SSN ORIGINALS
Industry Innovators: How LEG’s YouTube Channel Blends the Line Between Live and Digital Audience
This is the first article in the SSN Industry Innovators Series. Here we take a look at Levity Entertainment Group [LEG], a vertically integrated entertainment company with four divisions: Live, Production, Talent Management and Digital. (SSN)On the Set for 6/29/15: Justin Lin Rolls Cameras on ‘Star Trek Beyond’, Emilia Clarke Wraps ‘Me Before You’
Among the other projects starting production are Stephen Gaghan's Gold, the New Line thriller Lights Out, and the Nicholas Cage film, U.S.S. Indianapolis: Men of Courage. Wraps include Barbershop 3, New Line's How to be Single and MGM's Me Before You. (SSN)OTHER HEADLINES
NBC Cuts All Ties with Donald Trump Over Derogatory Statements About Mexican Immigrants
NBC announced this morning it had ended it relationship with Donald Trump over comments he made recently about immigrants coming over the Mexico border. Miss USA and Miss Universe Pageants, which are part of a joint venture between NBC and Trump, will no longer air on NBC . In addition, Trump will not be participating in Celebrity Apprentice on NBC either. (DH)Empire Co-Creator, Lee Daniels, Inks Overall Deal with 20th Century Television
The Empire co-creator has inked a multi-year overall deal the studio, where he will remain on Empire, as well as create new projects to write, direct and supervise under his new banner. (THR)Ted 2 Fumbles: Are R-Rated Comedies in a Funk?
Ted 2 is the latest bawdy comedy to struggle at the box office, opening to just $32.9 million this weekend, exposing some kinks in the R-rated comedy genre’s armor. The disappointing returns come on the heels of Spy’s underwhelming $29.1 million debut earlier this month. (VAR)Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto Sign Deals to Star in Fourth Star Trek Film
If Paramount decides to make a Star Trek 4 film, it can count on Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock reporting for duty. Actors Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto have renegotiated their contracts to allow for a fourth Trek adventure, in a move that also boosts their salary. (EMP)Sandman and Other DC-Vertigo Movies Heading to New Line
In an effort to consolidate focus on its DC Movie Universe, Warner Bros. is opting to move properties under the DC-owned Vertigo comics imprint to sister studio New Line Cinema. This includes Sandman, the film adaptation of the Neil Gaiman comic that Joseph Gordon-Levitt is attached to direct and star in, as well as Constantine, Dark Universe, Preacher, and Lucifer. (COLL)I Am Chris Farley Trailer
I Am Chris Farley — a documentary about the beloved comedian who died in 1997 — opens in theaters on July 31, and BuzzFeed has the exclusive first look at the trailer. (BUZZ)