NEW ATTACHMENTS

The BFG Logline: After orphaned Sofy is kidnapped by a BFG (Big Friendly Giant), the two find in each other the families they never had as they work together to stop some bad giants from eating the world’s children. Studio/Distributor: DreamWorks/Walt Disney Production Companies: Kennedy/Marshall Company, Amblin Entertainment Producers:  Frank Marshall, Steven Spielberg, Sam Mercer, Michael Siegel (Executive Producer), John Madden (Executive Producer), Kathleen Kennedy (Executive Producer), Kristie Macosko Krieger (Co-Producer), Adam Somner (Co-Producer) Cast: Mark Rylance Writers: Melissa Mathison (current draft), Robin Swicord (previous draft), Nicholas Kazan (previous draft), Terry Jones (previous draft), Gwyn Lurie (previous draft), Ed Solomon (previous draft) Director: Steven Spielberg Details: Project based on the children's book "The BFG" written by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake and published in 1982. Additionally, Roald Dahl's story was previously adapted as an animated feature (UK/1991), directed by Brian Cosgrove. SSN Insight: Project reunites Steven Spielberg and Mark Rylance again since Untitled Cold War Project which is currently shooting.

The Untitled Lego Movie Sequel Logline: The story about Lego figures who join forces against a wicked Lego despot continues. Studio/Distributor: Warner Bros. Production Companies: Warner Bros. Animation Creative Consortium, Lin Pictures, Vertigo Entertainment, LEGO Group Producers:  Dan Lin, Phil Lord, Chris Miller. Roy Lee, Jill Wilfert (Executive Producer), John Middleton (Executive Producer), Chris McKay (Executive Producer), Matthew Ashton (Executive Producer), Kara Lord Piersimoni (Executive Producer) Writers: Phil Lord & Chris Miller Details: Sequel to "The Lego Movie" (USA/2014) directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller which was based on the popular toy line. SSN Insight: Project marks the second gig for the duo as writers on a Warner Bros. film.

Black Panther Logline: The prince of the fictional African country of Wekanda transforms into a superhero known as the Black Panther. Studio/Distributor: Walt Disney Production Company:  Marvel Studios Producers:  Kevin Feige, Stan Lee (Executive Producer) Cast: Chadwick Boseman Writers: Mark Bailey (current draft), Keith Thompson (previous draft) Details: Based on the character "Black Panther" created by Stan Lee, illustrated Jack Kirby and first published by Marvel Comics. He first appeared in Fantastic Four #52 in July 1966. SSN Insight: Project marks the first stand-alone African-American superhero film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

NEW PROJECTS

Free Fire Logline: In 1978, an arms deal in Boston goes terribly wrong. Production Company: Rook Films Producers: Andy Starke, Ben Wheatley Cast: Luke Evans, Armie Hammer, Cillian Murphy, Olivia Wilde, Michael Smiley Writer: Ben Wheatley Director: Ben Wheatley SSN Insight: Project marks UK director Ben Wheatley’s first American feature project.

Polar Logline: A master assassin is forced out of retirement when he becomes the target of a group of younger hitmen. Production Companies: Constantin Film Verleih GmbH, Dark Horse Entertainment, Impact Pictures Producers:  Robert Kulzer, Jeremy Bolt, Mike Richardson, Keith Goldberg Writer:  Jayson Rothwell Details: Based on the graphic novel "Polar: Came from the Cold" written and illustrated by Victor Santos and published by Dark Horse on November 26, 2013. SSN Insight: Rothwell was such a fan of the graphic novel that he wrote the script on spec and brought it to Dark Horse.

Captain Marvel Logline: Storyline is under wraps. Studio/Distributor: Walt Disney Production Company:  Marvel Studios Producer: Kevin Feige Details: Based on the Marvel Comics character of Carol Danvers created by Roy Thomas and Gene Colan. She was also known as Ms. Marvel and Captain Marvel and made her debut in the series in 1977. SSN Insight: Project marks Marvel’s first female-led superhero film.

SSN ORIGINALS

What’s Around That Dark Corner? ‘Jessabelle’ and Nine Other Upcoming Horror Movies Waiting to Scare You

Film Development for 10/30/14: Marvel News, Lord and Miller Back For ‘LEGO’ Sequel, Luke Evans Signs for ‘Free Fire’ and More

TODAY’S HEADLINES

Pee-Wee Herman Will Be On the Big Screen Again

AMC Employs Itself a ‘Night Manager,’ With Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie On Board

Open Road Films Goes Global, Seals a Pact With FilmNation Entertainment

More Positive News For Open Road: Company Is Dropped From Sarah Jones Lawsuit

We Know Christian Bale Will Play Steve Jobs in the ‘Jobs’ Biopic, But Guess Who’s Playing Steve Wozniak!

Dev Patel Is Joining Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman to Take On a ‘Lion’

First Look — ‘Terminator: Genisys’

Online Film School: Clive Barker’s Six Tips for Filmmakers

Rep Moves for 10/31/14: Ted Danson Now a WME Client, Lucy Liu Moves to ICM, and More

Exec Shuffle for 10/31/14: Chris Columbis/Saban’s New ZAG Animation Studios, Aperture Media Partners Launches, and More

From The “It Was Inevitable” File: Stacy Snider Is Finally Heading to 20th Century Fox

Explosive Federal Investigation Reveals ‘Midnight Rider’ Crew Kept In the Dark Over Safety

Cinedigm Partners Up With Moguldom Studios to Bring the Viewing Public More “Docutainment”

The ‘Wonder Woman’ Movie Coming Out in 2017 Apparently Will Not Be Taking Place in the Present Day

Jason Reitman Makes a Big Move to TV, and He Makes It With Hulu

Spoiler Alert: A Bunch of ‘Game of Thrones’ Actors Just Extended Their Contracts Through a “Potential” Season Seven

The New Season of ‘True Detective’ Just Added a Whole Passel of Names to the Cast

Screenwriters: Writers Room 101 — Writing the Outline

Agencies

  Abrams Artists Agency: Actress Caitlin Carver is now repped by Marni Rosenzweig, Justin Baxter, Jay Schachter, Evan Miller and Sharon Paz in Los Angeles, as well as the Abrams’ team in New York. Carver will next be seen in Warren Beatty’s upcoming feature about Howard Hughes, opposite Beatty, Taissa Farmiga and Haley Bennett. She also has a role in Starz’s Impact Earth and recurs as Hayley Heinz on The Fosters. Her other roles have included a recurring part on VH1’s Hit The Floor, as well as guest spots on Drop Dead Diva, Nashville, Southland, Glee and Parks and Recreation. Carver continues to be repped by her manager Jeffery Brooks at Red Rock Entertainment.

Abrams Artists Agency: Comedic actress Cheri Oteri is now repped by Jay Schachter, Marni Rosenzweig, Evan Miller, Justin Baxter and Sharon Paz in Los Angeles, as well as Abrams’ theatrical team in New York. Oteri will soon appear in the feature Wishin’ and Hopin’. She also recently had a guest spot on TV Land’s Hot in Cleveland. Starting off as a member of the Groundlings, Oteri’s best known for her five years as a cast member on Saturday Night Live. Her subsequent feature credits have included Scary Movie, Inspector Gadget, Liar Liar, Shrek the Third and Southland Tales. Oteri’s television credits include Just Shoot Me!, Strangers with Candy, Curb Your Enthusiasm and a voice role on the Fox animated series Sit Down Shut Up. She also starred in the web series Liza Life Coach. Oteri continues to be managed by Barry Katz.

Abrams Artists Agency: Actor Brian Tee is now repped by Evan Miller, Marni Rosenzweig, Sharon Paz, Justin Baxter and Jay Schachter in Los Angeles, as well as Abrams’ team in New York. Tee will next be seen in 2015’s Jurassic World, opposite Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard. The busy actor also had a recurring role on Hawaii 5-0 and will appear in a guest spot on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.  His other recent roles include guest stints on TNT’s Legends and Lifetime’s The Lottery. Starting his career in the 2000s, Tee has racked up an impressive film and television resume. He's still probably best known, however, for his role as D.K. in Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift. Tee’s other feature credits have included The Wolverine, No Tears for the Dead, Finishing the Game and We Were Soldiers. His television credits have included Grimm, Beauty and the Beast, Burn Notice and Crash. Tee continues to be managed by Lisa Disante.

ICM Partners: Actress Lucy Liu is now repped by Lorrie Bartlett, Sean Liebowitz and Ruthanne Secunda. Liu currently stars as Joan Watson on CBS’ hit procedural Elementary. Getting her first gig at age 19, Liu appeared in guest spots on numerous television series and movies before landing her breakout role as Ling Woo on the Fox series Ally McBeal. She’s since gone on to a prolific career that’s included such feature films as Jerry Maguire, Shanghai Noon, Charlie’s Angels, Chicago, Kill Bill Volumes 1 & 2 and the Kung Fu Panda franchise. Liu’s television credits have included a recurring part on Southland and a starring role on ABC’s Cashmere Mafia. She also made her Broadway debut in God of Carnage. Liu was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role on Ally McBeal.

ICM Partners: Actor, writer and director James Roday is now repped by Kevin Hussey. Roday recently wrote and directed the indie feature Gravy, which starred Lily Cole, Sarah Silverman and Gabourey Sidibe. He also directed Shoot the Moon, which is being delivered to USA for pickup consideration. Roday is probably best known, however, for his eight-season starring role on USA’s Psych. Roday’s other television credits have included playing series regular Nick Paine on Miss Match and numerous series guest spots. His feature credits have included Rolling Kansas, The Dukes of Hazzard and Beerfest. Roday is also a co-founder of the Los Angeles theater company Red Dog Squadron.

Innovative Artists: Agent Tamra Goins recently joined Innovative as part of their growing Comedy Department. Goins currently represents one of the hottest comedy franchises in the country, Shaquille O’Neal’s All-Star Comedy Jam, where she previously served as its talent producer. Her career began as a promoter rep for Codeblack’s Jeff Clanagan on the HBO Def Comedy Jam Tour. She was also an associate producer on the Kevin Hart’s very successful Laugh at My Pain. Goins was most recently at Resolution where her client list also included Bill Bellamy, Faizon Love, Tony Roberts, amongst others.

UTA: Director Joshua Oppenheimer is now repped by Bec Smith. Oppenheimer first burst onto the scene in 2012 with his debut feature The Act of Killing, which premiered at Telluride Film Festival and went on to rack up numerous accolades, including a nomination for Best Documentary Feature at the 86^th Academy Awards. Oppenheimer recently completed a companion piece, The Look of Silence, which premiered in Venice and won the Grand Jury Prize. That film will be released theatrically in 2015. A recipient of the 2014 MacArthur Genius Fellowship, Oppenheimer is also a partner in the production company Final Cut For Real and serves as an artistic director for the International Centre for Documentary and Experimental Film at the University of Westminster. Altogether, The Act of Killing has won over 70 international awards.

WME Entertainment: Iconic actor and producer Ted Danson is now a client. He was previously at CAA. Danson currently stars as D.B. Russell on CBS’ CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, a role he’s played since 2011. He also recently appeared in the indie The One I Love, opposite Mark Duplass and Elisabeth Moss. Beginning his career in the seventies, Danson is probably best known his eleven season stint as Sam Malone on the television classic Cheers. His other notable roles have included starring in the television series Becker, as well as regular and recurring roles on Damages, Ink, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Bored to Death. Danson’s feature credits have included 1981’s classic Body Heat, Creepshow, Three Men and a Baby, Made in America, Saving Private Ryan, Mumford and the television movie Gulliver’s Travels. Over his career, Danson has been recognized with numerous accolades, including being nominated for 15 Primetime Emmy Awards and winning two for his work on Cheers.

WME Entertainment: Screenwriter, playwright and novelist Linda Woolverton is now a client. She was previously at Resolution. Woolverton most recently wrote the blockbuster feature Maleficent, which was released earlier this year and starred Angelina Jolie. She also wrote the 2010 hit Alice in Wonderland that starred Johnny Depp. Starting her career in children’s theater and animated television series, Woolverton got her big break when she was hired to write the 1991 Disney classic Beauty and the Beast. Woolverton was the first female to script a Disney animated feature and that film ended up becoming the first animated feature to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Her career since that point has included such classics as Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey and The Lion King. She has also written two young adult novels.  Next up, Woolverton is working on the sequel to Alice in Wonderland. She also scripted the upcoming television pilot Clan of the Cave Bear.

Company Launches

Studios, Networks, and Media Conglomerates

Film

Television

Agencies, Management Companies, Public Relations, and Law Firms

Cable

Digital

Music

Advertising

SSN ORIGINALS

The Up & Up: 10 Horror Movie Directors to Watch

The Comic Book Creators, Filmmakers, and YouTubers Industry Execs Should Check Out at Stan Lee’s Comikaze

Spotlight: ‘Nightcrawler’ Writer/Director Dan Gilroy On How to Make a Cinematic Sociopath You Can Root For

TODAY’S HEADLINES

The 2014 Blood List Is Out! Are You On It?

Channing Tatum Will Be Getting His Mutant On With a Gambit Movie

So Much For Gal Gadot Playing One of the Leads in That ‘Ben-Hur’ Remake

‘Magic City’ Might Have Been Canceled by Starz, But It’s Still Being Made Into a Movie

AMC Passes On a Pair of Drama Pilots

Ricky Gervais Is Getting Back In the Director’s Chair, and He’s Getting Acting Help From Eric Bana

If You Were Hoping to Spend Halloween Weekend Watching Martin Scorsese’s 11 Scariest Movies Ever, You’re In Luck

The Up & Up: 10 Horror Movie Directors to Watch

What’s Your Scariest Moment? Horror Masters Tell Their Chilling Tales

The Comic Book Creators, Filmmakers, and YouTubers Industry Execs Should Check Out at Stan Lee’s Comikaze

What’s Around That Dark Corner? ‘Jessabelle’ and Nine Other Upcoming Horror Movies Waiting to Scare You

Anatomy of a Horror Director: Alexandre Aja Talks the Suspenseful, Supernatural ‘Horns,’ Early Influences and Fear

All the News in One Place: The Fall TV Status Report and Ratings of New Network Shows

This Weekend’s Box Office Race Ends Close, But ‘Nightcrawler’ Ekes Out a Win Over ‘Ouija’

Speaking of Box Office, There Is a New Industry World Heavyweight Champion

The List of Nominees For the British Independent Film Awards Is Out. Are You On It?

The Network Television Show Cancellation Sweepstakes Claims Two More

Weinstein Company Marketing Wiz Heads Over to Netflix

Spoiler Alert! ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ Will Have a Beloved Villain Making an Appearance

And the Latest Movie Star to Turn to TV Is … Sharon Stone!

Sam Raimi Is Once Again Doing Business With the Man Who Remade ‘Evil Dead’

Trailer Buzz: ‘Furious 7’

Screenwriters: Submissions — How to Handle “No”

STARTS

Daughter of God 10/29/2014 Logline: When a police detective is investigating his partner’s death, a young Latina woman is experiencing strange happenings. Production Companies: Company Films, Grodfilm, Elevated Film Sales Director: Gee Malik Linton Executive Producers: Cassian Elwes, Dan Grodnik, Katie Mustard Producer(s): Keanu Reeves, Gee Malik Linton, Robin Gurland Cast: Keanu Reeves, Ana de Armas, Mira Sorvino Screenwriter(s): Gee Malik Linton SSN Insight: This marks Reeves’ fourth go-round with producer Cassian Elwes. The duo previously worked together on the horror thriller Knock, Knock, 2010’s  Henry’s Crime and 2012’s Generation Um.

Idol's Eye 10/31/2014 Logline: A group of crooks get in over their heads when they try to rob a pawn shop. Production Companies: Management 360, Bluegrass Films, Benaroya Pictures, Emjag Productions, CG Cinema Director: Olivier Assayas Executive Producers: Ben Sachs Producer(s): Charles Gillibert, Alexandra Milchan, Scott Stuber, Scott Lambert, Michael Benaroya Cast: Robert Pattinson, Robert De Niro, Rachel Weisz Screenwriter(s): Olivier Assayas Details: Based on the article "Boosting the Big Tuna" written by Hillel Levin and published in Playboy magazine in 2007. SSN Insight: Bobby Moresco was previously attached to produce for Moresco Productions and wrote a previous draft of the screenplay. Todd Field was previously mentioned to direct.

London Has Fallen 11/2/2014 Logline: Mike Banning and President Benjamin Asher team up with a M16 agent to save London from a terrorist attack. Studio: Nu Image/Millennium Films Director: Babak Najafi Production Company: G-BASE Executive Producers: Avi Lerner, Trevor Short, Boaz Davidson, John Thompson, Heidi Jo Markel Producer(s): Gerard Butler, Alan Siegel, Mark Gill, Matt O'Toole, Danny Lerner Cast: Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Angela Bassett, Radha Mitchell Screenwriter(s): Chad St. John, Christian Gudegast, Katrin Benedikt, Creighton Rothenberger SSN Insight: FilmDistrict, distributor of the original film, has an option on the sequel, but with CEO Peter Schlessel moving to Focus Features, the latter company is likely to distribute in the U.S. Sequel to Olympus Has Fallen directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Gerard Butler. Fredrik Bond was previously attached to direct.

Man Down 10/29/2014 Logline: Two marine veteran survivors search desperately across a post-apocalyptic America to reunite with their families; however, their journey will take them to places neither could have ever imagined. Production Companies: Mpower Pictures, TT Games Publishing Director: Dito Montiel Executive Producers: John Shepherd, Myles Nestel, Lisa Wilson, Roger Goff, Russell Geyser Producer(s): Dawn Krantz-Weiner, Federico Bauder, Steve McEveety, Jon Burton Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Kate Mara, Gary Oldman, Terrence Howard Screenwriter(s): Adam Simon SSN Insight: The Solution Entertainment Group is handling international rights and presented the film to buyers at TIFF.

Paper Towns 11/3/2014 Logline:  Two estranged childhood friends, Quentin and Margo, reunite for a night of debauchery. She then disappears and Quentin sets out to track her down. Studio: Fox 2000 Production Company: Temple Hill Entertainment Director: Jake Schreier Executive Producers: No Executive Producer Available. Producer(s): Wyck Godfrey, Marty Bowen, Scott Neustadter, Michael Weber, John Green Cast: Nat Wolff, Cara Delevingne, Austin Abrams, Halston Sage, Jesse "Justice" Smith Screenwriter(s): Scott Neustadter, Michael H Weber Details: Based on the novel "Paper Towns" written by John Green and published by Dutton Juvenile on October 16, 2008. SSN Insight: Project was previously in development at Mandate Pictures and Mr. Mudd Productions with Nathan Kahane and John Malkovich producing.

Unlocked 11/3/2014 Logline: A female CIA interrogator is tricked into getting a terrorist to provide crucial information to the wrong side, forcing her into the middle of a devastating biological attack on London. Production Companies: Di Bonaventura Pictures, Silver Reel Partners Director: Michael Apted Executive Producers: Erik Howsam Producer(s): Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Georgina Townsley Cast: Noomi Rapace, Michael Douglas, Orlando Bloom Screenwriter(s): Peter O'Brien (spec) SSN Insight: Project was previously set up at Warner Bros. Mikael Hafstrom was previously attached to direct.

WRAPS

A Monster Calls 10/31/2014 Logline: A boy deals with his mother’s illness and bullies at school by living in a world of fairy tales and monsters. Studio: Focus Features Production Companies: River Road Entertainment, Participant Media, Apaches Entertainment Director: J. A. Bayona Executive Producers: Bill Pohlad, Jeff Skoll, Mitch Horwits, Jonathan King, Patrick Wachsberger Producers: Belen Atienza Cast: Felicity Jones, Toby Kebbell, Liam Neeson, Sigourney Weaver, Lewis MacDougall Screenwriter(s): Patrick Ness SSN Insight: Focus Features is committing $20 million in P&A to release. Based on the children’s novel "A Monster Calls" written by Patrick Ness and published by Walker Books on September 27, 2011. The novel was based on an original idea by the late Siobhan Dowd. Screenplay was included in the 2013 Black List.

Ant-Man 10/28/2014 Logline: Biochemist Dr. Hank Pym creates a size-altering formula. He tests it on himself and manages to shrink himself down to the size of an ant. Studio: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Production Company: Marvel Entertainment Director: Peyton Reed Executive Producers: Louis D'Esposito, Alan Fine, Victoria Alonso, Michael Grillo, Stan Lee Producers: Kevin Feige, Brad Winderbaum Cast: Paul Rudd, Michael Douglas, Michael Peña, Evangeline Lilly, Corey Stoll Screenwriter(s): Andrew Barrer (current draft), Gabriel Ferrari (current draft), Edgar Wright (previous draft), Joe Cornish (previous draft) Details: Based on the comic book character Ant-Man who first appeared in "Tales to Astonish" created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby published by Marvel Comics; January 1962. SSN Insight: Previously set up at Artisan Entertainment. Edgar Wright was previously attached to direct.

Baby-Moon 10/30/2014 Logline: An unfaithful, reality star husband takes his pregnant, self-centered wife on a “baby-moon” at a resort in the unstable country of Cartegentina. When the wife gets kidnapped, the couple must work together to get out of trouble. Production Company: Double Entente Films Director: Bailey Kobe Producer: Frederic Imbert Cast: Bobby Campo, Julie McNiven Screenwriter(s): Bailey Kobe SSN Insight: Sophia Vergara and Luis Balaguer’s company Latin World Entertainment, specializing in Hispanic talent management and entertainment marketing, introduced the telenovela superstar Ana Brenda to the director.

Criminal 11/3/2014 Logline: A dead CIA operative’s memories, secrets and skills are implanted into an dangerous prison inmate in hopes that he will stop a diabolical plot. Production Companies: Nu Image/Millennium Films, Benderspink Director: Ariel Vromen Executive Producers: Avi Lerner, Trevor Short, Boaz Davidson, John Thompson, Christa Campbell Producers: JC Spink, Chris Bender, Mark Gill, Matt O'Toole Cast: Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, Ryan Reynolds, Tommy Lee Jones, Alice Eve Screenwriter(s): Douglas Cook (spec), David Weisberg (spec) Details: Based on Anthony Bruno’s book “The Iceman: The True Story of a Cold-Blooded Killer” and interview footage. SSN Insight: Screenwriters Cook and Weisberg are also paired with Benderspink and Lorenzo di Bonaventura on two films at Lionsgate: The Money Plane and an untitled female spy movie.

Magic Mike XXL 11/1/2014 Logline: A road-trip story of a car-load of male strippers on their way to a stripper convention and all the adventures they have on the way. Production Company: Free Association Director: Gregory Jacobs Executive Producers: Steven Soderbergh Producers: Channing Tatum, Reid Carolin Cast: Channing Tatum, Joe Manganiello, Gabriel Iglesias, Alex Pettyfer, Matthew Bomer Screenwriter(s): Channing Tatum Details: Sequel to Magic Mike directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Channing Tatum and Matthew McConaughey. Matthew McConaughey won’t be returning for the sequel. SSN Insight: Even though Soderbergh won’t be back in the director’s chair, he do triple duty as the DP, camera operator and editor. This is a role reversal for the pair as Jacobs has been Soderbergh’s First AD and producer for over ten years.

Through the Looking Glass 10/31/2014 Logline: Alice's adventures continue when she discovers that she is able to step through a mirror and enter a madcap alternate universe. Studio: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Production Companies: Team Todd, Roth Films Director: James Bobin Executive Producers: No Executive Producer Available. Producers: Joe Roth, Suzanne Todd, Jennifer Todd Cast: Johnny Depp, Mia Wasikowska, Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter, Rhys Ifans Screenwriter(s): Linda Woolverton Details: Sequel to Alice in Wonderland (2010) by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp and Mia Wasikowska. SSN Insight: Mark Rylance had previously been in talks for the role played by Rhys Ifans. Based on the novel "Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There" written by Lewis Carroll and published in 1871.

SSN ORIGINALS

Behind the Scenes of HBO’s ‘Olive Kitteridge’ With Director Lisa Cholodenko and Emmy-Winning Screenwriter Jane Anderson

Happy Birthday Roseanne Barr — Her 10 Best Quotes

On the Set For 11/3/14: Keanue Reeves Starts ‘Daughter of God,’ ‘Magic Mike XXL’ and ‘Ant-Man’ Wrap

TODAY’S HEADLINES

So, Wait, Now It Seems That Christian Bale Will NOT Be Playing Steve Jobs In That Biopic

The Justice Department Clearly Does Not Want This National CineMedia-Screenvision Merger to Happen

Six Months After He Left Fox Broadcasting Company, Kevin Reilly Has His Next Job Lined Up

Robert De Niro-Robert Pattinson Film ‘Idol’s Eye’ Gets Canceled on Eve of Filming

Ridley Scott Is Producing the ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ Sequel, ‘3001: The Final Odyssey’ as a Syfy Mini-Series

Good News and Bad News For ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ Fans

Trailer Buzz: ‘A Most Violent Year’

The Dreaded Day Has Arrived: Warner Bros. Begins Its Layoffs Today

Jerrod Carmichael Becomes in a Long Line of Comedians to Get a Sitcom Based on His Act

Nicholas Winding Refn Has Found His Next Project, and It’s a Horror Film

‘Black Hawk Down’ Scribe Makes Big Spec Sale to Fox With Cold War Spy Tale

Alert to Legal Scholars: Cinemax Producers Get Green Light to Sue Actress For Reneging On a Nude Scene

On the Eve of AFM, Millennium Scores Itself a Brand New VP of Acquisitions

All Those Who Think It’s Okay to Bring Your Google Glass to the Movies, Stand Up. Not So Fast, Techies!

Marvel Bootleg Specialist Adi Shankar On Why He Won’t Be Pitching Marvel Any Time Soon

Trailer Buzz: ‘The Minions’

Screenwriters: ‘Ordinary People’

3001: The Final Odyssey Network: SyFy Studio: Warner Horizon Television Production Company: Scott Free Productions Executive Producers: Ridley Scott, David W. Zucker Writers: Stuart Beattie Logline: Beginning with the discovery of Frank Poole’s frozen body, floating in space, 3001: The Final Odyssey offers an extraordinary range of complex characters with conflicting agendas, stunning visuals, and dark thematic meditations on the final fate of all Humankind. Details: Adapted from Arthur C. Clarke's novel 3001: The Final Odyssey published in 1997. The book is the fourth of the Space Odyssey series and concludes the story started in 2001: A Space Odyssey. SSN Insight: 3001 is Syfy's second Clarke adaptation as they are also in preproduction on the miniseries Childhood's End. Bros. Production Company: Hemingway Taylor Productions Executive Producers: Anthony Hemingway, Mark Taylor Writer: Ben Cory Jones Logline: Three African-American brothers, two straight and one gay, deal with love and dating. Details: Loosely based on the life of Ben Cory Jones.

Fox/ Untitled Robert Munic Chris Morgan Drama Project Network: Fox Broadcasting Company Studio: 20th Century Fox Television Production Company: Chris Morgan Productions Executive Producers: Robert Munic, Chris Morgan Writer: Robert Munic Logline: Two estranged brothers, one a former Marine turned Shaolin master, and a showboating, all-swagger Chicago cop, come together in their hometown to form an unlikely law enforcement partnership. SSN Insight: Munic created A&E's The Cleaner and currently serves as co-executive producer on TNT's Murder in the First. Morgan created the recently on the bubble, now cancelled show Gang Related.  Chris Morgan Productions has an overall deal at 20th Century Fox Television.

CBS/ Untitled Geoff Stults/ Dave Whatley Project Network: CBS Entertainment Studio: CBS Television Studios, Sony Pictures Television Production Company: Olive Bridge Entertainment Executive Producers: Geoff Stults, Dave Whatley, Joe Port, Joseph Wiseman, Will Gluck Writers: Geoff Stults, Dave Whatley Logline: Centers on Martin "Marty" Booker, a firefighter, average Joe, ladies' man and three-time firehouse beer pong Olympics champion who had no real ambition in life. After a news crew films him saving two kids from a burning building and the clip goes viral, Marty is thrust into the limelight and becomes a national hero and winds up being elected mayor. SSN Insight: The show has an initial script commitment from CBS. Recently, Stults was a series regular on the Fox comedy Enlisted and had a recurring guest spot on Fox’s Ben and Kate.

Fox/ Untitled Colleen McGuinness/ Matt Damon/ Ben Affleck Comedy Project Network: Fox Broadcasting Company Studio: Universal Television Production Company: Pearl Street Films Executive Producers: Colleen McGuinness, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Todd Writer: Colleen McGuinness Logline: A 25-year-old woman who works at a frozen yogurt shop and whose life is going nowhere discovers she is telekinetic. SSN Insight: McGuiness served as supervising producer on NBC’s About a Boy. Her writer credits include season six and seven on 30 Rock. She also recently sold another untitled comedy to NBC, executive produced by 30 Rock showrunners Tina Fey and Robert Carlock.

Limitless Network: CBS Entertainment Studio: CBS Television Studios Production Companies: K/O Paper Products, Relativity Television, Unnamed Todd Executive Producers: Phillips and Bradley Cooper Production Company Bradley Cooper, Todd Phillips, Craig Sweeny, Neil Burger, Alex Kurtzman Writer: Craig Sweeny Director: Neil Burger Logline: Based on the film about an unsuccessful writer whose life is transformed by a top-secret "smart drug" that allows him to use 100% of his brain and become a perfect version of himself. His enhanced abilities soon attract shadowy forces that threaten his new life. Details: Based on the 2011 movie, Limitless, directed by Neil Burger and based on the novel Dark Fields written by Alan Glynn and published by Penguin-Putman. SSN Insight: Project was previously in development last season with Georgetown TV, who are no longer attached to this project.

Pitbull: The Lyfe Production Companies: The Weinstein Company , Real Change Productions, LLC, Honey I'm Home Executive Producers: Pitbull, Michael Calderon, Liam Murphy, Robert Engler Writers: No Writer Available. Logline: This is a look at Pitbull's world tour, recording sessions, and his life behind the scenes. SSN Insight: Pitbull’s slated to host the American Music Awards on November 23 and will launch a New Year’s Eve Special on Fox. He's also developing his eighth studio album, Globalization, for RCA, to be distributed on November 24.

The Real Change Project Production Companies: The Weinstein Company , Real Change Productions, LLC, Honey I'm Home Executive Producers: Pitbull, Michael Calderon, Liam Murphy, Robert Engler Writers: No Writer Available. Logline: Pitbull teams with public figures and others as they look back at obstacles they overcame in their formative years and the mentors who helped them succeed. The series will include live performances and the aim is to raise money for school teachers and educators around the globe. Details: Patrick Reardon,senior VP television production, will oversee for Weinstein Co. SSN Insight: Guests signed up include First Lady Michelle Obama, Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney and Kobe Bryant.

Risk Network: ABC Entertainment Group Studio: 20th Century Fox Television Production Company: Sander/Moses Productions Executive Producers: Jack Kenny, Ian Sander, Kim Moses Writer: Jack Kenny Logline: A family-run private investigation firm with looming financial problems is forced to team up with Nikki Castaneda, a former national security agent who now owns a successful corporate investigation firm. The newly merged company's lead investigators resist their physical attraction to each other while working through their very different approaches to their business and personal lives. Details: Based on the French drama, "Risk." SSN Insight: Sander/Moses also has a cast-contingent pilot order for Fox's Runner, based on the Turkish format and are developing Kingdoms for Amazon. Their credits include CBS' long-running Ghost Whisperer.

The Magellan Network: CW Television Network Studio: Warner Bros. Television Production Companies: Management 360, GloboMedia, Ombra Films Executive Producers: Jennifer Johnson, Daniel Ecija, Laura Fernandez, Jaume Collet-Serra, Juan Sola Writer: Jennifer Johnson Logline: A mysterious global cataclysm strands a group of students, teachers and crew on a Semester at Sea sailboat. With the entire planet seemingly covered in water, they begin to wonder if they are the only survivors left. As they explore their strangely beautiful new world, this group of strangers must join forces to survive, all while facing the equally daunting challenges of friendship, family and even love. Details: Based on the Spanish series, El Barco, which aired on Antena 3 from 2011 through 2013, averaging 2.6 million total viewers. The format has been sold to 23 different countries, including the U.S.

Zoobiquity Network: Fox Broadcasting Company Studio: 20th Century Fox Television Production Company: No Production Company Available. Executive Producers: Stephen Nathan, Jonathan Collier, Spencer Medof Writers: Stephen Nathan, Jonathan Collier Logline: A dynamic group of doctors help treat patients by searching for correlation in an unexpected places in the animal kingdom. Details: Based on the book, Zoobiquity: What Animals Can Teach Us About Health and the Science of Healing, written by Dr. Barbara Natterson-Horowitz and Kathryn Bowers and published by Knopf on June 12, 2012. The show has a script-plus-penalty order from FOX.

Sick City Network: CBS Entertainment Studio: CBS Television Studios Production Company: No Production Company Available. Executive Producers: Daniel Truly, Neal Baer, Jessica Shulman Writer: Daniel Truly Logline: LA’s female Director of Public Health handles everything from large scale health scares from bad drugs or bio terrorism to irate celebs getting bad health ratings on their vanity restaurants. SSN Insight: CBS gave an initial script commitment. This marks the second project for Baer and Truly this season, the pair are also co-writing an action-adventure drama Cheerleader Death Squad with Marc Cherry for the CW.

SSN ORIGINALS

What’s the Next ‘Big Hero 6’? Six Untapped and Oddball Marvel Comics Ripe For Film Development

TV Development For 11/04/14: Scott Free Adapting ‘3001: The Final Odyssey,’ Neil Burger Revisits ‘Limitless’ For CBS, and More

TODAY’S HEADLINES

Showtime Continues Its Partnership With Brian Koppelman and David Levien, Picks Up New Political Drama

Will It Now Be Bale: Out, Fassbender: In For Jobs Biopic?

Bison Capital Makes an Investment in Ease Entertainment Services

Former ITV Topper Paul Buccieri Ankles His Spot to Take a Senior Role at A&E Networks

Before the World Has Even Seen ‘Southpaw,’ Antoine Fuqua and Jake Gyllenhaal Are Already Planning to Make Another Movie Together

The Berlinale Has Announced That the Esteemed Darren Aronofsky Will Head Its 2015 Jury

Disney Movies Anywhere Lives Up To Its Name, Hooks Up With Android and Google Play

Trailer Buzz: ‘Chappie’

Yesterday Was Not a Good Day For Hollywood, Politically Speaking

The Oscar Race For Animated Feature Just Kicked Into Gear

Jamie Foxx Signs On to Harmony Korine’s Next Film

Judd Apatow and Laura Dern Are Making a Movie About Something That Doesn’t Get Nearly Enough Play

Take That, Comic Book Movies! Universal Announces Second Film In Its Monster Universe Is Coming in 2017

With Sony’s Spider-Man Franchise On Hold, Director Marc Webb Has Other Projects In His Sites

Could Jessica Chastain Be Moving Into the Marvel Cinematic Universe?

Joss Whedon Has a Few Things to Say About Feminism, the Big ‘Avengers’ Leak, and Marvel’s Upcoming Slate

Your Creative Calendar: 61 Things to Do, Hear, Watch and Read in November

Screenwriters: Legally Speaking, Age Is Just a Number, Right?

Agencies

WME: Oscar nominee Michelle Williams recently made the move from CAA to WME. At CAA she was with Hylda Queally, who reps superstar actresses like as Cate Blanchett, Kate Winslet and Jessica Chastain. Williams is still repped by Bloom Hergott. She stars in Suite Francaise next.

Equitable Stewardship for Artists: Clark Mathis has signed with Equitable Stewardship for Artists. He has worked as D.P. and director on HBO’s previous incarnation of The Comeback, as well as NBC’s Grimm.

UTA: Director Mark Pellington has re-signed with UTA, and is on board to helm TNT's untitled cocaine drama pilot. He will direct the pilot and serve as an exec producer. Pellington left UTA for CAA last year. He's also repped by 3 Arts and Gang Tyre.

Gersh: Sinbad has signed with Gersh from APA. His recent stand-up special, Make Me Wanna Holla, premiered earlier this year on Comedy Central.

UTA: Parks and Recreation executive producer Dean Holland has signed with UTA. He also directs Parks and Rec, as well as episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine and The Office, and he won an editing Emmy for The Office in 2007.

ICM Partners: Heida Reed, who will next be seen in BBC/Masterpiece drama series Poldark, has signed with ICM Partners. The Icelandic actress has appeared in TF1’s Paris-set crime series Jo opposite Jean Reno, Silent Witness, and the Anne Hathaway film One Day.

WME: South Korean writer and director Bong Joon-ho (Snowpiercer, The Host) has signed with WME. Bong was previously with CAA.

ICM Partners: Psych star James Roday has signed with ICM. He is most known for playing the lead on the USA crime dramedy created by Steve Franks.

UTA: The agency has signed Joshua Oppenheimer, who directed the acclaimed, award-winning documentary The Act Of Killing. His next release is the follow up doc The Look of Silence.

WME: Wiz Khalifa has signed with WME. The rapper’s most recent album is Blacc Hollywood, and he kicks off the Blacc Hollywood Big Secret Tour this month. Khalifa rose to stardom with his single “Black and Yellow.”

ICM: Elementary star Lucy Liu has signed with ICM Partners from UTA. Liu plays Dr. Joan Watson on the CBS crime procedural Sherlock. Pastseries credits include Ally McBeal, Cashmere Mafia, Dirty Sexy Money and Southland.

WME: Linda Woolverton has signed with WME. The go-to fairy tale scribe (Maleficent, Alice In Wonderland) has the Alice in Wonderland sequel now in production, and the 2D animated Disney classics Beauty And The Beast and The Lion King. She’s writing the TV pilot Clan Of The Cave Bear, and has written two YA books.

Management Companies

Inspire Entertainment: Jessica McNamee, star of the USA Network comedy Sirens, has signed with Inspire. She is shooting the second season and she played the sister of Rachel McAdams' character in The Vow. She made her film debut in Sean Byrne's The Loved Ones.

SSN ORIGINALS

Behind the Scenes of ‘Big Hero 6’ and the Creation of Baymax With Disney Animation Veteran, Don Hall

AFM 2014: Seven Tips For Surviving the Madness

Rep Moves For 11/05/14: Michele Williams Shifts to WME, Sinbad Signs With Gersh, and More

TODAY’S HEADLINES

Most People Would Be Scared Off By a Little ‘Downsizing,’ But Not Matt Damon and Alexander Payne

Peter Chernin Nears Renewal of His Current Film Pact

Netflix Wants to Make Sure We Have Not Seen the Last of ‘Lemony Snicket’

The Civil War Is Calling Matthew McConaughey, Who Signs Up For Gary Ross’ Period Drama

Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell Are Reuniting For A Brand New Comedy

Does Terry Gilliam’s Decades In Development ‘The Man Who Killed Don Quixote’ Finally Have a Star?

Trailer Buzz: ‘The Gambler’

That Whole ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ Leak Has Marvel Feeling Litigious

NBC Is Staying Committed to ‘Marry Me’

Channing Tatum Is the Latest to Circle a Role in ‘The Hateful Eight’

A Day After the Animated Feature Category Started to Sort Out, AMPAS Narrows Down the Animated Short List

Say Hello to My Little Friends! ‘Scarface’ Duo Al Pacino and Brian De Palma Working Together Again

‘Walking Dead’ EP Robert Kirkman Has a New Show Coming to Cinemax, and Now It Has a Star

From the “It Was Only a Matter of Time” File: Showtime Stand-Alone Streaming Service Coming in 2015

This Theory That ‘Frozen’ Is Actually ‘Disney’s The Shining’ Will Floor You

Exactly How Did ‘Birdman’ Achieve That Unique, One-Shot Look?

Online Film School: Things Learned From the Commentary For ‘Captain America: Winter Soldier’

NEW ATTACHMENTS

Daddy’s Home Logline: A man becomes distraught when the "perfect" family he's formed with his wife and her two children from a previous marriage is torn apart by the return of the wife's ex-husband. Studio/Distributor: Paramount Production Company:  Gary Sanchez Productions, Good Universe Producers:  Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Kevin J. Messick, Joe Drake, Nathan Kahane Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Will Ferrell Writer:  Adam McKay, Chris Henchy Director: Sean Anders, John Morris SSN Insight: This movie almost came together last year with Vince Vaughn and Will Ferrell and Etan Cohen directing but fell apart. Now that Red Granite is on board to help finance the movie is on the fast track to start shooting this month.

When the Bough Breaks Logline: When a professional couple who are unable to conceive hire a young, blue-collar woman as a surrogate, she develops a psychotic fixation on the husband that turns violent and deadly just before the baby is born. Studio/Distributor: Screen Gems Production Company:  Unique Features Producers:  Robert Shaye, Michael Lynne Writer:  Jack Olsen Director: Jon Cassar SSN Insight: Cassar, best known for his work as director and executive producer on the TV series, 24, takes on his first studio feature with this psychological thriller.

Downsizing Logline: A man, down on his luck, decides he can have a better life if he undergoes a process to shrink himself. Studio/Distributor: 20^th Century Fox Production Company:  Ad Hominem Enterprises Producers:  Jim Burke, Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor Cast: Matt Damon Writer:  Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor Director: Alexander Payne SSN Insight: The film almost came together back in 2009 with Paul Giamatti in the leading role, Reese Witherspoon playing his wife and Sacha Baron Cohen cast in a dual role.

The Shack Logline: After a personal tragedy, a man finds an invitation from God in his mailbox and goes on a life-changing journey. Studio/ Distributor: Lionsgate/ Summit Production Company: Gil Netter Productions Producers: Gil Netter, Brad Cummings Writer: John Fusco Director: Stuart Hazeldine Details: Based on the novel "The Shack" written by William Paul Young and originally self-published by Brad Cummings and Wayne Jacobsen and their company Windblown Media in 2007. SSN Insight: The novel was originally published in 2007 out of a garage and his since caught on and become a global bestseller with more than 18 million copies sold.  It has been on The New York Times Bestseller List for more than 180 straight weeks.  Forest Whitaker was previously attached to direct.

Electric Boy Genius Logline: Based on the true story of Ryan Patterson, who was doing the electrical wiring in his family's home before kindergarten and, by first grade, building robots. Under a mentor's encouragement, Ryan invented gadgets that would change people's lives, including an electronic sign-language translator. Studio/ Distributor: Walt Disney Studios Production Company: Mayhem Pictures Producers: Brad Butler, Gordan Gray Writer: Grant Thompson Details: Based on a December 2002 GQ magazine article written by Andrew Corsello and optioned by Walt Disney Studios. SSN Insight: A young, hot writer, Thompson also wrote on the Kevin Costner film McFarland, USA, just finished writing the adaptation of the Philip K. Dick story The Penultimate Truth for Electric Shepherd Productions and is currently writing Spitfire for Lionsgate.

NEW PROJECTS

Lego Batman Logline: Storyline under Wraps Studio/Distributor: Warner Bros. Production Company:  Vertigo Entertainment, Lin Pictures, Lord Miller, Lego Group, Animal Logic Producers:  Roy Lee, Dan Lin, Phil Lord, Chris Miller Cast: Will Arnett (Voice of Batman) Writer:  Seth Grahame-Smith Director: Chris McKay Details: Based on the line of toys manufactured by the Lego Group. Spinoff of The Lego Movie (USA/2014) directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. SSN Insight: This is the second film in the announced Lego movie franchise for Warner Bros. The first is the Ninjago movie to be directed by Charlie Bean and the third is Lego Movie 2 to be released in 2018.

Themis Files Logline: A secret project buried in pieces by aliens all over the U.S. results in paranoia and greed, pushing mankind to the brink of a world war. Studio/Distributor: Columbia Production Company:  Matt Tolmach Productions Producers:  Matt Tolmach, Josh Bratman Details: Based on the novel "The Themis Files" written by Sylvain Neuvel and to be published by Bot Bot on February 2, 2015. SSN Insight: The book marks one of the first sales for producer Josh Bratman since breaking out on his own and setting up his own shingle at Sony.

A Man in the Dark Logline: Three teens scheme to rob a reclusive blind man hoarding millions of dollars, but they find themselves up against a psychopath with his own secrets. Production Company:  Ghost House Pictures Producers:  J.R. Young, Nathan Kahane, Joe Drake, Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert Writer:  Fede Alvarez, Royo Sayagues Director: Fede Alvarez SSN Insight: Alvarez directed and co-wrote (with Sayagues) the remake of Raimi’s Evil Dead, the fourth title in the Evil Dead franchise and the first not directed by Raimi. Good Universe will be selling the project internationally this week at AFM.

Wytches Logline: Charles moves his family to a nearby town after his teenage daughter is "bullied" in the woods, but they find that a terrifying mythic presence lives in the woods and all the local towns. Studio/Distributor: New Regency Productions Production Company:  New Regency Productions, Plan B Entertainment Producers:  Brad Pitt, Jeremy Kleiner, Dede Gardner Details: Based on the comic book series "Wytches" written by Scott Snyder, illustrated by Jock, and published by Image Comics on October 8, 2014. SSN Insight: Project was sold after being hyped at this years New York Comic Con and is one of several projects Plan B has recently set up under their new producing deal with New Regency.

Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 and 2: Logline: Storyline under wraps Studio/Distributor: Walt Disney Studios Production Company:  Marvel Entertainment Producers:  Kevin Feige Cast: Tom Hiddleston (Loki) SSN Insight: As part of Marvel’s big Phase 3 slate announcement, they declared that the next Avengers movie will be divided into 2 parts; Infinity War Part 1 comes out May 4th, 2018 and Infinity War Part 2 on May 3rd, 2019.

The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls Logline: During the Great Depression, a 15 year-old girl is sent away to a girls boarding school in the South where she is forced to deal with the pain of her past and learns about the woman she is about to become. Studio/Distributor: Columbia Production Company:  Red Wagon Producers:  Lucy Fisher, Douglas Wick Writer:  Emma Forrest Details: Based on the novel "The Yonahlossee Riding Camp for Girls" by Anton DiSclafani; published by Riverhead Books June 4, 2013. SSN Insight: Screenwriter Emma Forrest made a name for herself writing strong female characters with her script Liars A-E, which sold to Miramax and attracted filmmaker Richard Linklater until the project died.

Defection Logline: After the Edward Snowden situation, an intelligence contractor defects to North Korea, taking a mysterious bag with him, and the CIA hires an expert trained during the Cold War to help with the case. Studio/Distributor: 20^th Century Fox Production Company: Producers:  Hutch Parker Writer:  Ken Nolan Details: Based on the novel "The Defection of A. J. Lewinter" written by Robert Littell and published by Houghton Mifflin in 1973. SSN Insight: In a competitive spec script sale, Fox locked this project down in a high-six against seven-figure deal by Black Hawk Down scribe Ken Nolan.

Doctors Logline: A doctor can enter a dead person’s conscious in the form of a memory and temporarily bring them back to life. A woman hires him to bring back her mother, but the mother doesn’t want to return. Studio/Distributor: 20^th Century Fox Production Company:  Phantom Four Producers:  David S. Goyer Details: Based on the graphic novel "Doctor" created by Dash Shaw and published by Fantagraphics on September 24, 2014. SSN Insight: Story is said to be akin to Inception and creator Dash Shaw is a known entity in the indie comic book publishing world, having created “New School” and “Bottomless Belly Button”.

Untitled Female Football Comedy Project Logline: This comedy is about obsessive female football fans. Studio/ Distributor: Universal Production Company: Apatow Productions Producers: Judd Apatow, Laura Dern, Barry Mendel Writer: Pam Brady Cast: Laura Dern SSN Insight: The high concept comedy idea originated with Dern, who brought it to Apatow and together they attached South Park writer Pam Brady and brought it to Universal.

SSN ORIGINALS

What to Expect at the 2014 AFI Fest 2014: Tech Showcases, Galas, Sophia Loren, and More

Film Development For 11/06/14: Wahlberg and Ferrell Re-Team For ‘Daddy’s Home,’ ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and ‘LEGO: Batman’ In Development, and More

TODAY’S HEADLINES

Title Announcement Means ‘Star Wars: Episode VII’ Is No Longer Just a Number

‘Downton Abbey’ Won’t Be Closing Down Any Time Soon

And, With the Addition of Demian Bechir, Casting on Quentin Tarantino’s ‘The Hateful Eight’ Is Complete

Mark Wahlberg Has Officially Signed Up To Be Colonel Steve Austin In ‘The Six Billion Dollar Man’

So, We’ll Be Seeing Kevin Spacey as Nixon and Michael Shannon as Elvis in a Movie About the Two Men Meeting? Yes, We Shall!

In the Wake of Marvel’s Massive Movie Slate Announcement, Is There Actually a Movie … Missing?

Trailer Buzz, Part 1: The Hobbit — Battle of Five Armies

Trailer Buzz, Part 2: ‘Into the Woods’

Company Launches

Ross Dinerstein, formerly co-CEO of Preferred Film & TV, launched production company Campfire, which is backed by Content Media. The Los Angeles-based company will make three to five features a year at various budget levels and genres, select television and digital series, and three to four commercials through strategic partners with European-based production companies.They will also provide post-production services for in-house and third-party product.

Aperture Media Partners launched a one-stop film finance shingle with New York Private Bank & Trust. Finance veterans Jared Underwood and Andrew Robinson and will provide capital support. The company plans to fund 15-20 projects during the first year.

Black Box, a new artist development company, will launch next year. The company’s founder, Livia Tortella, is former Co-President and COO of Warner Bros. Records. The company’s artist roster includes Christina Perri, Death Cab For Cutie, fun, and She & Him.

Studios, Networks, and Media Conglomerates

DreamWorks’ Stacey Snider has joined 20th Century Fox as co-chairman of the studio. Snider will report to Gianopulos and will oversee all production and development activities for 2oth Century Fox, Fox Animation/Blue Sky Studios, Fox International Productions and Fox Searchlight Pictures. In addition, she and Gianopulos will oversee the studio’s global theatrical marketing and distribution.

Warner Bros. has tapped Universal marketing exec JP Richards to fill its digital marketing post.

Jeff Collins, a 20-year veteran of Turner Broadcasting, joined IMH (the parent company of Myspace, Specific Media, Xumo and Vindico) as chief revenue officer.

Film

Neal Street Productions, the production company co-owned by director Sam Mendes, has been put up for sale. The company was founded by Mendes, Pippa Harris and Caro Newling.

Jeff Robinov’s Studio 8 expanded its executive team with Lindsey Bayman, Mark Bakshi, and Kimberly Locascio.

Television

Fox Broadcasting is beefing up its digital and social efforts and adding to the department's executive staff. The network hired journalist

Maggie Furlong as the new VP of digital and social content.

Kevin Reilly has been named president of TNT and TBS and chief creative officer of Turner Entertainment, parent company Turner Broadcasting announced Tuesday. Reilly will report to David Levy, president of Turner Broadcasting.

Debbie Reichig has been named to the newly created role of Senior Vice President, Media Sales Research & Insights, Twentieth Television, staring November 10. Reichig served as Chief Revenue Officer of PrecisionDemand. Former CBS and Leo Burnett Worldwide exec Bob Mauro is president of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the New York-based organization that administers Emmy awards that fall outside the primetime scope of the West Coast-based Television Academy.

Producer and network exec Phil Craig has been named EVP and chief creative officer for Discovery Networks Intl. He reports to DNI’s J.B. Perrette, and starts in February 2015. Craig will lead DNI’s Production and Development team.

Bill Bost has been promoted to director of development for Skydance Television, the banner behind WGN America’s Manhattan and the upcoming Netflix comedy Grace and Frankie.

Agencies, Management Companies, Public Relations, and Law Firms

Dallas Sonnier and Jack Heller’s Caliber Media has phased out the majority of its management business and closed its Wilshire Boulevard office. The company will now focus almost completely on production.

Digital

Ellen DeGeneres and Warner Bros.’ Ellen launched a new digital video destination called ellentube. The comedian said of the site: “I am so excited to tell you about this. It’s a new thing called ellentube, and it’s a place that you can find videos that are hilarious and interesting. We’re going to post things from the show that you won’t see anywhere else.”

Yahoo appointed Lisa Utzschneider as Senior Vice President, Sales, Americas. She will be responsible for Yahoo's advertising business across the Americas and will report directly to Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer.

Bunim/Murray Productions has brought on John P. Roberts, former SVP Digital Media at Endemol. He will head up its digital division. The company also promoted former Director of Digital Media Kesila Childers to VP of the division, reporting to Roberts.

Nancy Tellem, Jordan Levin are leaving Xbox Entertainment Studios in the wake of Microsoft layoffs. RLJ Entertainment, started by BET founder Robert L. Johnson, is launching the Urban Movie Channel digital subscription VOD channel, which will offer a mix of comedy, drama, horror and documentary titles.

Music

Def Jam has made some changes to their executive lineup. Rob Caiaffa has been promoted to Vice President of Marketing - he was Senior Director of Marketing & Development. Co-Head of A&R No I.D. will now be EVP and will oversee all A&R. The other Co-Head of A&R, Kyambo “Hip-Hop” Joshua, is partnering with Def Jam to start a boutique label.

PledgeMusic has named Dan Ghosh-Roy as Head of Marketing & Digital Strategy. Ghosh-Roy was most recently Senior Vice President of Digital Strategy, Development & Operations at Ultra Music.

iHeartMedia has hired Adam Denenberg as CTO. Most recently, Denenberg was VP of Engineering at Huffington Post.

Chris Tsakalakis has departed StubHub, the world's largest secondary ticket marketplace. His departure comes as executives from parent company eBay depart that company.