Exterior. Establishing: Film Independent HQ. Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles. Prelap the sounds of passionate conversation and laughter. Cut To: Interior, Conference Room, Film Independent HQ. Seven new screenwriting Fellows are arrayed around a table, the Hollywood Sign visible on the distant hills outside the window. They’re here to develop six deeply personal and wholly original feature film projects under the steady guiding hand of Film Independent’s Screenwriting Lab. A fun, creative, safe space.
The End.
(Roll credits)
Sorry–we wish our story could’ve been longer but there wasn’t really any dramatic conflict at the Screenwriting Lab this year, just a lot of productive discussion and writing workshops with lead creative advisors Javier Fuentes-León, Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi, Jessica Sharzer, Jeff Stockwell and Christopher Makoto Yogi. Additional guest speakers and advisors include Ruth Atkinson, Danielle Renfrew Behrens, Bridget Savage Cole, Lauren Craniotes, Ellie Foumbi, Priyanka Kapoor, Danielle Krudy,...
The End.
(Roll credits)
Sorry–we wish our story could’ve been longer but there wasn’t really any dramatic conflict at the Screenwriting Lab this year, just a lot of productive discussion and writing workshops with lead creative advisors Javier Fuentes-León, Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi, Jessica Sharzer, Jeff Stockwell and Christopher Makoto Yogi. Additional guest speakers and advisors include Ruth Atkinson, Danielle Renfrew Behrens, Bridget Savage Cole, Lauren Craniotes, Ellie Foumbi, Priyanka Kapoor, Danielle Krudy,...
- 4/17/2024
- by Film Independent
- Film Independent News & More
Exclusive: Film Independent has named Omer Ben Shachar, Mary Dauterman, Mg Evangelista, Naomi Iwamoto, Thomas Kivney, Juan Paulo Laserna and Jhanvi Motla as the screenwriters selected for the 26th edition of its Screenwriting Lab, an intensive program designed to provide individualized story and career development for screenwriters with fiction feature scripts.
Over the course of the program, Fellows will workshop their projects under the guidance of creative advisors Javier Fuentes-León, Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi, Jessica Sharzer, Jeff Stockwell and Christopher Makoto Yogi. Additional guest speakers and advisors will include Ruth Atkinson, Danielle Renfrew Behrens, Bridget Savage Cole, Lauren Craniotes, Ellie Foumbi, Priyanka Kapoor, Danielle Krudy, Amanda Marshall, Josh Peters, Jon Schumacher, Ellen Shanman, Lauren Shelton and Caddy Vanasirikul.
“We are honored to provide the tools and support necessary for these exceptional filmmakers to propel their projects and careers forward,” said Dea Vazquez, Associate Director of Fiction Programs for Film Independent.
Over the course of the program, Fellows will workshop their projects under the guidance of creative advisors Javier Fuentes-León, Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi, Jessica Sharzer, Jeff Stockwell and Christopher Makoto Yogi. Additional guest speakers and advisors will include Ruth Atkinson, Danielle Renfrew Behrens, Bridget Savage Cole, Lauren Craniotes, Ellie Foumbi, Priyanka Kapoor, Danielle Krudy, Amanda Marshall, Josh Peters, Jon Schumacher, Ellen Shanman, Lauren Shelton and Caddy Vanasirikul.
“We are honored to provide the tools and support necessary for these exceptional filmmakers to propel their projects and careers forward,” said Dea Vazquez, Associate Director of Fiction Programs for Film Independent.
- 4/16/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The episode of Best Horror Movie You Never Saw covering The Invitation (2015) was Written by Andrew Hatfield, Edited by Juan Jimenez, Narrated by Kier Gomes, Produced by John Fallon and Tyler Nichols, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.
Horror doesn’t always have to be jump scare after jump scare or a non-stop gore fest. It doesn’t have to have Aliens, Terminators, or Predators to say nothing of any of the other monsters we’ve seen over the years. Movies that don’t include those coveted horror checklists typically get lumped into the thriller category like Silence of the Lambs or even Get Out. Funny how those are the movies that the Globes and Oscars want to award. Without a shadow of a doubt horror films that can be labeled something a little more friendly to draw more audience demographics or get better ink in reviews. I’m here...
Horror doesn’t always have to be jump scare after jump scare or a non-stop gore fest. It doesn’t have to have Aliens, Terminators, or Predators to say nothing of any of the other monsters we’ve seen over the years. Movies that don’t include those coveted horror checklists typically get lumped into the thriller category like Silence of the Lambs or even Get Out. Funny how those are the movies that the Globes and Oscars want to award. Without a shadow of a doubt horror films that can be labeled something a little more friendly to draw more audience demographics or get better ink in reviews. I’m here...
- 11/22/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Emmy-winning writer/director/producer Karyn Kusama has signed with WME.
Kusama currently serves as executive producer on Showtime’s Yellowjackets. The show garnered seven Emmy nominations in 2022, including Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for Kusama’s direction of the pilot episode.
Kusama previously helmed the Golden Globe-nominated film Destroyer starring Nicole Kidman that was written by her frequent collaborators, Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi. The trio’s banner, Familystyle Film, is currently under a first-look deal with MRC.
Her feature credits include indie thriller The Invitation, as well as Jennifer’s Body, Aeon Flux, and her Cannes and Sundance-award winning debut, Girlfight.
On the TV side, Kusama has directed episodes for such series as Billions, The Man in the High Castle, Dead Ringers, The Outsider, and The Mysterious Benedict Society, for which she won a Children’s and Family Emmy.
She continues to be managed by Black Bear Management.
Kusama currently serves as executive producer on Showtime’s Yellowjackets. The show garnered seven Emmy nominations in 2022, including Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series for Kusama’s direction of the pilot episode.
Kusama previously helmed the Golden Globe-nominated film Destroyer starring Nicole Kidman that was written by her frequent collaborators, Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi. The trio’s banner, Familystyle Film, is currently under a first-look deal with MRC.
Her feature credits include indie thriller The Invitation, as well as Jennifer’s Body, Aeon Flux, and her Cannes and Sundance-award winning debut, Girlfight.
On the TV side, Kusama has directed episodes for such series as Billions, The Man in the High Castle, Dead Ringers, The Outsider, and The Mysterious Benedict Society, for which she won a Children’s and Family Emmy.
She continues to be managed by Black Bear Management.
- 3/20/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney+ has canceled “The Mysterious Benedict Society,” co-creator Phil Hay announced, noting that the YA adaptation starring Tony Hale will end with its second season.
“Dear friends- season 2 will mark the end of The Mysterious Benedict Society’s journey on Disney+,” Hay, who also serves as the show’s executive producer, wrote on Twitter Saturday. “We love everyone who helped make this truly special and indeed life-affirming experience happen. No regrets- so proud of what we made!”
Based on the best-selling book series by Trenton Lee Stewart, “The Mysterious Benedict Society” follows four gifted children who respond to an unusual newspaper ad and are subsequently enrolled in a secret mission to infiltrate a boarding school.
Also Read:
Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston Body Swap Comedy From Max Barbakow Nabbed by Amazon
“Hard to say goodbye to the #MysteriousBenedictSociety, but so Incredibly thankful to @disneytvstudios and @disneyplus for allowing us two...
“Dear friends- season 2 will mark the end of The Mysterious Benedict Society’s journey on Disney+,” Hay, who also serves as the show’s executive producer, wrote on Twitter Saturday. “We love everyone who helped make this truly special and indeed life-affirming experience happen. No regrets- so proud of what we made!”
Based on the best-selling book series by Trenton Lee Stewart, “The Mysterious Benedict Society” follows four gifted children who respond to an unusual newspaper ad and are subsequently enrolled in a secret mission to infiltrate a boarding school.
Also Read:
Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston Body Swap Comedy From Max Barbakow Nabbed by Amazon
“Hard to say goodbye to the #MysteriousBenedictSociety, but so Incredibly thankful to @disneytvstudios and @disneyplus for allowing us two...
- 1/29/2023
- by Loree Seitz
- The Wrap
Streaming service Disney+ has canceled the family adventure series The Mysterious Benedict Society after two eight-episode seasons. Phil Hay, who developed the show alongside writing partner Matt Manfredi, announced the sad news on Twitter on Saturday, January 28. “Dear friends, Season 2 will mark the end of The Mysterious Benedict Society’s journey on Disney+,” Hay tweeted. “We love everyone who helped make this truly special and indeed life-affirming experience happen. No regrets — so proud of what we made!” In a follow-up tweet, Hay expressed his gratitude for “every one of you who made a place for our show in your home [and] heart.” He gave shout-outs to author Trenton Lee Stewart, actors Tony Hale and Kristen Schaal, producing duo Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer, 20th Television, Disney+, and the whole cast and crew. “You made it wonderful, and we loved every minute,” he tweeted in a third post. “The beauty of streaming...
- 1/29/2023
- TV Insider
There will be no third season for The Mysterious Benedict Society, the adventure series starring Tony Hale. The news, which comes more than a moth after Season 2 ended its run on the streamer, was revealed by co-creator/executive producer Phil Hay on Twitter.
“Dear friends- season 2 will mark the end of The Mysterious Benedict Society’s journey on Disney+. We love everyone who helped make this truly special and indeed life-affirming experience happen. No regrets- so proud of what we made!, Hay wrote. “The beauty of streaming is that the show lives on Disney+ and you can find it whenever you want to visit. Spoiler alert for how the story ends: the kids stay friends forever.”
Based on the bestselling YA book series by Trenton Lee Stewart, The Mysterious Benedict Society was originally greenlighted by Hulu and was one of the last series developed and sold by the late producer Jamie Tarses.
“Dear friends- season 2 will mark the end of The Mysterious Benedict Society’s journey on Disney+. We love everyone who helped make this truly special and indeed life-affirming experience happen. No regrets- so proud of what we made!, Hay wrote. “The beauty of streaming is that the show lives on Disney+ and you can find it whenever you want to visit. Spoiler alert for how the story ends: the kids stay friends forever.”
Based on the bestselling YA book series by Trenton Lee Stewart, The Mysterious Benedict Society was originally greenlighted by Hulu and was one of the last series developed and sold by the late producer Jamie Tarses.
- 1/29/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
The trailer for Disney+’s The Mysterious Benedict Society season two reveals Benedict and Number 2 have gone missing after planting clues for a scavenger hunt all over Europe. The new minute-and-a-half trailer arrived along with a poster for the family-friendly adventure series’ upcoming second season.
Season two will premiere on October 26, 2022 with the release of the first two episodes. Additional new episodes arrive on subsequent Wednesdays.
Tony Hale returns to lead the cast as Mr. Benedict and his twin brother, Dr. L.D. Curtain. Kristen Schaal stars as Number Two, MaameYaa Boafo is Rhonda Kazembe, Ryan Hurst plays Milligan, and Gia Sandhu stars as Ms. Perumal. Seth B. Carr is George “Sticky” Washington, Emmy DeOliveira plays Kate Wetherall, Mystic Inscho is Reynie Muldoon, and Marta Kessler plays Constance Contraire.
Writer Matt Manfredi and writer Phil Hay created the series based on Trenton Lee Stewart’s bestselling book series. Manfredi, Hay,...
Season two will premiere on October 26, 2022 with the release of the first two episodes. Additional new episodes arrive on subsequent Wednesdays.
Tony Hale returns to lead the cast as Mr. Benedict and his twin brother, Dr. L.D. Curtain. Kristen Schaal stars as Number Two, MaameYaa Boafo is Rhonda Kazembe, Ryan Hurst plays Milligan, and Gia Sandhu stars as Ms. Perumal. Seth B. Carr is George “Sticky” Washington, Emmy DeOliveira plays Kate Wetherall, Mystic Inscho is Reynie Muldoon, and Marta Kessler plays Constance Contraire.
Writer Matt Manfredi and writer Phil Hay created the series based on Trenton Lee Stewart’s bestselling book series. Manfredi, Hay,...
- 9/1/2022
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Exclusive: The Disney+ series The Mysterious Benedict Society will return with Season 2 on October 26, and Deadline has your first look at the trailer above. Following its two-episode premiere, new episodes will be released weekly on Wednesdays.
This season, the four gifted orphans who were recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict (Tony Hale) are sent on another mission to save the world from the nefarious plans of his twin brother Dr. L.D. Curtain (also Hale).
When Reynie (Mystic Inscho), Sticky (Seth Carr), Kate (Emmy DeOliveira), and Constance (Marta Kessler) discover that Mr. Benedict and Number Two (Kristen Schaal) have been kidnapped, they are tasked with putting together riddles and clues within a perilous scavenger hunt set by Mr. Benedict to foil Curtain’s latest scheme.
Relying on only their wits, intellect, and empathy, the group embarks on a globe-trotting adventure by air, land, sea, and pie truck, using their special...
This season, the four gifted orphans who were recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict (Tony Hale) are sent on another mission to save the world from the nefarious plans of his twin brother Dr. L.D. Curtain (also Hale).
When Reynie (Mystic Inscho), Sticky (Seth Carr), Kate (Emmy DeOliveira), and Constance (Marta Kessler) discover that Mr. Benedict and Number Two (Kristen Schaal) have been kidnapped, they are tasked with putting together riddles and clues within a perilous scavenger hunt set by Mr. Benedict to foil Curtain’s latest scheme.
Relying on only their wits, intellect, and empathy, the group embarks on a globe-trotting adventure by air, land, sea, and pie truck, using their special...
- 9/1/2022
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Nine years ago, Universal released a supernatural action comedy called R.I.P.D.: Rest in Peace Department, which didn’t do much at the box office despite starring Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges. Made on a budget somewhere in the 150 million range, R.I.P.D. only earned 78.3 million worldwide. It was considered a bomb… but that hasn’t stopped Universal from making a direct-to-video sequel. Made completely under the radar, the sequel is called R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned – and it has already been screened for the ratings board at the Motion Picture Association, earning a PG-13 rating for “sequences of violence, language, disturbing images and some crude/sexual references“.
According to IMDb, R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned was directed by Paul Leyden (Chick Fight) from a screenplay he wrote with Andrew Klein. Since the film was made in secrecy, a plot...
According to IMDb, R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned was directed by Paul Leyden (Chick Fight) from a screenplay he wrote with Andrew Klein. Since the film was made in secrecy, a plot...
- 8/17/2022
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
A new Dracula movie that was meant to be directed by “The Invitation” filmmaker Karyn Kusama has been scrapped at Miramax Films and Blumhouse just weeks before it was meant to begin production and will now no longer move forward, an individual with knowledge told TheWrap.
Miramax made the call to pull out of the project over creative differences with Kusama, and the film is now dead, unlikely to move forward elsewhere.
The film was tentatively titled “Mina Harker” and was set to star Jasmine Cephas Jones (“Blindspotting”) in the title role, with production kicking off in May. The film was a modern day vampire tale in which a woman meets Dracula in present day Los Angeles.
Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi, frequent collaborators of Kusama, wrote the script based on Bram Stoker’s classic “Dracula.”
Kusama was also meant to produce “Mina Harker” alongside Jason Blum, Hay, Manfredi and Bill Block for Miramax.
Miramax made the call to pull out of the project over creative differences with Kusama, and the film is now dead, unlikely to move forward elsewhere.
The film was tentatively titled “Mina Harker” and was set to star Jasmine Cephas Jones (“Blindspotting”) in the title role, with production kicking off in May. The film was a modern day vampire tale in which a woman meets Dracula in present day Los Angeles.
Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi, frequent collaborators of Kusama, wrote the script based on Bram Stoker’s classic “Dracula.”
Kusama was also meant to produce “Mina Harker” alongside Jason Blum, Hay, Manfredi and Bill Block for Miramax.
- 4/19/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
It was announced in March 2020 that Karyn Kusama (Jennifer’s Body, The Invitation, Destroyer) would be directing a new take on Dracula for Blumhouse Productions, with Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay (The Invitation) writing the script. Alas, THR reports this week that Kusama’s Dracula project has been killed weeks before production. THR’s report indicates, “Miramax is said to have exited, torpedoing […]
The post Karyn Kusama ‘Dracula’ Movie Not Moving Forward at Blumhouse/Miramax appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.
The post Karyn Kusama ‘Dracula’ Movie Not Moving Forward at Blumhouse/Miramax appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.
- 4/19/2022
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Exclusive: Blumhouse and Miramax’s Dracula film Mina Harker isn’t happening, Deadline has learned.
Originally, Blindspotting actress and #FreeRayshawn Emmy winner Jasmine Cephas Jones was set to headline Karyn Kusama’s Mina Harker, with cameras set to roll in three weeks.
However, the production isn’t moving forward, and sources say Miramax exited over creative differences with the filmmaker. The crew was informed hours ago.
The movie was to be set in contemporary Los Angeles, centering on protagonist Mina Harker, who plays opposite Dracula in the movie, with the classic Bram Stoker protagonist going by the name of Vladimir in the film. Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi penned the script that is based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula; both writers are frequent collaborators of Kusama.
Kusama was producing the movie with Jason Blum, Hay, Manfredi and Miramax’s Bill Block. Bea Sequeira was EP and had been set to oversee the film for Blumhouse.
Originally, Blindspotting actress and #FreeRayshawn Emmy winner Jasmine Cephas Jones was set to headline Karyn Kusama’s Mina Harker, with cameras set to roll in three weeks.
However, the production isn’t moving forward, and sources say Miramax exited over creative differences with the filmmaker. The crew was informed hours ago.
The movie was to be set in contemporary Los Angeles, centering on protagonist Mina Harker, who plays opposite Dracula in the movie, with the classic Bram Stoker protagonist going by the name of Vladimir in the film. Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi penned the script that is based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula; both writers are frequent collaborators of Kusama.
Kusama was producing the movie with Jason Blum, Hay, Manfredi and Miramax’s Bill Block. Bea Sequeira was EP and had been set to oversee the film for Blumhouse.
- 4/18/2022
- by Mike Fleming Jr and Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Curate Management founder Britton Rizzio has promoted TV and film literary manager Courtney Conwell to partner, Deadline has learned.
Rizzio formed Curate in November to provide a hands-on and global approach to representation and saw a coveted roster of clients align with the new venture, one of the few female-owned literary management firms in Hollywood.
“I’m thrilled to be able to elevate Courtney and have always seen her as a leader. She’s forward-thinking, doesn’t settle for status quo, and is a fierce protector of her clients’ voices,” Rizzio tells Deadline. “Curate represents innovative and ground-breaking thinkers, my goal is to build a team of managers and producers who reflect those values.”
Conwell’s roster includes visionary storytellers such as writer/director Emily Carmichael (Jurassic World Dominion), Our Lady J (Pose), Sarah Lampert (Ginny and Georgia), Emma Fletcher (Social Justice Warrior), Corina Maritescu (Joe vs. Carole), Emily Kaczmarek...
Rizzio formed Curate in November to provide a hands-on and global approach to representation and saw a coveted roster of clients align with the new venture, one of the few female-owned literary management firms in Hollywood.
“I’m thrilled to be able to elevate Courtney and have always seen her as a leader. She’s forward-thinking, doesn’t settle for status quo, and is a fierce protector of her clients’ voices,” Rizzio tells Deadline. “Curate represents innovative and ground-breaking thinkers, my goal is to build a team of managers and producers who reflect those values.”
Conwell’s roster includes visionary storytellers such as writer/director Emily Carmichael (Jurassic World Dominion), Our Lady J (Pose), Sarah Lampert (Ginny and Georgia), Emma Fletcher (Social Justice Warrior), Corina Maritescu (Joe vs. Carole), Emily Kaczmarek...
- 3/23/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
“The Mysterious Benedict Society” has been renewed for Season 2 at Disney Plus.
Based on the YA book series of the same name by Trenton Lee Stewart, the series follows four gifted orphans who are recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict (Tony Hale). Along with Hale, the show stars Kristen Schaal, MaameYaa Boafo, Ryan Hurst, Gia Sandhu, Seth B. Carr, Emmy DeOliveira, Mystic Inscho and Marta Kessler.
Season 2 of “The Mysterious Benedict Society” picks up as the team of four intrepid orphans reunite a year after their first mission, when they were assembled by Mr. Benedict and his cohorts to foil the nefarious “Emergency” created by Benedict’s twin brother Dr. L.D. Curtain (also played by Hale). Now they must embark on a perilous journey, relying on wits, intellect, and empathy to try to try to stop Curtain as he shifts to a new strategy with global implications. Production on...
Based on the YA book series of the same name by Trenton Lee Stewart, the series follows four gifted orphans who are recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict (Tony Hale). Along with Hale, the show stars Kristen Schaal, MaameYaa Boafo, Ryan Hurst, Gia Sandhu, Seth B. Carr, Emmy DeOliveira, Mystic Inscho and Marta Kessler.
Season 2 of “The Mysterious Benedict Society” picks up as the team of four intrepid orphans reunite a year after their first mission, when they were assembled by Mr. Benedict and his cohorts to foil the nefarious “Emergency” created by Benedict’s twin brother Dr. L.D. Curtain (also played by Hale). Now they must embark on a perilous journey, relying on wits, intellect, and empathy to try to try to stop Curtain as he shifts to a new strategy with global implications. Production on...
- 9/28/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
The Mysterious Benedict Society seems have settled in nicely at Disney+ as the streaming service said Tuesday it has renewed the Tony Hale-starring series for Season 2. Production for the sophomore season will begin early next year.
Based on the bestselling YA book series by Trenton Lee Stewart, The Mysterious Benedict Society‘s second season will pick up as the team of four intrepid orphans reunite a year after their first mission, when they were assembled by Mr. Benedict (Hale) and his cohorts to foil the nefarious “Emergency” created by Benedict’s twin brother Dr. L.D. Curtain (also Hale). Now they must embark on a perilous journey, relying on wits, intellect and empathy to try to stop Curtain as he shifts to a new strategy with global implications.
In addition to two-time Veep Emmy winner Hale, The Mysterious Benedict Society stars Kristen Schaal, MaameYaa Boafo, Ryan Hurst, Gia Sandhu,...
Based on the bestselling YA book series by Trenton Lee Stewart, The Mysterious Benedict Society‘s second season will pick up as the team of four intrepid orphans reunite a year after their first mission, when they were assembled by Mr. Benedict (Hale) and his cohorts to foil the nefarious “Emergency” created by Benedict’s twin brother Dr. L.D. Curtain (also Hale). Now they must embark on a perilous journey, relying on wits, intellect and empathy to try to stop Curtain as he shifts to a new strategy with global implications.
In addition to two-time Veep Emmy winner Hale, The Mysterious Benedict Society stars Kristen Schaal, MaameYaa Boafo, Ryan Hurst, Gia Sandhu,...
- 9/28/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
The first season of “The Mysterious Benedict Society,” which is currently rolling out on Disney+, will stick to the source material provided by Trenton Lee Stewart’s beloved kids book of the same name, according to series creators Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay. But should the series continue into another season, that might not remain to be the case.
“The subsequent books are all wonderful, and they’re very different, too,” Hay said in an interview with TheWrap. “So if we were lucky enough to continue and get another season, I think it would likely draw from a lot of them in different ways, as opposed to being very, very specific.”
Hay and Manfredi said they hope to draw from all of the sequels (as well as Stewart’s prequel novel) for future episodes, mixing and matching elements rather than doing a straight adaptation.
“We don’t know yet because...
“The subsequent books are all wonderful, and they’re very different, too,” Hay said in an interview with TheWrap. “So if we were lucky enough to continue and get another season, I think it would likely draw from a lot of them in different ways, as opposed to being very, very specific.”
Hay and Manfredi said they hope to draw from all of the sequels (as well as Stewart’s prequel novel) for future episodes, mixing and matching elements rather than doing a straight adaptation.
“We don’t know yet because...
- 7/1/2021
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
While San Diego Comic-Con announced that they will return in-person with a “special gathering” on Thanksgiving weekend, the main summer convention will take place online for the second year in a row due to health and safety precautions connected to the Covid-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, studios are still planning on creating an enjoyable virtual experience for fans while teasing what’s to come in future seasons of their hit television series. For your convenience, Variety has compiled a master list of all the details pertaining the pop culture convention set for July 23-25. Attendees will be able to watch all of the panels for free.
As of press time, some of the below panels don’t yet have scheduled dates and times to be posted online, so check back here, as we will update this post with that information, as well as more panels, as they get announced.
Duncanville (July 23 at 3 p.
As of press time, some of the below panels don’t yet have scheduled dates and times to be posted online, so check back here, as we will update this post with that information, as well as more panels, as they get announced.
Duncanville (July 23 at 3 p.
- 7/1/2021
- by Antonio Ferme
- Variety Film + TV
Disney appears to love two things at the moment: Marvel and Tony Hale. And while both are fun in their own right, the work the studio has been doing with Hale has created some adorable and downright weird programming aimed at children, starting with the creation of Forky in “Toy Story 4” and the Emmy Award-winning spin-off short series, “Forky Asks a Question.”
“The Mysterious Benedict Society,” based on Trenton Lee Stewart’s book, is another entry in Disney’s collaboration with Hale that is equal parts charming, wacky, weird, and whimsical. Series creators Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi skillfully create a world engaging enough for children but with enough added mystery and complexity to ensnare adults (or Disney’s patented brand of childless millennials.)
We’re first introduced to young Reynie Muldoon (Mystic Inscho), an orphan who, like everyone else in the city, lives in a constant state of...
“The Mysterious Benedict Society,” based on Trenton Lee Stewart’s book, is another entry in Disney’s collaboration with Hale that is equal parts charming, wacky, weird, and whimsical. Series creators Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi skillfully create a world engaging enough for children but with enough added mystery and complexity to ensnare adults (or Disney’s patented brand of childless millennials.)
We’re first introduced to young Reynie Muldoon (Mystic Inscho), an orphan who, like everyone else in the city, lives in a constant state of...
- 6/25/2021
- by Kristen Lopez
- Indiewire
Perhaps best known for his comedic work on “Veep” and “Arrested Development,” Tony Hale has also been prolific in programs for younger eyeballs over the years, from “Toy Story 4″ and “Forky Asks a Question” to the adaptation of his 2014 book, “Archibald’s Next Big Thing.” Although he continues to work in adult fare (“Eat Wheaties!” and the upcoming “Being the Ricardos”), his recent slate is populated with family-friendly fare: “I Heart Arlo,” the “Rugrats” revival, the “Clifford the Big Red Dog” movie and “The Mysterious Benedict Society” — based on the books by Trenton Lee Stewart — which sees him play identical twins Mr. Benedict and Mr. Curtain.
Ahead of “The Mysterious Benedict Society’s” Disney Plus premiere, here’s Variety’s recent chat with Hale about filming during a pandemic, narcoleptic pratfalls, and the “simple truths” of youth programming.
How did you become involved with the “The Mysterious Benedict Society”? What...
Ahead of “The Mysterious Benedict Society’s” Disney Plus premiere, here’s Variety’s recent chat with Hale about filming during a pandemic, narcoleptic pratfalls, and the “simple truths” of youth programming.
How did you become involved with the “The Mysterious Benedict Society”? What...
- 6/25/2021
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
Ahead of this week’s premiere of the Disney+ series ‘The Mysterious Benedict Society’ a new trailer has been released.
The original series follows four adventurers who each possess a unique skill, and are therefore summoned to a boarding school known as the Institute after winning a scholarship.
They are recruited by the eccentric Mr Benedict for a dangerous mission to save the world from a global crisis known as The Emergency. They soon learn the headmaster of the Institute, Mr Benedict’s identical twin brother Dr Curtain, is behind the crisis which involves mind control.
Coming from writers Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, the series is showrun by ‘Smallville’ alum Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin.
Also in trailers – ‘Ted Lasso’ has his work cut out for him in new trailer for season 2
The first two episodes premiere on Disney+ Friday the 25th.
The post New trailer drops for Disney...
The original series follows four adventurers who each possess a unique skill, and are therefore summoned to a boarding school known as the Institute after winning a scholarship.
They are recruited by the eccentric Mr Benedict for a dangerous mission to save the world from a global crisis known as The Emergency. They soon learn the headmaster of the Institute, Mr Benedict’s identical twin brother Dr Curtain, is behind the crisis which involves mind control.
Coming from writers Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, the series is showrun by ‘Smallville’ alum Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin.
Also in trailers – ‘Ted Lasso’ has his work cut out for him in new trailer for season 2
The first two episodes premiere on Disney+ Friday the 25th.
The post New trailer drops for Disney...
- 6/22/2021
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
This article contains spoilers for the first two episodes of The Mysterious Benedict Society plus teasers for future episodes. There are no book spoilers beyond the plots featured in the first two episodes.
The Mysterious Benedict Society is not only Disney+’s latest television series, it’s one of the streamer’s noteworthy original TV projects outside the massive Marvel and Star Wars franchises… But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a source material. The series is based on the bestselling middle grade book series by Trenton Lee Stewart. Stewart first published The Mysterious Benedict Society in 2007, which means the original readers are now adults and even parents themselves. (I myself discovered the series while working in summer camp and after school a year or two after publication.) The series was in development hell for over a decade before Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi joined the project in...
The Mysterious Benedict Society is not only Disney+’s latest television series, it’s one of the streamer’s noteworthy original TV projects outside the massive Marvel and Star Wars franchises… But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a source material. The series is based on the bestselling middle grade book series by Trenton Lee Stewart. Stewart first published The Mysterious Benedict Society in 2007, which means the original readers are now adults and even parents themselves. (I myself discovered the series while working in summer camp and after school a year or two after publication.) The series was in development hell for over a decade before Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi joined the project in...
- 6/21/2021
- by Kayti Burt
- Den of Geek
Meet Mr. Benedict: “He’s one of the pre-eminent scientists of our time.” His brother? Well, he isn’t.
Disney+ said today that The Mysterious Benedict Society, starring Tony Hale in a dual role as polar-opposite identical twins, will launch a with a two-episode premiere next week.
Based on Trenton Lee Stewart’s YA book series, the series follows four gifted orphans who are recruited by Hale’s Mr. Benedict to save the world from a global crisis known as the Emergency. Reynie, Sticky, Kate and Constance must infiltrate the mysterious L.I.V.E. Institute to discover the truth behind the crisis. When the headmaster, the sophisticated Dr. Curtain appears to be behind this worldwide panic, the kids of “The Mysterious Benedict Society” must devise a plan to defeat him.
Kristen Schaal, Ryan Hurst, MaameYaa Boafo, Gia Sandhu, Seth Carr, Emmy DeOliveira, Mystic Inscho and Marta Timofeeva co-star.
The...
Disney+ said today that The Mysterious Benedict Society, starring Tony Hale in a dual role as polar-opposite identical twins, will launch a with a two-episode premiere next week.
Based on Trenton Lee Stewart’s YA book series, the series follows four gifted orphans who are recruited by Hale’s Mr. Benedict to save the world from a global crisis known as the Emergency. Reynie, Sticky, Kate and Constance must infiltrate the mysterious L.I.V.E. Institute to discover the truth behind the crisis. When the headmaster, the sophisticated Dr. Curtain appears to be behind this worldwide panic, the kids of “The Mysterious Benedict Society” must devise a plan to defeat him.
Kristen Schaal, Ryan Hurst, MaameYaa Boafo, Gia Sandhu, Seth Carr, Emmy DeOliveira, Mystic Inscho and Marta Timofeeva co-star.
The...
- 6/21/2021
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Tony Hale has identified the only people who don’t love “Arrested Development”: Mr. and Mrs. Hale, his parents.
For Mother’s Day, Jimmy Kimmel had celebrity guests read real tweets from their mom. Here’s the one Hale read for the ABC late-night host: “Hey son, our new friends are Loving ‘Arrested Development. We still don’t get it.”
Happy Mother’s Day.
Kimmel asked Hale, who stopped by on Thursday to promote his new Disney+ series “The Mysterious Benedict Society,” if that was really real.
“My parents think ‘Arrested’ is dumb. To this day, they think it’s a stupid show,” Hale responded. “I’m not kidding. The only episode they thought was funny was when Martin Short was on. [My dad] was like, ‘Well he’s funny. That guy’s funny.'”
They’re not huge “Veep” people either, it turns out.
Hale’s dad “always has notes” on the HBO sitcom,...
For Mother’s Day, Jimmy Kimmel had celebrity guests read real tweets from their mom. Here’s the one Hale read for the ABC late-night host: “Hey son, our new friends are Loving ‘Arrested Development. We still don’t get it.”
Happy Mother’s Day.
Kimmel asked Hale, who stopped by on Thursday to promote his new Disney+ series “The Mysterious Benedict Society,” if that was really real.
“My parents think ‘Arrested’ is dumb. To this day, they think it’s a stupid show,” Hale responded. “I’m not kidding. The only episode they thought was funny was when Martin Short was on. [My dad] was like, ‘Well he’s funny. That guy’s funny.'”
They’re not huge “Veep” people either, it turns out.
Hale’s dad “always has notes” on the HBO sitcom,...
- 6/18/2021
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Tony Hale makes his debut as the eccentric Mr. Benedict in the trailer for Disney+’s The Mysterious Benedict Society. Based on Trenton Lee Stewart’s book series, the Disney+ series follows four gifted orphans who are recruited by Hale’s Mr. Benedict to save the world from a global crisis known as The Emergency. Reynie, Sticky, Kate, and Constance must infiltrate the mysterious L.I.V.E. Institute to discover the truth behind the crisis. When the headmaster, the sophisticated Dr. Curtain appears to be behind this worldwide panic, the kids of “The Mysterious Benedict Society” must devise a plan to defeat him. Kristen Schaal, Ryan Hurst, MaameYaa Boafo, Gia Sandhu, Seth Carr, Emmy DeOliveira, Mystic Inscho and Marta Timofeeva also act in the YA novel adaptation. The series, which is set to premiere June 25, is executive produced by Sonar Entertainment, 20th Television, Jamie Tarses, Karen Kehela Sherwood, Deepak Nayar,...
- 5/20/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney+ has released the first trailer for its upcoming “Mysterious Benedict Society” adaptation featuring dueling Tony Hales.
Based on the bestselling children’s book series by Trenton Lee Stewart, the eight-episode series follows four gifted orphans who are recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict (Hale) to save the world from a global crisis known as “The Emergency,” created by his evil twin brother, Dr. Curtain.
The four children — Reynie, Sticky, Kate and Constance — must infiltrate the mysterious L.I.V.E. Institute to discover the truth behind the crisis and devise a plan to defeat it.
The series also stars Kristen Schaal, Ryan Hurst, MaameYaa Boafo, Gia Sandhu, Seth Carr, Emmy DeOliveira, Mystic Inscho and Marta Kessler. It will debut on Disney+ on Friday, June 25.
Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay are writers and creators of the series, with Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin serving as showrunners. Additional executive producers on...
Based on the bestselling children’s book series by Trenton Lee Stewart, the eight-episode series follows four gifted orphans who are recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict (Hale) to save the world from a global crisis known as “The Emergency,” created by his evil twin brother, Dr. Curtain.
The four children — Reynie, Sticky, Kate and Constance — must infiltrate the mysterious L.I.V.E. Institute to discover the truth behind the crisis and devise a plan to defeat it.
The series also stars Kristen Schaal, Ryan Hurst, MaameYaa Boafo, Gia Sandhu, Seth Carr, Emmy DeOliveira, Mystic Inscho and Marta Kessler. It will debut on Disney+ on Friday, June 25.
Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay are writers and creators of the series, with Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin serving as showrunners. Additional executive producers on...
- 5/20/2021
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
“Loki,” the next Marvel Studios project for Disney Plus, will premiere June 11 on the streamer.
Additionally, Disney Plus announced the rest of its spring and early summer slate as follows: “Big Shot” will premiere April 16; “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” will launch May 4; “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” Season 2 will begin on May 14; “Zenimation” Season 2 will premiere June 11; “The Mysterious Benedict Society” will debut June 25; “Monsters at Work” will begin July 2; “Turner & Hooch” will launch July 16, and “Chip ‘N’ Dale: Park Live” will premiere July 23.
Following “WandaVision” and “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” “Loki” will be the latest MCU project to shift from big screen to small. It follows the titular God of Mischief (played by Tom Hiddleston) as he steps out of his brother’s shadow and takes places after the events of “Avengers: Endgame.” The show comes from head writer Michael Waldron and director...
Additionally, Disney Plus announced the rest of its spring and early summer slate as follows: “Big Shot” will premiere April 16; “Star Wars: The Bad Batch” will launch May 4; “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” Season 2 will begin on May 14; “Zenimation” Season 2 will premiere June 11; “The Mysterious Benedict Society” will debut June 25; “Monsters at Work” will begin July 2; “Turner & Hooch” will launch July 16, and “Chip ‘N’ Dale: Park Live” will premiere July 23.
Following “WandaVision” and “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” “Loki” will be the latest MCU project to shift from big screen to small. It follows the titular God of Mischief (played by Tom Hiddleston) as he steps out of his brother’s shadow and takes places after the events of “Avengers: Endgame.” The show comes from head writer Michael Waldron and director...
- 2/24/2021
- by Danielle Turchiano
- Variety Film + TV
Disney+ has set spring and summer premiere dates for and released first-look photos for new series Turner & Hooch, The Mysterious Benedict Society and Chip ‘N Dale: Park Life and the second season of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.
Here are the premiere dates in chronological order, with series descriptions and first-look photos:
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: Season 2
In Season 2, the East High Wildcats, who are preparing to perform Beauty and the Beast as their spring musical, face off against rival school North High to win a prestigious and cutthroat student theater competition. Wigs are snatched, loyalties are tested, and ballads are belted. The season also features new solos written by Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett.
Disney+ Sets Premiere Dates For ‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch’ And Marvel Studios’ ‘Loki’
The series stars Olivia Rodrigo, Joshua Bassett, Sofia Wylie, Matt Cornett, Larry Saperstein,...
Here are the premiere dates in chronological order, with series descriptions and first-look photos:
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: Season 2
In Season 2, the East High Wildcats, who are preparing to perform Beauty and the Beast as their spring musical, face off against rival school North High to win a prestigious and cutthroat student theater competition. Wigs are snatched, loyalties are tested, and ballads are belted. The season also features new solos written by Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett.
Disney+ Sets Premiere Dates For ‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch’ And Marvel Studios’ ‘Loki’
The series stars Olivia Rodrigo, Joshua Bassett, Sofia Wylie, Matt Cornett, Larry Saperstein,...
- 2/24/2021
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney+ revealed the debut dates for a whole bunch of new shows on Wednesday, including the John Stamos-starring “Big Shot,” “The Mysterious Benedict Society,” “Monsters at Work,” “Turner & Hooch” and “Chip ‘N’ Dale: Park Life.”
The streaming service also set Friday, May 14 as the return date for “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” Season 2, and has renewed “Zenimation” for a second season, which will premiere on Friday, June 11.
Below are Disney+’s premiere dates and the descriptions for its new, upcoming series, in chronological order. The Disney streaming service shared its news Wednesday during the Television Critics Association (TCA) press tour.
“Big Shot” – Friday, April 16
After getting ousted from the NCAA, a hothead men’s basketball coach must take a job at an all-girls high school. He soon learns that teenage girls are more than just X’s and O’s; they require empathy and vulnerability — foreign...
The streaming service also set Friday, May 14 as the return date for “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” Season 2, and has renewed “Zenimation” for a second season, which will premiere on Friday, June 11.
Below are Disney+’s premiere dates and the descriptions for its new, upcoming series, in chronological order. The Disney streaming service shared its news Wednesday during the Television Critics Association (TCA) press tour.
“Big Shot” – Friday, April 16
After getting ousted from the NCAA, a hothead men’s basketball coach must take a job at an all-girls high school. He soon learns that teenage girls are more than just X’s and O’s; they require empathy and vulnerability — foreign...
- 2/24/2021
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
“Nomadland” director Chloé Zhao is tackling the classic Universal monster Dracula, as the writer, producer and director of a new take on the character in the vein of a futuristic sci-fi western.
“I’ve always been fascinated by vampires and the concept of the Other they embody,” Zhao said in a release. “I’m very excited to work with Donna [Langley], Peter [Cramer] and the team at Universal to reimagine such a beloved character.”
“Chloé’s singular lens shines a light on stories of the overlooked and misunderstood,” said Peter Cramer, Universal Pictures president. “We are thrilled to be working with her as she reimagines one of the most iconic outsider characters ever created.”
First created by Bram Stoker in his 1897 gothic horror novel, Dracula — a count who lives in the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania — has tantalized readers and audiences for over a century. The vampire was famously played by Bela Lugosi in the 1930s,...
“I’ve always been fascinated by vampires and the concept of the Other they embody,” Zhao said in a release. “I’m very excited to work with Donna [Langley], Peter [Cramer] and the team at Universal to reimagine such a beloved character.”
“Chloé’s singular lens shines a light on stories of the overlooked and misunderstood,” said Peter Cramer, Universal Pictures president. “We are thrilled to be working with her as she reimagines one of the most iconic outsider characters ever created.”
First created by Bram Stoker in his 1897 gothic horror novel, Dracula — a count who lives in the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania — has tantalized readers and audiences for over a century. The vampire was famously played by Bela Lugosi in the 1930s,...
- 2/4/2021
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
Disney’s adaptation of “The Mysterious Benedict Society” is moving from Hulu to sister streaming service Disney+, the company announced Friday.
Led by “Veep” alum Tony Hale, the series follows four gifted orphans who are recruited by an eccentric, benefactor to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as “The Institute,” they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications while creating a new sort of family along the way.
The eight-episode first season, which is based on the first book in the series by author Trenton Lee Stewart, is set to premiere in 2021.
Hale pulls double-duty on the series, starring as both Mr. Benedict, the “rumpled, affable eccentric genius” and head of the titular society, and his “frustratingly sharp, well-put-together (if villainous)” twin brother, Mr. Curtain. Kristen Schaal, Ryan Hurst, MaameYaa Boafo, Gia Sandhu, Seth Carr, Emmy DeOliveira, Mystic Inscho and Marta Timofeeva also star.
Led by “Veep” alum Tony Hale, the series follows four gifted orphans who are recruited by an eccentric, benefactor to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as “The Institute,” they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications while creating a new sort of family along the way.
The eight-episode first season, which is based on the first book in the series by author Trenton Lee Stewart, is set to premiere in 2021.
Hale pulls double-duty on the series, starring as both Mr. Benedict, the “rumpled, affable eccentric genius” and head of the titular society, and his “frustratingly sharp, well-put-together (if villainous)” twin brother, Mr. Curtain. Kristen Schaal, Ryan Hurst, MaameYaa Boafo, Gia Sandhu, Seth Carr, Emmy DeOliveira, Mystic Inscho and Marta Timofeeva also star.
- 11/13/2020
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
“The Mysterious Benedict Society” series is being moved to Disney Plus after originally being developed for Hulu.
The show was originally ordered to series at Hulu last year, but is now slated to debut on fellow Disney-owned streamer Disney Plus in 2021. It is based on the book series of the same name by Trenton Lee Stewart.
“‘The Mysterious Benedict Society’ is a beautifully executed adaptation of the celebrated and beloved book series. It’s original, clever and fun for the whole family, which makes it the perfect fit for Disney+,” said Dana Walden, chairman of Entertainment for Walt Disney Television. “One of the great benefits to creators working with our company is that we have a platform that’s right for every series, and having seen the first few episodes of this show, there is no better home for it than Disney+.”
This marks the first time a project has...
The show was originally ordered to series at Hulu last year, but is now slated to debut on fellow Disney-owned streamer Disney Plus in 2021. It is based on the book series of the same name by Trenton Lee Stewart.
“‘The Mysterious Benedict Society’ is a beautifully executed adaptation of the celebrated and beloved book series. It’s original, clever and fun for the whole family, which makes it the perfect fit for Disney+,” said Dana Walden, chairman of Entertainment for Walt Disney Television. “One of the great benefits to creators working with our company is that we have a platform that’s right for every series, and having seen the first few episodes of this show, there is no better home for it than Disney+.”
This marks the first time a project has...
- 11/13/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
The Mysterious Benedict Society, starring Veep’s Tony Hale, is on the move – going from Hulu to Disney+.
The series, which is based on Trenton Lee Stewart’s best-selling YA books, originally was developed for Hulu but will now premiere on Disney’s streaming service in 2021.
It marks the first example of a show moving in that direction, though titles such as High Fidelity and Love, Victor have previously moved in the other direction.
The decision appears to be related to the tone of the content. Dana Walden, chairman of Entertainment at Walt Disney Television, said Mysterious Benedict Society is “fun for the whole family” and calling it a “perfect fit” for Disney+.
This comes after Walden was handed a new title earlier this week as part of a restructure at the media conglomerate that saw it separate content creation and distribution. Walden oversees development and production operations of Disney TV Studios,...
The series, which is based on Trenton Lee Stewart’s best-selling YA books, originally was developed for Hulu but will now premiere on Disney’s streaming service in 2021.
It marks the first example of a show moving in that direction, though titles such as High Fidelity and Love, Victor have previously moved in the other direction.
The decision appears to be related to the tone of the content. Dana Walden, chairman of Entertainment at Walt Disney Television, said Mysterious Benedict Society is “fun for the whole family” and calling it a “perfect fit” for Disney+.
This comes after Walden was handed a new title earlier this week as part of a restructure at the media conglomerate that saw it separate content creation and distribution. Walden oversees development and production operations of Disney TV Studios,...
- 11/13/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The headquarters of The Mysterious Benedict Society have moved.
The adventure series starring Tony Hale was originally slated for Hulu but now will premiere on Disney+, TVLine has learned.
More from TVLineMandalorian Recap: This Is the (Other) Way -- Who's Hunting the Darksaber?WandaVision: Disney+'s First Marvel Series Gets January Premiere DateThe Mandalorian Recap: The Eggs and I
The upcoming show is based on Trenton Lee Stewart’s young-adult novel about four gifted orphans who are recruited by Hale’s character, an eccentric benefactor named Mr. Benedict. The children are placed undercover at aa boarding school known as The Institute,...
The adventure series starring Tony Hale was originally slated for Hulu but now will premiere on Disney+, TVLine has learned.
More from TVLineMandalorian Recap: This Is the (Other) Way -- Who's Hunting the Darksaber?WandaVision: Disney+'s First Marvel Series Gets January Premiere DateThe Mandalorian Recap: The Eggs and I
The upcoming show is based on Trenton Lee Stewart’s young-adult novel about four gifted orphans who are recruited by Hale’s character, an eccentric benefactor named Mr. Benedict. The children are placed undercover at aa boarding school known as The Institute,...
- 11/13/2020
- by Kimberly Roots
- TVLine.com
Ever since Heather Wixson gave it a four-star review at Sundance, we've been excited for Daily Dead readers to see Alexandre O. Philippe's Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist, so we're especially thrilled that Shudder has acquired the documentary and slated it for a November 19th streaming release.
We have the full press release below with more details, as well as the official trailer for Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist:
Press Release: New York, NY - Shudder, AMC Networks’ premiere streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, has announced the acquisition of Leap Of Faith: William Friedkin On The Exorcist from award-winning documentarian Alexandre O. Philippe, which will be released exclusively on the streaming platform on November 19th, 2020 in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. The film, which had its world premiere at the 2019 Venice International Film Festival...
We have the full press release below with more details, as well as the official trailer for Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist:
Press Release: New York, NY - Shudder, AMC Networks’ premiere streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, has announced the acquisition of Leap Of Faith: William Friedkin On The Exorcist from award-winning documentarian Alexandre O. Philippe, which will be released exclusively on the streaming platform on November 19th, 2020 in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. The film, which had its world premiere at the 2019 Venice International Film Festival...
- 10/8/2020
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Shudder has acquired rights to Alexandre O. Philippe’s Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on The Exorcist, the feature documentary that world premiered at last year’s Venice Film Festival. The deep dive into the making of the horror classic will now bow exclusively in AMC Networks’ genre streaming service November 19 in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
Like Philippe’s previous film explorations 78/52: Hitchcock’s Shower Scene and Memory: The Origins of Alien, his latest doc dissects the making-of the iconic 1973 film, using Friedkin as the guide to discuss the filmmaking process. Kerry Deignan Roy is producer and executive producers are Karyn Kusama, Matt Manfredi, Phil Hay, Joey Porcelli and Randy Pharo.
See the trailer below.
The Shudder deal, announced Thursday, comes ahead of the pic’s screening this weekend at the Nightstream Film Festival. The pic also screened at Sundance.
“Leap of Faith...
Like Philippe’s previous film explorations 78/52: Hitchcock’s Shower Scene and Memory: The Origins of Alien, his latest doc dissects the making-of the iconic 1973 film, using Friedkin as the guide to discuss the filmmaking process. Kerry Deignan Roy is producer and executive producers are Karyn Kusama, Matt Manfredi, Phil Hay, Joey Porcelli and Randy Pharo.
See the trailer below.
The Shudder deal, announced Thursday, comes ahead of the pic’s screening this weekend at the Nightstream Film Festival. The pic also screened at Sundance.
“Leap of Faith...
- 10/8/2020
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Familystyle has entered into a first-look deal with Entertainment 360, the joint venture between MRC Television and Management 360, Variety has learned exclusively.
Familystyle is the production company run by Karyn Kusama, Matt Manfredi, and Phil Hay. The first project being developed under the deal is the series “The Occupant.” Kusama is attached to direct with Manfredi and Hay attached to write. The Los Angeles-set conspiracy is about a mentally fragile but idealistic person who becomes a reluctantly pivotal figure in the clandestine struggle between a seemingly benign modern megacorporation and the ragtag groups of Angelenos who oppose it.
“Phil, Matt, and I have made some of our most personal work as a team,” said Kusama. “We are truly thrilled that MRC Television and E360 are the latest additions to our creative family. From the get-go, it was clear that our friends there shared our enthusiasms and ambitions and would...
Familystyle is the production company run by Karyn Kusama, Matt Manfredi, and Phil Hay. The first project being developed under the deal is the series “The Occupant.” Kusama is attached to direct with Manfredi and Hay attached to write. The Los Angeles-set conspiracy is about a mentally fragile but idealistic person who becomes a reluctantly pivotal figure in the clandestine struggle between a seemingly benign modern megacorporation and the ragtag groups of Angelenos who oppose it.
“Phil, Matt, and I have made some of our most personal work as a team,” said Kusama. “We are truly thrilled that MRC Television and E360 are the latest additions to our creative family. From the get-go, it was clear that our friends there shared our enthusiasms and ambitions and would...
- 8/20/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
From VancouverFilm.Net, here is the Vancouver Film Production Update for June 2020, including features/ TV series temporarily suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic:
Features
Bonfire (Temporarily Suspended)
Local Production Company: No Clocks Productions Ltd.
Executive Producer: Tom Hammel
Producer: Jim Whitaker, Joe Roth
Director: David Lowery
Ellington (Temporarily Suspended)
Local Production Company: Swan Song BC Productions Inc.
Executive Producer: Shea Kammer, Jonathan King, Adam Shulman, Jacob Perlin
Director: Ben Cleary
Untitled Graham King Project (Temporarily Suspended)
Local Production Company: Cold Hut Production Ulc.
Executive Producer: Nicola Shindler, Graham King, Ken Kamins, Sally Wainwright, Colin Vaines
Producer: Nan Morales
Director: Nora Fingscheidt
TV Pilots
Kung Fu (Temporarily Suspended)
Local Production Company: 3253 Production Services Inc.
Executive Producer: Christina M. Kim, Martin Gero, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Hanelle Culpepper
Producer: Ian Smith
Director: Hanelle Culpepper
LA Brea (Temporarily Suspended)
Local Production Company: Gep La Brea Inc.
Executive Producer: David Appelbaum, Avi Nir, Alon Shtruzman,...
Features
Bonfire (Temporarily Suspended)
Local Production Company: No Clocks Productions Ltd.
Executive Producer: Tom Hammel
Producer: Jim Whitaker, Joe Roth
Director: David Lowery
Ellington (Temporarily Suspended)
Local Production Company: Swan Song BC Productions Inc.
Executive Producer: Shea Kammer, Jonathan King, Adam Shulman, Jacob Perlin
Director: Ben Cleary
Untitled Graham King Project (Temporarily Suspended)
Local Production Company: Cold Hut Production Ulc.
Executive Producer: Nicola Shindler, Graham King, Ken Kamins, Sally Wainwright, Colin Vaines
Producer: Nan Morales
Director: Nora Fingscheidt
TV Pilots
Kung Fu (Temporarily Suspended)
Local Production Company: 3253 Production Services Inc.
Executive Producer: Christina M. Kim, Martin Gero, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Hanelle Culpepper
Producer: Ian Smith
Director: Hanelle Culpepper
LA Brea (Temporarily Suspended)
Local Production Company: Gep La Brea Inc.
Executive Producer: David Appelbaum, Avi Nir, Alon Shtruzman,...
- 6/24/2020
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
As we learned back in March, Karyn Kusama (Jennifer’s Body, The Invitation, Destroyer) has been set to direct a new take on Dracula for Blumhouse Productions, with Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay (The Invitation) writing the script. What can we expect from Kusama’s take on the classic horror novel? She teased the project in a chat with The Kingcast last […]...
- 6/8/2020
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Kristen Schaal, MaameYaa Boafo, Ryan Hurst, Gia Sandhu, Mystic Inscho, Emmy DeOliveira, Seth Carr and Marta Timofeeva (Welcome to Mercy) are set as series regulars opposite Tony Hale in The Mysterious Benedict Society, Hulu’s adventure drama series based on the best-selling Ya novel by Trenton Lee Stewart. The series hails from Sonar Entertainment, 20th Century Fox TV and Jamie Tarses’ Fanfare.
Written by Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, The Mysterious Benedict Society is the tale of four gifted orphans who are recruited by a eccentric, benefactor (Hale) to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as The Institute, they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications,...
Written by Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, The Mysterious Benedict Society is the tale of four gifted orphans who are recruited by a eccentric, benefactor (Hale) to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as The Institute, they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications,...
- 4/23/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Hulu’s upcoming series adaptation of “The Mysterious Benedict Society” has found its main cast.
Ryan Hurst, Kristen Schaal, MaameYaa Boafo, Gia Sandhu, Mystic Inscho, Emmy DeOliveira, Seth Carr, and Marta Timofeeva have all joined the show in series regular roles. They joined previously announced cast member Tony Hale, who will play Mr. Benedict and his twin brother, Mr. Curtain.
Based on the novel by Trenton Lee Stewart, “The Mysterious Benedict Society” is the tale of four gifted orphans who are recruited by an eccentric benefactor (Hale) to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as The Institute, they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications, while creating a new sort of family along the way.
Schaal has been cast as Number Two. Number Two is described as having the pointedness and precision of a well sharpened pencil. With an eccentric aura to her,...
Ryan Hurst, Kristen Schaal, MaameYaa Boafo, Gia Sandhu, Mystic Inscho, Emmy DeOliveira, Seth Carr, and Marta Timofeeva have all joined the show in series regular roles. They joined previously announced cast member Tony Hale, who will play Mr. Benedict and his twin brother, Mr. Curtain.
Based on the novel by Trenton Lee Stewart, “The Mysterious Benedict Society” is the tale of four gifted orphans who are recruited by an eccentric benefactor (Hale) to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as The Institute, they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications, while creating a new sort of family along the way.
Schaal has been cast as Number Two. Number Two is described as having the pointedness and precision of a well sharpened pencil. With an eccentric aura to her,...
- 4/23/2020
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Dracula has risen from the grave! Following the success of Leigh Whannell's The Invisible Man in February, Blumhouse is forging ahead with another character in Universal's stable of classic monsters: Count Dracula. On Tuesday, The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that director Karyn Kusama and writers Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, the team behind The Invitation (2015) and Destroyer (2018), will bring Bram Stoker's legendary character into the modern age. The film will be unconnected to The Invisible Man, with Universal having abandoned its Dark Universe plans following the critical and financial disappointment of The Mummy (2017). Under Universal's recent filmmaker-driven ...
- 3/11/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Dracula has risen from the grave! Following the success of Leigh Whannell's The Invisible Man in February, Blumhouse is forging ahead with another character in Universal's stable of classic monsters: Count Dracula. On Tuesday, The Hollywood Reporter broke the news that director Karyn Kusama and writers Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, the team behind The Invitation (2015) and Destroyer (2018), will bring Bram Stoker's legendary character into the modern age. The film will be unconnected to The Invisible Man, with Universal having abandoned its Dark Universe plans following the critical and financial disappointment of The Mummy (2017). Under Universal's recent filmmaker-driven ...
- 3/11/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Dark Universe may be dead before it barely had a chance to breathe, but the Universal stable of classic monsters lives on. After the recent success of Leigh Whannell and Jason Blum’s The Invisible Man, which flipped our perspective and gave Elisabeth Moss another superb role, Blumhouse has now announced their next take on the monster movie.
THR reports that a Dracula film is now in the works with Karyn Kusama on board to direct and her collaborators Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay will write the script. Coming off Destroyer and The Invitation, the filmmaking team has not revealed any more details on what form this film may take, but we imagine it’s less Van Helsing and more of a grounded, visceral approach if Kusama’s previous films are any indication. Luke Evans last lead a live-action take on the Count Dracula character with 2014’s Dracula Untold,...
THR reports that a Dracula film is now in the works with Karyn Kusama on board to direct and her collaborators Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay will write the script. Coming off Destroyer and The Invitation, the filmmaking team has not revealed any more details on what form this film may take, but we imagine it’s less Van Helsing and more of a grounded, visceral approach if Kusama’s previous films are any indication. Luke Evans last lead a live-action take on the Count Dracula character with 2014’s Dracula Untold,...
- 3/11/2020
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
“To die, to truly be dead,” Bela Lugosi said in Hollywood’s classic adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula, “that must be glorious.” But beloved monsters never die, no matter how many stakes you drive through their hearts. They are rebooted. Following the box office and critical success of The Invisible Man, Jason Blum’s Blumhouse production banner is looking to resurrect Dracula, according to The Hollywood Reporter. While Universal hasn’t officially signed on, they do have a first-look deal with Blumhouse and a cloakroom of capes for the Transylvanian Count.
The new Dracula movie will be helmed by Karyn Kusama. Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, who teamed with Kusama on those latter two films, will write the screenplay. Kusama also recently directed an episode of HBO’s adaptation of Stephen King’s The Outsider.
Universal has learned some lessons since unwrapping The Mummy, starring Tom Cruise, in...
The new Dracula movie will be helmed by Karyn Kusama. Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, who teamed with Kusama on those latter two films, will write the screenplay. Kusama also recently directed an episode of HBO’s adaptation of Stephen King’s The Outsider.
Universal has learned some lessons since unwrapping The Mummy, starring Tom Cruise, in...
- 3/11/2020
- by Mike Cecchini
- Den of Geek
Thanks to their success with The Invisible Man, Blumhouse is continuing bringing classic monsters back to the big screen with a new take on Dracula. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Karyn Kusama will be directing a new version of Dracula that will be set in the modern day. The script will be written by frequent Kusama collaborators Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, and while not announced officially as a project under Universal Studios, it's very likely the case given Blumhouse's relationship with the studio.
Following the box office disappointment of The Mummy reboot in 2017, and the success of lower budget, director-driven films in the same year like Get Out and The Shape of Water, Universal is taking a new approach to their Universal Monsters. Aside from Dracula, there are some other projects that are in various stages of development, such as James Wan's new untitled "Universal Monsters" project, and...
Following the box office disappointment of The Mummy reboot in 2017, and the success of lower budget, director-driven films in the same year like Get Out and The Shape of Water, Universal is taking a new approach to their Universal Monsters. Aside from Dracula, there are some other projects that are in various stages of development, such as James Wan's new untitled "Universal Monsters" project, and...
- 3/11/2020
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Productions, which generated a horror hit with “The Invisible Man,” has launched development of an untitled Dracula movie.
Karyn Kusama, whose credits include “Destroyer,” “The Invitation” and “Jennifer’s Body,” is attached to direct the Dracula project. Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, who teamed with Kusama on “Destroyer” and “The Invitation,” are writing the script.
The project is not set at a studio. Blumhouse has a first-look deal at Universal and partnered with the studio on “The Invisible Man.”
The Count Dracula character was created by Bram Stoker in his 1897 novel “Dracula” as the vampire moved from Transylvania to England and battled with Professor Abraham Van Helsing. The character was memorably portrayed by Bela Lugosi in Universal’s “Dracula” in 1931. Luke Evans played the vampire in 2014’s “Dracula Untold,” which grossed $217 million worldwide for Universal.
Universal has already been moving towards duplicating the success of “The Invisible Man,...
Karyn Kusama, whose credits include “Destroyer,” “The Invitation” and “Jennifer’s Body,” is attached to direct the Dracula project. Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, who teamed with Kusama on “Destroyer” and “The Invitation,” are writing the script.
The project is not set at a studio. Blumhouse has a first-look deal at Universal and partnered with the studio on “The Invisible Man.”
The Count Dracula character was created by Bram Stoker in his 1897 novel “Dracula” as the vampire moved from Transylvania to England and battled with Professor Abraham Van Helsing. The character was memorably portrayed by Bela Lugosi in Universal’s “Dracula” in 1931. Luke Evans played the vampire in 2014’s “Dracula Untold,” which grossed $217 million worldwide for Universal.
Universal has already been moving towards duplicating the success of “The Invisible Man,...
- 3/10/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Karyn Kusama will direct a new “Dracula” feature for Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Productions, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, who have collaborated with Kusama on “Destroyer” and “The Invitation,” are writing the script.
Blumhouse is just coming off a hit with Leigh Whannell’s “The Invisible Man,” which grossed $102.2 million worldwide based off a $7 million budget. While the “Dracula” project isn’t set up at Universal Pictures just yet, it would make sense given Universal has a first look deal with Blumhouse, and Dracula is part of Universal’s Classic Monsters, alongside Godzilla, Frankenstein, The Mummy, and The Invisible Man.
Also Read: 'Dracula' and 'Frankenstein' Theater Reviews: Our Favorite Monsters Get a Makeover
And with the recent success of “The Invisible Man,” which was distributed by Universal, the Monster Universe could be brought back on track after...
Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, who have collaborated with Kusama on “Destroyer” and “The Invitation,” are writing the script.
Blumhouse is just coming off a hit with Leigh Whannell’s “The Invisible Man,” which grossed $102.2 million worldwide based off a $7 million budget. While the “Dracula” project isn’t set up at Universal Pictures just yet, it would make sense given Universal has a first look deal with Blumhouse, and Dracula is part of Universal’s Classic Monsters, alongside Godzilla, Frankenstein, The Mummy, and The Invisible Man.
Also Read: 'Dracula' and 'Frankenstein' Theater Reviews: Our Favorite Monsters Get a Makeover
And with the recent success of “The Invisible Man,” which was distributed by Universal, the Monster Universe could be brought back on track after...
- 3/10/2020
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Hulu has tapped “Veep” alum Tony Hale to star in its adaptation of “The Mysterious Benedict Society.”
Based on the novel by Trenton Lee Stewart, the series follows four gifted orphans who are recruited by an eccentric, benefactor to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as “The Institute,” they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications, while creating a new sort of family along the way.
Hale will pull double-duty on the series, starring as both Mr. Benedict, the “rumpled, affable eccentric genius” and head of the titular society, and his “frustratingly sharp, well put-together (if villainous)” twin brother, Mr. Curtain.
Also Read: Judy Blume's 'Summer Sisters' Novel in Development as Hulu Limited Series
Matt Manfredi and and Phil Hay are adapting the series from the novels. Jamie Tarses and Karen Kehela Sherwood also serve as executive producers on the series...
Based on the novel by Trenton Lee Stewart, the series follows four gifted orphans who are recruited by an eccentric, benefactor to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as “The Institute,” they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications, while creating a new sort of family along the way.
Hale will pull double-duty on the series, starring as both Mr. Benedict, the “rumpled, affable eccentric genius” and head of the titular society, and his “frustratingly sharp, well put-together (if villainous)” twin brother, Mr. Curtain.
Also Read: Judy Blume's 'Summer Sisters' Novel in Development as Hulu Limited Series
Matt Manfredi and and Phil Hay are adapting the series from the novels. Jamie Tarses and Karen Kehela Sherwood also serve as executive producers on the series...
- 2/26/2020
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Veep standout Tony Hale has been tapped for the lead(s) in The Mysterious Benedict Society, Hulu’s adventure drama series based on the best-selling Ya novel by Trenton Lee Stewart. Two-time Emmy winner Hale will play the dual role of Mr. Benedict and his twin brother Mr. Curtain in the project from Sonar Entertainment, 20th Century Fox TV and Jamie Tarses’ Fanfare.
Written by Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, The Mysterious Benedict Society is the tale of four gifted orphans who are recruited by a eccentric, benefactor (Hale) to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as The Institute, they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications, while creating a new sort of family along the way.
Hale’s Mr. Benedict, a rumpled, affable eccentric genius, is the head of the Mysterious Benedict Society – a group of orphans he has recruited to save the world.
Written by Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, The Mysterious Benedict Society is the tale of four gifted orphans who are recruited by a eccentric, benefactor (Hale) to go on a secret mission. Placed undercover at a boarding school known as The Institute, they must foil a nefarious plot with global ramifications, while creating a new sort of family along the way.
Hale’s Mr. Benedict, a rumpled, affable eccentric genius, is the head of the Mysterious Benedict Society – a group of orphans he has recruited to save the world.
- 2/26/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.