SSN ORIGINALS
TV Development for 11/24/15: Johnny Knoxville Producing NBC Series, Happy Madison Developing ‘Bastards’ for HBO, Amy Pascal Giving New Life to Eve Babitz’s Novels
Among the myriad of other projects moving forward are a sci-fi adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle from Fargo creator Noah Hawley, a new Syfy show from Max Landis, the rebirth of the British series Cold Feet and a new series from Transporting author Irvine Walsh. Click the link for more. (SSN)
OTHER HEADLINES
The Indie Spirit Nominations Are Out, Did Your Film Make the Cut?
Film Independent has announced the nominees for the 31st Independent Spirt Awards, with Carol leading all films with six nominations total, while Spotlight and Beasts of No Nation were next with five, and smaller films Anomalisa and Tangerine each walked away with four nominations in some of the biggest categories. The full list is available if you click the link. The awards will be handed out on Saturday, February 27th. (CW)
Legitimately Big Indie Film News, as The Weinstein Company Will Scale Back On Films To Focus On TV
As the company heads into the holiday season with one of the year’s most acclaimed titles (Carol) and one of its most anticipated awards contenders (The Hateful Eight), it looks like they are already making a surprising New Year’s resolution. TWC will cut back the number of films it releases from 18 a year to between eight and 10, and instead boost its TV presence. The news comes after word that the company would bet letting go of 40 and 50 staffers. (IW)
In the Midst Of a Killer Second Season Comes Word That FX Wants Even More ‘Fargo’
While there is, of course, no word on what the third season of the crime anthology series will be about, what is known is that creator Noah Hawley and executive producers Warren Littlefield, Joel and Ethan Coen, and John Cameron will return. Literally nothing else was revealed. The connective tissue through the first two seasons is the Solverson family, and the locations of Bemidji, Minnesota, Fargo, North Dakota and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. (SF)
Tom Cruise Appears To Be Packing His Schedule Even Tighter, Is In Talks To Headline Universal’s ‘The Mummy’
Studio has been looking for a big star to anchor the film, and is hoping Cruise will fill that role. Alex Kurtzman is helming the film, which will be set in modern day and is set for release on March 24th, 2017. Jon Spaihts wrote the script. Film is planned as the first in a series of interconnected monster films in Universal’s hope to build a cinematic universe out of its vault of classic creature features, including Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Invisible Man. (HV)
Today In Remake News: There Is a ‘Tremors’ Series In Development, and Kevin Bacon Is Attached To Star
The actor is developing a TV-series adaptation of his 1990 cult hit in which he would reprise his role as Valentine McKee. No network is currently attached, which is being shepherded by Universal Cable Productions with Bacon and Andrew Miller on board as EPs. Sci-Fi Channel took a stab at a Tremors series in 2003, but it was cancelled after one season. The franchise also spawned four direct-to-video sequels, none of which Bacon took part in. (TVL)
File Under the ‘It Was Inevitable’ File: Fox Drops ‘Fantastic Four 2’ From Its Schedule
What was considered a surety has now become official, as the studio has removed the proposed sequel from its release schedule. Josh Trank‘s Fantastic Four got a critical lambasting earlier this year which, bundled with rumors of some intense infighting between Trank and his cast and crew, made for a dismal opening weekend and a lot of disappointed fans. Now, it appears Fox has, at least temporarily, abandoned hopes to continue the franchise. (COL)
Meanwhile, the Next ‘Star Trek’ Movie Is Going To Open Big, Agrees To IMAX Release
Star Trek Beyond will receive a worldwide IMAX release when the third film in the rebooted franchise opens on July 22nd. Paramount decided in September to move the film back two weeks from its original July 8th date. It will face Warner Bros.’ King Arthur and Fox’s animated sequel Ice Age: Collision Course. The film will mark the 50th anniversary of the television launch of the landmark science-fiction series. (VAR)
Trudie Styler Snags Abigail Breslin To Star In Her Directorial Debut
Breslin is set to lead an adaptation of Freak Show, based on the cult high school novel. Story revolves around a kid who fights back against being ostracized and bullied by running for Homecoming Queen. Alex Lawther has been cast as the boy, and Breslin will be the head cheerleader and school’s Queen Bee. Bette Midler, AnnaSophia Robb, Ian Nelson and Lorraine Toussaint also star. (EMP)
Trailer Buzz: ‘Barbershop: The Next Cut’
New Line Cinema has released the first look at the theird entry in the popular Ice Cube-led franchise. The movie, which stars Cube, Nicki Minaj, Common, Cedric the Entertainer, Regina Hall, Sean Patrick Thomas, Eve, Anthony Anderson, Jaszmine Lewis, and JB Smoove and is directed by Malcolm Lee, hits theaters April 15th, 2016. (CS)