, Luke Wilson, Ty Simpkins Screenwriter: Chris Rossi SSN Insight: Project marks the directorial debut for noted director of photography Reed Morano.

We Are Your Friends 08/18/2014 Logline: In this coming-of-age story set in the world of electronic music and Hollywood nightlife, a young DJ navigates relationships, his passions, and his prospects for the future while he works on what he hopes will become his first hit track. Production Company: Working Title Films Director: Max Joseph Executive Producer: Richard Silverman Producers: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Liza Chasin, Johanna Byer Cast: Zac Efron, Emily Ratajkowski, Jon Abrahams Screenwriters: Max Joseph, Meaghan Oppenheimer; Richard Silverman (story) SSN Insight: Project marks the feature directorial debut of Max Joseph, a host and executive producer of MTV’s “Catfish: The TV Show.”

Sinister 2 08/18/2014 Logline: A protective single mother moves her twin 9-year-old sons into a house with a disturbing secret. Production Companies: Blumhouse Productions, Automatik Entertainment Director: Ciaran Foy Executive Producers: Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Charles Layton, Xavier Marchand, Patrice Theroux Producers: Jason Blum, Scott Derrickson Cast: Shannyn Sossamon,James Ransone, Robert Sloan, Dartanian Sloan Screenwriters: Scott Derrickson, C. Robert Cargill Details: Sequel to "Sinister" (USA/2012) directed by Scott Derrickson and starring Ethan Hawke. SSN Insight: Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill wrote the screenplays for "Sinister 2" and the original "Sinister" (USA/2012), which was directed by Scott Derrickson. Ciaran Foy is directing this sequel, while Scott Derrickson is currently preparing to direct Marvel's "Dr. Strange."

Wraps

Miles Ahead 08/15/2014 Logline: A look into the life of legendary trumpeter Miles Davis. Production Companies: Crescendo Productions, BiFrost Pictures Director: Don Cheadle Executive Producers: Steven Baigelman, Cassian Elwes, Pamela Hirsch, Cheryl Davis, Erin Davis, Cary Brokaw Producers: Kay Liberman, Lenore Zerman, Vince Wilburn Jr., Darryl Porter, Don Cheadle, Daniel Wagner, Robert Ogden Barnum Cast: Don Cheadle, Ewan McGregor, Keith Stanfield, Emayatzy Corinealdi Screenwriters: Steven Baigelman, Don Cheadle (current draft); Stephen J Rivele, Christopher Wilkinson (previous draft) SSN Insight: Feature directorial debut of Don Cheadle.

The Hollars 08/15/2014 Logline: John Hollar, an aspiring New York City artist, brings his girlfriend to his Middle America hometown on the eve of his mother's brain surgery. Production Companies: Sunday Night Productions, Sycamore Pictures, Groundswell Productions Director: John Krasinski Executive Producers: Janice Williams, James C Strouse, Allyson Seeger Producers: Michael London, Tom Rice, Ben Nearn Cast: John Krasinski, Anna Kendrick, Richard Jenkins, Margo Martindale, Sharlto Copley, Charlie Day Screenwriter: James C Strouse SSN Insight: Chris Pratt was previously attached to star.

SSN On The Set, August Vacation Spots, Happy Birthday, Robert Redford, Streamy Nods Announced

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hamptons house rental

SSN ORIGINALS

SSN On the Set for 8/18/14: ‘Meadowland’ Begins, “The Hollars’ Wraps

SSN’s weekly film production charts for the latest films that have started and wrapped production. Olivia Wilde’s producing debut, Meadowland, starts shooting while John Krasinski finishes principal photography on his latest directorial effort, The Hollars. Also included, Dark Signal, We Are Your Friends and Sinister 2. (SSN)

When the Town Shuts Down in August, Where Do All the People Go?

SSN indulges in some travel porn and takes a look at some of the top vacation spots from Italy to Paris to Canada. (SSN)

Happy Birthday, Robert Redford! SSN Ranks His Top 10 Quotes

The Godfather of indie film turns 78 today and we take a gander at his most interesting utterances. (SSN)

TODAY’S HEADLINES

‘Midnight Rider’ EP Pleads Not Guilty in Sarah Jones Manslaughter Case

Jay Sedrish joins pleas entered by director Randall Miller and producer Jody Savin, who pled not guilty last month. (THR)

The Streamy Awards Have Announced Their Nominees

Fourth annual internet award show to hand out prizes on September 7th. (STREAMY)

With a Single Tweet from Its Director, ’Ant-Man’ Finally Starts Production

Peyton Reed announces “LET’S. GET. small.” as additional cast members also announced. (IW)

DreamWorks Animation Has Named Itself a New CFO

Fazal Merchant comes to studio from exec spot at DirecTV. (VAR)

Keanu Reeves to Star in New Action Series, Joins List of Movie Stars Coming to the Small Screen

Actor will play the title hit man, Rain, and serve as producer for Slingshot Global Media’s first foray into TV. (DH)

Good News for ‘Mission: Impossible’ Purists: Ving Rhames Will Be Appearing in Upcoming 5th Film

Christopher McQuarrie directing star Tom Cruise and other returning stars, Simon Pegg and Jeremy Renner. (EMPIRE)

Toronto Film Festival Unveils Lineup, The Voice of Saturday Night Live Don Pardo Dies at 96, Rectify Gets Third Season

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Toronto Film Festival Unveils Lineup

The fest reveals an impressive roster of helmers and performers planning to boost their latest work in Toronto next month. (VAR)

The Voice of Saturday Night Live Don Pardo Dies at 96

In 2010, the booming baritone became the first announcer to be inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame. (THR)

Rectify Gets Third Season

SundanceTV has renewed its first wholly owned original scripted series for a third season. (DH)

David Letterman Airs Robin Williams Tribute

The late night host took 10 minutes to tell stories about Williams, including one about the time Williams landed Letterman a guest spot on Mork and Mindy. (EW)

America Ferrara Hosting Documentary Series for Pivot and Univision

Ferrera has signed on to host “Panoramica,” a series of eight original documentary films to air on Pivot and Univision. (VAR)

Warner Bros. Acquires Mack Bolan Novel Series for Bradley Cooper

Todd Phillips will potentially direct and Avatar 4 co-writer Shane Salerno– who acquired the rights to the franchise from Pendleton’s estate — will write the script. (DH)

Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright Planning Another Project

The Shaun Of The Dead and The World’s End filmmaker is keeping busy lining up his cinematic dance card for the next few years. (TD)

Fox Passes on Tina Fey-Produced Comedy Cabot College

The network has taken a pass on the comedy produced by 30 Rock duo Tina Fey and Robert Carlock for Universal Television. (VAR)

Watch: Men, Women & Children Teaser

Directed by Jason Reitman and starring Adam Sandler, Jennifer Garner, Emma Thompson, Judy Greer, Dean Norris, and Ansel Elgort. (VUL)

TV Development for 8/19/14: Stephen Frears Set to Direct Fox FDR Limited Series ‘No Ordinary Time’

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The Sound Of The Sumners Network: FOX Studio: 20th Century Fox Television Production Company: Small Dog Picture Company Executive Producers: Peter Knight, Renate Radford, Jason Winer Writer: Peter Knight Director: Jason Winer (subject to availability) Logline: Exploration of a contemporary family featuring a unique musical element that involves an irreverent and buzzworthy use of original music and songs. Details: Script + Penalty No Ordinary Time Network: FOX Production Companies: Landscape Entertainment, Entertainment One Television, FX Productions Executive Producers: Bob Cooper, Tyler Mitchell, Hannah Pakula Writer: Paul Webb Director: Stephen Frears Logline: Chronicles President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s third term during World War II. The nerve center of a global war, FDR’s White House was transformed into something of a vibrant boarding house, the likes of which has never been seen again. With the president unable to venture out into the world during this time, he and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt sought to bring the world to them. Details: Based on the book, No Ordinary Time, written by Doris Kearns Goodwin. SSN Insight: Project is planned as a limited series. 10 Beacon Hill Network: ABC Studio: 20th Century Fox Television Production Company: 3 Arts Entertainment Executive Producers: Amy Holden Jones, Erwin Stoff, Oly Obst Writer: Amy Holden Jones Logline: A brilliant team of doctors takes on the most difficult cases, led by a deeply compassionate medical genius with poor health habits of his own and his 17-year-old prodigy niece. Details: Script + Penalty SSN Insight: Jones was behind ABC’s limited series Black Box which has recently ended with no second installment ordered. Untitled Rob Reiner / Andrew Lenchewski Spy Project Network: USA Studio: Universal Cable Productions Executive Producers: Rob Reiner, Andrew Lenchewski, Alan Greisman, Charles Ebersol Co-Executive Producer: Aaron Tracy Writer: Aaron Tracy Director: Rob Reiner Logline: Centers on a Yale student with aspirations to be among the best and the brightest, who is recruited by the CIA to become a mole in the secret Skull and Bones society. He becomes caught between the two very powerful organizations. SSN Insight: Reiner is also developing Basket Case, a drama at Spike TV. Titans Network: WGN America Studios: Sony Pictures Televison, Tribune Studios Production Companies: Fedora Entertainment, Touchy Feely Films Executive Producers: Peter Tolan, Paul Giamatti, Daniel Carey, Peter Mattei, Michael Wimer Writer: Peter Mattei Logline: Centers on the Farrell clan, a family of outsiders who have been in the hills of Appalachia since before anyone can remember. Living off the grid and above the law on their mountaintop homestead, they'll protect their world and defend their way of life using any means necessary. Details: Ordered straight to series. Network has ordered 13 episodes. SSN Insight: WGN America is also eyeing another straight to series order for a project titled, Underground, which is starting to set up a writers room, though an official order has yet to be announced. So Where Were We Network: ABC Studio: Sony Pictures Television Production Companies: FanFare Productions, United Studios of Israel  Executive Producer: Jamie Tarses Writer: Matt Tarses Logline: Centers on a husband who just wants to spend the day at home, but whose wife can’t sit still. So they compromise and go out. In a new location every week, the husband’s small acts of rebellion or errors in judgment or bad decisions snowball toward disaster. Details: Based on the Israeli format. Untitled Billy Finnegan Comedy Project Network: NBC Studio: Sony Pictures Television Production Company: Olive Bridge Entertainment Executive Producer: Will Gluck Writer: Billy Finnegan Logline: Centers on Addie Burns who didn’t think life in New York City could get any worse… then she went through one door and it got a whole lot better. Untitled Dana Goodman / Julia Wolov Comedy Project Network: TV Land Writers: Dana Goodman, Julia Wolov Cast: Dana Goodman, Julia Wolov Logline: Loosely based on the real-life experiences of Goodman and Wolov when they moved in together after going through breakups at the same time. SSN Insight: Dana and Julia are also producing an animated digital series called Biatches for Comedy Centrals’ CC Studios. Promiseland Digital Platform: Amazon Studio: Amazon Studios Executive Producers: Noah Oppenheim, Chris Bremner, Adam Sher Writers: Noah Oppenheim, Chris Bremner Logline: A biblical drama that follows the Book of Joshua and how he became the leader of the Jews and the Israelites became a nation. Untitled Dan Sterling Comedy Project Network: CBS Studio: 20th Century Fox Television Production Company: Lord Miller Executive Producers: Dan Sterling, Phil Lord, Chris Miller Writer: Dan Sterling Logline: Centers on an accommodating, well-meaning, and all-too-compliant man, and a powerful, outspoken, embattled woman who form a new friendship and partnership by which they jointly strive to revolutionize themselves and their lives. Details: CBS has given the project a put pilot commitment. SSN Insight: Project hails from an overall deal that Lord Miller has with 20th Century Fox Television. Rope Network: NBC Studio: NBCUniversal Production Companies: Halfire Entertainment, Shaw Media Executive Producers: Tassie Cameron, Calum deHartog, Noreen Halpern Writers: Tassie Cameron, Calum deHartog Logline: Focuses on the Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement squad, an elite team of officers that specialize in finding criminals no one else can. After losing her partner to suicide, criminal profiler and so-called "hot mess" Jo McKenzie returns to her hometown and joins the Rope squad. Details: Based on a real law enforcement unit. Untitled Connor Hines Comedy Project Network: TBD Studio: ABC Television Studios Production Company: Brillstein Entertainment Partners Executive Producers: Connor Hines, Robin Schwartz, Brian Stern, Stacy O’Neil, Jon Liebman Writer: Connor Hines Logline: Storyline under wraps. Details: Project has landed a blind script deal. SSN Insight: Hines is behind the web series Local Attraction, which he funded with Kickstarter, about what happens on Tinder dates. Untitled Stu Zicherman Comedy Project Network: Showtime Studio: Universal Television Production Company: True Jack Productions Executive Producers: Stu Zicherman, Jason Katims, Michelle Lee Writer: Stu Zicherman Logline: Explores modern dating, centering on a recently divorced guy who tries to evolve and connect one date at a time. SSN Insight: Zicherman is also a Consulting Producer and writer on FX’s The Americans. The Devil’s Advocate Network: NBC Studio: Warner Bros. Television Production Company: John Wells Productions Executive Producers: Arnold Kopelson, John Wells, Andrew Stern Co-Executive Producer: Matthew Venne Writer: Matthew Venne Logline: Centers on a public defender who joins a law firm that is run by the Devil himself. Details: Based on the novel, The Devil's Advocate, written by Andrew Neiderman. SSN Insight: A film, which was released in 1997, was also based on Andrew Neiderman’s novel of the same name, and was directed by Taylor Hackford with Charlize Theron co-starring.

Agents of SHIELD Enlists Adrianne Palicki as Marvel Superspy, Assistants Guide To Surviving August Downtime, TV Development For 8/19/14

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SSN ORIGINALS

 

Assistants Guide To Surviving August Downtime in L.A.

There of plenty of ways you can spend your time while the boss is away. Here are a few suggestions. (SSN)

TV Development For 8/19/14

Stephen Frears set to direct Fox FDR Limited Series 'No Ordinary Time,' plus more TV development news. (SSN)

TODAY'S HEADLINES

 

Agents of SHIELD Enlists Adrianne Palicki as Marvel Superspy

Friday Night Lights favorite and comic book fan Adrianne Palicki has been tapped to guest-star as Marvel superspy Bobbi Morse. (THR)

Discovery’s Shark Week Sets Ratings Record Among Women

The 27th edition of Shark Week became the most-watched ever for the event in women 18-49 (639,000), women 25-54 (621,000) and adults 25-54 (1.4 million). (VAR)

Astronaut Family Comedy Takes Off At ABC

In a very competitive situation, ABC has landed An Astronaut’s Guide To Life On Earth, a multi-camera comedy from Surviving Jack creators Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacker. (DH)

Jesse Zwick To Follow in Filmmaker Dad Ed's Footsteps?

A look at Jesse Zwick's first feature, the ensemble comedy About Alex. (LAT)

Hollywood’s Secret-Sequel Economy

The officially sanctioned Jarhead sequel joins a swarm of thought-dead brands revived through cunning straight-to-DVD strategy. (GLD)

Kevin Smith and Johnny Depp Team for Action-Adventure Yoga Hosers

The director and star are teaming up for what is being dubbed a “comic book movie” and are bringing their daughters with them. (THR)

TV Castings For 8/20/14: Thandie Newton & Miranda Otto Set For HBO’s ‘Westworld’

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Thandie Newton

Pilots

Thandie Newton and Miranda Otto have joined HBO’s Westworld, that centers on a robot malfunction that creates havoc and terror for unsuspecting vacationers at a futuristic, adult-themed amusement park. Sharlto Copley, Michelle Forbes, Eddie Izzard, Noah Taylor and Olesya Rulin have been cast in Playstation’s Powers, that follows the lives of two homicide detectives who are assigned to protect humans like us and investigate cases involving people with superhuman abilities, referred to as Powers, who glide through the sky on lightning bolts and fire and  clash above cities in epic battle - oblivious to the mortals below. Bex Taylor-Klaus has replaced Amy Forsyth on MTV’s Scream, which is based on the hit movie. Connor Weil and Joel Gretsch also join the cast. Bow Wow, aka Shad Moss, joins CBS’ CSI: Cyber, that follows a Special Agent in Charge at the Cyber Crime Division of the FBI in Quantico, VA tasked to solve major crimes that start in the mind, live online, and play out into the real world. Scott Adsit joins HBO’s We Hate Paul Revere, a period comedy that centers on two brothers living in Colonial Boston who are not fans of local industrialist and activist Paul Revere.

Current Series

Rose Williams will recur on CW’s Reign. Sonya Walger has landed a possibly recurring role on ABC’s Scandal. Frazer Hines will appear on Starz’s Outlander. Adrianne Palicki is set to guest star on ABC’s Agents of SHIELD. Matt Ward will play a villain in CW’s Arrow. Vas Saranga will appear on FX’s The Strain. Kenny Johnson has landed a recurring role on USA’s Covert Affairs. Stephanie Jacobsen will guest star and possible recur on CBS’ NCIS. Colin Woodell is set to recur on season 2 of CW’s The Originals. Aunjanue Ellis will guest star on Fox’s Sleepy Hollow. Andrea Savage joins Showtime’s Episodes. Jyoti Amge, who holds the Guinness Book of World Records title for “World’s Smallest Woman” is joining FX’s American Horror Story. Jake Lacy has landed a recurring role on HBO’s Girls. Steven Weber is scheduled to recur in Season 2 of Syfy’s Helix. Jim True-Frost, Matt Letscher, Giampiero Judica, and Louis Cancelmi will be joining season 5 of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire. Derek Hough has joined the upcoming third season of ABC’s Nashville. Mike Birbiglia joins the cast of Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black. Keegan-Michael Key, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Steven Tyler will make an appearance on season 13 of Fox’s Hell’s Kitchen. Jacob Hopkins will guest star on NBC’s About a Boy. Michael Chernus has landed a guest starring role on CBS’ Elementary. Lee Tergesen will guest star on NBC’s The Blacklist. Brant Daugherty will guest star on an upcoming episode of FX’s Anger Management. Connie Nielsen joins CBS’ The Good Wife. Yeardley Smith will guest star on season 4 of ABC’s Revenge. Nestor Serrano is set to recur. Patrick Fischler has been cast in Season 5 of Showtime’s Shameless. Gina Ravera will be guest starring on the upcoming season of TNT’s Castle. Holt McCallany, Bill Irwin, and LaTanya Richardson are set to recur in Season 5 of CBS’s Blue Bloods. Jaime Ray Newman has landed a recurring role on Amazon’s Bosch. Teri Polo, Stacy Keach, Henry Simmons and Sandy Duncan will guest star on NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Eva Longoria joins Fox’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Louise Lombard will recur in season 4 of NBC’s Grimm.

New Series

Alanna Ubach has joined Bravo’s Girlfriends Guide to Divorce as a series regular. Matthew Glave and Virginia Williams will recur. Carla Gugino is set to recur on HBO’s The Brink. Gilles Marini will guest star on NBC’s The Mysteries of Laura. Joan Collins will appear on E!’s The Royals. Navid Negahban and Lauren Bowles are set to recur on CW’s The Messengers. Giacomo Gianniotti will recur on ABC’s #Selfie. Andy Ridings and Dylan Gelula are set to appear on NBC’s Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Ryan McPartlin has landed a multi-episode arc on NBC’s Bad Judge. Leslie Bibb is set to recur on CBS’ The Odd Couple. Bailee Madison will guest star on Fox’s Mulaney.  

Film Development For 8/21/14: ‘A Thousand Pounds of Dynamite’ Set For Warner Bros.

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NEW ATTACHMENTS

Aquaman  Logline: Storylines are under wraps. Studio/Distributor: Warner Bros. Production Company:  DC Entertainment Writers: Will Beall, Kurt Johnstad Details: Based on the character Aquaman, appearing in DC Comics. The character was created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger and debuted in More Fun Comics # 73 in November 1941. SSN Insight: Project is being developed on two tracks where the studios and producers are hiring two separate writers in anticipation of getting the best version of the film. Will Beall and Kurt Johnstad are each writing a separate script. Journey 3 Logline: Storyline is under wraps. Studio/Distributor: New Line Cinema Production Companies: Walden Media, Flynn Picture Co. Producers:  Beau Flynn, Charlotte Huggins, Evan Turner (Executive Producer) Cast: Dwayne Johnson Writers: Chad Hayes (current draft), Carey Hayes (current draft), Brian Gunn (previous draft), Mark Gunn (previous draft) Director: Brad Peyton Details: Sequel to Journey to the Center of the Earth (USA/2008), directed by Eric Brevig and starring Brendan Fraser, and based on Jules Verne's novel A Journey to the Center of the Earth. SSN Insight: Project reunites Dwayne Johnson and the Hayes brothers again (San Andreas, Seal Team 6). Journey 4 Logline: Storyline is under wraps. Studio/Distributor: New Line Cinema Production Companies: Walden Media, Flynn Picture Co. Producers:  Beau Flynn, Charlotte Huggins, Evan Turner (Executive Producer) Cast: Dwayne Johnson Writers: Chad Hayes (current draft), Carey Hayes (current draft) Details: Sequel to Journey to the Center of the Earth (USA/2008), directed by Eric Brevig and starring Brendan Fraser, and based on Jules Verne's novel A Journey to the Center of the Earth. SSN Insight: Project reunites Dwayne Johnson and the Hayes brothers again (San Andreas, Seal Team 6). Jungle Book: Origins Logline: A young boy is raised in the wild by wolves and taught the ways of the jungle by various animals. Studio/Distributor: Warner Bros. Production Company:  The Imaginarium Producers:  Steve Kloves. Andy Serkis, Jonathan Cavendish Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Rohan Chand, Andy Serkis, Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Tom Hollander, Peter Mullan, Naomie Harris, Eddie Marsan Writer:  Callie Kloves (adaptation) Director: Andy Serkis Details: Based on the book The Jungle Book, written by Rudyard Kipling in 1894.  SSN Insight: Project reunites Cumberbatch and Serkis since The Hobbit films and marks the directorial debut of Andy Serkis.

NEW PROJECTS

Mack Bolan Logline: Elite anti-terrorist operative Mack Bolan is also known as "The Executioner" because of his accuracy as a sniper, but is a principled fighter also known for his compassion. Studio/Distributor: Warner Bros. Production Companies: The Story Factory, Unnamed Todd Phillips and Bradley Cooper Production Company Producers:  Shane Salerno, Bradley Cooper, Todd Phillips Writer:  Shane Salerno Details: Based on the character Mack Bolan created by Don Pendleton, first appearing in "War Against the Mafia" published by Pinnacle Books in 1969.  SSN Insight: Shane Salerno is the newest to acquire the rights after several big Hollywood names have failed to bring the film to fruition. A Thousand Pounds of Dynamite Logline: In a bizarre extortion plot, a huge bomb and a ransom note were discovered in a Nevada casino in August of 1980. Studio/Distributor: Warner Bros. Production Company:  Unnamed Todd Phillips and Bradley Cooper Production Company Producers:  Bradley Cooper, Todd Phillips Details: Based on the article A Thousand Pounds of Dynamite, written by Adam Higginbotham article and published by The Atavist, No. 39.  SSN Insight: This marks the latest film deal for The Atavist, which has Coronado High set up at Sony with George Clooney‘s Smokehouse Pictures producing, and American Hippopotamus, which Brett Ratner and James Packer's RatPac Entertainment recently optioned for Class 5 Films and Rat Pac to produce.

Rep Moves For 8/22/14: WKT Public Relations, WME, CAA, ICM Partners

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Agencies

CAA: Actor and musician Evan Ross is now repped by Cameron Mitchell. Ross will be portraying Messalla in the upcoming sequels The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 and Part 2. He’ll also soon appear in the indie drama Supremacy and has a role in The Wilderness of James, opposite Kodi Smit-McPhee and Virginia Madsen. The son of Diana Ross, Evan has been acting since the mid-2000s with feature credits that include ATL, Pride, Blackwater Transit, 96 Minutes, Jeff Who Lives at Home and Life is Hot in Cracktown. Ross also appeared in a recurring role on 90210, as well as thetelevision movie CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story. In 2011, Ross won the Jury Award for Breakthrough Performance at SXSW for his role in 96 Minutes. In addition to his acting career, Ross is also a musician and recently signed with Capital Records. Next up, Ross will appear in the features Broken Doll and Skate God, both of which are currently in pre-production. ICM Partners: Film and television production company Original Media has signed for representation. The team will include Greg Lipstone, Shade Grant, J.C. Mills and Lori York. Original Media is probably best known for producing reality series, which have included Pool Masters, Ink Master, NY Ink, Miami Ink, Storm Chasers, Swamp People, Comic Book Men, BBQ Pitmasters and The Philanthropist. The company has also been involved in a number of independent films, including The Squid and the Whale, Half Nelson and A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints. Original Media’s a subsidiary of Endemol North America. IMG: NASCAR signed a 10-year international broadcast partnership with IMG earlier this month. Working as NASCAR’s international media representative, IMG will be responsible for helping the company establish a long-term and sustainable global commercial broadcast media distribution strategy outside of the US. The goal is to increase NASCAR’s footprint, audience base and revenues outside of North and South America. It will also help NASCAR develop television rights commercially in areas where motorsports are less widely known, including Southeast Asia, China and Eastern Europe. UTA: South Korean actress Claudia Kim aka Kim Soo-Hyun is now repped by Darren Boghosian and Max Michael.  Kim will soon be seen in the upcoming Marvel sequel Avengers: Age of Ultron.  She’s also shooting Netflix’s big budget Marco Polo series, which will debut this fall.  Getting her start in 2005 after she won a modeling contest, Kim soon went on to star in the South Korean medical drama series Brain and the spy comedy series 7th Grade Civil Servant.  She also had a leading role in the sitcom Standby before making the leap to Hollywood. Up next, Kim is set to appear in the sci-fi feature Equals, which is currently in production and stars Kristen Stewart and Nicholas Hoult. WME Entertainment: Grammy-winning jazz musician Esperanza Spalding is now a client. Spalding just hosted Esperanza+, a large-scale jazz concert during Poland’s Solidarity of Arts festival on August 16th. After beginning her career as an instructor at the Berklee College of Music, Spalding released her debut album Junjo in 2006, which she followed up with her Grammy-winning Esperanza album in 2008. Her subsequent albums have included Chamber Music Society and Radio Music Society, the latter of which became Spalding’s first top-10 album on the Billboard 200. Altogether, Spalding has won four Grammy Awards, including the Grammy for Best New Artist at the 53rd Grammy Awards in 2011, becoming the first jazz artist to win the award.

Public Relations

PMK*BNC: Grammy-winning rock band Kings of Leon is now a client. First forming in 1999, the band released their debut album Youth and Young Manhood in 2003, and quickly became a sensation in the UK and Ireland. Most of their initial success was UK-based, where they landed nine Top 40 singles and won two Brit Awards.  By the time the group released their fourth album, Only by the Night, the band had achieved success in the United States as well, and began headlining several music festivals. This momentum led to the group winning three Grammy Awards in 2010, including Record of the Year, Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Rock Song.  Their subsequent albums have included Come around Sundown and 2012’s Mechanical Bull. Kings of Leon is currently on tour with that album. WKT Public Relations: Actress Shailene Woodley is now repped by Cara Tripicchio. Woodley’s career continues its ascent after recent starring roles in the summer hit The Fault in Our Stars, as well as the young adult dystopian feature Divergent. Getting her first major role as series lead Amy Juergens in The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Woodley’s biggest career breakthrough came in 2011 when she was cast in The Descendents, a role which earned her the Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female and a Golden Globe nomination. Her performance in 2013’s The Spectacular Now earned her a Special Jury Award for Acting at the Sundance Film Festival, in addition to another Independent Spirit Award nomination. Woodley’s other notable roles have included early recurring roles on The District, Crossing Jordan and The O.C., as well as a starring role in the television movie Felicity: An American Girl Adventure. Earlier this year, she starred in the feature White Bird in a Blizzard. Up next, Woodley will appear in the sequel The Divergent Series: Insurgent, which is currently in production.  

Exec Shuffle For 8/22/14: CBS Entertainment, The Jackal Group, Intellectual Artists Management, HBO, AMC

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ExecShuffle35

Company Launches

Anchor Media Strategy: Alison Rou has launched a new Public Relations company, Anchor Media Strategy. The company will focus on representing showrunners. Rou’s first clients include showrunners Julie Plec, Kerry Ehrin, Erica Messer, Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters, John Lehr and Nancy Hower, Ilene Chaiken and Liz Tigelaar. Electric Avenue: Will Arnett has launched a new production shingle, Electric Avenue. The newly formed production company seeks to develop and produce content across all platforms including film, television and digital. Arnett is joined by Jed Weitzman as President and Marc Foreman as Director of Development. Energi Entertainment: Tom Lesinski has launched Energi Entertainment which will develop, finance and produce content for digital and traditional television platforms. Lesinski launches his company with a first-look deal at Legendary Entertainment where he will continue to work on projects from his tenure as President of Digital Content. Possessed TV: Glenn Hugill has launched a new television production shingle out of London, Possessed TV. Hugill is working alongside ITV Studios to develop and produce multi-platform television content.

Studios, Networks, and Media Conglomerates

CBS Entertainment: Allison Berns has been named Coordinator, Drama Development. Colin Studebaker has been named Coordinator, Comedy Development. Fox Broadcasting Company: David Madden has been named President, Entertainment. Fox Business Network: Brian Jones has been named Executive Vice President, News Operations. Bill Shine has been named Senior Executive Vice President, Programming. Fox Networks Group: Joe Earley has joined as Chief Operating Officer, Fox Television Group. Turner Sports: Matthew Hong has been named Executive Vice President and General Manager. Albert Vertino has been named Senior Vice President, Programming, Turner Sports, and General Manager of NBA Digital

Film

Cindy Cowan Entertainment: Aimee Rivera has joined as Creative Executive. Dreamworks Animation: Fazal Merchant has been named Chief Financial Officer as of September 15, 2014. Good Deed Entertainment: Myrl A. Schreibman has joined as President of Production. Grey Matter Productions: Tyler Geditz has joined as Coordinator, Development. Nasser Entertainment: Jake Breedlove has joined as Head of Development. Participant Media: Erik Andreasen has been named Vice President, Narrative Films.

Television

Free Association: Nellie Stevens-Reed has joined as Vice President, Television. The Jackal Group: Amanda Krentzman has joined as Director of Development.

Agencies, Management Companies, Public Relations, and Law Firms

First Artists Management: Rich Jacobellis has been named Partner. Intellectual Artists Management: Doug Scott has joined as Director, Development. Irell & Manella LLP: Joshua Grode has joined as Partner and Co-Chair, Transactions Group. WME IMG: Doug Scott has joined as Executive Vice President, Marketing.

Cable

A+E Studios: Erica Bello has joined as Vice President, Creative Affairs. Alexandra MacDowell has been named Senior Vice President, Production Management. Tana Nugent Jamieson has joined as Senior Vice President, Original Drama Programming. Sarah Perlman Brenner has joined as Director, Creative Affairs. AMC: Brian Bockrath has been named Vice President, Scripted Programming.     HBO: Amy Gravitt has been named Senior Vice President, Comedy Programming. Nick Hall has been named Senior Vice President, Comedy Programming. David Levine has been named Senior Vice President, Drama. Francesca Orsi has been named Senior Vice President, Drama. TV Guide Network: Kristan Giordano  has joined as Vice President, Original Programming. Jessica Surovell has joined as Vice President, Development. The Weather Channel: Nora Zimmett has joined as Senior Vice President, Live Programming.

Publishing

Scribner: Rick Horgan has joined as Vice President and Executive Editor, effective August 25th.

Music

Capitol Music Group: Vince Szydlowski has been named Senior Vice President, Sales.

ICYMI: SSN’s Top Stories For 8/18 – 8/22/14

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Antoine Fuqua

When the Town Shuts Down in August, Where Do All the People Go?

SSN indulges in some travel porn and takes a look at some of the top vacation spots from Italy to Paris to Canada. (SSN)

Assistants Guide To Surviving August Downtime in L.A.

There of plenty of ways you can spend your time while the boss is away. Here are a few suggestions. (SSN)

10 Notes from the Trenches of Development Hell Exposed by Working Writers

In honor of all the writers who have sat across a conference table while someone tells them to “just make it funnier,” we talked to 10 anonymous feature and TV writers about the worst notes they’ve received, the issues they see with some studio & network notes – and the most ridiculous mandates they’ve had to endure. (SSN)

Box Office Insight: Sin City: A Dame to Kill For & Other Sequels that Were a Long Time Coming

Do all long-coming sequels do worse than the original? SSN takes a look at other sequels that took their sweet time – and the ROI results in the final wash – from the Wall Street franchise to the longest gaps between Tron, Indiana Jones and the Toy Story sequels. (SSN)

MTV VMAs: Which Music Video Directors Have Made it Big in Features?

SSN names the most notable directors to have transitioned successfully from music videos to features – from Michael Bay and David Fincher to Antoine Fuqua and McG. Also, we list our pick of 2014 nominees who are ripe for crossover, including Melina Matsoukas, Rich Lee, and Terry Richardson. (SSN)  

On The Set For 8/25/14: Tom Cruise – Christopher McQuarrie Reteam ‘Mission: Impossible 5′ Starts, Tom Hanks – Meg Ryan’s ‘Ithaca’ Wraps

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Starts

Mission: Impossible 5 08/24/2014 Logline: Story details are under wraps. Studio: Paramount Pictures Production Company: Skydance Productions, Bad Robot Director: Christopher McQuarrie Executive Producers: David Ellison, Dana Goldberg Producers: J.J. Abrams, Tom Cruise Cast: Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner, Ving Rhames Screenwriters: Will Staples (Current draft); Drew Pearce (Previous draft) Details: Sequel to Mission: Impossible (USA/1995), directed by Brian De Palma and starring Tom Cruise; based on the Paramount Television series Mission: Impossible, which aired on CBS from 1966 to 1973 and was created by Bruce Geller. SSN Insight: Director Christopher McQuarrie co-wrote and directed Jack Reacher (USA/2012), and co-wrote Edge of Tomorrow (USA/2014), both starring Tom Cruise.  McQuarrie also did uncredited writing work on Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol (USA/2011). Yoga Hosers 08/19/2014 Logline: Two 15-year-old yoga enthusiasts join forces with a legendary man-hunter to battle an ancient evil and fight for their lives, yoga-style. Production Companies: StarStream Entertainment, Invincible Pictures, SModcast Pictures Director: Kevin Smith Executive Producers: Kim Leadford, Charles Bonan, Tim Nye Producers: Elizabeth Destro, Jordan Monsanto, Jennifer Schwalbach Cast: Lily-Rose Depp, Harley Quinn Smith, Justin Long Screenwriter: Kevin Smith Details: The film is the second installment in director Kevin Smith’s True North Trilogy of stories that are steeped in Canadian myths and culture, preceded by Tusk (USA/2014) and reportedly to be followed by Moose Jaws, which Smith described as "just Jaws with a moose." SSN Insight: Director Kevin Smith, a comic book enthusiast who has written for Marvel and DC comics, and who previously wrote an unproduced Superman screenplay, has said that he considers Yoga Hosers to be his first comic book-style movie, "but instead of yet another dude saving the day our antiheroes are the most feared and formidable creatures man has ever encountered: two 15-year-old girls." Prisoner of War 08/25/2014 Logline: An American soldier and a French foreign aid worker must join forces to survive a catastrophic alien invasion. Production Companies: Voltage Pictures, Automatik Entertainment, 42, The Tea Shop & Film Company Director: Joe Miale Producers: Brian Kavanaugh-Jones, Rory Aitken, Benjamin Pugh, James Harris, Zev Foreman, Nicolas Chartier Cast: Bérénice Marlohe, Lee Pace Screenwriters: Rowan Athale, Joe Miale SSN Insight: Alex Russell was previously in discussions to play the lead.

Wraps

Gridlocked 08/20/2014 Logline: While a former SWAT leader is being shadowed by a movie star, the two men join forces to organize an attack on a training facility to combat a team of mercenaries. Production Company: Hackybox Pictures Director: Allan Ungar Producers: Cody Hackman, Bruno Marino, Geoff Hart Cast: Dominic Purcell, Cody Hackman, Stephen Lang, Vinnie Jones, Danny Glover Screenwriter: Allan Ungar, Rob Robol SSN Insight: Cuba Gooding, Jr. previously attached to star. Untitled (Woody Allen/Joaquin Phoenix Project) 08/20/2014 Logline: Storyline is under wraps. Production Company: Gravier Productions Director: Woody Allen Producers: Letty Aronson, Stephen Tenenbaum Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Emma Stone, Parker Posey, Jamie Blackley Screenwriter: Woody Allen SSN Insight: Project marks the second time Emma Stone has worked with Woody Allen, following this summer’s release Magic in the Moonlight (USA/2014). Ithaca 8/22/2014 Logline: When his older brother goes to fight in WWII, 14-year-old Homer looks after their family and works as a telegraph messenger, delivering messages of love, hope and pain in their small town. Production Company: Playtone Director: Meg Ryan Executive Producers: Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman Producers: Janet Brenner, Laura Ivey, Meg Ryan, Erik Jendresen Cast: Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks, Jack Quaid, Hamish Linklater Screenwriter: Erik Jendresen Details: Based on the novel The Human Comedy, written by William Saroyan and published by Harcourt, Brace and Company in 1943. SSN Insight: Melanie Griffith and Sam Shepard were previously attached as members of the cast.

TV Development For 8/26/14: Malcolm Gladwell & Glen Gordon Caron’s ‘The Cure’ Set For Fox

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test-tubes

Ashecliffe Network: HBO Studio: Paramount Television Production Companies: Phoenix Pictures, LBI Entertainment, Appian Way, Mythology Entertainment Executive Producers: Dennis Lehane, Martin Scorsese, Emma Koskoff, Bradley Fischer, Laeta Kalogridis, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Davisson Killoran, Rick Yorn, Christ Donnelly, Mike Medavoy, Arnold Messer Writer: Tom Bernardo, Dennis Lehane (has been mentioned) Director: Martin Scorsese (has been mentioned) Logline: Focuses on an isolated mental hospital and the secrets and misdeeds perpetrated by its founders, who erected the hospital in the early 20th Century and developed the methods of treatment used for the mentally ill. Details: A prequel to the novel Shutter Island written by Dennis Lehane. Also a prequel to the film that was directed by Martin Scorsese in 2010. SSN Insight: Paramount Television recently ordered 13 episodes of School of Rock based on the 2003 feature film. Untitled Andy Stern / Ellen Pompeo Crime Project Network: ABC Studio: ABC Studios Production Company: Calamity Jane Executive Producers: Ellen Pompeo, Laura Holstein Co-Executive Producer: Andy Stern Writer: Andy Stern Logline: A young, Boston-area cop, gravely wounded in the line of duty, returns six years later as a police psychologist and finds herself embedded in the very same precinct she left. She’ll bring along her new perspective on cops and solving crime, but she’s returning as an outsider, no longer a cop. SSN Insight: Calamity Jane, which is going through its first development season, is also developing Debt for ABC Family. An Astronaut’s Guide To Life On Earth Network: ABC Studio: Warner Bros. Television Production Company: 3 Arts Entertainment Executive Producers: Justin Halpern, Patrick Schumacker, Erwin Stoff, Tom Lassally Consulting Producer: Chris Hadfield Writer: Justin Halpern, Patrick Schumacker Logline: An astronaut back from space finds that re-entering domestic life might be the hardest mission he’s ever faced. Details: Based on the book An Astronaut’s Guide To Life On Earth, written by Chris Hadfield SSN Insight: This is the second astronaut-themed project for ABC. They will be airing the series The Astronaut Wives Club in March 2015. The Bad Stanleys Network: FOX Studio: 20th Century Fox Television Production Company: Kapital Entertainment Executive Producer: Dana Klein, Aaron Kaplan Writer: Dana Klein Logline: About two competitive brothers– one who peaked early in life and one who is peaking now– and their respective families. Told from the point of view of the brother who peaked early, the show is about sibling rivalry– comparing and competing and worrying you haven’t lived up to your potential when your brother has clearly exceeded his. SSN Insight: Kaplan and Klein reunite once again; they both produced the Fox series Friends with Better Lives this past season, which wasn’t renewed. Friday Night Dinner Network: CBS Studio: Warner Bros. Television Production Companies: 3 Arts Entertainment, Big Talk Productions Executive Producers: Robert Popper, Kenton Allen, Michael Rotenberg Writer: Robert Popper Logline: Focuses on the regular dinner experience of a family each Friday night. Details: Project is a remake of the British comedy, Friday Night Dinner, which began airing on Channel 4 in 2011. SSN Insight: A separate American remake of the British comedy, Friday Night Dinner, went to pilot at NBC in 2012 but was not ordered to series. @DadBoner Network: Comedy Central Production Company: Avalon Management Group, Ltd. Executive Producers: Mike Burns, Tim Long, Kara Baker, Jon Thoday, Richard Allen-Turner, David Martin Co-Executive Producer: Dan Lubetikin Writers: Mike Burns, Tim Long Logline: Karl Welzein, a middle-aged Michigan man who is separated from his wife and loves Bob Seger, has developed his own philosophy of life: indulging in dangerously generous helpings of booze, fast food, and American pride. Since his wife kicked him out of the house, Karl has been crashing at his buddy Dave’s and living like a "true bad boy" with "plenty of babes" — in his own mind. Details: Based on the Twitter feed @DadBoner, created by comedian Mike Burns, which was subsequently turned into a novel called Power Moves: Livin' the American Dream, USA Style, also written by Burns. Wing Mom Network: NBC Studio: Warner Bros. Television Production Company: Kari’s Logo Here Writer: Kari Lizer Logline: Centers on a divorced woman who has been waiting until her two kids were grown before starting to date again. When her 18-year-old son starts to offer her romance advice, she quickly realizes that he and his friends actually need her help — they need a wing mom. Details: Based on the life of Kari Lizer. Untitled Sarah Watson / Jason Katims Medical Project Network: CBS Studio: Universal Television Production Company: True Jack Productions Executive Producers: Sarah Watson, Jason Katims, Michelle Lee  Co-Executive Producer: Writer: Sarah Watson Logline: Set at a high-tech Silicon Valley hospital with a cutting-edge approach to medicine. Code Black Network: CBS Studio: ABC Studios Executive Producers: Michael Seitzman, Linda Goldstein-Knowlton, Marti Noxon Writer: Michael Seitzman Logline: One young doctor has just joined the extraordinary staff of Los Angeles’ busiest ER as they struggle in the face of a broken system to protect their ideals and the patients who need them the most. Details: Based on the documentary Code Black (2013/USA), directed by Ryan McGarry. The Living and the Dead Networks: BBC America, BBC-1 Studio: BBC Worldwide Production Companies: Monastic Productions, BBC Wales Executive Producers: Ashley Pharoah, Matthew Graham, Faith Penhale, Katie McAleese Writers: Ashley Pharoah, Matthew Graham Logline: Set in the English countryside in 1888, the story centers on Nathan Appleby, a gentleman farmer who is obsessed with proving the existence of the afterlife. Appleby investigates hauntings, paranormal happenings, and ghostly visitations, encouraged by the Society for Psychical Research. Soon his interest in the occult poses a threat to his family, his livelihood and his sanity. Details: Ordered straight to series. Network has ordered 6 episodes. Blindspot Network: NBC Studio: Warner Bros. Television Production Company: Berlanti Productions Executive Producers: Martin Gero, Greg Berlanti Writer: Martin Gero Logline: An FBI agent is drawn into a complex conspiracy when a naked amnesiac is found in Times Square covered in tattoos... including his name on her back. Critical Network: NBC Studio: Universal Television Production Companies: UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, John Glenn Entertainment Executive Producers: John Glenn, Eva Longoria, Ben Spector Writer: Katie Lovejoy Logline: A perfectionistic Latina doctor who returns to her hometown to take a job at a prestigious hospital. SSN Insight: Project marks a reunion for Lovejoy and UnbeliEVAble Entertainment, who developed an adaptation of the telenovela Pura Sangre at ABC together last season. Justice Network: NBC Studio: Universal Television Production Company: John Glenn Entertainment Executive Producer: John Glenn Writer: Matt Lopez Logline: A larger-than-life DA is a brilliant prosecutor but has a dark secret that could bring his entire world crashing down. Untitled Kerry Ehrin / Freddie Highmore Project Network: NBC Production Company: Kerry Ehrin Productions Executive Producers: Kerry Ehrin, Freddie Highmore Writers: Kerry Ehrin, Freddie Highmore Logline: Set in the world of venture capitalism, it tells the story of the intimate relationship between an overly emotional-but-talented female executive and her ambitious and eccentric young British assistant. SSN Insight: This is the first project Ehrin and Highmore are developing together. Ehrin is the co-creator/executive producer on A&E’s Bates Motel that Highmore stars in. Untitled Eric Falconer / Greg Garcia Comedy Project Network: ABC Studio: CBS Television Studios Production Company: Amigos de Garcia Productions Executive Producers: Eric Falconer, Greg Garcia Writer: Eric Falconer Logline: Centers on a TV writer who, after losing his job, moves his family from Santa Monica to a predominantly Mexican neighborhood in East LA in order to save money. In doing so they experience culture shock but also discover a feeling of community in their new neighborhood that makes their family stronger. Details: Loosely based on writer Eric Falconer’s experience moving his family to East Los Angeles. Script + Penalty SSN Insight: This is Garcia’s first project being developed at ABC. The Brain Network: CBS Studio: CBS Studios Production Company: Kapital Entertainment Executive Producers: Michelle Morgan, Aaron Kaplan Writer: Michelle Morgan Logline: Centers on an unintelligent guy who suffers head trauma and turns into a genius, which puts a strain on his family and friends, who liked him better when he was clueless. Mix Network: ABC Studio: Warner Bros. Television Production Company: Le Train Train Productions Executive Producers: Jennifer Cecil, Rashida Jones, Will McCormack Co-Executive Producer: Jeff Grosvenor Writer: Jennifer Cecil Logline: Explores the realities of modern-day families-- multi-cultural, multi-generational, built through divorces, affairs and adoptions -- set against the backdrop of a revered family restaurant at a crossroads. SSN Insight: Le Train Train Productions is also behind the new NBC series A to Z, which will air this fall. The Cure Network: FOX Studio: 20th Century Fox Television Production Companies: Picturemaker Productions, Imagine Television Executive Producers: Malcolm Gladwell, Glenn Gordon Caron, Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo Writer: Malcolm Gladwell, Glenn Gordon Caron Logline: A young, impulsive African American neurologist decides to take the law into her own hands in the cause of tackling a deadly disease. Rabbit Hole Network: IFC Studio: Universal Cable Productions Production Company: Borderline Amazing Productions Executive Producers: Chelsea Handler, Tom Brunelle, Brad Wollack Writers: Kerri Kenney-Silver, Jamie Denbo Cast: Kerri Kenney-Silver  Logline: A comedy set in Nevada’s “second most famous“ brothel. SSN Insight: Kenny-Silver was a regular guest on Handler’s E! late night show, that has since been canceled.

TV Castings For 8/27/14: Steve Zahn Joins ‘Modern Family’ For ABC

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Steve Zahn

Pilots

Shohreh Aghdashloo and Steven Strait join Syfy’s The Expanse, that follows the case of a missing young woman who brings a hardened detective and a rogue ship’s captain together in a race across the solar system to expose the greatest conspiracy in human history. Rebecca Forsythe will recur on ABC’s Members Only, an upstairs/downstairs drama set at an exclusive Connecticut country club, centered on the club’s leisure-class members and the working-class employees who make the place tick. Olafur Darri Olafsson joins HBO’s We Hate Paul Revere, a period comedy that centers on two brothers living in Colonial Boston who are not fans of local industrialist and activist Paul Revere. Adriana Barraza will recur on Netflix’s Narcos, that follows the rise and eventual fall of notorious Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar.

Current Series

Billy Eichner and Rhys Darby will guest star in CBS’ The Millers. Tony Shalhoub has landed a recurring role on Showtime’s Nurse Jackie. Hoda Kotb, Brian d’Arcy James, Stevie Lynn Jones and Dana Wheeler-Nicholson will guest star in the upcoming season of NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Richard Kind will guest star in the season 6 premiere of ABC’s The Middle. Frankie Valli is set to appear on CBS’ Hawaii Five-0. Shelby Steele is set to recur on Season 5 of Showtime’s Shameless. Terry O’Quinn (Lost), Jane Kaczmarek and Rob Morrow will lend their voices to Disney’s Phineas and Ferb. Brian Patrick Wade will guest star on ABC’s Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Niecy Nash will recur in season 3 of Fox’s The Mindy Project. Paul Reubens is scheduled to recur on NBC’s The Blacklist. Matthew Del Negro has landed a recurring role on ABC’s Scandal. Rachel Dratch is set to guest star on NBC’s Parks and Recreation. Matt Bomer will guest star on FX’s American Horror Story. Steve Zahn joins ABC’s Modern Family. Kim Kardashian and Jesse Metcalfe will guest star on CBS’ 2 Broke Girls. Donald Glover will lend his voice to Disney XD’s Ultimate Spider-Man. Alan Ritchson will guest star on Fox’s New Girl. Markie Post will recur on NBC’s Chicago PD. Samuel Anderson will guest star on BBCA’s Dr. Who.

New Series

Greg Finley will appear in at least two episodes of CW’s The Flash. Brian Huskey and Jennifer Hasty are set to recur on ABC’s #Selfie. Molly Hagan has replaced Nora Dunn in CW’s iZombie. Judy Reyes will guest star. Joe Morton, Geoff Stults and Barry Bostwick are set to recur on Netflix’s Grace and Frankie. Geoff Stults will also recur on CBS’ The Odd Couple. Courtney B. Vance and James Remar are set to recur on NBC’s State Of Affairs. Rick Fox will guest star as himself on CBS’ The McCarthy’s.

Event Series

Peter Gadiot, Nonso Anozie, Alexander Siddig and Iddo Goldberg have been cast in Spike’s Tut.  

Film Development For 8/28/14: Screenwriter David Weil Marks Third Feature Sale With ‘Moonfall’

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NEW ATTACHMENTS

Chaos Walking Logline: In a dystopian future, a war has wiped out all women and a virus has created the Noise, which allows for everyone's thoughts to be heard at all times. Studio/Distributor: Lionsgate Production Companies: Quadrant Pictures, Allison Shearmur Productions, ImageMovers Producers:  Doug Davison, Allison Shearmur, Robert Zemeckis, Jack Rapke Writers: Jamie Linden (current draft), Charlie Kaufman (previous adaptation) Director: Robert Zemeckis Details: Based on the young adult novel The Knife of Never Letting Go, written by Patrick Ness and published by Candlewick on September 9, 2008.  Source material is the first of the novels in the "Chaos Walking" trilogy. The second, The Ask and the Answer, was published on September 8, 2009. The third, Monsters of Men, was published on September 28, 2010 and Lionsgate has purchased feature rights to all three novels in the Chaos Walking trilogy SSN Insight: Project reunites Linden with Lionsgate since his adaptation of Noggin’. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Logline: 70 years before Harry Potter’s birth, Newton Artemis Fido Scamander is commissioned to write a reference guide to magical beasts, which would become a Hogwart’s textbook. Studio/Distributor: Warner Bros. Writer:  J.K. Rowling Details: Based on the novel Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, by J.K. Rowling; published by Arthur A. Levine June 2001 .  SSN Insight: Project marks the screenwriting debut for author J.K. Rowling.

NEW PROJECTS

Second Sunrise Logline: A Navajo vampire works with a no-nonsense FBI agent to stop a crazed Nazi and some shapeshifters. Production Companies:  The Romero Co., Red Nation Films Producers: Joanelle Nadine Romero, Rosemary Parks Cast: Eddie Spears, Sage Galesi, Balthazar Getty, A. Martinez Writer:  Carolyn Dunn (adaptation), E.C. Galesi (adaptation) Director: Joanelle Nadine Romero Details: Based on Second Sunrise, the first in the Lee Nez series of novels written by David and Aimee Thurlo and published by Forge in 2002.  SSN Insight: Project is being developed as a franchise starter. Untitled (Celebrity Death Pool Project) Logline: A struggling nightclub owner decides to pay off his huge debt to a loan shark by entering a celebrity death pool and trying to kill David Hasselhoff. Production Companies: World Wrestling Entertainment, Hyde Park Entertainment, Image Nation Abu Dhabi, Lotus Pictures Producers: Ashok Amritraj, David Hasselhoff, Michele Berk, Patrick Hughes, Warren Zide, Eric Gardner (Executive Producer) Cast: Ken Jeong, David Hasselhoff Director: Darren Grant  SSN Insight: Project reunites WWE & Hyde Park (The Fall Guy and 2004’s Walking Tall). Moonfall Logline: An FBI agent is sent on a mission to a colony on the moon to investigate the first death there. Production Company: AUDAX Films Producers:  Andrew Kortschak, Walter Kortschak Writer:  David Weil SSN Insight: Project marks the 3rd feature film sale for writer David Weil. Bathing Flo Logline: Based on a true story, two friends make a deal that one will move in with and take care of the other's elderly mother. Production Companies: Tagline Pictures, Thruline Entertainment Producers:  Danny Sherman, Lauren Lake, Erica Steinberg Cast: Ellen Burstyn Writers: Danny Sherman, Lauren Lake, Daniel Brocklehurst Director: Ellen Burstyn SSN Insight: Project marks the directorial debut for Ellen Burstyn.

Rep Moves For 8/29/14: Octagon, UTA, WME, Paradigm

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Harry Connick Jr.

Agencies

CAA: Writer and producer René Balcer is now repped by Adam Berkowitz, Kevin Cooper, Rob Kenneally, Andy Elkin and Margaret Mendelson. Balcer is probably best known for his work on the Law & Order franchise, where he served as an executive producer, writer and showrunner. Beginning his career in the late eighties, Balcer joined Law & Order in its inaugural season in 1991 and served as head writer and showrunner for a large portion of its 20 seasons. In 2001, he created the spin-off Law & Order: Criminal Intent and served as showrunner for half of that series’ 10 year run. Outside of Law & Order, Balcer created the 2012 television series Jo, which starred Jean Reno and Jill Hennessy. He is currently writing the script for the Starz drama Wonderworld. He also has two projects in development: Kapital Entertainment’s DarkNet and an unnamed television project for China Media Capital. In 1997, Balcer won a Best Drama Emmy for his role as one of Law & Order’s executive producers. Gersh: Director, writer and producer Kico Velarde is now a client. Velarde is a currently supervising producer on the webseries Jay Leno’s Garage. Velarde started his career as an editor, working on projects for NBCUniversal, Deluxe Digital Studios, Technicolor and HGTV amongst others.  He has since worked in various capacities across the industry, producing the award winning feature films PVC-1 and Meteora, which played at the Cannes and Berlin film festivals respectively.  In 2012, Velarde made his directorial debut with the short The Shooting Star Salesman, which played several festivals. In 2011, Velarde won an Emmy for the Jay Leno’s Garage and followed that up with three more nominations in 2012, 2013, and 2014. ICM Partners: Comedian and writer Eliza Skinner is now repped by Bryan Diperstein, Adam Ginivisian, Howie Tanenbaum and Andy Coleman. Skinner is currently a Funny or Die staff writer and has written numerous sketches, including Kristen Bell’s “Mary Poppins Quits.” She is also a writer on the E! series  Fashion Police. As a comedian, Skinner has appeared in festivals across the world and has appeared on The Pete Holmes Show, @Midnight, Chelsea Lately and Upload with Shaquille O’Neal amongst others. She’s also a regular performer at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in both New York and Los Angeles.  Skinner was recently selected as one of the “New Faces of Comedy” at the Montreal Just for Laughs Festival. Octagon: Singer, musician and actor Harry Connick Jr. has signed with Octagon for endorsements and sponsorships. Connick will soon return as a judge for season 14 of Fox’s American Idol. Rising to fame in 1989 with his multiplatinum soundtrack to When Harry Met Sally, Connick has racked up sales of over 28 million albums over the past two decades.  He’s had over seven top 20 US albums and he has earned more number-one jazz albums than any artist in US jazz chart history. Also an actor, Connick’s extensive screen credits have included Memphis Belle, Independence Day, Hope Floats, P.S. I Love You, New in Town and the family films Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2. Connick additionally appeared in a four-episode arc on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in 2012. He joined the American Idol judging panel in its 13th season. Over his career, Connick has won three Grammys, two Emmys and has received several Tony nominations. He continues to be repped by CAA in all other areas. Paradigm: Writer and director Joe Johnston is now repped by Adam Kanter and Martin Spencer. Johnston most recently directed the thriller Not Safe for Work, which starred Max Minghella and Tim Griffin. He also directed the 2011 Marvel blockbuster Captain America: The First Avenger. Currently, he’s developing the high concept sci-fi thriller Extinction for Good Universe. A former visual effects artist, Johnston made his directing debut with Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. His subsequent features have included such hits as The Rocketeer, Jumanji, October Sky, Jurassic Park III, Hidalgo and The Wolfman. Up next, Johnston is developing Gotti: The Shadow of My Father for Relativity, as well as the DreamWorks pilot Lumen for TNT. UTA: Taiwanese-Canadian actor Mark Chao is now repped by Darren Boghosian and Max Michael. Chao’s career began its rapid ascent after he first got his big break as the lead character on the Taiwanese television series Black & White in 2009. Since that point, Chao has won Best Leading Actor in a Drama Series at the 44th Golden Bell Awards and won Best Actor for his film debut in the gang drama Monga. His subsequent film credits have included the feature version of Black & White, Caught in the Web, The First Time, I Love You to Love Me, as well as the 2013 hits Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon and So Young. Next up, Chao recently finished a second Black & White feature and he will shoot a film with acclaimed Chinese director Lou Chuan in the fall. UTA: Actor Eddie McClintock is now repped by Logan Eisenberg, Michael Jelline and  Peri Litvak. McClintock just wrapped up his SyFy series Warehouse 13, where he starred as the series lead Pete Lattimer. He also recently appeared in guest spots on Castle, Modern Family and The Mentalist. McClintock began his career in the late nineties and has racked up a prolific resume, appearing in well over 45 guest spots, in addition to starring in five network series. Outside of Warehouse 13, McClintock’s other series credits have included 1998’s Holding the Baby, Stark Raving Mad, A.U.S.A. and Crumbs.  He’s also appeared in recurring roles on Desperate Housewives, My Boys and Ned & Stacey. McClintock continues to be managed by Ric Beddingfield at The Beddingfield Company. WME Entertainment: Swedish actor Joel Kinnaman is now a client. He was previously at CAA. The fourth and final season of Kinnaman’s breakout series The Killing was recently released on Netflix. He’ll also soon be appearing in the Warner Bros. crime drama, Run All Night, opposite Liam Neeson, as well as Child 44, opposite Tom Hardy and Noomi Rapace. Starting his career in the early 2000s, Kinnaman appeared in a number of Swedish features before achieving stardom with the Johan Falk film series and Sweden’s Snabba Cash (Easy Money) franchise. He took on his signature role in The Killing in 2011 and recently starred in the title role of the 2014 Robocop reboot.  Some of Kinnaman’s other feature credits include The Darkest Hour, Lola Versus, David Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Safe House. He is also set to appear in Terrence Malick’s next feature Knight of Cups, due for release later this year.

Exec Shuffle For 8/29/14: Lucid Road Productions, Mad Riot Entertainment, Discovery, Hasbro Studios, Sirens Media

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COMPANY LAUNCHES

Lucid Road Productions: Aaron Paul has launched a new production shingle, Lucid Road Productions. Lucid Road Productions has signed a first-look deal with Sony Pictures Television under which Aaron Paul will produce and develop television projects. Mad Riot Entertainment: Mark Canton has launched a new television and film production and development company, Mad Riot Entertainment, with Lawrence Smith as Chief Executive Officer, George Davanzo as Executive Chairman and Dorothy Canton as President. Mad Riot seeks to acquire strong content in any format and in any stage of development.

STUDIOS, NETWORKS, AND MEDIA CONGLOMERATES

ABC News: Tom Cibrowski has been named Senior Vice President, ABC News Programs, News Gathering & Special Events. Davis Entertainment: Mike Stein has joined as Coordinator, Development. Discovery Communications: Marjorie Kaplan has been named Interim Head, Discovery Channel. Discovery Communications: Eileen O’Neill has been named President, Discovery Studios Global Group. NBC Entertainment: Jenny Groom has been named Senior Vice President, Alternative Programming & Development. Scripps Networks: John Ajamie has been named Senior Vice President, US Operations. Scripps Networks: Mike Donovan has been named Senior Vice President, International Operations & Distribution Technology.

FILM

BN Films: Jonathan Gray has joined as Head of the New York office. Hasbro Studios: Josh Feldman has joined as Head of Film. Lotus Entertainment: Aaron Michiel has joined as Executive Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs.

TELEVISION

Aggregate Films: Shaleen Desai has joined as Executive Vice President, Television. A. Smith & Co. Productions: Katie Hash has been named Vice President, Development. A. Smith & Co. Productions: Steve Miller has joined as Head, Creative Services. Plimsoll Productions: Andrew Jackson has joined as Executive Vice President, International Productions. Sirens Media: Nichole Bardin has joined as Director of Development. Sirens Media: Brent Hatherill has been named Senior Director, Development. Sirens Media: Heather Hutt has been named Manager, Development. Sirens Media: Daniel Markell has joined as Vice President, Development. Sundance TV: Kate Bilsky has been named Coordinator, Scripted Programming.

AGENCIES, MANAGEMENT COMPANIES, PUBLIC RELATIONS, AND LAW FIRMS

Circle of Confusion: Brad Mendelson has been named Head of Literary. Genius Brands International: Lloyd Mintz has joined as Vice President, Consumer Products. ICM Partners: Ellen Jones has been named Coordinator, TV Literary. Irell & Manella: Joshua B. Grode has joined as Partner, Co-Chair, Transactions Group.

PUBLISHING

Penguin Random House: Stuart Applebaum has been named Executive Vice President Emeritus, Corporate Communications. Penguin Random House: Claire Von Schilling has been named Senior Vice President, Director of Corporate Communications.

ICYMI: SSN’s Top Stories For 8/25 – 8/29/14

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Summer 2014 TV Wrap-Up: Renewals Galore with The Last Ship, Major Crimes & More

In an attempt to boost audience confidence, and reward investment with long-term storytelling, a number of networks broke news about renewals while current seasons were only a few episodes in. SSN takes a look at the crop, from The Leftovers to Ray Donovan and Undateable. (SSN)

Summer 2014 Film Wrap-Up or How to Guard the Maleficent Planet of the Transformers

Placing Hollywood’s popcorn season in context, this year’s top grosser, Transformers: Age of Extinction, would have only placed 5th last summer. Considering that this will be the first summer in 13 years to end without a single film crossing the $300 million barrier, it could have been far worse. SSN’s analysis of the season’s winners/losers and Top 10 rundown begins here (SSN)

The November Man & Life After James Bond – What Does Retirement Hold for the 007s?

For many of these five former Bond actors, you only live twice: once as James Bond and then as a retired spy. SSN takes a look at those who gave the franchise the goldfinger, those that lived and let die, and others who were determined to die another day. (SSN)

Development Hell: Directors Reveal the Most Absurd Notes They’ve Ever Heard

For the second part of SSN’s Development Hell series, we talked to directors – on condition of anonymity – about the most painful, hilarious and mind-boggling notes they’ve received on the way to production. Read ‘em and weep. Or laugh. (SSN)

Telluride 2014: The 8 Films that Could Enter the Oscar Race + Trailers

With the lineup of the Telluride Film Festival unveiled, it’s full of potential awards contenders and gives cinephiles a chance to catch world premieres before they go on to Toronto, the New York Film Festival, or eventually, possibly, the Oscars. Here’s SSN’s rundown of eight films with serious awards season potential, with trailers, from The Imitation Game and Birdman to Mr. Turner and Wild. (SSN)

TV Development For 9/2/14: Lord Miller’s ‘The Greatest American Hero’ Set For Fox

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All Together Now Network: FOX Studio: 20th Century Fox Television Executive Producers: Alec Sulkin, Julius “Goldie” Sharpe Writers: Alec Sulkin, Julius “Goldie” Sharp. Logline: Revolves around 6 friends in their late 20’s who vow to unplug their mobile devices and engage each other for as long as they can stand it. SSN Insight: Sulkin and Sharpe collaborated together last season on Fox’s Dads. Untitled Lucy Punch / Ant Hines / Casper Christensen Project Network: FX Executive Producers: Lucy Punch, Ant Hines, Casper Christensen Writers: Lucy Punch, Ant Hines, Casper Christensen Cast: Lucy Punch Logline: Follows a desperate English expat who marries a death row convict so she can get a green card and stay in the states to pursue her dreams. She thinks her terrifying, besotted husband will soon be out of the picture, but her world is turned upside down when he shows up on her doorstep, having been reprieved just minutes before his scheduled execution. Details: Script commitment Assisted Loving Network: NBC Studio: Universal Television Production Companies: Kapital Entertainment, KatCo Executive Producer: Claudia Lonow, Aaron Kaplan, Tracy Katsky Writer: Claudia Lonow Logline: Two grown children help their elderly father in his quest to find a second love. Details: Based on the book, Assisted Loving: True Tales of Double Dating with My Dad, written by Bob Morris SSN Insight: Lonow is also developing another project at NBC with Ed Helms called Big Kids. Untitled Daniel Dae Kim / Adele Lim Project (aka Good Doctor) Network: CBS Studio: CBS Television Studios Production Company: 3AD Executive Producers: Adele Lim, Lindsay Goffman, Daniel Dae Kim Writer: Adele Lim Logline: A brilliant doctor with Asperger’s uses his special gift for solving complex cases at a Boston teaching hospital. Details: An adaptation of the South Korean drama series Good Doctor. SSN Insight: Daniel Dae Kim, known for his acting on Lost and Hawaii Five-O, takes on his first development project as an Executive Producer. The Good Life Network: CBS Studio: Warner Bros. Television Production Company: Here Comes Scrappy Executive Producer: Bill Wrubel Writer: Bill Wrubel Logline: Centers on a family man who struggles with the fact that everyone around him is pursuing their dreams and enjoying life more than he is — but ultimately realizes he has everything he’s ever wanted. SSN Insight: Project stems from Wrubel’s new overall deal at Warner Bros. Television. DeTour Network: FOX Studio: 20th Century Fox Television Production Company: Tagline Television Executive Producers: Steve Franks, Rivers Cuomo, Dan Field, Chris Henze, Willie Mercer Logline: Centers on a thirty-something rock star who, unable to rationalize his success and worried that he may not have the tools to repeat it, walks away from the spotlight at the height of his fame in an effort to rediscover the parts of his life he missed while he was busy becoming a massive success. Details: Inspired by the real-life experiences of Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo. SSN Insight: Project will mirror and embellish Cuomo’s journey with fictional characters. Nod Network: FOX Studio: 20th Century Fox Television Production Company: The Chernin Company Executive Producers: Jason Richman, Peter Chernin, Katherine Pope Writer: Jason Richman Logline: Set at a time when most of humanity loses the ability to sleep and scientists are at a loss to explain why no one is tired. Plot revolves around Tanya and Paul, an "inter somnial" couple – she, Awakened and flourishing, and he, one of the remaining few who are still handicapped by the need for sleep. When signs of deprivation start to show among the Awakened, the bonds of friendship and love get tested in unexpected ways — because if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Details: Based on the novel, Nod, written by Adrian Barnes. SSN Insight: Richman was behind last season’s Lucky 7 at ABC, which was canceled after airing only two episodes. Untitled Johnny Knoxville Family Project Network: ABC Studio: ABC Studios Production Companies: 3 Arts Entertainment, Hello Junior! Executive Producers: Johnny Knoxville, Michael Rotenberg, Dave Becky Logline: A Southern family comedy inspired by Johnny Knoxville’s unconventional childhood. SSN Insight: Knoxville has recently signed a two-year first-look deal at ABC Studios. Untitled David Marshall Grant Medical Drama Project Network: ABC Studio: Warner Bros. Television Production Company: Vendetta Productions Executive Producers: David Marshall Grant, Sheldon Turner, Jennifer Klein Consulting Producers: Byrdie Lifson-Pompan, Dr. Valerie Ulene Writer: David Marshall Grant Logline: Centers on a tough, resourceful and at-the-top -of-her -game type-A businesswoman, who has a medical scare only to be dangerously misdiagnosed - a experiences first-hand the hazards of our healthcare system. Shocking her friends and family, she leaves her career behind, becoming instead a brilliant and relentless advocate for anyone caught in the chaotic and ever-changing maze that is modern medicine. Details: Inspired by the real-life experiences of former agent Byrdie Lifson-Pompan. SSN Insight: This project gets added to the list of many medical dramas that have surfaced this development season. Marseille Digital Platform: Netflix Production Company: Federation Entertainment Writer: Dan Frank Director: Florent-Emilio Siri Logline: A tale of power, corruption and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the French port city, that focuses on the story of Robert Taro, Mayor of the city for 25 years. Details: Netflix has ordered 8 episodes. SSN Insight: This is Netflix’s first original French production. The Greatest American Hero Network: FOX Studio: 20th Century Fox Television Production Company: Lord Miller Executive Producers: Tawnia McKiernan, Rodney Rothman, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Seth Cohen Writer: Rodney Rothman Logline: Chronicles inner-city teacher Isaac’s adventures after his discovery of a superhero suit that gives him superhuman abilities. Unfortunately for Isaac, he hates wearing the suit and has to learn how to use its powers by trial and error because he quickly misplaces the suit’s instructions. He also has to deal with a government handler who has very different objectives than him and struggles as to whether he should use his newfound gifts to help others or just himself. Details: Based on the television series, The Greatest American Hero, which aired on ABC from 1981-1983. SSN Insight: Lord Miller recently sold an Untitled Dan Sterling Project to CBS, and is behind the FOX project The Last Man on Earth, which will air in 2015. Jack Irish Network: FOX Studio: 20th Century Fox Television Production Companies: Chernin Entertainment, Essential Media and Entertainment Executive Producers: Anna Fricke, Seamus Kevin Fahey, Peter Chernin, Katherine Pope, Chis Hilton, Ian Collie, Simonne Overend Writer: Seamus Kevin Fahey Logline: Centers on Jack Irish, a part-time lawyer, debt collector, and apprentice cabinet maker, who is getting his life back together after the murder of his wife. Through his cases he, more often than not, finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, uncovering much larger things at play. Details: Based on both the 2012 Australian miniseries Jack Irish, starring Guy Pearce and on the Jack Irish detective novel series written by Peter Temple. Project has received a script plus penalty commitment. Cold Blood Network: ABC Studio: ABC Studios Production Company: Kapital Entertainment Executive Producers: Janine Sherman Barrois, Aaron Kaplan Logline: Set at New York Memorial, the world’s most prestigious hospital, the story follows Dr. Cara West, an African-American attending who joins the staff after the mysterious disappearance of one of their doctors. She soon discovers that this elite team has no problem crossing ethical boundaries in order to make progress and save lives. SSN Insight: This is the sixth project sold for Kapital Entertainment for the 2015-2016 season. Kids In America Network: NBC Studio: Universal Television Production Company: 222 Productions Executive Producer: Aaron Blitzstein, Adam Levine, Jordan Feldstein, Josh Gummersall Writer: Aaron Blitzstein Logline: Inspired by Levine’s real-life experiences and centered on an unconventional family as seen through the eyes of a teenager with the dream of becoming a rock star. Details: Project has received a script commitment. SSN Insight: Levine and 222 productions are also developing a miniseries for NBC based on the music of 1970’s. Untitled Jermaine Fowler Comedy Project Network: ABC Studio: ABC Studios Production Company: 3 Arts Entertainment Executive Producers: Jermaine Fowler, Avi Gilbert, Michael Rotenberg Cast: Jermaine Fowler Logline: A college dropout winds up living with his estranged grandmother, a former DC cop who provides the perfect mix of parenting, laughs and adventure that gets him off the couch and out into the world. Details: Based on Jermaine Fowler's life.

TV Castings For 9/3/14: Jennifer Carpenter Set As Lead In ‘Stanistan’ For USA

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Pilots

Riley Voelkel and Patrick Heusinger have been cast in Amazon’s Point of Honor, that centers on best friends and brothers-in-laws, who find themselves on opposite sides of a conflict during the Civil War. Paget Brewster joins Amazon’s Down Dog, that centers on a laid-back, charming surfer who is left in charge of his ex-girlfriend’s yoga studio. Roberto Urbina has booked Netflix’s Narcos, the true-life story of the growth and spread of cocaine drug cartels across the globe and attendant efforts of law enforcement to meet them head on in brutal, bloody conflict. Luke Kleintank has been set for Amazon’s Man in the High Castle, that is set in 1962 and explores an alternative reality in which Nazi Germany and Japan won World War II and occupy the United States, with the East Coast controlled by the Nazis and the West Coast owned by Japan, and a chunk of the Midwest still up for grabs. Enver Gjokaj and Chad Michael Murray join ABC’s Marvel’s Agent Carter, that centers on Peggy, who must balance doing administrative work and going on secret missions for Howard Stark all while trying to navigate life as a single woman in America, in the wake of losing the love of her life. John Stamos has landed the male lead in ABC’s Members Only, an upstairs/downstairs drama set at an exclusive Connecticut country club, centered on the club’s leisure-class members and the working-class employees who make the place tick. Jennifer Carpenter has been cast as the lead in USA’s Stanistan, that follows the staff at the American compound in the Middle Eastern country of Stanistan, where State Department workers, covert CIA officers and journalists operate in a delicate balance of danger and silliness using every coping mechanism available.

Current Series

Matt Letscher will guest star in season 7 of ABC’s Castle. Allison Tolman and Shonda Rhimes will guest star in Season 3 of Fox’s The Mindy Project. David Hyde Pierce is set to recur in season 6 of CBS’ The Good Wife. Rila Fukushima will guest star on CW’s Arrow. Chris Perfetti and Bashir Salahuddin are set to recur on HBO’s Looking. Daniel Franzese will guest star. Ed Helms will guest star on Fox’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Annet Mahendru will appear in the eleventh season of Grey’s Anatomy. Julian Morris has landed a recurring role on Fox’s New Girl. Erinn Hayes will guest star. Andrea Anders is set to recur on ABC’s Modern Family. Tyne Daly will guest star. Matt Cedeno will guest star on ABC Family’s Baby Daddy. Nolan Funk will guest star on CW’s Arrow. Yvette Monreal and Keith Powers are scheduled to recur and Laverne Cox will guest star on MTV’s Faking It. Greg Grunberg joins CBS’ CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Torrey DeVitto, Alex Carter and Carlos Bernard will appear in TNT’s Major Crimes. Sara Rue will recur on CBS’ Mom. Ed Asner will guest star.

New Series

Patton Oswalt is set to guest star on CBS’ Battle Creek. Corbin Bernsen will guest star on CBS’ Scorpion. Brendan Hines will recur. David Sutcliffe has booked a series regular role on TNT’s Proof. Samm Levine will recur on ABC’s #Selfie. Nico Evers-Swindell is set to recur on ABC’s Manhattan Love Story.  
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