The First Purge director Gerard McMurray is about to tackle another comic book adaptation when he brings Vault Comics’ Resonant to television. The project is part of an overall deal McMurray has signed with BET. The adaptation hails from CBS Studios and Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions, with McMurray serving as the project’s director, writer, and executive producer. Resonant will debut on the BET+ streaming service once it’s ready to roll out.
Written by David Andry, with art by Skylar Patridge, colors by Jason Wordie, letters by Deron Bennett, and design by Tim Daniel, Resonant is a post-apocalyptic thriller about a father struggling to provide for his family in times of violence, uncertainty, and emotional collapse.
Here’s the official synopsis for the first volume of Resonant, courtesy of Vault Comics:
A decade has passed since the first Waves hit, unleashing humanity’s darkest impulses and plunging the world into chaos.
Written by David Andry, with art by Skylar Patridge, colors by Jason Wordie, letters by Deron Bennett, and design by Tim Daniel, Resonant is a post-apocalyptic thriller about a father struggling to provide for his family in times of violence, uncertainty, and emotional collapse.
Here’s the official synopsis for the first volume of Resonant, courtesy of Vault Comics:
A decade has passed since the first Waves hit, unleashing humanity’s darkest impulses and plunging the world into chaos.
- 10/19/2022
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Based on the Vault Comics tale by David Andry and artists Alejandro Aragon and Skylar Patridge, Gerard McMurray (The First Purge) is next directing Resonant, THR has announced.
BET Studios is behind the series adaptation of the comic books.
The Hollywood Reporter details, “CBS Studios and Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions have teamed up for Resonant, on which McMurray will act as executive producer, writer and director. The drama project is targeted for the BET+ streaming service.”
“The tale is set a decade after an event known as the Waves hit, unleashing humanity’s most violent impulses and plunging the world into chaos.”
“The story centers on a single father of three who must venture from the secluded haven he built in order to restock the medicine his chronically ill, youngest son needs to survive. When his routine trip goes awry, the man and his children — now separated — will...
BET Studios is behind the series adaptation of the comic books.
The Hollywood Reporter details, “CBS Studios and Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions have teamed up for Resonant, on which McMurray will act as executive producer, writer and director. The drama project is targeted for the BET+ streaming service.”
“The tale is set a decade after an event known as the Waves hit, unleashing humanity’s most violent impulses and plunging the world into chaos.”
“The story centers on a single father of three who must venture from the secluded haven he built in order to restock the medicine his chronically ill, youngest son needs to survive. When his routine trip goes awry, the man and his children — now separated — will...
- 10/19/2022
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Director Gerard McMurray, who helmed "The First Purge" and the Netflix film "Burning Sands," is developing an adaptation of "Black," a comic book set in a world where only Black people have superpowers. The original "Black" comic, funded through Kickstarter in 2016, hailed from writer Kwanza Osajyefo, co-creator and designer Tim Smith 3, and artist Jamal Igle. Studio 8 is the production company behind "Black," and Warner Bros. will act as the film's distributor, with McMurray writing and directing.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Black" will "center on a young man who discovers his powers after surviving a violent crime." The main character...
The post The First Purge Director Making a Movie About a World Where Only Black People Have Superpowers appeared first on /Film.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Black" will "center on a young man who discovers his powers after surviving a violent crime." The main character...
The post The First Purge Director Making a Movie About a World Where Only Black People Have Superpowers appeared first on /Film.
- 3/29/2022
- by Joshua Meyer
- Slash Film
Gerard McMurray (The First Purge) will write and direct an adaptation of the comic book Black for Studio 8 and Warner Bros., Deadline has confirmed.
The comic introduced in 2016 by Black Mask Studios hails from writers Kwanza Osajyefo and Tim Smith 3 and illustrators Jamal Igle and Khary Randolph, examining a world in which Black people alone have superpowers. The upcoming film will center on a young man who discovers his powers after surviving a violent crime, soon finding himself in the middle of a war over the future of humanity, in a world in which a secret society seeks to control the empowered and their abilities.
Jeff Robinov and John Graham will produce for Studio 8, alongside Black Mask Studio’s Matteo Pizzolo, with Osajyefo and Smith co-producing, and Black Mask’s Brett Gurewitz serving as exec producer.
McMurray previously helmed The First Purge, as well as Sundance breakout Burning Sands.
The comic introduced in 2016 by Black Mask Studios hails from writers Kwanza Osajyefo and Tim Smith 3 and illustrators Jamal Igle and Khary Randolph, examining a world in which Black people alone have superpowers. The upcoming film will center on a young man who discovers his powers after surviving a violent crime, soon finding himself in the middle of a war over the future of humanity, in a world in which a secret society seeks to control the empowered and their abilities.
Jeff Robinov and John Graham will produce for Studio 8, alongside Black Mask Studio’s Matteo Pizzolo, with Osajyefo and Smith co-producing, and Black Mask’s Brett Gurewitz serving as exec producer.
McMurray previously helmed The First Purge, as well as Sundance breakout Burning Sands.
- 3/28/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
FX, Lee Daniels and 20th Television are taking another stab at adapting Sam Greenlee’s spy novel The Spook Who Sat By The Door as a TV series after a pilot, written by Leigh Dana Jackson and directed by Gerard McMurray did not go forward at the network.
“We are working on a redeveloping of it,” FX Entertainment President Eric Schrier told Deadline Thursday during an interview tied to the network’s TCA presentation. “Lee Daniels is still involved, and they are working on it. We are reworking on the development side of it, we are not going forward with the current pilot, which Leigh Dana Jackson tweeted about awhile ago.”
The Spook Who Sat By The Door has been a passion project for Daniels who optioned Greenlee’s book in 2018 through his Inclusion Fund. A year later, the project was set up at FX with Jackson as writer and showrunner.
“We are working on a redeveloping of it,” FX Entertainment President Eric Schrier told Deadline Thursday during an interview tied to the network’s TCA presentation. “Lee Daniels is still involved, and they are working on it. We are reworking on the development side of it, we are not going forward with the current pilot, which Leigh Dana Jackson tweeted about awhile ago.”
The Spook Who Sat By The Door has been a passion project for Daniels who optioned Greenlee’s book in 2018 through his Inclusion Fund. A year later, the project was set up at FX with Jackson as writer and showrunner.
- 2/18/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
The sheer number of films streaming on Netflix on any given day can make finding and deciding which films to watch an arduous journey through an overabundance of content, navigating with an interface that’s not exactly the most conducive to discovery.
To assist on this cinematic journey, IndieWire runs a monthly series that highlights movies and television shows worth streaming on every major platform in the U.S., including Netflix. But, as an extension of that popular ongoing series, we’ve also curated lists of films that specifically tell Black stories and are streaming on those same major streaming platforms.
Among August’s offerings on Netflix: several feature directorial debuts, including Stefon Bristol’s time-travel adventure, “See You Yesterday” (produced by Spike Lee), and Gerard McMurray’s fraternity hazing drama “Burning Sands,” as well as actors David Oyelowo (“The Water Man”) and Chiwetel Ejiofor (“The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind...
To assist on this cinematic journey, IndieWire runs a monthly series that highlights movies and television shows worth streaming on every major platform in the U.S., including Netflix. But, as an extension of that popular ongoing series, we’ve also curated lists of films that specifically tell Black stories and are streaming on those same major streaming platforms.
Among August’s offerings on Netflix: several feature directorial debuts, including Stefon Bristol’s time-travel adventure, “See You Yesterday” (produced by Spike Lee), and Gerard McMurray’s fraternity hazing drama “Burning Sands,” as well as actors David Oyelowo (“The Water Man”) and Chiwetel Ejiofor (“The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind...
- 7/31/2021
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
Warner Bros. Television is beefing up its drama development team.
The studio has hired former Rainforest Entertainment head of development Mitzi Miller and former Monkeypaw Productions development executive Jonathan Harris as Vice Presidents of Drama Development.
The pair will spearhead the creation of new one-hour scripted drama series for all platforms, including WarnerMedia’s HBO Max, as well as external streaming services, cable channels, and the broadcast networks.
They will work closely with WB’s stable of writers and producers as well as be responsible for finding new talent, material and IP to turn into television drama.
Reporting to EVP and Head of Drama Development Leigh London Redman, they will work closely with the drama team that includes SVP Tony Optican, VPs Parul Agrawal and Ashley Cole, and manager Michael Zeeck.
Their appointment comes after longtime development exec Aisha Summers left the studio to join ViacomCBS, where she is set to head BET Studios,...
The studio has hired former Rainforest Entertainment head of development Mitzi Miller and former Monkeypaw Productions development executive Jonathan Harris as Vice Presidents of Drama Development.
The pair will spearhead the creation of new one-hour scripted drama series for all platforms, including WarnerMedia’s HBO Max, as well as external streaming services, cable channels, and the broadcast networks.
They will work closely with WB’s stable of writers and producers as well as be responsible for finding new talent, material and IP to turn into television drama.
Reporting to EVP and Head of Drama Development Leigh London Redman, they will work closely with the drama team that includes SVP Tony Optican, VPs Parul Agrawal and Ashley Cole, and manager Michael Zeeck.
Their appointment comes after longtime development exec Aisha Summers left the studio to join ViacomCBS, where she is set to head BET Studios,...
- 7/7/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
There aren’t many modern horror movies that have had the impact of “The Purge,” which revolve around an idea so disturbing and insidious it feels like it’s been around forever. (Or at least since the 1967 “Star Trek” episode “The Return of the Archons.”)
“The Purge” takes place in a near future where an extreme conservative fringe party has taken over the American government, instituting a new national holiday where all crime is legal for 12 hours. Although the rationale for “Purge Night” is ostensibly to vent society’s hostilities to make the rest of the year more peaceful, in actuality it’s a grotesque attempt to convince Americans to partake of self-inflicted genocide, curtailing the population and empowering white supremacists.
The best films in “The Purge” franchise find a healthy balance of terrifying action and refreshingly direct moral parable. The worst are nonetheless intriguing explorations of social collapse amidst literal class warfare.
“The Purge” takes place in a near future where an extreme conservative fringe party has taken over the American government, instituting a new national holiday where all crime is legal for 12 hours. Although the rationale for “Purge Night” is ostensibly to vent society’s hostilities to make the rest of the year more peaceful, in actuality it’s a grotesque attempt to convince Americans to partake of self-inflicted genocide, curtailing the population and empowering white supremacists.
The best films in “The Purge” franchise find a healthy balance of terrifying action and refreshingly direct moral parable. The worst are nonetheless intriguing explorations of social collapse amidst literal class warfare.
- 6/30/2021
- by William Bibbiani
- The Wrap
Lucas Till (MacGyver), Nafessa Williams (Black Lightning), Nathan Darrow (Preacher) and Tom Irwin (The Morning Show) have joined the cast of Lee Daniels’ FX pilot The Spook Who Sat by the Door.
They join previously announced cast members Y’lan Noel and Christina Jackson in the TV adaptation of Sam Greenlee’s spy novel. Production is underway.
The potential series will tell the fictional story of Dan Freeman (Noel), a patriot and Vietnam vet, who is recruited as the only Black operative in the CIA as part of an affirmative-action program in the late 1960s. After a very competitive selection process he trains in high-level combat and espionage. However, following this arduous training, this model recruit is rewarded with a post in the reprographics (aka photocopying) department, “left by the door” as a token of the CIA’s “racial equality.”
Till is set for the role of CIA agent Graham Renfroe,...
They join previously announced cast members Y’lan Noel and Christina Jackson in the TV adaptation of Sam Greenlee’s spy novel. Production is underway.
The potential series will tell the fictional story of Dan Freeman (Noel), a patriot and Vietnam vet, who is recruited as the only Black operative in the CIA as part of an affirmative-action program in the late 1960s. After a very competitive selection process he trains in high-level combat and espionage. However, following this arduous training, this model recruit is rewarded with a post in the reprographics (aka photocopying) department, “left by the door” as a token of the CIA’s “racial equality.”
Till is set for the role of CIA agent Graham Renfroe,...
- 5/27/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
“The Spook Who Sat by the Door” pilot at FX has rounded out its main cast with four new additions.
Lucas Till, Nafessa Williams, Nathan Darrow and Tom Irwin have all joined the drama pilot alongside previously announced leads Y’lan Noel and Christina Jackson.
The story follows Dan Freeman (Noel), the fictional first African American CIA officer hired by the agency in the late 1960s. The story chronicles the quest of Freeman, who was recruited as part of an affirmative-action program. After a very competitive selection process he trains in high-level combat and espionage. However, following this arduous training, this model recruit is rewarded with a post in the reprographics (aka photocopying) department, “left by the door” as a token of the CIA’s “racial equality.” Jackson will star as his wife, Joy Freeman.
Till is set for the role of CIA agent Graham Renfroe. He most recently starred in the CBS reboot of “MacGyver,...
Lucas Till, Nafessa Williams, Nathan Darrow and Tom Irwin have all joined the drama pilot alongside previously announced leads Y’lan Noel and Christina Jackson.
The story follows Dan Freeman (Noel), the fictional first African American CIA officer hired by the agency in the late 1960s. The story chronicles the quest of Freeman, who was recruited as part of an affirmative-action program. After a very competitive selection process he trains in high-level combat and espionage. However, following this arduous training, this model recruit is rewarded with a post in the reprographics (aka photocopying) department, “left by the door” as a token of the CIA’s “racial equality.” Jackson will star as his wife, Joy Freeman.
Till is set for the role of CIA agent Graham Renfroe. He most recently starred in the CBS reboot of “MacGyver,...
- 5/27/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Christina Jackson (Outsiders) has been tapped as the female lead opposite Y’lan Noel in The Spook Who Sat by the Door, FX’s drama pilot based on Sam Greenlee’s spy novel, which is executive produced by Lee Daniels.
Written by Leigh Dana Jackson and to be directed by Gerard McMurray, The Spook Who Sat by the Door tells at the fictional story of Dan Freeman (Noel), who has just been hired as the only Black operative in the CIA. He is a patriot, a Vietnam vet, and secretly, a Black Revolutionary.
Jackson will play Joy Freeman, an up-and-coming attorney committed to making a difference in her community and Dan’s (Noel) wife.
Greenlee’s book, published in 1969, was turned into a 1973 feature film, in which the roles of Dan Freeman and Joy Freeman were played by Lawrence Cook and Janet League, respectively.
2020-21 FX Pilots & Series Orders
The Spook Who Sat by the Door...
Written by Leigh Dana Jackson and to be directed by Gerard McMurray, The Spook Who Sat by the Door tells at the fictional story of Dan Freeman (Noel), who has just been hired as the only Black operative in the CIA. He is a patriot, a Vietnam vet, and secretly, a Black Revolutionary.
Jackson will play Joy Freeman, an up-and-coming attorney committed to making a difference in her community and Dan’s (Noel) wife.
Greenlee’s book, published in 1969, was turned into a 1973 feature film, in which the roles of Dan Freeman and Joy Freeman were played by Lawrence Cook and Janet League, respectively.
2020-21 FX Pilots & Series Orders
The Spook Who Sat by the Door...
- 4/14/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Christina Jackson has been cast in a leading role in the FX pilot based on the Sam Greenlee novel “The Spook Who Sat by the Door,” Variety has learned.
The project was ordered to pilot at FX in February. Jackson will star opposite series lead Y’lan Noel. She will play Joy Freeman, an up-and-coming attorney committed to making a difference in her community and Dan’s (Noel) wife.
“The Spook Who Sat By The Door” was previously adapted into a film in 1973 with Lawrence Cook in the lead role. The story follows Dan Freeman, the fictional first African American CIA officer hired by the agency in the late 1960s. The story chronicles the quest of Freeman, who was recruited as part of an affirmative-action program. After a very competitive selection process he trains in high-level combat and espionage. However, following this arduous training, this model recruit is rewarded with a...
The project was ordered to pilot at FX in February. Jackson will star opposite series lead Y’lan Noel. She will play Joy Freeman, an up-and-coming attorney committed to making a difference in her community and Dan’s (Noel) wife.
“The Spook Who Sat By The Door” was previously adapted into a film in 1973 with Lawrence Cook in the lead role. The story follows Dan Freeman, the fictional first African American CIA officer hired by the agency in the late 1960s. The story chronicles the quest of Freeman, who was recruited as part of an affirmative-action program. After a very competitive selection process he trains in high-level combat and espionage. However, following this arduous training, this model recruit is rewarded with a...
- 4/14/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Y’lan Noel has been cast as Dan Freeman, the protagonist in the FX adaptation of Sam Greenlee’s spy novel, “The Spook Who Sat By the Door,” which is being executive produced by Lee Daniels. The project is in pilot production at the premium cabler.
In “Spook,” the fictional Freeman is the first Black CIA officer hired by the agency in the late 1960s, who has trained in high-level combat and espionage. He is described as “a patriot, a Vietnam vet, and secretly, a Black Revolutionary.”
Noel, known for playing Daniel in Issa Rae’s “Insecure” on HBO, was most recently in the Stella Maghie romantic drama “The Photograph” from Universal Pictures last year alongside Rae, Lakeith Stanfield and Chelsea Peretti. He can also be seen in the upcoming Mo McRae-directed “A Lot of Nothing” opposite Cleopatra Coleman and Lex Scott Davis. Noel was previously in Meghie’s indie...
In “Spook,” the fictional Freeman is the first Black CIA officer hired by the agency in the late 1960s, who has trained in high-level combat and espionage. He is described as “a patriot, a Vietnam vet, and secretly, a Black Revolutionary.”
Noel, known for playing Daniel in Issa Rae’s “Insecure” on HBO, was most recently in the Stella Maghie romantic drama “The Photograph” from Universal Pictures last year alongside Rae, Lakeith Stanfield and Chelsea Peretti. He can also be seen in the upcoming Mo McRae-directed “A Lot of Nothing” opposite Cleopatra Coleman and Lex Scott Davis. Noel was previously in Meghie’s indie...
- 3/22/2021
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
Insecure alum Y’lan Noel has been tapped as the lead in The Spook Who Sat by the Door, FX’s drama pilot based on Sam Greenlee’s spy novel, which is executive produced by Lee Daniels.
Written by Leigh Dana Jackson and to be directed by Gerard McMurray, The Spook Who Sat by the Door tells at the fictional story of Dan Freeman (Noel), who has just been hired as the only Black operative in the CIA. He is a patriot, a Vietnam vet, and secretly, a Black Revolutionary.
The project reunites Noel and McMurray after Noel headlined the 2018 Universal feature The First Purge, the prequel to the Purge franchise, which McMurray directed.
Greenlee’s book was published in 1969 and turned into a feature film in 1973, in which Lawrence Cook starred as Dan Freeman.
2020-21 FX Pilots & Series Orders
The Spook Who Sat by the Door is produced by 20th Television.
Written by Leigh Dana Jackson and to be directed by Gerard McMurray, The Spook Who Sat by the Door tells at the fictional story of Dan Freeman (Noel), who has just been hired as the only Black operative in the CIA. He is a patriot, a Vietnam vet, and secretly, a Black Revolutionary.
The project reunites Noel and McMurray after Noel headlined the 2018 Universal feature The First Purge, the prequel to the Purge franchise, which McMurray directed.
Greenlee’s book was published in 1969 and turned into a feature film in 1973, in which Lawrence Cook starred as Dan Freeman.
2020-21 FX Pilots & Series Orders
The Spook Who Sat by the Door is produced by 20th Television.
- 3/22/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Lee Daniels is moving into the spy genre, according to The Hollywood Reporter, as he’ll executive produce a series adaptation of the Sam Greenlee novel “The Spook Who Sat By Door” with “The First Purge” director Gerard McMurray handling the show’s pilot. Leigh Dana Jackson will be the series showrunner, writer, and executive producer on the CIA project. Jackson previously worked on “24: Legacy” and Apple TV+‘s ambitious sci-fi series “Foundation,” an adaptation of the beloved literary universe created by visionary author Isaac Asimov.
Read More: ‘Stealth’: Lee Daniels To Direct Superhero Film From The Creator Of ‘The Walking Dead’
Daniels is best known for “Precious,” “The Bulter,” the Fox series “Empire,” and his upcoming directorial effort “The United States vs.
Continue reading ‘The Spook Who Sat By The Door’: Lee Daniels Producing Spy Drama For FX With Gerard McMurray Directing The Pilot at The Playlist.
Read More: ‘Stealth’: Lee Daniels To Direct Superhero Film From The Creator Of ‘The Walking Dead’
Daniels is best known for “Precious,” “The Bulter,” the Fox series “Empire,” and his upcoming directorial effort “The United States vs.
Continue reading ‘The Spook Who Sat By The Door’: Lee Daniels Producing Spy Drama For FX With Gerard McMurray Directing The Pilot at The Playlist.
- 2/9/2021
- by Christopher Marc
- The Playlist
FX has ordered a pilot for a series adaptation of Sam Greenlee’s spy novel “The Spook Who Sat by the Door,” Variety has learned.
The adaptation of the book will be written by Leigh Dana Jackson, who will also serve as executive producer and showrunner. Lee Daniels and Marc Velez will also executive produce on behalf of Lee Daniels Entertainment. The book was originally optioned through the Daniels’ Inclusion Fund. Gerard McMurray will direct the pilot in addition to executive producing. 20th Television will produce.
“’The Spook Who Sat By the Door’ was my dad’s favorite book,” said Daniels. “He’d be so proud that I’m doing this and even prouder that I’m doing this with Gerard and Dana—two bold and brilliant Black storytellers.”
“The Spook Who Sat By The Door” was previously adapted into a film in 1973 with Lawrence Cook in the lead role.
The adaptation of the book will be written by Leigh Dana Jackson, who will also serve as executive producer and showrunner. Lee Daniels and Marc Velez will also executive produce on behalf of Lee Daniels Entertainment. The book was originally optioned through the Daniels’ Inclusion Fund. Gerard McMurray will direct the pilot in addition to executive producing. 20th Television will produce.
“’The Spook Who Sat By the Door’ was my dad’s favorite book,” said Daniels. “He’d be so proud that I’m doing this and even prouder that I’m doing this with Gerard and Dana—two bold and brilliant Black storytellers.”
“The Spook Who Sat By The Door” was previously adapted into a film in 1973 with Lawrence Cook in the lead role.
- 2/8/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
FX has picked up a pilot for a series adaptation of Sam Greenlee’s “The Spook Who Sat by the Door,” the cable network announced Monday. Lee Daniels will executive produce the series.
The 1969 novel tells the fictional story of the first Black CIA officer hired by the agency in the late 1960s. Greenlee’s book, considered a major work of the Black nationalist movement during the civil rights era, was previously adapted for the screen in 1973, with Lawrence Cook starring as the novel’s protagonist, Dan Freeman.
Per FX, “The story chronicles the quest of Freeman, who was recruited as part of an affirmative-action program. After a very competitive selection process he trains in high-level combat and espionage. However, following this arduous training, this model recruit is rewarded with a post in the reprographics (aka photocopying) department, ‘left by the door’ as a token of the CIA’s ‘racial equality.
The 1969 novel tells the fictional story of the first Black CIA officer hired by the agency in the late 1960s. Greenlee’s book, considered a major work of the Black nationalist movement during the civil rights era, was previously adapted for the screen in 1973, with Lawrence Cook starring as the novel’s protagonist, Dan Freeman.
Per FX, “The story chronicles the quest of Freeman, who was recruited as part of an affirmative-action program. After a very competitive selection process he trains in high-level combat and espionage. However, following this arduous training, this model recruit is rewarded with a post in the reprographics (aka photocopying) department, ‘left by the door’ as a token of the CIA’s ‘racial equality.
- 2/8/2021
- by Reid Nakamura
- The Wrap
FX is moving forward with its adaptation of The Spook Who Sat By the Door – ordering a pilot for the project.
The project, which is exec produced by Lee Daniels, was written by Foundation and Raising Dion co-exec producer Leigh Dana Jackson and will be directed by The Twilight Zone and The First Purge director Gerard McMurray.
Produced by 20th Television and optioned through Lee Daniels’ Inclusion Fund, it comes almost 18 months after Deadline revealed the project was in development.
Based on Sam Greenlee’s spy novel, the series will look at the fictional story of Dan Freeman, the first African American CIA officer hired by the agency in the late 1960s.
The story chronicles the quest of Freeman, who was recruited as part of an affirmative-action program. After a very competitive selection process he trains in high-level combat and espionage. However, following this arduous training, this model recruit is...
The project, which is exec produced by Lee Daniels, was written by Foundation and Raising Dion co-exec producer Leigh Dana Jackson and will be directed by The Twilight Zone and The First Purge director Gerard McMurray.
Produced by 20th Television and optioned through Lee Daniels’ Inclusion Fund, it comes almost 18 months after Deadline revealed the project was in development.
Based on Sam Greenlee’s spy novel, the series will look at the fictional story of Dan Freeman, the first African American CIA officer hired by the agency in the late 1960s.
The story chronicles the quest of Freeman, who was recruited as part of an affirmative-action program. After a very competitive selection process he trains in high-level combat and espionage. However, following this arduous training, this model recruit is...
- 2/8/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Lee Daniels is expanding his Disney footprint to FX.
The Empire co-creator is attached to executive produce The Spook Who Sat by the Door, a spy drama that has been ordered to pilot at the Disney-backed basic cable network.
Leigh Dana Jackson (Raising Dion, Foundation) penned the script and will serve as showrunner on the drama, which is based on the novel by Sam Greenlee. Gerard McMurray (Burning Sands) will exec produce and direct the pilot. Daniels will exec produce the potential series via his overall deal with Disney’s 20th Television. The book was optioned through Daniels’ inclusion fund....
The Empire co-creator is attached to executive produce The Spook Who Sat by the Door, a spy drama that has been ordered to pilot at the Disney-backed basic cable network.
Leigh Dana Jackson (Raising Dion, Foundation) penned the script and will serve as showrunner on the drama, which is based on the novel by Sam Greenlee. Gerard McMurray (Burning Sands) will exec produce and direct the pilot. Daniels will exec produce the potential series via his overall deal with Disney’s 20th Television. The book was optioned through Daniels’ inclusion fund....
Lee Daniels is expanding his Disney footprint to FX.
The Empire co-creator is attached to executive produce The Spook Who Sat by the Door, a spy drama that has been ordered to pilot at the Disney-backed basic cable network.
Leigh Dana Jackson (Raising Dion, Foundation) penned the script and will serve as showrunner on the drama, which is based on the novel by Sam Greenlee. Gerard McMurray (Burning Sands) will exec produce and direct the pilot. Daniels will exec produce the potential series via his overall deal with Disney’s 20th Television. The book was optioned through Daniels’ inclusion fund....
The Empire co-creator is attached to executive produce The Spook Who Sat by the Door, a spy drama that has been ordered to pilot at the Disney-backed basic cable network.
Leigh Dana Jackson (Raising Dion, Foundation) penned the script and will serve as showrunner on the drama, which is based on the novel by Sam Greenlee. Gerard McMurray (Burning Sands) will exec produce and direct the pilot. Daniels will exec produce the potential series via his overall deal with Disney’s 20th Television. The book was optioned through Daniels’ inclusion fund....
Robert De Niro and ‘Star Wars’ actor John Boyega have jumped on board the Netflix original feature film ‘The Formula’.
The story will follow a Formula One racing prodigy who is forced to become a getaway driver to save the only family he has left.
‘Burning Sands’ helmer Gerard McMurray will write and direct and produce the project via his recently formed production company Buppie Productions. Jane Rosenthal, De Niro and Berry Welsh will also produce. Sam Shaw and Buppie Productions’ Ephraim Walker will also co-produce.
Also in news – ‘No Time to Die’, ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’, ‘Morbius’ & more amongst latest release delays
Boyega was last seen in Steve McQueen’s Small Axe anthology film ‘Red, White and Blue’, He is currently filming on ‘They Cloned Tyrone’ with Jamie Foxx.
De Niro shows no signs of slowing down, having last starred in Martin Scorsese’s ‘The Irishman’, his upcoming projects include David O. Russell...
The story will follow a Formula One racing prodigy who is forced to become a getaway driver to save the only family he has left.
‘Burning Sands’ helmer Gerard McMurray will write and direct and produce the project via his recently formed production company Buppie Productions. Jane Rosenthal, De Niro and Berry Welsh will also produce. Sam Shaw and Buppie Productions’ Ephraim Walker will also co-produce.
Also in news – ‘No Time to Die’, ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’, ‘Morbius’ & more amongst latest release delays
Boyega was last seen in Steve McQueen’s Small Axe anthology film ‘Red, White and Blue’, He is currently filming on ‘They Cloned Tyrone’ with Jamie Foxx.
De Niro shows no signs of slowing down, having last starred in Martin Scorsese’s ‘The Irishman’, his upcoming projects include David O. Russell...
- 1/26/2021
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
John Boyega and Robert De Niro are headed to Netflix for The Formula, a new film from director Gerard McMurray (The First Purge). The story follows a Formula One racing prodigy who ends up becoming a getaway driver, and that’s the type of high-concept thriller idea we need more of these days. Just imagine all the chase […]
The post ‘The Formula’: John Boyega and Robert De Niro Will Star in Netflix Film About a Formula One Racer Who Becomes a Getaway Driver appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘The Formula’: John Boyega and Robert De Niro Will Star in Netflix Film About a Formula One Racer Who Becomes a Getaway Driver appeared first on /Film.
- 1/25/2021
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
Gerard McMurray, whose director credits include The First Purge as well as the Netflix Original film Burning Sands, is teaming up with the streamer once again for The Formula, an upcoming film starring John Boyega and Robert De Niro. Directed, written, and produced by McMurray via his Buppie Productions label, The Formula will follow a Formula One racing…...
- 1/25/2021
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
John Boyega and Robert De Niro will star together in a crime thriller called “The Formula” at Netflix, and Gerard McMurray, the director of “The First Purge” and Netflix’s “Burning Sands,” will direct.
McMurray will write, direct and produce the film based on an original idea but that’s reminiscent of “Drive” about a Formula One racing prodigy who becomes a getaway driver in order to care for and rescue his family.
De Niro will also produce “The Formula” along with Jane Rosenthal and Berry Welsh.
Rosenthal and Welsh have an overall deal with Netflix, and “The Formula” came together under that arrangement. Jason Michael Berman is executive producing the film, and Ephraim Walker, working under McMurray’s banner Buppie Productions, is co-producing, as is Sam Shaw.
Boyega, who broke out in the latest “Star Wars” trilogy, most recently starred in one of the five installments of Steve McQueen’s “Small Axe” anthology,...
McMurray will write, direct and produce the film based on an original idea but that’s reminiscent of “Drive” about a Formula One racing prodigy who becomes a getaway driver in order to care for and rescue his family.
De Niro will also produce “The Formula” along with Jane Rosenthal and Berry Welsh.
Rosenthal and Welsh have an overall deal with Netflix, and “The Formula” came together under that arrangement. Jason Michael Berman is executive producing the film, and Ephraim Walker, working under McMurray’s banner Buppie Productions, is co-producing, as is Sam Shaw.
Boyega, who broke out in the latest “Star Wars” trilogy, most recently starred in one of the five installments of Steve McQueen’s “Small Axe” anthology,...
- 1/25/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
John Boyega. Robert De Niro. “The First Purge.” Separately, they’re all enjoyable in their own right. Together? We’re intrigued, if not a bit optimistic. But you can’t deny that a project combining Boyega and De Niro with the filmmaker behind “The First Purge” is a bit surprising on paper.
Read More: John Boyega Calls Franchise Acting Roles “Luxury Jail” & Is Excited To Work On More Projects Like ‘Small Axe’
According to Deadline, those three folks are coming together for a film titled, “The Formula.” John Boyega and Robert De Niro will star in a new thriller from director Gerard McMurray that tells the story of a Formula One driver that must become a getaway driver to save his family.
Continue reading ‘The Formula’: John Boyega & Robert De Niro To Star In New Netflix Thriller From ‘The First Purge’ Filmmaker at The Playlist.
Read More: John Boyega Calls Franchise Acting Roles “Luxury Jail” & Is Excited To Work On More Projects Like ‘Small Axe’
According to Deadline, those three folks are coming together for a film titled, “The Formula.” John Boyega and Robert De Niro will star in a new thriller from director Gerard McMurray that tells the story of a Formula One driver that must become a getaway driver to save his family.
Continue reading ‘The Formula’: John Boyega & Robert De Niro To Star In New Netflix Thriller From ‘The First Purge’ Filmmaker at The Playlist.
- 1/25/2021
- by Charles Barfield
- The Playlist
Exclusive: Gerard McMurray, who directed Burning Sands, one of Netflix’s first original features for the streamer, has made his return to the studio and is set to direct The Formula with John Boyega and Robert De Niro attached to star. McMurray will write, direct, and produce the film via his recently formed production company Buppie Productions. Jane Rosenthal, De Niro and Berry Welsh will also produce.
The story will follow a Formula One racing prodigy who is forced to become a getaway driver to save the only family he has left. The project came together under Rosenthal and Welsh’s overall deal with Netflix. Jason Michael Berman is exec producer, with Sam Shaw and Buppie Productions’ Ephraim Walker on as co-producers.
Boyega most recently starred in Steve McQueen’s acclaimed anthology film series Small Axe starring in the Red, White and Blue installment. His previous credits include the Star Wars sequel trilogy and Detroit.
The story will follow a Formula One racing prodigy who is forced to become a getaway driver to save the only family he has left. The project came together under Rosenthal and Welsh’s overall deal with Netflix. Jason Michael Berman is exec producer, with Sam Shaw and Buppie Productions’ Ephraim Walker on as co-producers.
Boyega most recently starred in Steve McQueen’s acclaimed anthology film series Small Axe starring in the Red, White and Blue installment. His previous credits include the Star Wars sequel trilogy and Detroit.
- 1/25/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Star Wars franchise actor John Boyega and Robert De Niro are on board to star in Netflix’s car race prodigy drama The Formula.
Gerard McMurray (Burning Sands) will direct the movie about a Formula One race car prodigy who becomes a getaway driver to save his family. McMurray will write, direct and produce the film via his production banner Buppie Productions; Jane Rosenthal, De Niro and Berry Welsh will also share producer credits.
British actor Boyega broke out with his role as Moses in the 2011 sci-fi flick Attack the Block. He is best known for playing Finn in Star Wars: ...
Gerard McMurray (Burning Sands) will direct the movie about a Formula One race car prodigy who becomes a getaway driver to save his family. McMurray will write, direct and produce the film via his production banner Buppie Productions; Jane Rosenthal, De Niro and Berry Welsh will also share producer credits.
British actor Boyega broke out with his role as Moses in the 2011 sci-fi flick Attack the Block. He is best known for playing Finn in Star Wars: ...
- 1/25/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Star Wars franchise actor John Boyega and Robert De Niro are on board to star in Netflix’s car race prodigy drama The Formula.
Gerard McMurray (Burning Sands) will direct the movie about a Formula One race car prodigy who becomes a getaway driver to save his family. McMurray will write, direct and produce the film via his production banner Buppie Productions; Jane Rosenthal, De Niro and Berry Welsh will also share producer credits.
British actor Boyega broke out with his role as Moses in the 2011 sci-fi flick Attack the Block. He is best known for playing Finn in Star Wars: ...
Gerard McMurray (Burning Sands) will direct the movie about a Formula One race car prodigy who becomes a getaway driver to save his family. McMurray will write, direct and produce the film via his production banner Buppie Productions; Jane Rosenthal, De Niro and Berry Welsh will also share producer credits.
British actor Boyega broke out with his role as Moses in the 2011 sci-fi flick Attack the Block. He is best known for playing Finn in Star Wars: ...
- 1/25/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: HBO Max is in the early development stage of a feature adaptation for the Trottle novella, which was co-written by Stephen King and his son Joe Hill, who is the Nyt bestselling author of The Fireman and Strange Weather. Leigh Dana Jackson, a co-executive producer on the Netflix series Raising Dion, will write the screenplay, which will be produced by David S. Goyer and Keith Levine through their Phantom Four label.
Throttle follows a father and son led biker gang who get terrorized by a big rig truck on an isolated stretch of the American desert. The short story was first published in 2009 in an anthology titled He Is Legend and was followed by a 2012 comic book adaptation from Idw Publishing.
Hill’s second novel, Horns, was made into a feature film starring Daniel Radcliffe, and his third one, NOS4A2, was adapted into a TV series on AMC with...
Throttle follows a father and son led biker gang who get terrorized by a big rig truck on an isolated stretch of the American desert. The short story was first published in 2009 in an anthology titled He Is Legend and was followed by a 2012 comic book adaptation from Idw Publishing.
Hill’s second novel, Horns, was made into a feature film starring Daniel Radcliffe, and his third one, NOS4A2, was adapted into a TV series on AMC with...
- 5/13/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: A year after setting sail with an inventive business plan in which Truly*Adventurous digitally generates a longform, magazine-quality article every three weeks through a partnership with Medium and Audm, the company has put in play 15 film and TV projects they will produce, some with major elements attached.
The venture is run — from a 42-foot sailboat in Marina del Ray — by Greg Nichols and Matthew Pearl, and their track record so far looks like this:
Amazon Studios acquired and attached The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star Rachel Brosnahan to Pillars of Fire, an article by Nathan Masters on the country’s first U.S. police woman who goes undercover to infiltrate a female-led cult. Truly*Adventurous are out to screenwriters;
Paramount TV acquired The Red Flag, a proposed TV series that was an internally generated reported narrative about a band of escaped slaves and renegade American Indians who took over...
The venture is run — from a 42-foot sailboat in Marina del Ray — by Greg Nichols and Matthew Pearl, and their track record so far looks like this:
Amazon Studios acquired and attached The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star Rachel Brosnahan to Pillars of Fire, an article by Nathan Masters on the country’s first U.S. police woman who goes undercover to infiltrate a female-led cult. Truly*Adventurous are out to screenwriters;
Paramount TV acquired The Red Flag, a proposed TV series that was an internally generated reported narrative about a band of escaped slaves and renegade American Indians who took over...
- 2/19/2020
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Derek Kolstad, the scribe behind the “John Wick” series, has found his next big project: adapting the bestselling fantasy series “A Darker Shade of Magic” for Sony and mega-producer Neal Moritz.
Moritz’s Original Film and Gerard Butler and Alan Siegel’s G-Base productions acquired the rights to V.E. Schwab’s fantasy series back in 2016. G-Base’s Butler, Siegel and Danielle Robinson will produce alongside Original Film’s Moritz and Toby Ascher. Ange Giannetti and Maia Eyre will oversee the project for Sony.
The book is set in four parallel worlds, with four parallel Londons ruled by different magical powers and monarchies. There’s Grey London, where the people have been told that magic is a myth; Red London, where magic is embraced and thrives; White London, where magic is used by the rulers against it’s people; and Black London, where magic has overpowered the people and corrupted the world beyond repair.
Moritz’s Original Film and Gerard Butler and Alan Siegel’s G-Base productions acquired the rights to V.E. Schwab’s fantasy series back in 2016. G-Base’s Butler, Siegel and Danielle Robinson will produce alongside Original Film’s Moritz and Toby Ascher. Ange Giannetti and Maia Eyre will oversee the project for Sony.
The book is set in four parallel worlds, with four parallel Londons ruled by different magical powers and monarchies. There’s Grey London, where the people have been told that magic is a myth; Red London, where magic is embraced and thrives; White London, where magic is used by the rulers against it’s people; and Black London, where magic has overpowered the people and corrupted the world beyond repair.
- 10/3/2019
- by Justin Kroll
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Confluential Films has set Mel Jones as Evp, Production & Development. Jones will oversee the film and TV slates for the Confluential Films and Black Love Productions brands. She will report to Confluential Films founder, Tommy Oliver.
Prior to Confluential Films, Jones was the Head of Production for Stephanie Allain’s Homegrown Pictures for five years. Her credits include Gerard McMurray’s Burning Sands, Justin Simien’s Dear White, Netflix’s Juanita starring Alfre Woodard and Blair Underwood as well as Stella Meghie’s The Weekend, which premiered at Tiff. She recently produced Really Love starring Kofi Siriboe with Charles King’s MacRo. A graduate of Howard University, she earned her Mfa in Producing from AFI.
Confluential Films forthcoming slate includes The Perfect Find starring Gabrielle Union, Flint starring T.I. and John Ortiz and Season 3 of Black Love on Own. Oliver’s Confluential Films is devoted to championing projects that...
Prior to Confluential Films, Jones was the Head of Production for Stephanie Allain’s Homegrown Pictures for five years. Her credits include Gerard McMurray’s Burning Sands, Justin Simien’s Dear White, Netflix’s Juanita starring Alfre Woodard and Blair Underwood as well as Stella Meghie’s The Weekend, which premiered at Tiff. She recently produced Really Love starring Kofi Siriboe with Charles King’s MacRo. A graduate of Howard University, she earned her Mfa in Producing from AFI.
Confluential Films forthcoming slate includes The Perfect Find starring Gabrielle Union, Flint starring T.I. and John Ortiz and Season 3 of Black Love on Own. Oliver’s Confluential Films is devoted to championing projects that...
- 7/31/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Sony Pictures has won screen rights to the Broadway-bound “Once Upon a One More Time,” a fairy tale featuring classic songs from Britney Spears, sources have confirmed to Variety.
John Davis’ Davis Entertainment will produce the film along with Spears and her manager, Larry Rudolph. Neither a writer nor a director has yet been attached.
In the story, Cinderella, Snow White and the other fairy tale princesses gather for their book club when a rogue fairy godmother drops Betty Friedan’s landmark feminist novel “The Feminine Mystique” into their laps, causing a revelation. The musical features such Spears hits as “Oops I Did It Again,” “Lucky,” “Circus” and “Toxic,” and includes an original book by Jon Hartmere. Kristin Hanggi is directing the upcoming Broadway version with choreography by Keone and Mari Madrid, who starred in Justin Bieber’s “Love Yourself” music video.
The stage version world premieres this fall at the James M.
John Davis’ Davis Entertainment will produce the film along with Spears and her manager, Larry Rudolph. Neither a writer nor a director has yet been attached.
In the story, Cinderella, Snow White and the other fairy tale princesses gather for their book club when a rogue fairy godmother drops Betty Friedan’s landmark feminist novel “The Feminine Mystique” into their laps, causing a revelation. The musical features such Spears hits as “Oops I Did It Again,” “Lucky,” “Circus” and “Toxic,” and includes an original book by Jon Hartmere. Kristin Hanggi is directing the upcoming Broadway version with choreography by Keone and Mari Madrid, who starred in Justin Bieber’s “Love Yourself” music video.
The stage version world premieres this fall at the James M.
- 4/23/2019
- by Justin Kroll
- Variety Film + TV
[Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers from “The Twilight Zone” Season 1, Episode 3, “Replay.”]
Over and over again, black motorists in America have been victims of the racial profiling and now this act has been brought to terrifying life on “The Twilight Zone.” In the latest episode “Replay,” director Gerard McMurray takes on that real-life recurring nightmare and dramatizes it through a camcorder that literally rewinds time.
Interpreting the black experience through the lens of horror brings to mind Peele’s directorial debut “Get Out,” which McMurray acknowledge is a fair comparison.
“It’s in the same universe for sure in a lot of ways, but it’s just across the universe,” he told IndieWire. “Ours pushes the boundaries in that it’s more pointed. We replay this over and over so you can understand this stuff happens in the real world, which we see replayed and replayed over and over again. I felt we made it more personal,...
Over and over again, black motorists in America have been victims of the racial profiling and now this act has been brought to terrifying life on “The Twilight Zone.” In the latest episode “Replay,” director Gerard McMurray takes on that real-life recurring nightmare and dramatizes it through a camcorder that literally rewinds time.
Interpreting the black experience through the lens of horror brings to mind Peele’s directorial debut “Get Out,” which McMurray acknowledge is a fair comparison.
“It’s in the same universe for sure in a lot of ways, but it’s just across the universe,” he told IndieWire. “Ours pushes the boundaries in that it’s more pointed. We replay this over and over so you can understand this stuff happens in the real world, which we see replayed and replayed over and over again. I felt we made it more personal,...
- 4/11/2019
- by Hanh Nguyen
- Indiewire
The signpost ahead reads “The Twilight Zone,” ushering viewers to a realm that at once feels familiar and yet is almost entirely new. Executive producers Jordan Peele and Simon Kinberg have reimagined Rod Serling’s classic horror/science-fiction/fantasy series from the ‘60s for a whole new generation.
At an event in Hollywood this year, Kinberg revealed why it was the perfect time to bring back the show. “I think the world all of a sudden was in desperate need of ‘The Twilight Zone,’” he said. ‘If you said three, four years ago that like a reality star who had no political experience will be the leader of the free world with access to the nuclear button, you think that’s a crazy ‘Twilight Zone’ episode.”
Kinberg also said that the vision Peele and CBS All Access had meshed with how to tell stories while pushing it to the limits.
At an event in Hollywood this year, Kinberg revealed why it was the perfect time to bring back the show. “I think the world all of a sudden was in desperate need of ‘The Twilight Zone,’” he said. ‘If you said three, four years ago that like a reality star who had no political experience will be the leader of the free world with access to the nuclear button, you think that’s a crazy ‘Twilight Zone’ episode.”
Kinberg also said that the vision Peele and CBS All Access had meshed with how to tell stories while pushing it to the limits.
- 3/31/2019
- by Hanh Nguyen
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Warner Bros will re-develop Methusaleh as a star vehicle for Michael B. Jordan to play a man who has managed to stay alive for over 400 years. Jordan’s Outlier Society has joined as producers Heyday’s David Heyman and Jeffrey Clifford.
Warner Bros has been trying to get this one up and running for years, with myriad writers and leading men that at one time included Tom Cruise. It’s got a Highlander-like mythology and franchise potential. The idea is for Jordan to play a man who has managed to survive for hundreds of years, without showing the physical signs of age. In that time, he has accumulated vast intellectual knowledge, from multiple languages to the sciences, as well as survival skills. Zach Dean is among the writers who’ve written versions.
Jordan is coming off the one-two punch of Black Panther and Creed II. Since signing a deal at Warner Bros,...
Warner Bros has been trying to get this one up and running for years, with myriad writers and leading men that at one time included Tom Cruise. It’s got a Highlander-like mythology and franchise potential. The idea is for Jordan to play a man who has managed to survive for hundreds of years, without showing the physical signs of age. In that time, he has accumulated vast intellectual knowledge, from multiple languages to the sciences, as well as survival skills. Zach Dean is among the writers who’ve written versions.
Jordan is coming off the one-two punch of Black Panther and Creed II. Since signing a deal at Warner Bros,...
- 3/25/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The hot pitch package Booker has been won at auction by Sony Pictures Entertainment, with Davis Entertainment aboard to produce, sources said. Deadline revealed the auction last night when it had five bids on the table for a John Wick-esque hard-boiled action film with an African American male lead. Derek Kolstad, who scripted the first two John Wick films, is writing this one with Gerard McMurray, who’ll direct the film as his followup to The First Purge. He is currently helming an episode of Jordan Peele’s Twilight Zone revival.
John Davis and John Fox will be the producers and Derek Kolstad is producing with McMurray, who will also be involved in a producing capacity, I’m told. Jeremy Stein at Davis Entertainment is also producing.
Sony was vying for the project along with Amazon, Netflix, Universal and Lionsgate, sources said last night.
There are several actors...
John Davis and John Fox will be the producers and Derek Kolstad is producing with McMurray, who will also be involved in a producing capacity, I’m told. Jeremy Stein at Davis Entertainment is also producing.
Sony was vying for the project along with Amazon, Netflix, Universal and Lionsgate, sources said last night.
There are several actors...
- 3/23/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The hot pitch heading into the weekend is Booker, described as a John Wick-esque hard-boiled action film with an African American male lead. The pitch was just delivered and there are five offers on the table.
The film will be written by Derek Kolstad, who wrote the first two John Wick films. The film will be directed by Gerard McMurray, who’ll co-write and who directed the hit The First Purge last year and is directing one of Jordan Peele’s Twilight Zone episodes. Before that, McMurray was an associate producer of Fruitvale Station.
Sources said that Amazon, Sony, Netflix, Universal and Lionsgate are all in the mix with offers. It could close tonight, but will likely drag into the weekend. Wme and Artists First rep McMurray, while Apa, Circle of Confusion and Behr Abramson Levy rep Kolstad, so there are a lot of moving parts here. Stay tuned.
The film will be written by Derek Kolstad, who wrote the first two John Wick films. The film will be directed by Gerard McMurray, who’ll co-write and who directed the hit The First Purge last year and is directing one of Jordan Peele’s Twilight Zone episodes. Before that, McMurray was an associate producer of Fruitvale Station.
Sources said that Amazon, Sony, Netflix, Universal and Lionsgate are all in the mix with offers. It could close tonight, but will likely drag into the weekend. Wme and Artists First rep McMurray, while Apa, Circle of Confusion and Behr Abramson Levy rep Kolstad, so there are a lot of moving parts here. Stay tuned.
- 3/22/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
We’re getting dangerously close to getting to the point where it’ll be quicker to list all the intriguing names who aren’t a part of CBS All Access’ upcoming reboot of “The Twilight Zone.” Add to that ever-growing list Seth Rogen, who’ll appear in one episode of the series, which premieres April 1.
The unnamed episode will be scripted by “Key & Peele” alum Alex Rubens, who is writing for the new series that features Jordan Peele stepping into the Rod Serling roles as both narrator and executive producer.
Rogen is the latest addition to the cast following the first trailer, which also revealed the involvement of Tracy Morgan. The rapidly-expanding ensemble for the series also includes Kumail Nanjiani, Sanaa Lathan, Alison Tolman, John Cho, Jacob Tremblay, Rhea Seehorn, Jessica Williams, DeWanda Wise, Adam Scott, Steven Yeun, Greg Kinnear, Luke Kirby, and Chris Diamantopoulos.
Rogen is joining the cast of the series,...
The unnamed episode will be scripted by “Key & Peele” alum Alex Rubens, who is writing for the new series that features Jordan Peele stepping into the Rod Serling roles as both narrator and executive producer.
Rogen is the latest addition to the cast following the first trailer, which also revealed the involvement of Tracy Morgan. The rapidly-expanding ensemble for the series also includes Kumail Nanjiani, Sanaa Lathan, Alison Tolman, John Cho, Jacob Tremblay, Rhea Seehorn, Jessica Williams, DeWanda Wise, Adam Scott, Steven Yeun, Greg Kinnear, Luke Kirby, and Chris Diamantopoulos.
Rogen is joining the cast of the series,...
- 3/1/2019
- by Steve Greene
- Indiewire
Michael B. Jordan is in talks to star in Journal for Jordan, Sony Pictures’ adaptation of Pulitzer-winning journalist Dana Cadendy’s bestselling memoir that will be directed by Denzel Washington. Oscar-nominated Mudbound scribe Virgil Williams penned the script. Jordan also will produce this via his Outlier Society production company.
The 2008 book tells of Canedy’s love affair with First Sgt. Charles Monroe King, who kept a journal of life lessons for their newborn son Jordan while deployed overseas. He was killed in Iraq in 2006 when Jordan was 7 months old, but his spirit lives on in his writings to Dana and Jordan.
Sony tapped Williams for the gig a year ago. It will be Washington’s next helming effort after Paramount’s Fences, which scored four Oscar noms in 2017. Like that pic, Journal for Jordan is being produced by Washington and Escape Artists’ Todd Black along with Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch.
The 2008 book tells of Canedy’s love affair with First Sgt. Charles Monroe King, who kept a journal of life lessons for their newborn son Jordan while deployed overseas. He was killed in Iraq in 2006 when Jordan was 7 months old, but his spirit lives on in his writings to Dana and Jordan.
Sony tapped Williams for the gig a year ago. It will be Washington’s next helming effort after Paramount’s Fences, which scored four Oscar noms in 2017. Like that pic, Journal for Jordan is being produced by Washington and Escape Artists’ Todd Black along with Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch.
- 2/21/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
“Everything that happens in this universe has to be the way it is.” The next stop for CBS All Access is The Twilight Zone, and you can now watch the official trailer for the new take on Rod Serling's classic anthology series ahead of its April 1st premiere.
Hosted, narrated, and executive produced by Jordan Peele, the star-studded cast for the first season of the new Twilight Zone includes Adam Scott, John Cho, Allison Tolman, Jacob Tremblay, Rhea Seehorn, Kumail Nanjiani, Steven Yeun, Luke Kirby, Greg Kinnear, Sanaa Lathan, Ike Barinholtz, and Taissa Farmiga.
Additionally, one of the directors for the first season is Gerard McMurray.
You can watch the official trailer below, and we also have the previous press release with more information:
Previous Press Release: CBS All Access, the CBS Television Network’s digital subscription video on-demand and live streaming service, today announced the latest addition to its original programming slate,...
Hosted, narrated, and executive produced by Jordan Peele, the star-studded cast for the first season of the new Twilight Zone includes Adam Scott, John Cho, Allison Tolman, Jacob Tremblay, Rhea Seehorn, Kumail Nanjiani, Steven Yeun, Luke Kirby, Greg Kinnear, Sanaa Lathan, Ike Barinholtz, and Taissa Farmiga.
Additionally, one of the directors for the first season is Gerard McMurray.
You can watch the official trailer below, and we also have the previous press release with more information:
Previous Press Release: CBS All Access, the CBS Television Network’s digital subscription video on-demand and live streaming service, today announced the latest addition to its original programming slate,...
- 2/21/2019
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
In today’s film news roundup, Michael B. Jordan’s “The Silver Bear” finds a director, biopic “Running for My Life” is in the works, Fox is using new trailer compliance software and the 14-hour “La Flor” gets distribution.
Director Attachment
Gerard McMurray, director of “The First Purge,” will write and direct Michael B. Jordan’s thriller “The Silver Bear” from Lionsgate, Nickel City Pictures and Jordan’s Outlier Society.
McMurray was a producer on Jordan’s 2013 breakout drama “Fruitvale Station.” Jordan became attached to the “The Silver Bear” in October.
“The Silver Bear” is based on the book series by Derek Haas, the screenwriter for “Wanted” and “3:10 to Yuma.” The novel centers on an assassin named Columbus — called the Silver Bear by some — who tracks a powerful politician with presidential aspirations.
Project Launch
Film Roman Productions, best known for producing “The Simpsons,” is starting production of its first non-animated feature film,...
Director Attachment
Gerard McMurray, director of “The First Purge,” will write and direct Michael B. Jordan’s thriller “The Silver Bear” from Lionsgate, Nickel City Pictures and Jordan’s Outlier Society.
McMurray was a producer on Jordan’s 2013 breakout drama “Fruitvale Station.” Jordan became attached to the “The Silver Bear” in October.
“The Silver Bear” is based on the book series by Derek Haas, the screenwriter for “Wanted” and “3:10 to Yuma.” The novel centers on an assassin named Columbus — called the Silver Bear by some — who tracks a powerful politician with presidential aspirations.
Project Launch
Film Roman Productions, best known for producing “The Simpsons,” is starting production of its first non-animated feature film,...
- 2/21/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Gerard McMurray served as an associate producer on Fruitvale Station, one of Michael B. Jordan's first big films after Chronicle, and now the pair are set to reunite once again with The Silver Bear, an upcoming hitman drama based upon the best-selling novel by Derek Haas. [Seemore] The past several years have seen Gerard McMurray helm Burning Sands, The First Purge, and he's…...
- 2/20/2019
- by Kevin Fraser
- JoBlo.com
McMurray shot The First Purge and worked with Jordan on Fruitvale Station.
The First Purge director Gerard McMurray has signed on to write and direct The Silver Bear, the Lionsgate action thriller with Black Panther’s Michael B Jordan as star and producer.
The two filmmakers previously worked together on 2013 Sundance prize-winner Fruitvale Station, with Jordan starring and McMurray serving as a producer. McMurray also directed 2017 Netflix drama Burning Sands and is one of the directors on the forthcoming Jordan Peele-produced Twilight Zone reboot series for CBS All Access.
To be produced by Lionsgate with Nickel City Pictures and Jordan’s Outlier Society,...
The First Purge director Gerard McMurray has signed on to write and direct The Silver Bear, the Lionsgate action thriller with Black Panther’s Michael B Jordan as star and producer.
The two filmmakers previously worked together on 2013 Sundance prize-winner Fruitvale Station, with Jordan starring and McMurray serving as a producer. McMurray also directed 2017 Netflix drama Burning Sands and is one of the directors on the forthcoming Jordan Peele-produced Twilight Zone reboot series for CBS All Access.
To be produced by Lionsgate with Nickel City Pictures and Jordan’s Outlier Society,...
- 2/20/2019
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
The First Purge filmmaker Gerard McMurray has boarded Michael B. Jordan’s upcoming hitman tale The Silver Bear as writer and producer. The Silver Bear reunites Jordan and McMurray who previously worked together on the 2013 critically acclaimed Sundance Grand Jury/Audience Award winning Fruitvale Station with the latter as an Associate Producer. McMurray’s The First Purge became the highest grossing pic in the Universal/Blumhouse franchise with close to $137M Ww. He also directed Netflix’s Burning Sands and is aboard the new Twilight Zone series. The Silver Bear is a film adaptation of Derek Haas’ best-seller about Columbus (Jordan), the most feared and respected hitman in the criminal underworld. The series of novels was optioned by Nickel City Pictures, who hired Frank Baldwin to adapt the first book and attached Jordan to star and produce before bringing the package to Lionsgate. Deadline exclusively reported that news back in October.
- 2/20/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Gerard McMurray, who directed last year’s “The First Purge,” will write and direct Lionsgate’s “The Silver Bear,” starring Michael B. Jordan.
The film, a potential franchise launch for Lionsgate, is expected to be a high-octane action thriller, which reunites the “Creed” and “Black Panther” star with McMurray, who served as a producer on “Fruitvale Station,” the winner of the 2013 Sundance Grand Jury/Audience Award.
Jordan is producing through his Outlier Society production company alongside Nickel City Pictures.
Also Read: Inside Black Filmmakers' Record $1.5 Billion Year at the Box Office, From 'Black Panther' to 'First Purge'
“‘Fruitvale Station’ changed our lives. Six years later I’m reuniting with Michael in 2019 and directing him in one of the most exciting and intelligent kick-ass action projects Hollywood and Lionsgate has cooking. It’s beyond dreams,” McMurray said in a statement. “Michael is an amazing, one-of-a-kind talent. He will bring a chilling and unnerving edge,...
The film, a potential franchise launch for Lionsgate, is expected to be a high-octane action thriller, which reunites the “Creed” and “Black Panther” star with McMurray, who served as a producer on “Fruitvale Station,” the winner of the 2013 Sundance Grand Jury/Audience Award.
Jordan is producing through his Outlier Society production company alongside Nickel City Pictures.
Also Read: Inside Black Filmmakers' Record $1.5 Billion Year at the Box Office, From 'Black Panther' to 'First Purge'
“‘Fruitvale Station’ changed our lives. Six years later I’m reuniting with Michael in 2019 and directing him in one of the most exciting and intelligent kick-ass action projects Hollywood and Lionsgate has cooking. It’s beyond dreams,” McMurray said in a statement. “Michael is an amazing, one-of-a-kind talent. He will bring a chilling and unnerving edge,...
- 2/20/2019
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
Gerard McMurray, the director behind The First Purge and the Sundance drama Burning Sands, has been tapped to write and direct the Michael B. Jordan action thriller The Silver Bear.
Lionsgate is behind the feature adaptation of Derek Haas’ best-selling book series that centers on Columbus (Jordan), the most feared and respected hitman in the criminal underworld that takes on everyone from drug dealers to Czech crime lords. Frank Baldwin did a first pass of the screenplay.
Vishal Rungta, Mark Fasano and Ankur Rungta will be producing for Nickel City Pictures, which first optioned the novels and brought the package to Lionsgate....
Lionsgate is behind the feature adaptation of Derek Haas’ best-selling book series that centers on Columbus (Jordan), the most feared and respected hitman in the criminal underworld that takes on everyone from drug dealers to Czech crime lords. Frank Baldwin did a first pass of the screenplay.
Vishal Rungta, Mark Fasano and Ankur Rungta will be producing for Nickel City Pictures, which first optioned the novels and brought the package to Lionsgate....
- 2/20/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Gerard McMurray, the director behind The First Purge and the Sundance drama Burning Sands, has been tapped to write and direct the Michael B. Jordan action thriller The Silver Bear.
Lionsgate is behind the feature adaptation of Derek Haas’ best-selling book series that centers on Columbus (Jordan), the most feared and respected hitman in the criminal underworld that takes on everyone from drug dealers to Czech crime lords. Frank Baldwin did a first pass of the screenplay.
Vishal Rungta, Mark Fasano and Ankur Rungta will be producing for Nickel City Pictures, which first optioned the novels and brought the package to Lionsgate....
Lionsgate is behind the feature adaptation of Derek Haas’ best-selling book series that centers on Columbus (Jordan), the most feared and respected hitman in the criminal underworld that takes on everyone from drug dealers to Czech crime lords. Frank Baldwin did a first pass of the screenplay.
Vishal Rungta, Mark Fasano and Ankur Rungta will be producing for Nickel City Pictures, which first optioned the novels and brought the package to Lionsgate....
- 2/20/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
"That's the signpost up ahead. Your next stop: The Twilight Zone." If you've been excited for Jordan Peele's new version of Rod Serling's legendary anthology series, then you'll be happy to know that the wait is almost over, and it's no joke!
According to IndieWire, during the Television Critics Association Press Tour, CBS All Access Executive Vice President of Original Content Julie McNamara announced a Monday, April 1st premiere date for Peele's The Twilight Zone series. And it looks to be no April Fool's Day joke, as the show's official Facebook account shared the April 1st date in a new image (see above).
IndieWire reveals that two new episodes will premiere on the streaming service on April 1st, although it's not yet known which episodes they will be.
The star-studded cast for the first season of the new Twilight Zone includes Adam Scott, John Cho, Allison Tolman, Jacob Tremblay,...
According to IndieWire, during the Television Critics Association Press Tour, CBS All Access Executive Vice President of Original Content Julie McNamara announced a Monday, April 1st premiere date for Peele's The Twilight Zone series. And it looks to be no April Fool's Day joke, as the show's official Facebook account shared the April 1st date in a new image (see above).
IndieWire reveals that two new episodes will premiere on the streaming service on April 1st, although it's not yet known which episodes they will be.
The star-studded cast for the first season of the new Twilight Zone includes Adam Scott, John Cho, Allison Tolman, Jacob Tremblay,...
- 1/30/2019
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
After a development and casting news cycle that’s lasted for years, the premiere of a new version of “The Twilight Zone” is finally in sight.
Speaking at the Television Critics Association Press Tour on Wednesday, CBS All Access Executive Vice President of Original Content Julie McNamara revealed that the new version of the beloved anthology would be arriving on the service on April 1.
Read More: ‘The Twilight Zone’: Here’s Everything We Know About the CBS All Access Revival
That Monday release will see two new episodes, with successive installments arriving weekly on Thursdays.
Since executive producer Jordan Peele was revealed as the successor to Rod Serling in the “Twilight Zone” narrator/host role, a slew of casting announcements have followed. While some roles have been kept under wraps, we know that Adam Scott will star in an update of sorts of the classic Richard Matheson story “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet,...
Speaking at the Television Critics Association Press Tour on Wednesday, CBS All Access Executive Vice President of Original Content Julie McNamara revealed that the new version of the beloved anthology would be arriving on the service on April 1.
Read More: ‘The Twilight Zone’: Here’s Everything We Know About the CBS All Access Revival
That Monday release will see two new episodes, with successive installments arriving weekly on Thursdays.
Since executive producer Jordan Peele was revealed as the successor to Rod Serling in the “Twilight Zone” narrator/host role, a slew of casting announcements have followed. While some roles have been kept under wraps, we know that Adam Scott will star in an update of sorts of the classic Richard Matheson story “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet,...
- 1/30/2019
- by Steve Greene
- Indiewire
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