Saturday, August 23, 2014
Negromancer News Bits and Bites for the Week of August 17th to August 23rd, 2014 - Update #20
NEWS:
From TheVerge: Marvel's movie business is crushing DC's
From TheWrap: MPAA earns ire of "R" rating for gay drama, Love is Strange.
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From HuffingtonPost: Hugh Jackman can deadlift 400lbs.
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From Screenrant: Jennifer Lawrence reportedly in talks to appear in Quentin Tarantino's next film, "The Hateful Eight."
From YahooHealth: "Fat" Daphne controversy in Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy.
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From TVLine: Shad Moss, also known as the rapper, Bow Wow, is a cast member of the "CSI" spin-off, "CSI: Cyber," as a baby-faced hacker.
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From IMDbBlog: FX renews "The Strain" for a second 13-episode season. The current season gets better with each episode.
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From BuzzFlash: Emmy winner Harry Shearer impersonates Richard Nixon preparing to resign.
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From Hello: Jack Nicholson and his lookalike son, Ray.
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From HuffingtonPost: Neil Patrick Harris, who is gay, talks about having sex women.
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From Variety: The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (estimated box office take of $28.4 million) win the August 15-17, 2014 weekend box office. This is the film's second consecutive win, having finished at #1 when it debuted during the August 8-10, 2014 weekend. Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy finished at #2 ($24.7 million) for a second straight week, after finishing at #1 during its debut weekend. The Expendables 3, this weekend's big debut movie, is considered a flop after ending up in third place with an estimated box office tally of $16.2 million.
From Variety: You may have heard that a "DVD-quality" copy of The Expendables 3 ended up on the Internet a few weeks ago. Did that affect the film's puny box office during its debut weekend? Variety discusses that. Here is an interesting tidbit:
However, some research suggests that piracy can take a big chunk out of ticket sales. A 2011 study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that when a film is pirated prior to release, it loses nearly 20 percent of its potential revenue.
That study can be found here.
STAR WARS:
From YahooScreen: More Episode VII rumors (video)
COMICS BOOKS - Movies and Comics:
From WeGotThisCovered: 8 comic book movies that actually feel like comic books.
From YahooScreen: Seven actors who almost played Batman
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From CinemaBlend: Director Marc Webb confirms three planned members of "The Sinister Six," the Spider-Man spinoff movie. They seem to be "The Gentleman," "Mysterio," and "Kraven the Hunter." [I'll pretend to be interested. Well, maybe I'm a little interested.]
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From ScreenRant: Actor Brian Patrick Wade of MTV's "Teen Wolf" well play the villain, Absorbing Man, on the upcoming season of "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."
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From YahooMovies: From the set of "Batman Vs. Superman," the mysterious green legs of Scott McNairy.
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From YahooFinance: Another article about Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson appearing in a DC Comics superhero movie - maybe playing hero Shazam and anti-hero Black Adam
From ScreenRant: Marvel is listening to fan requests about movie... or maybe not
From CBB and Nexopia: Zak Edwards is brilliant on the piece about diversity in American comic book publishing from the major companies.
OBIT:
From TheWrap: Don Pardo, the announcer for "Saturday Night Live," reportedly died yesterday (Tuesday, August 19, 2014) at the age of 96. Pardo was also the on-duty booth announcer for WNBC-TV on the day (November 22, 1963) that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated; thus, Pardo was the first to announce the shooting to NBC viewers.
MISC:
From VOX: The geniuses behind your favorite pop songs
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From YahooFinance: How Kobe Bryant started the current weight loss trend among NBA players like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwayne Wade, to name a few.
Ken Jeong Tries to Kill David Hasselhoff in "Untitled Celebrity Death Pool"
Hyde Park-Image Nation and WWE® Studios Team up for Celebrity Death Pool Comedy
Ken Jeong to Star
LOS ANGELES & STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ashok Amritraj’s Hyde Park Entertainment, Image Nation Abu Dhabi, and WWE Studios (NYSE:WWE) announced today that they are joining up again to co-produce a comedy with the temporary working title, UNTITLED CELEBRITY DEATH POOL. Ken Jeong (THE HANGOVER, COMMUNITY) has signed on to star in the satire which centers on a struggling nightclub owner who after amassing a large debt from a loan shark, sets out to win his long-running celebrity death pool by attempting to kill his chosen celebrity, David Hasselhoff. Darren Grant (Diary of a Mad Black Woman) will direct from a script written by Peter Hoare.
In addition to Hasselhoff, legendary WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan® and an increasing number of other celebrities have signed on for various supporting roles and cameo appearances. Pre-production for the film commences this September in Los Angeles, with a theatrical release anticipated for 2015.
WWE Studios President Michael Luisi and Hyde Park’s Amritraj are producing the picture along with Hasselhoff, Michele Berk, Patrick Hughes and Warren Zide. Eric Gardner is Executive Producing. Hyde Park International will handle international sales with WWE Studios set to leverage its extensive multi-platform reach to promote the film.
Bradley Buchanan, SVP of Business Affairs, negotiated the deal on behalf of WWE Studios and Allen Babakhanloo, VP of Business Affairs, negotiated the deal on behalf of Hyde Park Entertainment.
Jeong is currently shooting RIDE ALONG 2 with Ice Cube and Kevin Hart for Universal Pictures.
About Hyde Park - Image Nation
Hyde Park Entertainment Group, founded by Chairman and CEO Ashok Amritraj, is a cutting-edge independent alternative to the traditional Hollywood studio system, a progressive global company that incorporates the most essential elements of a full-fledged studio. Hyde Park’s offerings encompass live-action, animation and cross-cultural cinema, and is capable of developing, producing and financing projects, as well as handling international sales and marketing.
Amritraj’s Hyde Park and Image Nation Abu Dhabi partnered in November 2008 on a $250 million financing deal to develop, produce, and distribute up to 20 feature films over seven years.
The company’s projects currently in production include 99 HOMES from acclaimed director Ramin Bahrani and starring Andrew Garfield and Michael Shannon, the family adventure MIDNIGHT SUN, from Award Winning Director Roger Spottiswoode, and the soon to be released LIFE OF CRIME starring Jennifer Aniston, Tim Robbins, John Hawkes, Yasiin Bey (Mos Def), Isla Fisher and Will Forte, which was selected as the 2013 Toronto Film Festival’s Closing Night Film.
Additionally, Hyde Park Entertainment has produced over 100 films including box office hits like GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE, starring Nicolas Cage, PREMONITION, starring Sandra Bullock, and BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE, starring Steve Martin, along with critically acclaimed films like BLUE VALENTINE, starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams, and SHOPGIRL, starring Steve Martin and Claire Danes.
About WWE Studios
WWE Studios develops and produces feature films, as well as television and digital content. Its diverse slate is released theatrically, direct to home, and/or across digital platforms, and is co-produced & distributed through partnerships with premiere global entertainment companies including Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox and Lionsgate. WWE’s film division, led by President Michael Luisi, is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA.
Recent films from WWE Studios include The Call with Halle Berry and WWE Superstar David Otunga®, Oculus directed by Mike Flanagan starring Karen Gillan and Katee Sackhoff, Dead Man Down with Colin Farrell and WWE Superstar Wade Barrett®, No One Lives starring Luke Evans and WWE Superstar Brodus Clay™, and Scooby-Doo! WrestleMania Mystery, which paired WWE Superstars with Scooby and the gang.
Upcoming films from WWE Studios include Term Life starring Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, and Hailee Steinfeld in a Universal Pictures release, Incarnate starring Aaron Eckhart and featuring WWE Superstar Mark Henry® in a Universal Pictures release of a Blumhouse production, The Flintstones which joins Fred, Barney and the whole Bedrock gang with stone age versions of WWE Superstars and Divas in a Warner Bros. Home Entertainment release, Jingle All the Way 2 starring Larry The Cable Guy and WWE Superstar Santino Marella® in a Fox Home Entertainment release, and Leprechaun: Origins directed by Zach Lipovsky and starring WWE Superstar Hornswoggle® in a Lionsgate release.
About WWE
WWE, a publicly traded company (NYSE:WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family friendly entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE programming is broadcast in more than 150 countries and 30 languages and reaches more than 650 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Mexico City, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Dubai, Munich, Dubai and Tokyo.
Additional information on WWE (NYSE:WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.
Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, logos and copyrights are the exclusive property of WWE and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks relating to entering into, maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television and pay-per-view programming and our new network distribution agreements; risks relating to the launch and maintenance of our new network; the need for continually developing creative and entertaining programming; the continued importance of key performers and the services of Vincent McMahon; the conditions of the markets in which we compete and acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to regulatory matters; risks resulting from the highly competitive and fragmented nature of our markets; uncertainties associated with international markets; the importance of protecting our intellectual property and complying with the intellectual property rights of others; the risk of accidents or injuries during our physically demanding events; risks associated with producing and travelling to and from our large live events, both domestically and internationally; risks relating to our film business; risks relating to new businesses and strategic investments; risks relating to our computer systems and online operations; risks relating to general economic conditions and our exposure to bad debt risk; risks relating to litigation; risks relating to market expectations for our financial performance; risks relating to our revolving credit facility specifically and capital markets more generally; risks relating to the large number of shares of common stock controlled by members of the McMahon family and the possibility of the sale of their stock by the McMahons or the perception of the possibility of such sales; the relatively small public float of our stock; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition, our dividend is dependent on a number of factors, including, among other things, our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan (including alternative uses of capital), our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends, general economic and competitive conditions and such other factors as our Board of Directors may consider relevant.
Ken Jeong to Star
LOS ANGELES & STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ashok Amritraj’s Hyde Park Entertainment, Image Nation Abu Dhabi, and WWE Studios (NYSE:WWE) announced today that they are joining up again to co-produce a comedy with the temporary working title, UNTITLED CELEBRITY DEATH POOL. Ken Jeong (THE HANGOVER, COMMUNITY) has signed on to star in the satire which centers on a struggling nightclub owner who after amassing a large debt from a loan shark, sets out to win his long-running celebrity death pool by attempting to kill his chosen celebrity, David Hasselhoff. Darren Grant (Diary of a Mad Black Woman) will direct from a script written by Peter Hoare.
In addition to Hasselhoff, legendary WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan® and an increasing number of other celebrities have signed on for various supporting roles and cameo appearances. Pre-production for the film commences this September in Los Angeles, with a theatrical release anticipated for 2015.
WWE Studios President Michael Luisi and Hyde Park’s Amritraj are producing the picture along with Hasselhoff, Michele Berk, Patrick Hughes and Warren Zide. Eric Gardner is Executive Producing. Hyde Park International will handle international sales with WWE Studios set to leverage its extensive multi-platform reach to promote the film.
Bradley Buchanan, SVP of Business Affairs, negotiated the deal on behalf of WWE Studios and Allen Babakhanloo, VP of Business Affairs, negotiated the deal on behalf of Hyde Park Entertainment.
Jeong is currently shooting RIDE ALONG 2 with Ice Cube and Kevin Hart for Universal Pictures.
About Hyde Park - Image Nation
Hyde Park Entertainment Group, founded by Chairman and CEO Ashok Amritraj, is a cutting-edge independent alternative to the traditional Hollywood studio system, a progressive global company that incorporates the most essential elements of a full-fledged studio. Hyde Park’s offerings encompass live-action, animation and cross-cultural cinema, and is capable of developing, producing and financing projects, as well as handling international sales and marketing.
Amritraj’s Hyde Park and Image Nation Abu Dhabi partnered in November 2008 on a $250 million financing deal to develop, produce, and distribute up to 20 feature films over seven years.
The company’s projects currently in production include 99 HOMES from acclaimed director Ramin Bahrani and starring Andrew Garfield and Michael Shannon, the family adventure MIDNIGHT SUN, from Award Winning Director Roger Spottiswoode, and the soon to be released LIFE OF CRIME starring Jennifer Aniston, Tim Robbins, John Hawkes, Yasiin Bey (Mos Def), Isla Fisher and Will Forte, which was selected as the 2013 Toronto Film Festival’s Closing Night Film.
Additionally, Hyde Park Entertainment has produced over 100 films including box office hits like GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGEANCE, starring Nicolas Cage, PREMONITION, starring Sandra Bullock, and BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE, starring Steve Martin, along with critically acclaimed films like BLUE VALENTINE, starring Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams, and SHOPGIRL, starring Steve Martin and Claire Danes.
About WWE Studios
WWE Studios develops and produces feature films, as well as television and digital content. Its diverse slate is released theatrically, direct to home, and/or across digital platforms, and is co-produced & distributed through partnerships with premiere global entertainment companies including Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox and Lionsgate. WWE’s film division, led by President Michael Luisi, is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA.
Recent films from WWE Studios include The Call with Halle Berry and WWE Superstar David Otunga®, Oculus directed by Mike Flanagan starring Karen Gillan and Katee Sackhoff, Dead Man Down with Colin Farrell and WWE Superstar Wade Barrett®, No One Lives starring Luke Evans and WWE Superstar Brodus Clay™, and Scooby-Doo! WrestleMania Mystery, which paired WWE Superstars with Scooby and the gang.
Upcoming films from WWE Studios include Term Life starring Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, and Hailee Steinfeld in a Universal Pictures release, Incarnate starring Aaron Eckhart and featuring WWE Superstar Mark Henry® in a Universal Pictures release of a Blumhouse production, The Flintstones which joins Fred, Barney and the whole Bedrock gang with stone age versions of WWE Superstars and Divas in a Warner Bros. Home Entertainment release, Jingle All the Way 2 starring Larry The Cable Guy and WWE Superstar Santino Marella® in a Fox Home Entertainment release, and Leprechaun: Origins directed by Zach Lipovsky and starring WWE Superstar Hornswoggle® in a Lionsgate release.
About WWE
WWE
Additional information on WWE (NYSE:WWE) can be found at wwe.com
Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, logos and copyrights are the exclusive property of WWE and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks relating to entering into, maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television and pay-per-view programming and our new network distribution agreements; risks relating to the launch and maintenance of our new network; the need for continually developing creative and entertaining programming; the continued importance of key performers and the services of Vincent McMahon; the conditions of the markets in which we compete and acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to regulatory matters; risks resulting from the highly competitive and fragmented nature of our markets; uncertainties associated with international markets; the importance of protecting our intellectual property and complying with the intellectual property rights of others; the risk of accidents or injuries during our physically demanding events; risks associated with producing and travelling to and from our large live events, both domestically and internationally; risks relating to our film business; risks relating to new businesses and strategic investments; risks relating to our computer systems and online operations; risks relating to general economic conditions and our exposure to bad debt risk; risks relating to litigation; risks relating to market expectations for our financial performance; risks relating to our revolving credit facility specifically and capital markets more generally; risks relating to the large number of shares of common stock controlled by members of the McMahon family and the possibility of the sale of their stock by the McMahons or the perception of the possibility of such sales; the relatively small public float of our stock; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition, our dividend is dependent on a number of factors, including, among other things, our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan (including alternative uses of capital), our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends, general economic and competitive conditions and such other factors as our Board of Directors may consider relevant.
Miramax Secures Notes and Credit to Pay Down Debt and Support New Productions
Miramax Completes Securitization for $250 Million
Secures Additional $25 Million Revolving Credit Facility
SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Miramax Film NY, LLC (“Miramax”), today announced the successful completion of the company’s Film Library Asset-Backed Notes offering (“Notes”). The securitization transaction included the issuance of $250 million aggregate principal amount of 3.34% Notes due 2026, as well as a $25 million revolving credit facility, which was undrawn at closing. The Notes and revolving credit facility are rated BBB+ by Standard & Poor’s and BBB (high) by DBRS. Barclays served as the Sole Structuring Advisor and Sole Bookrunner for the securitization, and as the Sole Lender for the revolving credit facility.
Net proceeds from the sale of the Notes will be used for the repayment of all outstanding indebtedness under the 2011 note issuance and general corporate purposes, including investment in new film and television production.
Thomas J. Barrack, Jr., Chairman of Miramax, said, “This refinancing reflects the stability and maturity of Miramax as an operating company and represents the next step in the company’s evolution. We appreciate that the market recognizes Miramax’s quality of content, combined with the consistency, length, diversity and credit quality of contractual income streams, and we look forward to putting these additional funds to work as we grow new production in line with the powerful Miramax brand.”
About Miramax
Miramax is a leading worldwide film and television studio with a library of more than 700 motion pictures containing some of the most original and acclaimed independent films, such as Pulp Fiction, Chicago, Good Will Hunting, The English Patient, Life is Beautiful, and City Of God – as well as scores of commercial hits such as Bridget Jones’s Diary and the Scream, Scary Movie and Spy Kids franchises. Collectively, the Miramax library has received 282 Academy Award® nominations and 68 Oscars®, including four Best Picture awards. Miramax’s world-class global distribution team has successfully brought this acclaimed collection of titles to existing and emerging platforms in nearly every country in the world.
Miramax’s new development projects include both TV and film. Currently the studio is working with industry luminaries to create new derivative television series based on their respective award-winning stories and characters. These titles include Gangs of New York with Martin Scorsese, Cop Land with James Mangold, and Robert Rodriguez’s From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, which was recently renewed for a second season. Miramax, together with Sony’s Screen Gems, will release Jeremy Garelick’s film The Wedding Ringer (starring Kevin Hart, Josh Gad and Kaley Cuoco) on January 16, 2015.
Miramax was purchased in 2010 by Qatar Holding, together with the investor group led by Miramax Chairman Thomas J. Barrack, Jr.’s Colony Capital, and is headquartered in Santa Monica, California with an office in London.
Social Media
Facebook: facebook.com/Miramax
Twitter: twitter.com/Miramax
Instagram: instagram.com/Miramax
Pinterest: pinterest.com/Miramax
Secures Additional $25 Million Revolving Credit Facility
SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Miramax Film NY, LLC (“Miramax”), today announced the successful completion of the company’s Film Library Asset-Backed Notes offering (“Notes”). The securitization transaction included the issuance of $250 million aggregate principal amount of 3.34% Notes due 2026, as well as a $25 million revolving credit facility, which was undrawn at closing. The Notes and revolving credit facility are rated BBB+ by Standard & Poor’s and BBB (high) by DBRS. Barclays served as the Sole Structuring Advisor and Sole Bookrunner for the securitization, and as the Sole Lender for the revolving credit facility.
Net proceeds from the sale of the Notes will be used for the repayment of all outstanding indebtedness under the 2011 note issuance and general corporate purposes, including investment in new film and television production.
Thomas J. Barrack, Jr., Chairman of Miramax, said, “This refinancing reflects the stability and maturity of Miramax as an operating company and represents the next step in the company’s evolution. We appreciate that the market recognizes Miramax’s quality of content, combined with the consistency, length, diversity and credit quality of contractual income streams, and we look forward to putting these additional funds to work as we grow new production in line with the powerful Miramax brand.”
About Miramax
Miramax is a leading worldwide film and television studio with a library of more than 700 motion pictures containing some of the most original and acclaimed independent films, such as Pulp Fiction, Chicago, Good Will Hunting, The English Patient, Life is Beautiful, and City Of God – as well as scores of commercial hits such as Bridget Jones’s Diary and the Scream, Scary Movie and Spy Kids franchises. Collectively, the Miramax library has received 282 Academy Award® nominations and 68 Oscars®, including four Best Picture awards. Miramax’s world-class global distribution team has successfully brought this acclaimed collection of titles to existing and emerging platforms in nearly every country in the world.
Miramax’s new development projects include both TV and film. Currently the studio is working with industry luminaries to create new derivative television series based on their respective award-winning stories and characters. These titles include Gangs of New York with Martin Scorsese, Cop Land with James Mangold, and Robert Rodriguez’s From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series, which was recently renewed for a second season. Miramax, together with Sony’s Screen Gems, will release Jeremy Garelick’s film The Wedding Ringer (starring Kevin Hart, Josh Gad and Kaley Cuoco) on January 16, 2015.
Miramax was purchased in 2010 by Qatar Holding, together with the investor group led by Miramax Chairman Thomas J. Barrack, Jr.’s Colony Capital, and is headquartered in Santa Monica, California with an office in London.
Social Media
Facebook: facebook.com/Miramax
Twitter: twitter.com/Miramax
Instagram: instagram.com/Miramax
Pinterest: pinterest.com/Miramax
Friday, August 22, 2014
Benedict Cumberbatch Among Cast added to "Jungle Book: Origins"
Benedict Cumberbatch, Cate Blanchett and Christian Bale Head the Ensemble of Warner Bros. Pictures’ 3D Adventure “Jungle Book: Origins”
Young actor Rohan Chand to star as Mowgli in the cast, also including Peter Mullan, Tom Hollander, Naomie Harris, Eddie Marsan, and Andy Serkis
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Pictures has assembled an impressive roster of stars for “Jungle Book: Origins,” its new big-screen, 3D adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s classic The Jungle Book, marking the feature film directorial debut of Andy Serkis. The action adventure, which will blend motion capture and live action, will be released on October 21, 2016. The announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, and Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
The actors performing the roles of the story’s central animal characters are: Benedict Cumberbatch (“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug”) as the fearsome tiger, Shere Khan; Oscar winner Cate Blanchett (“Blue Jasmine”) as the sinister snake, Kaa; Oscar winner Christian Bale (“The Fighter,” the “Dark Knight” Trilogy) as the cunning panther, Bagheera; Andy Serkis (“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”) as the wise bear, Baloo; Peter Mullan (“Hercules”) as the leader of the wolf pack, Akela; Tom Hollander as the scavenging hyena, Tabaqui; Naomie Harris (“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”) as Nisha, the female wolf, who adopts the baby Mowgli as one of her cubs; Eddie Marsan (“Ray Donovan”) as Nisha’s mate, Vihaan; and Jack Reynor (“Transformers: Age of Extinction”) as Mowgli’s Brother Wolf. On the human side, young actor Rohan Chand (“The Hundred-Foot Journey,” “Bad Words”) will play the boy raised by wolves, Mowgli.
The film is being produced by Steve Kloves, who wrote seven of the blockbuster “Harry Potter” films. Jonathan Cavendish (“Elizabeth: The Golden Age,” performance capture producer “Godzilla”) is also serving as a producer. The screenplay is by Kloves’ daughter, Callie Kloves, based on the stories by Kipling.
The story follows the upbringing of the human child Mowgli, raised by a wolf pack in the jungles of India. As he learns the often harsh rules of the jungle, under the tutelage of a bear named Baloo and a panther named Bagheera, Mowgli becomes accepted by the animals of the jungle as one of their own. All but one: the fearsome tiger Shere Khan. But there may be greater dangers lurking in the jungle, as Mowgli comes face to face with his human origins.
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Young actor Rohan Chand to star as Mowgli in the cast, also including Peter Mullan, Tom Hollander, Naomie Harris, Eddie Marsan, and Andy Serkis
BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Pictures has assembled an impressive roster of stars for “Jungle Book: Origins,” its new big-screen, 3D adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s classic The Jungle Book, marking the feature film directorial debut of Andy Serkis. The action adventure, which will blend motion capture and live action, will be released on October 21, 2016. The announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, and Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
The actors performing the roles of the story’s central animal characters are: Benedict Cumberbatch (“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug”) as the fearsome tiger, Shere Khan; Oscar winner Cate Blanchett (“Blue Jasmine”) as the sinister snake, Kaa; Oscar winner Christian Bale (“The Fighter,” the “Dark Knight” Trilogy) as the cunning panther, Bagheera; Andy Serkis (“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”) as the wise bear, Baloo; Peter Mullan (“Hercules”) as the leader of the wolf pack, Akela; Tom Hollander as the scavenging hyena, Tabaqui; Naomie Harris (“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”) as Nisha, the female wolf, who adopts the baby Mowgli as one of her cubs; Eddie Marsan (“Ray Donovan”) as Nisha’s mate, Vihaan; and Jack Reynor (“Transformers: Age of Extinction”) as Mowgli’s Brother Wolf. On the human side, young actor Rohan Chand (“The Hundred-Foot Journey,” “Bad Words”) will play the boy raised by wolves, Mowgli.
The film is being produced by Steve Kloves, who wrote seven of the blockbuster “Harry Potter” films. Jonathan Cavendish (“Elizabeth: The Golden Age,” performance capture producer “Godzilla”) is also serving as a producer. The screenplay is by Kloves’ daughter, Callie Kloves, based on the stories by Kipling.
The story follows the upbringing of the human child Mowgli, raised by a wolf pack in the jungles of India. As he learns the often harsh rules of the jungle, under the tutelage of a bear named Baloo and a panther named Bagheera, Mowgli becomes accepted by the animals of the jungle as one of their own. All but one: the fearsome tiger Shere Khan. But there may be greater dangers lurking in the jungle, as Mowgli comes face to face with his human origins.
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Thursday, August 21, 2014
Starz Announces a Second Season of "Outlander"
Starz Officially Greenlights “Book Two” of the Hit Drama Series “Outlander”
Premiere Episode Surpasses 5 Million Views in First Week
Second Season to be at least 13-Episode Run, Based Upon Dragonfly in Amber, Book Two of Diana Gabaldon’s International Bestselling Novels
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Starz Chief Executive Officer, Chris Albrecht, announced today that Starz has once again partnered with Sony Pictures Television to greenlight a second season of “Outlander,” the critically-acclaimed original series adapted from Diana Gabaldon’s international bestselling books. Season two will be at least 13-episodes and based upon the second of eight books in the Outlander series, entitled Dragonfly in Amber.
“Fans of the Outlander books have waited a long time to see this incredible story brought to life on screen, and Ron and his team have delivered a show that exceeds expectations”
The first 16-episode season of “Outlander,” filmed on location in Scotland, debuted on August 9th, 2014 at 9pm PT/ET, with the first episode setting multiplatform viewing records, surpassing 5 million views in the first week alone, drawing equal male and female viewership (**SOURCE: Starz internal data and Nielsen audience figures as of 8/14/14). Additionally, the series premiere marked a notable media and social media success for the network, with fans hosting viewing parties around the country. It was No. 1 in Nielsen Ratings for Twitter conversation volume among all television series on premiere day, trended twice at No. 2 in U.S. Twitter Trends (**SOURCE: Sysomos).
"The overwhelming support ‘Outlander’ has received from the fans, viewers and critics made the decision for us to go ahead with the second book a very easy one. Diana Gabaldon has given us years of great drama. With an incredible artist such as Ronald D. Moore at the helm and a cast as spectacular as this, we look forward to continue this spell-binding journey with Claire, Jamie, Frank, Brianna, Roger and everybody over the centuries,” said Albrecht.
Creator Ronald D. Moore said “I’m thrilled at the prospect of doing another season of this show for STARZ. This project has been a labor of love from the very beginning and it’s incredibly gratifying to see it succeed with viewers and critics alike.”
“Fans of the Outlander books have waited a long time to see this incredible story brought to life on screen, and Ron and his team have delivered a show that exceeds expectations,” said Zack Van Amburg, President of Programming for Sony Pictures Television. “We look forward to our continued partnership with Starz to present the next chapter of this epic tale to longtime fans and viewers who are just discovering the series.”
The series adaptation for “Outlander” was developed by Ronald D. Moore (“Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation”). Moore is best known for his work on “Battlestar Galactica,” which won him a Peabody Award in 2006. Ronald D. Moore and Jim Kohlberg are executive producers of “Outlander,” which is produced by Tall Ship Productions, Story Mining and Supply Company and Left Bank Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television.
Diana Gabaldon’s eight-book series has sold more than 20 million copies and has graced the New York Times Best Sellers list six times. The “Outlander” series spans the genres of romance, science fiction, history, and adventure in one grandiose tale. It follows the story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743, where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world where her life is threatened. When she is forced to marry Jamie Fraser, a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, a passionate affair is ignited that tears Claire’s heart between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.
Starz will retain all domestic multiplatform pay TV rights to the original series.
About Starz
Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) is a leading integrated global media and entertainment company with operating units that provide premium subscription video programming on domestic U.S. pay television channels (Starz Networks), global content distribution (Starz Distribution) and animated television and movie production (Starz Animation), www.starz.com.
Starz Networks is a leading provider of premium subscription video programming through the flagship STARZ® and ENCORE® pay TV networks which showcase premium original programming and movies to U.S. multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies. As of June 30, 2014, STARZ and ENCORE serve a combined 55.9 million subscribers, including 22.0 million at STARZ, and 33.9 million at ENCORE, making them the largest pair of premium flagship channels in the U.S. STARZ® and ENCORE®, along with Starz Networks’ third network MOVIEPLEX®, air more than 1,000 movies monthly across 17 linear networks, complemented by On Demand and authenticated online offerings through STARZ PLAY, ENCORE PLAY, and MOVIEPLEX PLAY. Starz Distribution develops, produces and acquires entertainment content, distributing it to consumers globally on DVD, digital formats and traditional television. Starz Distribution’s home video, digital media and worldwide distribution business units distribute original programming content produced by Starz, as well as entertainment content for itself and third parties. Starz Animation produces animated TV and movie content for studios, networks, distributors and audiences worldwide.
About Sony Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television (http://www.sonypicturestelevision.com), a Sony Pictures Entertainment company, is one of the television industry’s leading content providers. It produces and distributes programming in every genre, around the world and for a multitude of platforms. In addition to one of the industry’s largest libraries of award-winning feature films, television shows and formats, Sony Pictures Television (SPT) boasts a current program slate that includes top-rated daytime dramas and game shows, landmark off-network series, original animated series and critically acclaimed primetime dramas, comedies and telefilms. In addition to its US production business, SPT has 18 wholly-owned or joint venture production companies in 10 countries and also maintains offices in 31 countries. SPT’s worldwide television networks portfolio includes 126 channel feeds available in 168 countries, reaching more than 980 million cumulative households worldwide. SPT also creates original content for and manages SPE’s premium video website, Crackle. Additionally, SPT owns US production company Embassy Row and is a part owner of cable channel Game Show Network (GSN), 3D channel 3net, and national U.S media sales company ITN Networks, Inc. SPT advertiser sales is one of the premier national advertising sales companies and handles the commercial inventory in SPT’s syndicated series as well as the Rural Media Group and DrOz.com.
“Outlander” Online:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/outlandertvseries.starz.
Twitter: @Outlander_Starz - join the conversation with #OutlanderStarz
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Premiere Episode Surpasses 5 Million Views in First Week
Second Season to be at least 13-Episode Run, Based Upon Dragonfly in Amber, Book Two of Diana Gabaldon’s International Bestselling Novels
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Starz Chief Executive Officer, Chris Albrecht, announced today that Starz has once again partnered with Sony Pictures Television to greenlight a second season of “Outlander,” the critically-acclaimed original series adapted from Diana Gabaldon’s international bestselling books. Season two will be at least 13-episodes and based upon the second of eight books in the Outlander series, entitled Dragonfly in Amber.
“Fans of the Outlander books have waited a long time to see this incredible story brought to life on screen, and Ron and his team have delivered a show that exceeds expectations”
The first 16-episode season of “Outlander,” filmed on location in Scotland, debuted on August 9th, 2014 at 9pm PT/ET, with the first episode setting multiplatform viewing records, surpassing 5 million views in the first week alone, drawing equal male and female viewership (**SOURCE: Starz internal data and Nielsen audience figures as of 8/14/14). Additionally, the series premiere marked a notable media and social media success for the network, with fans hosting viewing parties around the country. It was No. 1 in Nielsen Ratings for Twitter conversation volume among all television series on premiere day, trended twice at No. 2 in U.S. Twitter Trends (**SOURCE: Sysomos).
"The overwhelming support ‘Outlander’ has received from the fans, viewers and critics made the decision for us to go ahead with the second book a very easy one. Diana Gabaldon has given us years of great drama. With an incredible artist such as Ronald D. Moore at the helm and a cast as spectacular as this, we look forward to continue this spell-binding journey with Claire, Jamie, Frank, Brianna, Roger and everybody over the centuries,” said Albrecht.
Creator Ronald D. Moore said “I’m thrilled at the prospect of doing another season of this show for STARZ. This project has been a labor of love from the very beginning and it’s incredibly gratifying to see it succeed with viewers and critics alike.”
“Fans of the Outlander books have waited a long time to see this incredible story brought to life on screen, and Ron and his team have delivered a show that exceeds expectations,” said Zack Van Amburg, President of Programming for Sony Pictures Television. “We look forward to our continued partnership with Starz to present the next chapter of this epic tale to longtime fans and viewers who are just discovering the series.”
The series adaptation for “Outlander” was developed by Ronald D. Moore (“Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,” “Star Trek: The Next Generation”). Moore is best known for his work on “Battlestar Galactica,” which won him a Peabody Award in 2006. Ronald D. Moore and Jim Kohlberg are executive producers of “Outlander,” which is produced by Tall Ship Productions, Story Mining and Supply Company and Left Bank Productions in association with Sony Pictures Television.
Diana Gabaldon’s eight-book series has sold more than 20 million copies and has graced the New York Times Best Sellers list six times. The “Outlander” series spans the genres of romance, science fiction, history, and adventure in one grandiose tale. It follows the story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743, where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world where her life is threatened. When she is forced to marry Jamie Fraser, a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, a passionate affair is ignited that tears Claire’s heart between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.
Starz will retain all domestic multiplatform pay TV rights to the original series.
About Starz
Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) is a leading integrated global media and entertainment company with operating units that provide premium subscription video programming on domestic U.S. pay television channels (Starz Networks), global content distribution (Starz Distribution) and animated television and movie production (Starz Animation), www.starz.com.
Starz Networks is a leading provider of premium subscription video programming through the flagship STARZ® and ENCORE® pay TV networks which showcase premium original programming and movies to U.S. multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies. As of June 30, 2014, STARZ and ENCORE serve a combined 55.9 million subscribers, including 22.0 million at STARZ, and 33.9 million at ENCORE, making them the largest pair of premium flagship channels in the U.S. STARZ® and ENCORE®, along with Starz Networks’ third network MOVIEPLEX®, air more than 1,000 movies monthly across 17 linear networks, complemented by On Demand and authenticated online offerings through STARZ PLAY, ENCORE PLAY, and MOVIEPLEX PLAY. Starz Distribution develops, produces and acquires entertainment content, distributing it to consumers globally on DVD, digital formats and traditional television. Starz Distribution’s home video, digital media and worldwide distribution business units distribute original programming content produced by Starz, as well as entertainment content for itself and third parties. Starz Animation produces animated TV and movie content for studios, networks, distributors and audiences worldwide.
About Sony Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television (http://www.sonypicturestelevision.com), a Sony Pictures Entertainment company, is one of the television industry’s leading content providers. It produces and distributes programming in every genre, around the world and for a multitude of platforms. In addition to one of the industry’s largest libraries of award-winning feature films, television shows and formats, Sony Pictures Television (SPT) boasts a current program slate that includes top-rated daytime dramas and game shows, landmark off-network series, original animated series and critically acclaimed primetime dramas, comedies and telefilms. In addition to its US production business, SPT has 18 wholly-owned or joint venture production companies in 10 countries and also maintains offices in 31 countries. SPT’s worldwide television networks portfolio includes 126 channel feeds available in 168 countries, reaching more than 980 million cumulative households worldwide. SPT also creates original content for and manages SPE’s premium video website, Crackle. Additionally, SPT owns US production company Embassy Row and is a part owner of cable channel Game Show Network (GSN), 3D channel 3net, and national U.S media sales company ITN Networks, Inc. SPT advertiser sales is one of the premier national advertising sales companies and handles the commercial inventory in SPT’s syndicated series as well as the Rural Media Group and DrOz.com.
“Outlander” Online:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/outlandertvseries.starz.
Twitter: @Outlander_Starz - join the conversation with #OutlanderStarz
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Wednesday, August 20, 2014
First Look: Paul Rudd in "Ant-Man"
First look at actor Paul Rudd as "Scott Lang" from Marvel's "Ant-Man," due July 17, 2015. Photo by Zade Rosenthal for Marvel.
"Road to Ninja - Naruto The Movie" to Screen in Canada Beginning September 7th, 2014
VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, in partnership with Los Angeles-based film distribution company ELEVEN ARTS, will hold special Canadian theatrical screenings of ROAD TO NINJA – NARUTO THE MOVIE (dubbed) on Sunday September 7th and Thursday September 11th. These are in addition to the U.S. theatrical screenings starting August 29, 2014.
The sixth feature film in the massively popular NARURTO SHIPPUDEN series will debut in over 35 cities across Canada, including Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, and more. Tickets are now available, and additional information and a complete list of U.S. and Canada theatre locations are available at: http://www.elevenarts.net/th_gallery/naruto-roadtoninja.
Dive into the past and take a fateful adventure in the latest NARUTO SHIPPUDEN feature film! Long ago, a mysterious masked shinobi unleashed the Nine-Tailed Fox onto the Village Hidden in the Leaves to spread chaos and destruction. But the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and his wife Kushina Uzumaki sealed the Tailed Beast into their newborn son, Naruto, to save the village, foiling the shinobi’s plan.
Years later, Naruto and his friends succeed in driving away the infamous Akatsuki, who have mysteriously returned from the dead. Upon returning to the village, the young shinobi are praised by their families for completing a dangerous mission. Reminded of how alone he is, Naruto begins to wonder what it’s like to have parents, when a strange masked figure appears before him – the same masked shinobi responsible for the death of his parents!
The NARUTO SHIPPUDEN feature films are based on the acclaimed NARUTO manga and animated series, following Naruto Uzumaki, who wants to be the best ninja in the land. He's done well so far, but Naruto knows he must train harder than ever and leaves his village for intense exercises that will push him to his limits. NARUTO SHIPPUDEN begins two and a half years later, when Naruto returns to find that everyone has been promoted up the ninja ranks – except him. Sakura’s a medic ninja, Gaara’s advanced to Kazekage, and Kakashi…well he remains the same. But pride isn’t necessarily becoming of a ninja, especially when Naruto realizes that Sasuke never returned from his search for Orochimaru. Plus, the mysterious Akatsuki organization is still an ever-present danger. As Naruto finds out more about the Akatsuki’s goals, he realizes that nothing in his universe is as it seems. Naruto is finding that he’s older, but will he also prove wiser and stronger?
Additional information on NARUTO and NARUTO SHIPPUDEN is available at www.Naruto.com.
For more information on manga titles available from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.
About ELEVEN ARTS:
ELEVEN ARTS is the Los Angeles based film distribution company that has brought many acclaimed Japanese films, live-action and animated features, to North American audiences. ELEVEN ARTS’s major live-action titles include Japan Academy Awards winner Memories of Tomorrow (starring Ken Watanabe) and Oscar nominated director (with The Twilight Samurai in 2004) Yoji Yamada’s samurai film Love and Honor. ELEVEN ARTS is also a respected distributor of popular animation titles such as the Evangelion franchise, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos, and Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Movie Part 1: Beginnings/ Part 2: Eternal/ Part 3: Rebellion, TIGER & BUNNY THE MOVIE: The Rising, and Short Peace. For additional information, go to www.elevenarts.net.
About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan. Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages. VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products. Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.
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