NEW ATTACHMENTS
Animal Crackers Logline: An animated film about a family inherits a neglected circus and a magical box of Animal Crackers that turns whoever eats them into an animal. Studio: Blue Dream Studios Production Company(s): Blue Dream Studios Producer(s): Scott Christian Sava, George Lee, Marcus Englefield, Jamie Thomason, Leiming Guan Cast (Voice): Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Danny DeVito, Sylvester Stallone, Ian McKellen Writer(s): Scott Christian Sava, Dean Lorey SSN Insight: Blunt and Krasinski will play Zoe and Owen Huntington, the lead husband and wife of the film. Kaley Cuoco was originally attached to provide the voiceover of the wife but departed due to scheduling conflicts.
Barbershop 3 Logline: Storyline is under wraps. Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM), New Line Cinema Production Company(s): State Street Pictures, CubeVision Producer(s): Robert Teitel, George Tillman Jr., Ice Cube Cast: Ice Cube, Cedric The Entertainer, Queen Latifah, Nicki Minaj Writer(s): Kenya Barris, Tracy Oliver Director(s): Malcolm D. Lee Notes: Sequel to "Barbershop 2: Back in Business" (2004) directed by Kevin Rodney Sullivan. 2nd Sequel to "Barbershop" (2002) directed by Tim Story. SSN Insight: Matt Alvarez was previously attached to produce. MGM will handle production and New Line has come onboard to handle distribution. The first two installments were distributed by MGM. The first film grossed $75 million domestic in 2002 and the 2004 sequel grossed $65 million domestic.
Eddie the Eagle Logline: After Eddie Edwards failed to qualify for the 1984 Olympics as a downhill skier, mentor Chuck Berghorn helped him overcome several obstacles and qualify for the 1988 games as a ski jumper. Studio: 20th Century Fox Production Company(s): Saville Productions, MARV Films Producer(s): Matthew Vaughn, Adam Bohling, David Reid, Rupert Maconick, Valerie Van Galder Cast: Hugh Jackman, Taron Egerton, Timothy Spall, Christopher Walken Writer(s): Sean Macaulay Director(s): Dexter Fletcher SSN Insight: Rupert Grint was previously attached to star. Stephen Coogan previously attached to star. Declan Lowney was previously attached to direct.
Florence Foster Jenkins Logline: The true story of New York socialite Florence Foster Jenkins, who aspired to become an opera singer despite an assertive lack of talent, and her aristocratic British "husband" and manager who both championed her skills and sought to protect her from the hard truth about her abilities. Production Company(s): N1 European Film Productions and Co. KG, Qwerty Films Producer(s): Michael Kuhn, Tracey Seaward Cast: Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant, Simon Helberg, Rebecca Ferguson Writer(s): Nicholas Martin Director(s): Stephen Frears SSN Insight: In addition to his Big Bang Theory acting duties, Helberg most recently produced, wrote and co-directed We’ll Never Have Paris with his wife, Jocelyn Towne that starred opposite Melanie Lynskey and Zachary Quinto.
Gold Logline: Based on a true story, an enormous amount of gold is discovered in the jungles of Indonesia in 1993, leading to a scandal involving the mining corporation. Production Company(s): j.k. livin Productions, Hwy61 Films, Black Bear Pictures Producer(s): Michael Nozik, Teddy Schwarzman, Patrick Massett, John Zinman, Matthew McConaughey Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Edgar Ramirez Writer(s): Patrick Massett, John Zinman Director(s): Stephen Gaghan SSN Insight: Michael Mann previously attached to direct and produce. Spike Lee previously attached to direct. The Weinstein Company has acquired U.S. rights after an auction brokered by CAA, for the film which according to Deadline had a $15 million minimum guarantee and a P&A guarantee of $20 million+ for a release on at least 2500 screens. That is one of the biggest commitments of it kind for a picture package that is ready to go into production. The picture will be released under the TWC-Dimension label.
He Named Me Malala Logline: Malala Yousafza is the 15-year-old Pakistani education activist who survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban. Her first visit to the U.S. is chronicled in this documentary. Production Company(s): Parkes+MacDonald Image Nation Producer(s): Walter F Parkes, Laurie MacDonald Director(s): Davis Guggenheim SSN Insight: Fox Searchlight acquired worldwide rights minus France to the film. The release of the film will coincide with an international advocacy and fundraising campaign in partnership with the Malala Fund, Malala’s nonprofit organization working to empower adolescent girls globally through a quality secondary education.
Leatherface Logline: The origin story of Leatherface’s early years in the 1970s. Studio: Nu Image/Millennium Films Production Company(s): Main Line Pictures Producer(s): Carl Mazzocone, Christa Campbell, Lati Dana Grobman, Les Weldon Cast: Sam Strike, Stephen Dorff, James Bloor Writer(s): Seth Sherwood Director(s): Julien Maury, Alexandre Bustillo Notes: Reboot of "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" (1974) directed by Toby Hooper and starring Marilyn Burns and Gunnar Hansen.
Metal Gear Solid Logline: The videogame’s storyline from which it is adapted follows Solid Snake, a soldier who infiltrates a nuclear weapons facility to neutralize the terrorist threat from FOXHOUND, a renegade special forces unit. Studio: Columbia Pictures Production Company(s): Arad Productions, Inc. Producer(s): Avi Arad, Ari Arad Writer(s): Jay Basu Director(s): Jordan Vogt-Roberts Notes: Based on the best-selling video game franchise "Metal Gear Solid" first published by Konami Digital Entertainment in 1998. SSN Insight: Previously in development at Michael De Luca Productions. Universal Pictures recently hired Basu to help relaunch its monster franchises. Basu also co-wrote Vertigo Films’ sequel Monsters: Dark Continent with writer-director Tom Green, which is currently in post.
Nine Lives Logline: After a terrible accident, a workaholic businessman finds himself trapped in the body of the family cat. Studio: EuropaCorp Cast: Kevin Spacey, Christopher Walken Writer(s): Daniel Antoniazzi, Ben Shiffrin, Gwyn Lurie Director(s): Barry Sonnenfeld SSN Insight: EuropaCorp is financing, producing and distributing the film.
Rings 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 Producer(s): Walter F Parkes, Laurie MacDonald Cast: Matilda Lutz, Alex Roe, Aimee Teegarden, Johnny Galecki Writer(s): Akiva Goldsman, David Loucka, Jacob Estes Director(s): F Javier Gutierrez Notes: 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.
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: DreamWorks Studios Production Company(s): Kennedy/Marshall Company, Amblin Entertainment, Walden Media Producer(s): Frank Marshall, Steven Spielberg, Samuel L. Mercer Cast: Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Bill Hader Writer(s): Melissa Mathison, Robin Swicord, Nicholas Kazan, Terry Jones, Gwyn Lurie Director(s): Steven Spielberg 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.
The Billionaire's Vinegar Logline: Based on the true story of the scandal surrounding an auctioned cache of wine bottles purported to have been owned by Thomas Jefferson. Studio: Columbia Pictures Production Company(s): Overbrook Entertainment, Escape Artists Producer(s): Todd Black, James Lassiter, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch, Will Smith Cast: Matthew McConaughey Writer(s): Derek Haas, Michael Brandt, David Koepp, John Kamps Notes: Based on the book "The Billionaire's Vinegar: The Mystery of the World's Most Expensive Bottle of Wine" written by Benjamin Wallace and published by Crown on May 13, 2008. SSN Insight: David Koepp was previously attached to direct. Brad Pitt was previously mentioned to star.
The Lake Logline: A group of Navy SEALS try to solve a long-forgotten mystery while they’re looking for treasure in a lake in war-torn Serbia. Production Company(s): EuropaCorp Producer(s): Luc Besson Cast: Sullivan Stapleton, J.K. Simmons, Charlie Bewley, Diarmaid Murtagh, Clemens Schick Writer(s): Richard Wenk, Luc Besson Director(s): Steven Quale SSN Insight: Schick will play the villain, Petrovich and will appear next in the Point Break remake. The film is slated for a July 15, 2016 release.
The Neon Demon Logline: An aspiring model finds herself in a terrifying predicament with her survival hanging in the balance. Production Company(s): Space Rocket Nation Producer(s): Lene Borglum Cast: Elle Fanning, Abbey Lee, Keanu Reeves, Christina Hendricks, Jena Malone, Desmond Harrington Writer(s): Nicolas Winding Refn, Mary Laws Director(s): Nicolas Winding Refn SSN Insight: The feature recently began shooting in Los Angeles. Harrington recently joined the cast, previous credits include Dexter. Space Rocket Nation was launched in 2008 by Refn and Borglum after their production Valhalla Rising.
Untitled (BBC/StudioCanal Donald Crowhurst Yacht Race Project) Logline: True story of Donald Crowhurt who, despite being a novice, entered the most challenging nautical around-the-world boat race. Studio: StudioCanal Distribution Production Company(s): Galatee Films, BBC Films, Blue Print Pictures Producer(s): Graham Broadbent, Peter Czernin, Scott Burns, Nicolas Mauvernay, Jacques Perrin Cast: Colin Firth, Rachel Weisz Writer(s): Scott Burns Director(s): James Marsh Notes: Based on documentary "Deep Water" (2006) directed by Louise Osmond and Jerry Rothwell. SSN Insight: Alejandro González Iñárritu was previously attached to direct.
Untitled (New Regency/See Saw/Widows Adaptation Project) Logline: After their husbands are killed while pulling off a heist, four widows use their late spouses’ records to commit their own robbery. Studio: Regency Enterprises Production Company(s): See-Saw Films Producer(s): Steve McQueen, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman Writer(s): Gillian Flynn, Steve McQueen Director(s): Steve McQueen Notes: Based on the television series "Widows" (UK/1983) which was written by Lynda La Plante and aired on ITV from March 16, 1983 through May 8, 1985. SSN Insight: Film 4 will co-finance the film with New Regency and it will license free TV rights in the UK.
Untitled (Paramount/Transformers Sequel Project: Part One) Logline: Storyline is under wraps. Studio: Paramount Pictures Production Company(s): Amblin Entertainment, Weed Road Pictures, Platinum Dunes, Hasbro, Inc., Di Bonaventura Pictures Producer(s): Michael Bay, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Steven Spielberg, Akiva Goldsman Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz, Jack Reynor, Stanley Tucci SSN Insight: Michael Bay is said to be looking for a new director for the franchise. The producers are organizing a "writer's room" to develop story ideas for this two-part sequel as well as potential spinoff projects. Per Deadline, Goldsman’s role, “will be an oversight role to secure writers and hatch the movies they’ll script.”
NEW PROJECTS
Apostle Paul Logline: Follows the story of the Jewish man, Saul of Tarsus who was converted to Christianity while on the Road to Damascus when Christ came to him and he was blinded by a great, white light. He became the Apostle Paul and was credited with writing 14 of the 27 books in the New Testament. Studio: Warner Bros. Production Company(s): Pearl Street Producer(s): Hugh Jackman, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Todd, Chris Clarke Cast: Hugh Jackman Writer(s): Matt Cook SSN Insight: Jackman, Damon, Affleck and Cook are all repped by WME. The movie follows the trend of faith-based films as of late with Son of God, God’s Not Dead and Heaven is for Real.
American Drifter Logline: A man who's lost his father and the love of his life, travels the world with fate leading him to the Berlin Wall, the L.A. riots and 9/11. Studio: Relativity Media Production Company(s): Benderspink Producer(s): JC Spink, Chris Bender, Jake Weiner Writer(s): Eric Bress SSN Insight: Bress’ credits include The Butterfly Effect and Final Destination 2. Last month he sold his spec script, American Hostage to Bill Block at Merced Media.
Book of Henry Logline: Storyline is under wraps Studio: STX Production Company(s): Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, Double Nickel Entertainment Producer(s): Carla Hacken, Jim Tauber, Sidney Kimmel, Jenette Kahn, Adam Richman Writer(s): Gregg Hurwitz Director(s): Colin Trevorrow SSN Insight: Based on an original screenplay by New York Times bestselling novelist Hurwitz whose past novels included Don’t Look Back, Tell No Lies, and Orphan X which he’s adapting for Warner Bros. The Leviathan Logline: In the 22nd century, humanity has colonized many worlds and travel is faster than the speed of light, due to the matter harvested from the eggs of the biggest species known. Studio: 20th Century Fox Production Company(s): Genre Films Producer(s): Simon Kinberg Writer(s): Jim Uhls Director(s): Ruairi Robinson SSN Insight: Fox bought the spec script by screenwriter Jim Uhls which Robinson made a 3-1/2 minute proof of concept video for feature that became an online sensation when it debuted in mid-March, 2015, with 1.2 million plays on Vimeo and hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube in under a week.
MF Logline: Logline under wraps. Producer(s): Robert Schwartzman, Mel Eslyn Cast: Johnny Simmons, Amy Landecker, Frankie Shaw, Beverly D'Angelo Writer(s): Robert Schwartzman, Benjamin Font Director(s): Robert Schwartzman SSN Insight: Feature directorial debut for Robert Schwartzman who has lead the L.A. band Rooney for more than 15 years.
Patriot’s Day Logline: Based on the firsthand account of Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis of the Boston Marathon bombing and the citywide manhunt of the terrorists, with help from research done and footage shot by 60 Minutes. Studio: CBS Films Production Company(s): Bluegrass Films, Closest to the Hole Productions, Leverage Management Producer(s): Nicholas David Nesbitt, Scott Stuber, Dylan Clark, Mark Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson, Michael Radutzky Cast: Mark Wahlberg (in discussions) Writer(s): Matt Charman SSN Insight: This marks the first time CBS Films has worked on a project with its sibling division, 60 Minutes. Another film on the Boston Marathon bombing is also in development at Fox titled Boston Strong based on the book by Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge.
Sundays Logline: Against the backdrop of a bleak, futuristic, urban landscape, a man questions the nature of identity and memory. Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures Director(s): Mischa Rozema Notes: Based on a short film "Sundays" (Netherlands/2015) directed by Mischa Rozema that was created as a teaser for a feature film. SSN Insight: Jairo Alvarado, Circle of Confusion, scouted commercial director Rozema who pitched Sundays as a feature. He gained representation from UTA and together they launched a Kickstarter to make the $51,000 budgeted short. After the short gained popularity, several studios were interested with Warner Bros. beating out the other studios.