AWARDS HEADLINES
Awards 2016: ‘Sicario’ Director Denis Villeneuve Talks Shooting with Night Vision Cameras Alongside a Former Navy SEAL
At first glance, a French-Canadian filmmaker directing a tale about the US/Mexico drug trade may seem like an odd right fit, but the morality theme behind Denis Villeneuve’s latest feature film, Sicario, is exactly in the director’s wheelhouse. In the film, those involved in the drug war are either questioning their moral responsibility or completely disregarding it. (SSN)
As 2015 Comes To a Close, and Ten Days Before Voting Closes, Here Are the Current Oscar Standings
Based on personal impressions, publicly available information, historical considerations, precursor awards and conversations with industry insiders, one respected analyst throws down where everyone and everything stands, as the clock ticks closer to the January 14th announcement of nominees. (TR)
Looking To Read Some Of the Year’s Best Scripts? Now Is Your Big Chance
Screenplays as diverse as Inside Out, Carol, Ex Machina and The End of the Tour are now available for downloading, which means you have a chance to read several different scripts that have either a good shot or a great shot at actually scoring an Oscar nomination this year. (IW)
OTHER HEADLINES
TV Development for 12/29/15: ‘Top Gear’ Gets a Retool, BBC Greenlights ‘Howard’s End’, Sonar Developing ‘Florida Roadkill’
As we enter the final week of 2015, there are still projects moving forward, attachments being announced, and the standard fare, including a bunch of new shows for Amazon Studios, like something interesting being called Danger & Eggs. Click on the link to get the full deal. (SSN)
‘Glee’ Regular Mark Salling Arrested On Child Porn Charges
The former star of the Fox series has been arrested for possession of child pornography. Los Angeles police department officials say the arrest was made after a warrant was obtained to search the 32-year-old actor’s residence in Sunland. (DH)
Dimension Films Loses the Rights To the ‘Halloween’ Franchise, Latest Iteration Cancelled
Halloween Returns was supposed to shoot over the summer, but didn’t. Now, it won’t happen at all, as the company begun by Bob Weinstein as a genre outlet alongside parent company Miramax has lost the rights entirely, with the Disney-owned Miramax retaining the rights and now looking for a new partner in the franchise. (SF)
AMBI Group Guns Its Engines On a New Biopic Of Ferruccio Lamborghini
The movie development, finance, production and distribution group owned and run by Andrea Iervolino and Lady Monika Bacardi plans to shoot the film this summer in Italy as well as other locations around the world that played a role in shaping the legend of the Italian businessman. The film has a working title of Lamborghini – The Legend. No word on a writer or director, or any talent attached. (CS)
Yet Another Box Office Record For ‘Star Wars’: Fastest To $100 Million On IMAX Screens
Walt Disney release now has a global take to date at $106 million, and without a China release. That beats Jurassic World, which took 18 days to reach $100 million in global box office with a day and date China release. Star Wars: The Force Awakens grossed $27.2 million at the worldwide box office this past weekend, with $18.6 million having come from 391 Imax screens domestically, and another $8.6 million from 282 Imax screens globally. (THR)
Have You Stopped To Think About Your Favorite Movie Trailers Of the Year? Because Here’s a Pretty Definitive List
Everybody loves movie trailers. It used to be you’d get to the theater early so you could be sure not to miss the previews, but nowadays the theatrical showcase of a trailer is most likely the second time (at least) you’ve seen said trailer. Here, the 15 best have been singled out. (COL)