On The Set For 5/27/14: Johnny Depp Starrer ‘Black Mass’ Starts For Warner Bros., ‘Jem and the Holograms’ Wraps

Starts

Pitch Perfect 2 05/22/2014 Logline:  Under wraps. Studio: Universal Production Companies:  Gold Circle Entertainment, Brownstone Productions Director: Elizabeth Banks Executive Producers: Scott Niemeyer, Jason Moore Producers: Elizabeth Banks, Paul Brooks, Max Handelman Co-Producers: Kay Cannon, Jeff Levine Cast: Anna Kendrick, Elizabeth Banks, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow, Adam DeVine Screenwriter: Kay Cannon SSN Insight: Elizabeth Banks is making her feature directorial debut. Blood Father 05/19/2014 Logline:  An ex-con trying to live a clean and sober life must help his estranged teen daughter who has witnessed a murder and is now targeted by those who want to silence her. Production Companies:  Why Not Productions, Next Films, Worldview Entertainment Director: Jean-Francois Richet Executive Producers: Maria Cestone, Sarah Johnson, Vincent Maraval Producers: Sebastien Lemercier, Chris Briggs, Pascal Caucheteux, Peter Craig, Christopher Woodrow, Molly Conners Cast: Mel Gibson, Erin Moriarty Screenwriter: Peter Craig Details: Based on the novel Blood Father, by Peter Craig, published by Hyperion March 2, 2003. SSN Insight: Previously in development with Warner Bros. and Anonymous Content, with Andrea Berloff writing an adaptation of Peter Craig's novel. Black Mass 05/19/2014 Logline:  A true-crime saga about FBI corruption and the uniquely savage New England mob scene involving James "Whitey" Bulger. Studio: Warner Bros. Production Companies:  Cross Creek Pictures, Infinitum Nihil, Le Grisbi Productions Director: Scott Cooper Executive Producers: Peter Mallouk, Lauren Selig, Brett Granstaff, Gary Granstaff Producers: Brian Oliver, Tyler Thompson, John Lesher, Patrick McCormick, Scott Cooper Cast: Johnny Depp, Benedict Cumberbatch, Joel Edgerton, Dakota Johnson, Jesse Plemons, Sienna Miller, Julianne Nicholson, Adam Scott Screenwriter: Mark Mallouk, Scott Cooper Details: Based on the book Black Mass: The Irish Mob, The FBI and A Devil's Deal, written by Dick Lehr and Gerard O'Neill published by Public Affairs Press May, 2000. SSN Insight: Project was previously set up at Cerenzie-Peters Productions. Prior to Warner Bros.’ involvement, the studio had been developing another Whitey Bulger project for Ben Affleck to direct and Matt Damon to star. Dominion 05/23/2014 Logline:  The story revolves around the last days of Dylan Thomas’ life before his untimely death in New York in 1953. Production Company:  FilmColony Director: Steven Bernstein Executive Producers: Sohrab Luctmedial, Chris Anjemi, Deanna Bartuccio Producers: Richard Gladstein, Nolan McDonald Co-Producers: Alain Gagnon, Brigitte Huff Cast: Rhys Ifans, John Malkovich, Romola Garai, Tony Hale Screenwriter: Steven Bernstein SSN Insight: Ifans, who stars in this film as Dylan Thomas, is also scheduled to star in Under Milkwood, an adaptation of Thomas’ radio play of the same name set to shoot in Wales later this summer.

Wraps

Pound of Flesh 05/24/2014 Logline:  The morning after saving a woman in distress, a man wakes up in a bloody hotel bathtub missing a kidney. Production Companies:  Ace Studio, Odyssey Media Director: Ernie Barbarash Executive Producers: Jeffery Giles, Michael Lurie, Devi Singh, Keith Shaw Producers: Kirk Shaw, Henry Luk Cast: Jean-Claude van Damme, Darren Shahlavi, David Booth Screenwriter: Joshua James SSN Insight: The project’s fight choreography was provided by veteran actor and stunt fighter John Paul Salvitti, whose credits include  Hero, Flash Point, and  Blade II. Jem and the Holograms 05/24/2014 Logline:  Orphaned teenager and recording sensation Jerrica Benton and her sisters go on a music-driven scavenger hunt across Los Angeles to find a final message left by their father. Production Companies:  Blumhouse Productions, Scooter Braun Films, Hasbro, Inc. Director: Jon M. Chu Producers: Jason Blum, Jessica Hall, Bennett Schneir, Jon M. Chu Cast: Aubrey Peeples, Stefanie Scott, Aurora Perrineau, Hayley Kiyoko Screenwriter: Ryan Landels Details: Based on the animated television show Jem (USA/1986) (aka  Jem and the Holograms) and the 1980s Hasbro toy line. SSN Insight: The first feature film starring role for Aubrey Peeples, best know for television’s Nashville.