Saturday, October 19, 2019

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from October 13th to 19th, 2019 - Update #27

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COMICS-FILM - From WeGotThisCovered:  Deadpool film franchise writers, Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, said that they are waiting for Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige's approval to start working on the script for "Deadpool 3."

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DISNEY - From Variety:  Oscar-winning director Robert Zemeckis ("Forest Gump") is in talks to direct Disney's live-action remake of Pinocchio.

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MOVIES - From Deadline:  Dick Cook Studios (DCS), an independent production company helmed by former Walt Disney Studios chairman Dick Cook, will receive AUD $30 million ($20,473,020 USD) in Australian government funding to produce two fantasy features in the country.  The films are "Ranger's Apprentice" and "The Alchemyst."

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STREAMING - From TheWrap:  Greg Kinnear has joined the cast of the CBS All Access miniseries, "The Stand," in the role of Glen Bateman.

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ANIMATION - From TheWrap:  WarnerMedia's streaming service, HBOMax, has obtained the streaming rights to the animated films of the Japanese animation powerhouse, Studio Ghibli, which produced the Oscar-winning "Spirited Away."  When they debut in 2020, it will be the first time these films will be streamed

TELEVISION - From Variety:  Kurt Sutter has been fired as showrunner from FX's "Mayans MC," a show he co-created.  It reportedly has to do with complaints against him.

From Deadline:  Kurt Sutter tells his side of the story on being fired from FX's "Mayans MC."

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MOVIES-TRAILER - From ShadowandAct:  There is a first trailer for "She Ball," the first film from Cash Money Films in partnership with Nick Cannon's Ncredible Entertainment.

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CELEBRITY - From Deadline:  Ron Ely was the star of NBC's 1960s "Tarzan" television series (1966-68).  The police found Ely's wife, Valerie, stabbed to death at the couple's home in the Hope Ranch community of Santa Barbara, California.  The suspect in Valerie's death was Ron and Valerie's son, Cameron, whom the police shot to death.  Ron Ely was reportedly unharmed.

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MOVIES - From Deadline:   Jada Pinkett Smith is in talks to return for "The Matrix 4."  Smith played Niobe in "The Matrix Reloaded" and "The Matrix Revolutions."

From Deadline:  Actress Jessica Henwick, who appeared in Marvel/Netflix's "Iron Fist," is in talks to take a lead role in "The Matrix 4."

From Variety:  Emmy-winning actor Neil Patrick Harris is joining the cast of "The Matrix 4."  Production on the film is set to begin in early 2020.

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SCANDAL - From YahooEntertainment:  Oscar-nominated actress Felicity Huffman has reported to prison to begin serving her 14-day sentence for her role in the "college admissions scanda," also known as "Operation Varsity Blues."

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MUSIC - From YahooMusic: The nominations for the class of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's Class of 2020 have been announced.  Their are 16 nominated acts, including Whitney Houston, Pat Benatar, and Dave Matthews Band.

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ECO - From Grist:  Legendary and Oscar-winning actress Jane Fonda was recently arrested during a climate protest, and she says she plans to do it again.

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STREAMING - From Netflix:  Netflix and Ava DuVernay face a lawsuit over its Emmy-winning miniseries, "When They See Us."

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CULTURE - From YahooLifestyle:  A "ghost kitchen" may be preparing your Chick-fil-A.

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COMICS-FILM - From THR:  Zoe Kravitz has won the role of "Selina Kyle/Catwoman" in Matt Reeves' The Batman, in which Robert Pattinson plays Batman.

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AWARDS - From Deadline:  Nominations have been announced for the 4th Annual / 2019 Critics' Choice Documentary Awards.

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the 10/11 to 10/13/2019 weekend box office is "Joker" with an estimated take of 55 million dollars.

From Variety:  "Joker" still dominating the international box office with an estimated haul of 123.7 million dollars in 79 markets.

From Patreon:  My review of "Gemini Man."

From Patreon:  My review of "Joker."

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POLITICS - From TheGuardian:  Robert De Niro calls President Trump a "gangster president," among other things he says.

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MOVIES - From Deadline:  Quentin Tarantino offers praise for the late actor Robert Forster.  Forster, who died Friday, Oct. 11th, appeared in Tarantino's 1997 film, "Jackie Brown" with Pam Grier.  Tarantino said that casting Forster, who received an Oscar nomination for his role in the film, one of the best casting choices he has ever made.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Idina Menzel is in talks to join Sony Pictures' "Cinderella" in the role of the evil stepmother.  Menzel, a Tony Award-winning Broadway actress and singer, is probably best known to the general public for her voice role as "Queen Elsa" in Disney's animated film, "Frozen," and for sing that film's worldwide hit song, "Let It Go."

OBITS:

From TheBaltimoreSun:   U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings, a Democrat from Baltimore, has died at the age of 68, Thursday, October 17, 2019.  Cummings was known for his blunt oratory and for his devotion to the city of Baltimore, Maryland.  As chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, he was a key figure in the impeachment inquiry in President Donald Trump.

From Variety:  The actor Bill Macy has died at the age of 97, Thursday, October 17, 2019.  Macy was best known for his role as "Walter Findlay," the husband of Bea Arthur's "Maude," on the former CBS TV series, "Maude" (1972-78).

From Deadline:  The so-called "pimp to the stars" and "Hollywood hustler," Scotty Bowers, died at the age of 96, Sunday, October 13, 2019.  A former marine and gas station attendant, Bowers was allegedly a sexual companion to or sexual facilitator (pimp) for numerous stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood, including Cary Grant, Randolph Scott, Spencer Tracy, Charles Laughton, Cole Porter, and Laurence Olivier, to name a few.  In his 2012 memoir, "Full Service," Bowers gave insight into the secretive sex lives high-profile Hollywood stars of the golden era.


Friday, October 18, 2019

Bluefin Previews New "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" Model Kits

BLUEFIN PREVIEWS A NEW COLLECTION OF STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER HIGH-DETAIL MODEL KITS FROM BANDAI SPIRITS HOBBY

Anaheim, CA – Bluefin, a Bandai Namco group company and the leading North American distributor of toys, collectibles, and hobby merchandise from Japan and Asia, embraces the Force and invites Star Wars fans to catch a variety of high-detail vehicle and character model kits from Bandai Spirits Hobby for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Ahead of the highly anticipated release later this year of the finale of the Star Wars feature film franchise, Bandai Spirits Hobby expands its acclaimed line of Star Wars Plastic Model Kits that features a wide array of notable vehicles and iconic characters from each of the Star Wars movies. Bandai Hobby is renowned for its high-quality model kits that blend complex detail and innovative construction that fans of all skill levels will enjoy. These officially licensed U.S. releases include English instructions and have product support provided by Bluefin.

The latest Bandai Spirits Hobby kits include 3 vehicles and 3 figures from the upcoming film. New Character Model Kits include a 1/12 Scale diorama of BB-8 and D-0, the newest droid in the Star Wars universe, a 1/12 Scale First Order Stormtrooper, and a 1/12 Scale release of Kylo Ren.

New Vehicle Model Kits include a 1/72 Scale X-Wing featuring an R5 Atromech Droid, a 1/72 Scale kit of Poe’s X-Wing, featuring R2-D2, and a 1/144 Scale kit for the Millennium Falcon as depicted in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

The new kits are set for retail release in 2019 and will be available from authorized Bluefin retailers nationwide and also from select leading online outlets. Bluefin is the official North American master distributor for Bandai Spirits Hobby.

Bandai Hobby is internationally renowned for its high-quality model kits that blend complex detail and innovative construction that builders of all skill levels will enjoy. The Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Plastic Model kits each feature trademark color injection molding techniques resulting in intricately detailed vehicles consistent to their on-screen counterparts. A nipper or sprue cutter (sold separately) is highly recommended for assembly, but the following kits do not require glue.

Bandai Spirit Hobby’s Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker model kits include:

Star Wars 1/12 Scale BB-8 and D-0 Diorama Set · MSRP: $30.00 · Available November 2019
Kit features both droids with a display base and backdrop.

Star Wars 1/12 Scale First Order Stormtrooper · MSRP: $30.00 · Available November 2019
Includes display base and F-11D Blaster Rifle, Z6 Riot Control Baton, and a Riot Shield.

Star Wars 1/12 Scale Kylo Ren · MSRP: $38.00 · Available November 2019
Includes 2 light sabers (one with in-motion effects), a hilt, cape and hood accessories.

Star Wars 1/72 Scale X-Wing with R5 Droid · MSRP: $33.00 · Available December 2019
Includes display base, seated pilot, retractable landing gear, laser effects part and a docked R5 droid accessory.

Star Wars 1/72 Scale Poe’s X-Wing with R2D2 Droid · MSRP: $33.00 · Available December 2019
Includes display base, seated pilot, retractable landing gear, laser effects part and a docked R2-D2 droid accessory.

Star Wars 1/144 Scale Millennium Falcon · MSRP: $60.00 · Available October 2019
Includes display base, seated pilots (Poe & Finn), moveable hatches and retractable landing gear.


About Bluefin
Bluefin is a leading master and channel distributor of Japanese toys, collectibles, novelty and hobby products. The company’s extensive product line features a diverse and continually expanding catalog of high quality and popular collectibles from Asia. As a Bandai Namco group company, Bluefin distributes products in the U.S. for Bandai Tamashii Nations, Hobby and Shokugan. The company’s array of brand offerings also includes products from Storm Collectibles, Mr. Hobby/GSI, SEN-TI-NEL and Flame Toys, for which the company is the North American exclusive distributor. Bluefin is also the official North American consumer products and retail development partner for Studio Ghibli. Additional company information is available at: https://bluefinbrands.com/

https://www.instagram.com/bluefinbrands/

https://www.facebook.com/BluefinBrands/

https://twitter.com/BluefinBrands

https://www.youtube.com/channel/BluefinVideos

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Thursday, October 17, 2019

2019 International Feature Film Oscar - 93 Countries in Consideration

93 COUNTRIES IN COMPETITION FOR 2019 INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM OSCAR

Ninety-three countries have submitted films for consideration in the International Feature Film category for the 92nd Academy Awards®. An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture (more than 40 minutes) produced outside the United States with a predominantly non-English dialogue track. Ghana, Nigeria and Uzbekistan are first- time entrants.

Earlier this year, the Academy’s Board of Governors voted to rename the Foreign Language Film category to International Feature Film and expand the shortlist from nine to 10 films.

The 2019 submissions, listed in alphabetical order by country, are:

Albania, “The Delegation,” Bujar Alimani, director;
Algeria, “Papicha,” Mounia Meddour, director;
Argentina, “Heroic Losers,” Sebastián Borensztein, director;
Armenia, “Lengthy Night,” Edgar Baghdasaryan, director;
Australia, “Buoyancy,” Rodd Rathjen, director;
Austria, “Joy,” Sudabeh Mortezai, director;
Bangladesh, “Alpha,” Nasiruddin Yousuff, director;
Belarus, “Debut,” Anastasiya Miroshnichenko, director;
Belgium, “Our Mothers,” César Díaz, director;
Bolivia, “Tu Me Manques,” Rodrigo Bellott, director;
Bosnia and Herzegovina, “The Son,” Ines Tanovic, director;
Brazil, “Invisible Life,” Karim Aïnouz, director;
Bulgaria, “Ága,” Milko Lazarov, director;
Cambodia, “In the Life of Music,” Caylee So, Sok Visal, directors;
Canada, “Antigone,” Sophie Deraspe, director;
Chile, “Spider,” Andrés Wood, director;
China, “Ne Zha,” Yu Yang, director;
Colombia, “Monos,” Alejandro Landes, director;
Costa Rica, “The Awakening of the Ants,” Antonella Sudasassi Furniss, director;
Croatia, “Mali,” Antonio Nuic, director;
Cuba, “A Translator,” Rodrigo Barriuso, Sebastián Barriuso, directors;
Czech Republic, “The Painted Bird,” Václav Marhoul, director;
Denmark, “Queen of Hearts,” May el-Toukhy, director;
Dominican Republic, “The Projectionist,” José María Cabral, director;
Ecuador, “The Longest Night,” Gabriela Calvache, director;
Egypt, “Poisonous Roses,” Ahmed Fawzi Saleh, director;
Estonia, “Truth and Justice,” Tanel Toom, director;
Ethiopia, “Running against the Wind,” Jan Philipp Weyl, director;
Finland, “Stupid Young Heart,” Selma Vilhunen, director;
France, “Les Misérables,” Ladj Ly, director;
Georgia, “Shindisi,” Dimitri Tsintsadze, director;
Germany, “System Crasher,” Nora Fingscheidt, director;
Ghana, “Azali,” Kwabena Gyansah, director;
Greece, “When Tomatoes Met Wagner,” Marianna Economou, director;
Honduras, “Blood, Passion, and Coffee,” Carlos Membreño, director;
Hong Kong, “The White Storm 2 Drug Lords,” Herman Yau, director;
Hungary, “Those Who Remained,” Barnabás Tóth, director;
Iceland, “A White, White Day,” Hlynur Pálmason, director;
India, “Gully Boy,” Zoya Akhtar, director;
Indonesia, “Memories of My Body,” Garin Nugroho, director;
Iran, “Finding Farideh,” Azadeh Moussavi, Kourosh Ataee, directors;
Ireland, “Gaza,” Garry Keane, Andrew McConnell, directors;
Israel, “Incitement,” Yaron Zilberman, director;
Italy, “The Traitor,” Marco Bellocchio, director;
Japan, “Weathering with You,” Makoto Shinkai, director;
Kazakhstan, “Kazakh Khanate. The Golden Throne,” Rustem Abdrashov, director;
Kenya, “Subira,” Ravneet Singh (Sippy) Chadha, director;
Kosovo, “Zana,” Antoneta Kastrati, director;
Kyrgyzstan, “Aurora,” Bekzat Pirmatov, director;
Latvia, “The Mover,” Davis Simanis, director;
Lebanon, “1982,” Oualid Mouaness, director;
Lithuania, “Bridges of Time,” Audrius Stonys, Kristine Briede, directors;
Luxembourg, “Tel Aviv on Fire,” Sameh Zoabi, director;
Malaysia, “M for Malaysia,” Dian Lee, Ineza Roussille, directors;
Mexico, “The Chambermaid,” Lila Avilés, director;
Mongolia, “The Steed,” Erdenebileg Ganbold, director;
Montenegro, “Neverending Past,” Andro Martinović, director;
Morocco, “Adam,” Maryam Touzani, director;
Nepal, “Bulbul,” Binod Paudel, director;
Netherlands, “Instinct,” Halina Reijn, director;
Nigeria, “Lionheart,” Genevieve Nnaji, director;
North Macedonia, “Honeyland,” Ljubo Stefanov, Tamara Kotevska, directors;
Norway, “Out Stealing Horses,” Hans Petter Moland, director;
Pakistan, “Laal Kabootar,” Kamal Khan, director;
Palestine, “It Must Be Heaven,” Elia Suleiman, director;
Panama, “Everybody Changes,” Arturo Montenegro, director;
Peru, “Retablo,” Alvaro Delgado Aparicio, director;
Philippines, “Verdict,” Raymund Ribay Gutierrez, director;
Poland, “Corpus Christi,” Jan Komasa, director;
Portugal, “The Domain,” Tiago Guedes, director;
Romania, “The Whistlers,” Corneliu Porumboiu, director;
Russia, “Beanpole,” Kantemir Balagov, director;
Saudi Arabia, “The Perfect Candidate,” Haifaa Al Mansour, director;
Senegal, “Atlantics,” Mati Diop, director;
Serbia, “King Petar the First,” Petar Ristovski, director;
Singapore, “A Land Imagined,” Yeo Siew Hua, director;
Slovakia, “Let There Be Light,” Marko Skop, director;
Slovenia, “History of Love,” Sonja Prosenc, director;
South Africa, “Knuckle City,” Jahmil X.T. Qubeka, director;
South Korea, “Parasite,” Bong Joon Ho, director;
Spain, “Pain and Glory,” Pedro Almodóvar, director;
Sweden, “And Then We Danced,” Levan Akin, director;
Switzerland, “Wolkenbruch’s Wondrous Journey into the Arms of a Shiksa,” Michael Steiner, director;
Taiwan, “Dear Ex,” Mag Hsu, Chih-Yen Hsu, directors;
Thailand, “Krasue: Inhuman Kiss,” Sitisiri Mongkolsiri, director;
Tunisia, “Dear Son,” Mohamed Ben Attia, director;
Turkey, “Commitment Asli,” Semih Kaplanoglu, director;
Ukraine, “Homeward,” Nariman Aliev, director;
United Kingdom, “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind,” Chiwetel Ejiofor, director;
Uruguay, “The Moneychanger,” Federico Veiroj, director;
Uzbekistan, “Hot Bread,” Umid Khamdamov, director;
Venezuela, “Being Impossible,” Patricia Ortega, director;
Vietnam, “Furie,” Le Van Kiet, director.

The shortlist of 10 films will be announced on Monday, December 16, 2019. Nominations for the 92nd Oscars® will be announced on Monday, January 13, 2020.

The 92nd Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 9, 2020, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscars also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

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Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Amazon and HBCU, Howard University, Announce "Howard Entertainment"

Howard University Joins with Amazon Studios to Launch Howard Entertainment

The innovative new program is designed to diversify the pipeline for talent across the entertainment industry
WASHINGTON & CULVER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Howard University and Amazon Studios (NASDAQ: AMZN) announced the launch of Howard Entertainment, a program designed to diversify the entertainment industry by creating a pipeline for African-American students and other marginalized populations to train and study alongside entertainment executives. The experience will offer students a unique interdisciplinary curriculum, coupled with hands-on work experiences and networking with Amazon’s industry partners. The program will begin in January 2020.

    “Amazon Studios has been working to create new pathways into the industry for talented students of all backgrounds and we are proud to team with Howard on this new program supporting aspiring entertainment leaders”
“The vision of Howard Entertainment is to offer a one-of-a-kind experience for students interested in all aspects of entertainment, from project greenlighting, to PR and marketing, to entertainment law and finance,” said President Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA. “This relationship aligns with Howard’s strategic goals of enhancing academic excellence and inspiring new knowledge. Collaborating with Amazon Studios will enable us to marry academia and industry efforts to build a robust workforce of diverse entertainment industry leaders. With Howard’s proven track record of developing some of Hollywood’s most notable actors, comedians and musicians, this next level collaboration will enable us to have even greater impact.”

The Howard Entertainment program is an immersive two semester experience located in Los Angeles, California that offers Howard University students the opportunity to take academic courses during the spring semester and participate in a fellowship imbedded in the entertainment industry during the summer semester. The coursework will be applied toward the student’s graduation requirements and the fellowship provides much needed hands-on experience and an opportunity to make invaluable networking connections.

“Amazon Studios has been working to create new pathways into the industry for talented students of all backgrounds and we are proud to team with Howard on this new program supporting aspiring entertainment leaders” said Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios. “As we strive to delight our Prime Video customers, we’re ensuring there are diverse perspectives and experiences around the table to help us make the best decisions in all aspects of the business.”

Latasha Gillespie, Amazon Studio’s Global Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion said: “This program is all about intentionality – being intentional about increasing and preparing the next generation of African American, Latinx and Native American storytellers, casts, crew, and executives working on these projects.”

Students will have to engage in a competitive process to be selected for the program. To qualify, students must be enrolled as a Howard University student, must be an upperclassman or graduate student and will have to complete an application and interview to be considered for the program. Students will be taught by Howard faculty who will be supported by Amazon Studios employees and other industry professionals invited by Amazon. This model will provide the opportunity for students to be engaged in projects that offer “real world” application and will help students develop “work ready” skills prior to graduating. Additionally, students will benefit from an innovative application of academic coursework, and also hone entrepreneurial skills through the project-based approach. Participating schools or colleges at the University will provide additional details on the program and competitive application process at future townhall meetings.

The program kickoff is being announced today during Howard University’s Homecoming celebration week. Amazon Studios is the lead sponsor of this year’s Annual Yardfest, the popular concert series, which throughout the years has featured talent such as Drake, Ludacris, Slick Rick and Rick Ross.

Students who wish to apply for admission into the first cohort can contact HowardEntertainment@howard.edu.

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Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Cynthia Erivo to Portray Aretha Franklin for NatGeo's "Genius: Aretha"

Photo of Cynthia Erivo by photographer John Russo

National Geographic Taps Triple Threat Cynthia Erivo (“Harriet,” “The Color Purple”) as Aretha Franklin in GENIUS: ARETHA

Tony®-, Emmy®- and Grammy® Award-Winning Erivo Will Portray Grammy Award Winner and Musical Icon Franklin in the Next Installment of the Emmy-Winning Anthology Series GENIUS

Previously Announced, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Playwright Suzan-Lori Parks (“Topdog/Underdog”) Is Executive Producer and Showrunner

Brian Grazer and Ron Howard Serve as Executive Producers Along With Music Mogul Clive Davis, Atlantic Records Chairman and CEO Craig Kallman, Ken Biller, Fox 21 Television Studios and Imagine Television Studios

The Aretha Franklin Estate Joins GENIUS: ARETHA, the First-Ever, Definitive Scripted Limited Series on the Life of the Universally Acclaimed Queen of Soul

Production to Begin November 2019 for Spring 2020 World Premiere


WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--National Geographic, with Imagine Television Studios and Fox 21 Television Studios, announced today that Tony®-, Emmy®- and Grammy® Award-winning Cynthia Erivo (“Harriet,” Broadway’s “The Color Purple”) will star as Aretha Franklin in the next installment of the Emmy-winning global anthology series Genius: Aretha. This upcoming season will be the first-ever, definitive and only authorized scripted limited series on the life of the universally acclaimed Queen of Soul. Filming will start this November for a spring 2020 premiere on National Geographic channels in 172 countries and 43 languages.

    “For GENIUS to honor Aretha is a great affirmation of her legacy, and Cynthia Erivo is an extraordinary talent with an amazing voice!”

The production will feature many of Franklin’s biggest recordings and hit songs from the comprehensive Warner Music catalogue, including “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You),” “Chain of Fools,” “Don’t Play That Song,” “Since You’ve Been Gone” and “Baby I Love You.” In addition, the series will feature Franklin’s performances of “I Knew You Were Waiting for Me,” “Freeway of Love” and “Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves.” Erivo will also be performing many of the songs from Franklin’s rich catalogue.

“Aretha Franklin has been a source of inspiration for me since I was a little girl,” said Erivo. “Her strength, passion and soul are evident in her everlasting legacy, not only as a transcendent artist, but as a humanitarian and civil rights icon. To have the opportunity to bring her legacy to life and show the fullness of her being, her humanity and brilliance, is an honor. What I know and have learned about what my voice, as an artist, can do and the power in it has been highly influenced by Franklin. I feel privileged and excited to be a part of the sharing of her genius.”

“Cynthia Erivo blew me away. Not only is she an incredible and bona fide star, but she is soulful and has tremendous depth as a musical artist,” said Brian Grazer. “Cynthia is the perfect person to portray the profoundly human story behind the genius that is Aretha.”

Ms. Franklin’s niece Sabrina Owens said, “For GENIUS to honor Aretha is a great affirmation of her legacy, and Cynthia Erivo is an extraordinary talent with an amazing voice!”

“The fabulously talented Cynthia Erivo is dream casting to play iconic musical genius Aretha Franklin,” said Carolyn Bernstein, EVP, global scripted content and documentary films, National Geographic. “On the heels of her Tony Award-winning turn in ‘The Color Purple’ and breakout performance in upcoming feature film ‘Harriet,’ we can’t wait to see Cynthia bring her fierceness to the role as the Queen of Soul.”

Erivo is a Tony-, Emmy- and Grammy Award-winning actress who burst onto West End and Broadway stages in “The Color Purple” and has taken the big screen by storm. Erivo will next star in Kasi Lemmons’ “Harriet,” in which she will bring the legacy of Harriet Tubman to the big screen. On the television side, she will star in the HBO series “The Outsider,” based on the Stephen King novel of the same name. Erivo will also star alongside Daisy Ridley and David Oyelowo in the anticipated sci-fi thriller “Chaos Walking,” from director Doug Liman, and in John Ridley’s “Needle in a Timestack” alongside Orlando Bloom, Freida Pinto and Leslie Odom Jr. In addition, Erivo is set to executive produce and star in Warner Bros.’ musical take on the American folk tale of “Rip Van Winkle.”

GENIUS dramatizes the fascinating stories of the world’s most brilliant innovators, exploring their extraordinary achievements along with their volatile, passionate and complex personal relationships. The third season of the anthology series will explore Franklin’s musical genius and incomparable career, as well as the immeasurable impact and lasting influence she has had on music and culture around the world. Grammy Award winner Franklin was a gospel prodigy and outspoken civil rights champion and is widely considered to be the greatest singer of the past 50 years, receiving countless honors throughout her career.

Without knowing how to read music, Franklin taught herself to play the piano; at the young age of 12, she began to record songs and sing on gospel tours with her father. She signed her first record deal at age 18 with Columbia Records. In 1966 she moved to Atlantic Records, where she recorded many of her most iconic songs. In 1979 she began a 40-year friendship and partnership with Clive Davis, which produced a number of hit songs, including the highest charting and bestselling song of her career, “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” a duet with George Michael. The legendary singer is one of the world’s bestselling musical artists of all time, with more than 75 million records sold globally during her career. Her voice was identified as a “natural resource” by her home state of Michigan.

Previously announced, Suzan-Lori Parks, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright of “Topdog/Underdog,” is executive producer and showrunner for GENIUS: ARETHA. Imagine is partnering with Warner Music Group for this third season, which will again be executive produced by Imagine’s Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Francie Calfo. Legendary hit record producer Clive Davis and Atlantic Records Chairman and CEO Craig Kallman have also joined as executive producers. Returning executive producers include Ken Biller (Genius: Einstein, Genius: Picasso), Gigi Pritzker and Rachel Shane (MWM Studios), and Sam Sokolow (EUE/Sokolow). Diana Son joins as executive producer. In addition, Imagine’s Anna Culp serves as producer alongside Peter Afterman.

Erivo is repped by United Talent Agency, ID, Authentic Talent & Literary Management, and Pekioff Mahan.

National Geographic, the company behind the recent Oscar-winning and seven Emmy-winning FREE SOLO, in 2017 premiered the first season of GENIUS, which starred Geoffrey Rush as the brilliant scientist Albert Einstein. Biller was showrunner and creator for the multi-Emmy-winning GENIUS: PICASSO and GENIUS: EINSTEIN. GENIUS: EINSTEIN earned 10 Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Limited Series, as well as Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations for Rush. The follow-up season, GENIUS: PICASSO, starred Antonio Banderas as the titular Spanish painter and matched much of the success of its predecessor, earning seven Emmy nominations — and two wins — as well as Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations for Banderas.

Imagine has a history of creating timeless and culturally impactful films, shows and documentaries in the world of music, including the Academy Award-winning film “8 Mile,” the Grammy Award-winning documentary “The Beatles: Eight Days a Week — The Touring Years,” the critically acclaimed documentary “Pavarotti” and Emmy-winning television drama “Empire.” The company also produced the film “Get on Up” about James Brown, and many documentaries, including “Jay Z’s Made in America,” “Katy Perry: Part of Me” and “Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band.” Imagine is currently in production on the Hulu series “Wu-Tang: An American Saga” and the sixth season of “Empire”; it is also developing a film version of the musical “tick, tick … BOOM!” with Lin-Manuel Miranda directing, and a documentary about legendary musician Louis Armstrong.

For more information visit www.natgeotv.com or follow on Twitter using @NatGeoPR.


About National Geographic Partners LLC
National Geographic Partners LLC (NGP), a joint venture between Disney and the National Geographic Society, is committed to bringing the world premium science, adventure and exploration content across an unrivaled portfolio of media assets. NGP combines the global National Geographic television channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO, Nat Geo PEOPLE) with National Geographic’s media and consumer-oriented assets, including National Geographic magazines; National Geographic studios; related digital and social media platforms; books; maps; children’s media; and ancillary activities that include travel, global experiences and events, archival sales, licensing and e-commerce businesses. Furthering knowledge and understanding of our world has been the core purpose of National Geographic for 131 years, and now we are committed to going deeper, pushing boundaries, going further for our consumers … and reaching millions of people around the world in 172 countries and 43 languages every month as we do it. NGP returns 27 percent of our proceeds to the nonprofit National Geographic Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation and education. For more information visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Pinterest.

About Imagine Television Group
Imagine Television Group is comprised of Imagine Television and Imagine Television Studios. Imagine Television was founded in 1986 by Brian Grazer and Ron Howard and is run by Imagine Television Group Chairman, Francie Calfo and Imagine Television President, Samie Kim Falvey. The company’s productions have been honored with 195 Emmy Nominations and 30 Golden Globe nominations. Last year, the company formed Imagine Television Studios, also co-run by Calfo and Falvey, to produce and finance a slate projects which currently includes the series “Why Women Kill” for CBS All Access from Marc Cherry; “Swagger” for Apple from Kevin Durant and Reggie Rock Bythewood; “Wu-Tang: An American Saga” for Hulu from The RZA and Alex Tse; and “68 Whiskey.” Imagine Television is also producing “Filthy Rich” with Tate Taylor for Fox. Current programming includes Fox’s award-winning series “Empire,” Netflix’s “Arrested Development,” and NatGeo’s Emmy® award-winning “Genius” anthology series. Earlier productions include Fox's Golden Globe and Emmy® award-winning Best Drama Series “24”; NBC’s Peabody Award winning series “Friday Night Lights”; Fox’s Emmy® award winning Best Comedy “Arrested Development”; Fox’s “Shots Fired”; Fox’s “Lie To Me”; WB's “Felicity”; ABC's “SportsNight”; and HBO's “From the Earth to the Moon”, which won the Emmy® for Outstanding Mini-Series. Howard and Brian Grazer began their collaboration in 1985 with the hit film comedies “Night Shift” and “Splash”, and continue to run Imagine is Executive Chairmen.

About Fox 21 Television Studios
Fox 21 Television Studios, a division of Disney Television Studios, is devoted to making creatively ambitious scripted and unscripted series for all distribution platforms. Fox 21 Television Studios is responsible for the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning sensation from Ryan Murphy, Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson, “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” (with FX Productions), as well as its follow-up “The Assassination of Gianni Versace” which also won the Emmy and Golden Globe for Outstanding Limited Series; the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning “Homeland,” starring Claire Danes and Mandy Patinkin which enters its eighth and final season this year; the Emmy-nominated “Fosse/Verdon” from award-winning producers Thomas Kail, Steven Levenson, Joel Fields and Lin-Manuel Miranda and starring Oscar winner Sam Rockwell and Golden Globe winner Michelle Williams; the blockbuster “Sons of Anarchy” as well as its follow-up “Mayans M.C.” from co-creators Kurt Sutter and Elgin James; “Queen of the South,” executive produced by David T. Friendly, Dailyn Rodriguez and Benjamin Daniel Lobato; the Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated “Pose” from Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Steven Canals, Janet Mock, Alexis Martin Woodall and Sherry Marsh; “The Hot Zone” based on Richard Preston’s international best-seller for Nat Geo starring Emmy winner Juliana Margulies; and the Emmy-nominated “Genius: Einstein” and its follow-up “Genius: Picasso.” Upcoming series include “The Politician” from Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan and starring Tony-winner Ben Platt and Oscar winners Gwyneth Paltrow and Jessica Lange, Ryan Murphy’s “Ratched” starring Golden Globe and Emmy winner Sarah Paulson in the title role, “The Old Man” starring Academy Award winning Jeff Bridges and six-time Emmy winner John Lithgow, as well as the newest installment of “American Crime Story” entitled “American Crime Story: Impeachment” starring Sarah Paulson, Beanie Feldstein and Annaleigh Ashford. Fox 21 Television Studios shows have amassed a collective 120 Emmy nominations and 32 Emmy wins, as well as multiple Golden Globes, Humanitas Prizes and Peabody Awards. Fox 21 Television Studios, ABC Studios and 20thCentury Fox Television comprise Disney Television Studios, a collection of labels that produces the most award-winning, culture-defining programming across 16 broadcast, cable, digital and international platforms. Its programming now reaches more than a billion people every day across the world; in as many as 180 countries, across six continents, in 30 different languages.

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BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for October 16, 2019

BOOM! STUDIOS

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Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 16, 2019

DARK HORSE COMICS

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