Trailer Buzz: ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’
Disney and Lucasfilm have released the official trailer for what might be the most highly anticipated movie ever made. In case you missed it on TV last night, here it is now. J.J. Abrams directs Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Max Von Sydow in the film, which hits theaters December 18th. (YT)
And, With the Incredibly High Demand For Advance Tickets, ‘Star Wars’ Crashes the Fandango Site
The months and months of hype have paid off, as theater chains began offering advance ticket sales for The Force Awakens, which hits theaters in 59 days, on December 18th. Perhaps a little too well. Legions of fans immediately rushed to online ticket sellers to secure their seats but alas, the sudden rush of demand from Jedi-happy fans has caused site outages on purchasing platforms including Fandango, the Alamo Drafthouse, and AMC Theaters. (DH)
Jerry Bruckheimer and Paramount Nab the Rights To the Latest Next Big YA Property
In a competitive situation, the studio and uber producer have nabbed the rights to YA action-thriller The Cruelty, written by S. Bergstrom. The book centers on 17-year-old Gwendolyn Bloom who sets off across the dark underbelly of Europe to rescue her father, a kidnapped diplomat. It has been described as having shades of Taken and La Femme Nikita. (HV)
Netflix Appears Ready To Revive Another Beloved Show, Has New ‘Gilmore Girls’ Eps In the Works
Online streaming giant has closed a deal with Warner Bros. for a limited-series revival of the beloved cult hit penned by series creator Amy Sherman-Palladino and exec producer Daniel Palladino. Although negotiations with the cast are only now beginning, all of the major players — most notably Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Kelly Bishop and Scott Patterson — are expected back for the continuation. The revival will consist of four 90-minute episodes/mini-movies. (TVL)
The Weinstein Company Is Abandoning Its Platforming Release Plans For Bradley Cooper’s ‘Burnt’
Rocky road leading up to the release of John Wells’ chef drama has just gotten a last minute speed bump, as TWC has canceled its limited release distribution strategy in favor of a nationwide debut next Friday, October 30th. Hoping to build world of mouth, the film was originally scheduled to open in select theaters in New York and Los Angeles this week, though the company has confirmed that such a plan is no longer the case. (IW)
Creepy Doll Alert! In an Obvious Move, New Line Has an ‘Annabelle’ Sequel In Development
Studio’s 2014 hit spinoff from the even larger hit, The Conjuring, did more than $245 million worldwide on an estimated budget of $6.5 million. Gary Dauberman, who provided the script for that one is back on duty here, though no one else is aboard yet. (EMP)
Michael De Luca To Team With Legendary For Sci-Fi Thriller ‘Reminiscence’
Project is covered under the first-look deal De Luca has with Universal, which will distribute the film. Lisa Joy’s script revolves around Nick Bannister, who, in a Blade Runner-esque Manhattan, helps clients relive and often get lost in their happiest memories. But when one of his client’s memories holds clues that implicate a wealthy and powerful family in drug trafficking and murder, he has to unravel a series of crimes which lead back to the woman he loves. (TB)
NBC Shows Sincere Lack Of Confidence, Reduces Script Orders For Two New Shows
Network has reduced the episode counts for single-camera series Superstore, starring America Ferrera, and Hot & Bothered. Both comedies were picked up for 13 episodes, with that order now cut to 11, with insiders noting the network’s crowded midseason lineup. (For its part, Eva Longoria’s telenovela take Hot & Bothered was picked up straight to series.) Fellow midseason comedy Crowded — a cheaper multicamera entry — is still set for its 13-episode run. (LF)
Sandra Oh Is Getting Streamy With a New Online Sitcom For Refinery 29
The lifestyle website is getting into the streaming television game, launching a new comedy series from the team behind Web Therapy. Lisa Kudrow and Dan Bucatinsky have teamed up for Sh—y Boyfriends. The comedy follows Amanda, a cartoonist who finds herself constantly distracted by her desire to find love. She tries to model her life on Kathy’s, played by Grey’s Anatomy vet, Oh. (TVG)
Online Film School: Six Filmmaking Tips From Steven Spielberg
With a giant pile of movies to his name, including Bridge of Spies, currently in theaters, Steven Spielberg has the considerable honor of being the only filmmaker who makes entertainment that’s massively popular, critically acclaimed and decade-enduring. It’s an illusive triumvirate. His fundamental success is owed to a lot of things, but principle among them is his childhood sense of wonder and magic — a sense he’s never let go of. (FSR)