AWARDS HEADLINES
In Case You Were Wondering, Here’s a Look Back At This Year’s Acting Nominees’s First Onscreen Roles
Five actors — Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revenant), Matt Damon (The Martian), Eddie Redmayne (The Danish Girl), Michael Fassbender (Steve Jobs) and Bryan Cranston (Trumbo) — are vying for the best actor prize at this year’s Oscars. But before landing the prestigious nomination, where did each actor get his start on the big screen? Hit rewind for a closer look at the burgeoning careers of this year’s Oscar best actor contenders. (HRA)
Snubbed: 20 Classic Films That Were Not Actually Nominated For Best Picture
This year, like any other, has seen great films left out in the cold when it comes to the Academy’s top prize — most notably Todd Haynes’ Carol, which failed to make the Best Picture line-up despite six nominations in other categories, the same as or more than all but three of the films actually up for Best Picture. And that’s obviously just the tip of the iceberg in terms of movies that didn’t make the cut. (TP)
OTHER HEADLINES
Film Development for 2/25/16: Michael B. Jordan to Play Thomas Crown, Amazon Snags Woody Allen Pic, Emily Blunt Circling ‘Mary Poppins’
In other news, Ava DuVernay signs on to helm A Wrinkle In Time, Baby Driver fills out its cast, Jordan Peele’s next opus fills out, and lots more, so click on the link to read on. (SSN)
Jason Bateman Returns To TV, as Netflix Picks Up His New Series From MRC
Ozark, the drama series starring, executive produced and directed by Bateman, has landed at the streaming giant. MRC and Aggregate are producing the project, which was taken out last fall and has been in negotiations at Netflix for about two months. Created by writer Bill Dubuque, show takes place in the dark and dangerous world of drug-money laundering. The series takes its name from the location where it is set, The Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. (DH)
Marvel Finds Its Iron Fist! ‘Game Of Thrones’ Star To Lead Upcoming Netflix Series
Finn Jones has been cast as the lead in the upcoming drama series at the streaming giant. Jones — who stars as Ser Loras Tyrell in the HBO fantasy drama — will play the title role of Daniel Rand, aka Iron Fist. Story centers on Rand, who fights against the criminal elements corrupting New York with his kung fu skills and ability to summon the power of the fiery Iron Fist. Dexter’s Scott Buck is on board to serve as showrunner. (LF)
Carmen Ejogo & Jussie Smollett Join Cast of Ridley Scott’s ‘Alien: Covenant’
The upcoming sci-fi sequel to Prometheus/prequel to Alien to be directed by Ridley Scott, stars Katherine Waterston, Michael Fassbender, Demián Bichir and Danny McBride. It will take place roughly ten years after the end of that 2012 film. Smollett, Ejogo, Amy Seimetz and Callie Hernandez have joined the cast, although no word on what roles each of them will play in the movie. (SAA)
Jessica Chastain, Queen Latifah and More Launch Non-Profit Production Company to Tackle Gender Gap
A number of influential Hollywood players — including Jessica, Latifah and Catherine Hardwicke — have teamed up to form We Do It Together (WDIT), a non-profit production company. The aptly named collective was created to finance and produce films, documentaries, TV and other media working towards the goal of empowering women. (WAH)
Disney’s Maker Studios Funding Original Series From Digital Creators
Short-form digital studio owned by Disney is opening its wallet to produce original entertainment programming — from talent both within and outside its network of 60,000 creators. Under the new Maker Studios Spark program, the company invited creators to pitch original concepts. From those submissions, Maker picked the most promising concepts and is producing them as series or cross-platform franchises. (VAR)
Showtime Orders Pilot for Jason Katims’s Anthology Dating Comedy Mating
Cable net has placed a cast-contingent pilot order for the Friday Night Lights EP’s show, a comedy series that, despite the name, is about love and dating in addition to straight-up raw copulation. Written by The Americans’ Stu Zicherman, show will “explore modern dating and relationships, with each potential season exploring a different protagonist’s journey,” and initially focus on “a recently divorced guy who tries to evolve and connect one date at a time.” (VUL)
Trailer Buzz: ‘Daredevil’
Marvel and Netflix have released the newest look at the upcoming second season of the hit comic series adaptation, starring Charlie Cox, Elden Henson, Rosario Dawson, Deborah Ann Woll, Scott Glenn, Elodie Yung and Jon Bernthal. The new season premieres on March 18th. (EMP)