CinemaCon: Paramount Holds Back ‘Star Trek Beyond’ But High-Intensity ‘Story of Your Life’ Makes Waves
Paramount Pictures kicked off the first day of CinemaCon 2016 with a preview of their upcoming slate, including first looks at films like The Ring franchise sequel, Rings, the Denis Villeneuve sci-fi tale The Story of Your Life, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, and next summer’s Baywatch. (CS)
More CinemaCon: Why J.J. Abrams is Supporting the Controversial Home Movie Service
“We are in a moment of disruption,” commented Abrams. “I love nothing more than going to the movies. That’s the way it has to be. I also know I’m the father of three kids and I haven’t been at a theater on opening night [with them] in probably 12 years.” (THR)
Steven Spielberg Sets ‘The Kidnapping Of Edgardo Mortara’ as Next Project
Steven Spielberg has found his next film. He’ll direct for Amblin Entertainment The Kidnapping Of Edgardo Mortara. Production will begin in early 2017 for release in the fourth quarter of that year. (DL)
“Everything’s Coming Up Roses” for Barbra Streisand as She Will Revive ‘Gypsy’ at STX Entertainment
STX Entertainment is in advanced negotiations to make Gypsy with the Grammy and Oscar winner taking the lead role, and Oscar winner Barry Levinson (Rain Man) directing. Production on the film hit a snag last fall after Universal Pictures put the project into turnaround. (VAR)
Louis C.K. Finds Out PR is Needed the Hard Way as ‘Horace and Pete’ Web Series Leaves Him in Debt
The comedian said he hoped that the first four episodes of the series would have made his personal investment of $2 million back. The series sprung online without notice in January and the last episode was released April 2. (THR)
Have an Amazing Idea For the Next Big TV Show? Try Universal Cable’s Pitch Fest
Universal Cable Productions has set its first pitch fest on April 28 for storytellers who have ideas for a scripted television show but don’t have access to development executives. Selected entries will be contacted for a 10-minute pitch meeting with Dawn Olmstead and her team. (DL)
Not Everything’s Peachy in Stars Hollow as ‘Gilmore Girls’ Producer Sues Warner Bros. Over Reboot
A Gilmore Girls producer says he’s being shut out of profits from the series revival and is suing for at least $195,000 in damages, according to a lawsuit filed in L.A. County Superior Court. (THR)
‘Guantanamo Diary’ Gets Boost with Benedict Cumberbatch Signing on to Produce Film
The project follows the tribulations of 45 year-old Mohamedou Ould Slahi, a man who was a suspected terrorist and has been incarcerated at Guantanamo bay for 14 years without ever being charged with a crime or having the opportunity to defend himself in court. (DL)
5 Ways Interactivity in Video is Revolutionizing Audience Engagement
The growth in HTML5 is transforming the potential of video and revolutionizing how viewers interact and engage with video content. From polls and surveys to e-commerce and social sharing, video is evolving from a simple monologue that talks at you into a rich, interactive dialogue that engages with you. (VI)
Screenwriters: How You Introduce Female Characters in TV and Film Matters
TV viewers and moviegoers don’t see character introductions in scripts, but they’re enormously important. Ross Putnam’s Twitter feed @FemScriptIntros is enlightening by showing how skewed the entertainment industry is when it comes to viewing female characters. The good news is, there’s resources to help screenwriters write compelling intros. (VAR)