AWARDS HEADLINES
Awards 2016: He Said/She Said: The Ultimate Oscar 2016 Prediction Showdown
SSN editors Dina Gachman and Neil “I love The Martian” Turitz have been battling it out since last fall, arguing about the winners, the should-be nominees, and the merits of awards season films from Room to The Revenant. With the Oscars right around the corner, they have the scoop on who should (and could) win come the big night. This is your last shot at reading their charming back and forth for a while, so you might want to give it a read. (SSN)
Wondering About All the Previous Best Picture Winners? Here, For You, Is a Helpful Guide To Them
From the very first winner, Wings, in 1929, through Gone With the Wind and Lawrence of Arabia and all the way to Birdman, here is the definitive list of all the films that took home the most coveted Academy Award dating back to the very first Oscars ceremony. (HRA)
OTHER HEADLINES
Forget That Long-Discussed Sequel That’s Never Happening, Sony Is Turning ‘Salt’ Into a TV Series
Studio is in development on a television series remake of the spy hit, which Angelina Jolie headlined in 2010. They are currently pitching the potential TV series to broadcasters and co-production partners at the European Film Market in Berlin. The original film, which grossed over $293 million worldwide, starred Angelina Jolie as a CIA officer who goes on the run in an attempt to prove her innocence after being accused of being a Russian spy. (CS)
Comedian Hannibal Buress Keeps Getting More Movie Work, Will Co-Star Alongside Dwayne Johnson In ‘Baywatch’
The actor-comedian won’t be part of the lifeguard squad, but he’ll be adding laughs in the form of one of the locals in the bay community. Johnson and Zac Efron star in the upcoming adaptation of the hit 90s TV series, which also stars Alexandria Daddario, Priyanka Chopra, Ilfenesh Hadera and model Kelly Rohrbach. Seth Gordon is directing the film, which hits theaters in 2017. (SF)
Today In Reboot Mania: How Movies and Past TV Shows Are Taking Over Pilot Season
In an effort to attract viewers in the “too much TV” era, networks have been scrambling for appealing projects, sparking another year of reboot mania. Television and movie revivals have taken over the past couple of pilot seasons, as broadcasters are turning to familiar titles and brand recognition, in hopes of luring in big audiences amidst the highly competitive television landscape. (VAR)
Neema Barnette Joins OWN Drama Series ‘Queen Sugar’ As Director & Producer
Written, directed and executive produced by Ava Duvernay, the contemporary series is adapted from first-time novelist Natalie Baszile. It centers on Nova Bordelon, a formidable journalist and activist based in New Orleans. Her life, and that of her brother and their extended family, undergoes significant change when her sister, Charley, returns to Louisiana from Los Angeles to help run the family sugarcane farm. Oprah Winfrey will have a recurring role on the show. (DH)
Is Hollywood Going To Misinterpret The Success of ‘Deadpool’? The ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Director Thinks So
James Gunn has responded to the success of Fox’s hit comic books movie, warning that studios might be about to take the wrong lessons from the success of the R-rated superhero comedy. Gunn took to Facebook to share his thoughts on what the film’s massive first weekend might mean for the superhero movie genre’s future. (THR)
Did ‘Deadpool’ Director Tim Miller Leak the Test Footage That Launched a Franchise?
Sometimes, in order to get things done in Hollywood, a person has to take drastic measures. In the case of Deadpool, the superhero movie that just had a record-breaking opening weekend, it was the leak of early test footage that spurred a reluctant studio into making the film after years of indecision. And while the person responsible for the leak has never been officially outed, it now seems it might have been the film’s director, Tim Miller. (HV)
Trailer Buzz, Part One: ‘Midnight Special’
Warner Bros. has released the newest look at the upcoming sci-fi thriller starring Michael Shannon, oel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, Adam Driver, Jaeden Lieberher and Sam Shepard. Written and directed by Jeff Nichols, it opens in theaters March 18th. (YT)
Trailer Buzz, Part Two: ‘Born To Be Blue’
IFC has dropped the first look at its Chet Baker biopic, starring Ethan Hawke as legendary jazz trumpeter Chet Baker. Carmen Ejogo also stars in the film, written and directed by Robert Budreau, which hits theaters March 25th. (VUL)