AWARDS HEADLINES
Awards 2016: Actress Brie Larson Opens Up About ‘Room’ and ‘The Most Powerful Thing I Ever Felt In My Life’
The actress’ performance in the indie film is arguably the most talked about for this year’s Best Actress Oscar category. Based on author/screenwriter Emma Donoghue’s best selling novel, film sees Larson play Ma, a young woman living against her will in a 10-by-10 foot space with her five-year old son, Jack. One day, she orchestrates a risky escape, but life in the vast open real world presents a new set of challenges. (SSN)
Oscar Odds: When It Comes To the Best Supporting Actress Race, Rooney Mara Is the Earlier Leader
According to most experts at Gold Derby, the Carol star is out front to win the Oscar, but that’s a tricky call to make. The Golden Globes put her in the lead category, while Academy members can put actors in either race and they sometimes ignore campaigns. Will Mara split her Oscar vote? (IC)
Kate Winslet On Bucking Hollywood Stardom, That Femme Pay Issue & Pursuing The “Girl Part” In ‘Steve Jobs’
Academy voters relish a riveting behind-the-scenes story when it comes to a contender. If there is one this season it’s about how the Oscar-winning actress — who, since her first nomination for Sense And Sensibility at the age of 21, has sifted through a sea of offers — fought for the role of Joanna Hoffman, Steve Jobs’ feisty Polish-Armenian head of marketing at Apple Computer. (AL)
A Whole Slew Of Big Oscar Films Are Not Eligible For WGA Awards
Each year, countless films are disqualified or ineligible from WGA awards contention, and this is generally followed by a lot of complaints and dumbfounded wonder. However, this year in particular, it seems many big Oscar contenders are being left out of the loop for two main reasons: the screenwriter(s) are not WGA members or the production didn’t get the sign off from the guild. For a list of those not eligible, click the link. (TP)
OTHER HEADLINES
Film Development for 12/3/15: Christopher McQuarrie Accepts Mission to Direct M:I 6, Reese Witherspoon Circling Starring Role in Barbie Biopic
Lots of new stuff this week, including Trudie Styler’s directorial debut, Kenneth Branagh taking on double duty for his new film, new writers for a Charlize Theron flick, and plenty more. SSN has the full skinny. (SSN)
The WGA Has Announced Its TV Award Nominees, and ‘Mr. Robot’ Was a Big Winner
New shows were cited alongside veteran favorites. In the drama series category, The Americans, Better Call Saul, Game of Thrones, Mad Men and Mr. Robot garnered nominations. For comedy, Broad City, Silicon Valley, Transparent, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Veep got the call. (VAR)
Platinum Dunes Hires A Stud Writer For Its ‘Friday the 13th’ Remake
Prisoners writer Aaron Guzikowski is negotiating to draft the latest iteration of the script for Paramount and Michael Bay’s team, which has been reticent to release any information on this 13th film in the franchise, which follows the most recent attempt to bring Jason back to our screens in 2009. Guzikowski’s also coming up with a new film about The Wolf Man as part of Universal’s huge plan to create a shared cinematic universe from its classic creatures. (EMP)
Busy John Ridley Gets Early Pilot Order from ABC for Crime Drama with a Woman Private Eye Lead
Network has given an early pilot order to Ridley’s new crime drama titled Presence, with next season eyed as a premiere — assuming it goes to series. The show, which is being fast-tracked, follows a former Army Counter Insurgency Operative named Presence Foster, beginning a new career as a PI in Los Angeles. A search is now underway for an actress to play the lead, who is expected to be African American or Latino. (SAA)
‘Roots’ Mini For A+E Adds Cast: Tip “T.I.” Harris, Mekhi Phifer, James Purefoy, Matthew Goode, Lane Garrison & More
Cable net is building out its cast for the eight-hour event miniseries, a remake of the iconic 1977 ABC mini. The new actors, including Lane Garrison, Emayatzy Corinealdi, and G. Hannelius, join previously announced Forest Whitaker, Anna Paquin, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Anika Noni Rose, Laurence Fishburne, Chad L. Colman, Erica Tazel, Derek Luke, and newcomers Malachi Kirby and Regé-Jean Page. (DH)
Jason Priestley Is Getting Behind the Camera Again, This Time To Direct a Biopic Of Phil Hartman
Film is called Nice Guy Phil and will be produced by Tyler Levine, while screenwriter Jonas Chernick penned the screenplay. Actor Daran Norris will portray Hartman in the film. Just a reminder, Norris voiced a number of characters on Nickelodeon’s The Fairly OddParents, as well as Spottswoode in Team America: World Police. (COL)