AWARDS HEADLINES
Yes, That Dazzling Boxing Sequence in ‘Creed’ Really Was One Shot
If you have seen the film, you witnessed an example of a “oner,” as an entire two-round boxing match is captured in one exciting take. Shockingly, given the editorial tools at the disposal of filmmakers today, there was no post-production stitching employed to connect a series of takes together and provide the effect of a single shot. (IC)
Speaking Of ‘Creed’, Film Joins ‘Straight Outta Compton’ as African American Film Critics Association’s Big Winners
Universal’s N.W.A. biopic won Best Picture, one of three categories it topped along with Best Ensemble and Best Supporting Actor for Jason Mitchell. Best Director went to Creed helmer Ryan Coogler, while its star, Michael B. Jordan, won for Breakout Performance and Tessa Thompson was named Best Supporting Actress. Best Actor went to Will Smith for Concussion and Best Actress to Teyonah Parris for Spike Lee’s Chi-Raq.(AL)
OTHER HEADLINES
Exec Shuffle For 12/7/15: Oprah Winfrey Forms Book Imprint, Indigenous Media Partners with Josh Hutcherson, Reelio Cares to Match Digital Stars with Nonprofits
Among the various moves this week, the MPAA has a new VP of Corporate Communications, AMC Studios has a new SVP of Distribution, as well as plenty of other action. Of special note, Linda Ellerbee has announced she will retire in January. Click the link for more. (SSN)
Sundance Announces Projects From James Schamus, Steven Soderbergh, J.J. Abrams to Debut
Fest has unveiled the 2016 lineup for its Premieres, Documentary Premieres, Spotlight, Sundance Kids and Special Events sections. A number of familiar faces will converge on Park City, from former Focus Features CEO and indie film veteran James Schamus, who will be on hand with feature directorial debut Indignation, to Steven Soderbergh, who will debut the first four episodes of his upcoming Starz TV series The Girlfriend Experience. (THR)
Marvel Finds Its ‘Black Panther’ Director In the Form Of ‘Creed’ Helmer Ryan Coogler
After making the successful vault this year from the Sundance Film Festival hit Fruitvale Station to the widely-praised, mid-budget studio Rocky spinoff, the filmmaker is now lined up to take the reins of the 2018 film, set to star Chadwick Boseman as the title character. A deal still needs to be struck, but all signs point to that happening this week. (TP)
It’s Taken a While, but Marvel Finally Has a Showrunner For Its ‘Iron Fist’ Series
Studio’s latest Netflix series has set Scott Buck as showrunner, the company announced today. The new series follows Daniel Rand as he fights against the criminal element corrupting New York City with his incredible kung-fu mastery. Marvel has already released the first seasons of Daredevil and Jessica Jones, Luke Cage premiering in 2016. All four heroes will then unite in the mini-series event “Marvel’s The Defenders.” (TW)
That Long-Awaited ‘Trainspotting’ Sequel Is Officially a Go, With the Original Cast Coming Back
Sony TriStar has just picked up the rights to the project, which will shoot next year. Original director Danny Boyle returns along with original cast members Ewan McGregor, Jonny Lee Miller, Ewen Bremner, and Robert Carlyle. Shooting will begin in the spring. The release is planned for some time in 2017, just missing the first film’s 20th anniversary. John Hodge, who adapted the original film from Irvine Welsh’s 1993 novel, also returns as screenwriter. (SF)
James Franco Adds More Impressive Names To the Cast Of His Tommy Wiseau Biopic
Jacki Weaver, Hannibal Buress, Ari Graynor and Andrew Santino have joined The Disaster Artist, a comedy from New Line that Franco will write, direct and star in the film, playing Wiseau, the cult figure who wrote, directed and starred in The Room. Franco’s brother Dave also stars in the film, as do Josh Hutcherson and Seth Rogen. Scott Neustadter and Micheal H. Weber also worked on the script. (VAR)
A Trans Woman Has a Take On ‘The Danish Girl’, and It’s Not At All Flattering
Columnist Carol Grant, already no fan of star Eddie Redmayne, calls Tom Hooper’s movie “regressive, reductive, harmful” and “embarrassing.” The timing of this film’s release could not have been more opportunistically lined up with not just the rise in transgender visibility in the media, but also the author’s very own life. (SB)
Trailer Buzz: ‘Jane’s Got a Gun’
Lionsgate has released the first look at the upcoming film, starring Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, Joel Edgerton, Noah Emmerich and Rodrigo Santoro. Directed by Gavin O’Connor, the movie will hit theaters next year. (COL)