Focus Features and Monumental Pictures announced on January 13, 2023 that they will partner on Back to Black, the highly anticipated feature film about the late Amy Winehouse’s vibrant years living in London in the early aughts and her intense journey to fame, which begins filming in London on January 16th. Acclaimed filmmaker and visual artist Sam Taylor-Johnson will direct and executive produce the film, with break-out star Marisa Abela landing the coveted lead role. Focus will distribute the film in the United States, with Universal Pictures International handling international distribution, excluding the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Aus/Nz, Benelux, Scandinavia, and Poland which will be handled by Studiocanal.
Marisa Abela stars as Amy Winehouse in director Sam Taylor-Johnson’s upcoming Back to Black, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features
The deal was closed by Anne Cherel, Aska Yamaguchi, and Sophie Leuthreau for Studiocanal and Howard Meyers and Marin Babb for Focus Features.
Marisa Abela stars as Amy Winehouse in director Sam Taylor-Johnson’s upcoming Back to Black, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features
The deal was closed by Anne Cherel, Aska Yamaguchi, and Sophie Leuthreau for Studiocanal and Howard Meyers and Marin Babb for Focus Features.
- 1/16/2023
- by Editor
- CinemaNerdz
Focus Features is bringing Amy Winehouse to the big screen. The studio has acquired “Back to Black,” the upcoming biopic of the beloved singer from Studiocanal, it was announced Friday. Focus Features also released a first look image from the film, featuring lead actor Marisa Abela in character as Winehouse.
News of this biopic about Winehouse’s life was first announced last July, with Abela reportedly joining the project later that month. The film will follow the acclaimed music artist’s rise to fame through her 2006 album “Back to Black,” before her tragic 2011 death from alcohol poisoning. Since 2011, multiple biopics about Winehouse’s career have been in development, with stars like Noomi Rapace and Tania Raymonde getting attached to separate projects. In 2015, the acclaimed documentary about her life titled “Amy” was released and won Best Documentary Feature at the Academy Awards.
Sam Taylor-Johnson, best known for her directorial debut “Nowhere Boy...
News of this biopic about Winehouse’s life was first announced last July, with Abela reportedly joining the project later that month. The film will follow the acclaimed music artist’s rise to fame through her 2006 album “Back to Black,” before her tragic 2011 death from alcohol poisoning. Since 2011, multiple biopics about Winehouse’s career have been in development, with stars like Noomi Rapace and Tania Raymonde getting attached to separate projects. In 2015, the acclaimed documentary about her life titled “Amy” was released and won Best Documentary Feature at the Academy Awards.
Sam Taylor-Johnson, best known for her directorial debut “Nowhere Boy...
- 1/13/2023
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
“Industry” breakout Marisa Abela has officially been tapped to star as Amy Winehouse in Focus Features’ “Back to Black.”
As previously announced, Sam Taylor-Johnson of the “Fifty Shades of Gray” franchise will direct and executive produce the film, which is said to cover Winehouse’s “vibrant years living in London in the early aughts and her intense journey to fame.” Matt Greenhalgh wrote the script.
Focus has landed U.S. rights, with Studiocanal handling distribution in the U.K., France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand, Benelux, Scandinavia, and Poland. Universal Pictures International will oversee all other international distribution.
Production begins Monday in London.
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In a first-look image (see below) Abela emulates the Grammy-winning singer’s signature beehive ‘do and tattoos. The actress most recently starred...
As previously announced, Sam Taylor-Johnson of the “Fifty Shades of Gray” franchise will direct and executive produce the film, which is said to cover Winehouse’s “vibrant years living in London in the early aughts and her intense journey to fame.” Matt Greenhalgh wrote the script.
Focus has landed U.S. rights, with Studiocanal handling distribution in the U.K., France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand, Benelux, Scandinavia, and Poland. Universal Pictures International will oversee all other international distribution.
Production begins Monday in London.
Also Read:
Why ‘Elvis’ Director Baz Luhrmann and Editor Jonathan Redmond Gave the Real Elvis the Last Word in the Film | ‘How I Did It’
In a first-look image (see below) Abela emulates the Grammy-winning singer’s signature beehive ‘do and tattoos. The actress most recently starred...
- 1/13/2023
- by Harper Lambert
- The Wrap
The upcoming Amy Winehouse biopic “Back to Black” has unveiled a first look image of Marisa Abela in character as the Grammy-winning icon. The photo debuted as Studiocanal announced it was partnering with Focus Features and Monumental Pictures on the music drama. Sam Taylor-Johnson, best known for helming “50 Shades of Gray” and “Nowhere Boy,” is directing the biopic.
According to the studios, “Back to Black” will track “Amy Winehouse’s vibrant years living in London in the early aughts and her intense journey to fame.” Production on the movie kicks off Jan. 16 in London.
Variety exclusively reported in July that Abela had emerged as the frontrunner to play Winehouse in the biopic. Abela is best known for playing the privileged but troubled Yasmin Kara-Hanani in HBO’s “Industry,” which aired its second season last year. The British actor also starred in the Sky TV series “Cobra” and acted alongside...
According to the studios, “Back to Black” will track “Amy Winehouse’s vibrant years living in London in the early aughts and her intense journey to fame.” Production on the movie kicks off Jan. 16 in London.
Variety exclusively reported in July that Abela had emerged as the frontrunner to play Winehouse in the biopic. Abela is best known for playing the privileged but troubled Yasmin Kara-Hanani in HBO’s “Industry,” which aired its second season last year. The British actor also starred in the Sky TV series “Cobra” and acted alongside...
- 1/13/2023
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Focus Features announced more executive appointments as new CEO Peter Schlessel prepares to take the helm of the reconfigured company in January. Schlessel will bring over several execs from FilmDistrict to join him at Focus, which will have offices based in Los Angeles. Story: Focus Features to Release Elton John Biopic 'Rocketman' Film District’s Beth Lemberger will be executive vp business affairs, joining Howard Meyers, who is currently executive vp business affairs, production at Focus Features. They will both report to Schlessel. FilmDistrict’s Kevin Monroe will serve as senior vp business affairs for Focus, reporting to Lemberger. Robert T. Gibson will
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- 11/7/2013
- by Rebecca Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Focus Features has announced more executive hires in the wake of its recent restructuring. Focus CEO Peter Schlessel unveiled the leadership team in October in advance of the revamped company’s launch in January. The executive positions announced Thursday will further support Schlessel’s goal to design a production, marketing, distribution and business affairs team that has expertise in both specialty and wide release films. Also Read: The New Focus Features: FilmDistrict With a Different Name FilmDistrict’s Beth Lemberger will be executive VP of business affairs, joining Howard Meyers, who is currently executive VP of business affairs, production at Focus.
- 11/7/2013
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
Incoming Focus CEO Peter Schlessel has announced several senior hires ahead of the January 2014 launch of the reconfigured company.
Film District’s Beth Lemberger will serve as evp of business affairs and joins Howard Meyers who is currently evp of business affairs, production at Focus Features. Both executives will report to Schlessel. FilmDistrict’s Kevin Monroe will serve as svp of business affairs for Focus, reporting to Lemberger.
Focus Features’ Robert T Gibson will continue as Focus’ CFO and svp of finance, reporting to newly appointed Focus Features COO Adrian Alperovich.
Brad Goldberg of FilmDistrict will serve as evp of marketing and reports to the newly appointed Focus Features president of marketing Christine Birch. FilmDistrict’s Tracy Pollard will become Focus’ svp of creative advertising and reports to Birch.
Joshua M McLaughlin will stay on with Focus and serve as svp of production reporting to Focus Features president of production Jeb Brody. Louis Phillips will remain...
Film District’s Beth Lemberger will serve as evp of business affairs and joins Howard Meyers who is currently evp of business affairs, production at Focus Features. Both executives will report to Schlessel. FilmDistrict’s Kevin Monroe will serve as svp of business affairs for Focus, reporting to Lemberger.
Focus Features’ Robert T Gibson will continue as Focus’ CFO and svp of finance, reporting to newly appointed Focus Features COO Adrian Alperovich.
Brad Goldberg of FilmDistrict will serve as evp of marketing and reports to the newly appointed Focus Features president of marketing Christine Birch. FilmDistrict’s Tracy Pollard will become Focus’ svp of creative advertising and reports to Birch.
Joshua M McLaughlin will stay on with Focus and serve as svp of production reporting to Focus Features president of production Jeb Brody. Louis Phillips will remain...
- 11/7/2013
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Breaking: Peter Schlessel, who took over Focus Features after Universal swallowed his FilmDistrict label, has begun assimilating the staffs of those two companies for January’s company relaunch. This happens a day after the company formalized the widely expected news that Focus Features International would shutter. More of this mixing and matching will happen over the next few weeks, and we’ll get a sense of the final layoff count soon. For now, here’s who is staying: · FilmDistrict’s Beth Lemberger will be Evp Business Affairs, joining Howard Meyers who is currently Evp Business Affairs, Production at Focus Features. Both executives will report to Schlessel. FilmDistrict’s Kevin Monroe will also serve as Svp Business Affairs for Focus reporting to Lemberger. · Focus Features’ Robert T. Gibson will continue as Focus’ Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance, and report to newly appointed Focus Features Chief Operating Officer Adrian Alperovich.
- 11/7/2013
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
NEW YORK -- Focus Features has promoted Howard Meyers to executive vp business affairs. He was senior vp business affairs.
The exec will now head the department with executive vp strategic planning, business affairs and acquisitions Avy Eschenasy. Both will be based in the company's Universal City offices and report to Focus CEO James Schamus.
Meyers started at the company in his previous position when it formed in 2002, following a stint in the same title at Focus' previous incarnation as a Universal Pictures specialty arm, USA Films. He earlier served as a business affairs exec at MGM and United Artists and was a legal affairs exec at Warner Bros.
During his five years at Focus, Meyers arranged financing and talent deals for the Oscar-winning "Brokeback Mountain" and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," along with the upcoming features "Reservation Road" and "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day".
The exec will now head the department with executive vp strategic planning, business affairs and acquisitions Avy Eschenasy. Both will be based in the company's Universal City offices and report to Focus CEO James Schamus.
Meyers started at the company in his previous position when it formed in 2002, following a stint in the same title at Focus' previous incarnation as a Universal Pictures specialty arm, USA Films. He earlier served as a business affairs exec at MGM and United Artists and was a legal affairs exec at Warner Bros.
During his five years at Focus, Meyers arranged financing and talent deals for the Oscar-winning "Brokeback Mountain" and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," along with the upcoming features "Reservation Road" and "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day".
Focus Features has named Timothy Collins vp business affairs, the company announced Thursday. Collins, who will be based at Focus' West Coast offices, will negotiate talent deals for Focus and its sister division, Rogue Pictures. He reports to senior vp business affairs Howard Meyers, effective immediately. "With substantially increased Focus and Rogue production and global presence, I'll be tapping Tim's expertise in closing deals in a practical and productive manner," exec vp business affairs Avy Eschenasy said. Collins most recently was director of business affairs at MGM, where he handled similar duties. The Yale Law School grad began his career at Mitchell, Silberberg & Knupp, followed by seven years as assistant general counsel in Warner Bros. Pictures' theatrical legal department.
- 10/20/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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