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SSN ORIGINALS
Today, Sony releases
Chappie, about a robot imbued with artificial intelligence who is stolen by local gangsters along with its creator. Sony has been behind Neill Blomkamp since the start, but with mixed results. While
District 9 shined,
Elysium faltered. Below SSN takes a deeper look at the return on investment of Blomkamp’s films and their marketing to shed light on how his latest film,
Chappie will do this weekend and beyond.
(SSN)
Most of the action comes from the TV world this week, but there are a couple new company launches, some movement in the film world and, of course, some digital, too. Click the link to get the full skinny.
(SSN)
TODAY’S HEADLINES
DreamWorks has picked up the sci-fi thriller
Intelligent Life with Trevorrow attached to direct. He co-wrote the pic with his
Jurassic World and
Safety Not Guaranteed collaborator Derek Connolly, and
Jurassic producer Frank Marshall is set to produce. In addition to writing and directing, Connolly will also act as executive producer alongside Steven Spielberg. Plot details are being kept under wraps.
(COL)
NBC has formalized its summer schedule. The network, which last season relied heavily upon unscripted and inexpensive scripted comedies, is changing its strategy a bit. This summer, the network will look to the third season of
Hannibal and David Duchovny period drama
Aquarius to pair with reality staples
American Ninja Warrior and
America's Got Talent.
(THR)
The trio are booting up
Madame X, a period miniseries based on Kate Manning’s book
My Notorious Life, which would be toplined by Paquin. She would be executive producing with Moyer through their production company CASM, and Black through his Electric Dynamite banner.
(DH)
Forest Whitaker is directing and starring in the adaptation of William Paul Young's novel. Idris Elba and Oprah Winfrey have already been offered roles in the film, which follows a man who, after suffering a devastating personal tragedy, receives a mysterious note from God in his mailbox inviting him to a place called The Shack. He visits the shack where he actually does meet God, which begins a life-transforming journey of redemption.
(IW)
Brian Cox also stars in the supernatural thriller, to be directed by Andre Ovredal. It’s the first acting gig for Hirsch since his January 25th arrest for allegedly choking a female executive at the Sundance Film Festival. He checked into rehab following the incident and is due in court on March 15. IM Global’s Octane genre division will fully finance the project.
(VAR)
The actress said on
Live With Kelly and Michael that she will not return for the second season of the hit Fox show, based on the Batman comic books. The show is currently on hiatus, and the last four episodes of the season will begin in April.
(MF)
Throughout his career, the writer with the most knowledge of the director’s filmography, Matt Zoller Seitz (who was the first professional critic to review one of films) has worked on two sets of video essays and here are both in full — at least until perhaps Anderson crafts another feature.
(TFS)
CBS has released initial images of Melissa Benoist in costume as the title Kryptonian. The show has already been picked up to series, and the pilot begins production next week.
(HP)
