Trio of Female-directed Films Landed in Theaters, But ‘Spectre’ and ‘Peanuts’ Took Top Box Office Spots
Women owned this weekend’s theaters as directors of three premieres across the country: Love the Coopers, The 33 and By the Sea opened in limited release. But last week’s powerhouses Spectre and The Peanuts Movie won at the box office. (LAT)
Paris Attacks: In a Show of Resilience, Cinemas Reopen Nationwide
Gaumont-Pathe, Paris’ largest cinema chain, reopened Monday for business as usual. The UGC and MK2 chains, which reopened midday Sunday, continued to keep their doors open Monday. (THR)
UCB Alums Ed Helms and Linda Gomez Team up for ‘Picante’ Series at ABC
One of Upright Citizens Brigade’s best-known alums, Ed Helms, has teamed with fellow UCB alumna Lindy Gomez for Picante, a workplace comedy that has been set up at ABC. The project, which marks Gomez’s first sale, hails from Helms’ Pacific Electric Picture Co. and Universal TV. (DL)
The Weinstein Company to Lay Off Film Staffers In Order to Help “Grow the Business”
The Weinstein Company will lay off but the cuts will not impact the TV unit and will be solely focused on its film operations. “We have one of the best slates we’ve ever had, but this is about looking ahead to how do we grow the business,” said Glasser. (VAR)
Discovery Canada’s First Original Scripted Series Acquired by Netflix and Will Star Jason Momoa
Netflix has acquired Frontier, a Canadian action adventure drama series that has tapped Jason Momoa (Game of Thrones, Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn Of Justice) to star. (DL)
Bidenjam: Here are the Roads to Avoid During the VP’s LA Visit Today and Tomorrow
Vice President Joe Biden is in town Monday and Tuesday, and that means heavier traffic than usual for Angelenos. (SCPR)
Mark Penn’s Stagwell Group Buys Nielsen NRG, One of the Largest Movie Research Companies
The buyer of Nielsen’s movie research arm Nielsen NRG now has a face: the Stagwell Group. The plan is to have NRG operate as an independent entity under the umbrella of the Stagwell family of companies. (DL)
Screenwriters: The Challenge of the Unintended Sequel
What happens when your film becomes a surprise hit, and the inevitable order for a sequel comes down? Obviously this is a wonderful “problem” to have, but it is an interesting conundrum. (SM)
Trailer Buzz: City of Gold
City of Gold chronicles Pulitzer Prize-winning restaurant critic Jonathan Gold’s relationship to his beloved and sprawling metropolis, Los Angeles. Sundance Selects will release the film on March 11. (YT)