Warner Bros., China Media Capital Unveil Joint Venture to Produce Chinese-Language Tentpoles
Headquartered in Hong Kong, with offices in Los Angeles and Beijing, the new Flagship Entertainment Group Ltd. will produce a slate of movies for global distribution, with the first titles released as soon as 2016. Flagship Entertainment will be owned 51 percent by a consortium of Chinese investors led by CMC, with Hong Kong broadcaster TVB holding 10 percent within the group. Warner Bros. will own the remaining 49 percent. (THR)
‘The Girl On the Train’ Already Has Emily Blunt and Rebecca Ferguson On Board, Is Now Eyeing Chris Evans and Jared Leto
Both actors have entered negotiations to join the project, based on the bestselling book by Paula Hawkins. Tate Taylor is directing the film, which has a screenplay by Erin Cressida Wilson and will also stars Haley Bennett. Marc Platt and Jared LeBoff are producing. (CS)
‘Sicario’ Hasn’t Even Opened Wide Yet, but Lionsgate Has Already Put a Sequel Into Development
Following the film’s robust box office performance in limited release, the mini-major studio has the film’s writer, Taylor Sheridan, overseeing the development of a followup. The movie stars Emily Blunt, Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro, and involves a secret government mission involving drug cartels on the U.S.-Mexico border. The idea is to craft a sequel around the mysterious hit man played by Del Toro. No word if director Denis Villeneuve will return. (COL)
Christian Bale, Brad Pitt’s ‘The Big Short’ Gets Release Date, AFI Fest Premiere
Paramount Pictures announced this morning that Adam McKay’s film — with an all-star cast that also includes Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Marisa Tomei and Melissa Leo — would be getting a December release. The film, based on the book by Michael Lewis, tells the story of bond and real estate derivative geeks who saw the housing crash of 2008 coming and bet against the collateralized debt obligation bubble, thus striking it rich. (VAR)
Allison Tolman and Michaela Watkins Join Amy Poehler/Will Ferrell Comedy, While Rob Reiner’s LBJ Flick Rounds Out Its Cast
The untitled comedy is about parents who accidentally spend the money set aside for their daughter’s college tuition, then open an underground casino. Meanwhile, Reiner’s film stars Woody Harrelson as LBJ and also features Brent Bailey, John Burke, Brian Stepanek, Rich Sommer, Tim Ransom, Judd Lormand, Richard Jenkins, Bill Pullman, Doug McKeon, Jeffrey Donovan, Kim Allen, Michael Stahl-David and Jennifer Jason Leigh. (DH)
No More TV Show? No Problem For Jordan Peele, Who Is About To Direct a Horror Flick
The performer has a deal to write and director a horror thriller called Get Out for Jason Blum’s mini-budget company Blumhouse Productions. It’ll follow a young African-American man who visits the sprawling estate owned by his white girlfriend’s family and, once would assume, discovers something terrible. (EMP)
NBC Is Looking For a Very ‘Cosmopolitan’ Feel To Its Next Drama
Network is developing a new show based on the popular women’s magazine. Inspired by the life of Editor-in-Chief Joanna Coles, who is on board to executive produce the untitled project. Show will explore the same issues the magazine’s readers are likely dealing with. Among them: balancing career and family, finding your identity, getting your heart broken and managing friendships — all while wearing the perfect pair of jeans that flatter any body type. (LF)
Vanessa Williams’ Triumphant Return To TV Is a Go, Thanks To ‘The Good Wife’
Actress will join the critically acclaimed drama in a recurring role this November. Williams will play Courtney Boalt, an extremely successful, self-made businesswoman who is potentially interested in backing Peter Florrick’s (Chris Noth) campaign for President. In the process, she meets Eli Gold (Alan Cumming), sparking a mutual attraction. (SAA)
Twenty Years Later, ‘Seven’ Screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker Looks Back At the Film That Became a Phenomenon
When he wrote it, Walker worked at a Tower Records in New York, and served as a PA on films like Blood Rush. He vowed to write his way out of that record store, and while Walker never thought that his movie would be made, his script eventually made its way to director David Fincher. Fortunately for all of us, Fincher accidentally received Walker’s original script instead of the copy with a rewritten ending, and from there … well, you know what happened. (UR)
In Memory Of Wes Craven: 23 Things Learned From His ‘Swamp Thing’ Commentary
Everyone has their favorite Craven, but it’s probably safe to assume that few would choose Swamp Thing as their top choice. And yet, Scream Factory released the film to Blu-ray earlier this year, and it features a commentary track with Craven and Sean Clark (of Horror’s Hallowed Grounds). (FSR)