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Film Development for 4/16/15: Universal Wins Both Josh Gad/Jeremy Garelick Musical Comedy & Real McCoy in Bidding Wars

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at arrivals for STAND UP TO CANCER Benefit, The Dolby Theatre at Hollywood and Highland Center, Los Angeles, CA September 5, 2014. Photo By: Dee Cercone/Everett Collection

NEW ATTACHMENTS

Fletch (Reboot) Logline: Investigative reporter I.M. Fletcher juggles writing exposes and solving crimes while avoiding headaches caused by his two ex-wives. Studio/ Distributor: Relativity Production Company: RoadDog Industries, Anonymous Content, Boies/Schiller Film Group, Rickard Pictures Producers: David List, Ryan Kavanaugh, Zachary Schiller, John Rickard Cast: Jason Sudeikis Notes: Based on the novels, featuring the character Irwin Maurice Fletcher, written by Gregory McDonald. There are nine books in the series, beginning with "Fletch" published in 1974. SSN Insight: Project was previously set up at Warner Bros. with an adaptation written by Dave Mandel. Film is a reboot of the 1980;s Chevy Chase movie based on the books.

Wonder Woman Logline: A woman from the closely guarded amazon homeland of Paradise Island travels to the outside world and becomes Wonder Woman. Studio/ Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures Production Company: DC Entertainment, Atlas Entertainment, Cruel & Unusual Films Producers: Charles Roven, Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder Writer: Jason Fuchs Director: Patty Jenkins Cast: Gal Gadot SSN Insight: Jenkins replaces previous director Michelle MacLaren only two days after MacLaren departed the project over creative differences. Kidrobot Logline: Logline not yet established. Studio/ Distributor: MGM Studios Production Company: Aversano Films Producers: Scott Aversano Writer: Matt Ember & Tom Astle Notes: Based on the limited edition art toys and apparel created by Paul Budnitz and produced by Kidrobot. SSN Insight: The toy brand of collectible characters is backed by Wildbrain and sold in high- end stores around the country. The film is said to be a mix of animation and live-action. The property was previously set up at Paramount and Warner Bros.

Flash Gordon Logline: The adventures of Flash Gordon, a handsome athlete, and his companions Dale Arden and Dr. Hans Zarkov on the planet Mongo. Studio: 20th Century Fox Production Companies: Hearst Entertainment, Davis Entertainment, King Features Entertainment Producers: John Davis, George J. Nolfi Writer: JD Payne & Patrick McKay Director: Matthew Vaughn SSN Insight: Vaughn is hot off the recent success of his film Kingsmen: The Secret Service and is a great choice for the comic property given his early experience with Kick-Ass and X-Men: First Class.

La La Land Logline: Lonely aspiring actress Mia and cocky jazz pianist Sebastian balance their art and love in Los Angeles, the land of the dreamers. Studio: Lionsgate Production Companies: Gilbert Films, Impostor Pictures Producers: Jordan Horowitz, Fred Berger Writer: Damien Chazelle Director: Damien Chazelle Cast: Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling SSN Insight: Emma Watson was previous attached to co-star and Miles Teller, Chazelle’s Whiplash star, was attached in the lead, but both have moved on to other projects.

Captain Marvel Logline: Marvel is the hero name of Carol Danvers, an air force pilot whose DNA is fused with that of an alien during an accident. The resulting alteration imbues her with the super powers of strength, energy project and flight. Studio: Walt Disney Studios Production Companies: Marvel Entertainment Producers: Kevin Feige Writer: Nicole Perlman and Meg LeFauve SSN Insight: Perlman co-wrote Guardians of the Galaxy and LeFauve co-wrote Pixar’s Inside Out and are teaming up for the first time. The film is Marvel’s first female-driven superhero movie. The studio plans to hire a female director as well to spearhead the franchise.

X-Men: Apocalypse Logline: In 1983, ten years after Wolverine traveled to the past to prevent a bleak future, the X-Men team up with Cyclops, Storm, and Jean in a battle to stop an unprecedented apocalypse by an ancient enemy. Studio/ Distributor: 20th Century Fox Production Company: Bad Hat Harry Productions Donners’ Company, Marvel Entertainment, Genre Films, Hutch Parker Entertainment Producers: Lauren Shuler Donner, Hutch Parker, Bryan Singer, Simon Kinberg Writer: Simon Kinberg Director: Bryan Singer Cast: Olivia Munn, Ben Hardy, Kodit Smit-McPhee, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Hugh Jackman, Nicholas Hoult, Oscar Isaac, Alexandra Shipp, Sophie Turner Tye Sheridan, Rose Byrne SSN Insight: Another mutant signs on to the film about to start production – Olivia Munn signs on to play Psylocke, a mutant with telepathic abilities and ninja skills.

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, Walt Disney Pictures Production Company: Kennedy/ Marshall Company, Amblin Entertainment, Walden Media Producers: Melissa Mathison, Steven Spielberg, Frank Marshall, Samuel L. Mercer Writer: Melissa Mathison Director: Steven Spielberg Cast: Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Bill Hader, Jermaine Clement, Michael Adamthwaite, Daniel Bacon, Chris Gibbs, Adam Godley, Jonathan Holmes SSN Insight: Disney has come on board to help finance and produce Dreamworks and Spielberg’s adaptation of the classic Roald Dahl book. This is the first film Spielberg will direct for Disney. The Dark Tower Logline: The tale of gunslinger Roland Deschain's quest for the Dark Tower. Studio/ Distributor: Columbia Pictures/ Media Rights Capital Production Company: Imagine Entertainment, Weed Road Pictures Producers: Brian Grazer, Akiva Goldsman, Ron Howard, Erica Huggins Writer: Akiva Goldsman, Jeff PInkner Notes: Based on the seven-book series "Dark Tower" that begins with "The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger" written by Stephen King and published by Donald M. Grant in 1982. SSN Insight: The development saga of The Dark Tower is long and sorted; the movie was getting made at Universal in 2011 but then put into turnaround due to budget concerns. Warners was negotiating to acquire the project in 2012 but ultimately passed. The project now goes to Sony where newly installed head, Tom Rothman, is anxious to start a franchise. The Flash Logline: Barry Allen is a scientist who awakes from a coma and becomes The Flash, a superhero with the ability to move faster than the speed of light. Studio/ Distributor: Warner Bros. Studios Production Company: DC Entertainment Producers: Geoff Johns Writer: Phil Lord, Chris Miller Notes: Based on the seven-book series "Dark Tower" that begins with "The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger" written by Stephen King and published by Donald M. Grant in 1982. SSN Insight: The superhero project has gone through some various incarnations, with directors such as Greg Berlanti, David Dobkin, David Goyer and Shawn Levy attached. Now hot directing/ writing duo of Lord and Miller give it their spin. Haunted Mansion Logline: A story based on the Disney ride "The Haunted Mansion." Studio/ Distributor: Walt Disney Studios Production Company: Del Toro Productions Producers: Guillermo Del Toro Writer: D.V. DeVincentis Director: Guillermo Del Toro Cast: Ryan Gosling SSN Insight: Guillermo Del Toro was previously attached to direct. Based on the Disneyland ride "The Haunted Mansion."

NEW PROJECTS

Untitled (Josh Gad/Jeremy Garelick Musical Comedy Project) Logline: Storyline is under wraps. Studio/ Distributor: Universal Pictures Production Companies: Michael De Luca Productions Producers: Michael De Luca Writer: Josh Gad, Jeremy Garelick Director: Jeremy Garelick Cast: Josh Gad SSN Insight: Gad and Garelick's pitch received seven-figure offers from Disney, Paramount, Warner Bros’ New Line, Sony Pictures, Fox and Universal. Universal won out in this year’s biggest material deal so far that included talent fees estimated to reach eight figures if the film is made. Legendary composer-lyricists Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz will compose original music.

The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip Logline: A little girl in a small seaside town must fight off the Gappers, creatures who attach themselves to goats because they love them, but it keeps the animals from giving milk. Studio/ Distributor: MGM Studios Notes: Based on the children’s book "The Very Persistent Gappers of Frip" written by George Saunders, illustrated by Lane Smith and published by Villard in 2000.

The Real McCoy Logline: The true story adventures of bootlegger, Bill McCoy, who's name hatched the phrase, "The Real McCoy". Studio/ Distributor: Universal Pictures Production Companies: Michael De Luca Productions Producers: Tom McNulty, Michael De Luca Writer: Bill Dubuque Cast: Chris Pratt SSN Insight: The pitch, which originated as an original idea by McNulty, became a hotly sought after property, sparking a bidding war between Universal and Warners. Universal won out in a deal that went for a reported $1.5 million against $3 million.

The Young Elites Logline: The survivors of a deadly plague include The Young Elites, gifted teens with special powers, and the Inquisition Axis who wants to destroy them. Studio/ Distributor: 20th Century Fox Production Companies: Temple Hill Entertainment Producers: Marty Bowen, Wyck Godfrey Notes: Based on the YA novel "The Young Elites" written by Marie Lu and published by Putnam Juvenile in October, 2014. SSN Insight: Temple Hill is back in it’s YA wheelhouse after Mazerunner and Fault in Our Stars and the upcoming Paper Towns. Home is Burning Logline: A young man who has moved back home to take care of his ailing parents is reunited with his four colorful siblings. Studio/ Distributor: New Line Cinema Producers: Miles Teller, Jonathan Levine Writer: Daniel Marshall Director: Jonathan Levine Cast: Miles Teller Notes: Based on the memoir "Home Is Burning" written by Dan Marshall and to be published on October 20, 2015 by Flatiron Books. SSN Insight: Teller’s reputation as not only an actor, but as a producer, is on the rise, as this marks the second project he set up as a producer. Universal optioned The Life and Times of the Stopwatch Gang for him last month. 37th Parallel Logline: Chuch Zukowski is an extraterrestrial investigator with stories of the paranormal and secret government activity that involves the conspiracy of a multibillion dollar corporation. Studio/ Distributor: New Line Cinema Production Companies: Flynn Picture Co, RatPac Entertainment Producers: Beau Flynn, Brett Ratner Notes: Based on the proposed book "The 37th Parallel" to be written by Ben Mezrich. SSN Insight: Producer Beau Flynn pitched the idea based on Zukowski to author Mezrich, who sparked to the idea. They then set it up at New Line where Flynn’s deal is. Nick Logline: Logline under wraps Studio/ Distributor: Dreamworks Studios Producers: Jason Filardi, Walt Becker Writer: Jason Filardi and Walt Becker Director: Walt Becker SSN Insight: Logline is under wraps but project is said to be a Home Alone Christmas style comedy. Mothers I’d Like To… Logline: Logline under wraps Studio/ Distributor: Universal Pictures Production Companies: Nuyorican Productions Producers: Jennifer Lopez, Benny Medina, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas Writer: Mark Perez Cast: Jennifer Lopez SSN Insight: The pitch, which is Bridesmaids meets First Wives Club, is an original idea of Goldsmith-Thomas.


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