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Beyond Deceit 3/20/2015 Logline: When an ambitious young lawyer takes on a big case against the ruthless executive of a pharmaceutical company, he is drawn into a murder case and considered the prime suspect. Director: Shintaro Shimosawa Producer(s): Jonathan Sanger Cast: Anthony Hopkins, Al Pacino, Dan Stevens, Malin Akerman, Byung-hun Lee Writer(s): Shintaro Shimosawa, Adam Mason, Simon Boyes SSN Insight: Project marks the directorial debut of screenwriter Shimosawa whose credits include TV thrillers The Ringer, The Following and Intelligence. Dan Stevens was previously in the role now held by Duhamel. Stevens dropped out due to a conflict with Disney's live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast.
Deadpool 3/23/2015 Logline: Follows the adventures of Deadpool, a Marvel anti-hero and mercenary who is disfigured, mentally unstable, and is known for his love of chimichangas and cracking wise. Studio: 20th Century Fox Production Company(s): Donners' Company, Marvel Entertainment, Genre Films Director: Tim Miller Producer(s): Kevin Feige, Lauren Shuler Donner, Simon Kinberg Cast: Ryan Reynolds, TJ Miller, Ed Skrein, Gina Carano, Morena Baccarin Writer(s): Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick Details: Based on the comic book character who first appeared in New Mutants #98 in February 1991. Deadpool is considered one of the most popular characters in the "X-Men" comic book series and was created by Rob Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza. SSN Insight: Project is a spinoff of the film "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" (2009), in which Ryan Reynolds appeared as Deadpool. Project was previously in development at Artisan.
In Dubious Battle 3/18/2015 Logline: Based on the John Steinbeck novel, the story takes place in 1930s California, and focuses on an activist who organizes a group of fruit workers in a labor strike. Production Company(s): Rabbit Bandini Productions, That's Hollywood, AMBI Distribution Director: James Franco Producer(s): Andrea Iervolino, Monika Bacardi, Scott Reed, Vince Jolivette, Ron Singer Cast: Nat Wolff, James Franco, Selena Gomez, Vincent D'Onofrio, Robert Duvall Writer(s): Matt Rager, Tom Steinbeck SSN Insight: Previously in development with Zupnik Enterprises Inc. Alec Baldwin and Brad Pitt were previously mentioned to star. Based on the novel "In Dubious Battle" written by John Steinbeck and published by in New York by Covici-Friede in 1936.
November Criminals 3/23/2015 Logline: A teenager explores the Washington D.C. underbelly in order to solve the mystery of the death of a fellow student. Production Company(s): Lotus Entertainment, Black Bicycle Entertainment Director: Sacha Gervasi Executive Producer(s): Ara Keshishian, Steven Knight Producer(s): Beth O'Neil, Bill Johnson, Jim Seibel, Erika Olde Cast: Chloe Grace Moretz, Catherine Keener, Ansel Elgort Writer(s): Sacha Gervasi, Steven Knight Details: Based on the novel "November Criminals" written by Sam Munson and published by Doubleday on April 20, 2010. SSN Insight: Steven Knight was previously attached to direct. Lisa Cholodenko previously attached to direct.
Rings 3/23/2015 Logline: A group of high school students have to find someone to watch an evil videotape or else they'll all die. Studio: Paramount Pictures Production Company(s): Benderspink, Vertigo Entertainment, Parkes+MacDonald Image Nation, Macari/Edelstein Entertainment Director: F Javier Gutierrez Executive Producer(s): Roy Lee, Doug Davison, Mike Macari, Neil A Machlis, Chris Bender Producer(s): Walter F Parkes, Laurie MacDonald Cast: Matilda Lutz Writer(s): Akiva Goldsman, David Loucka, Jacob Estes Details: Second sequel to "The Ring" (2002) directed by Gore Verbinski and starring Naomi Watts, and remake of short film "Rings" (2005) directed by Jonathan Liebesman. SSN Insight: Project was previously in development at Dreamworks.
Shifting Gears 3/16/2015 Logline: A group of hard-working underdogs must drive in, and win, a big dirt car race to defeat their dastardly nemesis and save their beloved auto shop. Production Company(s): Tonic Films Director: Jason Winn Producer(s): R Keith Harris, Matt Zboyovski, Lauren Moews Vilchik Cast: M.C. Gainey, R Keith Harris Writer(s): R Keith Harris SSN Insight: Vilchik was nominated for the 2004 Independent Spirit Awards Producer’s Award for “Outstanding Achievement for a Body of Work” and credits include Cabin Fever.
The BFG 3/23/2015 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: DreamWorks Studios Production Company(s): Kennedy/Marshall Company, Amblin Entertainment, Walden Media Director: Steven Spielberg Executive Producer(s): Michael Siegel, John Madden, Kathleen Kennedy Producer(s): Frank Marshall, Steven Spielberg, Samuel L. Mercer Cast: Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill Writer(s): Melissa Mathison, Robin Swicord, Nicholas Kazan, Terry Jones, Gwyn Lurie Details: Project based on the children's book "The BFG" written by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake and published in 1982. Roald Dahl's story was previously adapted as an animated feature (UK/1991), directed by Brian Cosgrove. SSN Insight: Project was previously set up at Paramount. After a long casting search, Spielberg’s adaptation of the beloved Roald Dahl novel has found its “Sophie” in newcomer Ruby Barnhill.
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Ali & Nino 3/23/2015 Logline: No Logline Available. Studio: No Studio Available. Production Company(s): Archery Pictures Director: Asif Kapadia Executive Producer(s): Leyla Aliyeva Producer(s): Kris Thykier, Diana Phillips Cast: Adam Bakri, Maria Valverde, Mandy Patinkin, Connie Nielsen, Riccardo Scamarcio Writer(s): Christopher Hampton Details: Based on the book "Ali & Nino" written by an author using the pseudonym Kurban Said and first published in German in 1937. The book was reissued in English by Overlook/Penguin in July 1996. SSN Insight: Alicia Vikander was previously attached to star. Kapadia previously directed Senna (2010), the highest grossing U.K. documentary of all time, for which he won a BAFTA award.
When the Bough Breaks 3/20/2015 Logline: When a professional couple who are unable to conceive hire a young, blue-collar woman as a surrogate, she develops a psychotic fixation on the husband that turns violent and deadly just before the baby is born. Studio: Screen Gems Production Company(s): Unique Features Director: Jon Cassar Executive Producer(s): Glenn Gainor, Morris Chestnut Producer(s): Robert Shaye, Michael Lynne Cast: Morris Chestnut, Regina Hall, Jaz Sinclair, Theo Rossi, Michael K. Williams Writer(s): Jack Olsen, Karl Gajdusek SSN Insight: Cassar, best known for his work as director and executive producer on the TV series, 24, takes on his first studio feature with this psychological thriller.