It’s official. Amazon has confirmed the casting of Maggie Q as star of the upcoming Renée Ballard Bosch spinoff series, which Deadline previously exclusively reported. We’re also getting a first look at Maggie Q and Titus Welliver in sneak peek photos of the Renée Ballard crossover episode in the Bosch: Legacy Season 3 finale. You can see above and below. Additionally, Jet Wilkinson has been tapped to direct the first two episodes of the Untitled Renee Ballard series for Prime Video. Wilkinson also will direct the Season 3 finale of Bosch: Legacy, a crossover which serves as the introduction of Maggie Q as Renée Ballard.
The Untitled Renée Ballard series follows Detective Renée Ballard (Maggie Q), who is tasked with running the LAPD’s new cold case division—a poorly funded, all-volunteer unit with the largest case load in the city. Ballard approaches these frozen-in-time cases with empathy and determination.
The Untitled Renée Ballard series follows Detective Renée Ballard (Maggie Q), who is tasked with running the LAPD’s new cold case division—a poorly funded, all-volunteer unit with the largest case load in the city. Ballard approaches these frozen-in-time cases with empathy and determination.
- 5/9/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Bosch: Legacy fans are getting their first official look at Maggie Q as Renée Ballard in newly-released images from Season 3 of the series. As previously announced, Prime Video has ordered the Untitled Renée Ballard Series and cast Q in March 2024, and these first-look photos unveil her crossover with Bosch: Legacy in the show’s Season 3 finale. In addition to unveiling Q in her role as Renée Ballard, Prime Video has also shared that Jet Wilkinson will direct the main series episode as well as the first two episodes of the Renée Ballard spinoff. Patrick Wymore/Prime Video For those less familiar with the spinoff, it follows Detective Renée Ballard, who is tasked with running the LAPD’s new cold case division, which is a poorly funded, all-volunteer unit with the city’s largest cast load. When Ballard uncovers a larger conspiracy at play, she’ll turn to retired ally Harry...
- 5/9/2024
- TV Insider
Maggie Q is officially set to star in the “Bosch” spinoff centered on cold case detective Renée Ballard.
Q will make her first appearance as the character in the Season 3 finale of “Bosch: Legacy,” the first look at which can be seen above and below.
Jet Wilkinson is set to direct the Season 3 finale of “Bosch: Legacy,” along with the first two episodes of the untitled Renee Ballard series for Prime Video.
Q is known for her starring roles as F.B.I Agent Hannah Wells on ABC and Netflix’s drama “Designated Survivor” and the title role of the CW action series “Nikita.” She was most recently seen in the Skydance and Apple TV+ action comedy “The Family Plan” with Mark Wahlberg. Her other film credits include “The Protégé,” “The Divergent Series,” “Live Free Or Die Hard” and “Mission Impossible III.”
She is repped by CAA, Anonymous Content and...
Q will make her first appearance as the character in the Season 3 finale of “Bosch: Legacy,” the first look at which can be seen above and below.
Jet Wilkinson is set to direct the Season 3 finale of “Bosch: Legacy,” along with the first two episodes of the untitled Renee Ballard series for Prime Video.
Q is known for her starring roles as F.B.I Agent Hannah Wells on ABC and Netflix’s drama “Designated Survivor” and the title role of the CW action series “Nikita.” She was most recently seen in the Skydance and Apple TV+ action comedy “The Family Plan” with Mark Wahlberg. Her other film credits include “The Protégé,” “The Divergent Series,” “Live Free Or Die Hard” and “Mission Impossible III.”
She is repped by CAA, Anonymous Content and...
- 5/9/2024
- by Selena Kuznikov
- Variety Film + TV
Ahead of headlining her own spinoff series, Maggie Q will make her debut as Detective Renée Ballard, a character from Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch novels, in the Season 3 finale of Prime Video’s Bosch: Legacy series — as seen in the first-look photos above and below.
Season 3 of Bosch: Legacy, which is still awaiting a premiere date, will be based on Connelly’s novels Desert Star (from 2022) and The Black Ice (1993). Picking up where last season’s seemingly damning phone call left off, the investigation into Kurt Dockweiler’s murder brings dangerous secrets to light and threatens to ruin the...
Season 3 of Bosch: Legacy, which is still awaiting a premiere date, will be based on Connelly’s novels Desert Star (from 2022) and The Black Ice (1993). Picking up where last season’s seemingly damning phone call left off, the investigation into Kurt Dockweiler’s murder brings dangerous secrets to light and threatens to ruin the...
- 5/9/2024
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
Part of why Michael Jackson‘s “Man in the Mirror” is so powerful is that the King of Pop had an incredible singing voice. Despite that, he was trying to sound like another 1980s singer. That singer revealed what she thought when she learned Jackson was trying so hard to sound like her.
The writer of Michael Jackson’s ‘Man in the Mirror’ tells her story
Siedah Garrett co-wrote “Man in the Mirror,” which might be Jackson’s most famous ballad. During an interview with Blue Railroad, Garrett said that Jackson wanted to sound like Garrett when he recorded the song. “That was such a high compliment,” Garrett said. “We’d finished the part we had to fix on the duet so I was getting ready to leave. I was packing up and he said, ‘Where you goin?’ I said, ‘Aren’t we done? Isn’t this history, dude?’
“He said,...
The writer of Michael Jackson’s ‘Man in the Mirror’ tells her story
Siedah Garrett co-wrote “Man in the Mirror,” which might be Jackson’s most famous ballad. During an interview with Blue Railroad, Garrett said that Jackson wanted to sound like Garrett when he recorded the song. “That was such a high compliment,” Garrett said. “We’d finished the part we had to fix on the duet so I was getting ready to leave. I was packing up and he said, ‘Where you goin?’ I said, ‘Aren’t we done? Isn’t this history, dude?’
“He said,...
- 4/24/2024
- by Matthew Trzcinski
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The total eclipse crossing the United States on Monday is more than a celestial marvel. According to Maga-minded “prophets” with dubious gifts of divination, the eclipse is a signal of God’s design for America, and another marker that former President Donald Trump is heaven’s “anointed” candidate.
Julie Green is a charismatic preacher and self-styled prophet who claims to channel God on the daily, bringing “divine” news to a devoted following from a home studio in Iowa. Green is a viral star on Rumble, where she has more than 200,000 followers,...
Julie Green is a charismatic preacher and self-styled prophet who claims to channel God on the daily, bringing “divine” news to a devoted following from a home studio in Iowa. Green is a viral star on Rumble, where she has more than 200,000 followers,...
- 4/8/2024
- by Tim Dickinson
- Rollingstone.com
“As we investigated the story, the bones of the story itself, what we discovered was that it was ready made for the stage,” explains Glen Ballard of “Back to the Future: The Musical.” The famed songwriter collaborated with composer Alan Silvestri to bring one of the most beloved movies of the 1980s to the stage. The road to Broadway was long, but full of creative potential. “We thought it was a delicious opportunity,” admits Ballard. Watch the exclusive video interview above.
The project came with many appealing assets, with perhaps the most important one being Silvestri’s iconic score to the film. The duo transformed the films’ title theme into a catchy opening number, appropriately called “It’s Only a Matter of Time.” A new set of lyrics that introduce the audience to Marty McFly (Casey Likes) fits neatly into the infamous melody line. “I think one of the first...
The project came with many appealing assets, with perhaps the most important one being Silvestri’s iconic score to the film. The duo transformed the films’ title theme into a catchy opening number, appropriately called “It’s Only a Matter of Time.” A new set of lyrics that introduce the audience to Marty McFly (Casey Likes) fits neatly into the infamous melody line. “I think one of the first...
- 4/5/2024
- by Sam Eckmann
- Gold Derby
Maggie Q is set to lead Prime Video‘s previously announced Renée Ballard Bosch spinoff. This is the first casting announcement made for the untitled series officially ordered in November 2023. According to Deadline, Q is the first star besides Titus Welliver to lead a Bosch series inspired by the work of bestselling author Michael Connelly. As previously revealed, the spinoff will follow the LAPD’s new cold case division, which is a poorly-funded all-volunteer unit with the largest caseload in the city, and Detective Renée Ballard (Q) is tasked with leading it. (Credit: Tyler Golden) Ballard approaches the cases with empathy and determination and as she uncovers a larger conspiracy during her investigations, she leans on the assistance of her retired ally Harry Bosch (Welliver), to navigate dangers threatening her life and unit. The untitled series was ordered for a 10-episode season at Prime Video where a third season of...
- 3/22/2024
- TV Insider
Maggie Q has been tapped to star as Detective Renée Ballard in the next spinoff of the Bosch TV franchise.
The Ballard character was first featured in author Michael Connelly’s The Late Show circa 2017, after which she appeared in Dark Sacred Night, The Night Fire and other novels.
More from TVLineTVLine Items: Chucky Trailer, Henry Golding Joins Nine Perfect Strangers and MoreCillian Murphy to Return for Peaky Blinders Movie Shooting This FallJoshua Jackson to Star in ABC Drama Dr. Odyssey From Ryan Murphy
First teased over a year ago and ordered to series by Prime Video in November, the...
The Ballard character was first featured in author Michael Connelly’s The Late Show circa 2017, after which she appeared in Dark Sacred Night, The Night Fire and other novels.
More from TVLineTVLine Items: Chucky Trailer, Henry Golding Joins Nine Perfect Strangers and MoreCillian Murphy to Return for Peaky Blinders Movie Shooting This FallJoshua Jackson to Star in ABC Drama Dr. Odyssey From Ryan Murphy
First teased over a year ago and ordered to series by Prime Video in November, the...
- 3/21/2024
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
Exclusive: Sound of Freedom distributor Angel Studios says it distributed more than its planned outlay of “pay-it-forward” tickets to the summer 2023 blockbuster.
In a set of financials provided to Deadline, the company said customers paid $26,075,511 toward the “pay-it-forward” pool of tickets, which allotted $15 per person. Customers expected the company to give out at least 1,738,367 tickets, but in the end officials say they distributed 1,827,634 tickets, or 105% of the initial commitment.
With Jim Caviezel starring as real-life anti-child-trafficking activist Tim Ballard, the film became a left-field box office smash last summer, outdoing mega-budget Hollywood titles like Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Its global cume was $249.5 million, including $184.2 million in North America.
Angel CEO Neal Harmon spoke to Deadline about the company’s origins and financial model. He shared statistics about Sound of Freedom during the course of that conversation. (See full financials below.)
In addition to off-screen controversy about Ballard...
In a set of financials provided to Deadline, the company said customers paid $26,075,511 toward the “pay-it-forward” pool of tickets, which allotted $15 per person. Customers expected the company to give out at least 1,738,367 tickets, but in the end officials say they distributed 1,827,634 tickets, or 105% of the initial commitment.
With Jim Caviezel starring as real-life anti-child-trafficking activist Tim Ballard, the film became a left-field box office smash last summer, outdoing mega-budget Hollywood titles like Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Its global cume was $249.5 million, including $184.2 million in North America.
Angel CEO Neal Harmon spoke to Deadline about the company’s origins and financial model. He shared statistics about Sound of Freedom during the course of that conversation. (See full financials below.)
In addition to off-screen controversy about Ballard...
- 3/4/2024
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
To celebrate the release of The Bfg, on Blu-Ray and DVD from 4th March, we are giving away Blu-Rays to 2 lucky winners!
Revisit the magic of this wonderful and inspiring tale about young orphan Sophie and the Big Friendly Giant starring David Jason (Only Fools and Horses), as the voice of
the Bfg along with a stellar cast including Angela Thorne (To the Manor Born), Frank Thornton (Are You Being Served?), Mollie Sugden (Are You Being Served?) and Ballard
Berkeley (Fawlty Towers). Now there’s a reason to feel hopscotchy!
The Bfg premiered on ITV on Christmas Day 1989 and was brought to life by Cosgrove Hall Films who also created Count Duckula, Chorlton and the Wheelies and Dangermouse.
Follow the adventures of lonely orphan girl Sophie as she meets her twenty-five foot high prince and is whisked off into the wonders of Dreamland. Tasked with harvesting dreams and blowing them...
Revisit the magic of this wonderful and inspiring tale about young orphan Sophie and the Big Friendly Giant starring David Jason (Only Fools and Horses), as the voice of
the Bfg along with a stellar cast including Angela Thorne (To the Manor Born), Frank Thornton (Are You Being Served?), Mollie Sugden (Are You Being Served?) and Ballard
Berkeley (Fawlty Towers). Now there’s a reason to feel hopscotchy!
The Bfg premiered on ITV on Christmas Day 1989 and was brought to life by Cosgrove Hall Films who also created Count Duckula, Chorlton and the Wheelies and Dangermouse.
Follow the adventures of lonely orphan girl Sophie as she meets her twenty-five foot high prince and is whisked off into the wonders of Dreamland. Tasked with harvesting dreams and blowing them...
- 2/26/2024
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
A new, fifth lawsuit against disgraced anti-trafficking activist Tim Ballard, whose exaggerated rescue missions abroad were the inspiration for the hit film Sound of Freedom, has also taken aim at Angel Studios, the distributor of the controversial 2023 movie. It’s the first civil action targeting Ballard that simultaneously goes after the media company that made millions by mythologizing his exploits.
Brought by the same law firms representing multiple women accusing Ballard of sexual assault in previous complaints (allegations Ballard disputes), this latest suit claims that Ballard and various companies connected...
Brought by the same law firms representing multiple women accusing Ballard of sexual assault in previous complaints (allegations Ballard disputes), this latest suit claims that Ballard and various companies connected...
- 2/24/2024
- by Miles Klee
- Rollingstone.com
The co-chairs for this year’s Met Gala have been announced.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art revealed on Feb. 15 that Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny and Chris Hemsworth will serve as the Costume Institute Benefit event’s co-chairs. Honorary chairs are Loewe creative director Jonathan Anderson and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew.
This year will mark Bad Bunny’s third year at the Met, while Hemsworth will attend his first Met as a co-host. Zendaya has attended the Met five times and Lopez is a 13-time attendee.
Just in: This year, #BadBunny, @ChrisHemsworth, @jlo, @Zendaya, and Anna Wintour will serve as this year’s official #MetGala co-chairs! Tied to the aforementioned exhibition, the dress code is “The Garden of Time.” https://t.co/69FO7LdvIV pic.twitter.com/fjCSQVpID8
— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) February 15, 2024
The stars, along with Vogue’s Anna Wintour will welcome guests to the museum for an exhibition entitled “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art revealed on Feb. 15 that Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny and Chris Hemsworth will serve as the Costume Institute Benefit event’s co-chairs. Honorary chairs are Loewe creative director Jonathan Anderson and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew.
This year will mark Bad Bunny’s third year at the Met, while Hemsworth will attend his first Met as a co-host. Zendaya has attended the Met five times and Lopez is a 13-time attendee.
Just in: This year, #BadBunny, @ChrisHemsworth, @jlo, @Zendaya, and Anna Wintour will serve as this year’s official #MetGala co-chairs! Tied to the aforementioned exhibition, the dress code is “The Garden of Time.” https://t.co/69FO7LdvIV pic.twitter.com/fjCSQVpID8
— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) February 15, 2024
The stars, along with Vogue’s Anna Wintour will welcome guests to the museum for an exhibition entitled “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.
- 2/15/2024
- by Lexy Perez
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
23-year-old Dakota (Kota Johan) finds herself unmoored in South Brooklyn after her boyfriend returns to Ukraine in order to tend to his ailing father in Tendaberry, the feature debut from writer-director Haley Elizabeth Anderson. As she navigates the city over the course of an entire year, she finds moments of tenderness and trouble, all while wondering when her lover will return to join her on the shores of Brighton Beach. Cinematographer Matthew Ballard discusses how he collaborated with Anderson to capture her vision on 16mm for Tendaberry, also Ballard’s first feature-length project. See all responses to our annual Sundance cinematographer […]
The post “Operating Handheld for the Whole Film”: Dp Matthew Ballard on Tendaberry first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “Operating Handheld for the Whole Film”: Dp Matthew Ballard on Tendaberry first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 1/21/2024
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
23-year-old Dakota (Kota Johan) finds herself unmoored in South Brooklyn after her boyfriend returns to Ukraine in order to tend to his ailing father in Tendaberry, the feature debut from writer-director Haley Elizabeth Anderson. As she navigates the city over the course of an entire year, she finds moments of tenderness and trouble, all while wondering when her lover will return to join her on the shores of Brighton Beach. Cinematographer Matthew Ballard discusses how he collaborated with Anderson to capture her vision on 16mm for Tendaberry, also Ballard’s first feature-length project. See all responses to our annual Sundance cinematographer […]
The post “Operating Handheld for the Whole Film”: Dp Matthew Ballard on Tendaberry first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “Operating Handheld for the Whole Film”: Dp Matthew Ballard on Tendaberry first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 1/21/2024
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
When the child-trafficking drama Sound of Freedom conquered the box office this summer, ultimately taking in more than $242 million worldwide, it was touted as a triumph. Leading man Jim Caviezel, hardly seen since his CBS sci-fi series Person of Interest ended in 2016, proved that he could still command an audience. Tim Ballard, the anti-trafficking activist whose purported rescues of abducted children inspired the film, basked in its hagiographic glow. Director and co-writer Alejando Monteverde, who had once believed this project “would never see the light of day,” witnessed it become a global phenomenon.
- 12/14/2023
- by Miles Klee
- Rollingstone.com
Catering directly to my interests, the Criterion Channel’s January lineup boasts two of my favorite things: James Gray and cats. In the former case it’s his first five features (itself a terrible reminder he only released five movies in 20 years); the latter shows felines the respect they deserve, from Kuroneko to The Long Goodbye, Tourneur’s Cat People and Mick Garris’ Sleepwalkers. Meanwhile, Ava Gardner, Bertrand Tavernier, Isabel Sandoval, Ken Russell, Juleen Compton, George Harrison’s HandMade Films, and the Sundance Film Festival get retrospectives.
Restorations of Soviet sci-fi trip Ikarie Xb 1, The Unknown, and The Music of Regret stream, as does the recent Plan 75. January’s Criterion Editions are Inside Llewyn Davis, Farewell Amor, The Incredible Shrinking Man, and (most intriguingly) the long-out-of-print The Man Who Fell to Earth, Blu-rays of which go for hundreds of dollars.
See the lineup below and learn more here.
Back By Popular Demand
The Graduate,...
Restorations of Soviet sci-fi trip Ikarie Xb 1, The Unknown, and The Music of Regret stream, as does the recent Plan 75. January’s Criterion Editions are Inside Llewyn Davis, Farewell Amor, The Incredible Shrinking Man, and (most intriguingly) the long-out-of-print The Man Who Fell to Earth, Blu-rays of which go for hundreds of dollars.
See the lineup below and learn more here.
Back By Popular Demand
The Graduate,...
- 12/12/2023
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
Since conservative audiences flocked to Sound of Freedom this summer, turning a biopic about Tim Ballard’s supposed exploits as an anti-trafficking operator into an unlikely hit, Ballard has had his heroic mythology rapidly stripped away in a series of lawsuits, formal rebukes, and dissolved relationships. But in recent days, his legal problems have gotten even worse — and now Operation Underground Railroad (Our), the advocacy group he founded in 2013, is in the crosshairs as well.
Ballard was apparently forced out of Utah-based Our before the premiere of the Sound of Freedom,...
Ballard was apparently forced out of Utah-based Our before the premiere of the Sound of Freedom,...
- 11/22/2023
- by Miles Klee
- Rollingstone.com
When Bosch ended its run on Prime Video, we didn't anticipate it would lead to a full-fledged franchise.
The latest series to enter development focuses on Detective Renée Ballard, who is tasked with running the LAPD's new cold case division.
The division is "a poorly funded, all-volunteer unit with the largest caseload in the city," Prime Video states in the series' description.
"Ballard approaches these frozen-in-time cases with empathy and determination.
"When she uncovers a larger conspiracy during her investigations, she'll lean on the assistance of her retired ally, Harry Bosch, to navigate the dangers that threaten both her unit and her life."
"From books to screen, Michael Connelly creates authentic and suspenseful stories, led by distinctive characters who make audiences care and connect," said Lauren Anderson, head of AVOD originals, unscripted, and targeted programming at Amazon MGM Studios.
"Renée Ballard is one of those characters. She instantly captivated...
The latest series to enter development focuses on Detective Renée Ballard, who is tasked with running the LAPD's new cold case division.
The division is "a poorly funded, all-volunteer unit with the largest caseload in the city," Prime Video states in the series' description.
"Ballard approaches these frozen-in-time cases with empathy and determination.
"When she uncovers a larger conspiracy during her investigations, she'll lean on the assistance of her retired ally, Harry Bosch, to navigate the dangers that threaten both her unit and her life."
"From books to screen, Michael Connelly creates authentic and suspenseful stories, led by distinctive characters who make audiences care and connect," said Lauren Anderson, head of AVOD originals, unscripted, and targeted programming at Amazon MGM Studios.
"Renée Ballard is one of those characters. She instantly captivated...
- 11/20/2023
- by Paul Dailly
- TVfanatic
Kendall Sherwood and Michale Alaimo (Photo credit: Courtney Lindberg)
Prime Video is continuing their collaboration with bestselling author Michael Connelly with a new Bosch spinoff. The untitled series will focus on Connelly’s Renée Ballard character and LAPD’s Cold Case Division.
“It is so exciting to bring Renée Ballard to the screen and to do it with Prime Video, my streaming partners for going on 10 years. This show will have the same authenticity and propulsive momentum of Bosch: Legacy. Fans of the books will love it,” said Michael Connelly.
Ballard is an LAPD detective who first appeared in Connelly’s 2017 novel The Late Show. The series will follow Ballard as the leader of LAPD’s new cold case division – “a poorly funded, all-volunteer unit with the largest case load in the city. Ballard approaches these frozen-in-time cases with empathy and determination. When she uncovers a larger conspiracy during her investigations,...
Prime Video is continuing their collaboration with bestselling author Michael Connelly with a new Bosch spinoff. The untitled series will focus on Connelly’s Renée Ballard character and LAPD’s Cold Case Division.
“It is so exciting to bring Renée Ballard to the screen and to do it with Prime Video, my streaming partners for going on 10 years. This show will have the same authenticity and propulsive momentum of Bosch: Legacy. Fans of the books will love it,” said Michael Connelly.
Ballard is an LAPD detective who first appeared in Connelly’s 2017 novel The Late Show. The series will follow Ballard as the leader of LAPD’s new cold case division – “a poorly funded, all-volunteer unit with the largest case load in the city. Ballard approaches these frozen-in-time cases with empathy and determination. When she uncovers a larger conspiracy during her investigations,...
- 11/19/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
The Bosch universe is expanding. Prime Video has ordered a spinoff of its popular detective drama that will focus on Detective Renée Ballard and the LAPD’s cold case division.
‘Bosch’ spinoff to focus on LAPD’s cold case unit Titus Welliver in ‘Bosch’ | Aaron Epstein/Amazon Studios
The as-yet-untitled series will follow Ballard, an LAPD detective tasked with running the department’s new cold case division. It’s “a poorly funded, all-volunteer unit with the largest caseload in the city,” per the announcement, but “Ballard approaches these frozen-in-time cases with empathy and determination.”
The new show will have 10 episodes and premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Michael Alaimo and Kendall Sherwood will serve as showrunners. There’s no word yet on who will play Detective Ballard.
“From books to screen, Michael Connelly creates authentic and suspenseful stories, led by distinctive characters who make audiences care and connect,...
‘Bosch’ spinoff to focus on LAPD’s cold case unit Titus Welliver in ‘Bosch’ | Aaron Epstein/Amazon Studios
The as-yet-untitled series will follow Ballard, an LAPD detective tasked with running the department’s new cold case division. It’s “a poorly funded, all-volunteer unit with the largest caseload in the city,” per the announcement, but “Ballard approaches these frozen-in-time cases with empathy and determination.”
The new show will have 10 episodes and premiere exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Michael Alaimo and Kendall Sherwood will serve as showrunners. There’s no word yet on who will play Detective Ballard.
“From books to screen, Michael Connelly creates authentic and suspenseful stories, led by distinctive characters who make audiences care and connect,...
- 11/18/2023
- by Megan Elliott
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Prime Video revealed that it has ordered the Untitled Renée Ballard project to series Friday.
Based on the work by New York Times bestselling author Michael Connelly, who will executive produce under his Hieronymus Pictures banner alongside Fabel Entertainment, the show will be helmed by showrunners Michael Alaimo and Kendall Sherwood.
“It is so exciting to bring Renée Ballard to the screen and to do it with Prime Video, my streaming partners for going on 10 years,” Connelly said. “This show will have the same authenticity and propulsive momentum of Bosch: Legacy. Fans of the books will love it.”
The 10-episode order will premiere exclusively on Prime Video, following Detective Renée Ballard as she takes charge of the LAPD’s new cold case division, an under-funded all-volunteer unit with the largest caseload in the city. Per the show’s description, “When Ballard uncovers a larger conspiracy during her investigations, she’ll...
Based on the work by New York Times bestselling author Michael Connelly, who will executive produce under his Hieronymus Pictures banner alongside Fabel Entertainment, the show will be helmed by showrunners Michael Alaimo and Kendall Sherwood.
“It is so exciting to bring Renée Ballard to the screen and to do it with Prime Video, my streaming partners for going on 10 years,” Connelly said. “This show will have the same authenticity and propulsive momentum of Bosch: Legacy. Fans of the books will love it.”
The 10-episode order will premiere exclusively on Prime Video, following Detective Renée Ballard as she takes charge of the LAPD’s new cold case division, an under-funded all-volunteer unit with the largest caseload in the city. Per the show’s description, “When Ballard uncovers a larger conspiracy during her investigations, she’ll...
- 11/17/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
More from the world of Bosch is coming to Prime Video. The streaming service has ordered the Untitled Renée Ballard project to series. It is based on the work by New York Times best-selling author Michael Connelly, who will serve as an executive producer under his Hieronymus Pictures banner alongside Fabel Entertainment. Michael Alaimo and Kendall Sherwood will serve as showrunners. This news comes just a week after the second season of the Bosch spinoff Legacy ended on Amazon Freevee; a third season was picked up in May. Prime Video has ordered 10 episodes of the series following Detective Renée Ballard, who is tasked with running the LAPD’s new cold case division — a poorly funded, all-volunteer unit with the largest caseload in ...
- 11/17/2023
- TV Insider
The Bosch legacy will continue to grow at Prime Video.
The streamer on Friday gave a formal series order to an untitled spinoff focused on LAPD detective Renée Ballard, a major character in Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch novels, TVLine has learned.
More from TVLineMr. & Mrs. Smith, Starring Donald Glover and Maya Erskine, Gets February Release Date on Prime VideoKaley Cuoco Keeps a Killer Secret From David Oyelowo in Role Play Movie TrailerMerry Little Batman Trailer: Bruce Wayne's Son Damian Plays Hero in Home Alone-Style Christmas Movie
Per the official announcement, the series will follow Detective Ballard, “who is tasked...
The streamer on Friday gave a formal series order to an untitled spinoff focused on LAPD detective Renée Ballard, a major character in Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch novels, TVLine has learned.
More from TVLineMr. & Mrs. Smith, Starring Donald Glover and Maya Erskine, Gets February Release Date on Prime VideoKaley Cuoco Keeps a Killer Secret From David Oyelowo in Role Play Movie TrailerMerry Little Batman Trailer: Bruce Wayne's Son Damian Plays Hero in Home Alone-Style Christmas Movie
Per the official announcement, the series will follow Detective Ballard, “who is tasked...
- 11/17/2023
- by Andy Swift
- TVLine.com
The Bosch-iverse is growing.
Amazon’s Prime Video has placed a series order for a second spinoff of the crime drama. The untitled series will focus on Renée Ballard, an LAPD detective who’s a major character in several novels from author Michael Connelly, the creator of the Harry Bosch character and an executive producer on both Prime Video’s Bosch and its Freevee spinoff/sequel, Bosch: Legacy.
The pickup comes a week after Bosch: Legacy concluded its second season on Freevee.
Michael Alaimo (The Closer, The Man Who Fell to Earth) and Kendall Sherwood (Your Honor) will serve as showunners and executive producers on the new series. The two previously worked together on TNT’s Major Crimes. Connelly and Fabel Entertainment’s Henrik Bastin and Melissa Aouate, EPs of both Bosch series, will also executive produce. Fabel’s Jasmine Russ is a co-ep, as are Jamie Boscardin Martin,...
Amazon’s Prime Video has placed a series order for a second spinoff of the crime drama. The untitled series will focus on Renée Ballard, an LAPD detective who’s a major character in several novels from author Michael Connelly, the creator of the Harry Bosch character and an executive producer on both Prime Video’s Bosch and its Freevee spinoff/sequel, Bosch: Legacy.
The pickup comes a week after Bosch: Legacy concluded its second season on Freevee.
Michael Alaimo (The Closer, The Man Who Fell to Earth) and Kendall Sherwood (Your Honor) will serve as showunners and executive producers on the new series. The two previously worked together on TNT’s Major Crimes. Connelly and Fabel Entertainment’s Henrik Bastin and Melissa Aouate, EPs of both Bosch series, will also executive produce. Fabel’s Jasmine Russ is a co-ep, as are Jamie Boscardin Martin,...
- 11/17/2023
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Amazon Prime Video has ordered a “Bosch” spinoff about the LAPD’s cold case division and Det. Renée Ballard.
The 10-episode series was first reported as being in the works at Amazon MGM Studios in February. Like “Bosch,” the series will be based on the work of author Michael Connelly.
Per the official description, the currently untitled series “follows Detective Renée Ballard, who is tasked with running the LAPD’s new cold case division—a poorly funded, all-volunteer unit with the largest case load in the city. Ballard approaches these frozen-in-time cases with empathy and determination. When she uncovers a larger conspiracy during her investigations, she’ll lean on the assistance of her retired ally, Harry Bosch, to navigate the dangers that threaten both her unit and her life.”
“It is so exciting to bring Renée Ballard to the screen and to do it with Prime Video, my streaming partners for going on 10 years,...
The 10-episode series was first reported as being in the works at Amazon MGM Studios in February. Like “Bosch,” the series will be based on the work of author Michael Connelly.
Per the official description, the currently untitled series “follows Detective Renée Ballard, who is tasked with running the LAPD’s new cold case division—a poorly funded, all-volunteer unit with the largest case load in the city. Ballard approaches these frozen-in-time cases with empathy and determination. When she uncovers a larger conspiracy during her investigations, she’ll lean on the assistance of her retired ally, Harry Bosch, to navigate the dangers that threaten both her unit and her life.”
“It is so exciting to bring Renée Ballard to the screen and to do it with Prime Video, my streaming partners for going on 10 years,...
- 11/17/2023
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
The Bosch universe is expanding further. Prime Video has given a 10-episode series order to the Untitled Renée Ballard project, a Bosch spinoff about the LAPD’s Cold Case Division.
The newly greenlighted series is one of two projects inspired by the work of bestselling author Michael Connelly that has been in the works at Amazon MGM Studios since February. The other, the Untitled J. Edgar project, remains in development. It follows Harry Bosch’s former partner, Detective Jerry Edgar, who is tapped for an undercover FBI mission in Little Haiti, Miami.
The Untitled Renée Ballard project is centered around a character that has not appeared on the two Bosch series to date. It follows Detective Renée Ballard, who is tasked with running the LAPD’s new cold case division—a poorly funded, all-volunteer unit with the largest case load in the city. Ballard approaches these frozen-in-time cases with empathy and determination.
The newly greenlighted series is one of two projects inspired by the work of bestselling author Michael Connelly that has been in the works at Amazon MGM Studios since February. The other, the Untitled J. Edgar project, remains in development. It follows Harry Bosch’s former partner, Detective Jerry Edgar, who is tapped for an undercover FBI mission in Little Haiti, Miami.
The Untitled Renée Ballard project is centered around a character that has not appeared on the two Bosch series to date. It follows Detective Renée Ballard, who is tasked with running the LAPD’s new cold case division—a poorly funded, all-volunteer unit with the largest case load in the city. Ballard approaches these frozen-in-time cases with empathy and determination.
- 11/17/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
More episodes of Bosch: Legacy are coming to Amazon Freevee. The season 2 finale of the crime drama just dropped on the free streaming service, and it featured several big twists that set the stage for the third season of the Bosch spinoff. Here’s where things stand with Harry Bosch at the end of season 2, plus a hint of what to expect in season 3.
[Warning: This article contains spoilers for Bosch: Legacy Season 2.]
What happened at the end of ‘Bosch: Legacy’ Season 2? Stephen A. Chang in ‘Bosch: Legacy’ Season 2 | Tyler Golden/Amazon Freevee
The last two episodes of Bosch: Legacy Season 2 dropped on Nov. 9 on Amazon Freevee – one day ahead of the announced release date. The episodes wrapped up the ongoing investigation into the Lexi Parks murder, with Honey Chandler (Mimi Rogers) and Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver) proving that a pair of dirty LAPD officers had framed David Foster for the killing. Honey also successfully outwitted the feds,...
[Warning: This article contains spoilers for Bosch: Legacy Season 2.]
What happened at the end of ‘Bosch: Legacy’ Season 2? Stephen A. Chang in ‘Bosch: Legacy’ Season 2 | Tyler Golden/Amazon Freevee
The last two episodes of Bosch: Legacy Season 2 dropped on Nov. 9 on Amazon Freevee – one day ahead of the announced release date. The episodes wrapped up the ongoing investigation into the Lexi Parks murder, with Honey Chandler (Mimi Rogers) and Harry Bosch (Titus Welliver) proving that a pair of dirty LAPD officers had framed David Foster for the killing. Honey also successfully outwitted the feds,...
- 11/10/2023
- by Megan Elliott
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
If you missed the religious thriller Sound of Freedom this summer, you can soon watch the film at home. Here’s everything you need to know for how to watch Sound of Freedom online.
The movie, which debuted July 4 and has amassed over $210 million at the domestic box office, tells the true story of a federal agent, Tim Ballard (Person of Interest’s Jim Caviezel), who rescues a girl from child traffickers.
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The movie, which debuted July 4 and has amassed over $210 million at the domestic box office, tells the true story of a federal agent, Tim Ballard (Person of Interest’s Jim Caviezel), who rescues a girl from child traffickers.
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- 9/28/2023
- by How to Stream Team
- TVLine.com
A group of women who allegedly experienced abuse while working for Operation Underground Railroad (Our) — a nonprofit that claims to fight sex trafficking, and was behind the summer blockbuster Sound of Freedom — are speaking out via a lawyer, Suzette Rasmussen. On Thursday, the attorney released a statement from the women, who are all remaining anonymous.
“Our involvement with Operation Underground Railroad was rooted in our commitment to fighting against human trafficking,” the women said in a statement. “But while engaging in that noble cause, we were subjected to sexual harassment,...
“Our involvement with Operation Underground Railroad was rooted in our commitment to fighting against human trafficking,” the women said in a statement. “But while engaging in that noble cause, we were subjected to sexual harassment,...
- 9/28/2023
- by Kory Grow
- Rollingstone.com
Over the summer, Ivanka Trump joined her father, Donald Trump, and other conservatives in support of the surprise summer movie hit, Sound of Freedom.
The story depicts the supposed real-life heroics of former federal agent Tim Ballard, who rescued South American children from sex traffickers.
Ivanka posted on X, “Sound of Freedom sheds light on the harrowing reality of #HumanTrafficking, awakening our collective conscience and inspiring us to take action for those trapped in its dark web.”
However, a new report has presented the much more disturbing reality of the film.
Earlier this year, Ballard exited Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), a nonprofit United States-based anti-sex trafficking organization, after he was under investigation for seven women’s claims of sexual misconduct.
Ballard allegedly had pressured women to pretend to be his wife, take showers or share a bed with him while he was on rescue missions in South America.
The story depicts the supposed real-life heroics of former federal agent Tim Ballard, who rescued South American children from sex traffickers.
Ivanka posted on X, “Sound of Freedom sheds light on the harrowing reality of #HumanTrafficking, awakening our collective conscience and inspiring us to take action for those trapped in its dark web.”
However, a new report has presented the much more disturbing reality of the film.
Earlier this year, Ballard exited Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), a nonprofit United States-based anti-sex trafficking organization, after he was under investigation for seven women’s claims of sexual misconduct.
Ballard allegedly had pressured women to pretend to be his wife, take showers or share a bed with him while he was on rescue missions in South America.
- 9/25/2023
- by Bay Zisman
- Uinterview
Anti–child trafficking crusader Tim Ballard has denied the recent Vice report that accused Ballard of sexual misconduct with seven women, and is claiming it is a conspiracy “designed to destory me.”
“As with all of the assaults on my character and integrity over many years, the latest tabloid-driven sexual allegations are false,” Ballard said in a statement to TheWrap. “They are baseless inventions designed to destroy me and the movement we have built to end the trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable children.”
Ballard added: “During my time at O.U.R., I designed strict guidelines for myself and our operators in the field. Sexual contact was prohibited, and I led by example. Given our meticulous attention to this issue, any suggestion of inappropriate sexual contact is categorically false.”
According to the report, Ballard enlisted women to accompany him as a “spouse” during secretive overseas operations ostensibly aimed at rescuing victims of sex trafficking.
“As with all of the assaults on my character and integrity over many years, the latest tabloid-driven sexual allegations are false,” Ballard said in a statement to TheWrap. “They are baseless inventions designed to destroy me and the movement we have built to end the trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable children.”
Ballard added: “During my time at O.U.R., I designed strict guidelines for myself and our operators in the field. Sexual contact was prohibited, and I led by example. Given our meticulous attention to this issue, any suggestion of inappropriate sexual contact is categorically false.”
According to the report, Ballard enlisted women to accompany him as a “spouse” during secretive overseas operations ostensibly aimed at rescuing victims of sex trafficking.
- 9/19/2023
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Paul Hutchinson — an executive producer on Sound of Freedom, the film loosely based on anti-trafficking expert Tim Ballard — has admitted to touching the breasts of a possibly underage trafficking victim during a 2016 sting operation in Mexico.
At the time, Hutchinson was working with Operation Underground Railroad (or Our), the anti-trafficking group founded by Ballard in 2013. According to a Vice report, footage catching Hutchinson in the act was captured by videographers working with Our on a documentary and subsequent TV series called The Abolitionists. This footage was then reviewed by investigator Bryan Purdy of the Davis County Attorney’s Office, who wrote detailed descriptions of it as part of an FBI investigation into Ballard and Our that was closed earlier this year without any charges being brought forward.
Documents obtained through a public records request from Vice News include descriptions showing that Hutchinson and Our believed the trafficking victim was 16 years old at the time.
At the time, Hutchinson was working with Operation Underground Railroad (or Our), the anti-trafficking group founded by Ballard in 2013. According to a Vice report, footage catching Hutchinson in the act was captured by videographers working with Our on a documentary and subsequent TV series called The Abolitionists. This footage was then reviewed by investigator Bryan Purdy of the Davis County Attorney’s Office, who wrote detailed descriptions of it as part of an FBI investigation into Ballard and Our that was closed earlier this year without any charges being brought forward.
Documents obtained through a public records request from Vice News include descriptions showing that Hutchinson and Our believed the trafficking victim was 16 years old at the time.
- 9/19/2023
- by Eddie Fu
- Consequence - Film News
Tim Ballard, the former Homeland Security agent turned anti-sex-trafficking crusader whose life provided inspiration to summer box office hit Sound of Freedom, is slamming a recent Vice expose that accuses him of sexual misconduct with seven women during his time with his organization Operation Underground Railroad.
“As with all of the assaults on my character and integrity over many years, the latest tabloid-driven sexual allegations are false,” said Ballard in a statement, “They are baseless inventions designed to destroy me and the movement we have built to end the trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable children.”
The Vice piece reported that Ballard invited women to act as his wife on undercover overseas missions when he was rescuing victims of sex trafficking. Among myriad claims in the report, Ballard would reportedly coerce these women into sharing a bed or showering together, explaining that such tactics were necessary to fool traffickers. Ballard is...
“As with all of the assaults on my character and integrity over many years, the latest tabloid-driven sexual allegations are false,” said Ballard in a statement, “They are baseless inventions designed to destroy me and the movement we have built to end the trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable children.”
The Vice piece reported that Ballard invited women to act as his wife on undercover overseas missions when he was rescuing victims of sex trafficking. Among myriad claims in the report, Ballard would reportedly coerce these women into sharing a bed or showering together, explaining that such tactics were necessary to fool traffickers. Ballard is...
- 9/19/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
The team behind Sound of Freedom has remained silent so far on new allegations involving Tim Ballard, who is portrayed in the movie as a hero by Passion of the Christ’s Jim Caviezel.
Ballard, founder of the anti-child-trafficking group Operation Underground Railroad, rose to new levels of prominence this summer when the film turned into a sleeper hit that has grossed more than $182 million domestically and $210 million worldwide.
On Monday, a Vice News report detailed anonymous allegations against Ballard relating to his quiet exit in late June from Our, which he launched in 2013. His departure came as Sound of Freedom filmmaker Alejandro Monteverde and Angel Studios were readying the film for release over the July Fourth holiday.
Ballard, a former Department of Homeland Security official, embarked on undercover overseas missions to fight child trafficking upon starting Our According to Vice, he brought women to pose as his wife on...
Ballard, founder of the anti-child-trafficking group Operation Underground Railroad, rose to new levels of prominence this summer when the film turned into a sleeper hit that has grossed more than $182 million domestically and $210 million worldwide.
On Monday, a Vice News report detailed anonymous allegations against Ballard relating to his quiet exit in late June from Our, which he launched in 2013. His departure came as Sound of Freedom filmmaker Alejandro Monteverde and Angel Studios were readying the film for release over the July Fourth holiday.
Ballard, a former Department of Homeland Security official, embarked on undercover overseas missions to fight child trafficking upon starting Our According to Vice, he brought women to pose as his wife on...
- 9/18/2023
- by Aaron Couch and Pamela McClintock
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Tim Ballard, whose purported rescues of sex-trafficking victims were fictionalized in the hit summer movie Sound of Freedom, earlier this year left the advocacy group he founded after an internal investigation of sexual misconduct claims, sources familiar with the organization have confirmed.
According to Vice News, which corroborated reporting from Utah journalist Lynn Packer, Ballard stepped down as CEO of the anti-trafficking nonprofit Operation Underground Railroad amid complaints from seven women who said he made inappropriate advances in the course of missions abroad. His accusers — who have remained anonymous for...
According to Vice News, which corroborated reporting from Utah journalist Lynn Packer, Ballard stepped down as CEO of the anti-trafficking nonprofit Operation Underground Railroad amid complaints from seven women who said he made inappropriate advances in the course of missions abroad. His accusers — who have remained anonymous for...
- 9/18/2023
- by Miles Klee
- Rollingstone.com
Update: Tim Ballard has responded to Vice’s report on his alleged sexual misconduct. In a statement released Monday evening to IndieWire by his new organization The Spear Fund, Ballard did not name Vice, but affirmed his commitment to anti-sex trafficking efforts and criticized what he called “a tabloid that is often hostile to people of faith.”
“Evil pedophiles will stop at nothing, and they have allies in government, in the media, in big corporations, and even in public institutions. They continue to lie and attempt to destroy my good name and defame my character…and they will never stop,” Ballard said in his statement.
Ballard also questioned the authenticity of a statement published by Vice from a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spokesperson, alleging that the church has not verified the statement as real and calling the timing of the news after Mitt Romney’s retirement announcement “highly suspicious.
“Evil pedophiles will stop at nothing, and they have allies in government, in the media, in big corporations, and even in public institutions. They continue to lie and attempt to destroy my good name and defame my character…and they will never stop,” Ballard said in his statement.
Ballard also questioned the authenticity of a statement published by Vice from a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spokesperson, alleging that the church has not verified the statement as real and calling the timing of the news after Mitt Romney’s retirement announcement “highly suspicious.
- 9/18/2023
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Tim Ballard, the real-life founder and onetime CEO of Operation Underground Railroad who is portrayed by Jim Caviezel in the indie hit Sound of Freedom, was the subject of sexual misconduct allegations and a related investigation involving seven women, according to a story published by Vice.
Operation Underground Railroad is an organization, founded in 2013, whose mission is to combat child sex trafficking.
In a statement to Vice, the organization reportedly confirmed that Ballard “resigned from O.U.R. on June 22, 2023,” and that “he has permanently separated from O.U.R.”
Further, said the statement, “O.U.R. is dedicated to combatting sexual abuse, and does not tolerate sexual harassment or discrimination by anyone in its organization.”
The group stated it “retained an independent law firm to conduct a comprehensive investigation of all relevant allegations,” but would make no further comment “to preserve the integrity of its investigation and to protect...
Operation Underground Railroad is an organization, founded in 2013, whose mission is to combat child sex trafficking.
In a statement to Vice, the organization reportedly confirmed that Ballard “resigned from O.U.R. on June 22, 2023,” and that “he has permanently separated from O.U.R.”
Further, said the statement, “O.U.R. is dedicated to combatting sexual abuse, and does not tolerate sexual harassment or discrimination by anyone in its organization.”
The group stated it “retained an independent law firm to conduct a comprehensive investigation of all relevant allegations,” but would make no further comment “to preserve the integrity of its investigation and to protect...
- 9/18/2023
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
Anti–child trafficking crusader Tim Ballard, who is the basis for “Sound of Freedom” and played by Jim Cavaziel in the hit film, left Operation Underground Railroad earlier this summer following a sexual misconduct investigation, according to Vice news.
According to the report, Ballard enlisted women to accompany him as a “spouse” during secretive overseas operations ostensibly aimed at rescuing victims of sex trafficking. Ballard would then pressure these women into sharing a bed or shower, justifying it as a necessary ruse to deceive traffickers.
Ballard even sent at least one woman a photo of himself in underwear adorned with counterfeit tattoos and asked another how far she was willing to go to help save children.
According to Vice, “The total number of women involved is believed to be higher than seven, as that would only account for employees, not contractors or volunteers.”
In response, an O.U.R. spokesperson...
According to the report, Ballard enlisted women to accompany him as a “spouse” during secretive overseas operations ostensibly aimed at rescuing victims of sex trafficking. Ballard would then pressure these women into sharing a bed or shower, justifying it as a necessary ruse to deceive traffickers.
Ballard even sent at least one woman a photo of himself in underwear adorned with counterfeit tattoos and asked another how far she was willing to go to help save children.
According to Vice, “The total number of women involved is believed to be higher than seven, as that would only account for employees, not contractors or volunteers.”
In response, an O.U.R. spokesperson...
- 9/18/2023
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
The release of Sound of Freedom should’ve been a victory lap for Tim Ballard, founder and former CEO of the anti-trafficking organization Operation Underground Railroad. A fictionalized version of Ballard, played by actor Jim Caviezel, is the protagonist of the film, which depicts him as a crusading avenger for abducted children. The movie — made on a small budget but a runaway hit with conservative audiences this summer — also doubled as a public relations coup for Our, whose supposed real-life trafficking rescue expeditions are highlighted in an epilogue.
But shortly...
But shortly...
- 9/7/2023
- by Miles Klee
- Rollingstone.com
“Sound of Freedom” is the biggest success story of the summer outside of “Barbenheimer,” with $182 million in box office for the child-trafficking thriller — but its director isn’t taking part in the spoils.
Alejandro Gómez Monteverde sold his back-end participation to get the film finished, which means the filmmaker didn’t get rich off the stunning theatrical success.
“Like any independent film, we ran out of money,” Monteverde told TheWrap. “I decided to sell my points to the producers so we could finish the picture.”
“I don’t even want to think about what those points might be worth,” he added.
The movie took a challenging path to the box office. Produced in 2018 by Sentient Entertainment (which also produced “Map to the Stars” and “Taken”), the picture ended up in limbo after initial distributor Fox Latin America was purchased by Disney. Producer Eduardo Verástegui bought back the rights and approached Angel Studios,...
Alejandro Gómez Monteverde sold his back-end participation to get the film finished, which means the filmmaker didn’t get rich off the stunning theatrical success.
“Like any independent film, we ran out of money,” Monteverde told TheWrap. “I decided to sell my points to the producers so we could finish the picture.”
“I don’t even want to think about what those points might be worth,” he added.
The movie took a challenging path to the box office. Produced in 2018 by Sentient Entertainment (which also produced “Map to the Stars” and “Taken”), the picture ended up in limbo after initial distributor Fox Latin America was purchased by Disney. Producer Eduardo Verástegui bought back the rights and approached Angel Studios,...
- 9/6/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Sound of Freedom director Alejandro Monteverde is getting back in business with Utah-based Angel Studios for the release of his latest movie, Cabrini.
Angel Studios, which found box office gold with Sound of Freedom and prides itself on working outside of the Hollywood studio system, will release Cabrini in theaters on March 8, 2024. The drama portrays Francesca Cabrini, a poor Italian immigrant in New York City who overcame the odds to become a major entrepreneur in the 19th century.
“Francesca Cabrini is one of the most inspiring and influential figures in modern history, and yet few know her story. Faced with seemingly insurmountable life obstacles, Cabrini chose instead to focus on how she could change the status quo in her time, and her impact on the world is still felt today,” Liz Ellis, COO of Angel Studios, said in a statement on Tuesday.
Cabrini stars Cristiana Dell’Anna, John Lithgow, David Morse,...
Angel Studios, which found box office gold with Sound of Freedom and prides itself on working outside of the Hollywood studio system, will release Cabrini in theaters on March 8, 2024. The drama portrays Francesca Cabrini, a poor Italian immigrant in New York City who overcame the odds to become a major entrepreneur in the 19th century.
“Francesca Cabrini is one of the most inspiring and influential figures in modern history, and yet few know her story. Faced with seemingly insurmountable life obstacles, Cabrini chose instead to focus on how she could change the status quo in her time, and her impact on the world is still felt today,” Liz Ellis, COO of Angel Studios, said in a statement on Tuesday.
Cabrini stars Cristiana Dell’Anna, John Lithgow, David Morse,...
- 9/5/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jim Caviezel stars as the real-life campaigner Tim Ballard in a dull film that has become a US box office sensation
This peculiar film features a notably wooden lead performance from Jim Caviezel, best known for playing Jesus in Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ. It has become a US box office sensation and an explosive campaign document, a phenomenon similar in its way to the once hugely popular viral video Kony 2012, which demanded the fugitive Ugandan cult leader Joseph Kony be arrested. Sound of Freedom is about child sex trafficking, based on the reminiscences of anti-trafficking activist and campaigner Tim Ballard, and stars Caviezel as Ballard, who quits his job at a toothless US government agency to rescue a young girl from a Colombian sex-trafficking cartel.
All decent people share a fundamental horror and outrage at child sexual abuse. But not everyone will share Caviezel’s QAnon-type...
This peculiar film features a notably wooden lead performance from Jim Caviezel, best known for playing Jesus in Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ. It has become a US box office sensation and an explosive campaign document, a phenomenon similar in its way to the once hugely popular viral video Kony 2012, which demanded the fugitive Ugandan cult leader Joseph Kony be arrested. Sound of Freedom is about child sex trafficking, based on the reminiscences of anti-trafficking activist and campaigner Tim Ballard, and stars Caviezel as Ballard, who quits his job at a toothless US government agency to rescue a young girl from a Colombian sex-trafficking cartel.
All decent people share a fundamental horror and outrage at child sexual abuse. But not everyone will share Caviezel’s QAnon-type...
- 8/30/2023
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Yorgos Lanthimos goes more surreal than ever, Adam Driver pulls on Ferrari’s racing gloves and Polish auteurs get political in this year’s lineup
Poor Things
Yorgos Lanthimos has created one of the hottest tickets at Venice this year: a surreal science-fantasy based on the novel by Alasdair Gray. Emma Stone plays Bella, a young woman apparently brought back to life by hubristic scientist Dr Godwin Baxter, played by Willem Dafoe.
Hoard
British director Luna Carmoon makes her feature debut at Venice with this fiercely acted and compelling character study. Saura Lightfoot Leon plays Maria, a young woman who has grown up in care after a difficult relationship with her mother, played by Hayley Squires.
The Beast
A very strange and sensually disturbing disquisition with hints of Huxley and Ballard, about the past, present and future of humanity, on the point of being deconstructed by artificial intelligence. Léa Seydoux...
Poor Things
Yorgos Lanthimos has created one of the hottest tickets at Venice this year: a surreal science-fantasy based on the novel by Alasdair Gray. Emma Stone plays Bella, a young woman apparently brought back to life by hubristic scientist Dr Godwin Baxter, played by Willem Dafoe.
Hoard
British director Luna Carmoon makes her feature debut at Venice with this fiercely acted and compelling character study. Saura Lightfoot Leon plays Maria, a young woman who has grown up in care after a difficult relationship with her mother, played by Hayley Squires.
The Beast
A very strange and sensually disturbing disquisition with hints of Huxley and Ballard, about the past, present and future of humanity, on the point of being deconstructed by artificial intelligence. Léa Seydoux...
- 8/25/2023
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
Recently, Sound of Freedom director Alejandro Monteverde teased a potential sequel to the breakout hit of the summer, but making a Sound of Freedom 2 may be easier said than done. While the film has become a massive financial success ($178 million on a $14.5 million budget), Variety is reporting that given the way the film was financed, many parties involved could lay claim to the right to make a sequel, with Monteverde having only secured the right to make one film based on subject Tim Ballard’s life.
Indeed, producer Mike Ilitch Jr. apparently owns Ballard’s life rights, and he could theoretically make his own follow-up to the film. While it’s possible (and maybe even likely) that Illitch (who isn’t listed as a producer on Sound of Freedom) might team up with Monteverde and Angel Studios for a follow-up (as well as star Jim Caviezel), it’s not as...
Indeed, producer Mike Ilitch Jr. apparently owns Ballard’s life rights, and he could theoretically make his own follow-up to the film. While it’s possible (and maybe even likely) that Illitch (who isn’t listed as a producer on Sound of Freedom) might team up with Monteverde and Angel Studios for a follow-up (as well as star Jim Caviezel), it’s not as...
- 8/23/2023
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com
In a summer of many misses, “Sound of Freedom” has become a major and unlikely box office hit, making a sequel seem a foregone conclusion. But who exactly holds the rights to tackle a new outing? Well, it’s complicated.
A representative for producer Mike Ilitch Jr. told Variety that her client signed a deal with Tim Ballard, the anti-human trafficking activist who is the subject of the breakout film, “for exclusive life rights” and that the pair recently began developing a follow-up. Ilitch Jr., the son of Mike Ilitch, billionaire owner of Little Caesars Pizza, wasn’t going to stop there. He also planned a scripted series and a docuseries about Ballard’s various missions rescuing children from sexual exploitation.
The “Sound of Freedom” franchise plan also included leveraging an unnamed Ballard nonprofit and other nongovernmental organizations “to provide targeted resources, specific calls to action and further real-life and...
A representative for producer Mike Ilitch Jr. told Variety that her client signed a deal with Tim Ballard, the anti-human trafficking activist who is the subject of the breakout film, “for exclusive life rights” and that the pair recently began developing a follow-up. Ilitch Jr., the son of Mike Ilitch, billionaire owner of Little Caesars Pizza, wasn’t going to stop there. He also planned a scripted series and a docuseries about Ballard’s various missions rescuing children from sexual exploitation.
The “Sound of Freedom” franchise plan also included leveraging an unnamed Ballard nonprofit and other nongovernmental organizations “to provide targeted resources, specific calls to action and further real-life and...
- 8/23/2023
- by Tatiana Siegel
- Variety Film + TV
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