Jeffrey Katzenberg’s new digital startup Quibi is creating a series based on the rise of Snapchat. And yes, even Katzenberg sees the similarities to “The Social Network,” the 2010 movie about the birth and growth of Facebook.
“We want to tell a story that is as compelling and interesting about the creation of Snapchat and [founder Evan Spiegel’s] story as ‘[The] Social Network’ was for Facebook,” Katzenberg said Friday at Austin’s South by Southwest (SXSW), according to TechCrunch.
The series will be based on screenwriter Elissa Karasik’s “Frat Boy Genius,” one of the most anticipated projects in Hollywood after it landed at the top of the 2018 Black List. Karasik’s script paints an unflattering portrayal of Spiegel, Snap’s 28-year-old chief executive, told through the eyes of narrator “Lily,” a former classmate of Spiegel’s at Stanford that accuses him of ripping off one of her ideas to help build Snapchat.
Karasik, it’s worth pointing out, also attended Stanford.
Despite saying he wants the series to resemble how “The Social Network” skeptically portrayed Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg’s early days in Silicon Valley, Katzenberg says Spiegel should be “flattered” that a series is being made about him.
Snap did not immediately respond to our request for comment on the new series.
Founded by Katzenberg and headed by former Hewlett-Packard CEO Meg Whitman, Quibi closed a $1 billion round of funding in August 2018 from big-name investors such as 21st Century Fox, Disney, NBCUniversal, Viacom and WarnerMedia. Katzenberg said he expects Quibi to launch in Spring 2020, although he did not provide a release date for the series based on “Frat Boy Genius.”
10 Most Shocking Russian Troll Posts on Facebook and Instagram, From Hillary Clinton to Police Brutality (Photos)
The U.S. House Intelligence Committee on Thursday released more than 3,500 advertisements and posts spread by Russian trolls before and after the 2016 U.S. election. Below is a look at 10 of the most shocking examples that stood out from Congress's reveal.
House Intelligence Committee
Many posts pushed the narrative that Hillary Clinton would confiscate guns if she were elected President.
House Intelligence Committee
This graphic meme painted cops as KKK members attacking a young black child.
House Intelligence Committee
Only "sissies" and other undesirables wouldn't support Donald Trump, many of the memes said.
House Intelligence Committee
President Obama was a "pawn" and "traitor" in the hands of "Arabian Sheikhs," said one 2016 ad.
House Intelligence Committee
The "Black Matters US" page touched on hot button issues like police shootings.
House Intelligence Committee
The "Army of Jesus" page shared a bible verse, along with this meme.
House Intelligence Committee
Russian trolls also used Instagram to spread sponsored political memes.
House Intelligence Committee
The "Blacktivist" page routinely shared memes on Colin Kaepernick and other football players kneeling during the national anthem.
House Intelligence Committee
"Heart of Texas" routinely posted on "Killary Rotten Clinton," and threatened to secede from the union if she won the election.
House Intelligence Committee
The "Being Patriotic" page labeled ex-cons as "Obama voters."
House Intelligence Committee
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Congress just released 3,500 posts touching on a myriad of topics
The U.S. House Intelligence Committee on Thursday released more than 3,500 advertisements and posts spread by Russian trolls before and after the 2016 U.S. election. Below is a look at 10 of the most shocking examples that stood out from Congress's reveal.