So far nearly all the 2023 Sundance Film Festival films I have seen are based on true stories, from a teacher in Radical, to a gay single father in San Francisco circa ’70s and ’80s in Fairyland, to Michael J. Fox as himself, and now yet another iconic character gets his story told on the big screen. World Premiering at Sundance tonight is Cassandro, a wild story of the first openly gay wrestler in the ultra macho sport of Mexico’s Lucha Libre.
Although the Lucha Libre and their outragous contingent known as the Exotico is a well-known in Mexico, it is not so well known outside of the country. That is about to change thanks to this film which represents the narrative feature film debut of Oscar-winning documentarian Roger Ross Williams (Life Animated), who became fascinated with the life of famed wrestler Saul Armendariz — aka Cassandro — when he made a short docu on his life.
Although the Lucha Libre and their outragous contingent known as the Exotico is a well-known in Mexico, it is not so well known outside of the country. That is about to change thanks to this film which represents the narrative feature film debut of Oscar-winning documentarian Roger Ross Williams (Life Animated), who became fascinated with the life of famed wrestler Saul Armendariz — aka Cassandro — when he made a short docu on his life.
- 1/21/2023
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
Lionsgate has landed the motion picture adaption of the hit Sega videogame phenomenon “Streets of Rage,” according to an individual with knowledge of the project.
“John Wick” writer Derek Kolstad is penning the adaptation and producing alongside Sega’s Toru Nakahara, dj2 Entertainment’s Dmitri M. Johnson, Timothy I. Stevenson, and Dan Jevons, and Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Tony Shaw.
“Streets of Rage” was one of the most popular videogame franchises of the ’90s, with Sega publishing three games between 1991 and 1994. In 2020, the long-awaited fourth game in the series was released, which received rave reviews and became a bestseller. The franchise has maintained a cult following and been widely regarded for its influential gameplay and music.
Also Read:
‘Lamborghini’ Review: Frank Grillo Stars in a Carmaker Biopic on Automatic
“When Dmitri first mentioned the idea of cracking a ‘Streets of Rage’ movie, I was so immediately freaking in,...
“John Wick” writer Derek Kolstad is penning the adaptation and producing alongside Sega’s Toru Nakahara, dj2 Entertainment’s Dmitri M. Johnson, Timothy I. Stevenson, and Dan Jevons, and Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Tony Shaw.
“Streets of Rage” was one of the most popular videogame franchises of the ’90s, with Sega publishing three games between 1991 and 1994. In 2020, the long-awaited fourth game in the series was released, which received rave reviews and became a bestseller. The franchise has maintained a cult following and been widely regarded for its influential gameplay and music.
Also Read:
‘Lamborghini’ Review: Frank Grillo Stars in a Carmaker Biopic on Automatic
“When Dmitri first mentioned the idea of cracking a ‘Streets of Rage’ movie, I was so immediately freaking in,...
- 11/16/2022
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
‘Streets Of Rage’: Lionsgate Picks Up Feature Take Of Sega Videogame From ‘John Wick’s Derek Kolstad
Exclusive: Lionsgate has acquired the feature adaptation of hit Sega video game Streets of Rage, which John Wick franchise creator and scribe Derek Kolstad is writing. He also is producing alongside the videogame brand’s Toru Nakahara; dj2 Entertainment’s Dmitri M. Johnson, Timothy I. Stevenson and Dan Jevons; and Escape Artists’ Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Tony Shaw.
Deadline first told you about the project.
Streets of Rage was one of the most popular videogame franchises of the ’90s, with Sega publishing three games between 1991 and 1994. In 2020, the long-awaited fourth game in the series was released to rave reviews and became a bestseller.
Brady Fujikawa and Jon Humphrey are shepherding the project for Lionsgate, with Shuji Utsumi and Nakahara overseeing for Sega, Johnson overseeing for dj2 Entertainment and Shaw steering for Escape Artists.
Kolstad said: “When Dmitri first mentioned the idea of cracking a Streets of Rage movie, I was so immediately freaking in.
Deadline first told you about the project.
Streets of Rage was one of the most popular videogame franchises of the ’90s, with Sega publishing three games between 1991 and 1994. In 2020, the long-awaited fourth game in the series was released to rave reviews and became a bestseller.
Brady Fujikawa and Jon Humphrey are shepherding the project for Lionsgate, with Shuji Utsumi and Nakahara overseeing for Sega, Johnson overseeing for dj2 Entertainment and Shaw steering for Escape Artists.
Kolstad said: “When Dmitri first mentioned the idea of cracking a Streets of Rage movie, I was so immediately freaking in.
- 11/16/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Amblin Partners have picked up the sci-fi feature The Exchange, from writer Brian Watkins and producers Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Tony Shaw, of Escape Artists. Watkins will pen script with Black, Blumenthal and Shaw producing through their Escape Artists banner. Steve Tisch and David Bloomfield are exec producing
Plot details are being kept under wraps, for now. Jeb Brody, President of Production, and John Buderwitz, Director of Development, will oversee the project for Amblin Partners.
Watkins is the creator and executive producer of the Amazon Prime Video series Outer Range, starring Josh Brolin. Following its hit first season, the series was just renewed for Season 2. Watkins’ latest play Epiphany, starring Marylouise Burke and directed by Tyne Rafaeli, premiered to critical acclaim at Lincoln Center Theatre in the spring of 2022, after premiering internationally at the iconic Druid Theatre in 2019 under the direction of Garry Hynes. His other plays include Wyoming,...
Plot details are being kept under wraps, for now. Jeb Brody, President of Production, and John Buderwitz, Director of Development, will oversee the project for Amblin Partners.
Watkins is the creator and executive producer of the Amazon Prime Video series Outer Range, starring Josh Brolin. Following its hit first season, the series was just renewed for Season 2. Watkins’ latest play Epiphany, starring Marylouise Burke and directed by Tyne Rafaeli, premiered to critical acclaim at Lincoln Center Theatre in the spring of 2022, after premiering internationally at the iconic Druid Theatre in 2019 under the direction of Garry Hynes. His other plays include Wyoming,...
- 10/12/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
“I don’t have a lot of time. Which means you don’t have any!”
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has released on 4k Antoine Fuqua’s action thriller The Equalizer (2014), starring Denzel Washington, Marton Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz, David Harbour, and Haley Bennett.
Now you can own the The Equalizer 4k. We Are Movie Geeks has 2 copies to give away, and one of them is signed by Denzel Washington and Antoine Fuqua! . All you have to do is leave a comment answering this question: What is your favorite movie directed by Antoine Fuqua? (mine is Training Day!). It’s so easy!
Official Rules:
1. You Must Be A Us Resident. Prize Will Only Be Shipped To Us Addresses. No P.O. Boxes. No Duplicate Addresses.
2. Winner Will Be Chosen From All Qualifying Entries.
McCall (Denzel Washington) has put his mysterious past behind him and is dedicated to living a new, quiet life.
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has released on 4k Antoine Fuqua’s action thriller The Equalizer (2014), starring Denzel Washington, Marton Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz, David Harbour, and Haley Bennett.
Now you can own the The Equalizer 4k. We Are Movie Geeks has 2 copies to give away, and one of them is signed by Denzel Washington and Antoine Fuqua! . All you have to do is leave a comment answering this question: What is your favorite movie directed by Antoine Fuqua? (mine is Training Day!). It’s so easy!
Official Rules:
1. You Must Be A Us Resident. Prize Will Only Be Shipped To Us Addresses. No P.O. Boxes. No Duplicate Addresses.
2. Winner Will Be Chosen From All Qualifying Entries.
McCall (Denzel Washington) has put his mysterious past behind him and is dedicated to living a new, quiet life.
- 7/31/2018
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
In the new trailer for The Equalizer 2, Denzel Washington reprises his role as Robert McCall, but it seems as though he has settled down with his life and is happy with being a mild-mannered Lyft driver who minds his business and does his job…that is, until someone does him wrong — like in the trailer above.
As his first sequel of Washington’s career, it looks like he goes big in the frenetic and action-packed trailer. In addition to laying waste to a bunch of creeps who have done a woman wrong, he is out to avenge the death of his former colleague and friend Susan Plummer (Melissa Leo).
In the trailer, Washington did not come to play as he says in a voiceover, “I punish the guilty…if you’re lucky..they give you the opportunity to do the right thing…this ain’t one of those times.
As his first sequel of Washington’s career, it looks like he goes big in the frenetic and action-packed trailer. In addition to laying waste to a bunch of creeps who have done a woman wrong, he is out to avenge the death of his former colleague and friend Susan Plummer (Melissa Leo).
In the trailer, Washington did not come to play as he says in a voiceover, “I punish the guilty…if you’re lucky..they give you the opportunity to do the right thing…this ain’t one of those times.
- 6/25/2018
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
“They killed my friend,” says Denzel Washington as the seeker of justice (or something like it) in this new trailer for Sony’s The Equalizer 2. “So I’m going to kill each and every one of them, and my only disappointment is I only get to do it once.”
In the first sequel of Washington’s career, he returns to the role of Robert McCall, described by Sony as a man who “serves an unflinching justice for the exploited and oppressed – but how far will he go when that is someone he loves?”
The upcoming film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, is written by Richard Wenk, based on the old television series created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim.
The trailer also includes a telling exchange between McCall and his old cohort played by Melissa Leo. “I thought you were retired,” he says, to which she resonds, “Oh, I am,...
In the first sequel of Washington’s career, he returns to the role of Robert McCall, described by Sony as a man who “serves an unflinching justice for the exploited and oppressed – but how far will he go when that is someone he loves?”
The upcoming film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, is written by Richard Wenk, based on the old television series created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim.
The trailer also includes a telling exchange between McCall and his old cohort played by Melissa Leo. “I thought you were retired,” he says, to which she resonds, “Oh, I am,...
- 4/19/2018
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
A bunch of script deals have been going down in the last few days ahead of the Sundance Film Festival launching shortly in Park City.
Thigns kicked off when Broad Green acquired "The Perfect Guy" writer Tyger Williams' script pitch "Bad Influence". The story follows a single mom who faces off against her son's ex-girlfriend after a passionate romance turns to obsession. Jennifer Gibgot and Adam Shankman will produce.
Next up, Wildhorse Studios announced they are teaming with Macmillan Publishers to develop a TV series adaptation of the Isaac Bashevis Singer novel "Shadows on the Hudson" with filming to begin later this year. The story follows a group of prosperous Jewish exiles in New York City during the late 1940s and a romance between one man's daughter and his best friend that threatens to turn their community upside down.
Finally, Escape Artists have optioned Wallace Stegner's critically acclaimed 1987 novel...
Thigns kicked off when Broad Green acquired "The Perfect Guy" writer Tyger Williams' script pitch "Bad Influence". The story follows a single mom who faces off against her son's ex-girlfriend after a passionate romance turns to obsession. Jennifer Gibgot and Adam Shankman will produce.
Next up, Wildhorse Studios announced they are teaming with Macmillan Publishers to develop a TV series adaptation of the Isaac Bashevis Singer novel "Shadows on the Hudson" with filming to begin later this year. The story follows a group of prosperous Jewish exiles in New York City during the late 1940s and a romance between one man's daughter and his best friend that threatens to turn their community upside down.
Finally, Escape Artists have optioned Wallace Stegner's critically acclaimed 1987 novel...
- 1/21/2016
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Exclusive: Escape Artists just optioned Wallace Stegner’s critically acclaimed novel Crossing To Safety, a semi-autobiographical tome about two academic couples who meet in Madison, Wi and follows their marriages and friendship over the course of several decades. The book itself, published in 1987 by Random House, debuted to critical raves, is still in print today and boasts a cult following. The screen adaptation is being penned by David Bloomfield. This would be the…...
- 1/20/2016
- Deadline
Exclusive: As The New Republic turns 100 years old, Sony Pictures and Escape Artists have made a pre-emptive acquisition of “The Year Of The Pigskin,” a just-published feature by Christopher Beam about the unlikely success of the Chongqing Dockers, one of the first teams in the very first American football league to form in China. The catalyst was a 26-year-old American, the son of police detectives whose pro football dreams were dashed after a shoulder injury incurred while he was a star player at the University of Michigan. He became the team’s coach and star player. The feature is a template for a Bad News Bears-like film that will be shot in China, as the Dockers and its players with names like Fat Baby, Bobo, and Weezy get molded from undisciplined players afraid to hit one another into a group of warriors that battled for the championship against archrival Shanghai Warriors.
- 4/7/2014
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
Exclusive: Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes helmer Rupert Wyatt might well have found his next film after stepping out of the Apes sequel. I’m told that he’s in early talks to helm The Equalizer for Sony Pictures and Escape Artists. That is the film that has had a lot of helmers chasing after the script by Richard Wenk prompted the studio to expedite Denzel Washington’s deal and set a June start date, likely in Boston. The film is a smartly budgeted thriller based on the TV series that will come in around $50 million and is designed to launch the first franchise for Washington, who’ll be paid his customary $20 million. The film is loosely based on the TV series that starred Edward Woodward as a mysterious former covert operations officer who helps people in trouble, and was created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim. The...
- 2/19/2013
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
The Equalizer may land Rupert Wyatt as director of Sony film starring Denzel Washington Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes director Rupert Wyatt is, according to Deadline, in early talks to take the helm of Escape Artists and Sony's The Equalizer. Richard Wenk scripts with a June, 2013 start of production in Boston set for the film loosely based on the TV series created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim. Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive, Valhalla Rising) was also in talks to helm the film back in December. Escape Artists' Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch produce with Mace Neufeld, Tony Eldrige, Alex Siskin, Michael Sloan and Washington. David Bloomfield serves as executive producer.
- 2/19/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
The Equalizer may land Rupert Wyatt as director of Sony film starring Denzel Washington Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes director Rupert Wyatt is, according to Deadline, in early talks to take the helm of Escape Artists and Sony's The Equalizer. Richard Wenk scripts with a June, 2013 start of production in Boston set for the film loosely based on the TV series created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim. Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive, Valhalla Rising) was also in talks to helm the film back in December. Escape Artists' Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch produce with Mace Neufeld, Tony Eldrige, Alex Siskin, Michael Sloan and Washington. David Bloomfield serves as executive producer.
- 2/19/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn may likely helm Sony Pictures and Escape Artists’ The Equalizer, starring Denzel Washington in the lead as a justice-seeking covert ops officer.
Refn’s agents confirm to EW that he’s in early talks to direct the movie based on the TV series, which ran from the mid to late 1980s, starring Edward Woodward and Keith Szarabajka.
Production on the film, scripted by Richard Wenk, is slated to begin in late spring 2013, with Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch, Alex Siskin, Mace Neufeld, Tony Eldridge, Michael Sloan (the show’s original co-creator), and Washington himself producing,...
Refn’s agents confirm to EW that he’s in early talks to direct the movie based on the TV series, which ran from the mid to late 1980s, starring Edward Woodward and Keith Szarabajka.
Production on the film, scripted by Richard Wenk, is slated to begin in late spring 2013, with Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch, Alex Siskin, Mace Neufeld, Tony Eldridge, Michael Sloan (the show’s original co-creator), and Washington himself producing,...
- 12/7/2012
- by Solvej Schou
- EW - Inside Movies
Breaking: Drive director Nicolas Winding Refn has been selected to direct The Equalizer for Sony Pictures and Escape Artists. The film, loosely based on the 1980s TV series, has been a hot ticket for directors since Denzel Washington agreed to play the title role. A number of directors had been considered along the way. Negotiations toward a deal will begin immediately with Refn. Production is set to begin in late spring 2013. The script was written by Richard Wenk, and Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, and Steve Tisch are producing through Escape Artists, along with Alex Siskin, Mace Neufeld, Tony Eldridge, Michael Sloan, and Washington. David Bloomfield will executive produce, and Andrea Giannetti and Hannah Minghella are overseeing for Columbia. The TV series, originally created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim, starred Edward Woodward as a mysterious former covert operations officer who helps people in trouble. The film has that basic premise...
- 12/7/2012
- by MIKE FLEMING JR.
- Deadline
This Is All Verbatim From Screen 2/12/12 Focus On Cathy And Her Adventures
:Exclusive: Larry Charles’s $30m comedy starring Jim Carrey set to shoot this summer across Europe, Foresight’s hot Berlin continues
Larry Charles-Jim Carrey comedy Pierre Pierre has been given a new lease of life by Mark Damon’s Foresight Unlimited, Mandalay Vision and Lago Films, with Foresight boarding international sales pre-market and already closing deals in Russia (West), Benelux (Dfw), Scandinavia (Mis. Label), Eastern Europe (Revolutionary Releasing), Hong Kong (Deltamac), Middle East (Shooting Stars), Thailand (M Pictures), Latin America (Imagem and Gussi), Portugal (Lusomundo), Israel (United Kingdom) and Iceland (Myndform).
UK and other deal-makers are swarming. Berlin-based producer Marco Mehlitz of Lago Film (A Dangerous Method) recently came on board and closed a deal for German rights with Warner Bros. The pan-European shoot is set for summer 2012, with most of the production taking place in Germany.
Pierre Pierre centres on a self-indulgent French nihilist (Carrey) who steals the Mona Lisa from the Louvre in the hope of selling it so he can finally move out of his parents house.
Producers are Jason Blumenthal and Todd Black of Escape Artists, Matthew Rhodes and Cathy Schulman of Mandalay Vision and Mehlitz of Lago. Rhodes is in town touting the comedy. Steve Tisch and David Bloomfield of Escape Artists and Damon are executive producers.
The oft-reincarnated comedy from writers Edwin Cannistraci and Frederick Seton was once budgeted at $20m, but now stands at $30m due to the strong supporting cast who are now in talks. “The supporting characters are real-sink-your-teeth-into roles for both European and Us actors,” Rhodes told Screen. Mandalay was brought the film by Escape Artists last summer.
Fox, who initially acquired the spec script for $1 million but moved off soon after director Jason Reitman dropped out, are still said to be “excited” by the project and could come on board Us rights later down the line.
Foresight also handles market buzzers 2 Guns and Rule #1.
:Exclusive: Larry Charles’s $30m comedy starring Jim Carrey set to shoot this summer across Europe, Foresight’s hot Berlin continues
Larry Charles-Jim Carrey comedy Pierre Pierre has been given a new lease of life by Mark Damon’s Foresight Unlimited, Mandalay Vision and Lago Films, with Foresight boarding international sales pre-market and already closing deals in Russia (West), Benelux (Dfw), Scandinavia (Mis. Label), Eastern Europe (Revolutionary Releasing), Hong Kong (Deltamac), Middle East (Shooting Stars), Thailand (M Pictures), Latin America (Imagem and Gussi), Portugal (Lusomundo), Israel (United Kingdom) and Iceland (Myndform).
UK and other deal-makers are swarming. Berlin-based producer Marco Mehlitz of Lago Film (A Dangerous Method) recently came on board and closed a deal for German rights with Warner Bros. The pan-European shoot is set for summer 2012, with most of the production taking place in Germany.
Pierre Pierre centres on a self-indulgent French nihilist (Carrey) who steals the Mona Lisa from the Louvre in the hope of selling it so he can finally move out of his parents house.
Producers are Jason Blumenthal and Todd Black of Escape Artists, Matthew Rhodes and Cathy Schulman of Mandalay Vision and Mehlitz of Lago. Rhodes is in town touting the comedy. Steve Tisch and David Bloomfield of Escape Artists and Damon are executive producers.
The oft-reincarnated comedy from writers Edwin Cannistraci and Frederick Seton was once budgeted at $20m, but now stands at $30m due to the strong supporting cast who are now in talks. “The supporting characters are real-sink-your-teeth-into roles for both European and Us actors,” Rhodes told Screen. Mandalay was brought the film by Escape Artists last summer.
Fox, who initially acquired the spec script for $1 million but moved off soon after director Jason Reitman dropped out, are still said to be “excited” by the project and could come on board Us rights later down the line.
Foresight also handles market buzzers 2 Guns and Rule #1.
- 3/24/2012
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
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