AWARDS HEADLINES
The Academy Keeps Adding To Its List Of Impressive Presenters
The AMPAS has announced the second group of presenters for the 88th Academy Awards this month. They are Steve Carell, Priyanka Chopra, Quincy Jones, Byung-hun Lee, Jared Leto, Julianne Moore, Olivia Munn, Margot Robbie, Jason Segel, Andy Serkis, J.K. Simmons, Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon. It had previously been announced that Munn and Segel will host the Sci-Tech awards on the 13th. (AL)
In a Very Competitive Documentary Feature Race, There Are No Sure Bets
While it’s been a strong and crowded year for documentaries, the nonfiction Oscar race is just as unpredictable as this year’s narrative awards race. The consistently unpredictable Academy docu branch narrowed down 124 eligible features to a remarkably strong shortlist of 15 back in December. That batch was whittled down to five nominees — Amy, Cartel Land, The Look of Silence, What Happened, Miss Simone? and Winter on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom. (IC)
OTHER HEADLINES
Exec Shuffle For 2/1/16: Moves At Fox, IMAX Partnering with Discovery, Conde Nast Forms CNE Studios
Among other items, ComScore completes its acquisition of Rentrak, a pair of creators launch a new production shingle known as Talos Films, another startup known as Switchblade Entertainment also rolls out, as well as assorted comings, goings and promotions around town. Click on the link to read all about it. (SSN)
Big Things Afoot At 21st Century Fox, as Studio Looks to Save $250M in Voluntary Film, TV Staff Resignations
Studio is offering voluntary buyouts to U.S. staff at its film and TV networks units to reduce $250 million in costs during its new fiscal year that starts in July. Various entertainment conglomerates have in recent years cut costs amid changing industry dynamics, including Time Warner and Viacom. The buyout packages will offer enhanced benefit packages, with more cuts expected to come at the TV unit. The company didn’t disclose a target for the number of layoffs. (THR)
Did You Catch Louis C.K.’s New Super Secret Web Series? Because Now, Suddenly, You Can
His FX show Louie is currently in an extended hiatus, but C.K. has apparently been busy. Over the weekend, he dropped a new web series, Horace and Pete, with no warning. C.K. plays Horace and Steve Buscemi is Pete, and the two operate a run-down Brooklyn dive bar together. Also starring are Alan Alda, Jessica Lange, Edie Falco, Aidy Bryant, and more. C.K. first alerted his fans to the existence of Horace and Pete on Saturday via email. (SF)
Dick Wolf’s TV Dominance Will Continue For Another Half-Decade, as NBC Re-Ups His Deal Through 2020
Network is staying firmly in the Dick Wolf business, as it has renewed two of the prolific producer’s series, Law & Order: SVU and Chicago Med, and extended his overall deal, which continues one of the network’s longest-running and most fruitful relationships. In addition to the Chicago franchise, which also includes the already renewed Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D, Wolf created Law & Order. (LF)
Today In Remake News: CBS Green Lights Pilot For ‘Training Day’ Adaptation, With Antoine Fuqua Directing
Peacock network has given a pilot order to the show, a drama series reimagining of Fuqua’s acclaimed 2001 feature that starred Denzel Washington as a rogue narcotics detective and Ethan Hawke as his rookie cop partner. The project, which had a pilot production commitment, hails from Fuqua, writer Will Beall, Warner Bros. TV and studio-based Jerry Bruckheimer Television. (DH)
Captain Phasma Will Make a Return In ‘Star Wars: Episode VIII’, Which Means More Gwendoline Christie
Walking the red carpet at Saturday’s Screen Actors Guild Awards, Christie was asked by People magazine whether Phasma will be back for more threatening, chrome-armored antics in the film, and she confirmed that she will be. Rian Johnson is writing and directing the film, which has begun shooting and will hit theaters in December, 2017. (EMP)
DIRECTV Subscribers Will Get the First Crack At Seeing Ben Foster as Lance Armstrong In ‘The Program’
Broadcaster and Momentum Pictures announced their exclusive, February premiere of the film, from director Stephen Frears and starring Foster and Chris O’Dowd. The film, which made its world premiere in September at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival, is about disgraced cycling champion Armstrong’s doping scandal and downfall. Film will premiere on DIRECTV Cinema, one month before its March 18th specialty theatrical and VOD debut. (CS)
Trailer Buzz: ‘Archer’
FX has released the first trailer for the upcoming seventh season of the award-winning animated spy comedy. Fans of both this show and Magnum P.I. will be very happy to watch this, one of the funnier bits you’ll find on the web today. The new season premieres March 31st. (IW)