Hours after Sky Arts announced it would not air the controversial Michael Jackson episode of the British series Urban Myths, Lifetime has announced Jackson-related project of its own.
The network announced via press release on Friday that a Michael Jackson TV movie is currently in pre-production. The movie, working title Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland, is based on the best-selling book, Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days, and will begin filming in Los Angeles in February.
Watch: 'Urban Myths' Episode Featuring Joseph Fiennes as Michael Jackson Is Cut Following Backlash
Searching for Neverland will tell the story of Jackson's final days through the eyes of his trusted bodyguards, Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard. The Walking Dead's Chad L. Coleman has been cast as Whitfield, while Michael Jackson tribute artist Navi will play the King of Pop, in his acting debut.
Suzanne de Passe, Madison Jones and [link...
The network announced via press release on Friday that a Michael Jackson TV movie is currently in pre-production. The movie, working title Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland, is based on the best-selling book, Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days, and will begin filming in Los Angeles in February.
Watch: 'Urban Myths' Episode Featuring Joseph Fiennes as Michael Jackson Is Cut Following Backlash
Searching for Neverland will tell the story of Jackson's final days through the eyes of his trusted bodyguards, Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard. The Walking Dead's Chad L. Coleman has been cast as Whitfield, while Michael Jackson tribute artist Navi will play the King of Pop, in his acting debut.
Suzanne de Passe, Madison Jones and [link...
- 1/13/2017
- Entertainment Tonight
Michael Jackson is getting the Lifetime movie treatment. Lifetime announced Michael Jackson: Searching for Neverland (working title), a new flick based on the best-selling book Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days. The movie is told through the eyes of Jacksons trusted bodyguards, Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard. Navi, who Lifetime calls the world's No. 1 Michael Jackson tribute artist will star as the King of Pop. This is his acting debut. The Walking Dead's Chad L. Coleman will play Whitfield. Filming is expected to begin in Los Angeles in February. Suzanne de Passe, who also worked on The Jacksons: An American Dream, will executive produce with Madison Jones and Robert...
- 1/13/2017
- E! Online
The story of Miriam Makeba, one of the most important voices in South Africa's transformation from apartheid to the presidency of Nelson Mandela, is being turned into a feature film by Suzanne de Passe (Lady Sings The Blues) and Madison Jones of de Passe Jones Entertainment. Also producing is Broadway producer Willette Klausner, music producer David Franco and Makeba's former publicist and confidant Marc Le Chat. Makeba was Africa’s first Grammy winner, she recorded and…...
- 11/22/2016
- Deadline
VH1 has picked up a one-hour scripted series inspired by “The View” host Star Jones’ 2011 book “Satan’s Sisters,” the network announced on Thursday. “Satan’s Sisters” follows the drama surrounding fictional ladies’ talk show “The Lunch Hour,” before and behind the scenes, as its five female co-hosts discuss life, love, family and politics. The show is slated for a 2017 premiere, and will be executive produced by Josh Berman, Star Jones, Suzanne DePasse and Madison Jones, and Susan Levison. Writers for the series are Amy Engelberg and Wendy Engelberg who also serve as executive producers, and the series is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television.
- 2/18/2016
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
VH1 has given the greenlight for "Satan's Sisters," a new scripted drama series inspired by Star Jones' 2011 satirical novel.
That book follows the behind-the-scenes story of a popular daytime ladies talk show titled "The Lunch Hour," and is inspired by Jones' time on "The View" where she was one of the most controversial panelists throughout the show's entire run.
In the story, five female co-hosts seem to be best friends and sisters on screen but behind the scenes it's all power struggles, personal demons, diva fits, love affairs, man troubles, cat fights and cocktails.
Jones will serve as an exec producer on the series, along with Josh Berman, Suzanne DePasse, Madison Jones and Susan Levison.
Source: Variety...
That book follows the behind-the-scenes story of a popular daytime ladies talk show titled "The Lunch Hour," and is inspired by Jones' time on "The View" where she was one of the most controversial panelists throughout the show's entire run.
In the story, five female co-hosts seem to be best friends and sisters on screen but behind the scenes it's all power struggles, personal demons, diva fits, love affairs, man troubles, cat fights and cocktails.
Jones will serve as an exec producer on the series, along with Josh Berman, Suzanne DePasse, Madison Jones and Susan Levison.
Source: Variety...
- 2/18/2016
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
He's been in negotiations to direct the untitled Martin Luther King Jr. biopic at Dreamworks for a few months now, the one set to star his "Any Given Sunday" star Jamie Foxx as the famed civil rights leader.
Today, Stone took to Twitter to confirm he's no longer involved in the project due to creative differences with the producers. From the sounds of it Stone wanted to make a warts-and-all style biopic, whereas the producers want something which paints a more flattering picture. Here's Stone's tweets on the subject:
"Sad news. My Mlk project involvement has ended. I did an extensive rewrite of the script, but the producers won't go with it.
The script dealt with issues of adultery, conflicts within the movement, and King's spiritual transformation into a higher, more radical being
I'm told the estate and the 'respectable' black community that guard King's reputation won't approve it. They...
Today, Stone took to Twitter to confirm he's no longer involved in the project due to creative differences with the producers. From the sounds of it Stone wanted to make a warts-and-all style biopic, whereas the producers want something which paints a more flattering picture. Here's Stone's tweets on the subject:
"Sad news. My Mlk project involvement has ended. I did an extensive rewrite of the script, but the producers won't go with it.
The script dealt with issues of adultery, conflicts within the movement, and King's spiritual transformation into a higher, more radical being
I'm told the estate and the 'respectable' black community that guard King's reputation won't approve it. They...
- 1/18/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Oliver Stone is in early talks to direct an untitled biopic about Martin Luther King Jr. at Warner Bros. Pictures and DreamWorks.
Jamie Foxx is also in early talks to star as Mlk in the movie which has been in development since 2009. The story would follow the famed civil rights activist from his rise all the way to his assassination in 1968.
Kario Salem penned the script with Steven Spielberg, Suzanne De Passe, Madison Jones and Samuel Nappi producing.
Source: Variety...
Jamie Foxx is also in early talks to star as Mlk in the movie which has been in development since 2009. The story would follow the famed civil rights activist from his rise all the way to his assassination in 1968.
Kario Salem penned the script with Steven Spielberg, Suzanne De Passe, Madison Jones and Samuel Nappi producing.
Source: Variety...
- 10/11/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
With "JFK," "Nixon" and "W." under his belt, Oliver Stone knows his way around (controversial) biopics of famous American leaders. But even with that said, he's not the first guy we'd think of for a movie about Martin Luther King Jr. Then again, we're not the folks at DreamWorks, who are eyeing Stone to direct, and Jamie Foxx to star in a currently untitled project they're developing. The weight behind this one is immense, with Steven Spielberg leading the producers that also include Suzanne De Passe, Madison Jones and Sam Nappi, and Ronald Harwood ("The Pianist," "Australia") first cracking the script while Kario Salem ("Chasing Mavericks") is working on it now. But perhaps most crucially, the project has members of the Mlk family involved as well. Now for the caveats: THR says, "neither Stone nor Foxx have offers at this stage but meetings have taken place. The two are keen...
- 10/10/2013
- by Kevin Jagernauth
- The Playlist
Jamie Foxx is in talks to play Martin Luther King Jr. in a biopic that Oliver Stone is in negotiations to direct for DreamWorks and Warner Bros., three individuals familiar with the long-gestating project have told TheWrap. Oscar winners Foxx and Stone previously worked together on 1999′s football drama “Any Given Sunday,” which helped put Foxx on the map as a major movie star. Warner Bros. had no comment. Steven Spielberg will produce for DreamWorks along with Suzanne de Passe, Madison Jones and Sam Nappi, while several members of the King family are expected to serve as executive producers on the project.
- 10/10/2013
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
Basically, girls are strange and mysterious and it’s just too hard to tell stories about them. Also: cooties. Wah! From FoxNews.com:
“She doesn’t have the single, clear, compelling story that everyone knows and recognizes,” Nelson told the Hollywood Reporter. “There are lots of facets to Wonder Woman, and I think the key is, how do you get the right facet for that right medium? What you do in TV has to be different than what you do in features…We are still trying right now, but she’s tricky.”
…
“A Wonder Woman movie has the potential to be huge thanks to the comic books and a deep, nostalgic fondness generated by the Lynda Carter TV show,” said entertainment and pop culture expert Scott Huver. “But the wrong approach could be disastrous. The character carries a lot of goodwill, and is more than just a super hero property...
“She doesn’t have the single, clear, compelling story that everyone knows and recognizes,” Nelson told the Hollywood Reporter. “There are lots of facets to Wonder Woman, and I think the key is, how do you get the right facet for that right medium? What you do in TV has to be different than what you do in features…We are still trying right now, but she’s tricky.”
…
“A Wonder Woman movie has the potential to be huge thanks to the comic books and a deep, nostalgic fondness generated by the Lynda Carter TV show,” said entertainment and pop culture expert Scott Huver. “But the wrong approach could be disastrous. The character carries a lot of goodwill, and is more than just a super hero property...
- 8/13/2013
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
I was under the impression that there already was a Wendy Williams Productions, but I guess this formailizes it? Remember last summer when it was announced that production companies belonging to Wendy Williams and Suzanne de Passe (Wendy Williams Productions and de Passe Jones Entertainment) had teamed up to develop projects for TV and film - with original movies being the primary focus, based on a statement from said de Passe Jones co-chairman Madison Jones, at the time. It's been announced this afternoon that Wendy Williams and her manager and husband, Kevin Hunter, have formed the programming company called Wendy Williams...
- 2/4/2013
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Wendy Williams is expanding her brand into movies and more television. The talk show host and producers Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones announced Thursday that they have entered into what they are calling a “production alliance” with plans to make movies and TV series aimed at a multicultural audience. Photos: THR's 35 Most Powerful People in Media These new projects, according to the announcement, will be presented under the "Wendy Williams Presents" banner. "Wendy's popularity and brand is evidenced by her success in daytime television," said de Passe. "We are looking forward to expanding her brand and audience
read more...
read more...
- 6/28/2012
- by Alex Ben Block
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Production companies belonging to Wendy Williams and Suzanne de Passe (Wendy Williams Productions and de Passe Jones Entertainment) have teamed up to develop projects for TV and film. The plan is to jointly develop and distribute original projects for both the big and small screens (movies and series) which will be targeted to a diverse audience under the "Wendy Williams Presents" banner. "The goal of this strategic partnership is to bring the very best movies of every ilk to the general public and greatly enhance the diversity, content and quality of offerings currently available," said de Passe Jones co-chairman Madison Jones. And further,...
- 6/28/2012
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
Universal Pictures has forged a three-year, first-look production agreement with Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones' de Passe Jones Entertainment.Universal Pictures chairman Adam Fogelson and co-chairman Donna Langley said, "Suzanne and Madison have respect in multiple divisions of the entertainment industry. We look forward to their upcoming projects with the studio."de Passe and Jones merged their entertainment companies several years ago and are developing and producing a wide variety of film, television, music and new media ...
- 10/22/2011
- BusinessofCinema
Universal Pictures has signed a three-year, first-look production agreement with Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones’ de Passe Jones Entertainment, the studio announced on Monday. De Passe is the former president of Motown. In addition to her stint at the music and entertainment company, de Passe was an executive producer on "Lonesome Dove" and received an Oscar nomination for "Lady Sings the Blues." Jones was the founder and CEO of Ipm, an entertainment, media and IP licensing firm that developed projects with Time Warner. His company spearheaded the licensing program for the...
- 10/17/2011
- by Brent Lang
- The Wrap
Universal City, CA, October 17, 2011 — Universal Pictures announced today that the studio has forged a significant three-year, first-look production agreement with Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones’ de Passe Jones Entertainment (depassejones.com). The announcement was made by Universal Pictures Chairman Adam Fogelson and Co-Chairman Donna Langley. “Suzanne and Madison are trailblazing producers who have great respect in multiple divisions of the entertainment industry,” said Fogelson and Langley. “We are fortunate to work with such respected partners and look forward to their upcoming projects with the studio.” de Passe and Jones merged their entertainment companies several years ago and are currently developing and producing a wide variety of film, television, music and new media projects. One of de Passe Jones’ priority projects is the definitive film on the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which they are developing with Steven Spielberg at DreamWorks. The company has just published its first...
- 10/17/2011
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
DreamWorks and Warner Bros. are currently trying to get a new untitled Martin Luthor King Jr. biopic film project off the ground. The studio is currently in negotiations with screenwriter Kario Salem, to write the script for the film. Salem is best known for writing the Robert De Niro and Edward Norton heist film The Score.
In 2009 DreamWorks acquired the life rights of the civil rights leader, and brought on Sam Nappi, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones to produce the film. The studio secured the cooperation of the King estate, and also has access to King's intellectual property, including his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.
Paul Greengrass was working on getting his own Martin Luther King movie called Memphis off the ground at Universal Pictures, but it ended up falling apart and Universal dropped it. Now Greengrass is independently looking for funding. Director Lee Daniels is also...
In 2009 DreamWorks acquired the life rights of the civil rights leader, and brought on Sam Nappi, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones to produce the film. The studio secured the cooperation of the King estate, and also has access to King's intellectual property, including his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.
Paul Greengrass was working on getting his own Martin Luther King movie called Memphis off the ground at Universal Pictures, but it ended up falling apart and Universal dropped it. Now Greengrass is independently looking for funding. Director Lee Daniels is also...
- 4/29/2011
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
"The Score" scribe Kario Salem is in negotiations to pen a biopic of Martin Luther King Jr. at DreamWorks Pictures says The Hollywood Reporter.
DreamWorks acquired the life rights of the civil rights leader in May 2009 including access to King's intellectual property and the cooperation of the King estate.
At the same time, Warners had been working on its biopic for several years and had been in deep development on a script with Salem, who had done almost four years worth of research and interviews when writing his screenplay.
Now the projects are coming together with Warners to co-finance and co-distribute the film with Disney's Touchstone label (where Dreamworks is now established). Salem will now write a new script with the estate’s backing, while Sam Nappi, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones will produce.
Rival projects Lee Daniels's "Selma" with David Oyelowo attached to play King and Paul Greengrass...
DreamWorks acquired the life rights of the civil rights leader in May 2009 including access to King's intellectual property and the cooperation of the King estate.
At the same time, Warners had been working on its biopic for several years and had been in deep development on a script with Salem, who had done almost four years worth of research and interviews when writing his screenplay.
Now the projects are coming together with Warners to co-finance and co-distribute the film with Disney's Touchstone label (where Dreamworks is now established). Salem will now write a new script with the estate’s backing, while Sam Nappi, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones will produce.
Rival projects Lee Daniels's "Selma" with David Oyelowo attached to play King and Paul Greengrass...
- 4/29/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
DreamWorks and Warner Bros., which had been working on competing Martin Luther King biopics, are teaming to make one, TheWrap confirmed Thursday. The new project is a 50-50 coventure of DreamWorks and Warner Bros. Kario Salem, who had been attached to Warner Bros. version, will write the script. DreamWorks acquired life rights to King in 2009, and had been working with members of the slain civil rights leader's family. The company will take the lead on development. When DreamWorks acquired the rights, Steven Spielberg, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones announced they would produce...
- 4/29/2011
- by Joshua L. Weinstein
- The Wrap
Warner Bros. breathed new life into the Martin Luther King biopic originally set up by producers Sam Nappi, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones at DreamWorks as far back as 2009. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the two studios agreed to partner on the project because Nappi, de Passe and Jones already acquired the cooperation of the King estate and access to King’s intellectual property. In fact, Dexter King, Bernice King and Martin Luther King II joined the project as executive producers.
- 4/28/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Warner Bros. breathed new life into the Martin Luther King biopic originally set up by producers Sam Nappi, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones at DreamWorks as far back as 2009. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the two studios agreed to partner on the project because Nappi, de Passe and Jones already acquired the cooperation of the King estate and access to King’s intellectual property. In fact, Dexter King, Bernice King and Martin Luther King II joined the project as executive producers.
- 4/28/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Warner Bros. breathed new life into the Martin Luther King biopic originally set up by producers Sam Nappi, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones at DreamWorks as far back as 2009. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the two studios agreed to partner on the project because Nappi, de Passe and Jones already acquired the cooperation of the King estate and access to King’s intellectual property. In fact, Dexter King, Bernice King and Martin Luther King II joined the project as executive producers.
- 4/28/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Warner Bros. breathed new life into the Martin Luther King biopic originally set up by producers Sam Nappi, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones at DreamWorks as far back as 2009. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the two studios agreed to partner on the project because Nappi, de Passe and Jones already acquired the cooperation of the King estate and access to King’s intellectual property. In fact, Dexter King, Bernice King and Martin Luther King II joined the project as executive producers.
- 4/28/2011
- Upcoming-Movies.com
A harrowing trip to Africa cemented a filmmaker's bond with Facebook and created a new way for human rights activists to spread the word -- while promoting the social networking site's month-old streaming video channel.
A week into Michealene Cristini Risley's trip to the Republic of Zimbabwe in August 2007 to make a documentary exposing sexual abuse by men who believed raping virgin girls would cure their HIV/AIDS, the Bay Area filmmaker was arrested on trumped-up charges and thrown into prison -- putting her in danger of being raped herself.
After three days, an American journalist who read about Risley's predicament on her Facebook page alerted a CIA agent, who made a call to Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe. She was released unharmed and fled the country with her HD footage.
On Sept. 28, Risley will be at Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto, Calif., to thank its employees for the company's...
A week into Michealene Cristini Risley's trip to the Republic of Zimbabwe in August 2007 to make a documentary exposing sexual abuse by men who believed raping virgin girls would cure their HIV/AIDS, the Bay Area filmmaker was arrested on trumped-up charges and thrown into prison -- putting her in danger of being raped herself.
After three days, an American journalist who read about Risley's predicament on her Facebook page alerted a CIA agent, who made a call to Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe. She was released unharmed and fled the country with her HD footage.
On Sept. 28, Risley will be at Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto, Calif., to thank its employees for the company's...
- 9/8/2010
- by By Alex Ben Block
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Oscar winning screenwriter Ronald Harwood will pen the screenplay for the civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. biopic that will be made by DreamWorks Studios, a venture promoted by Steven Spielberg and Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group. The announcement was made by DreamWorks co-presidents Mark Sourian and Holly Bario. Spielberg, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones will produce the film about the renowned civil rights leader. "I will not say anything about my approach to this screenplay except to say what I always say, 'I will do my utmost to be true to truth'," said Harwood. The DreamWorks movie will be ...
- 1/20/2010
- Hindustan Times - Cinema
Acclaimed playwright and Academy Award winning screenwriter Ronald Harwood will write the screenplay for DreamWorks Studios' Martin Luther King, Jr. bio-pic, it was announced today by Mark Sourian and Holly Bario, Co-Presidents of Production for the studio. As previously announced, Steven Spielberg, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones will produce the film about the renowned civil rights leader. The DreamWorks film will be the first theatrical motion picture to be authorized by...
- 1/20/2010
- GlamSham
Critically-acclaimed playwright and Oscar-winning scribe Ronald Harwood ("The Pianist," "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly," "Being Julia") will write the screenplay for the Martin Luther King, Jr. biopic in development at DreamWorks Pictures says The Wrap.
This version of the story of the renowned civil rights leader will be the first film to be authorized by The King Estate to utilize the intellectual property of Dr. King. King copyrighted his speeches, books, and famous works during his lifetime.
Steven Spielberg, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones will produce.
This version of the story of the renowned civil rights leader will be the first film to be authorized by The King Estate to utilize the intellectual property of Dr. King. King copyrighted his speeches, books, and famous works during his lifetime.
Steven Spielberg, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones will produce.
- 1/20/2010
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
By Wrap Staff
Oscar-winning screenwriter Ronald Harwood ("The Pianist") will write the screenplay for DreamWorks Studios’ Martin Luther King Jr. biopic. Mark Sourian and Holly Bario, the studio's co-presidents of production, made the announcement Tuesday.
DreamWorks' movie, produced by Steven Spielberg, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones, is the first theatrical film authorized by the King Estate to use Dr. King's intellectual property. King copyrighted ...
Oscar-winning screenwriter Ronald Harwood ("The Pianist") will write the screenplay for DreamWorks Studios’ Martin Luther King Jr. biopic. Mark Sourian and Holly Bario, the studio's co-presidents of production, made the announcement Tuesday.
DreamWorks' movie, produced by Steven Spielberg, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones, is the first theatrical film authorized by the King Estate to use Dr. King's intellectual property. King copyrighted ...
- 1/19/2010
- by Lisa Horowitz
- The Wrap
DreamWorks Studios announced today its hired playwright and Academy Award-winning screenwriter Ronald Harwood to write the Martin Luther King, Jr. biopic. Overseeing the film are Mark Sourian and Holly Bario, Co-Presidents of Production for the studio, while, as previously announced, Steven Spielberg, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones will produce the film about the renowned civil rights leader. It's the first theatrical motion picture to be authorized by The King Estate to utilize the intellectual property of Dr. King to create the definitive portrait of his life. (Dr. King copyrighted his speeches, books, and famous works during his lifetime.) A [...]...
- 1/19/2010
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline Hollywood
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