NEW ATTACHMENTS
Arms and the Dudes Logline: Based on a Rolling Stone article about two stoners who became mega arms dealers. Studio/ Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures Production Company(s): Mark Gordon Company, S/Z Pictures, Unnamed Todd Phillips and Bradley Cooper Production Company Producer(s): Todd Phillips, Bradley Cooper, Scott Budnick, Mark R. Gordon Writer(s): Jason Smilovic, Todd Phillips, Stephen Chin Director: Todd Phillips Cast: Jonah Hill, Miles Teller, Ana de Armas, JB Blanc Notes: Based on the Rolling Stone magazine article "Arms and the Dudes" by Guy Lawson, published March 31, 2011. SSN Insight: Jesse Eisenberg and Shia LaBeouf were previously attached to star. Chris Pratt was previously mentioned as one of the stars.
Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk Logline: A young soldier hailed as a hero experiences a cavalcade of emotions and events on his last day home before returning back to the war in Iraq in 2005. Studio/ Distributor: TriStar Productions, Studio 8 Production Company(s): Film4, Ink Factory Producer(s): Marc Platt, Simon Cornwell, Stephen Mark Cornwell, Rhodri Thomas, Ang Lee Writer(s): Jean-Christophe Castelli, Simon Beaufoy Director: Ang Lee Cast: Joe Alwyn, Steve Martin, Garrett Hedlund Notes: Based on the novel "Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk," written by Ben Fountain and published by Ecco on May 1, 2012. SSN Insight: Ang Lee plans to shoot using the Sony F65 camera in native 3D, with high resolution and an ultra-high frame rate. Actors Billy Howle, Taron Egerton, Joe Cole, and Jack Reynor were all reportedly considered to star.
Fearless Logline: The life story of Adam Brown is told. Brown fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a Navy SEAL, overcame major injuries to serve on SEAL Team Six, and died heroically in action. Production Company(s): Studio/ Distributor: Relativity Media Producer(s): Fletcher & Company Writer(s): Ryan Kavanaugh, Christy Fletcher, Adam Targum Notes: Based on the book "Fearless" written by Eric Blehm and published by Fletcher & Company on May, 22, 2012. SSN Insight: Relativity Media acquired the property in a competitive bidding war. Author Eric Blehm previously wrote The Last Season and The Only Thing Worth Dying For.
Forever, Interrupted Logline: After a young woman’s brief marriage ends when her husband dies, she copes by forming a relationship with her mother who doesn’t know of her existence. Production Company(s): Good Universe, Gidden Media Producer(s): Amy Baer, Dakota Johnson Writer(s): Tricia McAlpin Cast: Dakota Johnson Notes: Based on the novel "Forever, Interrupted" written by Taylor Jenkins Reid and published by Washington Square Press in 2013. SSN Insight: Johnson next will be seen in Studio Canal’s A Bigger Splash and Black Mass opposite Johnny Depp, which Warner Bros. will release in September.
Hillsong: Let Hope Rise Logline: Chronicles the unlikely rise of the Australian-based Christian band, Hillsong United, which originated in the Hillsong Church. Studio/ Distributor: Relativity Studio Production Company(s): MediaWeaver Entertainment, Grace Hill Media Producer(s): Matthew Weaver, Jonathon Bock. Director: Michael John Warren SSN Insight: Project was previously in development at Alcon Entertainment. An estimated 50 million churchgoers around the world sing songs by the band Hillsong United, formed out of the Hillsong Church. All of Hillsong United’s band members are volunteers or employees of the church. Their latest album, Zion, was #1 on the iTunes albums charts and the single Oceans topped Billboard’s Christian singles chart for 45 straight weeks.
I Smile Back Logline: A woman who seems to have it all is depressed and disillusioned and it sends her careening into a secret world of reckless compulsion. Only very real danger will force her to face the painful root of her destructiveness and its crumbling effect on those she loves. Studio/ Distributor: Broad Green Pictures Production Company(s): Koppelman/Levien, The Arlook Group, Film House Germany, Oscar Crosby Films Producer(s): Michael Harrop, Richard Arlook, Brian Koppelman, David Levien Writer(s): Amy Koppelman, Paige Dylan Director: Adam Salky Cast: Sarah Silverman, Josh Charles, Tom Sadoski, Mia Barron, Terry Kinney Notes: Based on the novel "I Smile Back" written by Amy Koppelman and published by Two Dollar Radio in 2008. SSN Insight: Sundance Contact is John Sloss at Cinetic Media. Broad Green Pictures has acquired North American rights to the Adam Salky-directed film that premiered in the U.S. Dramatic Competition at January's Sundance Film Festival and won strong notices for Sarah Silverman’s role.
Joy Logline: A housewife, struggling to make ends meet, invents a mop that changes her life and makes her a millionaire. Based on a true story. Studio/ Distributor: Fox 2000 Production Company(s): Davis Entertainment Producer(s): John Davis, John Fox, Ken Mok Writer(s): David O. Russell, Annie Mumolo Director: David O. Russell Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper, Edgar Ramirez, Dascha Polanco Notes: Based on the true story of Joy Mangano, the inventor of the Miracle Mop. SSN Insight: New addition to the cast, Dascha Polanco can be seen in the Netflix series Orange is the New Black.
Money Monster Logline: After a man loses all his money in the stock market by following the advice of a Wall Street TV host, he takes the money adviser hostage on live television. Studio/ Distributor: TriStar Productions Production Company(s): Smokehouse Pictures, The Allegiance Theater Producer(s): Daniel Dubiecki, Lara Alameddine, George Clooney, Grant Heslov Writer(s): Jamie Linden, Jim Kouf, Alan DiFiore Director: Jodie Foster Cast: George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Jack O'Connell, Caitriona Balfe, Dominic West, Giancarlo Esposito SSN Insight: IM Global was previously attached to finance with Stuart Ford attached as a producer. Giancarlo Esposito, who will next be seen in sequel The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, has joined the cast and will portray Captain Marcus Powell, a NYPD lead officer. TriStar picked up the project in 2014 in one of its biggest deals of the year.
Motorcade Logline: The story centers on a secret service agent who fails to prevent an attack that occurs on the President of the United States and his motorcade. Studio/ Distributor: DreamWorks Studios Production Company(s): Parkes+MacDonald Image Nation Producer(s): Walter F Parkes, Laurie MacDonald Writer(s): Hans Bauer, Craig Mitchell, Billy Ray, Robert Rodat, Ehren Kruger Director: Joe Carnahan SSN Insight: Billy Ray was previously attached to direct. DreamWorks paid low-against mid-six-figures for the pitch. Jon Cassar was previously attached to direct.
Stone Rider Logline: A boy with nothing left to lose joins a brutal race to win the chance to escape. Studio/ Distributor: Working Title Films Production Company(s): Thwaites Films Producer(s): David Thwaites, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner Writer(s): Dave Andron Notes: Based on the novel "Stone Rider" by David Hofmeyr; will be published by Delacorte in 2015. SSN Insight: The book is described as a cross between Elmore Leonard and Mad Max. Andron has executive produced the FX hit series Justified. He also sold the spec sci-fi drama pilot The Runner to Disney as a feature film and was also the creator of the Knight Rider reboot for NBC.
The Autopsy of Jane Doe Logline: When father and son coroners investigate the death of beautiful "Jane Doe" they find increasingly bizarre clues. Studio/ Distributor: No Studio Available. Production Company(s): 42, Impostor Pictures Producer(s): Fred Berger, Eric Garcia, Rory Aitken, Benjamin Pugh Writer(s): Ian Goldberg, Richard Naing Director: Andre Øvredal Cast: Emile Hirsch, Brian Cox SSN Insight: Screenplay was included in the 2013 Blood List Martin Sheen was previously attached to the role played by Brian Cox. Goldcrest was previously involved as financier and distributor.
The BFG Logline: After orphaned Sofy is kidnapped by a BFG (Big Friendly Giant), the two find in each other the families they never had as they work together to stop some bad giants from eating the world’s children. Studio/ Distributor: DreamWorks Studios Production Company(s): Kennedy/Marshall Company, Amblin Entertainment, Walden Media Producer(s): Frank Marshall, Steven Spielberg, Samuel L. Mercer Writer(s): Melissa Mathison, Robin Swicord, Nicholas Kazan, Terry Jones, Gwyn Lurie Director: Steven Spielberg Cast: Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill Notes: Project based on the children's book "The BFG" written by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake and published in 1982. SSN Insight: Roald Dahl's story was previously adapted as an animated feature (UK/1991), directed by Brian Cosgrove. Project was previously set up at Paramount. Walden Media (The Chronicles Of Narnia series ). Production is set to begin this month for a July 1, 2016 release date.
The Infiltrator Logline: A customs and excise agent goes undercover as a money launderer and helped orchestrate one of history’s most elaborate stings, getting to the bankers behind the Medellin drug cartel. Production Company(s): Good Films Producer(s): Miriam Segal Writer(s): Ellen Brown Furman, Alex Holmes Director: Brad Furman Cast: Bryan Cranston, Diane Kruger, John Leguizamo, Benjamin Bratt, Olympia Dukakis, Elena Anaya, Juliet Aubrey Notes: Based on the book "The Infiltrator: My Secret Life Inside the Dirty Banks Behind Pablo Escobar's Medellin Cartel" written by Robert Mazur and published by Arcade on April 15 2009. SSN Insight: Previously in development at 2929 Productions. Shooting will move to Miami in late April. Relativity International is handling foreign sales.
The Last Time You Had Fun Logline: When Clark and Will meet Alison and Ida in a wine bar, the foursome set out for an all-night adventure to have the most fun that four decidedly dysfunctional adults are capable of having. Studio/ Distributor: Gravitas Ventures, VutopiaSM Production Company(s): Last Time Pictures Producer(s): Drea Clark Writer(s): Hal Haberman Director: Mo Perkins Cast: Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Eliza Coupe, Demetri Martin, Kyle Bornheimer, Charlyne Yi SSN Insight: Gravitas will release the film on VutopiaSM starting March 10. The film will be available on all other digital platforms and cable On Demand beginning April 7.
The Life and Times of the Stopwatch Gang Logline: The film tells the true story of three criminals who robbed banks in the U.S. and Canada with terrific speed, one heist netted millions of dollars in under two minutes. Studio/ Distributor: Universal Pictures Production Company(s): Bluegrass Films Producer(s): Scott Stuber, Dylan Clark Cast: Miles Teller Director: Ruben Fleischer Notes: Based on the long-form piece "The Life and Times of the Stopwatch Gang" written by Josh Dean and published on The Atavist, No.46. SSN Insight: Teller can next be seen in The Divergent Series: Insurgent and then Fantastic Four. He recently wrapped on Bleed For This and Get a Job and is in production on Arms and the Dudes.
The Stanford Prison Experiment Logline: Based on Stanford professor Philip Zimbardo’s social experiment using college kids as prison guards and inmates that became one of the most shocking and famous of all time. Studio/ Distributor: IFC Films Production Company(s): Sandbar Pictures, Coup D'Etat Films, Vineyard Point Productions, Abandon Features Producer(s): Brent Emery, Gregory Little, Lauren Bratman, Karen J. Lauder, Elizabeth Zox Friedman Writer(s): Tim Talbott Director: Kyle Patrick Alvarez Cast: Billy Crudup, Michael Angarano, Moises Arias, Nicholas Braun, Gaius Charles Notes: Maverick Films bought the rights to the participants of the actual Stanford experiment, and the book "The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil" written by Professor Philip Zimbardo published by Random House; March 13, 2007. SSN Insight: Kieran Culkin had previously been mentioned as a member of the cast. Paul Dano had previously been mentioned as a member of the cast. IFC Films will handle U.S. rights. The film won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award and Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize at Sundance.
When Marnie Was There Logline: An adopted girl makes a ghostly friend. Studio/ Distributor: GKIDS Production Company(s): Studio Ghibli Producer(s): Geoffrey Wexler Director: Hiromasa Yonebayashi Voice Cast: Hailee Steinfeld, John C. Reilly, Vanessa Williams, Geena Davis, Kathy Bates, Ellen Burstyn, Catherine O’Hara, Kiernan Shipka, Grey Griffin, Ava Acres and Raini Roodriguez Notes: Based on the children’s book "When Marnie Was There" written by Joan G. Robinson and published by Coward-McCann in 1967. SSN Insight: Project is the first new production to be announced since Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki announced his decision to retire in September, 2013. The film will be released May 22 in New York and Los Angeles, with roll-out plans. GKIDS acquired the film after its Japan release last summer. GKIDS and Studio Ghibli previously partnered on The Tale Of The Princess Kaguya, an Oscar nominee this for Best Animated Feature.
Untitled (Woody Allen 2015 Feature Film) Logline: Logline under wraps. Production Company(s): Gravier Productions Producer(s): Letty Aronson, Stephen Tenenbaum, Edward Walson Writer(s): Woody Allen Director: Woody Allen Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Bruce Willis, Kristen Stewart SSN Insight: Allen’s next release, Irrational Man, stars Emma stone and Joaquin Phoenix. Sony Pictures Classics will release that film on July 24. Eisenberg and Willis are repped by CAA, Stewart is repped by Gersh.
NEW FILMS
Dumbo (Remake) Logline: A live-action re-imagining of the classic tale of Dumbo the elephant. Studio/ Distributor: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Production Company(s): Bobker/Kruger Films, Secret Machine Producer(s): Justin Springer, Ehren Kruger Writer(s): Ehren Kruger Director: Tim Burton Notes: Remake of "Dumbo" (1941) directed by Ben Sharpsteen. SSN Insight: Pic will be a mix of CG and live-action. Burton’s last film was the Weinstein Co. biopic Big Eyes which earned Amy Adams a Golden Globe for best actress in a comedy or musical.
Ghostbusters (Columbia/Russo brothers) Logline: Storyline under wraps, based on the 1984 film Ghostbusters. Studio/ Distributor: Columbia Pictures Production Company(s): Ghostcorps Producer(s): Ivan Reitman, Dan Aykroyd, Joe Russo, Anthony Russo, Channing Tatum Writer(s): Drew Pearce Director: Joe Russo, Anthony Russo Cast: Channing Tatum SSN Insight: Project is a counterpart to the Paul Feig-directed film that will start production in June, 2015. Sony is simultaneously forming Ghostcorps, a new production company whose principals include original Ghostbusters architects Ivan Reitman and Dan Aykroyd; they will have offices at Sony and focus on branding opportunities based on the 1984 comedy classic.
Undone Logline: A popular podcast leads to the re-investigation of a mysterious, decades-old murder case and the lawyer working on the case comes to suspect that her own past may be a key to the crime. Production Company(s): Parkes+MacDonald Image Nation, Black Bear Pictures Producer(s): Walter F Parkes, Laurie MacDonald, Evan Hayes, Teddy Schwarzman Writer(s): Melissa London Hilfers SSN Insight: Parkes+MacDonald and Black Bear Pictures partnered to acquire and produce the film in a mid-six figure deal made in a competitive auction. The film is from a spec script by first time writer London Hilfers, who was a litigator at the law firm Cravath, Swaine & Moore. Parkes+MacDonald (through Image Nation partners) & Black Bear have an option to finance.
Untitled (TriStar/Damián Szifrón Project) Logline: Logline under wraps. Studio/ Distributor: TriStar Productions Producer(s): Damián Szifrón, Nicole Brown Writer(s): Damián Szifrón Director: Damián Szifrón SSN Insight: English-language feature film debut for Damián Szifrón, who previously directed "Wild Tales," aka "Relatos Salvajes" (Argentina/2014) and received an Oscar nomination for best foreign language film. Nicole Brown will oversee for TriStar. Szifron is repped by WME and attorney Carlos Goodman.
American Hostage Logline: A home-invasion crew terrorizes houses in a neighborhood, until they choose the wrong residence. Suddenly, the hunters become the hunted. Production Company(s): Merced Media, Benderspink Producer(s): Bill Block, Raj Singh, Kevin Frakes Writer(s): Eric Bress SSN Insight: American Hostage is a spec script written by Eric Bress who previously co-wrote and directed The Butterfly Effect. Block previously produced Fury, this film thought marks his first deal since moving to Merced Media.
The Meddler Logline: The story of Marnie Minervini, a recent widow and eternal optimist who transplants to Hollywood to be closer to her daughter, only to embark on a sea change all her own. Armed with an iPhone and a full bank account, Marnie sets out to make new friends, find her purpose, and possibly maybe even think about dating. Production Company(s): Anonymous Content Producer(s): Joy Gorman-Wettels, Paul Green, Steve Golin (EP), Susan Sarandon (EP) Writer(s): Lorene Scafaria Director: Lorene Scafaria Cast: Susan Sarandon, Rose Byrne, J.K. Simmons SSN Insight: Scafaria previously directed Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World. Production begins late March in Los Angeles. The film was jointly packaged by CAA and UTA, which is coordinating financing and handling domestic rights.
Descendant Logline: Follows a couple who are overjoyed by the birth of their son. But as he grows older he begins to show signs of genius-level intelligence, which change him in chilling ways, leaving his parents and doctors wondering if his talents are natural or if there is some other force influencing him. Production Company(s): Lotus Entertainment, Vinson Films Producer(s): Tripp Vinson, Lisa Zambri, Tara Farney (EP) Writer(s): Jeff Buhler SSN Insight: Lotus acquired the spec script and will also finance. Lotus’ current slate includes Sacha Gervasi’s November Criminals, starring Chloë Grace Moretz, The Crucifixion from a screenplay by Chad and Carey Hayes and Replicas starring Keanu Reeves.
Morgan Logline: The story centers tells of a corporate risk management consultant who is summoned to a remote research lab to determine whether or not to terminate an at-risk artificial being. Studio/Distributor: 20th Century Fox Production Company(s): Scott Free Producer(s): Ridley Scott, Michael Schaefer, Elishia Holmes, George Heller (EP) Writer(s):Seth Owens Director(s): Luke Scott Cast: Kate Mara, Anya Taylor-Joy SSN Insight: Project marks Luke Scott, son of filmmaker Ridley Scott, directorial debut. Luke Scott directed a sci-fi short titled Loom and was a second unit director on his father’s film Exodus: Gods and Kings. Owens wrote the script, which was on the 2014 Black List, the annual list of best unproduced screenplays. Steve Asbell is overseeing for Fox.
The Axmann Conspiracy Logline: True story during the wake of World War II, a young U.S. Counter Intelligence Corps officer, Jack Hunter, uncovers a dangerous Nazi conspiracy for a Fourth Reich. Studio/Distributor: Sony Pictures Production Company(s): Weimaraner Republic Pictures Producer(s): Lynn Harris, Matti Leshem Writer(s): Jacob Crane, Jonathan Stewart Notes: Based on the Scott Selby book The Axmann Conspiracy, which was published in 2012 by Berkley. SSN Insight: Sony Pictures won the auction for the screen rights which came packaged with the Black List screenwriters who wrote Black Winter, Crane and Stewart. Hannah Minghella and Lauren Abrahams will oversee for Sony.