Following part one of our 2024 preview, we’re counting down our 50 most-anticipated films of the year.
50. The Actor (Duke Johnson)
Duke Johnson, one half of the directing duo behind Anomalisa, makes his solo directorial (and live-action) debut with The Actor. For being based on the posthumously published novel from Donald E. Westlake, a synopsis points towards an amnesia thriller with André Holland as a New York City actor beaten and stranded in 1950s Ohio. Gemma Chan and Toby Jones co-star. As a state native I’m intrigued how they shot Budapest for small-town Ohio––the two don’t exactly scream perfect matches, but I won’t doubt the movie magic before I see it. Anomalisa was a wholly original stop-motion feature; we’re intrigued how Johnson continues that creativity in the live-action realm. – Caleb H.
49. Presence (Steven Soderbergh)
Steven Soderbergh has flirted with horror before––2018’s Unsane in particular nearly...
50. The Actor (Duke Johnson)
Duke Johnson, one half of the directing duo behind Anomalisa, makes his solo directorial (and live-action) debut with The Actor. For being based on the posthumously published novel from Donald E. Westlake, a synopsis points towards an amnesia thriller with André Holland as a New York City actor beaten and stranded in 1950s Ohio. Gemma Chan and Toby Jones co-star. As a state native I’m intrigued how they shot Budapest for small-town Ohio––the two don’t exactly scream perfect matches, but I won’t doubt the movie magic before I see it. Anomalisa was a wholly original stop-motion feature; we’re intrigued how Johnson continues that creativity in the live-action realm. – Caleb H.
49. Presence (Steven Soderbergh)
Steven Soderbergh has flirted with horror before––2018’s Unsane in particular nearly...
- 1/8/2024
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
2023 may not have been an excellent year for movies, but in spite of everything stacked against it (read: greedy conglomerates run amok), it turned out to be an excellent year of movies. While the fallout of the recent work stoppages will be felt for time to come, some of 2023’s losses will prove to be 2024’s gains, as much-anticipated but strike-delayed films like “Dune: Part Two,” “Drive-Away Dolls,” and Luca Guadagnino’s horny tennis drama “Challengers” have all secured fresh release dates in the first half of the new year.
Those titles will be joined by some of the most promising Hollywood blockbusters in recent memory, must-see work from some of the world’s greatest auteurs, and huge swings from essential artists ranging from new voices like Jane Schoenbrun (“I Saw the TV Glow”) and Duke Johnson (“The Actor”) to venerated masters like Francis Ford Coppola (“Megalopolis”) and Mike Leigh...
Those titles will be joined by some of the most promising Hollywood blockbusters in recent memory, must-see work from some of the world’s greatest auteurs, and huge swings from essential artists ranging from new voices like Jane Schoenbrun (“I Saw the TV Glow”) and Duke Johnson (“The Actor”) to venerated masters like Francis Ford Coppola (“Megalopolis”) and Mike Leigh...
- 12/29/2023
- by IndieWire Staff
- Indiewire
This is one of those titles that could fit a bit anywhere in terms of major film festival premiere — it all depends on how the Neon folks see the film in the awards rally. A book to film adaptation of the 2010 novel Memory by Donald E. Westlake was taken on by Duke Johnson as his first solo directing gig (his previous film was 2015’s stick figure existentialism-filled dramedy Anomalisa). The Actor stars André Holland (who replaced Ryan Gosling) toplines the ensemble comprised of Gemma Chan, May Calamawy, Toby Jones, Tracey Ullman, Olwen Fouéré, Joe Cole, Tanya Reynolds, Asim Chaudhry, Youssef Kerkour, Simon McBurney and Edward Hogg.…...
- 11/6/2023
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
Exclusive: André Holland (Passing), Kate Mara (Black Mirror), Zazie Beetz (The Harder They Fall) and Stephen McKinley Henderson (Beau Is Afraid) are set to star in The Dutchman, a psychological thriller based on the Obie Award-winning play by Amiri Baraka that has landed a SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement.
Directing from his script written with filmmaker Qasim Basir is Andre Gaines, the Emmy-nominated multi-hyphenate behind Showtime’s 2021 documentary The One and Only Dick Gregory. Production kicks off in New York City September 25th, putting a group of 150 or so back to work.
Set on a New York subway, The Dutchman centers on an encounter between a well-to-do Black man and an enchanting white woman who match wits in a sexualized game of cat and mouse that leads to a violent conclusion. The searing confrontation amplifies the dimensions of racial conflict in America in this adaptation of the stage show first presented...
Directing from his script written with filmmaker Qasim Basir is Andre Gaines, the Emmy-nominated multi-hyphenate behind Showtime’s 2021 documentary The One and Only Dick Gregory. Production kicks off in New York City September 25th, putting a group of 150 or so back to work.
Set on a New York subway, The Dutchman centers on an encounter between a well-to-do Black man and an enchanting white woman who match wits in a sexualized game of cat and mouse that leads to a violent conclusion. The searing confrontation amplifies the dimensions of racial conflict in America in this adaptation of the stage show first presented...
- 9/18/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Kaufman was in town as a filmmaker amid the WGA and SAG-Aftra strrikes.
US writer-director Charlie Kaufman blasted the Hollywood studio system while making some sharply pointed observations about Artificial Intelligence (AI) amid the ongoing writers’ and actors’ strikes in a fiery masterclass presentation at the Sarajevo Film Festival on Monday.
Asked the difference between art and entertainment, Kaufman replied: “If by entertainment you mean conventional Hollywood fare, I would say that it is the difference between truth and bullshit. If the agenda is to sell a product and that product is the movie…then that can’t be art.
US writer-director Charlie Kaufman blasted the Hollywood studio system while making some sharply pointed observations about Artificial Intelligence (AI) amid the ongoing writers’ and actors’ strikes in a fiery masterclass presentation at the Sarajevo Film Festival on Monday.
Asked the difference between art and entertainment, Kaufman replied: “If by entertainment you mean conventional Hollywood fare, I would say that it is the difference between truth and bullshit. If the agenda is to sell a product and that product is the movie…then that can’t be art.
- 8/15/2023
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
The festival will host a special screening of ‘Adaptation’.
US writer and filmmaker Charlie Kaufman will receive the honorary Heart of Sarajevo award at the 29th Sarajevo Film Festival next month (August 11-18).
The festival will host a special screening of Oscar-winning feature Adaptation, which was written by Kaufman and directed by Spike Jonze, as part of its Open Air strand.
Kaufman previously attended the festival in 2008 with his directorial debut, Synecdoche, New York.
As a writer, Kaufman has been Oscar-nominated for Adaptation, Jonze’s Being John Malkovich and Michel Gondry’s Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind, winning the...
US writer and filmmaker Charlie Kaufman will receive the honorary Heart of Sarajevo award at the 29th Sarajevo Film Festival next month (August 11-18).
The festival will host a special screening of Oscar-winning feature Adaptation, which was written by Kaufman and directed by Spike Jonze, as part of its Open Air strand.
Kaufman previously attended the festival in 2008 with his directorial debut, Synecdoche, New York.
As a writer, Kaufman has been Oscar-nominated for Adaptation, Jonze’s Being John Malkovich and Michel Gondry’s Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind, winning the...
- 7/31/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Editor’s note: Paul Young, the Emmy-winning producer and founder of management-production company Make Good Content, also co-founded Principato-Young Entertainment in 2000, while concurrently serving as chairman of the Groundlings Theater. The onetime Variety reporter and Paramount creative executive recently produced the Duke Johnson film The Actor and will next make the Ferris Bueller spinoff Sam and Victor’s Day Off for Paramount.
***
Paul Young
My name is Paul Young, and I own a management company called Make Good Content. I am writing to you because our entertainment community needs a leader. We need someone in power to take responsibility for making such a mess of things. We need a CEO who will seek to understand the writers’ concerns, not refuse to acknowledge their proposals, and then do something about what he’s learned. Quite simply, we need a rich guy to do the right thing. Even when it costs money.
***
Paul Young
My name is Paul Young, and I own a management company called Make Good Content. I am writing to you because our entertainment community needs a leader. We need someone in power to take responsibility for making such a mess of things. We need a CEO who will seek to understand the writers’ concerns, not refuse to acknowledge their proposals, and then do something about what he’s learned. Quite simply, we need a rich guy to do the right thing. Even when it costs money.
- 5/22/2023
- by Paul Young
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Paramount’s sequel to the Oscar-winning hit Gladiator is rounding out its cast as sources tell Deadline the untitled pic has added May Calamawy, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Peter Mensah and Matt Lucas.
Also in talks to join the remaining cast is Fred Hechinger (The White Lotus), who is in negotiations to play Emperor Geta. Barry Keoghan was in negotiations to play the Geta character, but scheduling conflicts forced him to fall out of the project.
The newest cast members join the previously announced ensemble that includes Paul Mescal in the titular role, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn and Connie Nielsen. Like Nielsen, who will be reprising her role as Lucilla, Jacobi will also be one of the few legacy players returning from original, reprising his role as Gracchus. Ridley Scott is back to direct, with David Scarpa penning the script.
The new film follows the 2000 blockbuster Gladiator,...
Also in talks to join the remaining cast is Fred Hechinger (The White Lotus), who is in negotiations to play Emperor Geta. Barry Keoghan was in negotiations to play the Geta character, but scheduling conflicts forced him to fall out of the project.
The newest cast members join the previously announced ensemble that includes Paul Mescal in the titular role, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn and Connie Nielsen. Like Nielsen, who will be reprising her role as Lucilla, Jacobi will also be one of the few legacy players returning from original, reprising his role as Gracchus. Ridley Scott is back to direct, with David Scarpa penning the script.
The new film follows the 2000 blockbuster Gladiator,...
- 5/18/2023
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Writer-director Duke Johnson has signed with WME in all areas for representation. He is best known for co-directing the critically acclaimed, Oscar-nominated film Anomalisa with Charlie Kaufman.
He is currently in post-production for his live-action film The Actor, which stars Andre Holland, Gemma Chan, May Calamawy, Toby Jones, and Joe Cole. Neon will distribute the film later this year. Johnson continues to serve as Creative Director for the animation studio Starburns Industries of which he’s also a Founding Partner.
He continues to be managed by Paul Young’s Make Good Content.
He is currently in post-production for his live-action film The Actor, which stars Andre Holland, Gemma Chan, May Calamawy, Toby Jones, and Joe Cole. Neon will distribute the film later this year. Johnson continues to serve as Creative Director for the animation studio Starburns Industries of which he’s also a Founding Partner.
He continues to be managed by Paul Young’s Make Good Content.
- 5/11/2023
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Ryan Gosling, previously attached as lead, serves as EP.
Production has wrapped on Neon’s The Actor from Anomalisa co-director Duke Johnson as the company confirmed André Holland and Gemma Chan star.
Holland replaced Ryan Gosling, who had been attached to star and withdrew due to scheduling issues. He remains on board as an executive producer alongside Anomalisa director Charlie Kaufman
Tracey Ullman, Toby Jones, Simon McBurney and Joe Cole round out the cast on the 1950’s-set story about the man suffering from memory loss after an attack in Ohio who struggles to find his way back to his life in New York.
Production has wrapped on Neon’s The Actor from Anomalisa co-director Duke Johnson as the company confirmed André Holland and Gemma Chan star.
Holland replaced Ryan Gosling, who had been attached to star and withdrew due to scheduling issues. He remains on board as an executive producer alongside Anomalisa director Charlie Kaufman
Tracey Ullman, Toby Jones, Simon McBurney and Joe Cole round out the cast on the 1950’s-set story about the man suffering from memory loss after an attack in Ohio who struggles to find his way back to his life in New York.
- 4/4/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
You may recall many moons ago, “Anomalisa” animator and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Duke Johnson—he co-directed the film with writer/director Charlie Kaufman—had a new live-action film in the works called “The Actor.” The film was to star Ryan Gosling, who was also producing; it was a big screen take on Donald E. Westlake’s novel “Memory.”
Read More: ‘The Actor’: Neon To Distribute The New Film From Ryan Gosling & ‘Anomalisa’ Director Duke Johnson
Gosling was to play the role of Paul Cole, a man who must deal with his damaged memory as he struggles to rebuild his life after being left for dead and hospitalized in 1950s Ohio.
Continue reading André Holland & Gemma Chan Star In ‘Anomalisa’ Helmer Duke Johnson’s Neon Film ‘The Actor,’ Which Has Completed Production at The Playlist.
Read More: ‘The Actor’: Neon To Distribute The New Film From Ryan Gosling & ‘Anomalisa’ Director Duke Johnson
Gosling was to play the role of Paul Cole, a man who must deal with his damaged memory as he struggles to rebuild his life after being left for dead and hospitalized in 1950s Ohio.
Continue reading André Holland & Gemma Chan Star In ‘Anomalisa’ Helmer Duke Johnson’s Neon Film ‘The Actor,’ Which Has Completed Production at The Playlist.
- 4/4/2023
- by The Playlist
- The Playlist
André Holland (Passing) and Gemma Chan (Don’t Worry Darling) will top Neon‘s The Actor, the second feature (and first in live-action) from Oscar-nominated Anomalisa helmer Duke Johnson, which has wrapped production. Holland takes over the male lead from Ryan Gosling, who was forced to drop out due to scheduling conflicts but remains aboard the project as an executive producer.
André Holland behind the scenes of The Actor
The film scripted by Johnson and Stephen Cooney is based on the bestselling novel Memory by Donald E. Westlake and tells the story of actor Paul Cole (Holland), who finds himself stranded in 1950s Ohio, suffering from severe memory loss after a brutal attack, struggling to find his way back to his life in New York and reclaim what he has lost.
Additional cast set for the film includes Tracey Ullman (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Toby Jones (Empire of Light), Simon McBurney (Wolfwalkers...
André Holland behind the scenes of The Actor
The film scripted by Johnson and Stephen Cooney is based on the bestselling novel Memory by Donald E. Westlake and tells the story of actor Paul Cole (Holland), who finds himself stranded in 1950s Ohio, suffering from severe memory loss after a brutal attack, struggling to find his way back to his life in New York and reclaim what he has lost.
Additional cast set for the film includes Tracey Ullman (Curb Your Enthusiasm), Toby Jones (Empire of Light), Simon McBurney (Wolfwalkers...
- 4/4/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
What better way to officially close the door on an exhausting awards season than to look ahead –blindly — to what studios and production companies could bring to the screen in 2023.
As Variety‘s awards coverage transitions into the Emmy season, this annual tradition (albeit highly inaccurate due to release shifts and other varying factors) creates some fun and wonder as Cannes looms two months away.
One first impression is that the streamers are back with a vengeance with an arsenal of big names and titles aiming to take the trophy from reigning best-picture champ A24 with “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
Apple Original Films has a duo of master auteurs on deck. First up is Martin Scorsese, whose “Killers of the Flower Moon” be revealed at the Cannes Film Festival with Leonardo DiCaprio, Jesse Plemons and Lily Gladstone in tow. In addition, the still Oscar-less Ridley Scott will helm “Napoleon...
As Variety‘s awards coverage transitions into the Emmy season, this annual tradition (albeit highly inaccurate due to release shifts and other varying factors) creates some fun and wonder as Cannes looms two months away.
One first impression is that the streamers are back with a vengeance with an arsenal of big names and titles aiming to take the trophy from reigning best-picture champ A24 with “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
Apple Original Films has a duo of master auteurs on deck. First up is Martin Scorsese, whose “Killers of the Flower Moon” be revealed at the Cannes Film Festival with Leonardo DiCaprio, Jesse Plemons and Lily Gladstone in tow. In addition, the still Oscar-less Ridley Scott will helm “Napoleon...
- 3/17/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Olwen Fouéré joins cast of The Actor — Olwen Fouéré joins the cast of Duke Johnson’s crime thriller The Actor. Fresh from her featured role in The Actor, Ms. Fouéré takes on a multifaceted role in the crime thriller The Actor. An Irish native, Olwen is described as a ‘freelance’ actor with a strong connection to both [...]
Continue reading: The Actor: Olwen Fouéré Joins Cast of Crime Thriller...
Continue reading: The Actor: Olwen Fouéré Joins Cast of Crime Thriller...
- 10/29/2022
- by David McDonald
- Film-Book
Exclusive: The Imitation Game outfit Black Bear Pictures is bolstering the senior ranks of its fledgling management division with the hire of respected former ICM Partners and William Morris agent Joanne Roberts Wiles.
While a partner at ICM, Wiles represented filmmakers including Cooper Raiff (Cha Cha Real Smooth), the Duplass Brothers (Cyrus), Karyn Kusama (Yellowjackets), Duke Johnson (Anomalisa), Charlie McDowell and Justin Lader (Windfall), Gregg Araki (Now Apocalypse), Jamie Dack (Palm Trees and Power Lines), Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley (Jockey), So Yong Kim (Lovesong), David Siegel and Scott McGehee (Montana Story), and David Lachapelle (Rize).
She also represented talent in front of the camera including Oscar nominee Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of The Dog), Hannah Gross (Mindhunter), Garance Marillier (Titane), Théodore Pellerin (Never Rarely Sometimes Always), Dree Hemingway (Starlet), Chris Klein (American Pie), and Alex Pettyfer (Magic Mike).
Wiles will be a Partner in Black Bear’s newly formed management division,...
While a partner at ICM, Wiles represented filmmakers including Cooper Raiff (Cha Cha Real Smooth), the Duplass Brothers (Cyrus), Karyn Kusama (Yellowjackets), Duke Johnson (Anomalisa), Charlie McDowell and Justin Lader (Windfall), Gregg Araki (Now Apocalypse), Jamie Dack (Palm Trees and Power Lines), Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley (Jockey), So Yong Kim (Lovesong), David Siegel and Scott McGehee (Montana Story), and David Lachapelle (Rize).
She also represented talent in front of the camera including Oscar nominee Kodi Smit-McPhee (The Power of The Dog), Hannah Gross (Mindhunter), Garance Marillier (Titane), Théodore Pellerin (Never Rarely Sometimes Always), Dree Hemingway (Starlet), Chris Klein (American Pie), and Alex Pettyfer (Magic Mike).
Wiles will be a Partner in Black Bear’s newly formed management division,...
- 8/9/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Neon and Topic Studios have announced that Alexander Skarsgard will star in Brandon Cronenberg’s Infinity Pool. Skarsgård will further serve as executive producer. Principal photography is set to begin on September 6th. The film marks Neon’s latest collaboration with Cronenberg following the critically acclaimed sci-fi psychological horror Possessor.
James and Em are young, rich, in love, and on vacation. Their all-inclusive resort boasts island tours and gleaming beaches. But outside of the hotel gates waits something much more dangerous and seductive, beyond the edge of paradise.
Neon will release Infinity Pool in the U.S. and Elevation Pictures will release the film in Canada.
Infinity Pool is Neon’s latest foray into production with an upcoming slate that includes David Cronenberg’s Crimes of the Future starring Viggo Mortensen, Lea Seydoux and Kristen Stewart, Duke Johnson’s The Actor starring Ryan Gosling, Pablo Larrain’s Spencer starring Kristen Stewart,...
James and Em are young, rich, in love, and on vacation. Their all-inclusive resort boasts island tours and gleaming beaches. But outside of the hotel gates waits something much more dangerous and seductive, beyond the edge of paradise.
Neon will release Infinity Pool in the U.S. and Elevation Pictures will release the film in Canada.
Infinity Pool is Neon’s latest foray into production with an upcoming slate that includes David Cronenberg’s Crimes of the Future starring Viggo Mortensen, Lea Seydoux and Kristen Stewart, Duke Johnson’s The Actor starring Ryan Gosling, Pablo Larrain’s Spencer starring Kristen Stewart,...
- 6/24/2021
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Celluloid Dreams handles international sales.
Alexander Skarsgard will star in Brandon Cronenberg’s sci-fi thriller Infinity Pool for Neon and Topic Studios.
Neon and Topic Studios will co-finance and serve as executive producers on the project and are also working together on Pablo Larrain’s upcoming Spencer. Neon distributed Cronenberg’s Possessor in the US.
Principal photography is scheduled to begin on September 6 on the project, which Telefilm Canada and the Croatian Film Fund are also co-financing. Celluloid Dreams handles international sales.
Infinity Pool centres on James and Em – young, rich, in love, and on vacation at an all-inclusive resort...
Alexander Skarsgard will star in Brandon Cronenberg’s sci-fi thriller Infinity Pool for Neon and Topic Studios.
Neon and Topic Studios will co-finance and serve as executive producers on the project and are also working together on Pablo Larrain’s upcoming Spencer. Neon distributed Cronenberg’s Possessor in the US.
Principal photography is scheduled to begin on September 6 on the project, which Telefilm Canada and the Croatian Film Fund are also co-financing. Celluloid Dreams handles international sales.
Infinity Pool centres on James and Em – young, rich, in love, and on vacation at an all-inclusive resort...
- 6/23/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Buyers respond in France, Italy, Scandinavia, Latin America.
Illustrating the enduring readiness of independent theatrical buyers to step up for coveted packages with star attachments, Endeavor Content has concluded a raft of prestige international deals on noir tale The Actor with Ryan Gosling in the lead.
Following the recent North American deal with Neon, rights to the 1950’s-set story have gone in France (Metropolitan), Italy (Notorious), Scandinavia (Scanbox), Eastern Europe (Vertical Distribution), Cis (Capella Film), Middle East (Salim Ramia), Japan (Happinet Phantom Studios), and Latin America (Sun).
Endeavor Content launched sales on The Actor in early March at the virtual EFM,...
Illustrating the enduring readiness of independent theatrical buyers to step up for coveted packages with star attachments, Endeavor Content has concluded a raft of prestige international deals on noir tale The Actor with Ryan Gosling in the lead.
Following the recent North American deal with Neon, rights to the 1950’s-set story have gone in France (Metropolitan), Italy (Notorious), Scandinavia (Scanbox), Eastern Europe (Vertical Distribution), Cis (Capella Film), Middle East (Salim Ramia), Japan (Happinet Phantom Studios), and Latin America (Sun).
Endeavor Content launched sales on The Actor in early March at the virtual EFM,...
- 4/19/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
We are fast approaching three years since we’ve seen Ryan Gosling on the big screen. Though the actor has never been one to release films at a really fast clip, it appears that’s about to change over the next few years, as he has a number of high-profile films lined up, including the recently-announced “The Actor.” And it’s that film that is making news, as “The Actor” has found distribution through Neon.
Continue reading ‘The Actor’: Neon To Distribute The New Film From Ryan Gosling & ‘Anomalisa’ Director Duke Johnson at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘The Actor’: Neon To Distribute The New Film From Ryan Gosling & ‘Anomalisa’ Director Duke Johnson at The Playlist.
- 4/13/2021
- by Charles Barfield
- The Playlist
Neon has acquired the North American rights to “The Actor,” a film noir from director Duke Johnson and starring Ryan Gosling. Additionally, filmmaker Charlie Kaufman has joined the film as an executive producer.
Neon, which was also the distributor of “Parasite,” acquired “The Actor” in a competitive bidding war. The film is based on the bestselling book “Memory” by Donald E. Westlake.
Set in the 1950s, “The Actor” stars Gosling as Paul Cole, who has been stranded in Ohio after a brutal attack. As he finds himself suffering from severe memory loss, he struggles to find his way back to his life in New York and reclaim what he has lost.
Johnson, who directed the stop-motion animated “Anomalisa” along with Kaufman, wrote the script with Stephen Cooney.
Gosling is also producing “The Actor” alongside Waypoint Entertainment’s Ken Kao. Johnson will produce with Abigail Spencer under their Innerlight Films production banner.
Neon, which was also the distributor of “Parasite,” acquired “The Actor” in a competitive bidding war. The film is based on the bestselling book “Memory” by Donald E. Westlake.
Set in the 1950s, “The Actor” stars Gosling as Paul Cole, who has been stranded in Ohio after a brutal attack. As he finds himself suffering from severe memory loss, he struggles to find his way back to his life in New York and reclaim what he has lost.
Johnson, who directed the stop-motion animated “Anomalisa” along with Kaufman, wrote the script with Stephen Cooney.
Gosling is also producing “The Actor” alongside Waypoint Entertainment’s Ken Kao. Johnson will produce with Abigail Spencer under their Innerlight Films production banner.
- 4/12/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Anomalisa writer-director Duke Johnson, Stephen Cooney adapted screenplay from Donald E. Westlake novel Memory.
Demonstrating the long tail of the virtual EFM, Neon has prevailed in what it said was a bidding war for North American rights to noir package The Actor in which Duke Johnson (Anomalisa) will direct Ryan Gosling.
Endeavor Content handles international sales on the 1950s-set story of an actor who sets off to reclaim his life in New York after an attack leaves him stranded with memory loss in Ohio.
Charlie Kaufman, who wrote Anomalisa, has come on board as executive producer.
Johnson and Stephen Cooney...
Demonstrating the long tail of the virtual EFM, Neon has prevailed in what it said was a bidding war for North American rights to noir package The Actor in which Duke Johnson (Anomalisa) will direct Ryan Gosling.
Endeavor Content handles international sales on the 1950s-set story of an actor who sets off to reclaim his life in New York after an attack leaves him stranded with memory loss in Ohio.
Charlie Kaufman, who wrote Anomalisa, has come on board as executive producer.
Johnson and Stephen Cooney...
- 4/12/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Distributor Neon has scooped up North American rights to a new movie from “Anomalisa” director Duke Johnson. Titled “The Actor,” the film is being billed as a noir and will star Ryan Gosling. It’s based on the bestselling novel “Memory” by Donald E. Westlake, and Charlie Kaufman (who co-directed “Anomalisa” with Johnson) is also on board as an executive producer. According to Deadline, the buy was in the seven-figure range.
Here’s the synopsis from Neon: “Stranded in 1950s Ohio after a brutal attack, actor Paul Cole (Gosling), suffering from severe memory loss, struggles to find his way back to his life in New York and reclaim what he has lost. ‘The Actor’ follows a thrilling journey we must all make, to find home, to find love and ultimately to find ourselves.”
This will mark Duke Johnson’s first solo feature film directing credit. He most recently served as...
Here’s the synopsis from Neon: “Stranded in 1950s Ohio after a brutal attack, actor Paul Cole (Gosling), suffering from severe memory loss, struggles to find his way back to his life in New York and reclaim what he has lost. ‘The Actor’ follows a thrilling journey we must all make, to find home, to find love and ultimately to find ourselves.”
This will mark Duke Johnson’s first solo feature film directing credit. He most recently served as...
- 4/12/2021
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Exclusive: In a competitive situation, Parasite distributor Neon has come out on top for North American rights to Ryan Gosling package The Actor, the next movie from Anomalisa director Duke Johnson. We hear the pre-buy is in the mid seven-figure range.
Oscar-nominee Gosling will play actor Paul Cole who becomes stranded in 1950s Ohio after a brutal attack. Suffering from severe memory loss, he struggles to find his way back to his life in New York and reclaim what he has lost.
The hot virtual EFM project is based on the best-selling noir novel Memory by Donald E. Westlake. Johnson penned the script alongside Stephen Cooney. Johnson’s Anomalisa collaborator Charlie Kaufman has newly boarded as executive producer.
Jeff Deutchman negotiated the deal for Neon with CAA Media Finance and Endeavor Content, who are co-repping U.S. rights. Endeavor Content is handling international sales.
La La Land and First Man...
Oscar-nominee Gosling will play actor Paul Cole who becomes stranded in 1950s Ohio after a brutal attack. Suffering from severe memory loss, he struggles to find his way back to his life in New York and reclaim what he has lost.
The hot virtual EFM project is based on the best-selling noir novel Memory by Donald E. Westlake. Johnson penned the script alongside Stephen Cooney. Johnson’s Anomalisa collaborator Charlie Kaufman has newly boarded as executive producer.
Jeff Deutchman negotiated the deal for Neon with CAA Media Finance and Endeavor Content, who are co-repping U.S. rights. Endeavor Content is handling international sales.
La La Land and First Man...
- 4/12/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Neon has landed the North American right to Ryan Gosling starrer The Actor.
Duke Johnson is behind the movie based on best-selling novel Memory by Donald E. Westlake. Gosling will play actor Paul Cole, who, stranded in 1950s Ohio after a brutal attack and suffering from severe memory loss, struggles to find his way back to his life in New York and reclaim what he has lost. Johnson penned the script alongside Stephen Cooney.
Gosling will produce the film with Waypoint Entertainment’s Ken Kao along with Johnson and Abigail Spencer under their Innerlight Films production banner and Make Good’s Paul Young....
Duke Johnson is behind the movie based on best-selling novel Memory by Donald E. Westlake. Gosling will play actor Paul Cole, who, stranded in 1950s Ohio after a brutal attack and suffering from severe memory loss, struggles to find his way back to his life in New York and reclaim what he has lost. Johnson penned the script alongside Stephen Cooney.
Gosling will produce the film with Waypoint Entertainment’s Ken Kao along with Johnson and Abigail Spencer under their Innerlight Films production banner and Make Good’s Paul Young....
- 4/12/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Neon has landed the North American right to Ryan Gosling starrer The Actor.
Duke Johnson is behind the movie based on best-selling novel Memory by Donald E. Westlake. Gosling will play actor Paul Cole, who, stranded in 1950s Ohio after a brutal attack and suffering from severe memory loss, struggles to find his way back to his life in New York and reclaim what he has lost. Johnson penned the script alongside Stephen Cooney.
Gosling will produce the film with Waypoint Entertainment’s Ken Kao along with Johnson and Abigail Spencer under their Innerlight Films production banner and Make Good’s Paul Young....
Duke Johnson is behind the movie based on best-selling novel Memory by Donald E. Westlake. Gosling will play actor Paul Cole, who, stranded in 1950s Ohio after a brutal attack and suffering from severe memory loss, struggles to find his way back to his life in New York and reclaim what he has lost. Johnson penned the script alongside Stephen Cooney.
Gosling will produce the film with Waypoint Entertainment’s Ken Kao along with Johnson and Abigail Spencer under their Innerlight Films production banner and Make Good’s Paul Young....
- 4/12/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Not only is the spring a fun time for film fans excited about festivals, but it’s also a time when the industry prepares some major projects to sell at events focused on finding distributors. And while we’ve already seen packages featuring Ryan Gosling, Florence Pugh, and others already announced, perhaps the most interesting is a new biopic about singer Robbie Williams from the director of “The Greatest Showman.”
Read More: ‘The Actor’: Ryan Gosling Teaming Up With Director Duke Johnson On A ’50s Mystery Film
According to Deadline, director Michael Gracey is hoping to find a distributor for his proposed Robbie Williams biopic, titled “Better Man.” Now, we’ve seen rock star biopics become all the rage, with “Bohemian Rhapsody” earning nearly $1 billion at the box office and making studios rush out to purchase the life rights to any and all pop stars they can find.
Continue...
Read More: ‘The Actor’: Ryan Gosling Teaming Up With Director Duke Johnson On A ’50s Mystery Film
According to Deadline, director Michael Gracey is hoping to find a distributor for his proposed Robbie Williams biopic, titled “Better Man.” Now, we’ve seen rock star biopics become all the rage, with “Bohemian Rhapsody” earning nearly $1 billion at the box office and making studios rush out to purchase the life rights to any and all pop stars they can find.
Continue...
- 3/1/2021
- by Charles Barfield
- The Playlist
By any terms, Berlin’s 2021 European Film Market will deliver its smallest pre-sales market in years. Covid-19 has put back productions, created distribution bottlenecks, and provoked huge uncertainty about cinema theater re-openings.
But there will still be titles – in development, in production and complete – across a broad gamut to whet buyers’ appetites, even at times have them reaching for their wallets.
The following are a curated selection of buzz titles, ranging from big budget to accessible arthouse.
Top Sellers
“The Actor”
Director: Duke Johnson
Writers: Duke Johnson, Stephen Cooney
Cast: Ryan Gosling
Producers: Gosling, Ken Kao (Waypoint Entertainment), Johnson, Abigail Spencer (Innerlight Films), Paul Young (Make Good Banner)
New York actor Paul Cole is beaten and left for dead in 1950s Ohio. Stripped of his memory and stranded in a small town, he struggles to get back home, and piece together his life.
Sales: CAA Media Finance, Endeavor Content
“Black Flies...
But there will still be titles – in development, in production and complete – across a broad gamut to whet buyers’ appetites, even at times have them reaching for their wallets.
The following are a curated selection of buzz titles, ranging from big budget to accessible arthouse.
Top Sellers
“The Actor”
Director: Duke Johnson
Writers: Duke Johnson, Stephen Cooney
Cast: Ryan Gosling
Producers: Gosling, Ken Kao (Waypoint Entertainment), Johnson, Abigail Spencer (Innerlight Films), Paul Young (Make Good Banner)
New York actor Paul Cole is beaten and left for dead in 1950s Ohio. Stripped of his memory and stranded in a small town, he struggles to get back home, and piece together his life.
Sales: CAA Media Finance, Endeavor Content
“Black Flies...
- 3/1/2021
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Abigail Spencer is set for a recurring role on Rebel, ABC’s new drama series starring Katey Sagal.
Created by Krista Vernoff inspired by the life of Erin Brockovich today, Rebel centers on Annie “Rebel” Bello (Sagal), a blue-collar legal advocate without a law degree. She’s a funny, messy, brilliant and fearless woman who cares desperately about the causes she fights for and the people she loves. When Rebel applies herself to a fight she believes in, she will win at almost any cost.
Spencer will play Misha, a brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon who has a painful romantic history with Nate (Kevin Zegers) but can’t resist getting involved with studying the Stonemore heart valve for fear that she may have inadvertently harmed hundreds of patients. Spencer joins previously announced recurring stars Mary McDonnell, Dan Bucatinsky, Adam Arkin, MoMcRae and Daniella Garcia, among others.
The series hails from Davis Entertainment,...
Created by Krista Vernoff inspired by the life of Erin Brockovich today, Rebel centers on Annie “Rebel” Bello (Sagal), a blue-collar legal advocate without a law degree. She’s a funny, messy, brilliant and fearless woman who cares desperately about the causes she fights for and the people she loves. When Rebel applies herself to a fight she believes in, she will win at almost any cost.
Spencer will play Misha, a brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon who has a painful romantic history with Nate (Kevin Zegers) but can’t resist getting involved with studying the Stonemore heart valve for fear that she may have inadvertently harmed hundreds of patients. Spencer joins previously announced recurring stars Mary McDonnell, Dan Bucatinsky, Adam Arkin, MoMcRae and Daniella Garcia, among others.
The series hails from Davis Entertainment,...
- 2/25/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Not unlike Michael Fassbender (who recently became attached to David Fincher’s next film), Ryan Gosling has stayed relatively quiet the last few years, with his last on-screen appearance in 2018’s First Man. He’s now gearing up for a busy near future with Leigh Whannell’s Wolfman, the Russo brothers’ The Gray Man, and Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s Project Hail Mary all on the table. We can now add another film to the roster.
He’s set to star in The Actor, which will be directed by Duke Johnson (who helmed Anomalisa with Charlie Kaufman). Scripted by Johnson and Stephen Cooney as adapted from Donald E. Westlake’s 2011 crime novel Memory. Check out the synopsis below via Deadline:
Gosling will play New York actor Paul Cole, who is beaten and left for dead in 1950s Ohio. Stripped of his memory and stranded in a mysterious small town,...
He’s set to star in The Actor, which will be directed by Duke Johnson (who helmed Anomalisa with Charlie Kaufman). Scripted by Johnson and Stephen Cooney as adapted from Donald E. Westlake’s 2011 crime novel Memory. Check out the synopsis below via Deadline:
Gosling will play New York actor Paul Cole, who is beaten and left for dead in 1950s Ohio. Stripped of his memory and stranded in a mysterious small town,...
- 2/25/2021
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
After signing on to star in films like Leigh Whannell's Wolfman, The Gray Man, and Project Hail Mary, Ryan Gosling will lead The Actor, an upcoming amnesia thriller. Directed by Duke Johnson from a script he wrote with Stephen Cooney, The Actor is based on Donald E. Westlake's novel Memory. According to Deadline, Gosling will play New…...
- 2/24/2021
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
There are very few actors in Hollywood that can basically get any film financed as long as they attach their name to the cast list. Ryan Gosling is one of those actors. And what does he use his golden ticket for? Recently, he’s signed on for a Lord & Miller space film, a remake of “The Wolfman,” a franchise-starting Russo Brothers action film with Chris Evans, and now, a ‘50s mystery about an actor stuck in Middle America.
Continue reading ‘The Actor’: Ryan Gosling Teaming Up With Director Duke Johnson On A ’50s Mystery Film at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘The Actor’: Ryan Gosling Teaming Up With Director Duke Johnson On A ’50s Mystery Film at The Playlist.
- 2/24/2021
- by Charles Barfield
- The Playlist
Ryan Gosling is set to star in and produce an upcoming thriller called “The Actor” from director Duke Johnson.
The film is based on a novel called “Memory” by Donald E. Westlake, and the film is being presented to buyers at the European Film Market.
Johnson also wrote the screenplay with Stephen Cooney. Here’s the logline:
New York actor Paul Cole (Gosling) is beaten and left for dead in 1950s Ohio. Stripped of his memory and stranded in a mysterious small town, Paul struggles to get back home and reclaim what he’s lost. The Actor follows a thrilling journey we all must take: to find home, to find love, and ultimately to find ourselves.
Johnson will also produce with Abigail Spencer under their Innerlight Films production banner, as will Ryan Gosling with Ken Kao. Paul Young is also producing through his company Make Good.
CAA Media Finance and Endeavor Content co-represent U.
The film is based on a novel called “Memory” by Donald E. Westlake, and the film is being presented to buyers at the European Film Market.
Johnson also wrote the screenplay with Stephen Cooney. Here’s the logline:
New York actor Paul Cole (Gosling) is beaten and left for dead in 1950s Ohio. Stripped of his memory and stranded in a mysterious small town, Paul struggles to get back home and reclaim what he’s lost. The Actor follows a thrilling journey we all must take: to find home, to find love, and ultimately to find ourselves.
Johnson will also produce with Abigail Spencer under their Innerlight Films production banner, as will Ryan Gosling with Ken Kao. Paul Young is also producing through his company Make Good.
CAA Media Finance and Endeavor Content co-represent U.
- 2/24/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: In what shapes up as a hot package for the upcoming European Film Market in Berlin, Ryan Gosling has committed to star in The Actor, with Duke Johnson directing a script he wrote with Stephen Cooney, based on Donald E. Westlake’s hard boiled novel Memory.
Gosling will produce with Waypoint Entertainment’s Ken Kao, Johnson and his Innerlight Films partner Abigail Spencer, and Paul Young through his Make Good Banner.
Gosling will play New York actor Paul Cole, who is beaten and left for dead in 1950s Ohio. Stripped of his memory and stranded in a mysterious small town, Paul struggles to get back home, piece together and reclaim the life and identity he’s lost. The Actor follows a journey relatable to many: to find home, to find love, and ultimately to find ourselves. For those like me who long to see Gosling in another stylish and gritty action vehicle like Drive,...
Gosling will produce with Waypoint Entertainment’s Ken Kao, Johnson and his Innerlight Films partner Abigail Spencer, and Paul Young through his Make Good Banner.
Gosling will play New York actor Paul Cole, who is beaten and left for dead in 1950s Ohio. Stripped of his memory and stranded in a mysterious small town, Paul struggles to get back home, piece together and reclaim the life and identity he’s lost. The Actor follows a journey relatable to many: to find home, to find love, and ultimately to find ourselves. For those like me who long to see Gosling in another stylish and gritty action vehicle like Drive,...
- 2/24/2021
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Ryan Gosling is set to star in The Actor, an adaptation of Donald E. Westlake’s novel Memory.
Duke Johnson will direct the film and produce with Abigail Spencer under their Innerlight Films production banner. Gosling, who will also produce alongside Ken Kao, will play the lead role of Paul Cole, who must deal with his damaged memory as he struggles to rebuild his life after being left for dead and hospitalized in 1950s Ohio.
Cole follows a thrilling journey to find home, love and ultimately himself. Gosling and Kao’s partnership follows their recent project announcements of Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s ...
Duke Johnson will direct the film and produce with Abigail Spencer under their Innerlight Films production banner. Gosling, who will also produce alongside Ken Kao, will play the lead role of Paul Cole, who must deal with his damaged memory as he struggles to rebuild his life after being left for dead and hospitalized in 1950s Ohio.
Cole follows a thrilling journey to find home, love and ultimately himself. Gosling and Kao’s partnership follows their recent project announcements of Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s ...
- 2/24/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ryan Gosling is set to star in The Actor, an adaptation of Donald E. Westlake’s novel Memory.
Duke Johnson will direct the film and produce with Abigail Spencer under their Innerlight Films production banner. Gosling, who will also produce alongside Ken Kao, will play the lead role of Paul Cole, who must deal with his damaged memory as he struggles to rebuild his life after being left for dead and hospitalized in 1950s Ohio.
Cole follows a thrilling journey to find home, love and ultimately himself. Gosling and Kao’s partnership follows their recent project announcements of Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s ...
Duke Johnson will direct the film and produce with Abigail Spencer under their Innerlight Films production banner. Gosling, who will also produce alongside Ken Kao, will play the lead role of Paul Cole, who must deal with his damaged memory as he struggles to rebuild his life after being left for dead and hospitalized in 1950s Ohio.
Cole follows a thrilling journey to find home, love and ultimately himself. Gosling and Kao’s partnership follows their recent project announcements of Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s ...
- 2/24/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
After producing Charlie Kaufman’s stop-motion “Anomalisa” feature, Rosa Tran couldn’t resist overseeing the brief, hand-drawn excursions for his surreal road trip movie, “I’m Thinking of Ending Things.” They consisted of the creepy black-and-white Tulsey Town ice cream commercial and the painterly-looking, glowing pig (voiced by Oliver Platt) that follows a naked high school janitor (Guy Boyd) during a live-action sequence.
Good thing Tran had plenty of context and reference material to draw on: she didn’t have time to read Kaufman’s mind-bending script (freely adapted from Iain Reid’s provocative 2016 novel). Tran was glad she had a baseline for how to work with Kaufman. “He talked about this naked janitor and what he was going through as he was hallucinating,” said Tran, who is currently working on Season 3 of the 2D-animated “Final Space” series for TBS and prepping Seth Rogen’s stop-motion “Santa Inc.” for HBO Max.
Good thing Tran had plenty of context and reference material to draw on: she didn’t have time to read Kaufman’s mind-bending script (freely adapted from Iain Reid’s provocative 2016 novel). Tran was glad she had a baseline for how to work with Kaufman. “He talked about this naked janitor and what he was going through as he was hallucinating,” said Tran, who is currently working on Season 3 of the 2D-animated “Final Space” series for TBS and prepping Seth Rogen’s stop-motion “Santa Inc.” for HBO Max.
- 9/9/2020
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Charlie Kaufman knows he has a reputation for being, well, a bit out there. Maybe it comes from having such a wildly original, meta style, cooking up movies where people step into the mind of John Malkovich or figure out a way to erase a failed romance from their memory. Perhaps it’s because he wrote himself into the 2002 film “Adaptation.” Nicolas Cage’s neurotic, perspiring performance as Charlie are so seared into our minds that it can be difficult to distinguish between Kaufman’s on-screen alter ego and the real McCoy.
Despite riding high off scripting 1999’s “Being John Malkovich” and “Adaptation,” and winning the Academy Award for original screenplay for 2004’s “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” in his first years as a screenwriter Kaufman was an enigma. “I think there’s this mythology around me because I was, and am, kind of camera-shy,” he admits during an...
Despite riding high off scripting 1999’s “Being John Malkovich” and “Adaptation,” and winning the Academy Award for original screenplay for 2004’s “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” in his first years as a screenwriter Kaufman was an enigma. “I think there’s this mythology around me because I was, and am, kind of camera-shy,” he admits during an...
- 8/26/2020
- by Jenelle Riley
- Variety Film + TV
The first trailer has arrived for I’m Thinking of Ending Things, a new Netflix feature film based on the acclaimed 2016 debut novel from Iain Reid. The film is directed by Charlie Kaufman, who also wrote the screenplay, and while the book it’s based on loosely falls under the ever-expanding umbrella of current horror fiction, the new teaser is squarely in the wheelhouse of the man who brought us Being John Malkovich and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, among others.
Here’s the trailer:
Jessie Buckley (Wild Rose) stars as a young woman who is, as the title states, debating whether to end her relationship with her boyfriend, played by Jesse Plemons (The Irishman), even as she agrees to go on a road trip with him to meet his parents (David Thewlis and Toni Collette) at their family farm. Once there and trapped by a snowstorm, strange occurrences lead...
Here’s the trailer:
Jessie Buckley (Wild Rose) stars as a young woman who is, as the title states, debating whether to end her relationship with her boyfriend, played by Jesse Plemons (The Irishman), even as she agrees to go on a road trip with him to meet his parents (David Thewlis and Toni Collette) at their family farm. Once there and trapped by a snowstorm, strange occurrences lead...
- 8/6/2020
- by Don Kaye
- Den of Geek
One of the highlights of Nat Geo’s “Cosmos: Possible Worlds” was how stop-motion animation helped humanize the tragic career of pioneering Russian botanist/geneticist Nikolai Vavilov in Episode 4: “Vavilov.” Indeed, the way in which Josef Stalin politicized pseudo-science to debunk Vavilov’s revolutionary discoveries to end hunger (he starved to death in prison), serves as a timely reminder of how political propaganda continues to imperil scientific truth.
Showrunner Ann Druyan and executive producer Brannon Braga used lots of hand-drawn animation throughout the series as a visual change of pace, but wanted to give “Vavilov” a more distinctive look to help humanize the historical drama. And they were both admirers of stop-motion, especially the nuance and naturalism of Charlie Kaufman’s Oscar-nominated “Anomalisa,” which was co-directed by Duke Johnson and animated at Starburns Industries — so they approached Johnson to spearhead the episode.
Trouble was, Johnson was in the midst...
Showrunner Ann Druyan and executive producer Brannon Braga used lots of hand-drawn animation throughout the series as a visual change of pace, but wanted to give “Vavilov” a more distinctive look to help humanize the historical drama. And they were both admirers of stop-motion, especially the nuance and naturalism of Charlie Kaufman’s Oscar-nominated “Anomalisa,” which was co-directed by Duke Johnson and animated at Starburns Industries — so they approached Johnson to spearhead the episode.
Trouble was, Johnson was in the midst...
- 6/24/2020
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
One of the highlights of Nat Geo’s “Cosmos: Possible Worlds” was how stop-motion animation helped humanize the tragic career of pioneering Russian botanist/geneticist Nikolai Vavilov in Episode 4: “Vavilov.” Indeed, the way in which Josef Stalin politicized pseudo-science to debunk Vavilov’s revolutionary discoveries to end hunger (he starved to death in prison), serves as a timely reminder of how political propaganda continues to imperil scientific truth.
Showrunner Ann Druyan and executive producer Brannon Braga used lots of hand-drawn animation throughout the series as a visual change of pace, but wanted to give “Vavilov” a more distinctive look to help humanize the historical drama. And they were both admirers of stop-motion, especially the nuance and naturalism of Charlie Kaufman’s Oscar-nominated “Anomalisa,” which was co-directed by Duke Johnson and animated at Starburns Industries — so they approached Johnson to spearhead the episode.
Trouble was, Johnson was in the midst...
Showrunner Ann Druyan and executive producer Brannon Braga used lots of hand-drawn animation throughout the series as a visual change of pace, but wanted to give “Vavilov” a more distinctive look to help humanize the historical drama. And they were both admirers of stop-motion, especially the nuance and naturalism of Charlie Kaufman’s Oscar-nominated “Anomalisa,” which was co-directed by Duke Johnson and animated at Starburns Industries — so they approached Johnson to spearhead the episode.
Trouble was, Johnson was in the midst...
- 6/24/2020
- by Bill Desowitz
- Thompson on Hollywood
Exclusive: Syfy continues the rapid slate expansion of its Tzgz weekly late-night animation block with one more series orders and three pilot greenlights.
Tzgz is going two-for-two with with its first internally developed animated pilots ordered in January, the 15-minute Wild Life and Devil May Care. Syfy has given a seven-episode series pickup to Devil May Care, starring Alan Tudyk (SyFy’s Resident Alien) and Asif Ali (BoJack Horseman). It follows the six-episode series order for Wild Life in April.
The newly greenlighted 15-minute Tzgz pilots are The Chronicles of Frank, From ShadowMachine, The Black Hole from Starburns Industries, and The Pole, from Yeti Farm Creative,
Airing on Syfy every Saturday at midnight-ish, Tzgz is a 90-minute block of adult comedic, animated, genre-based programming of varying lengths. Since its November 2019 debut, Tzgz has grown...
Tzgz is going two-for-two with with its first internally developed animated pilots ordered in January, the 15-minute Wild Life and Devil May Care. Syfy has given a seven-episode series pickup to Devil May Care, starring Alan Tudyk (SyFy’s Resident Alien) and Asif Ali (BoJack Horseman). It follows the six-episode series order for Wild Life in April.
The newly greenlighted 15-minute Tzgz pilots are The Chronicles of Frank, From ShadowMachine, The Black Hole from Starburns Industries, and The Pole, from Yeti Farm Creative,
Airing on Syfy every Saturday at midnight-ish, Tzgz is a 90-minute block of adult comedic, animated, genre-based programming of varying lengths. Since its November 2019 debut, Tzgz has grown...
- 6/15/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
It seemed inevitable Charlie Kaufman, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” would publish a novel, and as announced by Entertainment Weekly, it’s aptly about a failed film critic. Kaufman’s latest sad sack is the protagonist of “Antkind,” which Random House acquired in 2012 and will release in May 2020. According to the publisher, it’s 720 pages, and described as a “mind-bending opus” — and why would you expect anything less from the man who penned “Being John Malkovich,” and wrote and directed “Synecdoche, New York”?
Here’s the synopsis from Random House: “B. Rosenberger Rosenberg, neurotic and under-appreciated film critic, stumbles upon a hitherto unseen film by an enigmatic outsider — a film he’s convinced will change his career trajectory and rock the world of cinema to its core. His hands on what is possibly the greatest movie ever made, a three-month-long stop-motion masterpiece that took its...
Here’s the synopsis from Random House: “B. Rosenberger Rosenberg, neurotic and under-appreciated film critic, stumbles upon a hitherto unseen film by an enigmatic outsider — a film he’s convinced will change his career trajectory and rock the world of cinema to its core. His hands on what is possibly the greatest movie ever made, a three-month-long stop-motion masterpiece that took its...
- 11/22/2019
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
“Cosmos: Possible Worlds” finally has a premiere date at National Geographic. The 13-episode season will debut March 9, 2020 on the cable channel and is set to air on Fox next summer.
“National Geographic is proud to be the world’s leading destination for viewers who are passionate about science and exploration,” Courteney Monroe, president of global television networks at National Geographic, said in a statement Thursday. “Which is why we’re excited for the next chapter of the most-beloved and most-watched science show to date, ‘Cosmos,’ to return to our air. ‘Cosmos: Possible Worlds’ takes complex themes from astrophysics, astronomy and anthropology and makes them accessible and entertaining for millions of people around the world to devour.”
Fox and Nat Geo, which share the series, pulled their respective scheduled March 2019 premieres of “Cosmos: Possible Worlds” — a follow-up to 2014’s “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey”– back in February, amid an investigation into sexual...
“National Geographic is proud to be the world’s leading destination for viewers who are passionate about science and exploration,” Courteney Monroe, president of global television networks at National Geographic, said in a statement Thursday. “Which is why we’re excited for the next chapter of the most-beloved and most-watched science show to date, ‘Cosmos,’ to return to our air. ‘Cosmos: Possible Worlds’ takes complex themes from astrophysics, astronomy and anthropology and makes them accessible and entertaining for millions of people around the world to devour.”
Fox and Nat Geo, which share the series, pulled their respective scheduled March 2019 premieres of “Cosmos: Possible Worlds” — a follow-up to 2014’s “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey”– back in February, amid an investigation into sexual...
- 11/7/2019
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Hellboy creator Mike Mignola is partnering with Ben and Max Berkowitz of Not a Billionaire and Starburns Industries (Rick & Morty) to construct The Forever House, an eerie showcase described as a “high-concept anthology series inspired by international folklore.”
The live-action show will center on the title abode, a mysterious piece of un-real estate and a one-of-a-kind repository for otherworldly objects and international artifacts with dark histories. The logline: “Existing somewhere between reality and nightmares, The Forever House will encapsulate the feeling of an ancient tale told by the fire as we explore the disturbing and the macabre from the mind and sketchbook of Mike Mignola.”
Mignola is a superstar artist and IP creator in the comic book world thanks in large part to Hellboy, the hard-luck supernatural hero introduced in the pages of Dark Horse Comics in 1994. The pimento-colored Hellboy has been the title character of three theatrically released feature films,...
The live-action show will center on the title abode, a mysterious piece of un-real estate and a one-of-a-kind repository for otherworldly objects and international artifacts with dark histories. The logline: “Existing somewhere between reality and nightmares, The Forever House will encapsulate the feeling of an ancient tale told by the fire as we explore the disturbing and the macabre from the mind and sketchbook of Mike Mignola.”
Mignola is a superstar artist and IP creator in the comic book world thanks in large part to Hellboy, the hard-luck supernatural hero introduced in the pages of Dark Horse Comics in 1994. The pimento-colored Hellboy has been the title character of three theatrically released feature films,...
- 10/17/2019
- by Geoff Boucher
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Xyz Films and Rick and Morty producer Starburns Industries are teaming to produce Welcome to My Daydream, a biographical feature-length documentary about Oscar-winning stop-motion animation icon Will Vinton. Marq Evans (The Glamour & the Squalor) is set to direct, with Xyz handling worldwide sales.
The docu will feature new original claymation scenes using characters Vinton helped design before his death in October.
Vinton won the Oscar for Animated Short in 1975 with Bob Gardiner for Closed Mondays, the first of four noms in the category. He also was co-nominated for the visual effects in Walter Murch’s Return to Oz in 1986. Vinton’s creations hit the mainstream thanks to advertising campaigns led by the Marvin Gaye-signing California Raisins and Domino’s Pizza’s Noid. His Portland-based Will Vinton Studios eventually was acquired by Nike’s Phil Knight and morphed into Laika, the stop-motion studio headed by Travis Knight that has...
The docu will feature new original claymation scenes using characters Vinton helped design before his death in October.
Vinton won the Oscar for Animated Short in 1975 with Bob Gardiner for Closed Mondays, the first of four noms in the category. He also was co-nominated for the visual effects in Walter Murch’s Return to Oz in 1986. Vinton’s creations hit the mainstream thanks to advertising campaigns led by the Marvin Gaye-signing California Raisins and Domino’s Pizza’s Noid. His Portland-based Will Vinton Studios eventually was acquired by Nike’s Phil Knight and morphed into Laika, the stop-motion studio headed by Travis Knight that has...
- 3/6/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
The Liberty City Warriors youth sports league, the subject of a new Starz docuseries, has made quite an impact on its Miami community over the past three decades. Among the NFL stars it has spawned: Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, Devonta Freeman, Antonio Brown, Duke Johnson, and Teddy Bridgewater.
But for hip-hop icon Luther Campbell, who co-founded the organization to help the youth in his rough Miami neighborhood, those aren’t his favorite success stories. He points to City of Miami Commissioner Keon Hardemon, who appears in “Warriors of Liberty City,” the six-part docuseries that premieres on Sunday night.
“He was a little kid, smaller than everybody else, and started out by playing baseball, then went to play football,” Campbell recalled. “He ends up going to college and becomes a lawyer. He comes back from being a lawyer, travels the world, works as a public defender, then he comes back to the program.
But for hip-hop icon Luther Campbell, who co-founded the organization to help the youth in his rough Miami neighborhood, those aren’t his favorite success stories. He points to City of Miami Commissioner Keon Hardemon, who appears in “Warriors of Liberty City,” the six-part docuseries that premieres on Sunday night.
“He was a little kid, smaller than everybody else, and started out by playing baseball, then went to play football,” Campbell recalled. “He ends up going to college and becomes a lawyer. He comes back from being a lawyer, travels the world, works as a public defender, then he comes back to the program.
- 9/16/2018
- by Michael Schneider
- Indiewire
The NFL offseason is coming to a close and the Cleveland Browns had a humorous way of letting their fans know that football is nearing its return, filming an mock version of “The Office’s” intro.
The parody video included new Browns players such as Tyrod Taylor, Jarvis Landry and rookie Austin Corbett (who is having some trouble carrying everyone’s coffee order). The video also saw returning players Myles Garrett, Britton Colquitt, David Njoku, Joel Bitonio, Christian Kirksey, Emmanuel Ogbah, Joe Schobert and Duke Johnson.
The one-minute video included Garrett shredding a picture of rival Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, which the rest of the team quickly noticed.
Also Read: Jimmy Kimmel Asks Baker Mayfield to Guarantee Cleveland Browns Will Win a Game in 2018 (Video)
pic.twitter.com/1fEdhS4mrR
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 19, 2018
Not included in the video was rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield, who was the top overall NFL draft pick in April.
The parody video included new Browns players such as Tyrod Taylor, Jarvis Landry and rookie Austin Corbett (who is having some trouble carrying everyone’s coffee order). The video also saw returning players Myles Garrett, Britton Colquitt, David Njoku, Joel Bitonio, Christian Kirksey, Emmanuel Ogbah, Joe Schobert and Duke Johnson.
The one-minute video included Garrett shredding a picture of rival Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, which the rest of the team quickly noticed.
Also Read: Jimmy Kimmel Asks Baker Mayfield to Guarantee Cleveland Browns Will Win a Game in 2018 (Video)
pic.twitter.com/1fEdhS4mrR
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 19, 2018
Not included in the video was rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield, who was the top overall NFL draft pick in April.
- 7/19/2018
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
1978: Laurie Heineman and James Pritchett won Daytime Emmys.
1984: Ryan's Hope's Dave thought of Katie while marrying Maggie.
2007: Passions' Whitney couldn't forget Chad's relationship with Vincent.
2010: One Life to Live's Bo and Nora were married."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1944: On the Battle of Normandy's second day, CBS Radio aired a full lineup of soaps, listed with sponsors and a synopsis below:
9:45 a.
1984: Ryan's Hope's Dave thought of Katie while marrying Maggie.
2007: Passions' Whitney couldn't forget Chad's relationship with Vincent.
2010: One Life to Live's Bo and Nora were married."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."
― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"
"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.
On this date in...
1944: On the Battle of Normandy's second day, CBS Radio aired a full lineup of soaps, listed with sponsors and a synopsis below:
9:45 a.
- 6/8/2018
- by Roger Newcomb
- We Love Soaps
Cleveland Browns tight end Seth DeValve -- the first white NFL player to kneel during the national anthem -- says he demonstrated on Monday night to support his African American teammates. 12 Browns players in total knelt in a circle before Cleveland took on the NY Giants -- the players included stars like Jabrill Peppers, Calvin Pryor, Isaiah Crowell, Kenny Britt and Duke Johnson. But DeValve made the biggest splash ... just days after Michael Bennett said...
- 8/22/2017
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Starburns Industries, the animation company behind Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson’s Oscar-animated 2015 feature film “Anomalisa,” have unveiled a beautiful black and white music video for Richard Edwards’ song “Moonwrapped,” off his debut solo album, “Lemon Cotton Candy Sunset.” Edwards is also the frontman of the indie rock band Margot & The Nuclear So and So’s.
Read More: Charlie Kaufman Reflects On His Career: ‘I Feel Like I F*cking Blew It’
“Moonwrapped” was produced and directed by Sofia Astrom, recipient of the 2015 Women in Film and Tiffany & Co. scholarship from the American Film Institute. The scholarship is awarded annually to one well deserving female director studying at AFI Conservatory.
“When I got Richard’s song and the handwritten description of his concept for the video, I instantly felt like I had to do this project,” Astrom said. “Starburns gave me the keys to the castle (literally, the studio is a castle!
Read More: Charlie Kaufman Reflects On His Career: ‘I Feel Like I F*cking Blew It’
“Moonwrapped” was produced and directed by Sofia Astrom, recipient of the 2015 Women in Film and Tiffany & Co. scholarship from the American Film Institute. The scholarship is awarded annually to one well deserving female director studying at AFI Conservatory.
“When I got Richard’s song and the handwritten description of his concept for the video, I instantly felt like I had to do this project,” Astrom said. “Starburns gave me the keys to the castle (literally, the studio is a castle!
- 5/22/2017
- by Graham Winfrey
- Indiewire
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