SSN ORIGINALS
Telluride 2015: Will the Seven Films ‘Premiering’ At the Fest Gain Awards Traction?
Colorado festival stands apart in that it doesn’t label anything as a new premiere, preferring to keep things low key. Despite that, it still has had its share of awards-grabbing first-time releases, including 12 Years A Slave, Argo, Gravity, The King’s Speech, Slumdog Millionaire, Up In The Air, Black Swan, Juno, Birdman and The Imitation Game. This year is no different. (SSN)
On the Set For 9/4/15: Michael Fassbender Starts On ‘Assassin’s Creed’, Margot Robbie Wraps ‘Suicide Squad’
Among the other films now up and running are the Neighbors sequel, Brad Pitt’s satire War Machine, and the India-set Viceroy’s House, while Katie Holmes’ directorial debut, All We Had, and Kevin Pollak’s narrative feature debut, The Late Bloomer, wrap up principal photography. Click the link to read more. (SSN)
OTHER HEADLINES
Force Friday: Disney Unveils the Enormity Of All Its Upcoming ‘Star Wars’-Related Merchandising
Among the items that will be available are, in apparel, J. Crew, Kohl’s, and JCPenney offer plenty of items, while, for the home, Pottery Barn, Amazon, and Michael’s are involved. Meanwhile, Walmart, Petco and Kay Jewelers are also part of the plan. (DH)
CAA’s Lawsuit Against UTA Has Been Amended To Include Three New Claims
Today, Creative Artists Agency filed an amended lawsuit adding three additional claims against United Talent Agency and agents Gregory Cavic and Gregory McKnight, part of a group of CAA comedy agents who defected to UTA in late March. The amended complaint alleges that UTA and the agents induced a breach of contract, aided and abetted a breach of fiduciary duty and aided and abetted a breach of the duty of loyalty. (HESQ)
Aretha Franklin Sues to Stop ‘Amazing Grace’ Documentary Screening at Telluride Film Fest
Legendary performer is seeking to stop a planned screening today of the documentary culled from concert footage shot in 1972 by director Sydney Pollack. In the complaint, Franklin contends that the footage was taken with the express understanding that it would not be used commercially without her agreement and consent. It notes that Franklin previously sued in 2011 over the footage, which was resolved after the producer agreed not to release the film. (VAR)
AMBI Group Makes a Major Purchase, Buys Exclusive Media’s Film Library
Andrea Iervolino and Monika Bacardi’s company picked up approximately 400 titles, such as Donnie Darko, Memento and Cruel Intentions. AMBI is acquiring the library in partnership with Raven Capital Management, a New York-based private equity firm. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Other films in the library include End of Watch, The Ides of March, The Mexican, Rush, Sliding Doors, Snitch, Undefeated and The Way Back. (TW)
An Outside the Box Sequel? Death Row Records Film In Development Seen as a Followup To ‘Straight Outta Compton’
Talent agency APA said to be shopping the project around, which will be titled Welcome to Death Row, and will focus on the years after N.W.A formed, and all the acts that came after them, forging their own solo careers — rappers like Snoop Dogg, Tupac Shakur, Dogg Pound and others. Project is based on the book and documentary of the same name by S. Leigh Savidge. (SAA)
Get Ready For Another Movie Star Named Eastwood, as Clint’s Son Scott Lands Lead In ‘Overdrive’
Taken director Pierre Morel is producing the film along with Christopher Tuffin, with Derek Haas and Michael Brandt on script duties and Antonio Negret directing. Eastwood will play one of two brothers, who just so happen to be car thieves. When they head to the south of France, presumably looking for new opportunities to get their mitts on some exotic, high end automobiles, they run afoul of a local crime boss. (CB)
More New Blood For ‘Bloodline’, as Andrea Riseborough Joins the Cast Of the Netflix Show
British actress joins John Leguizamo as a new cast member for the Emmy-nominated show, and will play Evangeline, a streetwise and unpredictable character from the past of series anti-hero Danny Rayburn. Series revolves around the Rayburn family, which starts to fall apart when eldest son Danny returns home, revealing some of the darker secrets the clan has kept buried for years. (EMP)
Trailer Buzz: ‘Beasts Of No Nation’
Netflix has released the first trailer from the highly anticipated drama from director Cary Fukunaga, and starring Idris Elba. The film just debuted at the Venice Film Festival, and will also screen at Telluride and Toronto. it will hit Landmark theaters and Netflix on October 16th. (CS)