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BusinessPA Media: Movies45,000 jobs hit as Cineworld shuts UK and US sites
A total of 663 Cineworld, Regal and Picturehouse theatres will close temporarily.
EntertainmentDeadlineZac Efron Joins Universal-Blumhouse’s ‘Firestarter’ Reboot
Zac Efron has boarded Universal/Blumhouse/Weed Road Productions' relaunch of Stephen King's Firestarter. As previously announced, Keith Thomas (The Vigil) is directing the latest iteration that is being adapted by writer Scott Teems (Halloween Kills, Rectify), who will also executive produce. The first movie, released in 1984 and starring Drew Barrymore hot off E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, grossed $17m […]
EntertainmentThe WrapAmandla Stenberg Joins ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ Film Adaptation at Universal
“The Hate U Give” star Amandla Stenberg has joined the cast of the film adaptation of “Dear Evan Hansen” at Universal and features the music and lyrics from “La La Land” duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.Stenberg will play the role of the high school senior Alana, which has been expanded and re-conceived from the original stage musical; it will now have Stenberg singing a new song that she will also write in collaboration with Pasek and Paul.“Dear Evan Hansen” is the story of a high school senior who has severe social anxiety and has trouble connecting with others and making friends. After the suicide of a classmate, Hansen gets caught in a lie that brings him closer to his classmate’s family. Stenberg’s Alana in the film has a cheery facade and a social-media-savvy, but it masks her deeper loneliness and isolation.Also Read: Steven Spielberg's 'West Side Story' Adds 'Dear Evan Hansen' Star Mike Faist, Singer Ana IsabelleStephen Chbosky (“Wonder,” “The Perks of Being a Wallflower”) is directing “Dear Evan Hansen.” Ben Platt, who played Hansen on stage, is expected to reprise the title role, and “Booksmart” star Kaitlyn Dever was also reported back in June to be in talks.Steven Levenson, who wrote the book for the stage musical, wrote the script. Marc Platt (“La La Land”) and Adam Siegel will produce for their Universal-based banner Marc Platt Productions.Universal’s senior vice president of production Sara Scott and director of development Lexi Barta will oversee production on behalf of the studio.Stenberg is also known for her roles in “Everything, Everything” and “The Darkest Minds,” and she most recently starred in the Netflix series “The Eddy.” She is represented by UTA and Del, Shaw, Moonves, Tanaka, Finkelstein & Lezcano.Read original story Amandla Stenberg Joins ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ Film Adaptation at Universal At TheWrap
EntertainmentVarietyPete Davidson’s ‘King of Staten Island’ to Premiere On Demand as Movie Theaters Remain Closed
Universal's "The King of Staten Island" -- a semi-autobiographical comedy starring Pete Davidson and directed by Judd Apatow -- is going straight to video on demand, making it the latest film to forgo a traditional theatrical release as cinemas remain closed due to the coronavirus outbreak. "The King of Staten Island" will premiere on home […]
EntertainmentVarietyMovie Rights to ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ Author’s ‘The Mister’ Land at Universal (EXCLUSIVE)
Following the massive success of the "Fifty Shades of Grey" trilogy, Universal and author E. L. James are reteaming on the scribe's next novel as the studio has optioned the rights to "The Mister," James' 2019 best-selling romance. Rights for the book, which recently hit the market, sparked a heated bidding war. James, who produced […]
EntertainmentVarietyUniversal in Talks With Lego Group to Develop New Films Based on Toys (EXCLUSIVE)
Universal Pictures is in talks with the Lego Group to develop new feature film properties based on the popular block toys, numerous sources close to the pending deal told Variety. Producer Dan Lin, who has made several films based on the childhood staple at Warner Bros., is expected to remain on future projects despite his […]
EntertainmentYahoo Movies UK'Fast & Furious' producer fired but will be paid millions to stay away
The producer of the Fast & Furious movies has been fired from the forthcoming spin-off Hobbs & Shaw, and all future movies in the series.
EntertainmentDeadlineRebel Wilson To Play Jennyanydots In Universal-Working Title’s ‘Cats’
<strong>EXCLUSIVE: </strong>Count <a href="https://deadline.com/tag/rebel-wilson/" id="auto-tag_rebel-wilson">Rebel Wilson</a> in as part of Tom Hooper’s upcoming feature adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical <em><a href="https://deadline.com/tag/cats/" id="auto-tag_cats">Cats</a> </em>for <a href="https://deadline.com/tag/universal/" id="auto-tag_universal">Universal</a> and <a href="https://deadline.com/tag/working-title/" id="auto-tag_working-title">Working Title</a>. Wilson will portray the old Gumbie cat Jennyanydots, who has a reputation for being lazy. In <em>Cats </em>lore she’s known to spend her days seeking out the warm and sunny spots where she sits, and sits, and sits, and sleeps as the hours tick by. But when the moon rises, she’s alive and bakes and fries, and teaches the mice…
EntertainmentDeadlineGreg Berlanti Attached To Direct Rock Hudson Biopic For Universal
Universal Pictures has optioned the upcoming Harper Collins Mark Griffin book <em>All That Heaven Allows: A Biography of Rock Hudson </em>which Greg Berlanti will direct and produce alongside Sarah Schechter for Berlanti Film Corp. and Sherry Marsh for Marsh Productions & Entertainment, Inc. A search for a writer on the project is underway. The matinee idol of Universal romantic comedies and Oscar-nominated actor of <em>Giant </em>worked in Hollywood and remained closeted for fear of…
NewsYahoo Movies UKUniversal’s Monsters Universe may not happen
Universal's Monsters may have already been vanquished before the Dark Universe got off the ground.
- NewsThe Hollywood Reporter
Can Universal Create a Marvel-Like Universe With 'The Mummy' and Other Monster Flicks?
The high-stakes blockbuster arrives with so-so tracking as Tom Cruise leads a risky foray into the "Dark Universe," a superhero-style series of interconnected films.
EntertainmentYahoo Movies UKUniversal unveils its Dark Universe cast and Bride of Frankenstein reboot
With a very glamorous picture, a visible Invisible Man, and Frankenstein's new monster are unveiled.
NewsYahoo Movies UKJA Bayona will develop Bryce Dallas Howard's character beyond heels in Jurassic World 2
‘Jurassic World’ was one of 2015’s biggest movies, making an incredible $1.6 billion during its cinema run and attracted plenty of attention regarding its lead woman, Bryce Dallas Howard, largely her skill for outrunning a T.rex in high heels. Sequel director JA Bayona has addressed the issue by clarifying that Claire (Dallas Howard) will not be wearing any inappropriate footwear hence forth. When Bayona spoke to Birth.Movies.Death, he was quick to dismiss the ongoing internet discussion about how (and why) Claire ran in heels.
NewsBen BusseyPlans Announced For Fifth Shrek Movie
Six years after we said goodbye to Mike Myers’ flatulent ogre and his colourful fairy tale world, it looks like we’re finally set to go back to the swamp.
NewsBen BusseyElizabeth Banks Steps Down As Pitch Perfect 3 Director
The third movie in the a capella comedy series is on the lookout for a new director, as Elizabeth Banks has pulled out. Banks was a producer and played a supporting role on 2012′s ‘Pitch Perfect’ (directed by Jason Moore), then made her directorial debut on the 2015 sequel, and she had been lined up to helm the third. No explanation has been given for Banks’ withdrawal from the director’s chair on ‘Pitch Perfect 3,’ but it seems likely that her busy schedule has something to do with it.
NewsBen BusseyRonda Rousey and Tina Fey Unite In Universal Comedy Do Nothing Bitches
Deadline report that comedy superstar Tina Fey (recently seen in ‘Sisters’) and MMA icon Ronda Rousey (recently seen fighting Michelle Rodriguez in Fast & Furious 7′) are to share the screen in ‘Do Nothing Bitches,’ a new movie from ‘Sisters’ writer Paula Pell.
NewsMike P WilliamsPaul Walker Memorial Shut Down After Fast & Furious Tributes Anger Residents
The recent memorial event marking the passing of film star Paul Walker was marred by disgruntled residents, after overwhelming numbers arrived to pay their respects. Fans of the actor and the franchise he starred in - ‘The Fast and The Furious’ - turned up as a sign of respect, but incredibly saw around 1,700 drivers attend the event that was, first and foremost, a charity do in the name of the late actor’s organisation Reach Out Worldwide. The fundraiser was held at Thorpe Park and saw twice as many vehicles heading the the location last Sunday (29 November).
NewsBen ArnoldThe Mummy In New Reboot Could Be Female
The planned reboot of ‘The Mummy’ could centre on a female beneath the bandages, according to reports. Major studio Universal is planning to bring the Egyptian terror back in 2017, and so far the story could feature 'a unique backstory’, says the Hollywood Reporter. The movie is being made by director Alex Kurtzman, a writer and producer on huge properties like the rebooted 'Star Trek’ series, 'Mission: Impossible III’, the 'Transformers’ movies and the surprise hit 'Now You See Me’ and its forthcoming sequel. Writing is Jon Spaights, who co-wrote 'Prometheus’ and has penned the upcoming 'Doctor Strange’ for Marvel.
NewsBen BusseyPacific Rim 2 Officially Postponed, In Favour Of Pitch Perfect 3
The mighty mechanoid Jaegers managed to emerge victorious against the dreaded, gargantuan Kaiju. Who’d have thought they’d be beaten into submission by a group of acapella singers?
NewsBen BusseyKrampus Trailer Promises A Creepy Christmas
The second movie from Michael Dougherty, writer-director behind the instant Halloween classic ‘Trick ‘R Treat,’ looks set to make Yuletide every bit as terrifying as All Hallow’s Eve. Not so well known in the US and UK as he is in parts of Europe, legend tells us Krampus is the somewhat less friendly equivalent of Santa Claus - but where old Saint Nick rewards those who’ve been good, Krampus is there to punish the bad.
NewsMike P WilliamsDisney And DreamWorks To Part Ways After The BFG
Disney’s deal with DreamWorks is coming to an end, according to sources, with Steven Spielberg (one of its founders) set to become a more prominent part of Universal. The Hollywood Reporter has revealed that the distribution deal between Spielberg’s DreamWorks and the Walt Disney Company will see the ‘Jurassic Park’ director pocket tens of million of dollars from ‘Jurassic World’, as a hands-on executive producer, and will play a similar part for its sequel. It seems that a couple of future projects might now align themselves with different distributors rather than Disney, including the Emily Blunt-starring ‘The Girl on the Train’ and the highly anticipated ‘Ghost in the Shell’ live-action movie with Scarlett Johansson.
NewsBen BusseyUniversal May Be Planning Jaws and Back To The Future Reboots
The seemingly endless cycle of remakes, reboots, reimaginings and any other number of ‘re’-prefixed verbs that have done the rounds in the film industry this past decade or so has invariably left many film fans asking - is nothing sacred anymore? Well, it seems we may have our answer, as word gets out that Universal may have their sights on rebooting two of the greatest Hollywood blockbusters of all time: ‘Jaws’ and ‘Back to the Future.’ - Spielberg Predicts End of Superhero Genre - Lead Actress Candidates For Spielberg’s Ready Player One - Jurassic World 3rd Biggest Movie Ever This news comes from a highly trustworthy source, The Hollywood Reporter, who mention Universal’s plans almost as an aside in their report on Steven Spielberg’s Dreamworks looking set to move house from Disney to Universal for distribution. The Spielberg connection is of course vital here. Not only did the legendary filmmaker get his big break making the original classic ‘Jaws’ for Universal back in 1975, he also produced ‘Back to the Future’ for the studio in 1985, as well as its two sequels.
NewsMike P WilliamsDisney And Universal Dominate The 2015 Box Office
Unless you’ve been living in space this year you’ll be aware of the massive movie hits that’ve hit cinemas over the summer. Notably, ‘Jurassic World’ and ‘’Age of Ultron’ demolished most of the competition, meaning big paydays for both Disney and Universal. - What Will Jurassic World 2 Be About?
NewsMike P WilliamsThe Jurassic Park TV Show That Never Was
With the ongoing popularity of 1993′s ‘Jurassic Park’ and the recent mega success of Colin Trevorrow’s ‘Jurassic World’, a number of previously unseen images from an alleged television cartoon show have appeared online. It’s surprising that, after the enormous popularity of Spielberg’s dino adventure, a TV spin-off didn’t materialise. Apparently, Universal were working on a cartoon series, using the gorgeous concept art from William Stout as a basis. - Disney’s Moana: What We Know So Far Stout has previously discussed his involvement in the project, having worked on the film’s concept art.
NewsBen BusseyJurassic World Writer Boards Kong: Skull Island
It seems that working on the script for Universal’s monster smash ‘Jurassic World’ must have given screenwriter Derek Connolly a taste for all things monstrous. The Hollywood Reporter tells us that Connolly has been hired to do rewrites on Max Borenstein’s script for ‘Kong: Skull Island,’ a fresh take on the 1933 giant ape classic which started it all, which is also being produced by Universal and production house Legendary Entertainment. Reportedly Connolly won’t have long to get the job done, as the film is set to begin shooting in October, with locations said to include Hawaii, Vietnam and Iceland.
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The Hollywood Reporter