New Attachments
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.
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, Domhnall Gleeson, Joel McHale, John Gemberling, Thomas Lennon
Details: Based on the book “A Futile and Stupid Gesture” written by Josh Karp and published by Chicago Review Press in 2006.
SSN Insight: Gleeson was recently seen in Ex Machina, The Revenant, Brooklyn and Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Battle of the Sexes
Logline: The film tells the story behind famous 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match between 29-year old No. 2 ranked female player Billie Jean King and former champion Bobby Riggs – a match that stemmed from Riggs denigration of female players as inferior to the men.
Studio/Distributor(s): Fox Searchlight Pictures
Production Company(s): Cloud Eight Films, Decibel
Producer(s): Danny Boyle, Christian Colson
Writer(s): Simon Beaufoy
Director(s): Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris
Cast: Emma Stone, Steve Carell, Austin Stowell, Andrea Riseborough, Elisabeth Shue, Eric Christian Olsen
SSN Insight: Brie Larson was previously in talks to co-star.
Buddymoon
Logline: Jilted groom David is convinced by his excitable best man Flula to continue with his planned honeymoon, a backcountry trek in the mountains of Oregon.
Studio/Distributor(s): Gravitas Ventures
Producer(s): Jennifer Wood
Writer(s): Alex Simmons, David Giuntoli, Flula Borg
Director(s): Alex Simmons
Cast: David Giuntoli, Flula Borg, Brian T Finney, Claire Coffee, Jeanne Syquia
SSN Insight: Gravitas acquired worldwide rights to the Slamdance hit, with day and date release set for July 1.
Bunker Hill
Logline: In 1775, following the Boston Tea Party, a group of colonists battle the British troops in Boston in one of the Revolution’s bloodiest battles.
Studio/Distributor(s): Warner Bros. Pictures,
Production Company(s): Pearl Street Films
Producer(s): Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Jennifer Todd
Writer(s): Bunker Hill, Chris Terrio
Director(s): Ben Affleck
Details: Based on the book “Bunker Hill: A City, A Siege, A Revolution,” written by Nathaniel Philbrick and published by Viking on April 30, 2013.
SSN Insight: Warner Bros. bought the book for a reported high six-figure against seven-figure deal.
Can We Take a Joke? (Documentary)
Logline: The film is an examination of “outrage culture,” the movement that is constantly drawing into question what is considered offensive language and what is simply an exercise of free speech. The film calls into question the validity of this movement and whether comedy can survive in such an environment.
Studio/Distributor(s): Samuel Goldwyn Films
Producer(s): Courtney Balaker, Ted Balaker
Director(s): Ted Balaker
Cast: Christina Pazsitzky (narrator), Gilbert Gottfried, Penn Jillette, Lisa Lampanelli, Adam Carolla, Jim Norton, Heather McDonald
SSN Insight: Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired North American rights to the film that premiered at DOC NYC in November.
Cleopatra
Logline: An exploration of the vivid personal and public life of the Ptolemaic dynasty’s last ruler, the ambitious and charismatic Cleopatra.
Studio/Distributor(s): Columbia Pictures,
Production Company(s): Scott Rudin Productions, Pascal Pictures
Producer(s): Scott Rudin, Amy Pascal
Writer(s): David Scarpa (rewrite), Eric Roth, Brian Helgeland
Cast: Angelina Jolie
Details: Based on the book “Cleopatra: a Life.” written by Stacy Schiff and published by Little, Brown and Company on November 1, 2010
SSN Insight: Columbia Pictures bought the rights to the book based on a 10-page book proposal. James Cameron was previously mentioned to direct.
Crown Vic
Logline: Nick is an idealistic young rookie cop on his first night shift with partner Ray, a seasoned veteran who’s seen it all in his 30 years on the job. Incredulous at Ray’s cynicism, Nick finds his own ideals compromised by the end of his first night on the job…
Production Company(s): Brand Inc. Entertainment
Producer(s): Christopher Barish, Jim Valdez, Matt Medlin, Gregg Bello
Writer(s): Joel Souza
Director(s): Joel Souza
Cast: Alec Baldwin, Scott Eastwood
SSN Insight: 13 Films is handling international sales for Brand Inc Group.
Fast 8
Logline: Eighth film in the street racing franchise.
Studio/Distributor(s): Universal Pictures, Universal Pictures
Production Company(s): Original Film, One Race TV
Producer(s): Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel
Writer(s): Chris Morgan
Director(s): F. Gary Gray
Cast: Vin Diesel, Lucas Black, Jason Statham, Dwayne Johnson, Charlize Theron
Details: Eighth film in the franchise, beginning with “The Fast and the Furious” (2001) directed by Rob Cohen and starring Vin Diesel and Paul Walker.
SSN Insight: Theron’s upcoming films include Kubo and the Two Strings, The Huntsman: Winter’s War, Coldest City, The Last Face, American Express and Brain on Fire.
Fences
Logline: A former professional baseball player, also an ex-convict, refuses to let his 17-year-old son be recruited for college football. He magnifies the tension in his family by bringing his baby daughter, which he has had through an affair, home.
Studio/Distributor(s): Paramount Pictures,
Production Company(s): Scott Rudin Productions
Producer(s): Scott Rudin, Denzel Washington, Todd Black
Writer(s): Tony Kushner
Director(s): Denzel Washington
Cast: Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Mykelti Williamson, Russell Hornsby, Jovan Adepo
Details: Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play, “Fences,” written by August Wilson, which first premiered in 1983 before debuting on Broadway in 1987.
SSN Insight: Eddie Murphy was previously attached to star. John Singleton was previously attached to direct. Mykelti Williamson and Russell Hornsby will reprise their Broadway roles.
Hidden Figures
Logline: The film chronicles the true story of a group of unacknowledged African American women whose brilliance in math helped NASA win the space race.
Studio/Distributor(s): Fox 2000, 20th Century Fox Distribution
Production Company(s): Levantine Films, Chernin Entertainment, Goldenlight Films
Producer(s): Donna Gigliotti, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, Pharrell Williams, Ted Melfi
Writer(s): Allison Schroeder
Director(s): Ted Melfi
Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Kevin Costner, Janelle Monae, Kirsten Dunst
Details: Based on the book “Hidden Figures” written by Margot Lee Shetterly and to be published by HarperCollins in 2016.
SSN Insight: This is Janelle Monae’s first studio film. Along with his producer role, Williams will also write and create original songs and handle all musical elements for the film and its soundtrack.
Office Christmas Party
Logline: An office party spirals out of control.
Studio/Distributor(s): Amblin Partners, Paramount Pictures
Production Company(s): Management 360, Bluegrass Films, Speck+Gordon
Producer(s): Scott Stuber, Guymon Casady, Daniel Rappaport
Writer(s): Lee Eisenberg, Dan Mazer, Timothy Dowling, Jon Lucas, Scott Moore
Director(s): Will Speck, Josh Gordon
Cast: Jason Bateman, Jennifer Aniston, TJ Miller, Kate McKinnon, Abbey Lee
SSN Insight: Ed Helms was previously in talks to co-star.
Patriots Day
Logline: The film is about the events surrounding the Boston Marathon bombing.
Studio/Distributor(s): CBS Films, Lionsgate
Production Company(s): Leverage Management, Closest To The Hole Productions, Bluegrass Films, Hutch Parker Entertainment
Producer(s): Scott Stuber, Dylan Clark, Mark Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson, Michael Radutzky
Writer(s): Peter Berg, Josh Zetumer, Eric Johnson, Paul Tamasy, Matt Charman
Director(s): Peter Berg
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, J.K. Simmons, John Goodman, Vincent Curatola, Kevin Bacon, Rachel Brosnahan, Christopher O’Shea, Michael Beach
Details: Based on the book “Boston Strong” written by Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge and to be published by University Press of New England in 2014.
SSN Insight: Casey Affleck was previously attached to produce and star, alongside his producing partner John Ridley, when project was competing project “Boston Strong”. Matt Charman wrote a previous adaptation 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.”
Swiss Army Man
Logline: A man stranded on an island discovers a dead body and, emboldened by his new “friend,” makes one last ditch effort to get home.
Studio/Distributor(s): A24
Production Company(s): Cold Iron Pictures , Blackbird Films
Producer(s): Jonathan Wang, Lawrence Inglee, Amanda Marshall, Miranda Bailey, Eyal Rimmon
Writer(s): Daniel Scheinert, Daniel Kwan
Director(s): Daniel Scheinert, Daniel Kwan
Cast: Paul Dano, Daniel Radcliffe, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Antonia Ribero, Timothy Eulich
SSN Insight: A24 acquired domestic rights following the film’s premiere at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival for an estimated low seven figures. Screenplay was included in 2014 Sundance Institute Screenwriters Lab.
That Good Night
Logline: A once-famous screenwriter who is facing death wants to reconcile with his long-lost son, and have someone help him end his life, but his wishes do not go as planned.
Studio/Distributor(s): ,
Production Company(s): GSP Studios
Producer(s): Alan Latham, Charles E Savage
Writer(s): Charles E Savage
Director(s): Eric Styles
Cast: John Hurt, Max Brown, Erin Richards, Sofia Helin
Details: Based on the stage play “That Good Night” written by N.J. Crisp which premiered at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford, England on April 2, 1996.
SSN Insight: British actress Erin Richards was recently seen on the TV series, Gotham and Sweden’s Sofia Helin was previously seen in The Snowman and The Bridge.
The Clapper
Logline: A man who is a professional clapper for infomercials becomes a nationwide sensation, but his brush with celebrity means losing the woman he loves.
Production Company(s): Schorr Pictures, Pacific Electric Picture Co., Oriah Entertainment
Producer(s): Ed Helms, Michael Falbo, Robin Schorr, Dito Montiel, Steve Ponce
Writer(s): Dito Montiel
Director(s): Dito Montiel
Cast: Ed Helms, Amanda Seyfried, Tracy Morgan (in talks)
Details: Based on the novel “Eddie Krumble Is the Clapper: A Novel,” written by Dito Montiel and published by Thunder’s Mouth Press in 2007.
SSN Insight: The film would reunite Morgan with Montiel who worked together on the 2011 cop drama The Son of No One.
The Outsider
Logline: After World War II, an American who had been a POW in Japan stays and works his way through the rituals and hardships of the Yakuza, becoming a member of the organized crime organization.
Production Company(s): The Linson Company, Waypoint Entertainment
Producer(s): Art Linson, John Linson, Kenneth Kao
Writer(s): Andrew Baldwin
Director(s): Martin Zandvliet
Cast: Jared Leto
SSN Insight: Project was included on the 2011 Black List. Previously in development at Warner Bros. Daniel Espinosa was previously mentioned to direct.
The Phenom
Logline: The film is about a major-league rookie pitcher Hopper Gibson who can’t find the plate and is sent down to the minor leagues. There he begins sessions with an unorthodox sports psychologist, and in the process, hidden conflicts with his overbearing father are brought to light.
Studio/Distributor(s): RLJ Entertainment
Producer(s): Antonia Bogdanovich, Jeff Elliot, Kimberly Jose, Jeff Rice
Writer(s): Noah Buschel
Director(s): Noah Buschel
Cast: Ethan Hawke, Paul Giamatti, Johnny Simmons, Alison Elliott, Yul Vasquez
SSN Insight: RLJ Entertainment acquired domestic rights prior to its premiere at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival.
The Rosie Project
Logline: A socially awkward genetics professor designs a questionnaire to help him find the perfect partner.
Studio/Distributor(s): TriStar Productions, Sony Pictures Releasing
Production Company(s): Matt Tolmach Productions, COTA Films
Producer(s): Matt Tolmach, Michael Costigan
Writer(s): Scott Neustadter, Michael H Weber, Graeme Simsion
Cast: Ryan Reynolds (in talks)
Details: Based on the novel “The Rosie Project” written by Graeme Simsion and published by Simon & Schuster in October 2013.
SSN Insight: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller were previously in talks to direct. Jennifer Lawrence was previously attached to star.
The Second Life of Nick Mason
Logline: A man released early from prison is forced to do anything a crime lord asks, and is hounded by the cop who put him away.
Studio/Distributor(s): Lionsgate
Production Company(s): The Story Factory, Color Force
Producer(s): Shane Salerno, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson
Writer(s): Richard Wenk
Details: Based on the novel “The Second Life of Nick Mason” written by Steve Hamilton; to be published by Putnam in May 2016.
SSN Insight: Wenk wrote The Equalizer and is board for the upcoming sequel. He also co-wrote the upcoming Jack Reacher: Never Go Back and Magnificent Seven.
To The Bone
Logline: A young woman suffering from anorexia tries to find a doctor who can help her.
Studio/Distributor(s): AMBI Group
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, Carrie Preston, Liana Liberato, Lili Taylor, Alex Sharp, Brooke Smith
SSN Insight: AMBI Group will finance the film along with Sparkhouse Media and will become co-executive producers. This is the first film in a deal between AMBI and Sparkhouse to co-finance and co-produce a slate of films.
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, Dave Bautista
Details: Follow-up to “Blade Runner” (1982), directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford. 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.
SSN Insight: Alcon Entertainment acquired film, television and ancillary franchise rights to produce prequels and sequels to “Blade Runner” in March 2011.
Vengeance: A Love Story
Logline: he film charts the aftermath of the brutal rape of a young mother, Teena Maguire, whose daughter Bethie is the only witness to the crime. What at first looks like an easy conviction goes sideways when the rapists hire a very slick lawyer. However, the crime catches the attention of officer John Dromoor, who steps in to dole out his own brand of bloody justice to the perpetrators.
Production Company(s): Patriot Pictures LLC
Producer(s): Michael Mendelsohn, Richard Rionda Del Castro, Johnny Martin
Writer(s): John Mankiewicz
Director(s): Nicolas Cage
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Talitha Bateman
Details: Based on the novella “Rape: A Love Story” written by Joyce Carol Oates and published by Da Capo Press on December 14, 2003.
SSN Insight: Maria Bello was previously attached to star. Uma Thurman was previously attached to star.
What’s the Point?
Logline: Ensemble comedy about the concept that marriage should be a seven-year contract with an option to renew.
Production Company(s): More Films, Cold Iron Pictures , Ways & Means, The Film Arcade
Producer(s): Lake Bell, Jett Steiger, Miranda Bailey, Amanda Marshall
Writer(s): Lake Bell
Director(s): Lake Bell
Cast: Lake Bell, Ed Helms, Mary Steenburgen, Paul Reiser, Amber Heard
SSN Insight: The film received financing from Cold Iron Pictures and The Film Arcade. It will begin shooting next month in Los Angeles.
New Projects
Edge of the World
Logline: In the 1930s, New York socialite and fashion designer Ruth Harkness goes to China to find her fiancé who disappeared while looking for a mythical creature, and finds love and adventure.
Production Company(s): Mark Gordon Company, Koch Co, Pegasus
Producer(s): Mark Gordon, Hawk Koch, Sun Jianjun
Writer(s): David Seidler, Jacqueline Feather
SSN Insight: Pegasus and China Film Group will finance the film that will shoot in China later this year.
Great Men
Logline: This film tells the story of sculptor Gutzon Borglum who created Mount Rushmore.
Studio/Distributor(s): Amazon Studios
Writer(s): Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski
Details: Based on the book “Great White Fathers” written by John Taliaferro and published by PublicAffairs in 2002.
SSN Insight: Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski exec produced the FX event series The People V. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story.
One Last Thing
Logline: Tells the story of a lonely dentist in Florida whose days are filled by work and his solo daily golf game. When he’s confronted by a figure from the past bringing news that he has an adult daughter living in Brooklyn, he begins an eventful journey outside his comfort zone.
Production Company(s): Beech Hill Films, Low Profile Films
Producer(s): Alexa L. Fogel, Brendan Mason
Writer(s): Tim Rouhana
Director(s): Tim Rouhana
Cast: Wendell Pierce, Jurnee Smollett, Rajeev Jacob
SSN Insight: Jurnee Smollett next appears in the features Hands of Stone and Audrey’s Run.
Siracusa
Logline: Deceit is involved when two couples and a child go to the sunny coast of the Ionian Sea in Italy on vacation.
Production Company(s): Working Title Films
Producer(s): Eric Fellner, Tim Bevan, Liza Chasin
Writer(s): Delia Ephron
Director(s): Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
Details: Based on the novel “Siracusa” written by Delia Ephron and published by Blue Rider Press on July 12, 2016.
SSN Insight: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon is also shooting Citizen, a series pilot for Hulu that he co-created.
Speedy (Animated)
Logline: A heist caper centered on the origin of Speedy Gonzales, “The Fastest Mouse in all Mexico”.
Studio/Distributor(s): Warner Bros.
Production Company(s): Rivers Edge Films, 3pas Studios
Producer(s): Dylan Sellers, Ben Odell
Writer(s): Hank Nelken
Voice Cast: Eugenio Derbez
Details: Based on the Looney Tunes cartoon. Animators Friz Freleng and Hawley Pratt introduced him in his first animated short of his own as in 1955, which went on to win the Academy Award for best short subject.
SSN Insight: Eugenio Derbez was last seen in Miracles from Heaven, in theaters now. Next up is Geostorm and Aztec Warrior.
Temple
Logline: Follows a team of trained operatives who find themselves trapped inside an isolated military compound after its artificial intelligence is suddenly shut down. There, they begin to experience strange and horrific phenomena.
Studio/Distributor(s): WWE Studios
Production Company(s): Erebus Pictures
Producer(s): Gene Simmons, Wesley Snipes, Michael Luisi
Writer(s): Matt Savelloni
Director(s): John Stockwell
Cast: Wesley Snipes, Anne Heche, Dave Annable, Seth Rollins, Gene Simmons
SSN Insight: WWE Studios will oversee North American sales and Voltage Pictures is on board for international sales.
The Flying Tigers
Logline: During WWII, a courageous group of volunteer pilots called The Flying Tigers fight alongside the Chinese.
Production Company(s): Skydance Productions, Alibaba Picture Group
Producer(s): David Ellison, Dana Goldberg
Writer(s): Randall Wallace
SSN Insight: Recently Ellison landed $700 million in new funding for Skydance to up the volume of global-minded tentpole pictures and TV projects.
The Incident
Logline: Michael accidentally kills a man during a brief altercation and struggles with the ramifications of his actions.
Production Company(s): Emmett/Furla/Oasis Films, Uncorked Productions
Producer(s): Ambyr Childers, Randall Emmett, George Furla, Andrew D. Corkin, Priya Swaminathan
Writer(s): Jan Kwiecinski
Director(s): Jan Kwiecinski
Cast: Ambyr Childers, Emile Hirsch
SSN Insight: The film has an estimated budget of $15 million and will go into production in July.
Untitled Arctic Expedition Project
Logline: After a night of drinking in 1968, a group of guys in Minnesota set of to ride snowmobiles to the North Pole
Studio/Distributor(s): Columbia Pictures
Production Company(s): Temple Hill Entertainment
Producer(s): Wyck Godfrey, Marty Bowen
Cast: Will Ferrell
Details: Based on the article “Ice Pack: An Insurance Salesman and a Doctor Walk Into a Bar, and End Up at the North Pole” written by Guy Lawson and published in The New York Times Magazine on March 17, 2016.
SSN Insight: Lawson also wrote the Rolling Stone story “Arms and the Dudes,” which was turned into the Todd Phillips-directed film War Dogs, due out later this year.
Untitled Motherhood Project
Logline: Storyline is under wraps, but revolves around motherhood.
Writer(s): Diablo Cody
Director(s): Jason Reitman
Cast: Charlize Theron
SSN Insight: Theron last teamed with Reitman on the film Young Adult.