Film Development for 3/24/16: Netflix Invests $90M in Will Smith Starrer ‘Bright’, Margot Robbie to Play Tonya Harding, Paul McCartney Boards ‘Pirates’ Sequel
Other film development news includes, XLrator acquiring Mike Nicoll’s basketball documentary, Sarah Silverman to star in Fox Searchlight/ Dayton & Faris comedy Battle of the Sexes and a remake of Jacob’s Ladder in the works. (SSN)
Kevin James To Star In Inspirational Football Drama ’44’ for Alcon, Warner Bros.
The film is based on the true story of Joey Williams, a 44-year-old father of four from Tennessee who returned to college to complete his degree and fulfill a lifelong dream of playing collegiate football. (THR)
Garry Shandling, Who Changed TV Comedy With ‘The Larry Sanders Show,’ Passes Away
Garry Shandling, an actor whose deadpan wit and dry delivery made him a comedic force for decades, passed away today after a “medical emergency,” at the age of 66. (IW)
Rob Zombie’s Horror-Thriller ’31’ Bought By Saban
Saban Films is acquiring North American distribution rights to Rob Zombie’s horror thriller 31. The film, premiered in January at the Sundance Film Festival. (VAR)
Bravo Orders Con-Artist Dark Comedy ‘My So Called Wife’ To Series
The NBCUniversal-owned cable network has given a series order to the dark comedy My So Called Wife. (THR)
CBS, ‘Y&R’ Lead Daytime Emmy Nods; Ceremony Won’t Be Televised
While CBS and The Young and the Restless led the list of networks and programs up for 2016 Daytime Emmy awards — with 77 and 27 nods respectively — the announcement was tempered by the news that the ceremony will not be televised. (TVL)
Roadside Attractions To Release James Schamus’ ‘Indignation;’ Pic Bows July 29
Lionsgate’s Summit Entertainment, which paid upward of $2.5 million for North American rights to former Focus Features head James Schamus’ directorial debut Indignation, has set the picture for release on July 29 with Roadside Attractions. (DH)
Ben Silverman, Will.i.am Producing Unscripted Series For Apple
The company has teamed up with executive producers Ben Silverman, musician Will.i.am and Howard Owens’ Propagate for an unscripted series about the Apple app ecosystem. (BILL)
TRAILER BUZZ: ‘War Dogs’
Warner Bros. has released the first trailer for The Hangover filmmaker Todd Phillips’ comedic drama War Dogs, starring Jonah Hill and Miles Teller. (COLL)