Don Murphy (III) - News Poster

Don Murphy

News

Legendary Remains Confident in ‘Buck Rogers’ Rights After Latest Legal Threat

Legendary Remains Confident in ‘Buck Rogers’ Rights After Latest Legal Threat
Legendary Pictures maintains it is the rightful owners of the “Buck Rogers” rights following the latest legal threat from the Nowlan Family Trust, who claims they own the rights.

Legendary was hit with a cease and desist letter on Tuesday over the planned reboot with George Clooney, which was announced last week.

“We have secured the rights we need to proceed with our project and the company will not comment any further on these baseless claims,” Legendary said via a spokesperson. “This same party has been claiming for years that they have rights which they do not have and have been trying to inhibit projects based on rights they do not legally control.”

Clooney and Grant Heslov will executive produce a new television adaptation of “Buck Rogers” for Legendary under their Smokehouse banner. “Transformers” producer Don Murphy and Susan Montford will produce via their Angry Films banner along with Flint Dille,
See full article at The Wrap »

‘Buck Rogers’ Estate Blasts Off Against Legendary Over George Clooney TV Reboot; Company Says It “Secured The Rights We Need”

  • 03 February 2021
  • by Anthony D'Alessandro and Dominic Patten
  • Deadline
‘Buck Rogers’ Estate Blasts Off Against Legendary Over George Clooney TV Reboot; Company Says It “Secured The Rights We Need”
Exclusive: A growing dust-up over classic outer space hero Buck Rogers isn’t a fight over rights, and it won’t be warming up to become one if Legendary Entertainment has anything to say about it.

The Buck Rogers estate, overseen by the Nowlan Family Trust, on Tuesday fired off a cease-and-desist letter to Legendary about its recent announcement that it was developing a TV reboot of the popular sci-fi property. George Clooney and his Smokehouse partner Grant Heslov are set to executive produce Legendary’s Buck Rogers project with a script by Brian K. Vaughn and Angry Films’ Don Murphy and Susan Montford also producing.

In the brief-ish letter sent by email and snail mail to Michael Ross, Legendary Entertainment’s EVP Business Affairs, the estate contends that “the Buck Rogers interests” have already penned an agreement with David Ellison’s Skydance Productions to exploit the property.

“Be advised
See full article at Deadline »

George Clooney’s Smokehouse Pictures to Produce New ‘Buck Rogers’ Series for Legendary

George Clooney’s Smokehouse Pictures to Produce New ‘Buck Rogers’ Series for Legendary
George Clooney is heading to the 25th century.

Through his production company Smokehouse Pictures, Clooney has signed on to executive produce a new limited series for Legendary based on the classic sci-fi character Buck Rogers, Variety has confirmed. Clooney will executive produce with partner Grant Heslov. A rep for Clooney says the actor-director is only signing onto the project in a producing capacity, and will not star, contrary to other reports. Legendary had no comment.

Brian K. Vaughan will write the series. Smokehouse is joining Angry Films heads Don Murphy and Susan Montford as producers, as well as Flint Dille, the grandson of the creator of the serialized comic strip that made Buck Rogers a household name in the 1930s. The series does not currently have distribution.

Rogers first appeared as Anthony Rogers in the August 1928 issue of the seminal science fiction magazine “Amazing Stories,” in a novella titled “Armageddon 2419 A.
See full article at Variety »

George Clooney & Smokehouse Board Legendary’s ‘Buck Rogers’ TV Reboot, Written By Brian K Vaughan

George Clooney & Smokehouse Board Legendary’s ‘Buck Rogers’ TV Reboot, Written By Brian K Vaughan
George Clooney, fresh from The Midnight Sky, is set to exec produce the television reboot of Buck Rogers.

Clooney and his Smokehouse co-founder Grant Heslov have joined the project, which is being written by comic book artist and Lost writer Brian K. Vaughan. Legendary is the studio.

Although no acting deals are in place, reports suggest that Clooney is being lined up to star.

The pair will exec produce with Angry Films’ Don Murphy and Susan Montford and Flint Dille, the grandson of John F. Dille, the publisher of the original Buck Rogers comic strip.

It is based on the character created by Philip Francis Nowlan in 1928, which was later turned into a television series – Buck Rogers in the 25th Century for NBC. The show ran for two seasons from 1979.

It centered around Captain William Anthony “Buck” Rogers, played by Gil Gerard, a pilot, whose spacecraft malfunctions and Rogers is
See full article at Deadline »

George Clooney Eyed to Star in ‘Buck Rogers’ Revival at Legendary

George Clooney Eyed to Star in ‘Buck Rogers’ Revival at Legendary
George Clooney will executive produce a new television adaptation of “Buck Rogers” for Legendary, and it is Legendary’s intention for Clooney to star in the project, insiders with knowledge told TheWrap.

Grant Heslov will also executive produce the project alongside Clooney under their Smokehouse banner. “Transformers” producer Don Murphy and Susan Montford will produce via their Angry Films banner along with Flint Dille, the grandson of the original Buck Rogers creator. New York Times bestselling and award-winning comic book creator, television and film writer Brian K Vaughan has been tapped to write the television adaptation.

The project is based on the characters and concepts introduced in the 1928 novella “Armageddon 2419 A.D.” novella by Philip Francis Nowlan. The story followed “Anthony Rogers,” a mining engineer from the 20th century who awakens from suspended animation after 500 years to find himself in the middle of a planetary war.

Nowlan and Chicago newspaperman John F.
See full article at The Wrap »

Legendary looking to reboot Buck Rogers for the 21st Century

Legendary looking to reboot Buck Rogers for the 21st Century
THR is reporting that Legendary Pictures has closed a deal for the big screen rights to the classic sci-fi character Buck Rogers, with Don Murphy (Transformers) and Susan Montford (Real Steel) on board to produce a feature film reboot of the iconic property. Created by Philip Francis Nowlan, Buck Rogers is a veteran of the […]

The post Legendary looking to reboot Buck Rogers for the 21st Century appeared first on Flickering Myth.
See full article at Flickeringmyth »

‘Buck Rogers’ Movie in the Works at Legendary, Could Spawn Television and Anime Spin-Offs

‘Buck Rogers’ Movie in the Works at Legendary, Could Spawn Television and Anime Spin-Offs
Hollywood is once again trying to bring space opera hero Buck Rogers to the big screen. Legendary Pictures and producers Don Murphy and Susan Montford are developing a new Buck Rogers movie with hopes of launching a franchise – because these days you can’t adapt a character like this without promising it’ll spawn several sequels. The character originated in the […]

The post ‘Buck Rogers’ Movie in the Works at Legendary, Could Spawn Television and Anime Spin-Offs appeared first on /Film.
See full article at Slash Film »

‘Buck Rogers’ Live-Action Film Being Developed As The Launch Of A Multi-Platform Franchise

‘Buck Rogers’ Live-Action Film Being Developed As The Launch Of A Multi-Platform Franchise
After nearly a century since his first appearance in 1920s pulp magazines, the famed hero Buck Rogers will finally make his return to the big screen. The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that, despite multiple years of legal disputes, veteran producer Don Murphy and his creative partner Susan Montford have obtained the screen rights for the iconic character, and under their Angry Films production banner, the two are developing a live-action “Buck Rogers” film for Legendary.

Continue reading ‘Buck Rogers’ Live-Action Film Being Developed As The Launch Of A Multi-Platform Franchise at The Playlist.
See full article at The Playlist »

New Buck Rogers Movie with Franchise Potential Is Happening at Legendary

New Buck Rogers Movie with Franchise Potential Is Happening at Legendary
Buck Rogers is making a comeback in the 21st century. Legendary Pictures is closing a deal for the rights to the classic sci-fi franchise, with designs on bringing the hero to the big screen for modern audiences. What's more, the studio sees this as a possible franchise play. Should things pan out, they will also produce TV shows, anime and other projects based on the source material. But let's not get too ahead of yourselves just yet.

According to multiple reports, Legendary is either closing in on a deal for the Buck Rogers rights, or has already finalized the deal. Don Murphy and Susan Montford, who are producers of the Transformers franchise, are on board to produce the project via their company Angry Films. There is no word yet on who may be tapped to pen the screenplay for the movie, nor is there any indication as to who could
See full article at MovieWeb »

Buck Rogers To Return in New Big Screen Reboot

Buck Rogers To Return in New Big Screen Reboot
The classic space opera hero Buck Rogers is coming back, according to The Wrap. Legendary Entertainment (Godzilla: King of the Monsters) has snagged the movie rights to the 92-year-old character, with producers Don Murphy (Transformers) and Susan Montford set to steer the project through Murphy’s Angry Films production company.

Buck Rogers brought sci-fi elements like ray guns, rocket ships, lasers and jet packs into popular culture, with the property’s vision of the future and emphasis on action and adventure influencing everything from Disney’s Tomorrowland attraction to George Lucas’ original concept for Star Wars.

The movie will bring Buck all the way back to his roots by adapting Armageddon 2419 A.D., the 1928 novella in which the character made his debut. Written by Philip Francis Nowlan and published in the iconic pulp fiction magazine Amazing Stories, the tale follows the adventures of Anthony Rogers, a World War I veteran
See full article at Den of Geek »

Classic Sci-Fi Hero ‘Buck Rogers’ to Get Big-Screen Revival at Legendary

Classic Sci-Fi Hero ‘Buck Rogers’ to Get Big-Screen Revival at Legendary
Legendary is in the final stages of putting together a deal for the movie rights to swashbuckling sci-fi hero Buck Rogers, multiple individuals with knowledge of the project tell TheWrap.

“Transformers” producer Don Murphy set up the project at Legendary and is producing through his Angry Films banner along with Susan Montford.

The project is based on the “Armageddon 2419 A.D.” novella by Philip Francis Nowlan that introduced the Buck Rogers character in 1928. The story centers on a coal mine inspector who awakens from suspended animation after 500 years to find himself in the middle of a planetary war.

Armageddon 2419 A.D.

“Buck Rogers” has been adapted into various comic strips, a movie serial, radio and television shows. Developed by Chicago newspaperman John F. Dille in the 1930s, it immediately became one of the world’s most popular comic strips, read by millions daily in the newspapers all over the world.
See full article at The Wrap »

‘Buck Rogers’ Movie in the Works at Legendary

‘Buck Rogers’ Movie in the Works at Legendary
Buck Rogers is going back to the future.

After months of negotiations, Legendary is putting the final pieces on a deal for the screen rights to the classic and influential sci-fi character, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter.

Sources say that Legendary, the company behind the upcoming sci-fi epic Dune and movies such as Godzilla and Kong: Skull Island, is envisioning a big-screen take that would pave the way for a prestige television series as well as an anime series, giving audiences a 360-look at heroics sets in the 25th century.

Don Murphy and Susan Montford will produce via their Angry Films banner, whose ...
See full article at The Hollywood Reporter »

James Wan Teaming with ‘John Wick’ Writer for Time Travel Movie ‘Hunting Season’

James Wan Teaming with ‘John Wick’ Writer for Time Travel Movie ‘Hunting Season’
James Wan is continuing to stay busy while he prepares to direct an Aquaman sequel sometime in the future, adding another producing project to his list. The latest is a time travel sci-fi tale called Hunting Season, based on a book by Frank M. Robinson. Per THR, John Wick screenwriter Derek Kolstad will pen the screenplay for the film, while the producing team includes Wan, Michael Clear, Susan Monford, and Don Murphy. The story for Hunting Season is quite fun. A law officer from the future is declared an enemy of the state, and is thus sentenced to be …
See full article at Collider.com »

James Wan to Produce Time Travel Thriller ‘Hunting Season’ From ‘John Wick’ Writer Derek Kolstad

James Wan to Produce Time Travel Thriller ‘Hunting Season’ From ‘John Wick’ Writer Derek Kolstad
“Aquaman” director James Wan is set to produce “Hunting Season,” a time travel thriller from “John Wick” franchise writer Derek Kolstad, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.

Based on a short story by Frank M. Robinson, “Hunting Season” depitcs a militaristic society in which criminals sentenced to death are sent back in time and hunted by a posse of aristocrats. But while the punishment is usually reserved for members of a lower class, the whole system starts to unravel when a member of the aristocrat class is sent back in time to America in the mid-20th century.

Kolstad will write the screenplay, and Wan will produce with his Atomic Monster partner Michael Clear, as well as “Transformers” producer Don Murphy. Murphy will produce along with his partner Susan Monford through their Angry Films banner.

Also Read: James Wan Developing Horror Monster Movie For Universal

Peter Luo is executive producing “Hunting Season,
See full article at The Wrap »

James Wan, ‘John Wick’ Scribe Derek Kolstad Adapting ‘Hunting Season’ Tale

James Wan, ‘John Wick’ Scribe Derek Kolstad Adapting ‘Hunting Season’ Tale
James Wan is prepping a film adaptation to Frank M. Robinson’s time travel story, Hunting Season, with Transformers producer Don Murphy and John Wick franchise writer Derek Kolstad on board to script.

The story follows a law officer who is sent back to the past where, deemed an enemy of the state and is facing execution, must acclimate in order to survive.

More from DeadlineStephen King's 'Salem's Lot' To Be Directed By Gary DaubermanDemented Doll Delivers As 'Annabelle Comes Home' Hits No. 23 In Deadline's 2019 Most Valuable Blockbuster TournamentJames Wan To Produce Monster Movie At Universal

Starlight and Star Plus are financing the project, which Wan and Michael Clear will produce via Atomic Monster with Murphy and Susan Monford of Angry Films. Exec producers are Peter Luo and Atomic’s Judson Scott. Cory Kaplan will oversee production on behalf of Angry.
See full article at Deadline »

‘Hunting Season’: James Wan and ‘John Wick’ Writer Derek Kolstad Are Making a Time Travel Movie

‘Hunting Season’: James Wan and ‘John Wick’ Writer Derek Kolstad Are Making a Time Travel Movie
James Wan, John Wick writer Derek Kolstad, and Transformers producer Don Murphy are combining their talents for Hunting Season, a new time travel movie based on a short story by late author Frank M. Robinson. The story is reminiscent of 1984 and Fahrenheit 451, in that it’s set in a totalitarian society. Robinson’s short story was originally published in 1951. THR has the news […]

The post ‘Hunting Season’: James Wan and ‘John Wick’ Writer Derek Kolstad Are Making a Time Travel Movie appeared first on /Film.
See full article at Slash Film »

James Wan, 'John Wick' Writer Derek Kolstad Team for Sci-Fi Time Travel Tale 'Hunting Season' (Exclusive)

James Wan, 'John Wick' Writer Derek Kolstad Team for Sci-Fi Time Travel Tale 'Hunting Season' (Exclusive)
James Wan, the filmmaker behind the Conjuring horror universe and Aquaman, and Transformers producer Don Murphy have teamed to adapt Hunting Season, a sci-fi time-travel tale by Frank M. Robinson.

Derek Kolstad, the writer behind the John Wick franchise, is set to write the script for the adaptation, which has Starlight and Star Plus on board to finance.

Wan is producing with his Atomic Monster partner Michael Clear, while Murphy is producing with partner Susan Montford via their Angry Films banner.

Robinson was one of the figures to come out of the mid-20th century sci-fi short story scene, penning techno-thrillers for various pulp publications. His thriller ...
See full article at The Hollywood Reporter »

Tarantino’s Unmade ‘Halloween’ Sounds Like Michael Myers Meets ‘Natural Born Killers’

Tarantino’s Unmade ‘Halloween’ Sounds Like Michael Myers Meets ‘Natural Born Killers’
Following the success of “Reservoir Dogs” and his screenplay for “True Romance,” Quentin Tarantino got an offer from Miramax to write the sixth film in the “Halloween” horror movie franchise. Tarantino reveals in a new interview with Consequence of Sound that he never got started on the script but he did kick around a few ideas of what would happen. “Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers” (1989) ended with a mysterious man in black breaking the killer Michael Myers out of jail. It would have been up to Tarantino to figure out who the man in black is and what he and Michael Myers do next.

“Yeah, I was like, ‘Leave that scene where [the Man in Black] shows up, alright, and freeze Michael Myers,'” Tarantino said. “And so the only thing that I had in my mind, I still hadn’t figured out who that dude was, was like the first 20 minutes
See full article at Indiewire »

Warner Bros. Declined to Screen Oliver Stone's "More Violent" Cut of 'Natural Born Killers' for Anniversary

Warner Bros. Declined to Screen Oliver Stone's
Natural Born Killers marked its 25th anniversary with a screening to close out Los Angeles’ Beyond Fest 2019 — but it wasn't the cut filmmaker Oliver Stone had hoped to show audiences Tuesday night.

The anniversary Q&a that also featured stars Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis and producer Don Murphy felt eerily timely. Natural Born Killers — about a couple on a murder spree — was one of the more controversial films of the 1990s for its portrayal of violence, as some in the media worried that the pic would — and even suggested that it did — incite ...
See full article at The Hollywood Reporter »

Beyond Fest 2019: The Exorcist with William Friedkin, Halloween III with Tom Atkins, Natural Born Killers with Cast & More

Beyond Fest, the highest-attended genre film festival in the Us, is excited to announce its slate of 2019 programming, comprised of 39 features including 3 world premieres, 2 Us premieres and 17 West Coast premieres of cinematic excess. Beyond Fest returns to Hollywood's famed Egyptian Theatre for 14 days of cinematic splendor spanning Wednesday, September 25th - Tuesday, October 8th to generate funds for the nonprofit 501c3 American Cinematheque.

With a diverse slate celebrating cinema from all corners of the globe, Beyond Fest is proud to open with a double-barrelled-double-bill from La provocateurs Spectrevision, featuring Color Out of Space, with director Richard Stanley in person, and Adam Egypt Mortimer's Daniel Isn't Real. Other hotly anticipated titles making their West Coast debuts include two stunning social satires; this year's transcendent Palme d'Or winner, Parasite, with writer/director Bong Joon-Ho in person, and Taika Waititi's brilliantly provocative and timely tale, JoJo Rabbit. Eddie Murphy returns in
See full article at MovieWeb »
An error has occured. Please try again.

IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.

See also

Credited With |  External Sites


Clear your history

Recently Viewed