Eight-time Grammy award-winning musician and performer Anderson .Paak made his big screen directorial debut over the weekend in Toronto with first feature K-Pops!, in which he co-stars opposite son Soul Rasheed.
The production marked a number of firsts for the singer, rapper, drummer and record producer known for solo hits such as ‘Bubblin’ and ‘Come Down’; work with Bruno Mars under the Silk Sonic banner as well as for collaborations with the likes of Dr. Dre.
The artist co-stars as washed-up musician Bj who takes a job on a pop talent show in South Korea. There, he meets a young contestant, played by Rasheed, who turns out to be the son he never knew existed.
Conceived during the lockdowns of the Covid-19 pandemic, the production saw .Paak and Rasheed travel to South Korea and Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning tourism and shooting hub of AlUla as the world opened up again,...
The production marked a number of firsts for the singer, rapper, drummer and record producer known for solo hits such as ‘Bubblin’ and ‘Come Down’; work with Bruno Mars under the Silk Sonic banner as well as for collaborations with the likes of Dr. Dre.
The artist co-stars as washed-up musician Bj who takes a job on a pop talent show in South Korea. There, he meets a young contestant, played by Rasheed, who turns out to be the son he never knew existed.
Conceived during the lockdowns of the Covid-19 pandemic, the production saw .Paak and Rasheed travel to South Korea and Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning tourism and shooting hub of AlUla as the world opened up again,...
- 9/9/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Rob McElhenney has garnered acclaim for portraying Mac in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, which gained a cult following. However, he too, has faced a few unexpected ups and downs in his career. If one would remember, he made a short cameo in Game of Thrones.
Rob McElhenney in a still from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
While his memorable appearance in Got left an indelible mark on viewers, he faced extreme disappointment in bringing a Minecraft movie to life.
Rob McElhenney Made a Brief Cameo in Game of Thrones
The acclaimed HBO series has garnered global attention, running for eight seasons, bringing an ensemble cast that catapulted to fame. However, the show had its moments by inviting renowned personalities for a brief cameo, and Rob McElhenney is one of them.
Related“Because F**k them at this point”: Rob McElhenney’s Heartbreaking Admission After Warner Bros Cancels His...
Rob McElhenney in a still from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
While his memorable appearance in Got left an indelible mark on viewers, he faced extreme disappointment in bringing a Minecraft movie to life.
Rob McElhenney Made a Brief Cameo in Game of Thrones
The acclaimed HBO series has garnered global attention, running for eight seasons, bringing an ensemble cast that catapulted to fame. However, the show had its moments by inviting renowned personalities for a brief cameo, and Rob McElhenney is one of them.
Related“Because F**k them at this point”: Rob McElhenney’s Heartbreaking Admission After Warner Bros Cancels His...
- 9/8/2024
- by Priya Sharma
- FandomWire
Once upon a time, in the magical land of Hollywood, a movie about the globally popular video game "Minecraft" was being made. Inspired perhaps by the success of "The Lego Movie," which took the rather simple block toys of childhood and created a cinematic miracle that made more than $468 million at the worldwide box office, Mojang Studios started looking at turning its own popular building-block game into a blockbuster movie. But who to helm it? "The Lego Movie" had Chris Miller and Phil Lord of "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" and "21 Jump Street" fame, and "Minecraft" needed someone with similar comedy chops.
Enter "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" series creator and star Rob McElhenney, who stepped in after "Night at the Museum" director Shawn Levy joined and left the project in a very short time. McElhenney seemed like a pretty strange fit for a family film based on...
Enter "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" series creator and star Rob McElhenney, who stepped in after "Night at the Museum" director Shawn Levy joined and left the project in a very short time. McElhenney seemed like a pretty strange fit for a family film based on...
- 9/5/2024
- by Danielle Ryan
- Slash Film
The Minecraft movie may have just been announced. But it’s been in the works for a long time. In 2020, Rob McElhenney was already working on an animated film adaptation of the game but it got scrapped after two and a half years of work.
Well, there is a movie coming at least. | Image Credit: Warner Bros. YouTube
The It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star was set to direct the movie but despite his passion and time, he couldn’t. He later opened up about the whole ordeal and shared his emotional journey through the failed production. And now all fans can do is lament what could’ve been.
A Minecraft Movie By Rob McElhenney’s Could’ve Been Amazing McElhenney had an amazing vision for his project. Now we’ll never see it. | Image Credit: FX
Initially, Rob McElhenney saw the lack of a narrative in Minecraft since it...
Well, there is a movie coming at least. | Image Credit: Warner Bros. YouTube
The It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star was set to direct the movie but despite his passion and time, he couldn’t. He later opened up about the whole ordeal and shared his emotional journey through the failed production. And now all fans can do is lament what could’ve been.
A Minecraft Movie By Rob McElhenney’s Could’ve Been Amazing McElhenney had an amazing vision for his project. Now we’ll never see it. | Image Credit: FX
Initially, Rob McElhenney saw the lack of a narrative in Minecraft since it...
- 9/5/2024
- by Daniel Royte
- FandomWire
Emma Roberts worked with global media company Stampede Ventures on the romantic comedy Space Cadet, which is set to be released through the Prime Video streaming service on July 4th, and Coming Soon reports that Roberts is now set to re-team with Stampede Ventures on the showbusiness thriller Fourth Wall, which has director Alexis Ostrander at the helm.
Ostrander’s previous directing credits include multiple short films and episodes of twenty different TV shows, among them Interview with the Vampire, Mayfair Witches, Cruel Summer, Sweet Tooth, Supergirl, Servant, Nancy Drew, Swat Team, Swamp Thing, Light as a Feather, Shadowhunters, Riverdale, and American Horror Story. For Fourth Wall, she’ll be working from a screenplay by Jerry Kontogiorgis, who primarily works as a post-production coordinator.
Roberts, who was only 10 years old when she made her screen acting debut, will be taking on the role of a former child star from a...
Ostrander’s previous directing credits include multiple short films and episodes of twenty different TV shows, among them Interview with the Vampire, Mayfair Witches, Cruel Summer, Sweet Tooth, Supergirl, Servant, Nancy Drew, Swat Team, Swamp Thing, Light as a Feather, Shadowhunters, Riverdale, and American Horror Story. For Fourth Wall, she’ll be working from a screenplay by Jerry Kontogiorgis, who primarily works as a post-production coordinator.
Roberts, who was only 10 years old when she made her screen acting debut, will be taking on the role of a former child star from a...
- 6/17/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Emma Roberts (American Horror Story) is set to reteam with Stampede Ventures on Fourth Wall, a thriller that Alexis Ostrander (Servant) is directing from a script by Jerry Kontogiorgis, in her feature debut.
The project is Roberts’ second with the global media company on the heels of Space Cadet, a rom-com for Amazon MGM Studios, which will premiere globally on Prime Video this Fourth of July.
The film centers on a former child star (Roberts) from a popular ’90s television show who is kidnapped and wakes up in a complete recreation of the show’s set with the rest of the cast. As she’s forced to re-immerse herself in the iconic role she’s been trying to get away from her entire career, she must recreate the series’ most memorable moments to stay alive.
Roberts was a natural fit for the project, as an actress who’s been...
The project is Roberts’ second with the global media company on the heels of Space Cadet, a rom-com for Amazon MGM Studios, which will premiere globally on Prime Video this Fourth of July.
The film centers on a former child star (Roberts) from a popular ’90s television show who is kidnapped and wakes up in a complete recreation of the show’s set with the rest of the cast. As she’s forced to re-immerse herself in the iconic role she’s been trying to get away from her entire career, she must recreate the series’ most memorable moments to stay alive.
Roberts was a natural fit for the project, as an actress who’s been...
- 6/13/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Former UTA agent Anna Berthold-Zuk has joined Stampede Ventures as Executive Vice President of Animation and Kids & Family, the company’s President Chris Bosco announced on Thursday.
In her new role, Berthold-Zuk will guide Stampede’s existing kids & family initiatives and oversee expansion in this space as she continues to build out additional creator-driven ventures aimed at launching new franchises. Additionally, she will work to find ways to overcome current hurdles in the kids & family business by building out strategic ventures necessary to support the launch of said franchises in the wake of continual constriction within the industry.
Berthold-Zuk’s appointment bolsters Stampede’s ability to expand its Kids & Family reach in tandem with their existing ventures including Mo Willems’s Hidden Pigeon Company with RedBird Capital Partners and HappyNest Entertainment, a co-venture with UTA, which Berthold-Zuk helped put together. Looking ahead, she will work closely with Sadaf Cohen Muncy,...
In her new role, Berthold-Zuk will guide Stampede’s existing kids & family initiatives and oversee expansion in this space as she continues to build out additional creator-driven ventures aimed at launching new franchises. Additionally, she will work to find ways to overcome current hurdles in the kids & family business by building out strategic ventures necessary to support the launch of said franchises in the wake of continual constriction within the industry.
Berthold-Zuk’s appointment bolsters Stampede’s ability to expand its Kids & Family reach in tandem with their existing ventures including Mo Willems’s Hidden Pigeon Company with RedBird Capital Partners and HappyNest Entertainment, a co-venture with UTA, which Berthold-Zuk helped put together. Looking ahead, she will work closely with Sadaf Cohen Muncy,...
- 5/30/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
When asked to name her organization’s biggest accomplishment so far, Charlene Deleon-Jones, the executive director for Film AlUla, doesn’t hesitate to name-check Norah, the first Saudi film to crack the Cannes lineup. The Tawfik Alzaidi-helmed indie movie, which will compete in the fest’s Un Certain Regard section, was shot in AlUla, the country’s 200,000-year-old “living museum” and first Unesco World Heritage Site, with a crew that was 40 percent Saudi and includes an all-Saudi cast. The latter includes teenager Maria Bahrawi in her debut role as the titular Norah, an orphaned girl who develops a nurturing bond with Nader, an artist and new teacher in her village, played by Saudi actor Yagoub Alfarhan. “That they were able to get to this stage is really impressive,” Deleon-Jones says. “Often, people can be very focused on what is seen as their ‘international piece,’ but what I love is how beautiful Norah is,...
- 5/19/2024
- by Becky Lucas
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jason Statham is someone who is admirably unpretentious and genuinely grateful for his success, and within that, he has a definite preference of films that can predominantly define his career. Earlier this year, Statham was seen in The Beekeeper, a seemingly usual action B-movie fare with the star, but the movie from Suicide Squad director David Ayer would throw in some bold conceptual curve balls to the normal vengeance tale. Deadline has now reported that Statham will be working with director Baltasar Kormákur for his next action film.
Kormákur’s resume features such credits as Contraband, 2 Guns, Everest and the recent Idris Elba lion attack film, Beast. According to Deadline, “In the currently untitled pic, Statham will play Mason who lives in isolation in a remote Scottish island. When he rescues a young girl from the ocean in a terrible storm, he sets a chain of events in motion...
Kormákur’s resume features such credits as Contraband, 2 Guns, Everest and the recent Idris Elba lion attack film, Beast. According to Deadline, “In the currently untitled pic, Statham will play Mason who lives in isolation in a remote Scottish island. When he rescues a young girl from the ocean in a terrible storm, he sets a chain of events in motion...
- 5/13/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Jason Statham (Fast & Furious) has been set to lead a new action-thriller from director Baltasar Kormákur (Everest), which Black Bear is launching this week for the Cannes market.
In the currently untitled pic, Statham will play Mason who lives in isolation in a remote Scottish island. When he rescues a young girl from the ocean in a terrible storm, he sets a chain of events in motion that brings a violent attack to his hideaway, forcing him back into the world to confront the ghosts of his past.
Principal photography is scheduled to commence in November in the UK and Iceland with production services and filming to take place at Kormákur’s Rvk Studios facility in Reykjavik. Script comes from Ward Parry.
Producers include Statham (Levon’s Trade) for Punch Palace Productions, Kormákur for Rvk Studios, John Friedberg (The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare) for Black Bear, and Jon Berg...
In the currently untitled pic, Statham will play Mason who lives in isolation in a remote Scottish island. When he rescues a young girl from the ocean in a terrible storm, he sets a chain of events in motion that brings a violent attack to his hideaway, forcing him back into the world to confront the ghosts of his past.
Principal photography is scheduled to commence in November in the UK and Iceland with production services and filming to take place at Kormákur’s Rvk Studios facility in Reykjavik. Script comes from Ward Parry.
Producers include Statham (Levon’s Trade) for Punch Palace Productions, Kormákur for Rvk Studios, John Friedberg (The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare) for Black Bear, and Jon Berg...
- 5/13/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Shailene Woodley, Ben Foster and Pablo Schreiber will join the previously announced Alan Ritchson in the action thriller “Motor City.”
Potsy Ponciroli will direct the picture. Production begins July 10 in New Jersey and AlUla, Saudi Arabia as part of Stampede Ventures’ 10-picture slate deal with Film AlUla.
Greg Silverman and Jon Berg will produce for Stampede Ventures, alongside Rohini Singh, Paramdeep Singh and Manmeet Singh of Astro Lion Pictures, and Cliff Roberts and Chad St. John, who also penned the script. Mike Tadross Jr. and Eric Hedayat will executive produce.
Black Bear represents international rights with WME Independent co-representing domestic rights with Stampede, and Sacker Entertainment Law overseeing production legal.
“Motor City” follows John Miller (Ritchson), a Detroit auto-worker whose life and girlfriend (Woodley) are taken away from him when he’s framed by a local gangster (Foster) and sent to prison. On his release, Miller unleashes a maelstrom of...
Potsy Ponciroli will direct the picture. Production begins July 10 in New Jersey and AlUla, Saudi Arabia as part of Stampede Ventures’ 10-picture slate deal with Film AlUla.
Greg Silverman and Jon Berg will produce for Stampede Ventures, alongside Rohini Singh, Paramdeep Singh and Manmeet Singh of Astro Lion Pictures, and Cliff Roberts and Chad St. John, who also penned the script. Mike Tadross Jr. and Eric Hedayat will executive produce.
Black Bear represents international rights with WME Independent co-representing domestic rights with Stampede, and Sacker Entertainment Law overseeing production legal.
“Motor City” follows John Miller (Ritchson), a Detroit auto-worker whose life and girlfriend (Woodley) are taken away from him when he’s framed by a local gangster (Foster) and sent to prison. On his release, Miller unleashes a maelstrom of...
- 5/10/2024
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
The former 15-year UTA exec and partner Jim Meenaghan has been tapped as COO of Greg Silverman’s Stampede Ventures.
Meenaghan, who served as co-head of independent film and head of MP business affairs at UTA, will oversee day-to-day operations at the studio under founder and CEO Silverman. “Stampede Ventures is the perfect opportunity for me, the timing could not be better. I’m very excited to join such an ambitious company committed to making great, commercial content with a remarkable executive team and culture already in place,” Meenaghan said in a statement on Wednesday.
In 2018, UTA promoted Meenaghan to co-head the independent film group with partner Rena Ronson after he had been with the agency for nine years and leading the motion picture business affairs group. Having stepped down from UTA at the end of 2023, Meenaghan joins Stampede after it unveiled a partnership with Film AlUla studios, while also...
Meenaghan, who served as co-head of independent film and head of MP business affairs at UTA, will oversee day-to-day operations at the studio under founder and CEO Silverman. “Stampede Ventures is the perfect opportunity for me, the timing could not be better. I’m very excited to join such an ambitious company committed to making great, commercial content with a remarkable executive team and culture already in place,” Meenaghan said in a statement on Wednesday.
In 2018, UTA promoted Meenaghan to co-head the independent film group with partner Rena Ronson after he had been with the agency for nine years and leading the motion picture business affairs group. Having stepped down from UTA at the end of 2023, Meenaghan joins Stampede after it unveiled a partnership with Film AlUla studios, while also...
- 5/1/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jim Meenaghan, the former UTA partner and co-head of UTA Independent Film Group, has joined Stampede Ventures as COO and general counsel.
In the newly formed COO position, Meenaghan will oversee Stampede’s day-to-day operations across all areas, and lead efforts to expand strategic relations across film and television, including the recently announced $350m three-year deal with Film AlUla studios.
He will also work closely with joint venture partner RedBird Capital on the multiplatform children’s and family content company Hidden Pigeon Company, and UTA joint venture Happy Nest.
Meenaghan will report directly to founder and CEO Greg Silverman.
Menaghan...
In the newly formed COO position, Meenaghan will oversee Stampede’s day-to-day operations across all areas, and lead efforts to expand strategic relations across film and television, including the recently announced $350m three-year deal with Film AlUla studios.
He will also work closely with joint venture partner RedBird Capital on the multiplatform children’s and family content company Hidden Pigeon Company, and UTA joint venture Happy Nest.
Meenaghan will report directly to founder and CEO Greg Silverman.
Menaghan...
- 5/1/2024
- ScreenDaily
When we think of Zack Snyder, our minds might automatically soar to his superhero epics like Man of Steel or Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. But did you know there were two other ambitious projects that, despite Snyder’s imaginative touch, ended up being even bigger financial hurdles for Warner Bros?
Yes, we’re talking about the aesthetically stunning yet underrated Legends of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole (2010) and the stylistically bold Sucker Punch (2011).
Zack Snyder. Credit: Josh Horowitz/Yt
Ever wonder why some films are a powerful combination of visual art and storytelling but fail miserably at the box office, rather than just being a flickering collection of scenes? Both films showcased Snyder’s unique narrative ambition but encountered unexpected turbulence in their financial flight.
While critics’ claims that Warner Bros. did not profit from its high-definition content are untrue, former WB President Greg Silverman has...
Yes, we’re talking about the aesthetically stunning yet underrated Legends of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole (2010) and the stylistically bold Sucker Punch (2011).
Zack Snyder. Credit: Josh Horowitz/Yt
Ever wonder why some films are a powerful combination of visual art and storytelling but fail miserably at the box office, rather than just being a flickering collection of scenes? Both films showcased Snyder’s unique narrative ambition but encountered unexpected turbulence in their financial flight.
While critics’ claims that Warner Bros. did not profit from its high-definition content are untrue, former WB President Greg Silverman has...
- 4/28/2024
- by Siddhika Prajapati
- FandomWire
Emma Thompson is Team Finland all the way and she wants you to know it. In an emotional letter shared with local newspaper Helsingin Sanomat, the actor detailed her experience working on Brian Kirk’s upcoming action thriller “The Fisherwoman.” Set in Minnesota, the film will see two-time Oscar winner as a widow who, while trapped in a blizzard, interrupts the kidnapping of a teenager.
“They had no snow [in Minnesota] owing to the changing climate, [so] the decision was taken to shoot all the exteriors in Finland. I had no idea how lucky I was but upon arrival in Koli, greeted by the piney, snow-laden sentinels that guard that magical hillside, I started to sense what a huge privilege and adventure this was to become,” she wrote.
The shoot wasn’t easy, admitted Thompson, who “was often quite scared and often doubted [her] capacity to do the work.” She also executive produces the film.
“They had no snow [in Minnesota] owing to the changing climate, [so] the decision was taken to shoot all the exteriors in Finland. I had no idea how lucky I was but upon arrival in Koli, greeted by the piney, snow-laden sentinels that guard that magical hillside, I started to sense what a huge privilege and adventure this was to become,” she wrote.
The shoot wasn’t easy, admitted Thompson, who “was often quite scared and often doubted [her] capacity to do the work.” She also executive produces the film.
- 3/30/2024
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
Judy Greer, Marc Menchaca, and Gaia Wise have joined Emma Thompson on Stampede Ventures and augenschein Filmproduktion’s action thriller The Fisherwoman.
Brian Kirk is directing from a screenplay by writing duo Nicholas Jacobson-Larson and Dalton Leeb.
The Fisherwoman centres on a woman (Thompson) trapped in a blizzard in Minnesota who interrupts the kidnapping of a teenager organised by a waif and her congenial husband and realises she may be the youngster’s only hope.
Greer and Menchaca will play the kidnappers.
Stampede Ventures and augenschein Filmproduktion are financing the film with the support of Film- und Medienstiftung Nrw, the Dfff,...
Brian Kirk is directing from a screenplay by writing duo Nicholas Jacobson-Larson and Dalton Leeb.
The Fisherwoman centres on a woman (Thompson) trapped in a blizzard in Minnesota who interrupts the kidnapping of a teenager organised by a waif and her congenial husband and realises she may be the youngster’s only hope.
Greer and Menchaca will play the kidnappers.
Stampede Ventures and augenschein Filmproduktion are financing the film with the support of Film- und Medienstiftung Nrw, the Dfff,...
- 2/8/2024
- ScreenDaily
In December 2018, Aquaman arrived with the amount of fanfare appropriate for the moment. It was the height of comic book culture, and one of its reigning kings, Jason Momoa, arrived at the movie’s blue carpet premiere with a golden trident. Full to the brim with bluster, he performed a ceremonial dance with members of the Maori community while wife Lisa Bonet and the couple’s kids stood in the wings. Stars Nicole Kidman and Amber Heard brought the glam and the shouts from photographers. After a raucous screening, the festivities then moved from the Chinese Theatre to the poolside afterparty at the Roosevelt Hotel.
The film would ultimately top $1 billion and stood as part of a zenith for comic book movies, in a year that included Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Five years later, things are much different. The sequel, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,...
The film would ultimately top $1 billion and stood as part of a zenith for comic book movies, in a year that included Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Five years later, things are much different. The sequel, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,...
- 12/22/2023
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Is the Saudi-Hollywood love affair back on?
Judging by the third edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival, which wrapped on Dec. 9, the answer is yes. A parade of stars including Will Smith, Michelle Williams, Chris Hemsworth, Johnny Depp and Halle Berry made the pilgrimage to Jeddah even as the Israel-Hamas conflict raged just 700 miles north.
This year’s guest list signals a dramatic reversal in relations from five years ago, when Hollywood’s outrage campaign was in full swing following the murder of The Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi at the hands of Saudi government agents. In the aftermath, WME’s Ari Emanuel cut ties with the kingdom, returning its $400 million investment just six months after courting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his visit to Los Angeles.
While enticing big-name talent this year generated positive publicity, the real Saudi mandate is to diversify the country’s economy beyond oil,...
Judging by the third edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival, which wrapped on Dec. 9, the answer is yes. A parade of stars including Will Smith, Michelle Williams, Chris Hemsworth, Johnny Depp and Halle Berry made the pilgrimage to Jeddah even as the Israel-Hamas conflict raged just 700 miles north.
This year’s guest list signals a dramatic reversal in relations from five years ago, when Hollywood’s outrage campaign was in full swing following the murder of The Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi at the hands of Saudi government agents. In the aftermath, WME’s Ari Emanuel cut ties with the kingdom, returning its $400 million investment just six months after courting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his visit to Los Angeles.
While enticing big-name talent this year generated positive publicity, the real Saudi mandate is to diversify the country’s economy beyond oil,...
- 12/13/2023
- by Tatiana Siegel
- Variety Film + TV
Some of the most powerful figures in Saudi film gathered at the Ritz Carlton in Jeddah for a cocktail party hosted by Film AlUla and Stampede Ventures in partnership with Variety last night. Figures such as Saudi producer and film industry pioneer Faisal Baltyuor and Egyptian producer Mohamed Hefzy were spotted along with Zeinab Abu Alsamh, general manager of Mbc Studios Saudi Arabia.
Stampede Ventures head Greg Silverman was celebrating the $350 million three-year deal just signed with Film AlUla, which will bring 10 projects to the region. He told Variety: “As somebody who loves film, coming here and seeing films celebrated this way is excellent. We’ve been looking for a home for our slate of films and we’re so excited to have the possibility of working with AlUla. They have state-of-the-art studios and, for our talent, it’s an incredible place for them to be when they’re not on set.
Stampede Ventures head Greg Silverman was celebrating the $350 million three-year deal just signed with Film AlUla, which will bring 10 projects to the region. He told Variety: “As somebody who loves film, coming here and seeing films celebrated this way is excellent. We’ve been looking for a home for our slate of films and we’re so excited to have the possibility of working with AlUla. They have state-of-the-art studios and, for our talent, it’s an incredible place for them to be when they’re not on set.
- 12/4/2023
- by John Bleasdale
- Variety Film + TV
The films are the first two titles in a 10-project deal between Stampede Ventures and Film AlUla.
Kidnap thriller Fourth Wall and romance adaptation Chasing Red have been revealed as the first two projects in a partnership between US outfit Stampede Ventures and Saudi Arabia’s Film AlUla.
It kicks off an agreement secured in October, which will bring 10 productions worth $350m to the region in north-west Saudi Arabia over the next three years. The announcement was made at Red Sea International Film Festival.
Stampede Ventures CEO Greg Silverman is a producer of Fourth Wall alongside Jon Berg. The thriller...
Kidnap thriller Fourth Wall and romance adaptation Chasing Red have been revealed as the first two projects in a partnership between US outfit Stampede Ventures and Saudi Arabia’s Film AlUla.
It kicks off an agreement secured in October, which will bring 10 productions worth $350m to the region in north-west Saudi Arabia over the next three years. The announcement was made at Red Sea International Film Festival.
Stampede Ventures CEO Greg Silverman is a producer of Fourth Wall alongside Jon Berg. The thriller...
- 12/2/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Kidnap thriller “Fourth Wall” and romance story “Chasing Red” are the first two titles to be shot at Saudi Arabia’s Film AlUla as part of its partnership with Hollywood indie Stampede Ventures.
The film entity, which is looking to attract international productions to a spectacular swathe of northwest Saudi, recently announced its partnership with Stampede Ventures that will bring 10 productions to the region over the next three years with a projected $350 million spend.
Stampede is headed by U.S. industry veteran Greg Silverman, former president of creative development and physical production at Warner Bros. Silverman launched Stampede Ventures in 2018.
Stampede Ventures and Wattpad Webtoon Studios teamed up on “Chasing Red,” which is a popular web novel by Isabelle Ronin centered around a straight-a student named Veronica and rich playboy called Caleb. Silverman will serve as lead producer on “Chasing Red” with Berg while Yu, Bosco, Tadross and Torre will...
The film entity, which is looking to attract international productions to a spectacular swathe of northwest Saudi, recently announced its partnership with Stampede Ventures that will bring 10 productions to the region over the next three years with a projected $350 million spend.
Stampede is headed by U.S. industry veteran Greg Silverman, former president of creative development and physical production at Warner Bros. Silverman launched Stampede Ventures in 2018.
Stampede Ventures and Wattpad Webtoon Studios teamed up on “Chasing Red,” which is a popular web novel by Isabelle Ronin centered around a straight-a student named Veronica and rich playboy called Caleb. Silverman will serve as lead producer on “Chasing Red” with Berg while Yu, Bosco, Tadross and Torre will...
- 12/2/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Stampede Ventures’ adaptation of Isabell Ronin’s YA romance webnovel Chasing Red will shoot in Saudi Arabia, it was announced at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah on Saturday.
The production is one of two films, alongside thriller Fourth Wall, that will kick-off a previously announced three-year, 10-project pact between Greg Silverman’s West Hollywood-based Stampede Ventures and the Royal Commission for AlUla’s film agency.
The news follows hot on the heels of the announcement this week by Stampede Ventures that the Chasing Red adaptation was in the works, in partnership with Wattpad Webtoon Studios.
The romantic drama revolves around straight-a student Veronica and rich playboy Caleb, who are brought together by an unexpected series of events.
Jessika Borsiczky is signed to direct, and casting is underway. Silverman is serving as producer with Jon Berg, while Gideon Yu, Chris Bosco, Mike Tadross and Grant Torre will be credited as Executive Producers.
The production is one of two films, alongside thriller Fourth Wall, that will kick-off a previously announced three-year, 10-project pact between Greg Silverman’s West Hollywood-based Stampede Ventures and the Royal Commission for AlUla’s film agency.
The news follows hot on the heels of the announcement this week by Stampede Ventures that the Chasing Red adaptation was in the works, in partnership with Wattpad Webtoon Studios.
The romantic drama revolves around straight-a student Veronica and rich playboy Caleb, who are brought together by an unexpected series of events.
Jessika Borsiczky is signed to direct, and casting is underway. Silverman is serving as producer with Jon Berg, while Gideon Yu, Chris Bosco, Mike Tadross and Grant Torre will be credited as Executive Producers.
- 12/2/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Stampede Ventures and Wattpad Webtoon Studios will team for a feature adaptation of Chasing Red, the YA romance webnovel by Isabelle Ronin that has garnered huge attention on the digital publishing platform, Wattpad.
Jessika Borsiczky (Sex/Life) has been set to direct from a screenplay by Lauren Schacher (Hooking Up), and casting is now underway.
Chasing Red tells the story of straight-a student Veronica, who refuses to be college heartthrob Caleb’s next “conquest,” even after a chance encounter sparks an undeniable attraction between them. But with nowhere to stay and on the run from a recent tragedy, Veronica finds herself in need of Caleb’s help, despite the secrets of their pasts threatening to tear them apart. Wattpad’s #2 English-language property, following the massively popular After series from Anna Todd, the webnovel has garnered over 260 million reads since its publication in 2017. It’s been published in print in seven languages,...
Jessika Borsiczky (Sex/Life) has been set to direct from a screenplay by Lauren Schacher (Hooking Up), and casting is now underway.
Chasing Red tells the story of straight-a student Veronica, who refuses to be college heartthrob Caleb’s next “conquest,” even after a chance encounter sparks an undeniable attraction between them. But with nowhere to stay and on the run from a recent tragedy, Veronica finds herself in need of Caleb’s help, despite the secrets of their pasts threatening to tear them apart. Wattpad’s #2 English-language property, following the massively popular After series from Anna Todd, the webnovel has garnered over 260 million reads since its publication in 2017. It’s been published in print in seven languages,...
- 11/29/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Stampede Ventures has optioned rights to the first three books in the bestselling non-fiction series The Alpha Wolves of Yellowstone, tapping Zack Stentz (Thor) and his wolf advocate brother Will Stenberg to script a film adaptation.
Published by Greystone Books, the books hail from retired National Park ranger Rick McIntyre. Stentz and Geoff Clark will co-produce through their production company Electric Brain Entertainment, with McIntyre to consult on the project.
Over the course of his four decades observing wolves in the wild, including 28 in Yellowstone National Park, McIntyre has recorded over 100,000 wolf sightings, more than any other person on the planet. A renowned wolf behaviorist, he was one of the first park rangers to work on the Yellowstone Wolf Reintroduction Project and educate the public about the park’s wolves.
In his books The Rise of Wolf 8, The Reign of Wolf 21, and The Redemption of Wolf 302, McIntyre brings readers into the wilds of Yellowstone,...
Published by Greystone Books, the books hail from retired National Park ranger Rick McIntyre. Stentz and Geoff Clark will co-produce through their production company Electric Brain Entertainment, with McIntyre to consult on the project.
Over the course of his four decades observing wolves in the wild, including 28 in Yellowstone National Park, McIntyre has recorded over 100,000 wolf sightings, more than any other person on the planet. A renowned wolf behaviorist, he was one of the first park rangers to work on the Yellowstone Wolf Reintroduction Project and educate the public about the park’s wolves.
In his books The Rise of Wolf 8, The Reign of Wolf 21, and The Redemption of Wolf 302, McIntyre brings readers into the wilds of Yellowstone,...
- 11/21/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Korean American comedian, writer and producer Cathy Shim is the latest to join the cast of the film K-Pops! from first-time director and eight-time Grammy winner Anderson .Paak (who also stars). She will play Diamond, the energetic iconic host of a K-pop competition show in Seoul, and .Paak’s hard-to-please boss.
K-Pops! follows a washed-up musician from Los Angeles who attempts to reinvigorate his career by joining a band for a K-Pop competition show in Seoul and discovers that his long-lost son has the chance to front one of the country’s hottest new groups. He jumps at the opportunity to capitalize on his son’s stardom for his renaissance but ultimately learns that fatherhood is much more fulfilling and meaningful.
Scripted by .Paak and Khaila Amazan, K-Pops!‘ producers are Greg Silverman and Jon Berg on behalf of Stampede Ventures, Jaeson Ma on behalf of Est Studios, Park on behalf of Big Dummie,...
K-Pops! follows a washed-up musician from Los Angeles who attempts to reinvigorate his career by joining a band for a K-Pop competition show in Seoul and discovers that his long-lost son has the chance to front one of the country’s hottest new groups. He jumps at the opportunity to capitalize on his son’s stardom for his renaissance but ultimately learns that fatherhood is much more fulfilling and meaningful.
Scripted by .Paak and Khaila Amazan, K-Pops!‘ producers are Greg Silverman and Jon Berg on behalf of Stampede Ventures, Jaeson Ma on behalf of Est Studios, Park on behalf of Big Dummie,...
- 11/16/2023
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Jee Young Han (Perry Mason) has been tapped for a major role in K-Pops!, the dramatic comedy marking the directorial debut of eight-time Grammy winner Anderson .Paak, in which he also stars opposite son Soul Rasheed.
Han plays the role of Yeji, the love interest of .Paak’s character, Brandon. Others in the ensemble of the pic, which we were first to report on, include Yvette Nicole Brown, Jonnie “Dumbfoundead” Park (who developed the project with .Paak), and Kevin Woo.
Hailing from Stampede Ventures, K-Pops! recently brought Live Nation Productions aboard as a strategic partner. The film centers on a washed-up musician from Los Angeles who attempts to reinvigorate his career by joining the band for a K-Pop competition show in Seoul and discovers that his long-lost son has the chance to front one of the country’s hottest new groups. He jumps at the opportunity to capitalize on...
Han plays the role of Yeji, the love interest of .Paak’s character, Brandon. Others in the ensemble of the pic, which we were first to report on, include Yvette Nicole Brown, Jonnie “Dumbfoundead” Park (who developed the project with .Paak), and Kevin Woo.
Hailing from Stampede Ventures, K-Pops! recently brought Live Nation Productions aboard as a strategic partner. The film centers on a washed-up musician from Los Angeles who attempts to reinvigorate his career by joining the band for a K-Pop competition show in Seoul and discovers that his long-lost son has the chance to front one of the country’s hottest new groups. He jumps at the opportunity to capitalize on...
- 11/7/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Saudi Arabia’s Film AlUla, the film entity looking to attract international productions to a sprawling area of desert and giant boulders, has forged a partnership with Hollywood indie Stampede Ventures, bringing 10 productions to the region over the next three years with a projected $350 million spend.
The groundbreaking agreement with Stampede marks the first deal of this scale between Hollywood and Saudi since the kingdom lifted its ban on cinema in late 2017. Stampede is headed by U.S. industry veteran Greg Silverman, former president of creative development and physical production at Warner Bros. Silverman launched Stampede Ventures in 2018.
“It’s a huge step forward,” Film AlUla executive director Charlene Deleon-Jones told Variety, noting that the pact follows a successful partnership with Stampede on the film “K-Pops!,” the directorial debut of multiple Grammy-winner Anderson .Paak. That film is being partly shot in the spectacular swathe of northwest Saudi that boasts an...
The groundbreaking agreement with Stampede marks the first deal of this scale between Hollywood and Saudi since the kingdom lifted its ban on cinema in late 2017. Stampede is headed by U.S. industry veteran Greg Silverman, former president of creative development and physical production at Warner Bros. Silverman launched Stampede Ventures in 2018.
“It’s a huge step forward,” Film AlUla executive director Charlene Deleon-Jones told Variety, noting that the pact follows a successful partnership with Stampede on the film “K-Pops!,” the directorial debut of multiple Grammy-winner Anderson .Paak. That film is being partly shot in the spectacular swathe of northwest Saudi that boasts an...
- 11/2/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Megan Stalter (Hacks), Kanoa Goo (The Rookie), and Rainn Wilson (The Office) will topline Ily, Bye, a new short marking the narrative debut of veteran music video helmer Taylor James (Jason Mraz’s “I Feel Like Dancing”), which has wrapped production.
The short written and directed by James follows Siobhan (Stalter), a quirky, socially anxious mess who can’t seem to keep a job. Thanks to the help of her best friend Gary (Goo), she scores an interview with his boss, Mr. Litchfield (Wilson). But when her call to schedule the interview goes to voicemail, Siobhan panics and leaves a series of unhinged messages. Not wanting to lose the interview, she embarks on a chaotic mission to delete the voicemails herself. James jokes that he decided to start from scratch and pursue his dream of filmmaking “after being forced to retire” from his career as a professional backup dancer...
The short written and directed by James follows Siobhan (Stalter), a quirky, socially anxious mess who can’t seem to keep a job. Thanks to the help of her best friend Gary (Goo), she scores an interview with his boss, Mr. Litchfield (Wilson). But when her call to schedule the interview goes to voicemail, Siobhan panics and leaves a series of unhinged messages. Not wanting to lose the interview, she embarks on a chaotic mission to delete the voicemails herself. James jokes that he decided to start from scratch and pursue his dream of filmmaking “after being forced to retire” from his career as a professional backup dancer...
- 10/27/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Yvette Nicole Brown (Community) and Jonnie “Dumbfoundead” Park (Raya and the Last Dragon) have joined the cast of K-Pops!, the film marking the directorial debut of eight-time Grammy winner Anderson .Paak, which we were first to report on. Also now aboard the project from Stampede Ventures, which has secured an interim agreement from SAG-AFTRA, is new strategic partner Live Nation Productions, which has made an equity investment into the production alongside the former company. It’s been set to enter production in Los Angeles October 30, with additional filming to be done in Korea and AlUla, an ancient Saudi Arabia market city which was scouted through Film AlUla, the film agency of The Royal Commission.
Park joins the cast of the dramatic comedy after developing the project with .Paak, who leads the cast alongside his son, Soul Rasheed. The film is about a washed-up musician from Los Angeles who attempts...
Park joins the cast of the dramatic comedy after developing the project with .Paak, who leads the cast alongside his son, Soul Rasheed. The film is about a washed-up musician from Los Angeles who attempts...
- 10/20/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
English language series stars Lena Olin and will film in Iceland later this year.
Chocolat and The Cider House Rules director Lasse Hallstrom is making his first foray into TV drama series with Iceland-set mystery thriller The Darkness starring Lena Olin.
Based on the best-selling book by Icelandic author Ragnar Jónasson, the six-part English language series is a co-production between CBS Studios, Stampede Ventures and Iceland’s True North.
Icelandic broadcaster Síminn has boarded the project, which is being sold internationally by Paramount Global Content Distribution. The Darkness is written by Sam Shore, whose credits include Cbbc’s Mystic, and Jónasson serves as executive producer.
Chocolat and The Cider House Rules director Lasse Hallstrom is making his first foray into TV drama series with Iceland-set mystery thriller The Darkness starring Lena Olin.
Based on the best-selling book by Icelandic author Ragnar Jónasson, the six-part English language series is a co-production between CBS Studios, Stampede Ventures and Iceland’s True North.
Icelandic broadcaster Síminn has boarded the project, which is being sold internationally by Paramount Global Content Distribution. The Darkness is written by Sam Shore, whose credits include Cbbc’s Mystic, and Jónasson serves as executive producer.
- 10/12/2023
- by Tim Dams
- ScreenDaily
CBS Studios on Thursday unveiled new premium drama series The Darkness, a co-production from CBS Studios and Icelandic production firm Truenorth and executive producers Stampede Ventures, starring Oscar nominee Lena Olin (Enemies, A Love Story, Hunters, Chocolat, The Artist’s Wife, Hilma), which Oscar nominee Lasse Hallström (Chocolat, What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Hilma) is set to direct.
The English-language six-episode series will start shooting in Iceland later this year for local broadcaster Síminn. The series reunites Olin with director Hallström in his first foray into television. The project was announced at Rome’s Mia Market.
Based on the best-selling thriller series by Icelandic author Ragnar Jónasson, The Darkness follows Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir “as she investigates a shocking murder case whilst coming to terms with her own personal traumas,” according to a plot description. “Faced with an impending early retirement and forced to take on a new partner, Hulda is determined to find the killer,...
The English-language six-episode series will start shooting in Iceland later this year for local broadcaster Síminn. The series reunites Olin with director Hallström in his first foray into television. The project was announced at Rome’s Mia Market.
Based on the best-selling thriller series by Icelandic author Ragnar Jónasson, The Darkness follows Detective Inspector Hulda Hermannsdóttir “as she investigates a shocking murder case whilst coming to terms with her own personal traumas,” according to a plot description. “Faced with an impending early retirement and forced to take on a new partner, Hulda is determined to find the killer,...
- 10/12/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Naked Education indie Betty and South African production outfit afrOkaans Film and Television have optioned Israeli format Hungry for Love.
In Israeli network Hot’s show, a group of singletons must follow one rule, in order to eat they must date. Guided by a professional therapist, the contestants participate in the experiment and try and find love through dining.
The format was forged by Zipi Rozenblum and produced by Greg Silverman’s Stampede Ventures and Bad Boy producer Sipur. Mediawan Rights’ unscripted department is shopping at Mipcom Cannes next week.
All3Media-backed Betty and afroKaans will be hoping the format can be the next big show in their respective nations, having both found success with evergreen hits in the recent past. Betty’s credits include the likes of Channel 4 double Naked Education and The Undateables, while afroKaans is behind the local version of Survivor.
“Hungry for Love is...
In Israeli network Hot’s show, a group of singletons must follow one rule, in order to eat they must date. Guided by a professional therapist, the contestants participate in the experiment and try and find love through dining.
The format was forged by Zipi Rozenblum and produced by Greg Silverman’s Stampede Ventures and Bad Boy producer Sipur. Mediawan Rights’ unscripted department is shopping at Mipcom Cannes next week.
All3Media-backed Betty and afroKaans will be hoping the format can be the next big show in their respective nations, having both found success with evergreen hits in the recent past. Betty’s credits include the likes of Channel 4 double Naked Education and The Undateables, while afroKaans is behind the local version of Survivor.
“Hungry for Love is...
- 10/10/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix on Tuesday unveiled its full fall slate of films, touting the release dates of awards contenders like Pain Hustlers and The Killer, among other titles.
A crime drama starring Emily Blunt and Chris Evans that adapts the book by Evan Hughes, Pain Hustlers has been set to open in select theaters October 20. Directed by David Yates from Wells Tower’s script, the film will make its debut on Netflix October 27, as previously announced. Marking David Fincher’s return to the genre that put him on the map, the thriller The Killer starring Michael Fassbender will bow in select theaters October 27th, having already set its streaming premiere date of November 10th.
Among other buzzy titles coming to the platform that could factor into the awards race is Thom Zimny’s doc Sly, examining the life and career of Hollywood legend Sylvester Stallone, which has been dated to hit Netflix November 3rd.
A crime drama starring Emily Blunt and Chris Evans that adapts the book by Evan Hughes, Pain Hustlers has been set to open in select theaters October 20. Directed by David Yates from Wells Tower’s script, the film will make its debut on Netflix October 27, as previously announced. Marking David Fincher’s return to the genre that put him on the map, the thriller The Killer starring Michael Fassbender will bow in select theaters October 27th, having already set its streaming premiere date of November 10th.
Among other buzzy titles coming to the platform that could factor into the awards race is Thom Zimny’s doc Sly, examining the life and career of Hollywood legend Sylvester Stallone, which has been dated to hit Netflix November 3rd.
- 8/30/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix has unveiled its complete film slate for this fall, including Zack Snyder’s “Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire,” Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro,” Wes Anderson’s short “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar” and much more.
The fall film slate features 28 movies that will be released on the streamer beginning in September. Anderson’s short Roald Dahl adaptation will drop on Netflix Sept. 27 following its limited theatrical release on Sept. 20, while “Maestro” and “Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire” premiere in December. Other notable features include “Reptile,” “Rustin,” “Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget” and Sylvester Stallone’s documentary “Sly.”
Take a look at Netflix’s 2023 fall film slate below.
September Releases
Scouts Honor: The Secret Files Of The Boy Scouts Of America
Release Date: On Netflix September 6
Genre: Documentary
Director: Brian Knappenberger
Producers: Conor Fetting-Smith, Sabrina Parke, Clive Patterson
Executive Producers: Brian Knappenberger, Orlando von Einsiedel...
The fall film slate features 28 movies that will be released on the streamer beginning in September. Anderson’s short Roald Dahl adaptation will drop on Netflix Sept. 27 following its limited theatrical release on Sept. 20, while “Maestro” and “Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire” premiere in December. Other notable features include “Reptile,” “Rustin,” “Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget” and Sylvester Stallone’s documentary “Sly.”
Take a look at Netflix’s 2023 fall film slate below.
September Releases
Scouts Honor: The Secret Files Of The Boy Scouts Of America
Release Date: On Netflix September 6
Genre: Documentary
Director: Brian Knappenberger
Producers: Conor Fetting-Smith, Sabrina Parke, Clive Patterson
Executive Producers: Brian Knappenberger, Orlando von Einsiedel...
- 8/30/2023
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
Author Mo Willems, Stampede Ventures And RedBird Capital Unite In New Content Company, Hidden Pigeon
Author Mo Willems, Stampede Ventures, and RedBird Capital Partners have formed Hidden Pigeon Company, a multiplatform kids and family content venture that will leverage Willems’ best-selling catalogue of children’s books and intellectual property across all entertainment platforms.
Willems is a an award-winning author and illustrator. His work includes the Elephant and Piggie book series, as well as The Pigeon, star of his own book series, including the recently-published The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster! (September 2022). Willems has been awarded three Caldecott Honors for his books Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale and Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity.
He was the inaugural Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence (2019-2022) and continues to collaborate in classical music, opera, comedy concerts, dance, and digital works with the National Symphony Orchestra, Washington National Opera, Ben Folds, Renée Fleming, and others.
He began his...
Willems is a an award-winning author and illustrator. His work includes the Elephant and Piggie book series, as well as The Pigeon, star of his own book series, including the recently-published The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster! (September 2022). Willems has been awarded three Caldecott Honors for his books Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale and Knuffle Bunny Too: A Case of Mistaken Identity.
He was the inaugural Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence (2019-2022) and continues to collaborate in classical music, opera, comedy concerts, dance, and digital works with the National Symphony Orchestra, Washington National Opera, Ben Folds, Renée Fleming, and others.
He began his...
- 5/10/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Batman has some of the biggest iconography in all of superherodom. He has the cowl, the cave, the utility belt, and the car. He is arguably the only comic book character whose props and vehicles are as known as the actual character. This is especially true of the Batmobile, the only superhero non-sentient object to get its own spin-off show.
The Batmobile has been a part of every single Batman adaptation, from the Adam West show, to each of the film reinterpretations — which took influences from different eras of the comics. And yet, it feels like every time we get a new one, it is one of the biggest challenges for the design team and the crew (just ask Matt Reeves' crew on "The Batman"). But when it came time for Christopher Nolan to reinterpret the Batman mythos, his choice almost deprived us of a new Batmobile.
In a behind-the-scenes...
The Batmobile has been a part of every single Batman adaptation, from the Adam West show, to each of the film reinterpretations — which took influences from different eras of the comics. And yet, it feels like every time we get a new one, it is one of the biggest challenges for the design team and the crew (just ask Matt Reeves' crew on "The Batman"). But when it came time for Christopher Nolan to reinterpret the Batman mythos, his choice almost deprived us of a new Batmobile.
In a behind-the-scenes...
- 5/10/2023
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Capital Partners and Greg Silverman’s Stampede Ventures have teamed with popular kids author Mo Willems to launch Hidden Pigeon Company as a kids and family content producer.
Former Lightstorm Entertainment exec Kathy Franklin will head up the new venture as CEO as Hidden Pigeon Company looks to adapt and leverage the Willems library of books for cross-platform content. That includes product for TV, film, digital, gaming, live events, location-based entertainment, publishing and consumer products.
“It is my hope to create a similar bit of surprise and delight in the fabric of everything we make or do. I am thrilled to have found wonderful collaborative partners to make that hope a reality,” Willems said in a statement.
Willems has written and illustrated more than 50 books for children, including the Pigeon, Knuffle Bunny and Gerald and Piggie series. He began his career as a writer and animator...
Former Lightstorm Entertainment exec Kathy Franklin will head up the new venture as CEO as Hidden Pigeon Company looks to adapt and leverage the Willems library of books for cross-platform content. That includes product for TV, film, digital, gaming, live events, location-based entertainment, publishing and consumer products.
“It is my hope to create a similar bit of surprise and delight in the fabric of everything we make or do. I am thrilled to have found wonderful collaborative partners to make that hope a reality,” Willems said in a statement.
Willems has written and illustrated more than 50 books for children, including the Pigeon, Knuffle Bunny and Gerald and Piggie series. He began his career as a writer and animator...
- 5/10/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Mo Willems is stepping further into the multimedia entertainment world.
The globally best-selling and award-winning children’s book author will team with Stampede Ventures and RedBird Capital to form Hidden Pigeon Company. Hpc will be a multiplatform kids and family content company which will use Willems’ catalog of books and IP for film, television, digital media, gaming, live events, location-based experiences, publishing, merchandising and more.
“The Hidden Pigeon Company takes its name from how kids and former kids delight in finding The Pigeon hidden in every one of my books,” Willems said. “It is my hope to create a similar bit of surprise and delight in the fabric of everything we make or do. I am thrilled to have found wonderful collaborative partners to make that hope a reality.”
This follows Willems’ existing producing partnership with Stampede Ventures, including two HBO Max specials “Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Underground Rock Experience...
The globally best-selling and award-winning children’s book author will team with Stampede Ventures and RedBird Capital to form Hidden Pigeon Company. Hpc will be a multiplatform kids and family content company which will use Willems’ catalog of books and IP for film, television, digital media, gaming, live events, location-based experiences, publishing, merchandising and more.
“The Hidden Pigeon Company takes its name from how kids and former kids delight in finding The Pigeon hidden in every one of my books,” Willems said. “It is my hope to create a similar bit of surprise and delight in the fabric of everything we make or do. I am thrilled to have found wonderful collaborative partners to make that hope a reality.”
This follows Willems’ existing producing partnership with Stampede Ventures, including two HBO Max specials “Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Underground Rock Experience...
- 5/10/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Motor City: Alan Ritchson is out for vengeance in an upcoming action thriller from Timur Bekmambetov
Alan Ritchson is on his way to becoming the next big action star. The muscular actor has already made a name for himself, bringing Lee Child’s Jack Reacher character to life in Amazon’s Reacher. He is also appearing in the upcoming installment in the auto-action franchise Fast & Furious with Fast X. Now, Black Bear Pictures has revealed that the hulking star is slated to star in an action thriller from Timur Bekmambetov, the director of Wanted and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, titled Motor City.
According to Black Bear International, in Motor City, “Ritchson will play John Miller, a Detroit man released from prison, who unleashes a rampage of brutal vengeance on those who framed him. The Detroit-set film will be characterized by immersive visual storytelling, with stunningly choreographed and stylized action sequences.”
Bekmambetov has expressed his excitement for taking on the project, “We have an incredible script that...
According to Black Bear International, in Motor City, “Ritchson will play John Miller, a Detroit man released from prison, who unleashes a rampage of brutal vengeance on those who framed him. The Detroit-set film will be characterized by immersive visual storytelling, with stunningly choreographed and stylized action sequences.”
Bekmambetov has expressed his excitement for taking on the project, “We have an incredible script that...
- 5/3/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Alan Ritchson has been set as the lead in “Motor City,” an action thriller from director Timur Bekmambetov. Black Bear Intl. will launch sales at Cannes.
Ritchson will play John Miller, a Detroit man released from prison, who unleashes a rampage of brutal vengeance on those who framed him. The Detroit-set film will be “characterized by immersive visual storytelling, with stunningly choreographed and stylized action sequences,” according to a statement.
Greg Silverman and Jon Berg will produce for Stampede Ventures, alongside Cliff Roberts and Chad St. John, who also penned the script. Executive producers include Chris Bosco and Gideon Yu for Stampede Ventures and John Friedberg for Black Bear Intl.
Black Bear Intl. will introduce the film to international buyers at the upcoming Cannes Marché du Film, and WME Independent are co-repping domestic rights with Stampede.
Following the critical and consumer success and rapid season two pickup of “Reacher,” Ritchson...
Ritchson will play John Miller, a Detroit man released from prison, who unleashes a rampage of brutal vengeance on those who framed him. The Detroit-set film will be “characterized by immersive visual storytelling, with stunningly choreographed and stylized action sequences,” according to a statement.
Greg Silverman and Jon Berg will produce for Stampede Ventures, alongside Cliff Roberts and Chad St. John, who also penned the script. Executive producers include Chris Bosco and Gideon Yu for Stampede Ventures and John Friedberg for Black Bear Intl.
Black Bear Intl. will introduce the film to international buyers at the upcoming Cannes Marché du Film, and WME Independent are co-repping domestic rights with Stampede.
Following the critical and consumer success and rapid season two pickup of “Reacher,” Ritchson...
- 5/3/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Cannes — Burgeoning Israeli film-tv studio Sipur and cable channel Hot, behind the original versions of “In Treatment” and “Euphoria,” are introducing at MipTV “Everybody Loves…,” a new global dating reality format.
The news comes just days after France’s Mediawan Rights has pounced on international distribution of another Sipur format, “Hungry for Love,” and partners Sipur and MGM’s winning five Israeli Emmy Awards for chilling doc series “The Devil’s Confession: The Lost Eichmann Tapes.”
Tel Aviv-based Sipur has also moved into post on “Bad Boy,” a scripted series from Ron Leshem, creator of the original Israeli “Euphoria” and an exec producer on its U.S version.
All these moves mark further signs of growth at Sipur, driven by CEO Emilio Schenker. Formerly Tadmor Entertainment until its rebranding last July, it is quickly emerging as one of Israel’s fastest-growing film-tv studios, playing off unique international relationships, led by a first-look production-distribution deal with MGM,...
The news comes just days after France’s Mediawan Rights has pounced on international distribution of another Sipur format, “Hungry for Love,” and partners Sipur and MGM’s winning five Israeli Emmy Awards for chilling doc series “The Devil’s Confession: The Lost Eichmann Tapes.”
Tel Aviv-based Sipur has also moved into post on “Bad Boy,” a scripted series from Ron Leshem, creator of the original Israeli “Euphoria” and an exec producer on its U.S version.
All these moves mark further signs of growth at Sipur, driven by CEO Emilio Schenker. Formerly Tadmor Entertainment until its rebranding last July, it is quickly emerging as one of Israel’s fastest-growing film-tv studios, playing off unique international relationships, led by a first-look production-distribution deal with MGM,...
- 4/17/2023
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
The European Film Market kicks off Feb. 16 with a wide assortment of films from sellers around the world. Below is a healthy selection of what’s on offer for buyers.
The Adults
Director: Alex Winter
Key cast: Evan Rachel Wood, Josh Gad, Anthony Carrigan
Synopsis: A sister and brother, Megan and Nathan are barely hanging on and their lives are completely upended when they discover a dead body, long buried in their parent’s basement, sending them down a rabbit hole of crime and murder.
Producers: Alex Winter, Scott Kroopf, Russell Hollander
Sales: Rocket Science (international); CAA Media Finance (domestic)
The Astronaut
Director: Jess Varley
Key cast: Emma Roberts, Laurence Fishburne
Producers: Brad Fuller, Eric B. Fleischman, Cameron Fuller
Synopsis: When astronaut Sam Walker (Roberts) returns from her first space mission, she’s found miraculously alive in a punctured capsule floating deep off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. General...
The Adults
Director: Alex Winter
Key cast: Evan Rachel Wood, Josh Gad, Anthony Carrigan
Synopsis: A sister and brother, Megan and Nathan are barely hanging on and their lives are completely upended when they discover a dead body, long buried in their parent’s basement, sending them down a rabbit hole of crime and murder.
Producers: Alex Winter, Scott Kroopf, Russell Hollander
Sales: Rocket Science (international); CAA Media Finance (domestic)
The Astronaut
Director: Jess Varley
Key cast: Emma Roberts, Laurence Fishburne
Producers: Brad Fuller, Eric B. Fleischman, Cameron Fuller
Synopsis: When astronaut Sam Walker (Roberts) returns from her first space mission, she’s found miraculously alive in a punctured capsule floating deep off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. General...
- 2/13/2023
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
Emma Thompson is set to star in Brian Kirk’s upcoming action thriller “The Fisherwoman,” Variety can exclusively reveal.
In the feature, Thompson is set to play a widowed fisherman who, while trapped in a Minnesotan blizzard, interrupts the kidnapping of a teenager and soon finds she is the young victim’s only hope.
Kirk will direct from a screenplay by Nicholas Jacobson-Larson and Dalton Leeb, who have just been tapped to write the “Hot Wheels” movie for Warner Bros and Bad Robot. The duo are also currently working on “The Fall” for Amblin and Blackmaled Productions
Greg Silverman of Stampede Ventures, who are co-financing the film alongside Augenschein Filmproduktion, Film und Medienstiftung Nrw and German broadcaster Zdf, announced the project on Wednesday.
Mossbank is handling international sales and co-repping domestic rights with CAA Media Finance and Augenschein. Augenschein will also exclusively represent German-speaking European territories while Leonine is co-producing and distributing for German-speaking Europe.
In the feature, Thompson is set to play a widowed fisherman who, while trapped in a Minnesotan blizzard, interrupts the kidnapping of a teenager and soon finds she is the young victim’s only hope.
Kirk will direct from a screenplay by Nicholas Jacobson-Larson and Dalton Leeb, who have just been tapped to write the “Hot Wheels” movie for Warner Bros and Bad Robot. The duo are also currently working on “The Fall” for Amblin and Blackmaled Productions
Greg Silverman of Stampede Ventures, who are co-financing the film alongside Augenschein Filmproduktion, Film und Medienstiftung Nrw and German broadcaster Zdf, announced the project on Wednesday.
Mossbank is handling international sales and co-repping domestic rights with CAA Media Finance and Augenschein. Augenschein will also exclusively represent German-speaking European territories while Leonine is co-producing and distributing for German-speaking Europe.
- 2/1/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Stampede Ventures has promoted Cara Fano to Vice President of Content and Operations, Grant Torre to Vice President of Film Development and Production, and Amelia Mysko to Director of Development in International.
Both Fano and Torre have been with the global media company since its inception. Mysko, meanwhile, rapidly worked her way up at Stampede after joining the company as an intern.
Related Story UTA Promotes 67 Across 27 Departments Related Story Stampede Ventures Adds Poppy Liu To Emma Roberts & Gabrielle Union Feature Comedy 'Space Cadet' Related Story Emma Roberts To Exec Produce & Star In Liz W. Garcia's Stampede Ventures Rom-Com 'Space Cadet'; Prime Video Distributing Internationally
In her new role, Fano is overseeing Stampede’s social, marketing, PR, and brand collaborations, as well as all of its Joint Venture partnerships including HappyNest, the Jv with UTA that incubates and produces animated kids and family content. Fano will also be...
Both Fano and Torre have been with the global media company since its inception. Mysko, meanwhile, rapidly worked her way up at Stampede after joining the company as an intern.
Related Story UTA Promotes 67 Across 27 Departments Related Story Stampede Ventures Adds Poppy Liu To Emma Roberts & Gabrielle Union Feature Comedy 'Space Cadet' Related Story Emma Roberts To Exec Produce & Star In Liz W. Garcia's Stampede Ventures Rom-Com 'Space Cadet'; Prime Video Distributing Internationally
In her new role, Fano is overseeing Stampede’s social, marketing, PR, and brand collaborations, as well as all of its Joint Venture partnerships including HappyNest, the Jv with UTA that incubates and produces animated kids and family content. Fano will also be...
- 11/18/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Prime Video today shared the first-look image of Emma Roberts in the new original romcom Space Cadet.
Directed by Liz W. Garcia (The Lifeguard) from her own original screenplay, the film follows Florida party girl Rex (Roberts), who turns out to be the only hope for the NASA space program after a fluke puts her in training with other candidates who may have better resumes, but don’t have her smarts, heart, and nerve, the synopsis reads.
Previously announced to star alongside Roberts are Poppy Liu (Hacks), Gabrielle Union (The Inspection), Tom Hopper (The Umbrella Academy), Colombian pop star Sebastián Yatra, David Foley (The Kids in the Hall), and Desi Lydic (Awkward). Additional casting includes Kuhoo Verma (Plan B), Yasha Jackson (The Flight Attendant), Troy Iwata (Dash & Lily), Andrew Call (Z: The Beginning of Everything), and Josephine Huang.
Space Cadet will launch on Prime Video in more than 240 counties...
Directed by Liz W. Garcia (The Lifeguard) from her own original screenplay, the film follows Florida party girl Rex (Roberts), who turns out to be the only hope for the NASA space program after a fluke puts her in training with other candidates who may have better resumes, but don’t have her smarts, heart, and nerve, the synopsis reads.
Previously announced to star alongside Roberts are Poppy Liu (Hacks), Gabrielle Union (The Inspection), Tom Hopper (The Umbrella Academy), Colombian pop star Sebastián Yatra, David Foley (The Kids in the Hall), and Desi Lydic (Awkward). Additional casting includes Kuhoo Verma (Plan B), Yasha Jackson (The Flight Attendant), Troy Iwata (Dash & Lily), Andrew Call (Z: The Beginning of Everything), and Josephine Huang.
Space Cadet will launch on Prime Video in more than 240 counties...
- 11/15/2022
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Veteran animation executive Nate Hopper has joined Greg Silverman’s Stampede Ventures as the executive in charge of adapting the work of bestselling author and illustrator Mo Willems.
Willems in the award-winning creator of iconic oddball children’s characters, including the “Elephant and Piggie” book series and the “Pigeon” franchise, which just released the New York Times-bestselling “The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster!”
Nate Hopper
Hopper will report to Stampede CEO Silverman, who said, “as we continue to expand and world-build Mo’s beloved characters into new forms of entertainment, we need someone with an eye for fresh content who thinks outside the box. Nate knows what resonates for this demographic better than anyone and we’re thrilled to have him aboard.”
Stampede has already produced two specials based on the author’s properties, both distributed by HBO Max. “Storytime All-Stars Presents: Don’t Let the Pigeon Do Storytime...
Willems in the award-winning creator of iconic oddball children’s characters, including the “Elephant and Piggie” book series and the “Pigeon” franchise, which just released the New York Times-bestselling “The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster!”
Nate Hopper
Hopper will report to Stampede CEO Silverman, who said, “as we continue to expand and world-build Mo’s beloved characters into new forms of entertainment, we need someone with an eye for fresh content who thinks outside the box. Nate knows what resonates for this demographic better than anyone and we’re thrilled to have him aboard.”
Stampede has already produced two specials based on the author’s properties, both distributed by HBO Max. “Storytime All-Stars Presents: Don’t Let the Pigeon Do Storytime...
- 11/3/2022
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Private equity investors in indie movies “might as well throw their money down a rat hole.” Those words of warning from the late Jake Eberts (“Driving Miss Daisy”) continue to send a shudder down the spines of the unrecouped. Indeed, the industry motto that “you never get net” remains as prescient as ever.
As industryites takes meetings and nosh in Santa Monica during the AFM, they acknowledge three key factors that have dented the prospects of recouping equity: The first is the demise of previously semi-reliable ancillary revenues via DVD and free TV since the financial crisis of 2009. The second is the disappearance of any back-end sharing of platform profits given the SVOD business model; and the third is less choice due to the steamroller of original commissioning by the streamers. Talent is being signed up at such speed and scale that slim pickings remain for indie producers to put their best packages forward,...
As industryites takes meetings and nosh in Santa Monica during the AFM, they acknowledge three key factors that have dented the prospects of recouping equity: The first is the demise of previously semi-reliable ancillary revenues via DVD and free TV since the financial crisis of 2009. The second is the disappearance of any back-end sharing of platform profits given the SVOD business model; and the third is less choice due to the steamroller of original commissioning by the streamers. Talent is being signed up at such speed and scale that slim pickings remain for indie producers to put their best packages forward,...
- 11/1/2022
- by Angus Finney
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Yasha Jackson has joined the romantic comedy film Space Cadet alongside Emma Roberts, Poppy Liu and Gabrielle Union.
Space Cadet follows Rex (Roberts), a Florida party girl who turns out to be the only hope for the NASA space program after a fluke puts her in training with other candidates who may have better résumés but don’t have her smarts, heart and moxie.
Jackson appears on HBO Max’s The Flight Attendant starring Kaley Cuoco, which is streaming its second season. Its cast was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.
Jackson appeared on the second season of the hit HBO Max anthology series Love Life, opposite William Jackson Harper. She also appeared in the hit Paramount Pictures feature Clifford The Big Red Dog, and co-starred in the romantic comedy The Hating Game opposite Lucy Hale.
Her credits also include Black Mirror,...
Space Cadet follows Rex (Roberts), a Florida party girl who turns out to be the only hope for the NASA space program after a fluke puts her in training with other candidates who may have better résumés but don’t have her smarts, heart and moxie.
Jackson appears on HBO Max’s The Flight Attendant starring Kaley Cuoco, which is streaming its second season. Its cast was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series.
Jackson appeared on the second season of the hit HBO Max anthology series Love Life, opposite William Jackson Harper. She also appeared in the hit Paramount Pictures feature Clifford The Big Red Dog, and co-starred in the romantic comedy The Hating Game opposite Lucy Hale.
Her credits also include Black Mirror,...
- 10/13/2022
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Poppy Liu has joined the Stampede Ventures movie Space Cadet, which is currently filming with Emma Roberts, Gabrielle Union, Tom Hopper, Colombian pop star Sebastián Yatra, David Foley and Desi Lydic. Liz. W. Garcia (The Lifeguard) is helming off her screenplay.
Liu will play the best friend of a Florida party girl (Roberts), who turns out to be the only hope for the NASA space program after a fluke puts her in training with other candidates who may have better résumés, but don’t have her smarts, heart and moxie.
Space Cadet is already set to launch exclusively on Prime Video internationally. Stampede Ventures will finance, with Prime Video licensing international territories outside of the U.S. and Japan.
Greg Silverman and Jon Berg will...
Liu will play the best friend of a Florida party girl (Roberts), who turns out to be the only hope for the NASA space program after a fluke puts her in training with other candidates who may have better résumés, but don’t have her smarts, heart and moxie.
Space Cadet is already set to launch exclusively on Prime Video internationally. Stampede Ventures will finance, with Prime Video licensing international territories outside of the U.S. and Japan.
Greg Silverman and Jon Berg will...
- 10/3/2022
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Houston, we have an ensemble. The plucky new comedy “Space Cadet,” from Stampede Ventures, has added more star power to a fleet led by the previously announced Emma Roberts.
While character details are under wraps, Gabrielle Union will join Roberts in the film about a Florida party girl who turns out to be the only hope for the NASA space program, after a fluke puts her in training with other candidates. They may have better resumes, but not her smarts, heart and moxie. Liz. W. Garcia is directing form her own script, which we pray will feel like “Legally Blonde” in space.
Tom Hopper also comes aboard with Colombian pop star Sebastián Yatra (Spain’s “The Voice Kids”), sketch veteran David Foley (“The Kids in the Hall”) and Desi Lydic (“The Daily Show”).
Production will begin next week. Greg Silverman and Jon Berg will produce on behalf of Stampede Ventures,...
While character details are under wraps, Gabrielle Union will join Roberts in the film about a Florida party girl who turns out to be the only hope for the NASA space program, after a fluke puts her in training with other candidates. They may have better resumes, but not her smarts, heart and moxie. Liz. W. Garcia is directing form her own script, which we pray will feel like “Legally Blonde” in space.
Tom Hopper also comes aboard with Colombian pop star Sebastián Yatra (Spain’s “The Voice Kids”), sketch veteran David Foley (“The Kids in the Hall”) and Desi Lydic (“The Daily Show”).
Production will begin next week. Greg Silverman and Jon Berg will produce on behalf of Stampede Ventures,...
- 9/22/2022
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
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