‘Star Wars’ Has Already Sold Over $50 Million In Advanced Tickets
Star Wars: The Force Awakens as the seventh film in the hugely popular franchise has generated more than $50 million in advance ticket sales. The picture is the biggest pre-seller in the history of the ticketing company, trumping the first Hunger Games. (VAR)
Edgar Wright To Direct Shadow-Themed Animated Film
Edgar Wright has signed on to direct an animated film for DreamWorks Animation. The film, which he’ll co-write with David Walliams, is centered on the concept of shadows. (THR)
Christopher McQuarrie Will Direct ‘Mission: Impossible 6′
This year’s Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation saw Jack Reacher director Christopher McQuarrie come in to helm. While the usual practice for the franchise has been to seek a new director for each installment, McQuarrie is in negotiations with Paramount to return for Mission: Impossible 6. (SR)
Indie Comedy ‘Dude’ Rounds Out Lead Cast With Trio Of Actresses
The indie comedy Dude has completed its quartet of leads with Kathryn Prescott, Alexandra Shipp, and rapper/actress Nora “Awkwafina” Lum joining previously announced star Lucy Hale. ICM Partners is selling worldwide rights to the film. (DH)
James Franco’s Movie Column: Why ‘Mustang’ Is The Best Film Of The Year
This is a column where James Franco talks to his reverse self, Semaj, about new films. Rather than a conventional review, it is a place where James and Semaj can muse about ideas that the films provoke. (IW)
The Lost James Bond Movie That Eventually Became ‘Skyfall’
Morgan, a two-time Oscar nominee for penning The Queen and Frost/Nixon, contributed a treatment titled Once Upon a Spy, which was ultimately rejected by Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson. (SF)
20 Years of Pixar And The Truth Behind ‘Toy Story’
November 22, 2015, marks the twentieth anniversary of Pixar’s Toy Story. From the first frame of the film that began Pixar’s march to animation glory, it was clear that the studio had created something unique and groundbreaking. (WF)
Screenwriters: ‘Ali’
An undated, unspecified draft by Stephen J. Rivele & Christopher Wilkinson and Eric Roth & Michael Mann (story by Gregory Allen Howard). (DS)