Thompson on Hollywood

First Look: Focus Unveils Summer Slate, 'The World's End' and 'Closed Circuit'

News

Focus Features will release two films this summer as counterprogramming aimed at the smart demo.

By Anne Thompson
|
April 22, 2013 4:21 PM
|
0 Comments

More:

Berlin: Focus Features Reteams with Laika for 'Boxtrolls,' Snaps Up Rights for Upstairs-Downstairs Jane Austen Spin 'Longbourn'

Festivals

Focus acquisitions from Berlin include LAIKA's "The Boxtrolls" and Jane Austen-inspired "Longbourn"...

By Beth Hanna
|
February 7, 2013 1:51 PM
|
0 Comments

More:

Focus Features Adds Kujawski to Sundance Acquisition Team

Festivals

Universal Pictures is sending Executive Vice President of Worldwide Acquisitions Peter Kujawski to the Sundance Film Festival, which starts Thursday, to search for film acquisitions for not only the studio but specialized film division Focus Features. The studio wants to centralize and streamline its global acquisitions efforts.

By Anne Thompson
|
January 16, 2013 1:59 PM
|
0 Comments

More:

Weekend Recap: 'Only God Forgives' Teaser, Naomi Watts as Princess Di, Twenty-Somethings on 'Girls,' and HBO/Hulu Changes

News

Film Comment posted the "50 Best Undistributed Films of 2012," beginning with "Our Children" (Joachim Lafosse, Belgium/Luxembourg/France/Switzerland), followed by "Memories Look at Me" (Song Fang, China) and "First Cousin Once Removed" (Alan Berliner, U.S.). Read their full list here.

By Maggie Lange
|
January 7, 2013 3:08 PM
|
0 Comments

More:

Disney Screenwriter Kelly Marcel to Write 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Adaptation

News

Moving from "Mary Poppins" to erotic fiction overnight, screenwriter Kelly Marcel has been hired to write the adaptation of E.L. James' bestseller "Fifty Shades of Grey." Universal and Focus Features have the rights to all three books. Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti ("A Social Network") are producing.

By Anne Thompson & Sophia Savage
|
October 8, 2012 3:42 PM
|
0 Comments

More:

Focus Features' 5th Annual Africa First Winners

News

Five filmmakers have been selected for Focus Features' fifth annual Africa First Program, an initiative developed exclusively for emerging filmmakers of African nationality and residence. Each filmmaker will be awarded $10K for their prospective short film projects. Full list of award recipients and films below.

By Beth Hanna
|
October 3, 2012 2:23 PM
|
0 Comments

More:

Wright's 'World's End' Goes Into Production, with Pegg, Frost, Freeman & Considine Heading Cast

News

Edgar Wright's "The World's End," his next team-up with co-writer Simon Pegg and the third installment in the loose trilogy with "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz," has gone into production. All the Wright usuals are onboard, with Nick Frost, Martin Freeman (soon to be known to the world as Bilbo Baggins) and Paddy Considine joining Pegg in the cast.

By Beth Hanna
|
September 28, 2012 3:43 PM
|
2 Comments

More:

Damon, Krasinski & Van Sant's Fracking Drama 'Promised Land' Hits Theaters December 28 for Oscar-Qualifying Run

News

Focus Features will release Matt Damon and John Krasinski's anti-fracking movie "Promised Land," which the pair co-wrote and star in together, in NY and LA theaters December 28 for an Oscar-qualifying run, followed by a January 2013 expansion.

By Anne Thompson & Sophia Savage
|
August 23, 2012 5:05 PM
|
1 Comment

More:

Trailer Watch: Joe Wright's Sumptuous 'Anna Karenina' Waltzes Between Stage and Location

Video

The trailer for Joe Wright's likely Oscar contender "Anna Karenina" has landed, and it looks like Wright's decision to give the film a sumptuous stage setting is delivering in spades. Watch below as the characters (Keira Knightley plays the title role) waltz between gilded, illuminated amphitheatres and actual locations.

By Beth Hanna
|
June 20, 2012 4:23 PM
|
8 Comments

More:

Arthouse Audit: Massive Opening for "Moonrise Kingdom" Shows that Festivals Matter (UPDATED 4 DAY FIGURES)

Box Office

"Moonrise Kingdom" opened with some of the best platform grosses ever, even adjusting for inflation, but it isn't the only good news out there. "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" had a terrific expansion, while the massive international hit "Intouchables" had a lesser, if still encouraging, NY/LA opening.