Philippe Dauman Replaces Sumner Redstone As Viacom Executive Chairman
Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman will replace Sumner Redstone as the company’s executive chairman, the latest in a string of revelations that demonstrate how Redstone’s media empire will be governed. (VAR)
Steven Soderbergh May End Retirement For Channing Tatum Heist Movie
Varying reports have Soderbergh returning to feature films with a caper film starring Channing Tatum and Glen Basner producing. The buzz around Hollywood has major studios clamoring to get a hold of the script, which will reportedly be shopped around later this week. (SR)
Bryan Singer Eyeing Fall Start for ‘20,000 Leagues Under The Sea’ Movie
Bryan Singer previously revealed that a new big-screen take on Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea would be his next film, and now we know that he’s planning on starting production this fall. (CS)
Lionsgate “Intends to Explore” Starz Deal
Lionsgate “intend to have discussions with [Starz], its affiliates, and other persons about potential combinations,” according to a regulatory filing. (THR)
‘The Wilding’ Pilot Not Going Forward At USA
USA Network has opted not to proceed with The Wilding, its two-hour supernatural drama pilot from executive producers Tim Kring, writer-creator Silka Luisa and Universal Cable Prods. (DH)
The ‘Taken’ Prequel TV Series Hires A Director With A Particular Set Of Skills
Alex Graves will direct and executive produce the Taken pilot, joining writer and executive producer Alex Cary and executive producer Luc Besson, who directed the first film and co-wrote and produced its sequels. (SF)
Goodbye ‘Manhattan’, The Historical Drama That Never Took Off
Manhattan, one of WGN America’s first scripted series, has ended. The show, which presented a fictionalized history of America’s attempts to build an atomic bomb in Los Alamos, New Mexico, during World War II, has been cancelled after its second season. (VUL)
Matt LeBlanc Joins ‘Top Gear’
Matt LeBlanc is joining British TV and radio personality Chris Evans as a presenter on the flagship BBC series when it returns in May. (TVL)
Screenwriters: Conversations With Screenwriting Agents