New Attachments
31
Logline: Five carnival workers who are kidnapped the night before Halloween try to survive a terrifying game called “31” in which murderous maniacs dressed as clowns are hunting them.
Studio/Distributor(s): Saban Films
Production Company(s): Spectacle Entertainment Group, Protagonist Pictures, Bow & Arrow Entertainment
Producer(s): Rob Zombie, Andy Gould, Edward Vaisman, Michael Sherman, Matthew Perniciaro
Writer(s): Rob Zombie
Director(s): Rob Zombie
Cast: Sheri Moon Zombie, Jeffrey Daniel Phillips, Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs, Meg Foster, Kevin Jackson
SSN Insight: Rob Zombie completed a 90-day crowdfunding campaign to help finance the project. The film is the first installment of a planned franchise.
A Futile and Stupid Gesture
Logline: The tragic story of Doug Kenney, co-founder and editor of the National Lampoon magazine and a major force in 1970s comedy, who tragically died at a young age.
Studio/Distributor(s): ,
Production Company(s): Principato-Young Entertainment, Darko Entertainment, Abominable Pictures
Producer(s): Peter Principato, Jonathan Stern
Writer(s): Michael Colton, John Aboud
Director(s): David Wain
Cast: Will Forte, Martin Mull
Details: Based on the book “A Stupid and Futile Gesture” written by Josh Karp and published by Chicago Review Press in 2006.
SSN Insight: Mull will next be seen in the new season of HBO’s Veep. He most recently co-starred on Seth MacFarlane’s Fox sitcom Dads.
A Little Mermaid
Logline: A young orphan finds a beautiful creature she believes to be the real “Little Mermaid,” and turns for guidance to a unique woman who has intimate knowledge of the story.
Production Company(s): MVP Studios
Producer(s): Robert Molloy, Armando Gutierrez
Writer(s): Blake Harris
Director(s): Chris Bouchard
Cast: Shirley MacLaine, Poppy Drayton, Loreto Peralta, Diahann Carroll, William Moseley, Diahann Carroll, William Forsythe, Gina Gershon
Details: Based on the fairy tale “The Little Mermaid” written by Hans Christian Andersen and originally published in Denmark by C. A. Reitzel in April 1837.
SSN Insight: This is the first project for MVP Studios founded by Robert Molloy and the film will be released next year.
Boned
Logline: The film follows Samantha, an L.A. actress/dogwalker whose profession suddenly unravels. Samantha learns her roommate is shot by a crazed dognapper. Even worse, Samantha must recover a Maltese that’s been dognapped by a complex, lunatic dominatrix.
Studio/Distributor(s): Gravitas Ventures
Production Company(s): Badlands Features
Producer(s): Angela Landis, Joe Siraki, Kirk Roos
Writer(s): Laura Lee Bahr
Director(s): Laura Lee Bahr
Cast: Angela Landis, Robyn Cohen, Bai Ling, Josh Randall
SSN Insight: Gravitas Ventures has acquired U.S. rights to Laura Lee Bahr’s Toronto Independent Film Fest winner Boned.
Downsizing
Logline: An Omaha man seeks a better life by undergoing a process to shrink himself and moves to a community of miniaturized people.
Studio/Distributor(s): Paramount Pictures
Production Company(s): Gran Via Productions, Ad Hominem Enterprises, Groundswell Productions
Producer(s): Jim Burke, Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor, Mark Johnson
Writer(s): Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor
Director(s): Alexander Payne
Cast: Matt Damon, Kristen Wiig, Alec Baldwin, Neil Patrick Harris, Jason Sudeikis
SSN Insight: Project was previously set up at Fox. Sacha Baron Cohen was previously attached to co-star. Paul Giamatti was previously attached to co-star.
For the Love of George
Logline: Follows the plight of a jilted British wife who comes to Los Angeles after discovering her husband cheating on her, with the fantasy of meeting her ultimate dream man: George Clooney. Through a series of adventures and near-misses, she comes to learn that her destiny is in herself — not in any man, no matter how seemingly perfect.
Writer(s): Nadia Jordan, Hayley Nolan
Director(s): Maria Burton
Cast: Tate Donovan, Kristen Johnston, Rosanna Arquette, Nadia Jordan, Rex Lee, Shaun Sipos
SSN Insight: A portion of the proceeds will go to Not on Our Watch, the global human rights charity begun by Clooney, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, David Pressman and Jerry Weintraub.
Horse Soldiers
Logline: Based on true events of the first US cavalry charge in the 21 century taking place in Afgahanistan against the Taliban.
Studio/Distributor(s): Lionsgate
Production Company(s): Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Black Label Media
Producer(s): Jerry Bruckheimer, Molly Smith, Trent Luckinbill, Thad Luckinbill
Writer(s): Peter Craig, Ted Tally
Director(s): Nicolai Fuglsig
Details: Based on the book “Horse Soldiers” written by Doug Stanton and published by Simon & Schuster on May, 5, 2009.
SSN Insight: Project was previously in development at Columbia Pictures, which optioned it as a book proposal by author Doug Stanton in 2002. The book was to compliment a treatment by James Cromwell and Gershon Weltman, a defense industry specialist.
Intouchables
Logline: An unlikely friendship develops between a quadriplegic aristocrat and an ex-con who becomes his caregiver.
Studio/Distributor(s): The Weinstein Company
Production Company(s): Gaumont, Quad Films
Producer(s): Harvey Weinstein, Nicolas Duval-Adassovsky
Writer(s): Paul Feig, Jon Hartmere, Tom Shadyac
Cast: Bryan Cranston (in talks), Kevin Hart (in talks)
Details: Remake of “Untouchable” (France/2011) directed by Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano.
SSN Insight: Paul Feig previously attached to direct and wrote a previous draft of the script. Chris Tucker was previously attached to star.
Krystal
Logline: A young man living a sheltered life develops a crush on a stripper and joins her Alcoholics Anonymous group just so he can be in the same room with her.
Production Company(s): Pantry Films
Producer(s): Rachel Winter, Dan Keston
Writer(s): Will Aldis
Director(s): William H. Macy
Cast: William H. Macy, Grant Gustin, Rosario Dawson, Nick Robinson, Joe Manganiello, Grant Gustin
SSN Insight: This is Gustin’s first feature since his breakout role as the title character in the hit CW series The Flash.
Man-Witch
Logline: About a schoolteacher who abruptly discovers he’s got witchlike powers. A coven of real witches takes him in, promptly sending him to “witch school,” where he is the lone adult, surrounded by little girl witches-in-training.
Studio/Distributor(s): Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Company(s): Original Film, That’s Wonderful Productions
Producer(s): Neal H. Moritz, Toby Jaffe, Jim Parsons
Writer(s): Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi, Jay Reiss, Josh Stolberg, Bob Florsheim
Cast: Jim Parsons
SSN Insight: Jack Black was previously attached to star. Zach Galifianakis was previously mentioned to star. Todd Phillips was previously attached to direct.
My Cousin Rachel (Remake)
Logline: An orphan believes his cousin Rachel is responsible for the murder of his beloved guardian and plots his revenge, but finds his feelings being complicated as he falls under her spell.
Studio/Distributor(s): Fox Searchlight Pictures,
Production Company(s):
Producer(s):
Writer(s): Roger Michell
Director(s): Roger Michell
Cast: Rachel Weisz, Sam Claflin, Holliday Grainger, Iain Glen
Details: Based on the novel “My Cousin Rachel” written by Daphne Du Maurier and published by Doubleday in 1951.
SSN Insight: Paula Milne previously adapted the novel for Fox 2000. Oliver Parker was previously attached to direct. Filming begins April 4 and takes place on location in England and Italy.
Patriots Day
Logline: Surrounds the events surrounding the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
Studio/Distributor(s): CBS Films, Lionsgate
Production Company(s): Leverage Management, Closest To The Hole Productions, Bluegrass Films
Producer(s): Scott Stuber, Dylan Clark, Mark Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson, Michael Radutzky
Writer(s): Matt Charman
Director(s): Peter Berg
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, J.K. Simmons, John Goodman, Vincent Curatola, Kevin Bacon, Michelle Monaghan, Vince Curatola, James Colby
Details: Based on the firsthand account of Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis, whose life rights have been optioned by CBS Films, and on research done and footage shot by “60 Minutes.”
SSN Insight: CBS Films will oversee production and advertising for the pic, which Lionsgate will release on December 21.
The Action
Logline: In the 1970s, eight anti-war activists stole and made public classified FBI documents that exposed Hoover’s campaign of spying on and blackmailing “troublemakers.”
Studio/Distributor(s): Lionsgate
Production Company(s): Anonymous Content, Participant Media, Storied Media Group
Producer(s): Scott Burns, Meredith Milton, Michael Sugar
Writer(s): Scott Burns
Director(s): Alex Gibney
Details: Based on the book “The Burglary: The Discovery of J. Edgar Hoover’s Secret FBI” written by Betty Medsger and published by Alfred A. Knopf in January, 2014, and the article “Burglars Who Took on F.B.I. Abandon Shadows” written by Mark Mazzetti and published in the New York Times on January 7, 2014.
SSN Insight: Alex Gibney previously directed Spotlight which won the Best Picture at this year’s Oscars.
The Ashram
Logline: After receiving a cryptic message, American skeptic Jamie travels to the Indian Himalayas to pick up on the trail of his disappeared girlfriend. There, he discovers a secretive community led by a guru with strange powers who may or may not be involved in her disappearance.
Production Company(s): Sikhya Entertainment
Producer(s): Guneet Monga
Writer(s): Ben Rekhi, Binky Mendez
Director(s): Ben Rekhi
Cast: Melissa Leo, Sam Keeley, Kal Penn, Hera Hilmarsdottir, Radhika Apte
SSN Insight: Production has begun on the film, which has been kept under wraps in northern India.
To The Bone
Logline: A young woman suffering from anorexia tries to find a doctor who can help her.
Production Company(s): Mockingbird Pictures, Sparkhouse Media
Producer(s): Bonnie Curtis, Julie Lynn, Karina Miller
Writer(s): Marti Noxon
Director(s): Marti Noxon
Cast: Lily Collins, Keanu Reeves
SSN Insight: Reeves will fill the role of Dr. William Beckham, the doctor with an unorthodox style who pushes Ellen (played by Lily Collins) to choose life and commit to getting better.
Untitled Blade Runner Sequel
Logline: Storyline is under wraps.
Studio/Distributor(s): Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Company(s): Alcon Entertainment, Ridley Scott Films , Thunderbird Films
Producer(s): Bud Yorkin, Broderick Johnson, Andrew Kosove, Cynthia Sikes
Writer(s): Michael Green, Hampton Fancher
Director(s): Denis Villeneuve
Cast: Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling, Robin Wright (in final negotiations)
Details: Follow-up to “Blade Runner” (1982), directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford.
SSN Insight: Alcon Entertainment acquired film, television and ancillary franchise rights to produce prequels and sequels to “Blade Runner” in March 2011. Follow-up will be inspired by the novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep” written by Philip K. Dick and published by Signet in 1968.
Wind River
Logline: A lone female FBI agent is sent to investigate a murder on a remote Indian Reservation in the dead of winter, and she finds assistance from a man with a haunted past.
Production Company(s): Thunder Road Pictures, Film 44, Acacia Entertainment, Savvy Media Holdings
Producer(s): Basil Iwanyk, Peter Berg, Matthew George
Writer(s): Taylor Sheridan
Director(s): Taylor Sheridan
Cast: Elizabeth Olsen, Jeremy Renner, Jon Bernthal, Graham Greene, Julia Jones, Gil Birmingham
SSN Insight: Jon Bernthal can be seen in Netflix’s Daredevil, while Julia Jones and Gil Birmingham were both featured in the Twilight franchise. Chris Pine was previously attached to co-star.
New Projects
Backyard Sports
Logline: The video game franchise in which gamers play with professional athletes who are morphed into kids comes to the big screen.
Production Company(s): Cross Creek Pictures, Crystal City Entertainment
Producer(s): Brian Oliver, Ari Daniel Pinchot
Details: Based on the video game series “Backyard Sports” created Humongous Entertainment, starting with “Backyard Baseball” in 1997, and published by GT Interactive.
SSN Insight: Crystal City recently wrapped the Doug Liman-directed Tom Cruise starrer Mena and Hacksaw Ridge starring Andrew Garfield.
Bikini Sunshine
Logline: A charismatic, mercurial and troubled former Marine returns from Iraq and inadvertently becomes the center of a documentary film while she tries to integrate herself back into society, as well as regain custody of her young daughter.
Production Company(s): Czar
Producer(s): Anja Wedell, Munire Armstrong
Writer(s): Milcho Manchevski
Director(s): Milcho Manchevski
Cast: Condola Rashad
SSN Insight: Rashad is the star of Showtime’s Billions and she’s been seen in many Broadway productions including Romeo and Juliet, The Trip To Bountiful and Stick Fly.
Corbin Nash
Logline: Corbin Nash is a New York City cop who transfers to Los Angeles to hunt for his parents’ killer. Once there, he’s brutally murdered and returns to life as the ultimate killer. Bloodshed ensues.
Production Company(s): StarTree Productions
Producer(s): Ben Jagger, Todd Grossman, Justin Steele, Matt Berkowitz, Carmen Aiello
Writer(s): Dean S. Jagger, Ben Jagger, Christopher P. Taylor
Director(s): Ben Jagger
Cast: Dean S. Jagger, Malcolm McDowell, Rutger Hauer, Bruce Davison, Fernanda Romero
SSN Insight: This pic marks the debut feature for StarTree Productions. The film began shooting on March 30.
Fool Me Once
Logline: Two weeks after her husband’s murder, a former special ops pilot sees an unthinkable image of her 2-year-old daughter with her husband on their nanny cam.
Production Company(s): Red Om Films
Producer(s): Julia Roberts, Lisa Gillan, Marisa Yeres Gill
Cast: Julia Roberts
Details: Based on the novel “Fool Me Once” written by Harlan Coben and published by Penguin’s Dutton imprint in March, 2016.
SSN Insight: Coben’s other books, The Five, Gone for Good, Tell No One, Missing You and Six Years are all in various stages of development as films or TV series.
Mid-90’s
Logline: The film follows a young boy growing up in Los Angeles in the mid-90s, learning about life with his skateboarding friends and makes some bad choices along the way.
Production Company(s): A24
Producer(s): Scott Rudin, Eli Bush
Writer(s): Jonah Hill
Director(s): Jonah Hill
SSN Insight: This film will mark Hill’s feature directorial debut.
The Domestics
Logline: In the future, a young couple has to travel through a harrowing, gang-ravaged post-apocalyptic countryside, trying to make it home.
Studio/Distributor(s): Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios
Production Company(s): Hollywood Gang Productions
Producer(s): Gianni Nunnari, Shannon Gaulding
Writer(s): Mike P. Nelson
Director(s): Mike P. Nelson
SSN Insight: Nelson previously directed shorts and TV shows including Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
The Nest
Logline: Follows four adult siblings of the Plumb family and the pending shared inheritance that has shaped their choices and their lives. They call the joint trust fund The Nest, and it has been endangered by the reckless choices of one of the siblings, fresh from rehab after crashing a car while inebriated with a 19-year old passenger.
Studio/Distributor(s): Amazon Studios
Production Company(s): Topple Productions
Producer(s): Jill Soloway, Andrea Sperling
Writer(s): D’Aprix Sweeney
Details: Based on the same-titled novel by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney published by Ecco.
SSN Insight: The novel debuted at No. 3 on the New York Times Bestseller list. Topple Productions has an overall deal with Amazon Studios.
The Paper Magician
Logline: Centers on Ceony Twill, a young girl who is a student at the Tagis Praff School for the Magically Inclined. In this world where magicians animate manmade materials, she is disappointed that she has been demoted to learn paper magic despite her dreams of working with metal. But when an all-powerful evil magician rises and her mentor’s life is on the line, she must tap into the hidden potential of her new powers.
Studio/Distributor(s): Disney
Producer(s): Allison Shearmur
Details: Based on the YA book trilogy, The Paper Magician, by Charlie N. Holmberg. The first book was published as an e-book by 47North, an imprint of Amazon Publishing, in 2014.
SSN Insight: Allison Shearmur executive produced the Hunger Games movies and produced Disney’s Cinderella and is a producer on the upcoming Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
The Wall
Logline: A sniper and his spotter are pinned down behind cover by a legendary sniper.
Production Company(s): Amazon Studios
Writer(s): Dwain Worrell
Director(s): Doug Liman
SSN Insight: Project was included on the 2014 Black List. Screenplay was included in the 2014 Hit List.
Untitled AFC Wimbledon Project
Logline: When the Wimbledon Football Club was moved 56 miles away leaving it fans abandoned, a group of underdog players formed an amateur club to be owned by its fans so it would never be stolen by rich investors for their profit.
Studio/Distributor(s): Fox 2000,
Production Company(s): Temple Hill Entertainment
Producer(s): John Green, Rosianna Halse Rojas, Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey
SSN Insight: John Green is the author of The Fault in Our Stars and Paper Towns.