SSN ORIGINALS
The Accidental Turitz: Does Peer Pressure Affect the Way We Watch TV?
Senior Editor Neil Turitz is back with another look into his esoteric psyche, this time taking a look at the phenomenon that is everything surrounding True Detective, as well as what it, and the way we watch television these days, says about us as a viewing public. As usual, it’s a unique perspective on things and worth a look. (SSN)
Film & TV Deals For 8/12/15: Jake Gyllenhaal & Bold Films Ink Deal, Gordon Ramsay Re-Ups With Fox & AwesomenessTV News
Among the other deals are the Akils signing a new agreement with Warner TV, UK production company Betty opening up an American arm, and news for Cinema Slate, among others. For the full skinny, as always, click on the link. (SSN)
OTHER HEADLINES
The 53rd Annual New York Film Festival Has Announced Its Main Slate, and There Are Some Big Titles On It
The 2015 Main Slate will host four World Premieres: Steven Spielberg’s Bridge Of Spies, starring Tom Hanks and Mark Rylance in the Cold War story of the 1962 exchange of a U-2 pilot for a Soviet agent; Laura Israel’s Don’t Blink: Robert Frank, a documentary portrait of the great photographer and filmmaker; as well as the previously announced Opening Night selection The Walk and Closing Night selection Miles Ahead. Click the link for the full list. (CS)
The ‘Fantastic Four’ Controversy Continues Unabated With More Bits and Pieces Emerging
Insiders on the film say the situation was worse than previously revealed, and beleaguered director Josh Trank has enlisted pit-bull lawyer Marty Singer to advocate on his behalf. And so the game of blame is underway. Whether the final version of the film is better or worse than what Trank put together is a matter of opinion, of course, but the consensus, clearly, is that neither was good. (THR)
‘LEGO Batman’ Just Cast a Total No-Brainer For Its Joker
Zach Galifianakis is nearly done with a deal to voice the Joker for Lego Batman, which The Lego Movie animation supervisor Chris McKay is directing from a script by Seth Grahame-Smith. Phil Lord, Chris Miller, Roy Lee, and Dan Lin are producing. Will Arnett will voice the lead in the film, with Michael Cera on board to voice Robin. The film is set for a February, 2017 release. (SF)
NBC Makes a Big Investment In the Digital World, Puts $200 Million Into Vox Media
The widely anticipated deal gives Comcast’s NBCUniversal an equity stake in one of the fastest growing digital media companies. Vox’s properties include SB Nation, Polygon, The Verge, Vox.com, Eater, Racked, Curbed, and Re/code — the last picked up in May. The tech publication says that NBCU’s $200 million deal indicates that Vox is worth more than $1 billion. (DH)
Syfy Is Adapting the Novel ‘Gateway’ Into an Ongoing Series
Network is continuing to bring some of the most beloved science fiction properties to television. The NBCUniversal-owned cable network announced today that it is developing Frederik Pohl’s award-winning best-seller. Josh Pate and Battlestar Galactica alum David Eick will adapt the source material. Eick will revise Pate’s pilot script and serve as showrunner, with both attached to exec produce the Universal Cable Productions entry. (TLF)
One Person We Know Will Definitely NOT Be Directing ‘Star Wars: Episode IX’ Is J.J. Abrams
While speculation has run rampant that Disney and Lucasfilm will bring in Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow to helm the film, that has not been confirmed. Abrams, who is finishing postproduction on Star Wars: The Force Awakens, shot down an additional rumor that Lucasfilm topper Kathleen Kennedy wanted him back for another go. Ryan Johnson is directing Episode VIII, and Abrams’ film hits theaters December 18th. (COL)
Trailer Buzz, Part One: ‘The Hateful Eight’
The Weinstein Company has released the first official teaser trailer for Quentin Tarantino’s newest film. Starring Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Walton Goggins, Demián Bichir and Michael Madsen, the movie hits theaters Christmas Day. (EMP)
Trailer Buzz, Part Two: ‘Trumbo’
Bleecker Street has released the first trailer from the new biopic of Dalton Trumbo, starring Emmy-winner Bryan Cranston, as well as Louis C.K., Elle Fanning, John Goodman, Diane Lane, Alan Tudyk, Michael Stuhlbarg and Helen Mirren, and was directed by Jay Roach. The movie will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival next month and hit theaters in November. (IW)