Thompson on Hollywood

Dennie Gordon Begins Production on 'My Lucky Star'; First American Woman to Direct Chinese-Market Film

News

Director Dennie Gordon has begun production on the Chinese-language film "My Lucky Star," the prequel to 2009's blockbuster "Sophie's Revenge." International star Zhang Ziyi will reprise her role as Sophie, a glamorous globe-trotter caught up in a crime caper.

By Beth Hanna
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October 12, 2012 3:05 PM
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'Mary Poppins' Origin Story 'Saving Mr. Banks,' Shooting with Hanks as Disney, Joins Backstage Hollywood Trend

News

Production on Disney's "Saving Mr. Banks," yet another behind-the-scenes Hollywood movie (see "Hitchcock," "The Girl," "My Week with Marilyn"), was well under way in Los Angeles last week when the news broke that scribe Kelly Marcel landed the coveted gig to adapt E.L. James erotic bestseller "Fifty Shades of Grey." This was not in Disney's marketing plan.

By Anne Thompson
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October 12, 2012 2:21 PM
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In the Works: Scott's 'Blade Runner' Sequel "happening," Affleck Returns to Lehane to 'Live by Night'

News

Ridley Scott will be reportedly revisiting "Blade Runner," while Ben Affleck is in talks to return to Lehane material.

By Beth Hanna
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October 12, 2012 1:15 PM
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Cohen Media Group Acquires U.S. Rights for Spanish Oscar Entry 'Blancanieves'

News

Cohen Media Group has picked up Pablo Berger's Snow White-turned-1920s matador tale "Blancanieves" for distribution. The film is Spain's official entry for the 2013 Oscars.

By Beth Hanna
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October 12, 2012 1:13 PM
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In the Works: Jodie Foster Set to Wrangle 'Money Monster'

News

Jodie Foster has lined up her next directing gig with indie drama "Money Monster," from a script by Alan DiFiore and Jim Kouf. The story centers on a TV personality whose Wall Street trading tips get him in trouble when he's held hostage on air by a disgruntled viewer.

By Anne Thompson and Beth Hanna
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October 11, 2012 6:02 PM
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Ari Emanuel's Lessons to Live By: Stay Close to Intellectual Superiors, Fail

News

Agent and co-CEO of WME and recent MOCA board member Ari Emanuel has posted a list of "Six Lessons I Live By" on LinkedIn. Bullet-point existential guides from the uber-successful tend to be littered with Hallmark platitudes, and Emanuel's is no exception. He does, however, focus on humility, which cuts through the hackneyed life-plan catnip a bit: Included in his advice are the imperative to "surround yourself with people smarter than you" and the warning that "[your daily] schedule makes you dumber."

By Beth Hanna
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October 11, 2012 2:26 PM
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Filmmaker's Nightmare: NYFF Screening of De Palma's 'Passion' Hits a Digital Snafu

News

With technological evolution comes hiccups. Though not widely reported, the September 29 NYFF premiere of Brian De Palma's "Passion" apparently hit a disappointing snafu when the DCP (digital cinema package) of the film refused to play.

By Beth Hanna
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October 11, 2012 1:16 PM
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How David Chase Got All That Music For 'Not Fade Away'

News

Thanks to his ex-manager Brad Grey, who runs Paramount now, Chase got to make this delicious and personal slice of authentic 60s life with one recognizable star, Tony Soprano himself, James Gandolfini. He's excellent and moving as the hard-nosed old-school Italian father of a counter-cultural high school/college kid (John Magaro, pictured) who starts a band, first as drummer and then as lead singer/songwriter.

By Anne Thompson
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October 10, 2012 4:28 PM
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Women in Film Announces Finishing Fund Recipients, Names Thirteen New Board Members

News

The Women In Film Foundation’s Film Finishing Fund (WIFF FFF) announce the recipients of their 27th annual grant program, which provides cash and in-kind services to ten chosen winners, among them seven documentaries, two features and one short film...

By Sophia Savage
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October 10, 2012 2:59 PM
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Destiny Ekaragha's Directorial Debut 'Gone Too Far' Begins Production in London Late October

News

Principal photography will begin later this month on Destiny Ekaragha's feature directorial debut "Gone Too Far," a coming-of-age comedy adapted for the screen by Bola Agabje, based on her own Laurence Olivier Award-winning 2007 stage play of the same title.