Film Development For 5/1/14: Cary Fukunaga Set To Write-Direct ‘The Black Count’ For Columbia Pictures

NEW ATTACHMENTS

  The Longest Night Logline: The story of a true-life Coast Guard rescue operation on Easter Sunday in 2008 when a trawler sank 180 miles off the Alaskan coast in freezing waters that were thousands of feet deep. Studio/Distributor: Paramount Production Companies: Conde Nast Entertainment Group, Kennedy/Marshall Company Producers:  Frank Marshall, Dawn Ostroff, Jeremy Steckler Writer:  Jonathan Lemkin Director: Frank Marshall Details: Based on the article "The Longest Night" written by Sean Flynn and published in GQ Magazine in December, 2008.  SSN Insight: Project marks Frank Marshall’s first time back in the director’s chair since 2006’s 8 Below. Seeker Logline: After years of training, a young girl feels betrayed when she learns that she is being groomed not for a respected position but to be an assassin. Studio/Distributor: Columbia Pictures Production Company: Mark Gordon Company Producer: Mark Gordon Writer:  Callie Kloves Details: Based on the novel "Seeker," written by Arwen Elys Dayton and to be published by Delacorte Press in 2015. Novel is the first in a projected trilogy. SSN Insight: Project marks the 2^nd high profile writing gig for Callie Kloves, who also wrote Warner Bros. Jungle Book. Ben-Hur (Remake) Logline: A young Ben-Hur, who encounters Jesus Christ, finds himself betrayed by his best friend but survives after being sold into slavery and extracts revenge. Studio/Distributor: Paramount, MGM Production Companies: Mark Burnett Productions, The Sean Daniel Company Producers:  Mark Burnett, Roma Downey (Executive Producer), Sean Daniel, Joni Levin, Keith Clarke (Executive Producer), Jason Brown (Executive Producer), John Ridley (Executive Producer) Writers: Keith Clarke (adaptation), John Ridley (current draft) Director: Timur Bekmambetov Details: Based on the novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, written by Lew Wallace and published in 1880. SSN Insight: Project reunites the studios that just collaborated on Hercules and the Hot Tub Machine Sequel. Watch Dogs Logline: After a family tragedy, a hacker seeks revenge by hacking into Chicago’s traffic lights, transportation and security cameras, making the city into his weapon. Studio/Distributor: Columbia Pictures Production Companies: New Regency, Ubisoft Writers:  Paul Wernick, Rhett Reese Details: Based on Sony’s PlayStation 4 console videogame Watch Dogs, released in North America on November 15, 2013.  SSN Insight: Project marks the third collaboration for New Regency and Ubisoft. The previous projects are Assassin’s Creed and Splinter Cell. The Danish Girl Logline: The story of real-life Danish painter Einar Wegener who, in 1931, became the first man to undergo a sex-change operation. Studio/Distributor: Working Title Films Production Companies:  Working Title Films, Pretty Pictures, Harrison Productions Producers:  Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Tom Hooper, Gail Mutrux, Anne Harrison, Linda Reisman, Cast: Eddie Redmayne Writer:  Lucinda Coxon Director: Tom Hooper Details: Based on the book The Danish Girl, written by David Ebershoff published by Viking February 7, 2000. SSN Insight: Project marks the re-teaming of the Working Title producers, director and star since 2012’s Les Misérables.

NEW PROJECTS

  Escape from Cuba Logline: The true story of LA Dodgers star Yasiel Puig's escape from Cuba, which involved smugglers working for drug cartels. Production Companies: RatPac Entertainment, Flynn Picture Co. Producers:  Brett Ratner, Beau Flynn, James Packer (Executive Producer), John Cheng (Executive Producer) Details: Based on the article Escape From Cuba: Yasiel Puig's Untold Journey to the Dodgers, written by Jesee Katz which appeared in Los Angeles Magazine in April 2014.  SSN Insight:  Project reunites producers Brett Ratner and Beau Flynn after Hercules which will open in July 2014. The Black Count Logline: The life story and adventures of French Revolution-era General Thomas-Alexandre Dumas are recounted. Studio/Distributor: Columbia Pictures Production Companies: Get Lifted Film Co., Parliament of Owls Producers:  Mike Jackson, Ty Stiklorius, John Legend (Executive Producer), Troy Carter (Executive Producer), Josh Bratman (Executive Producer) Writer:  Cary Fukunaga Director: Cary Fukunaga Details: Based on the biography The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo, written by Tom Reiss and published by Crown Trade in 2012.  SSN Insight: Project is a biopic of the father of author Alexandre Daumon and is the basis for the true-life account of the real Count of Monte Cristo. Salinger’s War Logline: JD Salinger is followed from the early days of his writing career, though his service in WWII, which change him forever and help him find his voice as a writer. Production Companies:  Black Label Media, Bruce Cohen Productions, Blue Star Entertainment Producers:  Danny Strong, Molly Smith, Trent Luckinbill, Thad Luckinbill, Bruce Cohen, Jason Shuman Writer:  Danny Strong Director: Danny Strong Details: Based on the biography JD Salinger: A Life, written by Kenneth Slawensk and published by Random House in 2010. SSN Insight: Project marks the directorial debut for writer/producer Danny Strong.