Exclusive: Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment has promoted Dana Cox and Quincie Li to managers in the literary department.
In addition to bringing in new opportunities to the company’s existing roster, Cox and Li
will represent writers and directors across film and TV, as well as expand the company’s film festival outreach.
Cox was previously the company’s lit coordinator and worked for partner Josh Goldenberg. Cox began her career in theatrical marketing at Paramount Pictures, before moving to New Regency where she assisted the Chairman, Yariv Milchan. “As a second-generation, multi-racial Asian American and the first in her family to graduate college, Cox is committed to challenging the status quo, celebrating diverse storytellers, and finding new ways to create more opportunities for underrepresented voices,” said Kpe’s release. She is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley.
Li already has built a roster of clients consisting of writers...
In addition to bringing in new opportunities to the company’s existing roster, Cox and Li
will represent writers and directors across film and TV, as well as expand the company’s film festival outreach.
Cox was previously the company’s lit coordinator and worked for partner Josh Goldenberg. Cox began her career in theatrical marketing at Paramount Pictures, before moving to New Regency where she assisted the Chairman, Yariv Milchan. “As a second-generation, multi-racial Asian American and the first in her family to graduate college, Cox is committed to challenging the status quo, celebrating diverse storytellers, and finding new ways to create more opportunities for underrepresented voices,” said Kpe’s release. She is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley.
Li already has built a roster of clients consisting of writers...
- 3/17/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Talks between AGC Studios and international buyers underway.
IFC Midnight has acquired North American rights to Chloe Okuno’s horror Watcher and will release theatrically and on VoD later this year with Shudder taking the first streaming window.
‘Watcher’: Sundance Review
It marks the second time the AMC Networks stablemates have partnered on an acquisition at this year’s festival after they picked up the psychothriller Resurrection starring Rebecca Hall and Tim Roth.
Watcher premiered in U.S. Dramatic Competition and stars It Follows breakout Maika Monroe as a lonely young married woman in Bucharest, Romania, who comes to...
IFC Midnight has acquired North American rights to Chloe Okuno’s horror Watcher and will release theatrically and on VoD later this year with Shudder taking the first streaming window.
‘Watcher’: Sundance Review
It marks the second time the AMC Networks stablemates have partnered on an acquisition at this year’s festival after they picked up the psychothriller Resurrection starring Rebecca Hall and Tim Roth.
Watcher premiered in U.S. Dramatic Competition and stars It Follows breakout Maika Monroe as a lonely young married woman in Bucharest, Romania, who comes to...
- 1/30/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
IFC Midnight and Shudder have acquired the distribution rights to Chloe Okuno’s horror film “Watcher,” which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this year. IFC will release the film in theaters and on-demand later this year, with Shudder taking the first streaming window.
In “Watcher,” “It Follows” star Maika Monroe plays Julia, an actor who gives up her career to join her husband for in Romania for his new job. While he’s off at work, she often spends time alone. But as newscasts air reports of a serial killer on the loose, she begins to see a mysterious figure watching her from another building, and she’s convinced that the figure is following her.
“Chloe Okuno’s exceptional vision uses horror and thriller elements in a masterful way that will resonate with any person looking for a singular cinematic experience, even further emboldened by a star-turning performance from Maika Monroe,...
In “Watcher,” “It Follows” star Maika Monroe plays Julia, an actor who gives up her career to join her husband for in Romania for his new job. While he’s off at work, she often spends time alone. But as newscasts air reports of a serial killer on the loose, she begins to see a mysterious figure watching her from another building, and she’s convinced that the figure is following her.
“Chloe Okuno’s exceptional vision uses horror and thriller elements in a masterful way that will resonate with any person looking for a singular cinematic experience, even further emboldened by a star-turning performance from Maika Monroe,...
- 1/30/2022
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
IFC Films and the AMC Network-owned digital platform Shudder purchased North American rights to “Watcher,” an eerie thriller that premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
IFC Midnight, the company’s genre division, plans to release the film in theaters and on VOD (beginning with the horror-centric streamer Shudder) in 2022. The exact date has not been set yet.
Chloe Okuno directed “Watcher,” a suspenseful story about a young woman who moves into a new apartment with her fiancé gets the creepy sense that she’s being observed. Maika Monroe, Karl Glusman (“Love”) and Burn Gorman (“Torchwood”) star in the film, which Okuno co-wrote with Zach Ford.
“Chloe Okuno’s exceptional vision uses horror and thriller elements in a masterful way that will resonate with any person looking for a singular cinematic experience, even further emboldened by a star-turning performance from Maika Monroe,” Arianna Bocco, IFC Films president, said in a statement.
IFC Midnight, the company’s genre division, plans to release the film in theaters and on VOD (beginning with the horror-centric streamer Shudder) in 2022. The exact date has not been set yet.
Chloe Okuno directed “Watcher,” a suspenseful story about a young woman who moves into a new apartment with her fiancé gets the creepy sense that she’s being observed. Maika Monroe, Karl Glusman (“Love”) and Burn Gorman (“Torchwood”) star in the film, which Okuno co-wrote with Zach Ford.
“Chloe Okuno’s exceptional vision uses horror and thriller elements in a masterful way that will resonate with any person looking for a singular cinematic experience, even further emboldened by a star-turning performance from Maika Monroe,” Arianna Bocco, IFC Films president, said in a statement.
- 1/30/2022
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: IFC Films is closing a deal for North American distribution rights on the Sundance buzz title Watcher, Deadline hears. The Chloe Okuno-directed thriller stars Maika Monroe, Karl Glusman and Ciubuciu Bogdan Alexandru. Acquisition is for IFC Midnight, and Shudder will take the first streaming window.
When Julia (Monroe) hangs up her acting aspirations to join her husband when he relocates to his family’s native Romania for a new job she finds herself frequently alone and unoccupied. One night, people-watching from her picture window, she spots a vague figure in an adjacent building, who seems to be looking back at her. Soon after, while alone at a local movie theater, Julia’s sense of being watched intensifies, and she becomes certain she’s being followed — could it be the same unknown neighbor? Meanwhile, a serial killer known as The Spider stalks the city.
Pic is scripted by Zack Ford,...
When Julia (Monroe) hangs up her acting aspirations to join her husband when he relocates to his family’s native Romania for a new job she finds herself frequently alone and unoccupied. One night, people-watching from her picture window, she spots a vague figure in an adjacent building, who seems to be looking back at her. Soon after, while alone at a local movie theater, Julia’s sense of being watched intensifies, and she becomes certain she’s being followed — could it be the same unknown neighbor? Meanwhile, a serial killer known as The Spider stalks the city.
Pic is scripted by Zack Ford,...
- 1/30/2022
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Cast has been set for Chloe Okuno’s Watcher, with Maika Monroe (It Follows), Karl Glusman (Nocturnal Animals) and Burn Gorman (Enola Holmes) signing on for the phycological thriller.
The movie will begin shooting this month in Romania. It follows a young married couple Julia (Monroe) and Francis (Glusman) as they move into a new apartment together in Bucharest, just as a citywide panic is brewing over a possible serial killer on the loose. Julia, who finds herself isolated in her new surroundings, becomes increasingly tormented by the belief that she is being stalked by an unseen watcher in the adjacent building.
The film is a co-production between Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Spooky Pictures, the low-budget genre label formed by producers Steven Schneider and Roy Lee. The two companies have a multi-picture slate deal and this is the debut collaboration from that pact.
Zack Ford wrote the screenplay for...
The movie will begin shooting this month in Romania. It follows a young married couple Julia (Monroe) and Francis (Glusman) as they move into a new apartment together in Bucharest, just as a citywide panic is brewing over a possible serial killer on the loose. Julia, who finds herself isolated in her new surroundings, becomes increasingly tormented by the belief that she is being stalked by an unseen watcher in the adjacent building.
The film is a co-production between Image Nation Abu Dhabi and Spooky Pictures, the low-budget genre label formed by producers Steven Schneider and Roy Lee. The two companies have a multi-picture slate deal and this is the debut collaboration from that pact.
Zack Ford wrote the screenplay for...
- 3/16/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
U.S. actors Maika Monroe (“It Follows”), Karl Glusman (“Nocturnal Animals”) and Burn Gorman (“Enola Holmes”) are attached to star in psychological thriller “Watcher,” directed by Chloe Okuno, which starts shooting this month.
The previously announced film marks the feature film debut of Okuno, director of the award-winning AFI short film “Slut,” centered on a naive young girl who becomes the target of a murderous sociopath when she attempts to reinvent herself to impress the boys in her small Texas town.
“Watcher,” according to promotional materials, follows young married couple Julia (Monroe) and Francis (Glusman) as they move into a new apartment together in Bucharest, just as a citywide panic is brewing over a possible serial killer on the loose. Julia, who finds herself isolated in her new surroundings, becomes increasingly tormented by the belief that she is being stalked by an unseen watcher in the adjacent building.
The film...
The previously announced film marks the feature film debut of Okuno, director of the award-winning AFI short film “Slut,” centered on a naive young girl who becomes the target of a murderous sociopath when she attempts to reinvent herself to impress the boys in her small Texas town.
“Watcher,” according to promotional materials, follows young married couple Julia (Monroe) and Francis (Glusman) as they move into a new apartment together in Bucharest, just as a citywide panic is brewing over a possible serial killer on the loose. Julia, who finds herself isolated in her new surroundings, becomes increasingly tormented by the belief that she is being stalked by an unseen watcher in the adjacent building.
The film...
- 3/16/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Spooky Pictures, the genre label formed by producers Roy Lee (It) and Steven Schneider (Pet Sematary), has set the first production under its multi-picture slate deal with Image Nation Abu Dhabi.
The two companies previously sealed a pact for Middle Eastern outfit Image Nation to finance low-budget genre movies from Spooky Pictures. The debut collaboration will be psychological thriller Watcher, based on an original spec by Zack Ford, which was on the ‘Blood List’ in 2016. Director Chloe Okun, whose 2014 short Slut was a festival hit, has been attached to helm the movie.
Set in the midst of a city-wide panic over an active serial killer, the film follows a young woman who moves into a new apartment with her fiancé only to be tormented by the feeling that she is being stalked by an unseen watcher in an adjacent building.
The pic is now casting ahead of a planned April shoot.
The two companies previously sealed a pact for Middle Eastern outfit Image Nation to finance low-budget genre movies from Spooky Pictures. The debut collaboration will be psychological thriller Watcher, based on an original spec by Zack Ford, which was on the ‘Blood List’ in 2016. Director Chloe Okun, whose 2014 short Slut was a festival hit, has been attached to helm the movie.
Set in the midst of a city-wide panic over an active serial killer, the film follows a young woman who moves into a new apartment with her fiancé only to be tormented by the feeling that she is being stalked by an unseen watcher in an adjacent building.
The pic is now casting ahead of a planned April shoot.
- 3/3/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Image Nation Abu Dhabi has inked a multi-picture deal with Los Angeles-based Spooky Pictures, and set up-and-coming director Chloe Okuno’s psychological thriller “Watcher” as the slate’s first title.
Spooky Pictures, which is the low-budget genre label recently formed by producers Roy Lee (“The Ring”) and Steven Schneider (“Pet Sematary”), and the Abu Dhabi outfit with deep pockets announced that “Watcher,” which involves a serial killer who prompts a citywide panic, is currently being cast in preparation for an April shoot.
In the pic, scripted by Zack Ford, a young woman moves into a new apartment with her fiancé only to be tormented by the feeling that she is being stalked by an unseen watcher in an adjacent building, according to promotional materials.
“The Watcher” will be produced by Aaron Kaplan, Sean Perrone, Mason Novick, and John Finemore, in addition to Lee and Schneider. Marc Bienstock, Derek Dauchy, and Stuart Manashil will executive produce.
Spooky Pictures, which is the low-budget genre label recently formed by producers Roy Lee (“The Ring”) and Steven Schneider (“Pet Sematary”), and the Abu Dhabi outfit with deep pockets announced that “Watcher,” which involves a serial killer who prompts a citywide panic, is currently being cast in preparation for an April shoot.
In the pic, scripted by Zack Ford, a young woman moves into a new apartment with her fiancé only to be tormented by the feeling that she is being stalked by an unseen watcher in an adjacent building, according to promotional materials.
“The Watcher” will be produced by Aaron Kaplan, Sean Perrone, Mason Novick, and John Finemore, in addition to Lee and Schneider. Marc Bienstock, Derek Dauchy, and Stuart Manashil will executive produce.
- 3/2/2020
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
First and foremost: Chesley Sullenberger did extraordinary work in landing Us Airways flight 1549 in the Hudson River, and every single person involved in the rescue efforts that day deserves the highest possible praise for how they handled things. Every single passenger and crew member aboard survived, and that is to be celebrated, certainly. But as a film? I can imagine all of the good impulses that went into the decision to make Sully, but none of that matters when the film is as resolutely limp as this one. Clint Eastwood often works in a minor key, which is one of the things I like most about him as a filmmaker. He has always been interested in the understated, and Sully is certainly that. The danger is that you can be so understated that it becomes inert, and in the case of Sully, I don’t get the entire thing. I...
- 9/8/2016
- by Drew McWeeny
- Hitfix
Fight evil robots and create your own robot friends in Automatron, the first add-on for Fallout 4, and check out the trailer for this expansion after the jump. Also: a South by Southwest poster for Pet, details on Comic-Con HQ, release info / trailers for Decay and The Horror, and lastly, QuakeCon 2016 information.
Fallout 4: Automatron: Press Release: “Automatron will be available for download across Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC on Tuesday, March 22nd, and will cost $9.99 in North America.
In Automatron, the mysterious Mechanist has unleashed a horde of evil robots into the Commonwealth, including the devious Robobrain. Hunt them down and harvest their parts to build and mod your own custom robot companions. Choose from hundreds of mods; mixing limbs, armor, abilities, and weapons such as the all-new lightning chain gun. Even customize their paint schemes and choose their voices! (For characters level 15 or higher.)
Automatron marks the first add-on release for Fallout 4. In April,...
Fallout 4: Automatron: Press Release: “Automatron will be available for download across Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC on Tuesday, March 22nd, and will cost $9.99 in North America.
In Automatron, the mysterious Mechanist has unleashed a horde of evil robots into the Commonwealth, including the devious Robobrain. Hunt them down and harvest their parts to build and mod your own custom robot companions. Choose from hundreds of mods; mixing limbs, armor, abilities, and weapons such as the all-new lightning chain gun. Even customize their paint schemes and choose their voices! (For characters level 15 or higher.)
Automatron marks the first add-on release for Fallout 4. In April,...
- 3/15/2016
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
Holy Egghead, Batman! Played by the legendary Vincent Price, this Egghead maquette from Sideshow Collectibles and Tweeterhead is expected to ship in August 2016. Also: an American Murder Song trailer, a clip from Pet, and details on Amy Hoff’s Caledonia universe (the novels, the web series, and the feature film) details.
Sideshow & Tweeterhead’s Egghead Maquette: From Sideshow Collectibles: “Sideshow and Tweeterhead are pleased to present the Egghead Maquette. Batman’s pun-prone foe dons his egg-white suit with a yolk-yellow shirt. A technological genius, Egghead is seen holding a radar egg and is poised with a mischievous grin.
Don’t miss your chance to add this eggs-quisite statue to your Batman Classic TV Series collection!”
Expected to Ship: Aug 2016 – Sep 2016 – $249.00.”
Images from Sideshow Collectibles:
———
American Murder Song: “Icons of cult cinema, Terrance Zdunich (Repo! The Genetic Opera) and Saar Hendelman (The Devil’s Carnival franchise) pull the trigger on a new,...
Sideshow & Tweeterhead’s Egghead Maquette: From Sideshow Collectibles: “Sideshow and Tweeterhead are pleased to present the Egghead Maquette. Batman’s pun-prone foe dons his egg-white suit with a yolk-yellow shirt. A technological genius, Egghead is seen holding a radar egg and is poised with a mischievous grin.
Don’t miss your chance to add this eggs-quisite statue to your Batman Classic TV Series collection!”
Expected to Ship: Aug 2016 – Sep 2016 – $249.00.”
Images from Sideshow Collectibles:
———
American Murder Song: “Icons of cult cinema, Terrance Zdunich (Repo! The Genetic Opera) and Saar Hendelman (The Devil’s Carnival franchise) pull the trigger on a new,...
- 3/11/2016
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
The first and most important thing that happened as a result of the staging of "Sticks and Stones" at the Met Theater as part of the Act One Festival was that Scott Swan and I got our first agent. Barbara Baruch worked for Ambrosio/Mortimer, a smaller boutique agency at the time, and from the moment we met her, she seemed like what I imagined an agent to be. She was nurturing, she was a cheerleader, she was a ballbuster, and she was always, always, always in our corner. Our time with her was unfortunately too short, and by the time the agency imploded in accusations of embezzlement, we were already repped by Gersh out of New York. Barbara was first, though, and she was the first one to start pushing people to come see our show and to read our work. The strangest thing about those early days is...
- 6/11/2015
- by Drew McWeeny
- Hitfix
This story first appeared in the May 22 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe. Writers are feeling a bit more love these days. Studios are buying pitches and spec scripts in what literary reps call one of the busiest bursts of development activity in recent memory: "There's been a much more receptive market in the past four months than in the previous four years," says Kaplan/Perrone's Sean Perrone. Insiders say recent studio executive shuffles are a major reason for the action. With Tom Rothman at Sony, Marc Evans at Paramount and Stacey
read more...
read more...
- 5/11/2015
- by Rebecca Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: ABC is going for some experimentation this pilot season. In addition to the 12 half-hour pilots it ordered, the network is looking to do a couple of 10-minute, small-budget comedy presentations for scripts that didn’t make the cut for pilot orders but ABC brass liked enough to give them a shot. They are shorter than the regular comedy presentations, but ABC executives believe they will still get a sense of a project’s potential. First off is the single-camera See You Next Tuesday, from the sibling writing team of Wendy & Lizzie Molyneux (Bob’s Burgers) and 20th Century Fox TV. It is an office comedy about the biggest psychopath in the world and the people who work for her. The duo executive produce with Aaron Kaplan and Sean Perrone of Kaplan/Perrone. Before joining Bob’s Burgers, Wendy & Lizzie Molyneux, repped by Wme and attorney Gregg Gellman, wrote The Day I Turned Uncool...
- 2/13/2013
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Fox has greenlighted two more single-camera comedy pilots: Enlisted, from Cougar Town co-creator Kevin Biegel, and Two Wrongs, from feature writer Michelle Morgan. Both projects hail from 20th TV. Enlisted, which originally landed at Fox with penalty, is based on Biegel’s relationship with his siblings and follows three very different brothers working together in the Army at a small base in Florida. Biegel is writing/executive producing the project, stemming from a blind script deal 20th TV had with Biegel. He will get help on the pilot from 20th TV-based Mike Royce (Men Of A Certain Age, 1600 Penn). Biegel co-created Cougar Town with Bill Lawrence. He served as a co-executive producer in the first season and executive producer in Seasons 2 and 3. He segued to a consulting role on the show after its move to TBS and Lawrence’s departure as showrunner to focus on development. Before Cougar Town, UTA-repped...
- 1/24/2013
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
There is either a couple of football fans or Jerry Maguire/Moneyball with this year’s most liked unproduced screenplay. Close to 300 hundred film executives provided with the Black List creators a top ten of their favorite screenplays of the year and the consensus first overall pick (with 65 votes) comes from the recently featured in Variety (10 Screenwriters to Watch 2012) tandem of Rajiv Joseph & Scott Rothman and their drama which has nothing to do with enlisting in the armed forces. Draft Day – about the day in the life of a fictitious Buffalo Bills Gm appears to currently be in turnaround — which only means I expect to see this greenlight perhaps a little later than sooner – worth noting: top spot almost guarantees that the film will indeed go into production (2006, 2010 and 2011 are the exceptions.) Among the more alluring logline subjects we find on the list, I’d be keen on reading the...
- 12/18/2012
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Exclusive: Fox has bought two more projects from Chernin Entertainment, a relationship comedy from feature writer Michelle Morgan and a cop drama from Las Vegas creator Gary Scott Thompson. Both hail from 20th Century Fox TV where Chernin Entertainment is based. The Michelle Morgan project is a relationship comedy about a couple whose friends and family don’t think they are right for each other. Morgan is writing the script and executive producing with Peter Chernin, Katherine Pope and Aaron Kaplan & Sean Perrone of Kaplan Perrone Entertainment. UTA-repped Morgan, who started off as an actress and recurred on NBC’s American Dreams, wrote the screenplay for the Kristen Wiig-starrer Imogene, which will premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. She also is writing screenplay Shining City for Warner Bros. and producer Donald De Line. For his next project, Wme-repped Thompson is headed to the Florida Keys. Titled The Keys, the...
- 8/22/2012
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Flamingo Girl to fly with Fright Night helmer Gillespie Gillespie who impressed with Ryan Gosling starrer Lars and the Real Girl, is set to take the wheel of the Michael LeSieur adaptation of Susan Trott's novel, reports Variety. Flamingo Girl will star Ferrell as a lawyer who is obsessed with stealing figurines of flamingos after his wife dumps him. Ben Stiller and Stuart Cornfeld of Red Hour Films produce while Kaplan/Perrone's Aaron Kaplan and Sean Perrone are serving as executive producers alongside Erica Steinberg.
- 7/2/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Flamingo Girl to fly with Fright Night helmer Gillespie Gillespie who impressed with Ryan Gosling starrer Lars and the Real Girl, is set to take the wheel of the Michael LeSieur adaptation of Susan Trott's novel, reports Variety. Flamingo Girl will star Ferrell as a lawyer who is obsessed with stealing figurines of flamingos after his wife dumps him. Ben Stiller and Stuart Cornfeld of Red Hour Films produce while Kaplan/Perrone's Aaron Kaplan and Sean Perrone are serving as executive producers alongside Erica Steinberg.
- 7/2/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
UTA agent Tobin Babst is leaving the firm for a management position with Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment.Babst is the first partner added to the management and production company founded more than a decade ago by Aaron Kaplan and Sean Perrone, according to Deadline.The departure was on friendly terms as UTA managing director David Kramer wished him well. “We’re excited for him, and look forward to working with Tobin in his role as a manager,” he said in a statement to the site.Babst said he’s anticipating “collaborating” with his former colleagues in his new position. As a motion picture literary agent, Babst’s clients included several screenwriters, among them Evan Daugherty, who wrote “Snow White and The Huntsman.”Kaplan and Perrone said they were “excited to partner with such a skilled advocate of writers and directors.”The three reportedly met during a stint in the UTA mailroom,...
- 6/5/2012
- by help@backstage.com (Sean J. Miller)
- backstage.com
Exclusive: UTA motion picture literary agent Tobin Babst is leaving the agency to partner with Aaron Kaplan and Sean Perrone in management and production shingle Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment. Babst becomes the first new partner Kaplan and Perrone have brought into the firm, which is moving to bigger offices on Beverly Drive this summer. Babst, a 15-year UTA veteran who reps screenwriters and directors, started in the agency’s mailroom in 1997 after graduating from Nyu’s Tisch School with a Bfa in screenwriting and playwriting. Babst met Kaplan and Perrone in the UTA mailroom, and the three were assistants together in the motion picture literary department for three years. Kaplan and Perrone left to form Kaplan/Perrone in 2000, and Babst was promoted to agent. At, UTA, his client list includes Jesse Wigutow, Evan Daugherty, Melissa Rosenberg, Jonathan Tropper, Nancy Oliver and Marc Klein. “We have known and respected Toby both personally...
- 6/4/2012
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Will Ferrell has joined the cast of 'Flamingo Thief'. The 'Anchorman' star is set to play Tim Forrester - a lawyer who becomes obsessed with stealing flamingo figurines after his wife leaves him - in the movie, which will be adapted from Susan Trott's novel of the same name, Variety reports. Producers Ben Stiller and Stuart Cornfeld are searching for a director for the Red Hour Films project, which will see You, Me and Dupree's Michael LeSieur penning the script. Aaron Kaplan and Sean Perrone are set to executive produce the movie alongside Erica Steinberg. Will is currently shooting his latest film 'Dog Fight' - which will see him star alongside The Hangover's Zach Galifianakis - in New...
- 2/13/2012
- Monsters and Critics
Pilot madness continues! ABC and CBS just picked up a slew of comedy pilots. There’s shows about bromance, romance, kooky families, get-rich schemes and even GroupOn. If you were a betting man, or gamblin’ woman, which of these would you put your money on? Is the next Modern Family here? (Or at least the next Suburgatory?).
Here’s the rundown:
– How to Live with Your Parents for the Rest of Your Life (ABC): Logline: “Polly, a recently divorced, single mom, moves in with her eccentric parents, Elaine and Max, a couple who’s full of life but knows no boundaries.
Here’s the rundown:
– How to Live with Your Parents for the Rest of Your Life (ABC): Logline: “Polly, a recently divorced, single mom, moves in with her eccentric parents, Elaine and Max, a couple who’s full of life but knows no boundaries.
- 1/28/2012
- by James Hibberd
- EW - Inside TV
The 2011 Black List, the Top Unproduced Screenplays of the year has been released. The best unproduced screenplays from The Black List 2011 is compiled by votes from over 300 “execs, agency guys, and high-level assistants. Titled The Black List, the compendium highlights both established screenwriters and up-and-comers, and has served as a launching pad in the past for projects like Juno, Lars and the Real Girl, and (500) Days of Summer. Last year’s list included Margin Call, Crazy, Stupid, Love, The Hunger Games, and Snow White and the Huntsman.”
Regarding the validity of The Black List, things to keep in mind:
some of these screenplays have already been acquired and are already in development, though…none will have entered principal photography by December 31, 2011. Also worth pointing out is that, as in previous years, there have been rumors that some of the participants have been accused of using the Black List to promote their own clients or friends.
Regarding the validity of The Black List, things to keep in mind:
some of these screenplays have already been acquired and are already in development, though…none will have entered principal photography by December 31, 2011. Also worth pointing out is that, as in previous years, there have been rumors that some of the participants have been accused of using the Black List to promote their own clients or friends.
- 12/13/2011
- by filmbook
- Film-Book
The Black List of 2011 continues with the second-half of the list showcasing the screenplays that received the most number of votes.
Remember, this is a list voted on by Hollywood professionals of what they personally believe to be the best unproduced screenplays written in 2011. You might recognize titles for movies that are in development. That's fine by The Black List rules; the only condition that the screenplay must meet is that it's not being filmed within this calendar year. For Black List 2011 selections like Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained, that makes it valid for Black List inclusion.
If you've missed the first half of the list you can find it here.
13 Votes:
The Accountant by Bill Dubuque
The Treasury Department pursues a brilliant, autistic accountant who doubles as an assassin and “problem-solves” with precision in more ways than one.
Agency: Paradigm
Agent: Trevor Astbury
Management: Zero Gravity Management
Manager: Eric Williams...
Remember, this is a list voted on by Hollywood professionals of what they personally believe to be the best unproduced screenplays written in 2011. You might recognize titles for movies that are in development. That's fine by The Black List rules; the only condition that the screenplay must meet is that it's not being filmed within this calendar year. For Black List 2011 selections like Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained, that makes it valid for Black List inclusion.
If you've missed the first half of the list you can find it here.
13 Votes:
The Accountant by Bill Dubuque
The Treasury Department pursues a brilliant, autistic accountant who doubles as an assassin and “problem-solves” with precision in more ways than one.
Agency: Paradigm
Agent: Trevor Astbury
Management: Zero Gravity Management
Manager: Eric Williams...
- 12/13/2011
- by Patrick Sauriol
- Corona's Coming Attractions
For the seventh annual year a list of the top unproduced screenplays written in the past 12 calendar months has been made. The Black List is the most recognized and celebritized compilation for screenwriters and unknown movie ideas to be heard. While some prior Black List scripts have gone on to be made (like Juno or 500 Days of Summer), most scripts do not. However, what being on The Black List can do is to give a big push of credibility to a screenwriter hoping to carve out a career in Hollywood.
The Black List recepients are chosen by a committee of 300 individuals working in Hollywood: agents, writers, producers, managers and the like. They read the screenplays that float around the showbiz ecosystem; some are bought and are already in development while others are still seeing the interest of talent of financial backers.
The makers of The Black List are good to...
The Black List recepients are chosen by a committee of 300 individuals working in Hollywood: agents, writers, producers, managers and the like. They read the screenplays that float around the showbiz ecosystem; some are bought and are already in development while others are still seeing the interest of talent of financial backers.
The makers of The Black List are good to...
- 12/13/2011
- by Patrick Sauriol
- Corona's Coming Attractions
The 2011 Black List has arrived online and there are a bunch of the hottest scripts in Hollywood. Some have already been picked up by studios, while most are still unproduced. Here is the press release: The Black List was compiled from the suggestions of over 300 film executives, each of whom contributed the names of up to ten of their favorite scripts that were written in, or are somehow uniquely associated with, 2011 and will not have begun principal photography during this calendar year.
This year, scripts had to receive at least six mentions to be included on the The Black List.
All reasonable effort has been made to confirm the information contained herein. The Black List apologizes for all misspellings, misattributions, incorrect representation identification, and questionable 2011 affiliations.
It has been said many times, but it's worth repeating:
The Black List is not a "best of" list. It is, at best, a "most liked" list.
This year, scripts had to receive at least six mentions to be included on the The Black List.
All reasonable effort has been made to confirm the information contained herein. The Black List apologizes for all misspellings, misattributions, incorrect representation identification, and questionable 2011 affiliations.
It has been said many times, but it's worth repeating:
The Black List is not a "best of" list. It is, at best, a "most liked" list.
- 12/13/2011
- by Tiberius
- GeekTyrant
[1] Each December since 2004, studio executive Franklin Leonard has compiled the best unproduced screenplays of the year, as voted by hundreds of execs, agency guys, and high-level assistants. Titled The Black List, the compendium highlights both established screenwriters and up-and-comers, and has served as a launching pad in the past for projects like Juno, Lars and the Real Girl, and (500) Days of Summer. Last year's list included Margin Call, Crazy, Stupid, Love, The Hunger Games, and Snow White and the Huntsman. It should be noted that the headline is somewhat misleading -- some of these screenplays have already been acquired and are already in development, though according to Leonard none will have entered principal photography by December 31, 2011. Also worth pointing out is that, as in previous years, there have been rumors that some of the participants have been accused of using the Black List to promote their own clients or friends.
- 12/12/2011
- by Angie Han
- Slash Film
As the New Year approaches, we are now getting a look at all the scripts that have been passed on, those unproduced screenplays of 2001, or what is better known as The Black List. This year, like every other year, is compiled from the suggestions of hundreds of film executives, each contributes the names of up to ten of their favorite scripts that were written in, or are somehow uniquely associated with, 2011 and will not be released in theaters during this calendar year. Some of the best scripts have come from The Black List. Films like The Social Network went on to become the best of 2010. Other movie scripts have catapulted writers into stardom. Diablo Cody’s Juno, Nancy Oliver’s Lars And The Real Girl, Scott Neustader’s and Michael Weber’s 500 Days Of Summer, are just some of the screenplays which appeared on The Black List and then were made.
- 12/12/2011
- by Mike Lee
- FusedFilm
Franklin Leonard‘s Black List is the go-to list for the hottest unproduced screenplays in Hollywood. Just last year we got Margin Call, which is now one of the most-praised films of the year. The list also includes Doug Liman‘s next film, the thriller All You Need is Kill. David Guggenheim‘s Safe House hits theaters next spring with Ryan Reynolds and Denzel Washington starring. Chan-wook Park‘s English-language debut Stoker was also in the top 10, along with Ben Affleck‘s recently wrapped CIA hostage film Argo, both arriving next fall.
Today, the top 10 has been unveiled and we get quite a mix of genres. There is a satirical behind-the-scenes film from Chewbacca aka Peter Mayhew‘s point-of-view, a zombie film, a homosexual WWII drama, a Melancholia-esque drama on separate people finding peace before the world ends, a space film about a botched Apollo 18 mission and much more...
Today, the top 10 has been unveiled and we get quite a mix of genres. There is a satirical behind-the-scenes film from Chewbacca aka Peter Mayhew‘s point-of-view, a zombie film, a homosexual WWII drama, a Melancholia-esque drama on separate people finding peace before the world ends, a space film about a botched Apollo 18 mission and much more...
- 12/12/2011
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
The CW has bought Legal Aid, a dramedy from writer Jonathan Abrams (NBC’s Zip). Tyler Mitchell, Jason Smilovic, Sarah Timberman, Carl Beverly and Robert Luketic will executive produce. The Ugly Truth and Legally Blonde helmer Luketic is also attached to direct the pilot. Legal Aid centers on a young first-year law associate whose world is turned upside-down when her estranged father, an iconic 1990s TV star, joins her firm. The CAA-repped project reteams Mitchell and Smilovic with Timberman and Beverly. The four produced together the Smilovic-created NBC drama Kidnapped. Abrams, managed by Underground, has feature The Wedding Doctor in development at Relativity. Feature writer Adam Sztykiel (Due Date, Made of Honor) has sold a half-hour comedy to ABC through 20th Century Fox TV. Based on Sztykiel’s own experiences in a long-distance relationship, the show follows a group of 24-year-old guys who move to a new city, one of...
- 9/28/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
The Black List of 2010 continues with the second-half of the list showcasing the screenplays that received the most number of votes.
If you've missed the first half of the list you can find it here.
13 Votes:
Hunger Games by Billy Ray
“Based on the book by Suzanne Collins. In an America of the future, young boys and girls are forced to participate in a televised battle to the death.”
Agent Creative Artists Agency – Todd Feldman, Brian Kend
Manager Management 360 – Guymon Casady
Lionsgate. Color Force producing
14 Votes:
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
“When the mother of future United States President Abraham Lincoln is murdered by a vampire, he begins a lifelong vendetta to rid the world of the heinous creatures.”
Agent William Morris Endeavor – Cliff Roberts, Jeff Gorin
Fox. Tim Burton Productions, Bazelevs Productions producing.
15 Votes:
Are We Officially Dating? by Tom Gormican
“A dating movie told from...
If you've missed the first half of the list you can find it here.
13 Votes:
Hunger Games by Billy Ray
“Based on the book by Suzanne Collins. In an America of the future, young boys and girls are forced to participate in a televised battle to the death.”
Agent Creative Artists Agency – Todd Feldman, Brian Kend
Manager Management 360 – Guymon Casady
Lionsgate. Color Force producing
14 Votes:
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
“When the mother of future United States President Abraham Lincoln is murdered by a vampire, he begins a lifelong vendetta to rid the world of the heinous creatures.”
Agent William Morris Endeavor – Cliff Roberts, Jeff Gorin
Fox. Tim Burton Productions, Bazelevs Productions producing.
15 Votes:
Are We Officially Dating? by Tom Gormican
“A dating movie told from...
- 12/15/2010
- by Patrick Sauriol
- Corona's Coming Attractions
With the publication of the 2010 Black List another compilation of the year's best unproduced screenplays has arrived. This is the fifth year that The Black List has been in existence, and its purpose is to shine a spotlight on what 290 film executives think are some of the best creative executions of ideas worthy for the big screen.
To be nominated and included on The Black List a screenplay can't have been released in 2010. As well, the minimum number of votes that a screenplay needed to have to warrant inclusion on the list is five. Several of the projects listed on Tbl are in development and will be released in the next twelve months. Others might have heat but take years to reach theaters, and there are also many that will never be greenlighted.
In the words of the creators of The Black List, don't take this assembly of screenplays to...
To be nominated and included on The Black List a screenplay can't have been released in 2010. As well, the minimum number of votes that a screenplay needed to have to warrant inclusion on the list is five. Several of the projects listed on Tbl are in development and will be released in the next twelve months. Others might have heat but take years to reach theaters, and there are also many that will never be greenlighted.
In the words of the creators of The Black List, don't take this assembly of screenplays to...
- 12/15/2010
- by Patrick Sauriol
- Corona's Coming Attractions
Back in 2004, a list was compiled of the best unproduced screenplays in Hollywood of that year. This came to be known as The Black List. It was all started by a young executive at Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company Appian Way, who polled 90+ peers to send him their 10 favorite, new, unproduced screenplays to read over the holidays. It has since become a tradition at the end of every year, in December, to release this list, which is voted on by a group of individuals in the entertainment industry from producer assistants, talent agency individuals, and many people involved with film development all the way up to VP's.
The 2010 Black List is here, and thanks to Deadline we have the list of best unproduced screenplays. Most of the scripts we've heard of, many of them are in production, some have already wrapped filming, they just wont be released until next year.
The 2010 Black List is here, and thanks to Deadline we have the list of best unproduced screenplays. Most of the scripts we've heard of, many of them are in production, some have already wrapped filming, they just wont be released until next year.
- 12/13/2010
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
The Black List has been released. The annual list is compiled with a poll of 300 (up from last year's 250) development executives and high-level assistants, and contains a ranking of the hot screenplays making the rounds in Hollywoodland, which were written in, or are somehow uniquely associated with, 2010 and will not be released in theaters during this calendar year. Basically, the black list contains the hottest projects in Hollywood that you haven't heard of yet. Note: The headline is a slightly inaccurate, because a lot of these screenplays have already been acquired (six of the top ten listed), a bunch are in production now, and some have even finished production. One of this year's top ten screenplays, J.C. Chandor's Margin Call, about the last 24 hours at now-defunct investment bank Lehman Brothers is already in the can and set to premiere at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival with Chandor at the helm...
- 12/13/2010
- by Peter Sciretta
- Slash Film
Frank Leonard is the most popular man in Hollywood today. This fine December day marks the release of the 6th annual Black List, a ranked collection of the top un-produced screenplays in the town, compiled by Leonard. Last year the top script was The Muppet Man from Christopher Weekes about “the life and times of the late Jim Henson.” Coming in second was Aaron Sorkin‘s The Social Network script, which is a current frontrunner to sweep the Oscars. The year before was The Beaver, now starring Mel Gibson and set for a release in 2011.
The top one this year, College Republicans, has Shia Labeouf and Paul Dano attached. As for the rest of the list, I’ll be seeing Margin Call (pictured above) at Sundance 2011 and Safe House goes into production next year. We also reported on Oldboy director Park Chan-wook‘s English language debut with Carey Mulligan attached,...
The top one this year, College Republicans, has Shia Labeouf and Paul Dano attached. As for the rest of the list, I’ll be seeing Margin Call (pictured above) at Sundance 2011 and Safe House goes into production next year. We also reported on Oldboy director Park Chan-wook‘s English language debut with Carey Mulligan attached,...
- 12/13/2010
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Fox has bought the comedy pitch The Fight Before Christmas from Adam Sztykiel (upcoming Due Date ) and has set it up with Shawn Levy at his Fox-based 21 Laps, reports Variety . The only thing the studio is saying right now about the film is that it's a family-centered comedy. Aaron Kaplan and Sean Perrone, who manage Sztykiel, will executive produce. Lauren Levy will oversee for the studio while Dan Levine and Billy Rosenberg will handle for 21 Laps. Sztykiel is also re-writing dating comedy The Game , set up at Lionsgate.
- 5/26/2010
- Comingsoon.net
2009 list and top five has already delivered better results than the 2007 list. Mark Romanek and Antoine Fuqua are respectively attached to The Voices (#3) and Prisoners (#4), while David Fincher is currently helming The Social Network (#2) and Miguel Arteta is on production with Cedar Rapids (#5) are currently in production. There are tons of comments to make on the list but something worth a mention is that Sarah Polley is one of three actors (Zach Braff and Rashida Jones) who have their screenplays on the list. - You know you're having a really great Friday is your name is Christopher Weekes. Weekes who wrote and directed 2008's Bitter &Twisted (a Tribeca Film Festival selection) is on top of this year's Black List -- his The Muppet Man, a biopic on Jim Henson, leads a field that includes several project currently in production. Franklin Leonard's extremely popular concoction is as he reminds us...
- 12/13/2009
- IONCINEMA.com
Variety.com is reporting that Mark Dindal (”Chicken Little”) will be directing “Housebroken” for Walden Media, with Michael De Luca producing and Sean Perrone and Aaron Kaplan onboard as executive producers. There is no script yet for “Housebroken” but Variety reports that Walden is looking for writers for the project, to expand on the original story by Adam Sztykiel. “Housebroken” is slated as a live-action film where the pets of a newly-married couple must learn to live together and get along. No release date or other information has been released yet about the project. Stay tuned to Shockya.com for more “Housebroken” news. By Costa Koutsoutis (Source: Variety.com)...
- 10/15/2009
- by Costa Koutsoutis
- ShockYa
Walden Media has hired Mark Dindal to direct the live-action family comedy "Housebroken."According to Variety, Michael De Luca is producing."Housebroken" will center around a newly married couple's talking pets, who must adjust to living together under the same roof. Walden is looking for a writer to work with Dindal on the script, originally written by Adam Sztykiel.Sean Perrone and Aaron Kaplan are executive producing.
- 10/14/2009
- by Adnan Tezer
- Monsters and Critics
Welcome to The Movie Diary. Tuesday and Wednesday sort of blurred together for me, with one film spilling from one day to the next, so I'm going to put them together as one big entry. And, no, it's not me trying to get out of doing one... it's just that sometimes, especially when you're watching something longer, days do end up blending, so it makes sense to write them up like this. "Knowing" One of the reasons I sat this one out theatrically is because my managers, Aaron Kaplan and Sean Perrone, are the executive producers of the film, and I've...
- 7/16/2009
- Hitfix
Days before the release of its summer tentpole "Journey to the Center of the Earth," Walden Media has acquired a new family-oriented tale.
The project, titled "Housebroken," takes a comedic look at a group of talking animals forced to live under the same roof when the two halves of the couple that owns them moves in together. It's based on a pitch from "Made of Honor" scribe Adam Sztykiel, who will write the screenplay.
"Housebroken" will combine CG and live action in the manner of such Walden films as "Charlotte's Web" and the "Chronicles of Narnia" series. The movie likely would be released by Fox under the studio's deal with Walden.
Walden co-ceo Michael Bostick and senior vp development and production Amanda Morgan Palmer brought "Housebroken" in to the banner. Mike DeLuca will produce, with Aaron Kaplan and Sean Perrone, who conceived the story, executive producing. Sztykiel, repped by Uta and attorney Jeff Frankel, also is attached to write "Nerd Camp" for Paramount.
"Housebroken" is part of a ramping up of development under Bostick, the Imaging and Shady Acres veteran who joined in the spring and has made his mark by bringing in such projects as Ross Venokur's family comedy "Inner Child" and the action-adventure "The Cruelest Miles."
Bostick is seeking to expand the family-film definition to include adult protagonists and appeal.
"This is perfectly representative of the new direction for Walden in its broader definition of what a family film can mean," he said of "Housebroken." "It's a great conceptual comedy with relatable family issues for adults and talking animals for kids."
Walden's "Journey" opens wide Friday in digital 3-D. In April, the company released the fantasy saga "Nim's Island," which has earned $79 million worldwide.
"Housebroken" marks a return of sorts for Bostick to territory he visited as a producer with last summer's Universal tentpole "Evan Almighty," which also included a bevy of CG animals in the context of a family comedy.
The project, titled "Housebroken," takes a comedic look at a group of talking animals forced to live under the same roof when the two halves of the couple that owns them moves in together. It's based on a pitch from "Made of Honor" scribe Adam Sztykiel, who will write the screenplay.
"Housebroken" will combine CG and live action in the manner of such Walden films as "Charlotte's Web" and the "Chronicles of Narnia" series. The movie likely would be released by Fox under the studio's deal with Walden.
Walden co-ceo Michael Bostick and senior vp development and production Amanda Morgan Palmer brought "Housebroken" in to the banner. Mike DeLuca will produce, with Aaron Kaplan and Sean Perrone, who conceived the story, executive producing. Sztykiel, repped by Uta and attorney Jeff Frankel, also is attached to write "Nerd Camp" for Paramount.
"Housebroken" is part of a ramping up of development under Bostick, the Imaging and Shady Acres veteran who joined in the spring and has made his mark by bringing in such projects as Ross Venokur's family comedy "Inner Child" and the action-adventure "The Cruelest Miles."
Bostick is seeking to expand the family-film definition to include adult protagonists and appeal.
"This is perfectly representative of the new direction for Walden in its broader definition of what a family film can mean," he said of "Housebroken." "It's a great conceptual comedy with relatable family issues for adults and talking animals for kids."
Walden's "Journey" opens wide Friday in digital 3-D. In April, the company released the fantasy saga "Nim's Island," which has earned $79 million worldwide.
"Housebroken" marks a return of sorts for Bostick to territory he visited as a producer with last summer's Universal tentpole "Evan Almighty," which also included a bevy of CG animals in the context of a family comedy.
- 7/9/2008
- by By Steven Zeitchik
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Opens: Friday, May 2 (Columbia)You know from a song list that includes Smash Mouth, Lenny Kravitz and Kanye West that "Made of Honor" has something a bit edgier in mind than the usual, soft-focused wedding bell high jinks.
For the most part, that's exactly what it delivers -- an amusing, smartly cast romantic comedy told from a guy's perspective. Given that the lead in question is none other than Dr. McDreamy himself, Patrick Dempsey, the Columbia Pictures release should perform honorably with its targeted female audience but perhaps not as strongly as Sony might like, considering that its competition comes in the form of an equally appealing Robert Downey Jr. in "Iron Man", opening the same day.
There's also the fact that male-centric rom-coms traditionally tend not to perform as strongly as those told from a female POV, but there's still much to appreciate here.
Dempsey takes full advantage of the chance to play things considerably faster and looser than he does on "Grey's Anatomy" in the role of Tom, a career dater who doesn't believe in going out with the same woman two nights in a row. He's a successful businessman -- he invented those cardboard sleeves that go around hot takeout coffee cups -- but an emotional cripple, which is why he's never been able to own up to his true feelings for his taken-for-granted best friend, Hannah (a sparkling Michelle Monaghan).
Absence makes the heart grow fonder when she goes off on a six-week business trip to Scotland. But just when Tom's about to spill his guts to her, she introduces him to her Highland fling-turned-fiance, Colin (Kevin McKidd), and asks Tom to be her maid of honor.
Tom proceeds to go through the usual machinations to prevent the marriage, and though the film grows more conventional in the process, there's sufficient pointed wit in this first script by Adam Sztykiel along with Deborah Kaplan & Harry Elfont and finely tuned comic timing in Englishman Paul Weiland's direction.
Even more refreshing is the fact that there's a tangible chemistry between Dempsey and Monaghan that makes it easy to root for them as the meant-to-be couple. Meanwhile, the always welcome Sydney Pollack makes the most of his few scenes as Dempsey's serial-marrying dad. Kathleen Quinlan does likewise as Monaghan's perceptive mom.
Cast: Patrick Dempsey, Michelle Monaghan, Kevin McKidd, Kathleen Quinlan, Sydney Pollack. Director: Paul Weiland. screenwriters: Adam Sztykiel, Deborah Kaplan & Harry Elfont. Executive producers: Callum Greene, Tania Landau, Amanda Lewis, Marty Adelstein, Aaron Kaplan, Sean Perrone, Ryan Kavanaugh. producer: Neal H. Moritz. Rated PG-13, 101 minutes.
For the most part, that's exactly what it delivers -- an amusing, smartly cast romantic comedy told from a guy's perspective. Given that the lead in question is none other than Dr. McDreamy himself, Patrick Dempsey, the Columbia Pictures release should perform honorably with its targeted female audience but perhaps not as strongly as Sony might like, considering that its competition comes in the form of an equally appealing Robert Downey Jr. in "Iron Man", opening the same day.
There's also the fact that male-centric rom-coms traditionally tend not to perform as strongly as those told from a female POV, but there's still much to appreciate here.
Dempsey takes full advantage of the chance to play things considerably faster and looser than he does on "Grey's Anatomy" in the role of Tom, a career dater who doesn't believe in going out with the same woman two nights in a row. He's a successful businessman -- he invented those cardboard sleeves that go around hot takeout coffee cups -- but an emotional cripple, which is why he's never been able to own up to his true feelings for his taken-for-granted best friend, Hannah (a sparkling Michelle Monaghan).
Absence makes the heart grow fonder when she goes off on a six-week business trip to Scotland. But just when Tom's about to spill his guts to her, she introduces him to her Highland fling-turned-fiance, Colin (Kevin McKidd), and asks Tom to be her maid of honor.
Tom proceeds to go through the usual machinations to prevent the marriage, and though the film grows more conventional in the process, there's sufficient pointed wit in this first script by Adam Sztykiel along with Deborah Kaplan & Harry Elfont and finely tuned comic timing in Englishman Paul Weiland's direction.
Even more refreshing is the fact that there's a tangible chemistry between Dempsey and Monaghan that makes it easy to root for them as the meant-to-be couple. Meanwhile, the always welcome Sydney Pollack makes the most of his few scenes as Dempsey's serial-marrying dad. Kathleen Quinlan does likewise as Monaghan's perceptive mom.
Cast: Patrick Dempsey, Michelle Monaghan, Kevin McKidd, Kathleen Quinlan, Sydney Pollack. Director: Paul Weiland. screenwriters: Adam Sztykiel, Deborah Kaplan & Harry Elfont. Executive producers: Callum Greene, Tania Landau, Amanda Lewis, Marty Adelstein, Aaron Kaplan, Sean Perrone, Ryan Kavanaugh. producer: Neal H. Moritz. Rated PG-13, 101 minutes.
- 4/29/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
CORRECTED 4:11 p.m. PT Feb. 12
Dominic Monaghan has landed the lead role in Edna McCallion's psychological thriller "Pet" for MGM.
Monaghan will play Seth, a man who bumps into his old high school crush and quickly becomes obsessed with her. He takes her captive underneath the animal shelter where he works but soon suspects that his old flame is not who she seems to be.
Monaghan appeared on last week's Season 4 premiere of ABC's "Lost" and will star with Ron Perlman in Glenn McQuaid's period zombie flick "I Sell the Dead" for Glass Eye Pix.
"Pet", set to begin shooting in the next few months, is produced by Aaron Kaplan, Sean Perrone, Steven Schneider and Dan Katzman. MGM's Jason Weiss and Alex Ankeles will oversee production for the studio.
Monaghan ("Lord of the Rings") is repped by APA and attorney Kevin Yorn at Morris Yorn Barnes & Levine.
Gregg Goldstein reported from New York; Carly Mayberry reported from Los Angeles....
Dominic Monaghan has landed the lead role in Edna McCallion's psychological thriller "Pet" for MGM.
Monaghan will play Seth, a man who bumps into his old high school crush and quickly becomes obsessed with her. He takes her captive underneath the animal shelter where he works but soon suspects that his old flame is not who she seems to be.
Monaghan appeared on last week's Season 4 premiere of ABC's "Lost" and will star with Ron Perlman in Glenn McQuaid's period zombie flick "I Sell the Dead" for Glass Eye Pix.
"Pet", set to begin shooting in the next few months, is produced by Aaron Kaplan, Sean Perrone, Steven Schneider and Dan Katzman. MGM's Jason Weiss and Alex Ankeles will oversee production for the studio.
Monaghan ("Lord of the Rings") is repped by APA and attorney Kevin Yorn at Morris Yorn Barnes & Levine.
Gregg Goldstein reported from New York; Carly Mayberry reported from Los Angeles....
Fox Searchlight has optioned Carter Blanchard's spec Near Death, with Aaron Kaplan and Sean Perrone attached to produce.
The story is described as a psychological sci-fi thriller set in the world of near-death experiences.
Claudia Lewis and Jeremy Steckler are overseeing the project for Searchlight.
Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment, which produced You, Me and Dupree, has several projects in development, including the supernatural thriller Knowing at Columbia Pictures and New Line Cinema's horror film Dead Asleep, which Blanchard penned.
Blanchard's writing credits also include Smoke for the Mayhem Project and the Immortals at Universal Pictures.
He is repped by UTA and attorney Peter Grossman.
The story is described as a psychological sci-fi thriller set in the world of near-death experiences.
Claudia Lewis and Jeremy Steckler are overseeing the project for Searchlight.
Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment, which produced You, Me and Dupree, has several projects in development, including the supernatural thriller Knowing at Columbia Pictures and New Line Cinema's horror film Dead Asleep, which Blanchard penned.
Blanchard's writing credits also include Smoke for the Mayhem Project and the Immortals at Universal Pictures.
He is repped by UTA and attorney Peter Grossman.
- 6/29/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
MTV Films has pre-emptively bought lawyer-turned-screenwriter Melissa Stack's spec "I Want to ____ Your Sister" for $300,000 against $600,000. Escape Artists is producing the high-concept comedy.
The story chronicles the lengths a Big Brother will go to protect his sister from guys just like him.
Escape Artists' Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch are producing. Aaron Kaplan and Sean Perrone are executive producing.
"When Jason and I read this, we have not laughed this much ever," Black said. "That's the truth. And we're so excited to be working with MTV. They know how to handle our key demo."
Scott Aversano and Carrie Beck will shepherd the project for MTV Films.
Stack, a lawyer who quit her job after the sale, is repped by Paradigm and managed by Kaplan and Perrone.
The story chronicles the lengths a Big Brother will go to protect his sister from guys just like him.
Escape Artists' Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch are producing. Aaron Kaplan and Sean Perrone are executive producing.
"When Jason and I read this, we have not laughed this much ever," Black said. "That's the truth. And we're so excited to be working with MTV. They know how to handle our key demo."
Scott Aversano and Carrie Beck will shepherd the project for MTV Films.
Stack, a lawyer who quit her job after the sale, is repped by Paradigm and managed by Kaplan and Perrone.
- 3/29/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Michelle Monaghan has signed on to star opposite Patrick Dempsey in Columbia Pictures' romantic comedy Made of Honor.
Paul Weiland will direct from a screenplay by Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont based on an original script by Adam Sztykiel.
The story chronicles the relationship between Tom (Dempsey) and Claire (Monaghan), who have been platonic friends for 10 years. He's a serial dater, while she wants marriage but hasn't found Mr. Right. Just as Tom is starting to think that he's relationship material after all, Claire gets engaged. When she asks Tom to be her "maid" of honor, he reluctantly agrees -- only so he can attempt to stop the wedding and woo her before it's too late.
Shooting is scheduled to start in April.
Neal Moritz is producing through his Sony-based Original Film shingle. Aaron Kaplan and Sean Perrone are executive producing alongside Original's Tania Landau.
Amy Baer and Adam Milano are overseeing for the studio.
Monaghan, whose credits include Mission: Impossible III and Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, next will star in two October releases: the untitled Farrelly brothers project from DreamWorks Pictures and Gone, Baby, Gone from Miramax Films.
Paul Weiland will direct from a screenplay by Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont based on an original script by Adam Sztykiel.
The story chronicles the relationship between Tom (Dempsey) and Claire (Monaghan), who have been platonic friends for 10 years. He's a serial dater, while she wants marriage but hasn't found Mr. Right. Just as Tom is starting to think that he's relationship material after all, Claire gets engaged. When she asks Tom to be her "maid" of honor, he reluctantly agrees -- only so he can attempt to stop the wedding and woo her before it's too late.
Shooting is scheduled to start in April.
Neal Moritz is producing through his Sony-based Original Film shingle. Aaron Kaplan and Sean Perrone are executive producing alongside Original's Tania Landau.
Amy Baer and Adam Milano are overseeing for the studio.
Monaghan, whose credits include Mission: Impossible III and Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, next will star in two October releases: the untitled Farrelly brothers project from DreamWorks Pictures and Gone, Baby, Gone from Miramax Films.
- 2/28/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Columbia Pictures has tapped Paul Weiland to helm the romantic comedy Made of Honor, starring Patrick Dempsey.
Penned by Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont from an original script by Adam Sztykiel, the story centers on a man (Dempsey) who is in love with a woman, but she's engaged to someone else. When the woman asks Dempsey's character to be her maid of honor, he agrees with the intention of winning her heart. The studio, which bought Sztykiel's spec script in April 2003, is searching for a female lead.
Neal Moritz is producing through his Sony-based Original Film shingle. Aaron Kaplan and Sean Perrone are executive producing alongside Original's Tania Landau.
Sony's Amy Baer and Adam Milano are shepherding the project for the studio.
Weiland, whose helming credits include Fine Line Features' Roseanna's Grave and City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold, most recently directed Working Title's Sixty Six, starring Helena Bonham Carter. The U.K. native also worked on several incarnations of the Mr. Bean TV series.
Penned by Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont from an original script by Adam Sztykiel, the story centers on a man (Dempsey) who is in love with a woman, but she's engaged to someone else. When the woman asks Dempsey's character to be her maid of honor, he agrees with the intention of winning her heart. The studio, which bought Sztykiel's spec script in April 2003, is searching for a female lead.
Neal Moritz is producing through his Sony-based Original Film shingle. Aaron Kaplan and Sean Perrone are executive producing alongside Original's Tania Landau.
Sony's Amy Baer and Adam Milano are shepherding the project for the studio.
Weiland, whose helming credits include Fine Line Features' Roseanna's Grave and City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold, most recently directed Working Title's Sixty Six, starring Helena Bonham Carter. The U.K. native also worked on several incarnations of the Mr. Bean TV series.
- 1/29/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Aaron Kaplan had a dream – to make a film about the friction created from a slacker who moves in with his newlywed friend. Time for a new dream, Aaron. Kaplan is the executive-producer of this summer’s comedy “You, Me and Dupree,” starring Owen Wilson, Kate Hudson and Matt Dillon. He’s also a Chicago native. Kaplan grew up in Old Town, made the move to Highland Park in his teenage years and then went to Northwestern University. Now Kaplan is half of Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment (along with Sean Perrone). He manages writers and directors in TV and film and has six other films in development. In the future look for a comedy named “Made of Honor” and a horror film called “Dead Asleep.” Kaplan found a moment in-between his Hollywood lunches to have a...
- 8/23/2006
- by Jeff Bayer
- The Scorecard Review
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