Exclusive: The Punisher and Gossip Girl writer Felicia D. Henderson is set to adapt Tracy Deonn’s YA fantasy novel Legendborn after Black Bear Television acquired the rights.
Henderson, who was a co-exec producer on both series and also worked on series including Fringe and Everybody Hates Chris and co-created BET series The Quad, will write and exec produce a series based on the book. She is currently showrunner of Netflix’s Emma Roberts-produced YA vampire series First Kill.
The book, which was published by Simon & Schuster in 2020, offers a modern-day twist on the Legend of King Arthur with a dose of Black Girl Magic.
After her mother dies in an accident, Bree Matthews leaves home to attend her mother’s alma mater, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Upon arrival, Bree unexpectedly uncovers a centuries-old supernatural war and the world of the ‘Legendborn’, a secret society made up of the magic-wielding,...
Henderson, who was a co-exec producer on both series and also worked on series including Fringe and Everybody Hates Chris and co-created BET series The Quad, will write and exec produce a series based on the book. She is currently showrunner of Netflix’s Emma Roberts-produced YA vampire series First Kill.
The book, which was published by Simon & Schuster in 2020, offers a modern-day twist on the Legend of King Arthur with a dose of Black Girl Magic.
After her mother dies in an accident, Bree Matthews leaves home to attend her mother’s alma mater, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Upon arrival, Bree unexpectedly uncovers a centuries-old supernatural war and the world of the ‘Legendborn’, a secret society made up of the magic-wielding,...
- 2/2/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Hulu has put into development hourlong drama The Golden Cage, from producers Darryl Taja (The Perfect Guy) and Adam Rodin (Extant). Kiernan Shipka (The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) is attached to star in the project, created and written by Page Awards finalist Oskar Nordmark. BAFTA-winning British helmer Susanna White (Andor) is set to direct the potential pilot and serve as an executive producer.
Described as Suits meets Oliver Stone’s Wall Street, The Golden Cage explores the lengths one woman (Shipka) will go to camouflage her past, while climbing the dizzying heights of Wall Street.
This marks the first major sale for Nordmark who is a forensic accountant by trade. He executive produces alongside Taja via his Epidemic Pictures banner, Rodin, White and Roadside Attractions. Talks are underway with potential showrunners.
Rodin originally brought the project to Taja to develop and produce through Epidemic Pictures. Based on the experience...
Described as Suits meets Oliver Stone’s Wall Street, The Golden Cage explores the lengths one woman (Shipka) will go to camouflage her past, while climbing the dizzying heights of Wall Street.
This marks the first major sale for Nordmark who is a forensic accountant by trade. He executive produces alongside Taja via his Epidemic Pictures banner, Rodin, White and Roadside Attractions. Talks are underway with potential showrunners.
Rodin originally brought the project to Taja to develop and produce through Epidemic Pictures. Based on the experience...
- 10/29/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
In a competitive situation, Fox has given a put pilot commitment to Diversity Hire, a provocative single-camera workplace comedy from the Empire duo of Cameron Johnson and Felicia D. Henderson, producer Darryl Taja (The Perfect Guy) and Empire studio 20th Century Fox TV, where Henderson is under an overall deal.
Written by Johnson, Diversity Hire is described as an irreverent workplace half-hour that will comedically explore our beliefs about race, class, and gender, while pushing the boundaries of political correctness. The show centers on Zenzi Baker, a brilliant, young, African-American, programmer whose life is turned upside down when her boss embroils his successful tech company in a publicity nightmare. To save face, Zenzi, a low-level coder, is plucked from obscurity and promoted to chief diversity and inclusion officer. Her primary qualification? She’s “diverse.”
Henderson executive produces via her WaterWalk Entertainment banner.alongside her longtime manager./producing partner Taja. Johnson is co-executive producer.
Written by Johnson, Diversity Hire is described as an irreverent workplace half-hour that will comedically explore our beliefs about race, class, and gender, while pushing the boundaries of political correctness. The show centers on Zenzi Baker, a brilliant, young, African-American, programmer whose life is turned upside down when her boss embroils his successful tech company in a publicity nightmare. To save face, Zenzi, a low-level coder, is plucked from obscurity and promoted to chief diversity and inclusion officer. Her primary qualification? She’s “diverse.”
Henderson executive produces via her WaterWalk Entertainment banner.alongside her longtime manager./producing partner Taja. Johnson is co-executive producer.
- 10/9/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Fox has given a put pilot order to the single-camera comedy “Diversity Hire,” Variety has learned.
The series hails from Cameron Johnson and Felicia D. Henderson. Henderson met Johnson on the Fox series “Empire,” where Henderson served as a consulting producer and writer and Johnson is currently a story editor. Johnson wrote the script for “Diversity Hire” and will co-executive produce. Henderson will executive produce along with her producing partner Darryl Taja under their WaterWalk Entertainment banner. 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Entertainment will produce, with WaterWalk currently under an overall deal at 20th TV.
The show centers on Zenzi Baker, a brilliant, young, African-American, programmer whose life is turned upside down when her boss embroils his successful tech company in a publicity nightmare. To save face, Zenzi, a low-level coder, is plucked from obscurity and promoted to chief diversity and inclusion officer. Her primary qualification? She’s “diverse.
The series hails from Cameron Johnson and Felicia D. Henderson. Henderson met Johnson on the Fox series “Empire,” where Henderson served as a consulting producer and writer and Johnson is currently a story editor. Johnson wrote the script for “Diversity Hire” and will co-executive produce. Henderson will executive produce along with her producing partner Darryl Taja under their WaterWalk Entertainment banner. 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Entertainment will produce, with WaterWalk currently under an overall deal at 20th TV.
The show centers on Zenzi Baker, a brilliant, young, African-American, programmer whose life is turned upside down when her boss embroils his successful tech company in a publicity nightmare. To save face, Zenzi, a low-level coder, is plucked from obscurity and promoted to chief diversity and inclusion officer. Her primary qualification? She’s “diverse.
- 10/9/2019
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Nicole Ari Parker To Star In Family Music Drama ‘Opus’ From Felicia D. Henderson In the Works At Fox
With Empire coming to an end, Fox is looking to keep co-star Nicole Ari Parker in the fold with a new series. The network has given a script commitment with penalty to Opus, a one-hour family music drama starring and executive produced by Empire‘s Parker, from writer Felicia D. Henderson (Empire), producer Darryl Taja and Empire studio 20th Century Fox TV, where Henderson is under a deal.
Written by Henderson, in Opus, classical and urban music will clash when Willie Mae Gray (Parker), Europe’s most celebrated and only African American conductor, suddenly returns to Baltimore to reinvent her hometown’s crumbling symphony orchestra, while attempting to rebuild the relationship with her teenage son, an underground Mc on the rise.
Parker and Henderson executive produce with Darryl Taja (The Perfect Guy), Stephen Endelman and Kara Feifer. Opus is a co-production of 20th Century Fox TV and Fox Entertainment.
Parker...
Written by Henderson, in Opus, classical and urban music will clash when Willie Mae Gray (Parker), Europe’s most celebrated and only African American conductor, suddenly returns to Baltimore to reinvent her hometown’s crumbling symphony orchestra, while attempting to rebuild the relationship with her teenage son, an underground Mc on the rise.
Parker and Henderson executive produce with Darryl Taja (The Perfect Guy), Stephen Endelman and Kara Feifer. Opus is a co-production of 20th Century Fox TV and Fox Entertainment.
Parker...
- 10/3/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
“Empire” star Nicole Ari Parker could be making the move to a new music drama at Fox.
Variety has learned that Parker is attached to star in and executive produce the one-hour drama “Opus,” which has received a script commitment with a penalty attached at the broadcaster. Parker would play Willie Mae Gray, Europe’s most celebrated and only African American conductor, who suddenly returns to Baltimore to reinvent her hometown’s crumbling symphony orchestra, while attempting to rebuild the relationship with her teenage son, an underground Mc on the rise.
“Empire” writer and consulting producer Felicia D. Henderson is writing and executive producing “Opus,” with Darryl Taja, Stephen Endelman, and Kara Feifer also executive producing. 20th Century Fox Television will co-produce with Fox Entertainment. Henderson is currently under an overall deal at 20th TV.
Parker first joined “Empire” in the show’s fourth season. Her other recent TV credits include shows like “Younger,...
Variety has learned that Parker is attached to star in and executive produce the one-hour drama “Opus,” which has received a script commitment with a penalty attached at the broadcaster. Parker would play Willie Mae Gray, Europe’s most celebrated and only African American conductor, who suddenly returns to Baltimore to reinvent her hometown’s crumbling symphony orchestra, while attempting to rebuild the relationship with her teenage son, an underground Mc on the rise.
“Empire” writer and consulting producer Felicia D. Henderson is writing and executive producing “Opus,” with Darryl Taja, Stephen Endelman, and Kara Feifer also executive producing. 20th Century Fox Television will co-produce with Fox Entertainment. Henderson is currently under an overall deal at 20th TV.
Parker first joined “Empire” in the show’s fourth season. Her other recent TV credits include shows like “Younger,...
- 10/3/2019
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
CBS has put in development dramas Wet House and The Terminal, from the Secrets & Lies team of creator/executive producer Barbie Kligman and Aaron Kaplan’s Kapital Entertainment.
For cop drama Wet House, on which Kapital is the co-studio alongside CBS TV Studios, Kligman is partnering with the Rizzoli & Isles duo of star Sasha Alexander and writer-producer Russell Grant.
On the CBS TV Studios-produced airport drama The Terminal, based on a short story by bestselling author Lee Child, Kligman is partnering with Judith McCreary (Law & Order: Svu), who will co-write with her, and Peter Lenkov (Hawaii Five-0).
Written by Kligman based on a story she co-wrote with Grant, Wet House centers on a female detective. After an altercation with a fellow officer lands her at a station for castoff cops with personal demons, she discovers her new colleagues are not only exceptional police officers who serve and protect their...
For cop drama Wet House, on which Kapital is the co-studio alongside CBS TV Studios, Kligman is partnering with the Rizzoli & Isles duo of star Sasha Alexander and writer-producer Russell Grant.
On the CBS TV Studios-produced airport drama The Terminal, based on a short story by bestselling author Lee Child, Kligman is partnering with Judith McCreary (Law & Order: Svu), who will co-write with her, and Peter Lenkov (Hawaii Five-0).
Written by Kligman based on a story she co-wrote with Grant, Wet House centers on a female detective. After an altercation with a fellow officer lands her at a station for castoff cops with personal demons, she discovers her new colleagues are not only exceptional police officers who serve and protect their...
- 9/25/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Independent film distributor plans to broaden its push into the television business.
Roadside Attractions has bought prize-winning drama series pilot script The Golden Cage as part of what the Us independent film distributor says is a broadening push into television.
Written by Oskar Nordmark, the script, about an ex-con trying to camouflage her past and find a place in the competitive world of New York high finance, won the drama pilot Gold Prize in the 2017 Page International Screenwriting Awards.
Darryl Taja of Epidemic Pictures and Adam Rodin are set to act as executive producers if the project is picked up,...
Roadside Attractions has bought prize-winning drama series pilot script The Golden Cage as part of what the Us independent film distributor says is a broadening push into television.
Written by Oskar Nordmark, the script, about an ex-con trying to camouflage her past and find a place in the competitive world of New York high finance, won the drama pilot Gold Prize in the 2017 Page International Screenwriting Awards.
Darryl Taja of Epidemic Pictures and Adam Rodin are set to act as executive producers if the project is picked up,...
- 2/19/2019
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Roadside Attractions Television has acquired one-hour drama pilot “The Golden Cage.” Described as a female-driven Wall Street thriller, the project hails from writer Oskar Nordmark.
Darryl Taja (pictured) will serve as executive producer through his Epidemic Pictures. Adam Rodin will also exec produce. Nordmark created the series and will serve as co-executive producer. Roadside Attractions’ Howard Cohen, Eric d’Arbeloff and Jennifer Berman will also Ep.
The series is set in New York and details the lengths an ex-con will go to both camouflage her past and ensure a top spot for herself in the competitive world of high finance on Wall Street. Wall Street has been the setting for several of Roadside’s most notable feature releases, including Arbitrage and Margin Call.
Nordmark is represented by Epidemic Management and attorney Mark Stankevich. Epidemic’s in-house attorney, Sandra Brathwaite, negotiated Taja’s deal. Rodin is represented by CAA and Ziffren Law.
Darryl Taja (pictured) will serve as executive producer through his Epidemic Pictures. Adam Rodin will also exec produce. Nordmark created the series and will serve as co-executive producer. Roadside Attractions’ Howard Cohen, Eric d’Arbeloff and Jennifer Berman will also Ep.
The series is set in New York and details the lengths an ex-con will go to both camouflage her past and ensure a top spot for herself in the competitive world of high finance on Wall Street. Wall Street has been the setting for several of Roadside’s most notable feature releases, including Arbitrage and Margin Call.
Nordmark is represented by Epidemic Management and attorney Mark Stankevich. Epidemic’s in-house attorney, Sandra Brathwaite, negotiated Taja’s deal. Rodin is represented by CAA and Ziffren Law.
- 2/19/2019
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
As it continues its push into scripted television, indie feature studio Roadside Attractions has acquired the one-hour drama pilot The Golden Cage, a female-driven Wall Street thriller from Page Awards Finalist scribe Oskar Nordmark and Darryl Taja’s Epidemic Pictures, for TV series development.
Created by Nordmark, The Golden Cage is set in New York and details the lengths an ex-con will go to both camouflage her past and ensure a top spot for herself in the competitive world of high finance on Wall Street. Wall Street has been the setting for several of Roadside’s most notable feature releases, including Arbitrage and Margin Call.
Taja (The Perfect Guy) will executive produce through his Epidemic Pictures banner, along with Adam Rodin (Extant). Nordmark will serve as co-executive producer. Roadside Attractions’ Howard Cohen, Eric d’Arbeloff and Jennifer Berman will also serve as Executive Producers.
Rodin originally brought the project to Taja to develop and produce.
Created by Nordmark, The Golden Cage is set in New York and details the lengths an ex-con will go to both camouflage her past and ensure a top spot for herself in the competitive world of high finance on Wall Street. Wall Street has been the setting for several of Roadside’s most notable feature releases, including Arbitrage and Margin Call.
Taja (The Perfect Guy) will executive produce through his Epidemic Pictures banner, along with Adam Rodin (Extant). Nordmark will serve as co-executive producer. Roadside Attractions’ Howard Cohen, Eric d’Arbeloff and Jennifer Berman will also serve as Executive Producers.
Rodin originally brought the project to Taja to develop and produce.
- 2/19/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Roadside Attractions, a producer of Netflix's Dear White People, is aiming to make a further push into TV.
The company has acquired and is developing a drama pilot called The Golden Cage, a thriller set against the backdrop of Wall Street. No outlet for the potential show is currently attached.
Darryl Taja (The Perfect Guy), via his Epidemic Pictures, and Adam Rodin (Extant) will executive produce. Creator Oskar Nordmark will be a co-exec producer. Roadside Attractions Howard Cohen, Eric d'Arbeloff and Jennifer Berman will also executive produce.
The Golden Cage centers on an ex-con and details the lengths to which she'...
The company has acquired and is developing a drama pilot called The Golden Cage, a thriller set against the backdrop of Wall Street. No outlet for the potential show is currently attached.
Darryl Taja (The Perfect Guy), via his Epidemic Pictures, and Adam Rodin (Extant) will executive produce. Creator Oskar Nordmark will be a co-exec producer. Roadside Attractions Howard Cohen, Eric d'Arbeloff and Jennifer Berman will also executive produce.
The Golden Cage centers on an ex-con and details the lengths to which she'...
- 2/19/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Roadside Attractions has acquired the hourlong drama pilot “The Golden Cage,” a female-focused Wall Street thriller. Oskar Nordmark is writing the project, which Darryl Taja (“The Perfect Guy”) of Epidemic Pictures will produce alongside Adam Rodin (“Extant”); Nordmark is also the series creator. It marks Roadside’s latest inroads into television following the Netflix adaptation of its successful 2014 film “Dear White People.”
According to a press release, the series “is set in New York and details the lengths an ex-con will go to both camouflage her past and ensure a top spot for herself in the competitive world of high finance on Wall Street.” It’s a familiar setting for Roadside, which has released such films as “Arbitrage” and “Margin Call.”
Founded in 2003 and bought by Lionsgate in 2007, the company has been a staple of American independent cinema for 15 years; recent releases or co-releases include “Ben Is Back,” “Juliet, Naked,...
According to a press release, the series “is set in New York and details the lengths an ex-con will go to both camouflage her past and ensure a top spot for herself in the competitive world of high finance on Wall Street.” It’s a familiar setting for Roadside, which has released such films as “Arbitrage” and “Margin Call.”
Founded in 2003 and bought by Lionsgate in 2007, the company has been a staple of American independent cinema for 15 years; recent releases or co-releases include “Ben Is Back,” “Juliet, Naked,...
- 2/18/2019
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
We have the Smilf comedy series on Showtime. Now another female-centered project with a catchy acronym as a title, drama Pank, is headed to the small screen.
ABC has given a script commitment with penalty to Pank, from writer Felicia D. Henderson (Soul Food), producer Darryl Taja and 20th Century Fox TV.
In the one-hour drama, written by Henderson, 33-year-old Faith Jones is living and lovin’ her life as a Pank: Professional Auntie No Kids: a new guy, a new promotion, a new house, a fast car and plenty of disposable income. It’s kinda perfect — until the unexpected happens and circumstances force her to care for her brother’s three children. How will this childless-by-choice, badass Pank tackle raising three kids, while also maintaining the life she worked so hard to create?
Henderson executive produces alongside Taja.
The project stems from the overall deal Henderson inked with 20th TV...
ABC has given a script commitment with penalty to Pank, from writer Felicia D. Henderson (Soul Food), producer Darryl Taja and 20th Century Fox TV.
In the one-hour drama, written by Henderson, 33-year-old Faith Jones is living and lovin’ her life as a Pank: Professional Auntie No Kids: a new guy, a new promotion, a new house, a fast car and plenty of disposable income. It’s kinda perfect — until the unexpected happens and circumstances force her to care for her brother’s three children. How will this childless-by-choice, badass Pank tackle raising three kids, while also maintaining the life she worked so hard to create?
Henderson executive produces alongside Taja.
The project stems from the overall deal Henderson inked with 20th TV...
- 9/24/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
In a competitive situation, ITV Studios America has acquired the rights to Nina Sadowsky’s novel The Burial Society to develop as a television series with Scream producer Cathy Konrad and Epidemic Pictures and Management’s Darryl Taja (The Perfect Guy).
The Burial Society, published by Ballantine/Random House in January, is the first in a series of books about a mysterious, damaged, but highly-skilled woman, Catherine (with no last name), who rescues people from intolerable, abusive and dangerous situations. Her dark-net based “witness protection program”, The Burial Society, is the last hope for people who desperately need to disappear.
Konrad, who brought the project to the studio, and Taja will executive produce the project alongside Sadowsky.
Sadowsky, who has a multi-book deal with Ballantine/Random House Publishing, most recently developed a TV adaptation of her debut thriller novel, Just Fall, with Starz, which acquired the rights to the book preemptively,...
The Burial Society, published by Ballantine/Random House in January, is the first in a series of books about a mysterious, damaged, but highly-skilled woman, Catherine (with no last name), who rescues people from intolerable, abusive and dangerous situations. Her dark-net based “witness protection program”, The Burial Society, is the last hope for people who desperately need to disappear.
Konrad, who brought the project to the studio, and Taja will executive produce the project alongside Sadowsky.
Sadowsky, who has a multi-book deal with Ballantine/Random House Publishing, most recently developed a TV adaptation of her debut thriller novel, Just Fall, with Starz, which acquired the rights to the book preemptively,...
- 8/23/2018
- by Nellie Andreeva and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
NBC has put in development Reunited, a drama inspired by investigative genealogist Pamela Slaton, from Gone creator/executive producer Matt Lopez, Epidemic Pictures & Management’s Darryl Taja (The Perfect Guy) and Universal TV. Created and written by Lopez, Reunited is inspired by Slaton, the country's foremost investigative genealogist, who uses her wits, detective skills and take-no-prisoners attitude to track down long-lost loved ones and reunite broken families. Lopez…...
- 11/8/2017
- Deadline TV
The team behind the 2008 Fox comedy Unhitched, writers Chris Pappas, Mike Bernier and Kevin Barnett and directors Bobby and Peter Farrelly, is reuniting for a new comedy project in development at Showtime. The 5 are executive producing the project, a sometimes cynical, raunchy, Farrelly-style comedy revolving around a guy who is betrayed by his wife after years of marriage and he finds himself at the crossroads of a midlife crisis. CAA-repped Pappas, Bernier and Barnett are writing, with Peter Farrelly attached to direct. Also exec producing are Jason Felts, Justin Berfield and Michael Forman of Virgin Produced along with Darryl Taja, who packaged the project and manages the writers. Additionally, Pappas and Bernier are writing a multi-camera comedy for ABC starring music star Romeo Santos and based on his life growing up in a traditional Dominican-American family. Pappas and Bernier are executive producing with Will Smith and James Lassiter of Overbrook Entertainment.
- 10/21/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Up-and-coming feature writers Chris Shafer and Paul Vicknair, whose movie script A Many Splintered Thing was recently named one of the 10 Nicholls Fellowship finalists, have sold a comedy project to CBS. Titled Girlfriend Season, it is an observational romantic comedy that follows six people — a young married couple and their friends. Shafer and Vicknair, repped by UTA and Brillstein, are writing, with Generate producing. Fox has bought a drama pitch from Aaron Stockard, who co-wrote Ben Affleck’s Gone Baby Gone and The Town. Titled Thick As Thieves, the drama is a blue-collar soap set in Boston. Stockard, repped by Wme and 3 Arts, is writing, 20th TV and Chernin Entertainment producing. NBC has bought a character-driven procedural drama from veteran Law & Order: Svu writer Judith K. McCreary whose main character is modeled after Tony Ciaglia, whose real-life story is told in the upcoming book The Serial Killer Whisperer: How One...
- 10/13/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Michael Ealy has been tapped to star in USA Network's pilot Common Law, a comedic buddy cop drama from producer Jon Turteltaub. Ealy is the first actor cast in the project, written by Cormac & Marianne Wibberley, which centers on cops Wes Mitchell and Travis Marks (Ealy), partners at Lapd. The problem is Wes, a methodical former lawyer with a passion for cars, gardening and his ex-wife, and Travis, a maverick ladies' man who served time in juvie, can't stand each other. To revive their flagging professional relationship, their Captain sends them to couples therapy. CBS TV Studios and Turteltaub's Junction Entertainment are producing with Cormac & Marianne Wibberley and Turteltaub executive producing. Sleeper Cell alum Ealy, repped by Gersh and manager Darryl Taja, most recently had a role on ABC's FlashForward and next co-stars in Screen Gems' Takers. Lifting the Common Law's cast-contingency hinges on casting both leads.
- 8/16/2010
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Josh Lawson has been tapped as the male lead opposite Alyssa Milano in ABC's midseason comedy series "Romantically Challenged."
Meanwhile, Michael Ealy has joined another new ABC series, the drama "FlashForward," as a recurring.
The multicamera "Challenged," from Warner Bros. TV and writer Ricky Blitt, centers on a thirtysomething man (Lawson) torn between his new girlfriend (Milano) and needy best friend (Kyle Bornheimer).
Lawson replaces Eric Christian Olsen, who played the role in the pilot. Kelly Stables co-stars as Milano's younger sister.
On the ABC Studios-produced "FlashForward," about a team of FBI agents led by Mark Benford (Joseph Fiennes) dealing with the aftermath of a global event where everyone blacks out for 2 minutes, 17 seconds, Ealy will play Benford's nemesis.
Ealy, who next appears in Screen Gems' "Takers," recently signed with Gersh and is managed by Darryl Taja.
Meanwhile, Michael Ealy has joined another new ABC series, the drama "FlashForward," as a recurring.
The multicamera "Challenged," from Warner Bros. TV and writer Ricky Blitt, centers on a thirtysomething man (Lawson) torn between his new girlfriend (Milano) and needy best friend (Kyle Bornheimer).
Lawson replaces Eric Christian Olsen, who played the role in the pilot. Kelly Stables co-stars as Milano's younger sister.
On the ABC Studios-produced "FlashForward," about a team of FBI agents led by Mark Benford (Joseph Fiennes) dealing with the aftermath of a global event where everyone blacks out for 2 minutes, 17 seconds, Ealy will play Benford's nemesis.
Ealy, who next appears in Screen Gems' "Takers," recently signed with Gersh and is managed by Darryl Taja.
- 10/1/2009
- by By Nellie Andreeva
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The director of the upcoming fourth Shrek movie has inked a deal to make another movie based on fairy tale characters. Mike Mitchell has been slotted by MGM to direct Once Upon a Time, set to go into production sometime next year.
The screenplay, which was written by Kevin Marcus, Bradley Marcus and Charlie Vignola, is set in the years after Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty have married their princes (all brothers from the Charming family) and settled down to a life of domestic bliss. When their husbands all go missing at the same time it's up to the fair ladies to find out what happened to them and save their fantasy kingdom from some kind of threat.
New in Town's Darryl Taja is producing the live-action movie. Mitchell has previous experience handling effects laden live-action fantasy pictures since he also directed 2005's Sky High for Disney. Casting hasn't...
The screenplay, which was written by Kevin Marcus, Bradley Marcus and Charlie Vignola, is set in the years after Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty have married their princes (all brothers from the Charming family) and settled down to a life of domestic bliss. When their husbands all go missing at the same time it's up to the fair ladies to find out what happened to them and save their fantasy kingdom from some kind of threat.
New in Town's Darryl Taja is producing the live-action movie. Mitchell has previous experience handling effects laden live-action fantasy pictures since he also directed 2005's Sky High for Disney. Casting hasn't...
- 6/19/2009
- by Patrick Sauriol
- Corona's Coming Attractions
Mike Mitchell has been hired to direct the MGM fantasy-adventure "Once Upon a Time."
The live-action feature fiddles with fairy-tale conventions the way the "Shrek" movies and "Enchanted" did. Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty must join together to go in search of their missing husbands, the Charming Brothers, and save the kingdom in the process.
MGM picked up the original screenplay written by Jerry Bruckheimer Films exec Charles Vignola and tyro scribes Kevin Marcus and Bradley Marcus in March.
Vignola's manager Darryl Taja is attached to produce through his Epidemic Pictures ("New in Town"). Vignola will exec produce. MGM execs Cale Boyter and Pam Silverstein are overseeing for the studio.
The CAA-repped Mitchell has directed "Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo," "Surviving Christmas" and "Sky High" and worked on DreamWorks Animation films such as "Kung Fu Panda," "Monsters vs. Aliens" and "Shrek the Third."
He is now directing "Shrek Forever After,...
The live-action feature fiddles with fairy-tale conventions the way the "Shrek" movies and "Enchanted" did. Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty must join together to go in search of their missing husbands, the Charming Brothers, and save the kingdom in the process.
MGM picked up the original screenplay written by Jerry Bruckheimer Films exec Charles Vignola and tyro scribes Kevin Marcus and Bradley Marcus in March.
Vignola's manager Darryl Taja is attached to produce through his Epidemic Pictures ("New in Town"). Vignola will exec produce. MGM execs Cale Boyter and Pam Silverstein are overseeing for the studio.
The CAA-repped Mitchell has directed "Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo," "Surviving Christmas" and "Sky High" and worked on DreamWorks Animation films such as "Kung Fu Panda," "Monsters vs. Aliens" and "Shrek the Third."
He is now directing "Shrek Forever After,...
- 6/18/2009
- by By Jay A. Fernandez and Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures has confirmed Mike Mitchell (upcoming Shrek Forever After ) will direct the live-action adventure-fantasy Once Upon a Time . Once Upon a Time Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty married their handsome Princes - the Charming brothers and planned to live happily ever after. But when the Charming brothers go missing, the sister-in-laws must set out to save their husbands and the fairy tale kingdom. Darryl Taja is attached to produce under his Epidemic Pictures banner based on the screenplay by Charlie Vignola, Kevin Marcus and Bradley Marcus. Vignola is also an executive producer on the film. Cale Boyter and Pam Silverstein are overseeing the project for the Lion.
- 6/18/2009
- Comingsoon.net
Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures (MGM), has acquired Once Upon A TIMEÂ.a screenplay by Charlie Vignola, Kevin Marcus and Bradley Marcus.
{sidebar id=1} In the offbeat tradition of Shrek and The Princess Bride, Once Upon A TIMEÂ., is a live-action quest movie that subverts the conventions of fairytale lore at every turn. Not a parody, this is a classic story told in a fresh new way with high adventure and amazing wonders... the likes of which audiences have not yet seen.
Vignola, who will also executive produce, has previously sold projects to Bruckheimer Films and Spyglass Entertainment. Once Upon A TIMEÂ.marks the first sale for the Marcus Brothers, who are best known as the producers of the annual Saturn Awards Show and are experts in genre films. So, expect a wickedly wild ride!
Darryl Taja, who manages Vignola, will serve as producer via his Epidemic Pictures banner. Executive Vice President of Production,...
{sidebar id=1} In the offbeat tradition of Shrek and The Princess Bride, Once Upon A TIMEÂ., is a live-action quest movie that subverts the conventions of fairytale lore at every turn. Not a parody, this is a classic story told in a fresh new way with high adventure and amazing wonders... the likes of which audiences have not yet seen.
Vignola, who will also executive produce, has previously sold projects to Bruckheimer Films and Spyglass Entertainment. Once Upon A TIMEÂ.marks the first sale for the Marcus Brothers, who are best known as the producers of the annual Saturn Awards Show and are experts in genre films. So, expect a wickedly wild ride!
Darryl Taja, who manages Vignola, will serve as producer via his Epidemic Pictures banner. Executive Vice President of Production,...
- 3/6/2009
- by IESB Staff <alyson@iesb.net>
- IESB.net
MGM hopes to laugh happily ever after.
The studio has acquired the original comedy screenplay "Once Upon a Time ...," written by Charles Vignola, Kevin Marcus and Bradley Marcus.
Darryl Taja, who manages Vignola, will produce through his Epidemic Pictures. Vignola will exec produce.
Executive vp production Cale Boyter will oversee the project for MGM.
"Once's" humorous quest story plays with fairy-tale convention in the vein of the "Shrek" movies and "The Princess Bride."
Epidemic recently produced "New in Town."
Vignola has sold projects to Spyglass Entertainment and Jerry Bruckheimer Films, where he has worked as an exec for 17 years.
This is the first sale for Kevin and Bradley Marcus, who are repped by the Bohrman Agency. The brothers write and produce the annual Saturn Awards ceremony.
The studio has acquired the original comedy screenplay "Once Upon a Time ...," written by Charles Vignola, Kevin Marcus and Bradley Marcus.
Darryl Taja, who manages Vignola, will produce through his Epidemic Pictures. Vignola will exec produce.
Executive vp production Cale Boyter will oversee the project for MGM.
"Once's" humorous quest story plays with fairy-tale convention in the vein of the "Shrek" movies and "The Princess Bride."
Epidemic recently produced "New in Town."
Vignola has sold projects to Spyglass Entertainment and Jerry Bruckheimer Films, where he has worked as an exec for 17 years.
This is the first sale for Kevin and Bradley Marcus, who are repped by the Bohrman Agency. The brothers write and produce the annual Saturn Awards ceremony.
- 3/4/2009
- by By Jay A. Fernandez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Enter Movie Jungle's "New in Town" sweepstakes for a chance to win prizes from the comedy starring Renee Zellweger, Harry Connick Jr., J.K. Simmons, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Frances Conroy, Mike O'Brien and Rashida Jones! If selected, you can take home the following prizes: T-Shirt Red Phone Cradle Luggage Tag Book Mark Post Card Recipe Card Mini-Poster Large Poster Enter now for your chance! Check out our main contests page at http://www.moviejungle.com/competitions, get the feed and never miss a new contest! Jonas Elmer helms the film based on the script by Ken Rance and C. Jay Cox. Darryl Taja, Peter Safran, Tracey Edmonds and Paul Brooks produce. What's the film about? Lucy Hill (Renée Zellweger) is an ambitious, up and coming executive livingin Miami. She lovesher shoes, she loves her cars and she loves climbing the corporate ladder. When she is offereda temporary assignment - in the...
- 1/26/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Alec Baldwin has been cast as Sarah Michelle Gellar's love interest in The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing. Odd Lot Entertainment principals Gigi Pritzker and Deborah Del Prete said Thursday at the American Film Market. Media 8 Entertainment is repping international rights for the film at the market. Baldwin will be the male lead in the adaptation of Melissa Bank's best-selling short-story compilation. He'll play an older Lothario in the publishing biz who wins over Gellar's ambitious book editor. The film will be produced by Pritzker, Del Prete and Darryl Taja, with co-producer Linda McDonough. Production is scheduled to start in May, with scribe Marc Klein (Serendipity) making his writing-directing debut.
- 11/3/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sarah Michelle Gellar is set to star in Warner Independent Pictures' untitled Marc Klein project, based on the stories from Melissa Bank's book, A Girl's Guide to Hunting and Fishing. Odd Lot Entertainment's Deborah Del Prete and Gigi Pritzker are producing along with Darryl Taja. The story follows a young New York book editor (Gellar) who always has defined herself by the type of man she can get. When she meets and ensnares the affections of an older, very powerful and extremely sophisticated man, she thinks her problems are solved when they've only just begun. Klein wrote the screenplay.
Longtime television director Rob Schiller is making his feature directorial debut on the indie Cabrini Gardens. Darryl Taja is producing via his Epidemic Pictures. The romantic comedy centers on a single mother who works as a paralegal at a prestigious law firm. She ends up falling for the firm's rising star while at the same time falling into a case involving a snobby homeowners' association. The screenplay was written by Taja, David Odom and Breht Gardner. Odom is executive producing and financing the film, and Gardner is co-producer. Filming is expected to begin late next month in Chicago. No cast has been set yet.
Ryan Pinkston, who gained attention as a mischievous kid on MTV's Punk'd, is in negotiations to star in Slay the Bully for New Line Cinema. Student Academy Award winner Dennis Lee is making his feature directorial debut on the project. The movie, which is based on a Roy Frumkes and Rocco Simonelli spec that has been rewritten by Rob Lieber, centers on an eighth-grader (Pinkston) who moves to a new town. He is immediately mistaken for having beaten the resident bully to a pulp, and a rematch is set for the wrestling ring. Darryl Taja is producing along with Promark Entertainment's David Bixler and Jon Kramer. Overseeing for New Line are Mark Kaufman and Matt Moore. Pinkston's feature credits include Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over and Bad Santa. He next appears in Soul Plane. He is repped by Cindy Osbrink of the Osbrink Talent Agency and Chris Fenton of H2F Entertainment.
Jay Mohr and Kellita Smith are set to star opposite Anthony Anderson in King's Ransom for New Line Cinema. The comedy is being directed by Jeff Byrd from a Wayne Conley script and is being produced by Darryl Taja under Catch 23's Alter Ego Pictures banner. The movie is about a rich, cocky, despised businessman (Anderson) who realizes that he might lose half his wealth to the obnoxious wife he's trying to divorce. He decides to arrange his own kidnapping in order to wipe himself out and claim poverty, but he discovers that several other parties have plans to kidnap and ransom him as well.
- 3/24/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Universal Pictures has picked up 32 and Single, a romantic comedy spec from writer Ken Rance that is being developed as a vehicle for Gabrielle Union. Darryl Taja is producing with Tracey Edmonds. 32 tells the story of a New York businesswoman on the corporate fast track who has to earn her stripes by going to New Ulm, Minn., to oversee the closing of a factory. She ends up re-evaluating her big-city values in a fish-out-of-water tale that is described as being in the vein of Doc Hollywood and Baby Boom. Scott Stuber and Donna Langley are overseeing the project for the studio.
- 3/18/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Disney is in final negotiations to acquire the romantic comedy pitch "Bridezilla" from writers Chris Pappas and Mike Bernier. Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson of Firm Films are producing. The romantic comedy centers on a recently engaged couple that gets consumed by the wedding culture. The pressures of creating the perfect day unexpectedly test their commitment to each other. Jason Reed is the Disney exec overseeing the project. Flynn and Vinson also are producing "The Guardian" at Disney. They produced the upcoming "11:14" and are wrapping "After the Sunset" at New Line. "The Firm is ecstatic about continuing its relationship with Disney, which continues to do such great work," Flynn said. Pappas and Bernier have "Alcoholics Unanimous" set up at Fox with Peter Farrelly attached to direct as well as "Meet Mr. Id" at Revolution Studios. And they are rewriting an untitled script at Beacon Pictures. Pappas and Bernier are repped by Darryl Taja, Nick Yellen at Nick Yellen Creative Agency and attorney Peter Grossman.
- 2/11/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Donald Faison and Loretta Devine are set to star opposite Anthony Anderson in King's Ransom for New Line Cinema. The comedy is being directed by Jeff Byrd from a Wayne Conley script and is being produced by Darryl Taja under Catch 23's Alter Ego Pictures banner. The movie is about a rich, cocky and despised businessman (Anderson) who realizes that he might lose half his wealth to the obnoxious wife he's trying to divorce. He decides to arrange his own kidnapping in order to wipe himself out and claim poverty, but he discovers that several other parties have plans to kidnap and ransom him as well. Faison's character works for the businessman. Devine will play the role of the businessman's secretary. Matt Moore and Luke Ryan are overseeing the project for New Line. Faison appears weekly in the NBC hit Scrubs. His other credits include Clueless, Big Fat Liar and Remember the Titans. He is repped by UTA, 3 Arts and attorney Michael Fuller at Barnes, Morris, Klein, Mark, Yorn, Barnes and Levine. Devine is best known for her weekly work on Boston Public and will appear in the upcoming Crash. She is repped by Untitled Entertainment and Essential Entertainment.
- 2/10/2004
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
New Line Cinema is in negotiations with Scary Movie 3 star Anthony Anderson to topline its kidnapping comedy King's Ransom. Anderson will play a rich, cocky and generally despised businessman who realizes he might lose half his wealth to the obnoxious wife he's trying to divorce. He decides to arrange his own kidnapping in order to wipe himself out and claim poverty, but he discovers that several other parties have plans to kidnap and ransom him as well. Ransom is being directed by Jeff Byrd from a Wayne Conley script. It is being produced by Darryl Taja of Catch 23's Alter Ego Pictures and is being overseen for New Line by production execs Matt Moore and Luke Ryan. Anderson has been busy lately with roles in the upcoming comedies My Baby's Daddy, Agent Cody Banks 2 and Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle. He also stars in the WB Network series All About the Andersons. Anderson is repped by ICM, Principato-Young Entertainment and attorney Rick Genow.
- 11/19/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Dennis Lee, a silver medalist at this year's Student Academy Awards, will make his feature directorial debut on the New Line Cinema comedy Slay the Bully. The project, which is based on a Roy Frumkes and Rocco Simonelli spec that has been rewritten by Rob Lieber, centers on a boy who transfers to a new junior high school and must face the school bully after being mistakenly credited with beating him up. Catch 23/Alter Ego's Darryl Taja is producing with Promark Entertainment's David Bixler. Promark's Jon Kramer is executive producing, while New Line production senior vp Mark Kaufman and vp David Brewington are overseeing for the studio. Lee, who is still finishing up his Columbia University master's degree, is a newcomer who has quickly garnered studio attention after his short Jesus Henry Christ was honored at the Student Academy Awards. He also will collect the DGA Award for best Asian American student filmmaker at a ceremony this week. Lee is repped by the Gersh Agency, manager Sukee Chew and attorney Mitch Smelkinson.
- 10/14/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Revolution Studios has jumped to Mr. Id, picking up the script from writing team Chris Pappas and Mike Bernier for mid-six figures. Id centers on a bachelor who meets the woman of his dreams only to see his male libido come to life and fight to keep him single. Zen Gesner and Rob Moran will produce, with Kris Meyer executive producing. Revolution Studios' Todd Garner brought the project in and will oversee along with Scott Bernstein. Pappas and Bernier, friends since their childhood days growing up outside of Boston, are repped by New York-based Nick Yellen, manager Darryl Taja at Catch 23 Entertainment and attorneys Peter Grossman at Lichter, Nichols, Grossman, Adler and Goodman and Cindy Gesner.
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.