Rochelle Oliver, who starred on Broadway in Lillian Hellman’s Toys in the Attic and Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and taught acting at New York’s respected Hb Studio since the 1970s, has died. She was 86.
Oliver died April 13, the Hb Studio announced. “Those who knew Rochelle will know what a luminous artist, sensitive and passionate teacher she was,” it said in an Instagram post. She died two days shy of her birthday.
For the big screen, Oliver starred in the Horton Foote-written 1918 (1985) and Courtship (1987) and appeared in such other films as The Happy Hooker (1975), Paul Mazursky‘s Next Stop, Greenwich Village (1976), John Sayles’ Lianna (1983), An Unremarkable Life (1989), Martin Brest’s Scent of a Woman (1992) and Woody Allen’s Hollywood Ending (2002).
She also recurred as Judge Grace Larkin on Law & Order from 1993-03.
A protégé of Uta Hagen — who also taught for decades at Hb and...
Oliver died April 13, the Hb Studio announced. “Those who knew Rochelle will know what a luminous artist, sensitive and passionate teacher she was,” it said in an Instagram post. She died two days shy of her birthday.
For the big screen, Oliver starred in the Horton Foote-written 1918 (1985) and Courtship (1987) and appeared in such other films as The Happy Hooker (1975), Paul Mazursky‘s Next Stop, Greenwich Village (1976), John Sayles’ Lianna (1983), An Unremarkable Life (1989), Martin Brest’s Scent of a Woman (1992) and Woody Allen’s Hollywood Ending (2002).
She also recurred as Judge Grace Larkin on Law & Order from 1993-03.
A protégé of Uta Hagen — who also taught for decades at Hb and...
- 5/7/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The new Cross TV series doesn’t have a premiere date yet, but the thriller has already been renewed for a second season by Prime Video, according to Variety. The series, based on the Alex Cross novels by James Patterson, has been in development since 2020.
Starring Aldis Hodge, Isaiah Mustafa, Ryan Eggold, Karen LeBlanc, Melody Hurd, Juanita Jennings, Caleb Elijah, Jennifer Wigmore, and Samantha Walkes, the series follows Alex Cross (Hodge), a brilliant, flawed, and full of contradictions detective and forensic psychologist. A doting father and family man, Cross is single-minded to the point of obsession when he hunts killers. He is desperate for love, but his wife’s murder has left him too damaged to receive it.
Read More…...
Starring Aldis Hodge, Isaiah Mustafa, Ryan Eggold, Karen LeBlanc, Melody Hurd, Juanita Jennings, Caleb Elijah, Jennifer Wigmore, and Samantha Walkes, the series follows Alex Cross (Hodge), a brilliant, flawed, and full of contradictions detective and forensic psychologist. A doting father and family man, Cross is single-minded to the point of obsession when he hunts killers. He is desperate for love, but his wife’s murder has left him too damaged to receive it.
Read More…...
- 5/6/2024
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
Hollywood’s next bidding war is about to erupt. “Eruption,” the much-discussed upcoming volcano disaster novel from the late Michael Crichton and James Patterson, is about to be brought to auction, attracting a large group of suitors keen on landing the sought-after film rights.
The auction, being conducted by Shane Salerno at the Story Factory and CAA, will begin within the next two weeks, and could kick off as early as next week, Variety can exclusively reveal.
The project has drawn interest from most major studios, streamers and networks, as well as high-profile directors who have shared that they’d leap at the chance to helm a Crichton project. Projects created by the author or adapted from his work include the “Jurassic Park” franchise, “Twister” and “Westworld.” Crichton was also the creator of “ER,” which Variety is told brought in over $3.2 billion for Warner Bros.
Several A-list actors have reached out regarding the novel,...
The auction, being conducted by Shane Salerno at the Story Factory and CAA, will begin within the next two weeks, and could kick off as early as next week, Variety can exclusively reveal.
The project has drawn interest from most major studios, streamers and networks, as well as high-profile directors who have shared that they’d leap at the chance to helm a Crichton project. Projects created by the author or adapted from his work include the “Jurassic Park” franchise, “Twister” and “Westworld.” Crichton was also the creator of “ER,” which Variety is told brought in over $3.2 billion for Warner Bros.
Several A-list actors have reached out regarding the novel,...
- 5/4/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety Film + TV
Prime Video’s long-gestating Alex Cross adaptation — which is still awaiting a Season 1 release date — is moving full speed ahead with Season 2.
According to Deadline, Amazon is already prepping a second season of Cross. Additionally, our sister site is reporting that Jeanine Mason (Roswell, New Mexico), Matthew Lillard (Good Girls) and Wes Chatham (Ahsoka) have already been cast in Season 2. The trio will star opposite Aldis Hodge’s Alex Cross, a character made popular in James Patterson’s novels, as well as in movies like Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider (which starred Morgan Freeman), and Alex Cross...
According to Deadline, Amazon is already prepping a second season of Cross. Additionally, our sister site is reporting that Jeanine Mason (Roswell, New Mexico), Matthew Lillard (Good Girls) and Wes Chatham (Ahsoka) have already been cast in Season 2. The trio will star opposite Aldis Hodge’s Alex Cross, a character made popular in James Patterson’s novels, as well as in movies like Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider (which starred Morgan Freeman), and Alex Cross...
- 4/30/2024
- by Ryan Schwartz
- TVLine.com
Amazon is doubling down on its Alex Cross series.
The tech giant’s Prime Video streaming platform has ordered a second season of Cross, a drama starring Aldis Hodge and based on James Patterson’s best-selling novel series about a detective and forensic psychologist who delves into the minds of killers in order to catch them. The renewal comes ahead of the show’s debut — a date for which hasn’t been set.
Additionally, Wes Chatham, Matthew Lillard and Jeanine Mason are set to join the cast for the second season. Ryan Eggold, Isaiah Mustafa, Alona Tal, Johnny Ray Gill, Eloise Mumford and Siobhan Murphy star with Hodge in season one.
Prime Video declined to comment.
Cross landed a series order at Prime Video in October 2022 after more than two years in development. The show comes from Paramount Television Studios and Skydance Television, which also produce Prime Video’s Reacher...
The tech giant’s Prime Video streaming platform has ordered a second season of Cross, a drama starring Aldis Hodge and based on James Patterson’s best-selling novel series about a detective and forensic psychologist who delves into the minds of killers in order to catch them. The renewal comes ahead of the show’s debut — a date for which hasn’t been set.
Additionally, Wes Chatham, Matthew Lillard and Jeanine Mason are set to join the cast for the second season. Ryan Eggold, Isaiah Mustafa, Alona Tal, Johnny Ray Gill, Eloise Mumford and Siobhan Murphy star with Hodge in season one.
Prime Video declined to comment.
Cross landed a series order at Prime Video in October 2022 after more than two years in development. The show comes from Paramount Television Studios and Skydance Television, which also produce Prime Video’s Reacher...
- 4/30/2024
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Amazon’s Prime Video is so pleased with their upcoming Alex Cross series, Cross, they’ve renewed it for a second season.
The show is based on the best-selling Alex Cross book series by famed author James Patterson.
The series stars stars Aldis Hodge as the title character, and with Ryan Eggold, Isaiah Mustafa, Alona Tal, Johnny Ray Gill, Eloise Mumford, and Siobhan Murphy also signed on.
Here’s the synopsis, per Deadline: Cross is a twisted thriller about Alex Cross (Hodge), a detective and forensic psychologist, uniquely capable of digging into the psyches of killers and their victims, in order to identify — and ultimately capture — the murderers.
Season one does not even have a debut date. Stay tuned as we learn more. Find out the other 2 TV shows that Prime Video also renewed this year.
The show is based on the best-selling Alex Cross book series by famed author James Patterson.
The series stars stars Aldis Hodge as the title character, and with Ryan Eggold, Isaiah Mustafa, Alona Tal, Johnny Ray Gill, Eloise Mumford, and Siobhan Murphy also signed on.
Here’s the synopsis, per Deadline: Cross is a twisted thriller about Alex Cross (Hodge), a detective and forensic psychologist, uniquely capable of digging into the psyches of killers and their victims, in order to identify — and ultimately capture — the murderers.
Season one does not even have a debut date. Stay tuned as we learn more. Find out the other 2 TV shows that Prime Video also renewed this year.
- 4/30/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Ahead of the series premiere of Cross, Prime Video is already prepping a second season of the drama based on the best-selling Alex Cross book series by James Patterson. Wes Chatham (Ahsoka), Matthew Lillard (Good Girls) and Jeanine Mason (Upload) are set to star opposite lead Aldis Hodge in Season 2 of the series, created, executive produced and showrun by Hand of God‘s Ben Watkins, sources tell Deadline. Prime Video declined comment but all three are believed to have one-year deals.
From Paramount Television Studios and Skydance Television, Cross is a twisted thriller about Alex Cross (Hodge), a detective and forensic psychologist, uniquely capable of digging into the psyches of killers and their victims, in order to identify — and ultimately capture — the murderers.
Mason is said to be playing Rebecca, a brilliant, ambitious and vengeful judge. Lillard is believed to be playing Lance, a ruthless, self-made business tycoon. Chatham plays Donnie,...
From Paramount Television Studios and Skydance Television, Cross is a twisted thriller about Alex Cross (Hodge), a detective and forensic psychologist, uniquely capable of digging into the psyches of killers and their victims, in order to identify — and ultimately capture — the murderers.
Mason is said to be playing Rebecca, a brilliant, ambitious and vengeful judge. Lillard is believed to be playing Lance, a ruthless, self-made business tycoon. Chatham plays Donnie,...
- 4/30/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva and Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Amazon Prime Video’s upcoming series based on James Patterson’s Alex Cross novels is being renewed for Season 2, Variety has learned from sources.
The show, which stars Aldis Hodge as Cross, has yet to debut its first season or even set a premiere date. But according to sources, Amazon was impressed enough with what they have seen from the first season to greenlight the second and begin casting. Jeanine Mason has reportedly already been cast in Season 2.
Reps for Amazon declined to comment.
If “Cross” proves to be popular, it would be the latest successful Amazon series based on a long-running novel character. The company found themselves with a massive hit on their hands courtesy of “Reacher” starring Alan Ritchson, based on the Jack Reacher novels written by Lee Child. Likewise, Amazon’s longest-running series to date was the cop drama “Bosch,” based on the Harry Bosch novels written by Michael Connelly.
The show, which stars Aldis Hodge as Cross, has yet to debut its first season or even set a premiere date. But according to sources, Amazon was impressed enough with what they have seen from the first season to greenlight the second and begin casting. Jeanine Mason has reportedly already been cast in Season 2.
Reps for Amazon declined to comment.
If “Cross” proves to be popular, it would be the latest successful Amazon series based on a long-running novel character. The company found themselves with a massive hit on their hands courtesy of “Reacher” starring Alan Ritchson, based on the Jack Reacher novels written by Lee Child. Likewise, Amazon’s longest-running series to date was the cop drama “Bosch,” based on the Harry Bosch novels written by Michael Connelly.
- 4/30/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: T. J. Newman, the flight attendant who hung up her wings to become the bestselling author of the movie-bound action thriller novels Falling and Drowning: The Rescue of Flight 1421, is catching her next flight with Little Brown.
In a publishing industry shocker, Newman has left Simon & Schuster and signed a new multimillion-dollar mega deal with Little Brown. Newman’s first novel for the publisher is called Worst Case Scenario, which debuts August 13. Screen rights will be auctioned before the novel gets a big push from Little Brown. Newman stays in her wheelhouse – it all starts with a commercial flight – but the book veers into tentpole territory that might draw comparisons to Independence Day or War of the Worlds-meets-Chernobyl. The action surrounds mankind preventing an extinction-level disaster.
When a pilot suffers a widow-maker heart attack at 35,000 feet, a commercial airliner crashes into a nuclear power plant. Only the efforts of...
In a publishing industry shocker, Newman has left Simon & Schuster and signed a new multimillion-dollar mega deal with Little Brown. Newman’s first novel for the publisher is called Worst Case Scenario, which debuts August 13. Screen rights will be auctioned before the novel gets a big push from Little Brown. Newman stays in her wheelhouse – it all starts with a commercial flight – but the book veers into tentpole territory that might draw comparisons to Independence Day or War of the Worlds-meets-Chernobyl. The action surrounds mankind preventing an extinction-level disaster.
When a pilot suffers a widow-maker heart attack at 35,000 feet, a commercial airliner crashes into a nuclear power plant. Only the efforts of...
- 4/29/2024
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
James Patterson is the latest celebrity figure to sign on to subscription streaming service Fox Nation, with a new true crime series that debuted today.
Unsolved with James Patterson is a three-part series that examines three unsolved homicide cases. They include the deaths of Nanette Krentel of Louisiana, Elizabeth Salgado of Utah and Brian Egg of California.
“I was totally gripped by these cases. The fact that they are real-life stories– and that we may help bring justice to the victims and their families – is very special,” Patterson said in a statement.
Fox Nation has added shows and limited series featuring figures including Kevin Costner and Rob Lowe. Last week, it was announced that Martin Scorsese would host and serve as executive producer of a series, Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints, set to debut in November.
Each episode of Patterson’s series will include interviews with friends and family members,...
Unsolved with James Patterson is a three-part series that examines three unsolved homicide cases. They include the deaths of Nanette Krentel of Louisiana, Elizabeth Salgado of Utah and Brian Egg of California.
“I was totally gripped by these cases. The fact that they are real-life stories– and that we may help bring justice to the victims and their families – is very special,” Patterson said in a statement.
Fox Nation has added shows and limited series featuring figures including Kevin Costner and Rob Lowe. Last week, it was announced that Martin Scorsese would host and serve as executive producer of a series, Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints, set to debut in November.
Each episode of Patterson’s series will include interviews with friends and family members,...
- 4/1/2024
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Nzingha Stewart is attached to direct the first episode of the upcoming Amazon Prime Video series adaptation of “We Were Liars,” Variety has learned exclusively.
The series was originally picked up at Prime Video in March 2023. It is based on the E. Lockhart YA novel of the same name. The series is described as “a tragic love story and an amnesia thriller set on a privately owned island off the coast of Massachusetts.” Mamie Gummer, Caitlin FitzGerald, and Candice King will star.
Stewart previously served as an executive producer and director on the Prime Video series “Daisy Jones and the Six” as well as on the upcoming Prime Video series “Cross,” based on the Alex Cross novels by James Patterson. Her other TV directing credits include “Little Fires Everywhere,” “From Scratch,” “Inventing Anna,” “Maid,” and “Grey’s Anatomy.” In film, she directed the popular Netflix film “Tall Girl” and is attached...
The series was originally picked up at Prime Video in March 2023. It is based on the E. Lockhart YA novel of the same name. The series is described as “a tragic love story and an amnesia thriller set on a privately owned island off the coast of Massachusetts.” Mamie Gummer, Caitlin FitzGerald, and Candice King will star.
Stewart previously served as an executive producer and director on the Prime Video series “Daisy Jones and the Six” as well as on the upcoming Prime Video series “Cross,” based on the Alex Cross novels by James Patterson. Her other TV directing credits include “Little Fires Everywhere,” “From Scratch,” “Inventing Anna,” “Maid,” and “Grey’s Anatomy.” In film, she directed the popular Netflix film “Tall Girl” and is attached...
- 3/19/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
It’s been over a year since four students at the University of Idaho were violently killed in their home, but the passing of time has not fatigued the public’s interest in the case. Quite the opposite. In the last 12 months, there have been several television documentaries devoted to the case dubbed the “Moscow Murders.” In May, James Patterson and investigative journalist Vicky Ward announced that they are working on a nonfiction book about the tragic deaths of students Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Kaylee Goncalves, which will eventually become a docuseries.
On Feb. 6, Paramount + is releasing “#Cybersleuths: The Idaho Murders,” a three-part docuseries about internet sleuths on TikTok who try and find the Idaho college killer. The absence of any solid leads in the case created an information vacuum that the TikTokers were eager to fill. The docuseries follows several so-called sleuths who attempt to...
On Feb. 6, Paramount + is releasing “#Cybersleuths: The Idaho Murders,” a three-part docuseries about internet sleuths on TikTok who try and find the Idaho college killer. The absence of any solid leads in the case created an information vacuum that the TikTokers were eager to fill. The docuseries follows several so-called sleuths who attempt to...
- 2/6/2024
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
When "The Postcard Killings" arrived in theaters back in 2020, we all turned our noses up at the idea of Jeffrey Dean Morgan as a detective on the case of the serial killer who offed his daughter. "No, Jeffrey Dean Morgan," we said, "we reject your offer of a trauma-propelled crime thriller," and promptly bestowed on his ill-fated film a 38% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Critics were even more intolerant of this adaptation of James Patterson and Liza Marklund's #1 New York Times bestselling thriller. "There just isn't enough depth to the screenplay," proclaimed Variety, while the LA Times accused the film of being "awkwardly pitched between serious art and pulp trash." All of which resulted in an abject 24% critic score on Rt. Despite the involvement of award-winning Bosnian filmmaker Danis Tanovic, then, "The Postcard Killings" was pretty much Doa.
So, you'll probably be surprised to hear (or not if you're...
Critics were even more intolerant of this adaptation of James Patterson and Liza Marklund's #1 New York Times bestselling thriller. "There just isn't enough depth to the screenplay," proclaimed Variety, while the LA Times accused the film of being "awkwardly pitched between serious art and pulp trash." All of which resulted in an abject 24% critic score on Rt. Despite the involvement of award-winning Bosnian filmmaker Danis Tanovic, then, "The Postcard Killings" was pretty much Doa.
So, you'll probably be surprised to hear (or not if you're...
- 1/30/2024
- by Joe Roberts
- Slash Film
When a young American couple is murdered overseas by a sadistic killer, a grieving New York cop is determined to find answers. Based on a novel by James Patterson and Liza Marklund, the crime thriller The Postcard Killings, from Cannes Film Festival Best Screenplay winner Danis Tanovic (No Man’s Land), stars Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Famke Janssen, and Cush Jumbo.
When will The Postcard Killings be released?
Stream it now.
Who’s in the cast of The Postcard Killings? What happens in The Postcard Killings?
Jacob (Morgan) has been a cop for 30 years, but nothing prepares him for the murder of his daughter, Kimberly, and son-in-law, Tom, who were killed while on their honeymoon in London. The deaths are gruesome and ritualistic, and Jacob soon finds out they’re the work of an unknown serial killer who sends postcards to journalists after he kills. As he and his ex-wife Valerie (Janssen...
When will The Postcard Killings be released?
Stream it now.
Who’s in the cast of The Postcard Killings? What happens in The Postcard Killings?
Jacob (Morgan) has been a cop for 30 years, but nothing prepares him for the murder of his daughter, Kimberly, and son-in-law, Tom, who were killed while on their honeymoon in London. The deaths are gruesome and ritualistic, and Jacob soon finds out they’re the work of an unknown serial killer who sends postcards to journalists after he kills. As he and his ex-wife Valerie (Janssen...
- 1/29/2024
- by Ingrid Ostby
- Tudum - Netflix
Let’s break down The Postcard Killings’ ending for those who just watched the movie.
The film follows Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s Jacob Kanon and Famke Janssen’s Valerie Kanon, a divorced couple who are thrown into tragedy when their daughter and her husband are brutally murdered while honeymooning in London. It quickly becomes evident that the murder is the work of a vicious serial killer, one who is not close to being done.
The movie is based on a 2010 novel by the same name written by James Patterson and Liza Marklund.
Read full article on The Direct.
The film follows Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s Jacob Kanon and Famke Janssen’s Valerie Kanon, a divorced couple who are thrown into tragedy when their daughter and her husband are brutally murdered while honeymooning in London. It quickly becomes evident that the murder is the work of a vicious serial killer, one who is not close to being done.
The movie is based on a 2010 novel by the same name written by James Patterson and Liza Marklund.
Read full article on The Direct.
- 1/29/2024
- by Russ Milheim
- The Direct
A class being offered at Harvard on Taylor Swift next semester is officially titled “English 183ts. Taylor Swift and Her World.” A critic who will teach the course has revealed why it is worthy of study.
But when her class was announced last month, many began to wonder out loud if a “millennial pop star deserves this kind of treatment at a world-class university.”
Stephanie Burt, a literary critic who will teach the course at Harvard, penned a convincing argument in The Atlantic and deftly argued that students “benefit from studying art that they love — art new and old, art in many genres,” reports etonline.com.
It’s not the first time a Swift class is available at an institution of higher learning. Stanford, NYU and the University of Texas at Austin are just some of the universities offering similar courses.
The hour-long class at Harvard will aim to explore...
But when her class was announced last month, many began to wonder out loud if a “millennial pop star deserves this kind of treatment at a world-class university.”
Stephanie Burt, a literary critic who will teach the course at Harvard, penned a convincing argument in The Atlantic and deftly argued that students “benefit from studying art that they love — art new and old, art in many genres,” reports etonline.com.
It’s not the first time a Swift class is available at an institution of higher learning. Stanford, NYU and the University of Texas at Austin are just some of the universities offering similar courses.
The hour-long class at Harvard will aim to explore...
- 1/14/2024
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
The Authors Guild is exploring a model for its members to opt-in to the offering of a blanket license to artificial intelligence companies for use of content to build automated chatbots.
Early discussions involve a fee to use works as training materials and a prohibition on outputs that borrow too much from existing material.
“We have to be proactive because generative AI is here to stay,” says Mary Rasenberger, chief executive of the organization, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. The exec notes that best-selling author James Patterson helped fund the project. “They need high-quality books. Our position is that there’s nothing wrong with the tech, but it has to be legal and licensed.”
Under the model, there’d be a fee for the ingestion of works and another for outputs that reference content. Talks include restrictions on prompting the chatbots to produce material “in the style of” authors,...
Early discussions involve a fee to use works as training materials and a prohibition on outputs that borrow too much from existing material.
“We have to be proactive because generative AI is here to stay,” says Mary Rasenberger, chief executive of the organization, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. The exec notes that best-selling author James Patterson helped fund the project. “They need high-quality books. Our position is that there’s nothing wrong with the tech, but it has to be legal and licensed.”
Under the model, there’d be a fee for the ingestion of works and another for outputs that reference content. Talks include restrictions on prompting the chatbots to produce material “in the style of” authors,...
- 1/11/2024
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Andrew Garfield and Cynthia Erivo will lead Audible’s audio adaptation of George Orwell’s 1984.
The Amazing Spider-Man and Wicked stars will play Winston and Julia, respectively, alongside Fleabag’s Andrew Scott as O’Brien and Inception’s Tom Hardy as Big Brother. The audio adaptation will also feature an original score written by Muse front-man Matthew Bellamy and composer Ilan Eshkeri, which will be performed by a 60-piece orchestra at Abbey Road studio.
Destiny Ekaragha (The End of the F***ing World) directs the Audible Original adaptation, which is described as staying “faithful” to the original text, while drawing in more of Winston and Julia’s romantic relationship. The Orwell Estate has authorized and endorsed the adaptation.
The classic novel, published in 1949, is set in an imagined dystopian future in which Winston and his colleague, Julia, are dissatisfied with their totalitarian government and look to make a change. However,...
The Amazing Spider-Man and Wicked stars will play Winston and Julia, respectively, alongside Fleabag’s Andrew Scott as O’Brien and Inception’s Tom Hardy as Big Brother. The audio adaptation will also feature an original score written by Muse front-man Matthew Bellamy and composer Ilan Eshkeri, which will be performed by a 60-piece orchestra at Abbey Road studio.
Destiny Ekaragha (The End of the F***ing World) directs the Audible Original adaptation, which is described as staying “faithful” to the original text, while drawing in more of Winston and Julia’s romantic relationship. The Orwell Estate has authorized and endorsed the adaptation.
The classic novel, published in 1949, is set in an imagined dystopian future in which Winston and his colleague, Julia, are dissatisfied with their totalitarian government and look to make a change. However,...
- 1/9/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Aldis Hodge (Black Adam) and Lauren E. Banks (City on a Hill) are the latest additions to the cast of The Dutchman, the psychological thriller based on the Obie Award-winning play by Amiri Baraka, which began filming under a SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement in September.
The actors join an ensemble that includes André Holland, Kate Mara, Zazie Beetz and Stephen McKinley Henderson, as we were first to tell you. Emmy nominee Andre Gaines (The One and Only Dick Gregory) is directing from his screenplay written with filmmaker Qasim Basir.
Set on a New York subway, The Dutchman centers on an encounter between a well-to-do Black man and an enchanting white woman who match wits in a sexualized game of cat and mouse that leads to a violent conclusion. The searing confrontation amplifies the dimensions of racial conflict in America in this adaptation of the stage show first presented at the...
The actors join an ensemble that includes André Holland, Kate Mara, Zazie Beetz and Stephen McKinley Henderson, as we were first to tell you. Emmy nominee Andre Gaines (The One and Only Dick Gregory) is directing from his screenplay written with filmmaker Qasim Basir.
Set on a New York subway, The Dutchman centers on an encounter between a well-to-do Black man and an enchanting white woman who match wits in a sexualized game of cat and mouse that leads to a violent conclusion. The searing confrontation amplifies the dimensions of racial conflict in America in this adaptation of the stage show first presented at the...
- 10/17/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Home to the Taylor Sheridan stable and to the “Star Trek” franchise, Paramount+ is looking for “populist” dramas that hold a wider sway and can span several seasons, said Paramount TV president Nicole Clemens at her keynote at Mia Market in Rome on Tuesday.
“We’re not looking for shows that just play to New York and Los Angeles,” Clemens explained. “That doesn’t mean they’re not edgy, that doesn’t mean [they can’t be] dark. But we want to have a broader, propulsive appeal. Something like populist literature would be a good [description.]”
Pointing toward the recent “Frasier” reboot, Clemens described her company’s half-hour remit as “big, loud, funny, hard comedy,” and if that comes with recognizable star or brand name I.P. – or both, as luck would have it for the Kelsey Grammer-led reboot – then all the better.
More importantly, the shows would have room to grow over several years.
“We’re not looking for shows that just play to New York and Los Angeles,” Clemens explained. “That doesn’t mean they’re not edgy, that doesn’t mean [they can’t be] dark. But we want to have a broader, propulsive appeal. Something like populist literature would be a good [description.]”
Pointing toward the recent “Frasier” reboot, Clemens described her company’s half-hour remit as “big, loud, funny, hard comedy,” and if that comes with recognizable star or brand name I.P. – or both, as luck would have it for the Kelsey Grammer-led reboot – then all the better.
More importantly, the shows would have room to grow over several years.
- 10/10/2023
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: James Patterson and the late Michael Crichton are teaming on a novel, and now it has a title and pub date. The duo has combined global sales in excess of 675 million books, so we can expect a monster screen auction to erupt early next year. Watch a video reveal of the cover art below.
Hachette Book Group’s Little, Brown and Company will release Eruption on Monday, June 3, with Hachette Book Group CEO Michael Pietsch calling it “one of the most spectacular meetings of minds in literary history.”
The novel is based on a partially finished manuscript by Crichton, who died in 2008. It was given to Patterson by Sherri Crichton, the author’s wife and CEO of CrichtonSun, the publishing/production company of Crichton’s estate. The subject: A once-in-a-century volcano eruption of Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano threatens a secret cache of chemical weapons that can destroy not...
Hachette Book Group’s Little, Brown and Company will release Eruption on Monday, June 3, with Hachette Book Group CEO Michael Pietsch calling it “one of the most spectacular meetings of minds in literary history.”
The novel is based on a partially finished manuscript by Crichton, who died in 2008. It was given to Patterson by Sherri Crichton, the author’s wife and CEO of CrichtonSun, the publishing/production company of Crichton’s estate. The subject: A once-in-a-century volcano eruption of Hawaii’s Mauna Loa volcano threatens a secret cache of chemical weapons that can destroy not...
- 10/9/2023
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Jillian Share, who was recently eOne’s President of Film Production, has been named President of Teton Ridge Entertainment, a new Los Angeles-based independent studio.
Teton Ridge’s mission is to bring audiences and businesses together through media, entertainment, lifestyle products and experiences connected to the great American West.
Under Share’s leadership, the entertainment division will produce films, television series, podcasts and other new media content, both scripted and unscripted.
Former Legendary Chairman and CEO and tech entrepreneur Thomas Tull is a backer with several other investors in Teton Ridge. It’s one of many companies Tull is involved with it at this point in time.
“I look forward to helping develop the many diverse stories within the western genre and bringing them to a new generation on a global basis,” said Share. “There is incredible demand for these types of narratives which have the ability to entertain and inspire,...
Teton Ridge’s mission is to bring audiences and businesses together through media, entertainment, lifestyle products and experiences connected to the great American West.
Under Share’s leadership, the entertainment division will produce films, television series, podcasts and other new media content, both scripted and unscripted.
Former Legendary Chairman and CEO and tech entrepreneur Thomas Tull is a backer with several other investors in Teton Ridge. It’s one of many companies Tull is involved with it at this point in time.
“I look forward to helping develop the many diverse stories within the western genre and bringing them to a new generation on a global basis,” said Share. “There is incredible demand for these types of narratives which have the ability to entertain and inspire,...
- 10/4/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Former Disney TV studio executive and CAA agent Elizabeth Newman has joined Literate as its first new partner since the television-focused boutique management and production company was launched in early 2018 by founding partners A.B. Fischer and Dennis Kim.
With her background in television, publishing and book adaptations, Newman will manage a curated roster of film & TV writer/showrunners and will expand Literate’s business in representing screen rights for intellectual property creators, rightsholders, and estates. She also will work with authors, journalists, and playwrights transitioning to Hollywood.
This marks a return to representation for Newman who started her entertainment career at CAA. During her nearly 15-year tenure, she was a TV Literary & Media Rights agent, representing TV writer/creators, showrunners, producers, directors, and intellectual property, brokering major rights deals on behalf of bestselling authors such as Anne Rice and James Patterson.
At the end of 2019, Newman segued to the TV executive ranks,...
With her background in television, publishing and book adaptations, Newman will manage a curated roster of film & TV writer/showrunners and will expand Literate’s business in representing screen rights for intellectual property creators, rightsholders, and estates. She also will work with authors, journalists, and playwrights transitioning to Hollywood.
This marks a return to representation for Newman who started her entertainment career at CAA. During her nearly 15-year tenure, she was a TV Literary & Media Rights agent, representing TV writer/creators, showrunners, producers, directors, and intellectual property, brokering major rights deals on behalf of bestselling authors such as Anne Rice and James Patterson.
At the end of 2019, Newman segued to the TV executive ranks,...
- 9/19/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Audible has been killing it with its foray into scripted originals, and its next offering sounds like another winner.
Zero Tolerance, co-written by authors James Patterson and Duane Swierczynski, is set to debut Thursday, August 24.
Hilary Swank is set to lead the voice cast for the project.
The audio drama also stars Christine Ko and Melonie Diaz.
"Sergeant Jo Barnes (Swank) and her elite, all-female U.S. Army investigative team are renowned for cracking complex sex crime cases within the military," the exciting synopsis teases.
"Their latest mission takes them to the Mojave Desert at Fort Irwin Army Base in California, to unravel the mysterious disappearance of Private Nichelle Simmons—a soldier who accused a comrade of assault."
"But when the accused is inexplicably set free, their case takes a sinister turn."
"As Jo, Maddie (Ko), and Luna (Diaz) delve deeper, they encounter resistance at every turn."
"Facing a race against time,...
Zero Tolerance, co-written by authors James Patterson and Duane Swierczynski, is set to debut Thursday, August 24.
Hilary Swank is set to lead the voice cast for the project.
The audio drama also stars Christine Ko and Melonie Diaz.
"Sergeant Jo Barnes (Swank) and her elite, all-female U.S. Army investigative team are renowned for cracking complex sex crime cases within the military," the exciting synopsis teases.
"Their latest mission takes them to the Mojave Desert at Fort Irwin Army Base in California, to unravel the mysterious disappearance of Private Nichelle Simmons—a soldier who accused a comrade of assault."
"But when the accused is inexplicably set free, their case takes a sinister turn."
"As Jo, Maddie (Ko), and Luna (Diaz) delve deeper, they encounter resistance at every turn."
"Facing a race against time,...
- 8/18/2023
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Hilary Swank, Sanaa Lathan, Aaron Paul and Krysten Ritter are set to lend their voices for Audible Originals releasing next year in collaboration with James Patterson Entertainment.
Audible Inc. announced Monday that the stars will narrate three new originals from the author: Zero Tolerance starring Swank, The Justice starring Lathan, and The Coldest Case Season 2 with Paul and Ritter. The three scripted audio drama releases will be available exclusively on Audible.
In Zero Tolerance, Swank will star as Sergeant Jo Barnes whose all-female U.S. Army investigative team is known for solving sex crime cases within the military. After their new mission takes them to the Mojave Desert amid the mysterious disappearance of Private Nichelle Simmons — a soldier who accused a comrade of assault — things take a turn when the accused is set free.
The original, co-written by Duane Swierczynski and also starring Christine Ko, Melonie Diaz and a full cast,...
Audible Inc. announced Monday that the stars will narrate three new originals from the author: Zero Tolerance starring Swank, The Justice starring Lathan, and The Coldest Case Season 2 with Paul and Ritter. The three scripted audio drama releases will be available exclusively on Audible.
In Zero Tolerance, Swank will star as Sergeant Jo Barnes whose all-female U.S. Army investigative team is known for solving sex crime cases within the military. After their new mission takes them to the Mojave Desert amid the mysterious disappearance of Private Nichelle Simmons — a soldier who accused a comrade of assault — things take a turn when the accused is set free.
The original, co-written by Duane Swierczynski and also starring Christine Ko, Melonie Diaz and a full cast,...
- 8/14/2023
- by Lexy Perez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Dolly Parton has released albums, starred in films, and headed a TV show on ABC. She’s done it all, often to acclaim, but not all of her projects have been a success. Neither of her talk shows ever got much traction, despite high hopes. Parton’s first variety show only ran for one season, and her second suffered the same fate. She explained why she thought her 1987 show was a disaster.
Dolly Parton said her TV show was doomed from the start
In 1987, the variety show Dolly premiered on ABC. Parton welcomed musical guest stars, put on skits, and sang. While the premiere was a huge success, ratings only dropped as weeks passed.
“The truth was that people had tuned in out of curiosity and because the show had been hyped through the roof,” Parton wrote in her book Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business. “The ratings fell...
Dolly Parton said her TV show was doomed from the start
In 1987, the variety show Dolly premiered on ABC. Parton welcomed musical guest stars, put on skits, and sang. While the premiere was a huge success, ratings only dropped as weeks passed.
“The truth was that people had tuned in out of curiosity and because the show had been hyped through the roof,” Parton wrote in her book Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business. “The ratings fell...
- 7/29/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
James Patterson, Margaret Atwood Among Thousands Of Writers Urging AI Companies To Honour Copyrights
James Patterson, Suzanne Collins and Margaret Atwood are among thousands of writers endorsing an open letter from the Authors Guild urging AI companies to obtain permission before incorporating copyrighted work into their technologies.
“Millions of copyrighted books, articles, essays, and poetry provide the ‘food’ for AI systems, endless meals for which there has been no bill,” the letter reads in part. “You’re spending billions of dollars to develop AI technology. It is only fair that you compensate us for using our writings, without which AI would be banal and extremely limited.”
Read More: Margaret Atwood Stands Against ‘Enforced Childbirth’ In Abortion Rights Op-Ed
The letter is addressed to OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft and other AI producers. The Guild announced Tuesday that other signers include the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelists Jennifer Egan, Michael Chabon and Louise Erdrich, as well as authors Jonathan Franzen, Celeste Ng, Nora Roberts and Ron Chernow.
“If creators aren’t compensated fairly,...
“Millions of copyrighted books, articles, essays, and poetry provide the ‘food’ for AI systems, endless meals for which there has been no bill,” the letter reads in part. “You’re spending billions of dollars to develop AI technology. It is only fair that you compensate us for using our writings, without which AI would be banal and extremely limited.”
Read More: Margaret Atwood Stands Against ‘Enforced Childbirth’ In Abortion Rights Op-Ed
The letter is addressed to OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft and other AI producers. The Guild announced Tuesday that other signers include the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelists Jennifer Egan, Michael Chabon and Louise Erdrich, as well as authors Jonathan Franzen, Celeste Ng, Nora Roberts and Ron Chernow.
“If creators aren’t compensated fairly,...
- 7/20/2023
- by Brent Furdyk
- ET Canada
Prolific author James Patterson will take a rare detour into true crime with a new book focusing on the brutal murder of four University of Idaho students.
Patterson, along with journalist Vicky Ward, will “draw from dozens of exclusive interviews, extensive on-the-ground reporting, and copious court transcripts,” publisher Little, Brown and Company announced.
Patterson and Ward will also reportedly be on hand for the murder trial of suspect Bryan Kohberger, who was arrested in December on charges related to the mass killing and was indicted by a Boise grand jury this past week.
Patterson, along with journalist Vicky Ward, will “draw from dozens of exclusive interviews, extensive on-the-ground reporting, and copious court transcripts,” publisher Little, Brown and Company announced.
Patterson and Ward will also reportedly be on hand for the murder trial of suspect Bryan Kohberger, who was arrested in December on charges related to the mass killing and was indicted by a Boise grand jury this past week.
- 5/21/2023
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
James Patterson and investigative journalist Vicky Ward are working to turn the tragic deaths of students Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Kaylee Goncalves into a non-fiction title.
In November 2022, the four students at the University of Idaho were violently killed in their homes. Dubbed the “Moscow Murders,” the infamous attack gained a rapid following online as internet sleuths on Reddit, Twitter and other platforms gathered to try and find the killer and his motive.
The book will recount the violence that rattled the college town and the subsequent investigation and arrest of suspect Bryan Kohberger. Skydance Television is seeking to option the rights of the book as part of their first-look deal with Patterson. Story Syndicate is in final negotiations to be the production partner with Skydance on the docuseries.
Through exclusive interviews, shoe-leather reporting and court transcripts, Patterson and Ward will delve into the details of the crime,...
In November 2022, the four students at the University of Idaho were violently killed in their homes. Dubbed the “Moscow Murders,” the infamous attack gained a rapid following online as internet sleuths on Reddit, Twitter and other platforms gathered to try and find the killer and his motive.
The book will recount the violence that rattled the college town and the subsequent investigation and arrest of suspect Bryan Kohberger. Skydance Television is seeking to option the rights of the book as part of their first-look deal with Patterson. Story Syndicate is in final negotiations to be the production partner with Skydance on the docuseries.
Through exclusive interviews, shoe-leather reporting and court transcripts, Patterson and Ward will delve into the details of the crime,...
- 5/19/2023
- by Sophia Scorziello
- Variety Film + TV
The story of the horrific Idaho student murders is in the works for the page and the small screen. Bestselling author James Patterson and award-winning journalist Vicky Ward are teaming on a nonfiction book about the 2022 murders of the four University of Idaho students. Additionally, Skydance Television intends to option the rights to the book for development as a docuseries, based on Patterson and Ward’s investigation, as part of their first-look deal with Patterson.
The book, which does not yet have a title or release date, will be published by Little Brown and Company. According to the publishing company, in it, Patterson and Ward will give a dramatic account of the November 2022 murders of the four students in the Idaho college town of Moscow and the investigation of suspect Bryan Kohberger.
Patterson and Ward will draw from dozens of exclusive interviews, extensive on-the-ground reporting, copious court transcripts, and also will attend Kohberger’s trial.
The book, which does not yet have a title or release date, will be published by Little Brown and Company. According to the publishing company, in it, Patterson and Ward will give a dramatic account of the November 2022 murders of the four students in the Idaho college town of Moscow and the investigation of suspect Bryan Kohberger.
Patterson and Ward will draw from dozens of exclusive interviews, extensive on-the-ground reporting, copious court transcripts, and also will attend Kohberger’s trial.
- 5/19/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
If you’re looking for something new to watch on HBO Max, you’ve come to the right place. Below, we’ve assembled a curated selection of some of the best new movies streaming this month, from artful family films to smart monster movies to goofy comedies and beyond. So eliminate the need to scroll through HBO Max’s library and check out one of these fine films below.
Coraline
Spooky, sweet and wholly unique, “Coraline” is a stop-motion animated gem that marked the beginning of the road for animation studio Laika. Hailing from “Nightmare Before Christmas” director Henry Selick, the film is an adaptation of the Neil Gaiman novella of the same name and follows a young girl who discovers a parallel universe with sinister versions of her parents. Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher and Keith David lead the voice cast. This one’s a treat for kids and adults alike,...
Coraline
Spooky, sweet and wholly unique, “Coraline” is a stop-motion animated gem that marked the beginning of the road for animation studio Laika. Hailing from “Nightmare Before Christmas” director Henry Selick, the film is an adaptation of the Neil Gaiman novella of the same name and follows a young girl who discovers a parallel universe with sinister versions of her parents. Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher and Keith David lead the voice cast. This one’s a treat for kids and adults alike,...
- 4/30/2023
- by Adam Chitwood
- The Wrap
Exclusive: QC Entertainment, the production company behind recent Best Picture Oscar contenders BlacKkKlansman and Get Out, has snapped up rights to J.D. Barker’s forthcoming erotic thriller novel Behind a Closed Door in a preemptive bid, with plans to adapt it for film.
The acquisition follows QC’s work with Barker on The Fourth Monkey, a show to adapt his award-winning, bestselling novel series of the same name. QC will, as in that case, produce alongside Spin a Black Yarn, which reps the writer.
Billed as 50 Shades of Grey meets David Fincher’s The Game, Behind a Closed Door introduces readers to Sugar & Spice, the latest app craze taking the world by storm, which leads downloaders Abby and Brendan Hollander into a dangerous game of life and death. When the app assigns the pair a series of increasingly taboo tasks, they soon find themselves caught up in a twisted web of seduction and violence.
The acquisition follows QC’s work with Barker on The Fourth Monkey, a show to adapt his award-winning, bestselling novel series of the same name. QC will, as in that case, produce alongside Spin a Black Yarn, which reps the writer.
Billed as 50 Shades of Grey meets David Fincher’s The Game, Behind a Closed Door introduces readers to Sugar & Spice, the latest app craze taking the world by storm, which leads downloaders Abby and Brendan Hollander into a dangerous game of life and death. When the app assigns the pair a series of increasingly taboo tasks, they soon find themselves caught up in a twisted web of seduction and violence.
- 4/24/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Audible, Inc., today announced the star-studded cast of its upcoming Audible Original scripted podcast, The Space Within. The thrilling and emotionally-grounded eight episode scripted sci-fi mystery will be executive produced and performed by Academy Award-Winning actress Jessica Chastain, who will be joined by Emmy winner Bobby Cannavale, Academy Award-winner Ellen Burstyn, Michael Stuhlbarg, Shea Whigham, and Carmen Ejogo.
The producers are Topic Studios, in association with Freckle Films, Solaris Productions, and Ramble Road. Written by Greg O’Connor & Josh Fagin, and directed by Stephen Winter, The Space Within will premiere exclusively from Audible on June 15, 2023.
The Audible Original will follow Dr. Madeline Wyle (Chastain), an internationally acclaimed psychiatrist specializing in trauma and Ptsd. When she discovers a string of patients with the same, seemingly supernatural, repressed memories, she is forced to risk her reputation and career to confront the possibility that the memories of alien abduction might be real.
“The Space...
The producers are Topic Studios, in association with Freckle Films, Solaris Productions, and Ramble Road. Written by Greg O’Connor & Josh Fagin, and directed by Stephen Winter, The Space Within will premiere exclusively from Audible on June 15, 2023.
The Audible Original will follow Dr. Madeline Wyle (Chastain), an internationally acclaimed psychiatrist specializing in trauma and Ptsd. When she discovers a string of patients with the same, seemingly supernatural, repressed memories, she is forced to risk her reputation and career to confront the possibility that the memories of alien abduction might be real.
“The Space...
- 4/18/2023
- by Editorial Desk
- GlamSham
Country music legend and “1883” star Tim McGraw has formed his own production company: Down Home Media in Nashville, Tennessee.
McGraw has teamed with his management company Em.Co, and social content studio Shareability. Shareability’s founder, Tim Staples, is Down Home’s co-founder and CEO, while Em.Co’s Brian Kaplan, also a co-founder, will serve as Chief Strategy Officer.
“Country music has always been about storytelling,” said McGraw in a press release. “Our stories are honest vignettes of life and family and community. I think there’s a longing for that. For me, that’s Down Home. That’s how I grew up, those are the stories I like to tell, and that’s what I want our company to be about.”
Also Read:
Magnolia Pictures Partners With Peacock to Stream Indie Catalog, From ‘A Royal Affair’ to ‘Melancholia’
The new McGraw venture closed an investment and an innovative first-look deal with Skydance Media,...
McGraw has teamed with his management company Em.Co, and social content studio Shareability. Shareability’s founder, Tim Staples, is Down Home’s co-founder and CEO, while Em.Co’s Brian Kaplan, also a co-founder, will serve as Chief Strategy Officer.
“Country music has always been about storytelling,” said McGraw in a press release. “Our stories are honest vignettes of life and family and community. I think there’s a longing for that. For me, that’s Down Home. That’s how I grew up, those are the stories I like to tell, and that’s what I want our company to be about.”
Also Read:
Magnolia Pictures Partners With Peacock to Stream Indie Catalog, From ‘A Royal Affair’ to ‘Melancholia’
The new McGraw venture closed an investment and an innovative first-look deal with Skydance Media,...
- 4/13/2023
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
A Harry Potter TV series is under discussion between Warner Bros and Jk Rowling.
The media giant is reportedly pushing to convince the author to produce a new series based directly on her book series for its new streaming service that will combine HBO Max and Discovery+.
Bloomberg first reported that the media giant was “close to a deal” for the series on Monday (3 April). However, The Independent understands that while the proposal is “in talks”, it is not near completion.
Bloomberg cites two sources with knowledge of the deal saying that each season of the series will be based on one of the seven books.
The controversial author will be “involved in the series to ensure it remains loyal to her original material” but will not be involved in the day-to-day running of the show or serve as its creator, the publication’s sources say.
The Independent has contacted Rowling’s representatives for comment.
The media giant is reportedly pushing to convince the author to produce a new series based directly on her book series for its new streaming service that will combine HBO Max and Discovery+.
Bloomberg first reported that the media giant was “close to a deal” for the series on Monday (3 April). However, The Independent understands that while the proposal is “in talks”, it is not near completion.
Bloomberg cites two sources with knowledge of the deal saying that each season of the series will be based on one of the seven books.
The controversial author will be “involved in the series to ensure it remains loyal to her original material” but will not be involved in the day-to-day running of the show or serve as its creator, the publication’s sources say.
The Independent has contacted Rowling’s representatives for comment.
- 4/4/2023
- by Tom Murray
- The Independent - TV
Author Judy Blume says she worries about intolerance in the US, following the removal in schools of some of her novels.
Blume’s bestselling 1970 novel Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret has been adapted for the screen and is due to be released in May, starring Abby Ryder Fortson, Rachel McAdams and Kathy Bates. The book, which still sells today, has always drawn controversy for its open discussion of dawning sexuality and religion.
One of Blume’s other novels, Forever, was recently pulled from schools in Martin County district of Florida (along with titles by authors including James Patterson and Toni Morrison). On Sunday Blume told the BBC in London that “banning books” has become political – “worse than it was in the 1980s.”
She added: “I thought that was over frankly, I thought we had come through that, you know, not in every way, but I never expected us...
Blume’s bestselling 1970 novel Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret has been adapted for the screen and is due to be released in May, starring Abby Ryder Fortson, Rachel McAdams and Kathy Bates. The book, which still sells today, has always drawn controversy for its open discussion of dawning sexuality and religion.
One of Blume’s other novels, Forever, was recently pulled from schools in Martin County district of Florida (along with titles by authors including James Patterson and Toni Morrison). On Sunday Blume told the BBC in London that “banning books” has become political – “worse than it was in the 1980s.”
She added: “I thought that was over frankly, I thought we had come through that, you know, not in every way, but I never expected us...
- 4/2/2023
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
Welcome to the 207th episode of TV’s Top 5, The Hollywood Reporter’s TV podcast.
Every week, hosts Lesley Goldberg (West Coast TV editor) and Daniel Fienberg (chief TV critic) break down the latest TV news with context from the business and critical sides, welcome showrunners, executives and other guests, and provide a critical guide of what to watch (or skip, as the case may be).
Joining us this week is Shawn Ryan, the creator of one of television’s best dramas, The Shield. In addition to the FX series starring Michael Chiklis, Ryan’s impressive résumé also includes Lie to Me, The Unit, Timeless, cult favorite Terriers and Swat, which is currently awaiting word on a potential seventh season on CBS. And given the current negotiations between the Writers Guild and studios and streamers, we should also note that Ryan in 2020 co-chaired the WGA’s negotiating committee. He has...
Every week, hosts Lesley Goldberg (West Coast TV editor) and Daniel Fienberg (chief TV critic) break down the latest TV news with context from the business and critical sides, welcome showrunners, executives and other guests, and provide a critical guide of what to watch (or skip, as the case may be).
Joining us this week is Shawn Ryan, the creator of one of television’s best dramas, The Shield. In addition to the FX series starring Michael Chiklis, Ryan’s impressive résumé also includes Lie to Me, The Unit, Timeless, cult favorite Terriers and Swat, which is currently awaiting word on a potential seventh season on CBS. And given the current negotiations between the Writers Guild and studios and streamers, we should also note that Ryan in 2020 co-chaired the WGA’s negotiating committee. He has...
- 3/24/2023
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Gersh on Thursday announced its signing of James Wolk, the always-busy actor who most recently led NBC’s drama series Ordinary Joe, exec produced by Matt Reeves.
Wolk in that show played Joe Kimbreau, a character followed on multiple timelines after making a pivotal, life-changing decision at his college graduation. He previously led CBS’ sci-fi thriller series Zoo, based on the bestselling novel by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge, which ran for three seasons, and also starred opposite Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar in CBS’ sitcom The Crazy Ones.
Related Story WME Signs Sophie Wilde, Star Of Sundance Breakout ‘Talk To Me’ Related Story Gersh Signs 'Cholitas' & 'The Waiter' Director Raúl Martínez Related Story 'Blindspot' & 'Thor: Love And Thunder' Star Jaimie Alexander Signs With Gersh
The actor appeared alongside Regina King, Don Johnson, and Tim Blake Nelson in HBO’s Emmy-winning smash Watchmen,...
Wolk in that show played Joe Kimbreau, a character followed on multiple timelines after making a pivotal, life-changing decision at his college graduation. He previously led CBS’ sci-fi thriller series Zoo, based on the bestselling novel by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge, which ran for three seasons, and also starred opposite Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar in CBS’ sitcom The Crazy Ones.
Related Story WME Signs Sophie Wilde, Star Of Sundance Breakout ‘Talk To Me’ Related Story Gersh Signs 'Cholitas' & 'The Waiter' Director Raúl Martínez Related Story 'Blindspot' & 'Thor: Love And Thunder' Star Jaimie Alexander Signs With Gersh
The actor appeared alongside Regina King, Don Johnson, and Tim Blake Nelson in HBO’s Emmy-winning smash Watchmen,...
- 3/23/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Skydance Television announced an exclusive, first-look deal with world’s best-selling author James Patterson to develop a slate of premium series based on his top selling book series “Women’s Murder Club” and “Michael Bennett” Tuesday morning.
The “Womans Murder Club” series watches a group of women with different jobs investigate crimes and team up to solve murders. “The “Michael Bennett” series follows an NYPD detective who solves crimes while simultaneously raising 10 adopted children.
Other projects include adapting the internationally acclaimed book series “Private” and the soon-to-be published books “Jane Smith” and “Holmes, Miss Marple and “Poe.” “Private” follows an elite private investigation agency run by Jack Morgan, a former CIA agent. The unpublished “Jane Smith” tells the story of defense attorney and Pi Jane who receives devastating news that her life has a clock right before she takes on a big homicide trial. Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple and August Poe...
The “Womans Murder Club” series watches a group of women with different jobs investigate crimes and team up to solve murders. “The “Michael Bennett” series follows an NYPD detective who solves crimes while simultaneously raising 10 adopted children.
Other projects include adapting the internationally acclaimed book series “Private” and the soon-to-be published books “Jane Smith” and “Holmes, Miss Marple and “Poe.” “Private” follows an elite private investigation agency run by Jack Morgan, a former CIA agent. The unpublished “Jane Smith” tells the story of defense attorney and Pi Jane who receives devastating news that her life has a clock right before she takes on a big homicide trial. Brendan Holmes, Margaret Marple and August Poe...
- 3/21/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
James Patterson has inked an exclusive first-look deal with Skydance Television, which is in production on an adaptation of his Alex Cross series starring Aldis Hodge.
As part of the deal, Patterson will develop a slate of series based on his top-selling book series Women’s Murder Club and Michael Bennett, along with the internationally acclaimed book series Private and the soon-to-be published books Jane Smith and Holmes, Miss Marple and Poe.
Related Story Diarra Kilpatrick Strikes Overall Deal With BET, Lands Straight-To-Series Order For Dark Comedy At BET+ Related Story 'Ghosted' Director Dexter Fletcher & Skydance Reunite On 'Fountain Of Youth'; James Vanderbilt Penning Script Related Story Malcolm D. Lee Extends First-Look Deal With Universal Television
“In speaking with David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and the team, it quickly became clear Skydance is only interested in making quality entertainment with top talent,” said Patterson. “This kind of partnership...
As part of the deal, Patterson will develop a slate of series based on his top-selling book series Women’s Murder Club and Michael Bennett, along with the internationally acclaimed book series Private and the soon-to-be published books Jane Smith and Holmes, Miss Marple and Poe.
Related Story Diarra Kilpatrick Strikes Overall Deal With BET, Lands Straight-To-Series Order For Dark Comedy At BET+ Related Story 'Ghosted' Director Dexter Fletcher & Skydance Reunite On 'Fountain Of Youth'; James Vanderbilt Penning Script Related Story Malcolm D. Lee Extends First-Look Deal With Universal Television
“In speaking with David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and the team, it quickly became clear Skydance is only interested in making quality entertainment with top talent,” said Patterson. “This kind of partnership...
- 3/21/2023
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
Best-selling author James Patterson has signed an exclusive first-look deal with Skydance Television.
Under the terms of the deal, Patterson will develop television adaptations of his best selling book series “Women’s Murder Club” and Michael Bennett books, as well as book series “Private” and the soon-to-be published books “Jane Smith” and “Holmes, Miss Marple and Poe.”
“In speaking with David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and the team, it quickly became clear Skydance is only interested in making quality entertainment with top talent,” said Patterson. “This kind of partnership is exactly what we have been seeking for James Patterson Entertainment, as we continue to grow our brand across every area of the business.”
News of the deal comes as Skydance TV is currently working on “Cross,” a series adaptation of Patterson’s Alex Cross novels, with Aldis Hodge set to star as the iconic character. The series is also being produced by...
Under the terms of the deal, Patterson will develop television adaptations of his best selling book series “Women’s Murder Club” and Michael Bennett books, as well as book series “Private” and the soon-to-be published books “Jane Smith” and “Holmes, Miss Marple and Poe.”
“In speaking with David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and the team, it quickly became clear Skydance is only interested in making quality entertainment with top talent,” said Patterson. “This kind of partnership is exactly what we have been seeking for James Patterson Entertainment, as we continue to grow our brand across every area of the business.”
News of the deal comes as Skydance TV is currently working on “Cross,” a series adaptation of Patterson’s Alex Cross novels, with Aldis Hodge set to star as the iconic character. The series is also being produced by...
- 3/21/2023
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
James Patterson is moving his TV deal.
The author has signed an exclusive first-look pact with Skydance Television, under which he’ll adapt a number of books for the studio including Women’s Murder Club, Michael Bennett, Private and the upcoming Jane Smith and Holmes, Miss Marple and Poe.
Patterson had been based at Entertainment One since 2020, and before that had a long history with CBS Studios. Patterson’s new pact extends his relationship with Skydance TV, for whom he’s already adapting Cross as an Amazon/Freevee series.
“James Patterson is one of the most successful authors in publishing of all time,” said Matt Thunell, Skydance Television president. “He is a master of his craft, who transcends genres and crosses borders with every story he writes. The Skydance team is thrilled to have the opportunity to bring his remarkable library to television screens all around the world. And we could...
The author has signed an exclusive first-look pact with Skydance Television, under which he’ll adapt a number of books for the studio including Women’s Murder Club, Michael Bennett, Private and the upcoming Jane Smith and Holmes, Miss Marple and Poe.
Patterson had been based at Entertainment One since 2020, and before that had a long history with CBS Studios. Patterson’s new pact extends his relationship with Skydance TV, for whom he’s already adapting Cross as an Amazon/Freevee series.
“James Patterson is one of the most successful authors in publishing of all time,” said Matt Thunell, Skydance Television president. “He is a master of his craft, who transcends genres and crosses borders with every story he writes. The Skydance team is thrilled to have the opportunity to bring his remarkable library to television screens all around the world. And we could...
- 3/21/2023
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Dolly Parton offered a glimpse into her songwriting with 2020’s Songteller: My Life in Lyrics. What, exactly, is a songteller, though? The “I Will Always Love You” artist described the term and why it fits so well with her music career.
About Dolly Parton’s book, ‘Songteller: My Life in Lyrics’ Dolly Parton performs onstage in London as part of her ‘Backwoods Barbie’ world tour | Leon Neal/Afp via Getty Images
Parton is a published author, co-writing Run, Rose, Run with James Patterson. In 2020, the Queen of Country published Songteller: My Life in Lyrics — detailing her journey as a songwriter and describing the story behind some of her biggest hits.
“I’m so thrilled to be collaborating with Chronicle Books on Songteller,” Parton said in a statement. “A songteller is what I am, and this is my first-ever book of lyrics. So, I’ve revisited my memories and opened up...
About Dolly Parton’s book, ‘Songteller: My Life in Lyrics’ Dolly Parton performs onstage in London as part of her ‘Backwoods Barbie’ world tour | Leon Neal/Afp via Getty Images
Parton is a published author, co-writing Run, Rose, Run with James Patterson. In 2020, the Queen of Country published Songteller: My Life in Lyrics — detailing her journey as a songwriter and describing the story behind some of her biggest hits.
“I’m so thrilled to be collaborating with Chronicle Books on Songteller,” Parton said in a statement. “A songteller is what I am, and this is my first-ever book of lyrics. So, I’ve revisited my memories and opened up...
- 3/17/2023
- by Julia Dzurillay
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Before Michael Crichton was known as the bestselling author of works like The Andromeda Strain, Jurassic Park, Congo, Sphere, Rising Sun, and Disclosure, and before he directed movies like Westworld, Coma, The Great Train Robbery, Looker, Runaway, and Physical Evidence, he was a medical school student who was publishing novels under the pseudonym John Lange because he didn’t want his future patients to worry that he would use their stories in his writing. Now Deadline has broken the news that CrichtonSun, which is run by the author’s widow Sherri Crichton, has secured a deal with Blackstone Publishing to get the eight John Lange novels re-published.
According to Deadline, Blackstone Publishing has made a seven-figure deal with CrichtonSun to acquire the worldwide print, eBook and audiobook rights to Crichton’s first series of novels, which he wrote under the pseudonym John Lange. The eight books comprise unconnected tales of...
According to Deadline, Blackstone Publishing has made a seven-figure deal with CrichtonSun to acquire the worldwide print, eBook and audiobook rights to Crichton’s first series of novels, which he wrote under the pseudonym John Lange. The eight books comprise unconnected tales of...
- 2/24/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Michael Crichton’s brilliant mix of science and narrative resulted in north of $10 billion in film and TV revenue and 250 million books sold. Now, the estate of the author who died in 2008 has made another major deal to bring his work back to new audiences.
Blackstone Publishing has made a seven-figure deal with CrichtonSun to acquire the worldwide print, eBook and audiobook rights to Crichton’s first series of novels, which he wrote under the pseudonym John Lange. This was long before Jurassic Park, ER and such, and he wrote the first three titles while matriculating at Harvard Medical School. This side pursuit also came prior to his first breakout novel done under the Crichton name, 1971’s The Andromeda Strain.
The eight books comprise unconnected tales of fiction in numerous genres and will be shopped to studios and streamers for potential film/television adaptations. Perhaps Crichton didn’t want...
Blackstone Publishing has made a seven-figure deal with CrichtonSun to acquire the worldwide print, eBook and audiobook rights to Crichton’s first series of novels, which he wrote under the pseudonym John Lange. This was long before Jurassic Park, ER and such, and he wrote the first three titles while matriculating at Harvard Medical School. This side pursuit also came prior to his first breakout novel done under the Crichton name, 1971’s The Andromeda Strain.
The eight books comprise unconnected tales of fiction in numerous genres and will be shopped to studios and streamers for potential film/television adaptations. Perhaps Crichton didn’t want...
- 2/21/2023
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Stacie Greenwell (Mayor of Kingstown) has booked a recurring role in Amazon’s Alex Cross series starring Aldis Hodge as the titular character.
In Cross, Greenwell will portray Detective Shawna De Lackner who is described as straightforward and perceptive and doesn’t suffer fools gladly. A seasoned detective at the Metro Pd, she pays close attention to detail when it comes to both her cases and her appearance.
From Paramount Television Studios and Skydance Television, Cross is described as a complex and twisted thriller created by producer and writer Ben Watkins and based on the best-selling Alex Cross book series by James Patterson.
Alex is a detective and forensic psychologist, uniquely capable of digging into the psyches of killers and their victims, in order to identify — and ultimately capture — the murderers. He is brilliant, flawed, and full of contradictions. A doting father and family man, Cross is single-minded to...
In Cross, Greenwell will portray Detective Shawna De Lackner who is described as straightforward and perceptive and doesn’t suffer fools gladly. A seasoned detective at the Metro Pd, she pays close attention to detail when it comes to both her cases and her appearance.
From Paramount Television Studios and Skydance Television, Cross is described as a complex and twisted thriller created by producer and writer Ben Watkins and based on the best-selling Alex Cross book series by James Patterson.
Alex is a detective and forensic psychologist, uniquely capable of digging into the psyches of killers and their victims, in order to identify — and ultimately capture — the murderers. He is brilliant, flawed, and full of contradictions. A doting father and family man, Cross is single-minded to...
- 1/20/2023
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Sharon Taylor (Fire Country) has joined the cast of the Amazon Original series Cross, which stars Aldis Hodge in the role of Alex Cross.
Taylor will portray Lt. Oracene Massey and replaces the originally cast Karen LeBlanc, who exited due to scheduling conflicts, Deadline hears.
Lt. Massey is Alex’s immediate superior at the Metro Pd. She is a tireless self-promoter who understands that advancement doesn’t always have anything to do with catching the bad guys, but with pleasing those higher up. In the series, she is pregnant.
From Paramount Television Studios and Skydance Television, Cross is described as a complex and twisted thriller created by producer and writer Ben Watkins and based on the best-selling Alex Cross book series by James Patterson.
Alex is a detective and forensic psychologist, uniquely capable of digging into the psyches of killers and their victims, in order to identify — and ultimately capture — the murderers.
Taylor will portray Lt. Oracene Massey and replaces the originally cast Karen LeBlanc, who exited due to scheduling conflicts, Deadline hears.
Lt. Massey is Alex’s immediate superior at the Metro Pd. She is a tireless self-promoter who understands that advancement doesn’t always have anything to do with catching the bad guys, but with pleasing those higher up. In the series, she is pregnant.
From Paramount Television Studios and Skydance Television, Cross is described as a complex and twisted thriller created by producer and writer Ben Watkins and based on the best-selling Alex Cross book series by James Patterson.
Alex is a detective and forensic psychologist, uniquely capable of digging into the psyches of killers and their victims, in order to identify — and ultimately capture — the murderers.
- 1/17/2023
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
“Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party” lineup will feature appearances from “Saturday Night Live” cast members Chloe Fineman, Sarah Sherman and comedy trio Please Don’t Destroy.
Along with co-host Dolly Parton, musical guests on the NBC holiday special include singer-songwriter Fletcher, rapper Latto, Los Angeles-based rock band Liily, hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd and the Grammy-nominated Sia.
Live from Miami beginning at 10:30 p.m. Et on Dec. 31, the program will air on NBC and be livestreamed on Peacock.
Also Read:
Why Cecily Strong Kept Her ‘SNL’ Exit a Secret Until Hours Before the Show
Last year’s “Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party” delivered the network’s best New Year’s Eve viewership in both the 18-49 and 18-34 demographics since 2014. Per the network, the event drew 6.3 million viewers and was the No. 1 trending Nye special on Twitter. It was co-hosted by Pete Davidson, with performances from Jack Harlow,...
Along with co-host Dolly Parton, musical guests on the NBC holiday special include singer-songwriter Fletcher, rapper Latto, Los Angeles-based rock band Liily, hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd and the Grammy-nominated Sia.
Live from Miami beginning at 10:30 p.m. Et on Dec. 31, the program will air on NBC and be livestreamed on Peacock.
Also Read:
Why Cecily Strong Kept Her ‘SNL’ Exit a Secret Until Hours Before the Show
Last year’s “Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party” delivered the network’s best New Year’s Eve viewership in both the 18-49 and 18-34 demographics since 2014. Per the network, the event drew 6.3 million viewers and was the No. 1 trending Nye special on Twitter. It was co-hosted by Pete Davidson, with performances from Jack Harlow,...
- 12/21/2022
- by Natalie Oganesyan
- The Wrap
Siobhan Murphy, a Canadian actress best known for playing Ruth Newsome in the mystery drama series Murdoch Mysteries, is set to recur in the Amazon Original series Cross. As reported by Deadline, Murphy will star opposite Aldis Hodge (Black Adam) in the thriller series created by Ben Watkins, based on the best-selling Alex Cross book series by James Patterson. The project comes from Paramount Television Studios and Skydance Television. Hodge will portray the titular Alex Cross, while Murphy stars as Tania Hightower, a highly driven and unstoppable journalist who works as a news reporter for the Post. Hightower covers news stories across all of Washington, D.C., but her passion, loyalty, and interest lie less in the political class and more in the often-overlooked population of our nation’s capital. The series revolves around Metropolitan Police Department detective and father, Alex Cross, as he faces threats to his family and the city of Washington,...
- 12/20/2022
- TV Insider
Exclusive: Siobhan Murphy (Murdoch Mysteries) is set to recur in the Amazon Original series Cross. She will star opposite Aldis Hodge, who brings to life the titular Alex Cross.
Murphy will portray Tania Hightower, a driven, unstoppable journalist who works as a news reporter for the Post. Hightower’s beat includes all of Washington D.C., but her passion, loyalty and interest lies less in the political class and more in the often overlooked population of our nation’s capital.
From Paramount Television Studios and Skydance Television, Cross is described as a complex and twisted thriller created by producer and writer Ben Watkins and based on the best-selling Alex Cross book series by James Patterson.
Alex is a detective and forensic psychologist, uniquely capable of digging into the psyches of killers and their victims, in order to identify — and ultimately capture — the murderers. He is brilliant, flawed, and full of contradictions.
Murphy will portray Tania Hightower, a driven, unstoppable journalist who works as a news reporter for the Post. Hightower’s beat includes all of Washington D.C., but her passion, loyalty and interest lies less in the political class and more in the often overlooked population of our nation’s capital.
From Paramount Television Studios and Skydance Television, Cross is described as a complex and twisted thriller created by producer and writer Ben Watkins and based on the best-selling Alex Cross book series by James Patterson.
Alex is a detective and forensic psychologist, uniquely capable of digging into the psyches of killers and their victims, in order to identify — and ultimately capture — the murderers. He is brilliant, flawed, and full of contradictions.
- 12/20/2022
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
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