Mark Feuerstein, Kate McKinnon, Julie White Join Indie Comedy 'Life Partners' (Exclusive)

May, 02, 2013 3:56 pm | Comments On #Movies

Mark Feuerstein ("Royal Pains"), Kate McKinnon ("Saturday Night Live"), Greer Grammer ("Awkward") and Tony winner Julie White ("Transformers") have joined the cast of indie comedy "Life Partners," TheWrap has learned.

Susanna Fogel will make her directorial debut with the film, which she co-wrote with writing partner Joni Lefkowitz. The duo's script was workshopped within the Sundance Institute's 2012 Writers Lab, as well as its 2012 Creative Producing Lab. The project began life as a play that was part of the annual "Unscreened" series in 2011, as...

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Steven Spielberg to Direct Bradley Cooper in 'American Sniper'

May, 02, 2013 12:53 pm | Comments On #Movies

Steven Spielberg has committed to making the Bradley Cooper vehicle "American Sniper" his next movie.

The project, which was written by Jason Hall ("Paranoia"), will be a co-production between Warner Bros. and Dreamworks.

Film is based on the bestselling book “American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History” by Chris Kyle, Scott McEwan and Jim DeFelice.

Also read: Bradley Cooper Fast-Tracks 'American Sniper' Film On Heels of Vet's Shooting...

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Foresight to Shop Justin Timberlake's Neil Bogart Biopic 'Spinning Gold' at Cannes

May, 02, 2013 11:59 am | Comments On #Movies

 

Mark Damon's Foresight Unlimited will produce, finance and handle worldwide sales for "Spinning Gold," a biopic of 1970s record icon Neil Bogart, who is set to be played by Justin Timberlake.

Bogart's son, Timothy Scott Bogart wrote the script, which he developed with Timberlake.

Damon and Timberlake are producing with Laurence Mark, as well as Boardwalk Entertainment's Bogart and Gary A. Randall. Joyce Bogart-Trabulus is executive producing along with Foresight president Tamara Birkemoe and Envision Entertainment’s Remington Chase, Stepan Martirosyan and Vitaly Grigoriants.

Bogart is credited with discovering, launching and nurturing the careers of a generation of music superstars during the 60’s and 70’s including Curtis Mayfield, Bill Withers, Gladys Knight, KISS, Parliament, Donna Summer and The Village...

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Reese Witherspoon Lines Up 'Depth of Field,' Enters Talks for 'Passengers'

May, 02, 2013 11:45 am | Comments On #Movies

In case you were wondering if Reese Witherspoon will still be able to find work in lieu of recent tabloid headlines, rest assured, she will.

Not only did the actress set up a new project titled "Depth of Field" at Fox 2000 on Wednesday, but now TheWrap has learned she's in talks to join Keanu Reeves in Wayfare Entertainment's sci-fi love story "Passengers."

Brian Kirk ("Game of Thrones") is directing "Passengers" from a script by Jon Spaihts ("Prometheus").

Story finds Reeves onboard a spaceship where he wakes up early from a cryogenic sleep chamber. Not wanting to be alone, he decides to wake up a female passenger, who may be played by Witherspoon.

"Depth of Field" is based on sportswriter Lynne Truss' bestselling memoir "Get Her Off the Pitch,...

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Johnny Depp Hires E. Nicholas Mariani to Rewrite Disney's Paul Revere Movie (Exclusive)

May, 02, 2013 9:18 am | Comments On #Movies

Disney and Johnny Depp's Infinitum Nihil banner have tapped E. Nicholas Mariani ("Desperate Hours") to rewrite their untitled movie about Paul Revere's famed midnight ride, TheWrap has learned.

Depp and Christi Dembrowski are producing for Infinitum Nihil, whose Maragaret French-Isaac will exec produce. The original script was written by the "Batman Forever" team of Lee and Janet Batchler.

The project will follow Boston silversmith Paul Revere over the 24-hour period during which he made the famous "midnight ride" from Charlestown to Lexington, Massachusetts in order to warn the Colonial militia of the impending British invasion. The American revolutionary subsequently became an iconic figure in U.S. history.

Mariani, who has held a variety of production jobs, is best known for writing the 2011 Black List script "...

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Will 'Chronicle' Star Michael B. Jordan Be Human Torch in 'Fantastic Four'? (Exclusive)

May, 02, 2013 5:04 am | Comments On #Movies

"Chronicle" star Michael B. Jordan is in contention to play The Human Torch in Josh Trank's "Fantastic Four" reboot due in 2015, which would give the African-American actor a rare role as a superhero in a big studio franchise, numerous individuals familiar with the project have told TheWrap.

The Human Torch, also known as Johnny Storm, was white in the Marvel comic, and the wise-cracking character was previously played by Chris Evans in the original 2005 version and its 2007 sequel.

Twentieth Century Fox declined to comment on the record, but numerous individuals close to the studio and the actor have told TheWrap that "Chronicle" director Trank is considering a reunion with Jordan, whose feature career has soared since his breakout turns on TV in "The Wire...

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'Community' Star Alison Brie Joins Comedy 'Search Party' (Exclusive)

May, 01, 2013 4:47 pm | Comments On #Movies

"Community" and "Mad Men" star Alison Brie has joined the cast of Scot Armstrong's comedy "Search Party," which is being co-financed by Universal Pictures and Gold Circle Films.

Gold Circle is producing the film, which will be distributed by Universal.

TJ Miller, Adam Pally and Thomas Middleditch star alongside Shannon Woodward.

Story follows two roommates who go to dangerous lengths to save their friend who is stranded in Mexico without clothes.

Brie will play a co-worker and love interest of one of the three leads.

Paul Brooks will produce for Gold Circle, whose Scott Niemeyer is executive producing. Neal Moritz is also producing...

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Kelsey Grammer to Play Human Villain in Michael Bay's 'Transformers 4'

May, 01, 2013 2:16 pm | Comments On #Movies

Director Michael Bay has tapped Emmy winner Kelsey Grammer to play the human antagonist in Paramount's "Transformers 4," TheWrap has learned.

Grammer joins a revamped cast that includes Mark Wahlberg and Stanley Tucci, as well as up-and-coming actors Jack Reynor ("What Richard Did") and Nicole Peltz ("Bates Motel").

Grammer, who recently won a Golden Globe for his turn as a scheming politician (is there any other kind?) on Starz's "Boss," will play a counter-intelligence operative who figures prominently in the plot.

The "Transformers" franchise could use a flesh-and-blood bad guy to root against, so let's hope Grammer is able to...

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Jon Cryer Nearing Deal to Star in Ricky Blitt's Comedy 'Hit By Lightning' (Exclusive)

May, 01, 2013 1:06 pm | Comments On #Movies

After securing a hefty raise, "Two and a Half Men" star Jon Cryer is in final negotiations to star in the indie comedy "Hit By Lightning," which marks the feature directorial debut of former "Family Guy" writer-producer Ricky Blitt.

Blitt wrote the script, which is described as a cross between "The 40 Year-Old Virgin" and "Body Heat."

Cryer is nearing a deal to play a single fast food manager who finally finds love with the perfect woman, but there's a catch -- she's married and wants him to kill her husband. Even though he's the sweetest guy who has never even killed a spider, he says 'yes.'

Chantal Chamandy is producing through...

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ICM Partners Add 3 Agents to Bolster Digital, Branded Entertainment Divisions

May, 01, 2013 11:00 am | Comments On #Media

ICM Partners has hired three new agents -- two to bolster its Digital Strategy Division and one to its Global Branded Entertainment Department, the agency announced on Wednesday.

Matthew Murray and Sarah Early will join the digital division, formed last June with the hiring of Keyvan Peymani. Both bring experience marketing brands. Early last worked on digital and cross-platform integrations at Telepictures Productions, developing branded entertainment for shows like “Anderson Live” and “Extra.” She previously worked at Innovative Artists, Don Buchwald & Associates and Abrams Artists Agency.

Also Read: ICM Partners, Screenz Team for Apps, Games Built Around TV

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