New Attachments
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Logline: The classic Jules Verne story about a scientist and his adventures in his submarine is retold.
Studio/Distributor(s): 20th Century Fox,
Production Company(s): Bad Hat Harry Productions
Producer(s): Bryan Singer, Jason Taylor
Writer(s): Rick Sordelet, Dan Studney
Director(s): Bryan Singer
Details: Based on the novel “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” written by Jules Verne and published in 1870.
SSN Insight: Singer directed the upcoming, X-Men: Apocalypse, slated for a May 27 release.
Fifty Shades Darker
Logline: Anastasia has broken off her relationship with the troubled Christian to pursue a new career in a Seattle publishing house.
Studio/Distributor(s): Universal Pictures
Production Company(s): Trigger Street Productions, Michael De Luca Productions
Producer(s): Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca, E.L. James
Writer(s): Niall Leonard
Director(s): James Foley
Cast: Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Kim Basinger
Details: Based on the book “Fifty Shades Darker,” the second book in the Fifty Shade trilogy, written by E.L. James and published by Vintage on April 17, 2012.Sequel to “Fifty Shades of Grey” (USA/2015) directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan.
SSN Insight: Sam Taylor-Johnson was previously attached to direct.
Final Score
Logline: Set during a major sporting event when the stadium is seized by a group of heavily armed criminals demanding ransom. An ex-soldier must save the 35,000 in the crowd — one of which is the daughter of his fallen comrade.
Production Company(s): Highland Film Group, Signature Entertainment, The Fyzz Facility
Director(s): Scott Mann
SSN Insight: Highland Film Group will EP and also handle international sales rights at the upcoming European Film Market. Signature is eyeing a 2017 release in the UK. Shooting will take place at London’s Upton Park Stadium.
Frank and Lola
Logline: On Halloween night, Frank, a chef at a restaurant, falls in love with Lola, a mysterious girl who’s new in town. The young couples’ passionate relationship is threatened when the woman’s past comes back to haunt them both.
Studio/Distributor(s): Universal Pictures
Production Company(s): Killer Films, Lola Pictures, Parts and Labor , Preferred Content
Producer(s): John Baker, Jay Van Hoy, Lars Knudsen, Christopher Ramirez
Writer(s): Matthew Ross
Director(s): Matthew Ross
Cast: Michael Shannon, Imogen Poots, Justin Long, Rosanna Arquette, Michael Nyqvist
SSN Insight: Previously in development with Paper Street Films. Olga Kurylenko was previously attached to star. Universal signed a deal for most of the world for a minimum guarantee north of $2 million for the feature during Sundance.
Gleason
Logline: New Orleans Saints defensive back Steve Gleason chronicles his journey after being diagnosed with ALS at age 34.
Studio/Distributor(s): Amazon, Open Road Films
Producer(s): Seth Gordon, Kimi Culp, Kevin Lake
Writer(s): J. Clay Tweel
Director(s): J. Clay Tweel
SSN Insight: Amazon acquired domestic distribution rights following the film’s premiere at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. Amazon will partner with Open Road Films for a domestic theatrical release.
Goat
Logline: Centers on a 19-year-old reeling from a terrifying assault who enrolls in the same college as his brother and pledges his fraternity. As the hazing escalates in the name of “brotherhood,” his loyalty to his real brother is tested.
Studio/Distributor(s): Paramount Home Video
Production Company(s): Killer Films, John Wells Productions, Rabbit Bandini Productions, Rough House Pictures
Producer(s): Christine Vachon, David Hinojosa, James Franco, Vince Jolivette, David Gordon Green
Writer(s): Andrew Neel, Mike Roberts, David Gordon Green
Director(s): Andrew Neel
Cast: Ben Schnetzer, Nick Jonas, Gus Halper, Daniel Flaherty, Virginia Gardner
Details: Based on the novel “Goat: A Memoir” written by Brad Land published by Random House; February 3, 2004.
SSN Insight: Paramount Home Video has bought worldwide rights to Goat during Sundance for an estimated $2.5 million. The film played in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at the fest.
Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You
Logline: This documentary explores the rise of Norman Lear, one of the most legendary television producers of all time. He brought provocative subjects, including poverty, war, and prejudice into millions of homes each week through comedic stories, proving that social change is possible through laughter.
Studio/Distributor(s): Music Box Films
Production Company(s): American Masters Productions, Loki Films, Jonathan D. Lewis Foundation
Producer(s): Suzanne Hillinger, Brent Miller
Writer(s): No Screenplay Available.
Director(s): Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady
SSN Insight: Music Box acquired domestic rights following the film’s premiere at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival.
Power Rangers
Logline: A group of teenagers who have been chosen to protect the world from aliens do it by morphing into superheroes and piloting giant robots.
Studio/Distributor(s): Lionsgate, Lionsgate
Production Company(s): Saban Brands LLC, Allison Shearmur Productions
Producer(s): Haim Saban, Brian Casentini, Allison Shearmur
Writer(s): Ashley Edward Miller, Zack Stentz
Director(s): Dean Israelite
Cast: Naomi Scott, Dacre Montgomery, Ludi Lin, RJ Cyler, Becky G., Elizabeth Banks
Details: Based on the live-action TV series “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” which originally aired on Fox Kids from August 28, 1993 through November 27, 1995.
SSN Insight: The franchise has been in production ever since with the series re-named each year. Roberto Orci previously attached to produce.
Rally Car
Logline: An American race car driver participates in a race in China.
Production Company(s): Company Films, Fundamental Films
Producer(s): Stephen Hamel, Keanu Reeves, Mark Gao, Gregory Ouanhon
Writer(s): Jeremy Lott
Director(s): Harald Zwart
Cast: Keanu Reeves
SSN Insight: Zwarts previous credits include The Karate Kid (2010) and The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.
Suburbicon
Logline: When there is a deathly home invasion in the quiet town of Suburbicon, a seemingly perfect family turns to blackmail, revenge and betrayal.
Studio/Distributor(s): Black Bear Pictures (Financier)
Production Company(s): Silver Pictures, Mike Zoss Productions, Smokehouse Pictures
Producer(s): Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, Joel Silver, George Clooney, Grant Heslov
Writer(s): Joel Coen, Ethan Coen
Director(s): George Clooney
Cast: George Clooney, Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, Josh Brolin
Details:
SSN Insight: Previously in development at Warner Bros. Bloom will handle international sales, which Black Bear Pictures will fully finance. Sales will begin at the Berlin Film Festival.
Swiss Army Man
Logline: A man stranded on an island discovers a dead body and, emboldened by his new “friend,” makes one last ditch effort to get home.
Studio/Distributor(s): A24
Production Company(s): Cold Iron Pictures , Blackbird Films
Producer(s): Jonathan Wang, Lawrence Inglee, Amanda Marshall, Miranda Bailey, Eyal Rimmon
Writer(s): Daniel Scheinert, Daniel Kwan
Director(s): Daniel Scheinert, Daniel Kwan
Cast: Paul Dano, Daniel Radcliffe, Mary Elizabeth Winstead
SSN Insight: Screenplay was included in 2014 Sundance Institute Screenwriters Lab. A24 acquired domestic rights following the film’s premiere at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival for an estimated low seven figures.
The Commuter
Logline: A businessman on his daily commute home unwittingly gets caught up in a criminal conspiracy, which threatens not only his life but the lives of those around him.
Studio/Distributor(s): Lionsgate
Production Company(s): StudioCanal, The Picture Company
Producer(s): Andrew Rona, Alex Heineman
Writer(s): Philip de Blasi, Byron Willinger
Director(s): Jaume Collet-Serra
Cast: Liam Neeson
SSN Insight: Olatunde Osunsanmi was previously attached to direct. Previously in development at Gold Circle with Julian Jarrold attached to direct. Previously in development at Boies/Schiller Film Group and Landscape.
The Eagle Huntress
Logline: Thirteen-year-old Ashol-Pan is a young eagle huntress in Mongolia, participating in a tradition usually limited to males.
Studio/Distributor(s): Sony Pictures Classics
Production Company(s): Kissaki Films
Producer(s): Stacey Reiss, Sharon Chang
Director(s): Otto Bell
Cast: Nurgaiv Rys, Alma Dalaykhan
Details: The documentary was inspired by the photography of Asher Svidensky, whose photos of Ashol-Pan went viral on the Internet in 2014.
SSN Insight: Sony Pictures Classics acquired domestic rights following the film’s premiere at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival for an estimated $2 million.
The Family
Logline: An examination of the infamous Manson Family murders through the eyes of graduate student Karlene Faith as she works with three young, brainwashed women who were part of the cult.
Production Company(s): Roxwell Films
Producer(s): Jeremy Rosen, Kevin Shulman
Writer(s): Guinevere Turner
Director(s): Mary Harron
Details: Based on the books “The Family: The Story of Charles Manson’s Dune Buggy Attack Battalion” written by Ed Sanders and published by Dutton in 1971 and “The Long Prison Journey of Leslie van Houten: Life Beyond the Cult” by Karlene Faith; published by Northeastern University Press May 10, 2001.
SSN Insight: Anonymous Content was previously attached to produce. Project was previously in development at Paramount Pictures.
The Hollars
Logline: John Hollar, an aspiring New York City artist, brings his girlfriend to his Middle America hometown on the eve of his mother’s brain surgery.
Studio/Distributor(s): Sony Pictures Classics
Production Company(s): Groundswell Productions, Sunday Night Productions, Sycamore Pictures
Producer(s): John Krasinski, Michael London, Tom Rice, Ben Nearn, Allyson Seeger
Writer(s): James C Strouse
Director(s): John Krasinski
Cast: John Krasinski, Anna Kendrick, Richard Jenkins, Margo Martindale, Sharlto Copley
SSN Insight: Red Crown Productions was previously attached to produce. Annette Bening had previously been mentioned to star. Chris Cooper was previously in discussions to star. SPC has acquired all rights in the US and Asia to the film in a deal made at Sundance.
The Lovers and the Despot
Logline: In 1970s South Korea, a celebrity director and his actress ex-wife are kidnapped by movie-obsessed dictator Kim Jong-il. Forced to make films in extraordinary circumstances, they also discover a second chance at love.
Studio/Distributor(s): Magnolia Pictures
Production Company(s): Tigerlily Productions
Producer(s): Nikki Parrott, Natasha Dack-Ojumu
Director(s): Rob Cannan, Ross Adam
SSN Insight: Magnolia Pictures has acquired worldwide rights to the film during Sundance.
The Tribes of Palos Verdes
Logline: A teenage girl grows closer to her troubled twin brother and takes up surfing in order to escape their unbalanced family and snobby friends in the exclusive Californian neighborhood of Palos Verdes.
Production Company(s): The Firm
Producer(s): Robbie Brenner, Karen Croner
Writer(s): Karen Croner
Director(s): Emmett Malloy, Brendan Malloy
Cast: Maika Monroe, Jennifer Garner, Stephen Moyer, Cody Fern, Elisabeth Röhm
SSN Insight: Peter Darley Miller was previously attached to direct. Project previously in development with Industry Entertainment and New Line Cinema. Project picked up in-turnaround from New Line Cinema.
Untitled Mary Magdalene Biopic
Logline: A portrait of Mary Magdalene, a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and one of the most enigmatic and misunderstood spiritual figures in history.
Studio/Distributor(s): Universal Pictures International
Production Company(s): See-Saw Films
Producer(s): Iain Canning, Emile Sherman
Writer(s): Helen Edmundson, Philippa Goslett
Director(s): Garth Davis
Cast: Rooney Mara (In Talks)
SSN Insight: Mara can currently be seen in her Oscar nominated role in Carol, in an upcoming untitled Terrence Malick film, and in the upcoming film Lion also directed by Garth Davis.
Welcome to Willits
Logline: Locals in the Northern California woods are being attacked by perceived supernatural threats, and when the situation escalates into carnage, a farmer struggles to defend his family.
Production Company(s): Real Horror Show Pictures
Writer(s): Tim Ryan
Director(s): Trevor Ryan
Cast: Bill Sage, Dolph Lundgren, Anastasia Baranova
Details: Based on the short film “Welcome to Willits: After Sundown” (USA/2013) directed by Trevor Ryan.
SSN Insight: Trevor Ryan makes his feature directorial debut with this film. Mark Webber and Teresa Palmer both starred in the Willits short and were originally set to reprise their roles are no longer attached due to scheduling conflicts.
New Projects
Beyond the Sun
Logline: A family adventure based on the Gospels.
Production Company(s): AMBI
Producer(s): Graciela Rodriguez, Gabriel Leybu, Andrea Iervolino, Monika Bacardi
Writer(s): Graciela Rodriguez
Cast: Pope Francis
SSN Insight: For the first time in film history, the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church will play himself in a feature. Reportedly, the pope asked the filmmakers to make a movie for children about the message of Jesus and talks led to his casting. All profits from the faith-based film will be donated to the charities, El Almendro and Los Hogares de Cristo.
Colette
Logline: French novelist Colette lives through two world wars to write “Gigi,” which is later adapted into an Oscar winning film.
Production Company(s): Killer Films, Number 9 Films, Bold Films
Producer(s): Pam Koffler, Christine Vachon, Elizabeth Karlsen, Stephen Woolley, Michel Litvak
Writer(s): Wash Westmoreland, Richard Glatzer
Director(s): Wash Westmoreland
Cast: Keira Knightley (in talks)
SSN Insight: Wash Westmoreland co-wrote the script with his late Still Alice collaborator Richard Glatzer.
Duck Duck Goose (Animated)
Logline: About a highflying bachelor who is saddled with two wide-eyed orphan ducklings as they come face-to-face with the dangers and beauty of the outside world.
Production Company(s): Original Force Animation
Director(s): Christopher Jenkins
Voice Cast: Jim Gaffigan and Carl Reiner, Lance Lim, Zendaya Coleman, Stephen Fry, Jennifer Grey, Molly Shannon, Greg Proops, Diedrich Bader, Rick Overton
SSN Insight: Gaffigan stars TV Land’s The Jim Gaffigan Show and can next be seen in the upcoming feature Drunk Parents and The Bleeder.
Ghost Stories
Logline: A professor of psychology’s skepticism is tested when his former mentor enlists him to help make sense of some disturbing, supernatural happenings.
Production Company(s): Warp Films
Producer(s): Claire Jones, Robin Gutch
Cast: Martin Freeman, George MacKay, Andy Nyman
Details: Based on the stage play “Ghost Stories,” written by Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman, which opened in Liverpool, England in February 2010.
SSN Insight: Principal photography is due to start in September. Altitude Films will handle sales on the thriller and will open sales at the Efm.
Logan Lucky
Logline: Heist film. Storyline under wraps.
Production Company(s): Gran Via Productions
Producer(s): Gregory Jacobs, Mark Johnson
Director(s): Steven Soderbergh
Cast: Channing Tatum, Michael Shannon
SSN Insight: The script is reportedly being pitched to studios this week, and looking to shoot in fall.
Magic Tree House
Logline: When brother and sister Jack and Annie find a collection of books in a tree house that transport them through history, they go on a quest to help King Arthur and save Camelot.
Studio/Distributor(s): Lionsgate
Writer(s): Will Osborne, Jenny Laird
Details: Based on the book “Christmas in Camelot” written by Mary Pope Osborne and published by Random House in 2001.
SSN Insight: Lionsgate acquired the rights to the “Magic Tree House” book series with plans to develop multiple live-action films for its Summit Entertainment label.
Official Secrets
Logline: A British intelligence officer turns whistleblower after learning about NSA espionage plans designed to ensure passage of a resolution of war against Iraq by the U.N. Security Council in 2003.
Production Company(s): Clear Pictures Entertainment, The Solution Entertainment Group
Producer(s): Elizabeth Fowler
Writer(s): Sara Bernstein, Gregory Bernstein
Director(s): Justin Chadwick
Cast: Paul Bettany, Natalie Dormer, Martin Freeman, Anthony Hopkins, Harrison Ford
Details: Based on the book “The Spy Who Tried to Stop a War: Katharine Gun and the Secret Plot to Sanction the Iraq Invasion,” written by Marcia Mitchell and Thomas Mitchell and published by Polipoint Press in 2008.
SSN Insight: The Solution Entertainment Group is handling financing and international sales and will open sales at EFM. UTA Independent Film Group packaged the project and will handle domestic rights.
Replica
Logline: Centers on Lyra, known by the number 24, a replica – human model – who was born, raised and observed in a clandestine research facility called the Haven Institute. When Lyra escapes from Haven and meets Gemma, a stranger on a quest of her own, earth-shattering secrets are revealed.
Production Company(s): Awesomeness Films
Details: Based on the book, Replica, written by Lauren Oliver and the first of a two-book series. The book will be published October 4 by HarperCollins.
SSN Insight: Awesomeness Films, the movie division of multichannel platform AwesomenessTV. Awesomeness Films’ Shovel Buddies will screen at SXSW next month.
Revival
Logline: After his wife and child are killed, a charismatic preacher loses his faith and becomes a God-like faith healer using dangerous methods of healing.
Production Company(s): Michael De Luca Productions
Producer(s): Michael De Luca
Writer(s): Josh Boone
Director(s): Josh Boone
Details: Based on the novel “Revival” written by Stephen King and published by Scribner in 2014.
SSN Insight: Boone previously directed The Fault In Our Stars. He wrote the script o this film on spec.
Saint Judy
Logline: Centers on Judy Wood, an immigration attorney based in Los Angeles, who argued what became a landmark case in changing the laws of asylum for women into the U.S.
Production Company(s): Cannonball Productions
Producer(s): Paul Biery, Sean Hanish
Writer(s): Dmitry Portnoy
Director(s): Sean Hanish
Details: Based on the true story of Judy Wood.
SSN Insight: Reported to be financed with pre-sales and gap financing through Cannonball Productions, which secured Wood’s life rights. The budget is estimated at between three to five million dollars.
The Big Fix
Logline: This film based on the soccer match-fixing scandal, focuses on the fixer, the man who helped uncover the scandal, and the player who must choose between his honor and his family’s safety.
Studio/Distributor(s): 20th Century Fox
Production Company(s): Chernin Entertainment
Producer(s): Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping
Director(s): Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah
Details: Based on the article “All the World is Staged” written by Brett Forrest and published in ESPN Magazine on May 14, 2012.
SSN Insight: The directors were born in Brussels and directed Black which premiered at TIFF.
The Book
Logline: This romantic comedy is set in the publishing world.
Writer(s): Delia Ephron
Director(s): Meg Ryan
SSN Insight: Meg Ryan recently signed with Gersh for full representation and just completed her feature film directorial effort, Ithaca, starring Sam Shepard and Tom Hanks.
The Fixer
Logline: A former beauty queen becomes a high powered sports agent.
Studio/Distributor(s): Fox 2000
Production Company(s): Goldmann Pictures, Echo Films, Barnyard Media
Producer(s): Jennifer Aniston, Kristin Hahn, Steve Barnett, Bernie Goldmann
Writer(s): Melisa Wallack
Cast: Jennifer Aniston
Details: Based on the Men’s Journal article “The Woman Who Bails Out The NFL’s Bad Boys” by Paul Solotaroff which appeared in the December 2014 issue.
SSN Insight: Wallack previously wrote the screenplay for Dallas Buyers Club.
The Marriott Cell
Logline: Based on the true story centering on the three innocent Al Jazeera journalists who were imprisoned for 400 days in Egypt’s Scorpion prison.
Production Company(s): The Development Partnership
Producer(s): Amr Waked
Writer(s): Michael Bronner
Details: Based on the memoir written by Mohamed Fahmy, one of the journalists held captive. The book will be published by Penguin Random House Canada in October.
SSN Insight: Penguin Random House Canada has also acquired world rights to the book. The Development Partnership is the producing arm of UK talent agency, The Artists Partnership that reps Waked, Idris Elba, Emily Blunt and Jack Huston.
The Nobistor Affair
Logline: Based upon the epic and captivating first-hand account of Vietnam veteran Tim Carmody, who along with seven others was recruited by the U.S. government for a top-secret mission to aid in the coup d’état of the Ghana government that ultimately went horribly wrong.
Production Company(s): Truth Entertainment, 77 Films, No / Ego Films
Producer(s): Joe Newcomb, Richard Van Meter, Jay Thames
Writer(s): David Marconi
Details: Based on the true life story of Vietnam veteran Tim Carmody.
SSN Insight: David Marconi previously wrote Enemy Of The State. Principal photography is scheduled to begin in late 2016 and the film is slated to release in fall 2017.
Three Little Stooges
Logline: 12-year-olds portray the Three Stooges.
Production Company(s): C3 Entertainment
Producer(s): Pablo Velez
Writer(s): Harris Goldberg
Director(s): Harris Goldberg
Details: Based on the comedic team, The Three Stooges.
SSN Insight: The story is for family audiences with the intentions of building a franchise. C3 Entertainment owns the Three Stooges brand and worked with Fox on 2012’s Stooges film. ARC Entertainment will handle North American distribution rights, and The Exchange is handling sales starting at EFM.
Untitled Bluegrass/Dads Comedy Project
Logline: When a member of a group of happily overweight dads has a heart attack, the wake-up call forces them to change their hard-drinking and over-eating lifestyle.
Studio/Distributor(s): Universal Pictures
Production Company(s): Bluegrass Films
Producer(s): Scott Stuber, Dylan Clark
Writer(s): Wellesley Wild, Kevin Biggins, Mike Desilets
SSN Insight: Bluegrass is currently in postproduction on The Free State Of Jones and Central Intelligence.
Untitled Neil Purvis/Robert Wade Action Project
Logline: Storyline is under wraps.
Production Company(s): Space Rocket Nation
Producer(s): Nicolas Winding Refn, Lene Børglum
Writer(s): Neil Purvis, Robert Wade
Director(s): Nicolas Winding Refn
SSN Insight: Details are scares, but the film will have an Asian setting with both thriller and action elements. Refn previously directed the feature, Drive.
Woman Walks Ahead
Logline: 19th-century artist and activist Caroline Weldon moved to the Standing Rock Reservation in Dakota Territory to help Sioux chieftain Sitting Bull fight to keep the land for his people.
Production Company(s): Bedford Falls Company, Black Bicycle Entertainment
Producer(s): Edward Zwick, Marshall Herskovitz, Richard Solomon, Erika Olde
Writer(s): Steven Knight
Director(s): Susanna White
Cast: Jessica Chastain
SSN Insight: The project that has been around for at least ten years and previously had Tom attached to direct.
Z
Logline: A new story about Zorro, the masked outlaw who defends the poor and/or indigenous peoples of the land against tyrannical officials.
Production Company(s): Lantica Media, Sobini Films
Writer(s): Jonás Cuarón
Director(s): Jonás Cuarón
Details: Based on the fictional character Zorro created in 1919 by New York–based pulp writer Johnston McCulley.
SSN Insight: Jonás Cuarón wrote Gravity and wrote and directed the TIFF film Desierto. Principal photography is set to start in the summer at Pinewood Dominican Republic Studios. Lantica will finance, and Pantelion Films will handle international sales to open sales at EFM.