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Creed 1/26/2015 Logline: This continuation of the "Rocky" franchise focuses on Adonis, the raised-in-privilege grandson of former heavyweight boxing champion Apollo Creed, whose family would prefer that he not follow in his grandfather's footsteps, given the tragic end to the elder Creed's career, and life, in the ring -- but Adonis, who possesses tons of natural boxing ability and a secret, irrepressible desire to compete, finds a trainer and mentor in his late granddad's ex-rival and friend, Rocky Balboa. Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) Production Company: Winkler Films Director: Ryan Coogler Executive Producer(s): Irwin Winkler, Robert Chartoff, Nicolas Stern Producer(s): Kevin King, Charles Winkler, David Winkler, Billy Chartoff, Sylvester Stallone Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Phylicia Rashad, Tony Bellew, Tessa Thompson Writer(s): Ryan Coogler, Aaron Covington SSN Insight: This project re-teams Coogler and Jordan who previously worked together on indie darling Fruitvale Station. Per THR, Coogler took Creed to MGM before production on Fruitvale Station, "It was an idea I took to them and met with Stallone for his blessing. It's a universal story about family, so I hope it'll fly."
Pete's Dragon (Remake) 1/26/2015 Logline: Pete, following the death of his parents in a car crash when he was four, escaped to the forest and became best friends with a dragon, who raised him - but Pete and the dragon now face unprecedented threats to the way of life they've come to know and love. Studio: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Production Company: Whitaker Entertainment Director: David Lowery Executive Producer(s): No Executive Producer Available. Producer(s): Jim Whitaker Cast: Oakes Fegley, Oona Laurence, Robert Redford, Wes Bentley, Michael C Hall Writer(s): David Lowery, Toby Halbrooks Details: Remake of the film "Pete's Dragon" (1977) directed by Don Chaffey and starring Sean Marshall, Helen Reddy and Jim Dale.
The Birth of a Nation 1/26/2015 Logline: The true story of Nat Turner, the educated slave and preacher who led a violent slave rebellion in Virginia in 1831. Production Company: Phantom Four Director: Nate Parker Producer(s): Kevin Turen, Nnamdi Asomugha Cast: Nate Parker, Armie Hammer Writer(s): Nate Parker SSN Insight: Parker gained acclaim for his role in 2007’s The Great Debaters opposite Denzel Washington and starred in this year’s Beyond The Lights. This project is his directorial debut and he also star in the film alongside Hammer.
The Most Wonderful Time 1/26/2015 Logline: Long-married couple Charlotte and Sam host one final Christmas together, during which they plan to tell the family that they're breaking up, but the gathering's chaos, surprises, and dysfunctional family fun prompt Charlotte and Sam to reassess their decision. Studio: CBS Films Production Company: Groundswell Productions Director: Jessie Nelson Executive Producer(s): Steven Rogers, Ron Burkle, Jason Colbeck Producer(s): Jessie Nelson, Michael London, Janice Williams Cast: Diane Keaton, Alan Arkin, Annette Bening, Amanda Seyfried Writer(s): Steven Rogers SSN Insight: Robert Redford was previously mentioned to co-star. Theo James was previously attached as a cast member. Previously in development with Relativity Media and Imagine Entertainment.
The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving 1/22/2015 Logline: After a man who's life is turned upside trains to become a caregiver, he is assigned to an ailing teen and realizes he's in over his head. The two of them go on a life-changing road trip that binds them together. Production Companies: Worldwide Pants Incorporated, B&B Productions, Battle Plan Productions, Levantine Films Director: Rob Burnett Producer(s): Donna Gigliotti, James Spies, Rob Burnett, Jon Beckerman Cast: Paul Rudd, Selena Gomez Writer(s): Rob Burnett Details: Based on the novel "The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving," written by Jonathan Evison and published by Algonquin Books on August 28, 2012. SSN Insight: Filming begins in Atlanta. Gomez’s previous indie credits include Harmony Korine’s provocative Spring Breakers and William H. Macy’s directorial debut Rudderless, which premiered last year at Sundance.
The Secret in Their Eyes (Remake) 1/26/2015 Logline: A man who has been slowly solving a years-old brutal murder committed against the daughter of a loved one ventures across the country to take up the mystery anew, and in the process he discovers shocking details as he gets closer to tracking down the killer. Studio: No Studio Available. Production Companies: Gran Via Productions, IM Global, STX Entertainment Director: Billy Ray Executive Producer(s): Stuart Ford, Matt Jackson Producer(s): Mark Johnson, Juan José Campanella Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman Writer(s): Billy Ray Details: English-language remake of "El secreto de sus ojos" (Argentina/2009) written and directed by Juan Campanella from a novel by Eduardo Sacheri. SSN Insight: Previously in development at Warner Bros. Gwyneth Paltrow was previously attached to star.
Untitled (Universal/Steve Jobs Biopic) 1/26/2015 Logline: Biopic of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs. Studio: Universal Pictures Production Companies: Management 360, Mark Gordon Company, Scott Rudin Productions, Cloud Eight Films Director: Danny Boyle Producer(s): Mark R. Gordon, Scott Rudin, Guymon Casady, Christian Colson Cast: Michael Fassbender, Seth Rogen, Jeff Daniels, Michael Stuhlbarg, Kate Winslet Writer(s): Aaron Sorkin Details: Based on the book "Steve Jobs" written by Walter Isaacson and published by Simon & Schuster on October 24, 2011. SSN Insight: Sony acquired rights first in 2011, before Universal picked up the project.David Fincher had been in negotiations to direct. Leonardo DiCaprio, Christian Bale, and Tom Cruise were previously in talks to star.
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Mission: Impossible 5 1/25/2015 Logline: Storyline is under wraps. Studio: Paramount Pictures Production Companies: Bad Robot, Skydance Productions Director: Christopher McQuarrie Executive Producer(s): David Ellison, Dana Goldberg Producer(s): J.J. Abrams, Tom Cruise Cast: Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner, Ving Rhames, Rebecca Ferguson Writer(s): Will Staples, Drew Pearce Details: Sequel to "Mission: Impossible" (1995), directed by Brian De Palma and starring Tom Cruise. Based on the Paramount Television series "Mission: Impossible," which aired on CBS from 1966 to 1973 and was created by Bruce Geller. SSN Insight: Jessica Chastain was previously mentioned as a member of the cast. Director Christopher McQuarrie co-wrote and directed Jack Reacher and co-wrote Edge of Tomorrow, both starring Tom Cruise. McQuarrie also did uncredited writing work on Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol.
Kickboxer 1/25/2015 Logline: A man swears revenge after his older brother, who was world kickboxing champion, is crippled by a dirty fighter. Studio: No Studio Available. Production Company: Radar Pictures Director: John Stockwell Executive Producer(s): Mike Weber, Peter Meyer, Brian O'Shea, Nathaniel McCormick, Jeff Bowler Producer(s): Dimitri Logothetis, Ted Field, Nick Celozzi Cast: Georges St. Pierre, Dave Bautista, Alain Moussi, Scott Adkins, Jean-Claude van Damme Writer(s): Jim McGrath, Dimitri Logothetis Details: Based on the film "Kickboxer" (1988) directed by David Worth, Mark DiSalle and Jean-Claude van Damme, and starring Jean-Claude van Damme. SSN Insight: Tony Jaa was previously attached, but was replaced by Jean-Claude Van Damme due to scheduling conflicts. Stephen Fung was previously attached to direct.
Les Cowboys 1/23/2015 Logline: A father travels across the world with his son to find his daughter, who disappeared while dating a young Muslim fundamentalist. Production Companies: Lumiere Films, Les Films du Fleuve, Les Films du Tresor Director: Thomas Bidegain Executive Producer(s): No Executive Producer Available. Producer(s): Alain Attal Cast: John C Reilly, Finnegan Oldfield, Francois Damiens Writer(s): Thomas Bidegain, Noé Debré SSN Insight: Project marks directorial debut for Bidegain who previously was hailed as a screenwriter for his work on Rust and Bone and A Prophet. Pathe is handling international sales rights and will distribute in France.