Awards 2015: Cheryl Strayed and Anthony McCarten, Film Development For 12/18/14, FBI Confirms N. Korea Behind Sony Hack

SSN AWARDS ORIGINALS

BEST SCREENPLAY: ADAPTED/ORIGINAL

Awards 2015 Spotlight: What ‘Wild’ Author Cheryl Strayed Learned From Nick Hornby On the Art Of the Adaptation

Not every author has a stellar experience when their book is taken over by Hollywood. The story they poured their blood, sweat, tears, and time into could either be beautifully translated to the screen, or be dumbed down, unrecognizable, and stripped of its essence. Strayed lucked out. (SSN)

Awards 2015 Spotlight: Screenwriter Anthony McCarten On Adapting Jane Hawking’s Memoir Into ‘The Theory of Everything’

Already a fan of Stephen Hawking and his work, McCarten was determined to bring the duo’s story to the big screen, a process that took nearly a decade. Now, McCarten’s adaptation is getting critical buzz in numerous categories across the board. (SSN)

TODAY’S HEADLINES

Film Development For 12/18/14: Viola Davis Joins the ‘Suicide Squad,’ Ted Melfi Re-Teams With the Weinsteins, and More

Melfi is making Every Exquisite Thing, while the BFG and Kong: Skull Island also add new cast, and Antarctica and Dogs of War get rolling as new projects. (SSN)

FBI Makes Official What We All Already Knew: North Korea Was Behind the Sony Hack

The attack, which has humiliated the corporation, the studio, and its executives and led to the cancellation of the release of The Interview, came from individuals “acting on the orders of the North Koreans.” (MF)

In Case You Were Wondering, the Indie World Would Have Handled This ‘Interview’ Mess Quite Differently

Several esteemed and veteran indie distributors and executives weigh in on how they would have dealt with the situation. “Independent filmmakers wouldn't find themselves in this position,” says Mark Urman. (IW)

On a Lighter Note, Evangeline Lilly Has Provided Us With New Details About Next Summer’s ‘Ant-Man’ Flick

The actress, who also stars in this weekend’s The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies, calls the Marvel movie, “very much a heist film.” It hits theaters on July 17th. (COL)

Anthony Mackie and Justin Simien Sell a Pacakge Deal To Paramount For ‘Make a Wish’

The spec package, a dark comedy, comes from first-timer Zach Frankel as a star vehicle for Mackie, directed by Simien, whose Sundance prize-winning film, Dear White People, got Independent Spirit and Gotham Award nominations for Best Director.  (DH)

It’s Still Early, But There Is a Good Chance Jim Carrey Will Enter ‘Deep Cover’

Red Granite has picked up a comedy pitch — about which there are few details — from writer Johnny Rosenthal and is currently dangling it in Carrey’s face hoping that he’ll bite and jump aboard as its star. (EMP)

It Looks Like the 2015 Sundance Jury Will Be Nearly as Star-Studded as the Film Lineup

Cary Fukunaga, Winona Ryder and Edgar Wright are among the names on the jury, which will decide the dramatic feature competition. The festival’s awards ceremony will be hosted by Tig Notaro on January 31st. (VAR)

Trailer Buzz: ‘Orphan Black’

The first look at the highly anticipated third season of the smash hit, starring Tatiana Maslany, returns to BBC-America on April 18th. (ITV)