Disney, Viacom, AMC, Time Warner Speak Out Against Georgia’s Anti-Gay Bill, Threaten State Boycott
Disney and its Marvel Studios film unit will not shoot future movies in Georgia if a controversial bill that critics contend would legalize anti-gay discrimination is signed by that state’s governor. Viacom as well as the AMC Networks, which films The Walking Dead in the state, has called on Gov. Nathan Deal to veto the legislation. Time Warner joined the protest this morning. (THR)
In the Wake Of Ken Howard’s Death, SAG-AFTRA Board Likely To Move Fast To Fill His Post
Suddenly, the Hollywood union finds itself in a unique situation relating to his successor. Being that Howard was the first and only elected president of the merged union, the question of who will formally take over the top spot will be answered via a series of stages. That process could see the union appoint an interim president within less than a month. Currently, EVP Gabrielle Carteris has stepped in as acting president, while also keeping her own job duties. (DH)
Courtroom Shocker: ‘Midnight Special’ Director Randall Miller Freed From Jail a Year Early
Miller has been released from a Georgia jail after serving just over half of his two-year sentence for his involvement in the 2014 death of crew member Sarah Jones. Miller was freed yesterday following a hearing in which prosecutors agreed Miller’s good behavior had earned him early release. He pled guilty last year to involuntary manslaughter and criminal trespass after Jones, 27, was fatally struck by a train during filming of the Gregg Allman biopic. (EW)
Good News For ‘Scrotal Recall’ Fans, as Netflix Gives British Comedy a Second Season
Streaming giant has commissioned a second season of the show. The British series’ odd title shocked subscribers when it arrived on Netflix last spring, but those who watched it discovered the name hid a sweet, wistful rom-com. Though the series originally aired on Channel 4, Netflix’s deal with the BBC means its eight-episode second season will premiere globally on the streaming service. (VUL)
More Netflix News: Emma Stone, Jonah Hill TV Series From Cary Fukunaga Lands There
Days after it hit the marketplace, streaming giant has snapped up Maniac, the dark comedy TV series starring Stone and Hill. Produced by Paramount Television and directed by Emmy winner Fukunaga, project is based on 2014 Norwegian comedy series. A search for a writer is underway, with Stone and Hill set to star and Fukunaga set to direct every episode. (LF)
The ‘Battle Of the Sexes’ Movie With Emma Stone and Steve Carell Brings More Comedy On Board
Sarah Silverman has joined the Fox Searchlight flick, alongside Elisabeth Shue and Andrea Riseborough, with Little Miss Sunshine filmmakers Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris directing from a script by Simon Beaufoy. Danny Boyle is producing with Christian Colson. Silverman will play Gladys Heldman, the founder of World Tennis magazine. (VAR)
Amazon’s New Take On ‘The Tick’ Has Found Its Hero
Comedian Peter Serafinowicz will play the title role in the show, joining Griffin Newman as The Tick’s sidekick Arthur, who’s been labeled a schizophrenic when nobody else believes evil is planning on taking over the city. Valorie Curry plays Arthur’s sister Dot, who worries for him. The series will see The Tick re-donning his famous blue suit to fight evil after recovering from memory loss. Wally Pfister helms the pilot episode. (COL)
Guillermo Del Toro’s Cold War Thriller Just Added a Touch of Class To Its Cast
Michael Stuhlbarg has signed up for the film, said to be “a mysterious and magical journey set against the backdrop of Cold War-era America circa 1963 with an otherworldly love story at the center of it.” Sally Hawkins and Octavia Spencer are already on board the project, which starts shooting in August. (SF)
Trailer Buzz: ‘Special Correspondents’
Netflix has dropped the first trailer for the upcoming comedy from director-star Ricky Gervais. Also starring Eric Bana, Vera Farmiga, Kelly MacDonald and America Ferrara, it premieres on the streaming giant on April 29th. (IW)
Screenwriters: Coloring Scenes — Writing To Engage The Reader
It’s all in the writing. After all the structuring is done, the scenes themselves have to entertain. Most often, when one reads a script, one thinks to oneself, “It needs color.” Color the characters; color the scenes; color the dialogue. It’s all in the writing. (SM)