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The Oscars will continue their long-running tradition of honoring celebrated filmmakers with their "In Memoriam" segment on Sunday. ABC will broadcast the event hosted by Conan O'Brien with Hulu streaming the ceremony live at 7 p.m. Et; 4 p.m. Pt.

Among the Oscar winners and nominees who will have their lives celebrated are Teri Garr, Louis Gossett Jr., James Earl Jones, Jon Landau, David Lynch, Joan Plowright, Gena Rowlands, Albert S. Ruddy, David Seidler, Richard M. Sherman, Maggie Smith, Robert Towne, and honorary recipients Roger Corman, Quincy Jones, and Donald Sutherland.

There are more than 100 movie professionals who died since the last Academy Awards ceremony. Each person who was an Academy member is designated below with **. Keep in mind that producers usually choose between 40 and 50 for the segment and that a performer has not yet been confirmed.

Edited to add two-time Oscar winner Gene Hackman.

Jim Abrahams — Director/Writer

Anouk Aimée...

The 90s was a great time for adaptations. Jurassic Park is the gold standard, of course, but there was so much more. That book’s author, Michael Crichton, also had Sphere and Congo get greenlit and released while we would see non-horror output like Forrest Gump and Shawshank Redemption, which account for the greatest film of all time… and Forrest Gump. On the horror side we would have Silence of the Lambs, the wonderful It TV miniseries, Exorcist III, and a fun little monster movie throwback called The Relic. At the time, I just thought it was a cool creature feature designed specifically for 12-year-olds like me but looking back all these years later I found out it was an adaptation of a book by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child in what would be the first of 22 separate stories for one of the chief protagonists. That’s all well and...

A new episode of the Awfully Good Horror Movies video series has just been released, and with this one we’ve decided to take a look at the M. Night Shyamalan misstep known as The Happening (watch it Here). You can hear all about it in the video embedded above!

Written and directed by Shyamalan, who also produced the film alongside Sam Mercer and Barry Mendel, The Happening has the following synopsis: An apocalyptic threat to humanity arrives out of the clear blue sky with a series of violent, inexplicable deaths spreading across the country. The cause of the terrifying phenomenon remains unknown, prompting science teacher Elliot Moore, his wife Alma, and his colleague Julian to try to elude the invisible killer in Pennsylvania’s farmland. Soon it becomes clear that no one is safe.

The film stars Mark Wahlberg, Zooey Deschanel, John Leguizamo, Betty Buckley, Ashlyn Sanchez, Frank Collison,...

Sam Mercer, producer on several M. Night Shyamalan movies and former head of Ilm, died Feb. 12 of younger onset Alzheimer’s in South Pasadena. He was 69.

Raised in Weston, Mass., he attended Occidental College and then started working as a location manager on 1980s classics including “Stripes,” “The Escape Artist,” “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure,” “Swing Shift,” “Peggy Sue Got Married” and “The Witches of Eastwick.”

He joined the Walt Disney Company as a production executive, supervising films including “Good Morning Vietnam,” “Three Fugitives” and “Dead Poets Society.” He then became VP of motion picture production at Hollywood Pictures, where he oversaw releases including “Quiz Show,” “The Joy Luck Club,” “Born Yesterday,” “Swing Kids,” “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle” and “Arachnophobia.”

Mercer then worked as an independent producer, starting with “Congo,” “The Relic” and “Mission to Mars.” After working with Shyamalan on “The Sixth Sense,” then went on...

Sam Mercer, who produced eight M. Night Shyamalan films starting with the spooky blockbuster The Sixth Sense, has died. He was 69.

Mercer died Feb. 12 at his home in South Pasadena after a battle with younger-onset Alzheimer’s, his wife, Tegan Jones, told The Hollywood Reporter.

Mercer was seen as an out-of-the-box hire when he joined Industrial Light & Magic in September 2015 to oversee and coordinate activities of the VFX giant’s studios in San Francisco, Vancouver, London and Singapore. However, he left the next year after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Mercer began his career as a location manager on films including Stripes (1981), National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983), Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985), Peggy Sue Got Married (1986) and The Witches of Eastwick (1987).

He joined Disney and was a production executive on such features as Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) and Dead Poets Society (1989), and as a production vp at Hollywood Pictures, he oversaw the release of films...

Sam Mercer, who produced seven M. Night Shyamalan films including The Sixth Sense, headed Lucasfilm’s Industrial Light & Magic and was location manager on several classic 1980s pics, has died. He was 69.

His wife Tegan Jones told Deadline that Mercer died February 12 of younger-onset Alzheimer’s.

“He was the best big brother I could have hoped for,” Shyamalan said in a statement. “He made every movie a family, and I’ve tried to emulate that in every film since.”

Mercer moved to Los Angeles from Weston, Ma, to work in the movie industry. He began his career as a location manager on such 1980s gems as Stripes, National Lampoon’s Vacation, Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, Peggy Sue Got Married and The Witches of Eastwick before moving to Walt Disney Studios.

Paul Reubens in ‘Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure’ (1985)

There he worked as a production executive, supervising movies including Good Morning Vietnam and Dead Poets Society,...

On Burden of Truth Season 4 Episode 2, Joanna's attempt to find Helen a new guardian did not go well. She felt overwhelmed, which caused errors in judgment and character, and it could jeopardize her case, if not her career.

Like the case during Burden of Truth Season 3 with Kobie and Clear Dawn, this case seemed personal to Joanna. Just how far will she go?

Soon, it became clear that Joanna didn't know as much about Helen as she thought she did. I truly felt her frustration that she couldn't see Helen since she wasn't technically family, but she was her attorney.

It was amusing when Joanna showed how determined she was and literally used Helen's spare key to enter her home and searched for any clues for her missing daughter, Samantha. Is this going to be the action that haunts Joanna later?

Upon searching, they found a  newspaper clipping of a missing teen,...

“Burden of Truth,” a Canadian legal drama starring Kristin Kreuk that airs on The CW in the U.S., has been canceled after four seasons. The final episode of the show’s fourth season, which aired on its home broadcast network CBC on Thursday, will serve as its series finale.

“After four incredible seasons, we’re bringing our ‘Burden of Truth’ story to its conclusion in tonight’s series finale,” a post added to the show’s official Facebook page Thursday said. “We are so proud of the stories we’ve been able to tell each season, especially those related to social justice. We’re also tremendously appreciative of the support we’ve received from our fans worldwide, and are particularly grateful to the communities in Winnipeg and Selkirk, Manitoba, for being so welcoming to our crew.”

A representative for The CW says Season 4 of “Burden of Truth” will air on the network,...

“Concrete Cowboy” director Ricky Staub is not a faith-based filmmaker per se, but he’s not afraid to admit that faith played a part in steering him toward his debut feature, or in his decision to create Neighborhood Film Co., the production company that made it possible.

Staub wrote his first script when he was 10 years old, and learned the ropes by volunteering to work on any set that would take him. After moving to Los Angeles, he was hired as an assistant to Sam Mercer, following the producer to Philadelphia on M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Last Airbender.”

“In my mid-20s, I started asking pretty heavy questions like, ‘Why am I alive? … If there is a God, what does that mean to my life?’” recalls Staub, whose lightbulb moment came after meeting a homeless man who’d been formerly incarcerated. “Literally, like in a movie, I was lying...

Netflix has acquired worldwide rights to “Concrete Cowboy,” which stars Idris Elba, according to an individual with knowledge of the project. The film, based on the novel “Ghetto Cowboy” by G. Neri, premiered at the Toronto Film Festival (TIFF) in September. The streamer is eyeing a 2021 release date.

“Concrete Cowboy” also stars “Stranger Things” actor Caleb McLaughlin, Jharrel Jerome, Byron Bowers, Lorraine Toussaint, and Clifford “Method Man” Smith.

“Concrete Cowboy” is directed by Ricky Staub, from a script written by Staub and Dan Walser. The film follows a 15-year-old boy (McLaughlin) who is sent to live with his estranged father in Philadelphia, where he learns about the local urban cowboy community. Jerome plays Smush, who used to be a rider but became involved in the drug trade.

In his TIFF review of the film, TheWrap’s Steve Pond said, “Concrete Cowboy” is an urban drama, but it’s also a...

Film set to debut on platform in 2021.

In a deal understood to be in the reigon of $10m, Netflix has acquired worldwide rights to Concrete Cowboy, the father-son drama starring Idris Elba that premiered at Toronto in September.

The streamer will launch the feature on its platform in 2021.

Caleb McLaughlin also stars in story of a troubled teen who is sent by his mother to spend time with his estranged father, who belongs to a vibrant urban black cowboy community in contemporary north Philadelphia.

Ricky Staub directed Concrete Cowboy and adapted the screenplay with Dan Walser from the novel Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri.

Idris Elba’s urban western “Concrete Cowboy” will be riding its way onto Netflix.

The streamer has picked up the cowboy tale after it debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. Netflix will release the film in 2021.

“Concrete Cowboy” follows 15-year-old Cole (Caleb McLaughlin), who discovers the world of urban horseback riding when his mother sends him to live with his estranged father, Harp (Elba) in North Philadelphia. Jharrel Jerome, Lorraine Toussaint, Byron Bowers and Clifford “Method Man” Smith also star in the film, which is based on the real-life horsemen of the Pennsylvania area and the novel “Ghetto Cowboy” from G. Neri. Filmmaker Ricky Staub makes his feature-length debut with the project, written with Dan Walser. Elba and Philly native Lee Daniels are among the producers of the film.

“For a long time, there’s been a real sort of mistelling of history around Black people and horses and cowboys and whatnot,...

Deadline has confirmed that Netflix has acquired worldwide rights to Ricky Staub’s feature directorial debut Concrete Cowboy starring Idris Elba and Stranger Things breakout Caleb McLaughlin. A release date has not been set, but it’s looking like 2021.

The father-son drama made its world premiere at TIFF last month, is set amongst the North Philadelphia urban cowboy subculture, inspired by the real-life Fletcher Street Stables – a black urban horsemanship community – and by the novel Ghetto Cowboy by Greg Neri.

The story follows 15 year-old Cole (McLaughlin) who is taken to live with his estranged father Harp (Elba). Torn between his growing respect for his father’s community at the stables and his re-emerging friendship with his troubled cousin, Cole begins to re-prioritize his life as the stables themselves are threatened by encroaching gentrification.

Lee Daniels, Tucker Tooley, Jeff G. Waxman, Jennifer Madeloff produced the feature with Elba and Walser.

Greg Renker,...

Warning: The following contains major spoilers for Thursday’s Burden of Truth. Proceed at your own risk!

The biggest question facing Burden of Truth‘s Joanna and Billy following the Season 3 finale: Will the partners, in life and in work, be back for another season? Even if the import — which as of Thursday afternoon had yet to be officially renewed by Canadian broadcaster CBC — doesn’t return, the finale provided plenty of closure for the lawyers.

More from TVLineBurden of Truth Video: Billy Confronts Joanna About the BabySmallville Alum Kristin Kreuk: TV's New Lana Lang Sounds 'Awesome'Chilling Adventures of...

It's finale time! Given that this is the end of the season, it is not surprising how everything seems to come to a head on Burden of Truth Season 3 Episode 8. 

Joanna's been trying to help Kodie get her kids back since they got apprehended on Burden of Truth Season 3 Episode 1. It's been a long, hard road. But finally, finally, Kodie got to hug her kids in their own home. 

Crawford Chang hasn't won a lot of cases this season, but previous seasons indicated that Joanna and Billy were going to come out ahead. And they did!

Something that I find endlessly fascinating is the lack of cliffhangers on Burden of Truth finales. When Burden of Truth Season 1 ended, I remember thinking how neatly they had wrapped up everything.

I wanted more, of course. It is a good series, and I always enjoy seeing Kristin Kreuk. I just couldn't see how...

Who else is mad? I'm mad! They need Mercer of all people! Mercer! Burden of Truth Season 3 Episode 7 ended with the smug look on that b##tard's smiley face. Why do they have to need him?

Owen came so close to getting him. He didn't end up using the planted drugs. He caught Mercer out fair and square for all his dirty dealings.

Even when it meant Mercer might release dirty photos of Diane, Owen had her permission to do what he had to do because Mercer was a creepy slime that needed to go down.

Owen: Sam Mercer. You're under arrest.

Mercer: You might wanna ask your old lady about that.

Owen: Oh, I did. Turns out she's not afraid. Certainly not afraid of you. No, I'm here because she told me to be.

Mercer: Look, Owen --

Owen: You know, I was wondering, does your wife know that you took those?...

Endeavor Content represents Us rights.

Sierra/Affinity has boarded international sales rights to Concrete Cowboys, which just wrapped production and stars Idris Elba and Caleb McLaughlin from Stranger Things.

The film is inspired by the real-life Fletcher Street Stables, a black urban horsemanship community that has existed in Philadelphia for more than 100 years providing a safe haven.

McLaughlin stars as 15-year-old Cole, who moves in with his estranged father Harp (Elba) in North Philadelphia, where he discovers a vibrant subculture. Rounding out the cast are Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Jharrel Jerome, Lorraine Toussaint, and Byron Bowers.

Ricky Staub directs the...

Exclusive: Production is now underway on Concrete Cowboys, with Idris Elba starring with Stranger Things‘ Caleb McLaughlin. Also starring is Jharrel Jerome, who is freshly Emmy nominated for Ava DuVernay’s When They See Us; Lorraine Toussaint (The Village); and Byron Bowers (The Chi). Elba is coming off a strong opening weekend for the Fast & Furious spinoff Hobbs & Shaw.

The film is inspired by the real-life Fletcher Street Stables, a black urban horsemanship community which has existed in Philadelphia for more than 100 years providing a safe haven for the neighborhood. Pic is also inspired by the novel Ghetto Cowboy by Greg Neri. Concrete Cowboys follows 15-year-old Cole (McLaughlin) who is taken to live with his estranged father Harp (Elba) in North Philadelphia, where he discovers the city’s vibrant urban cowboy subculture, which flourishes despite the surrounding poverty, violence, and encroachment of gentrification.

Ricky Staub is directing a screenplay he wrote with Dan Walser.

Idris Elba will star in and produce the indie Ghetto Cowboy.

The film follows 15-year-old Cole, who is forced to live with his estranged father, Harp (Elba), in north Philadelphia where, despite the surrounding poverty and violence, he discovers the redemptive world of urban horseback riding. 

The movie is based on the 2011 novel of the same name by Greg Neri. Dan Walser and Ricky Staub wrote the screenplay, with Staub set to make his directorial debut on the project. 

Elba will produce under his Green Door Pictures banner, along with Jeff Waxman, Jen Madeloff, Sam Mercer, Tegan Jones ...

Idris Elba will star in and produce the indie Ghetto Cowboy.

The film follows 15-year-old Cole, who is forced to live with his estranged father, Harp (Elba), in north Philadelphia where, despite the surrounding poverty and violence, he discovers the redemptive world of urban horseback riding. 

The movie is based on the 2011 novel of the same name by Greg Neri. Dan Walser and Ricky Staub wrote the screenplay, with Staub set to make his directorial debut on the project. 

Elba will produce under his Green Door Pictures banner, along with Jeff Waxman, Jen Madeloff, Sam Mercer, Tegan Jones ...

Idris Elba has joined the ensemble cast of “Ghetto Cowboy,” which marks Ricky Staub’s feature directorial debut.

The movie is based on the award-winning novel by Greg Neri. The screenplay was written by Staub and Dan Walser. Elba will produce under his Green Door Pictures banner. Jeff Waxman, Jen Madeloff, Sam Mercer, Tegan Jones, and Walser are also producing.

“This story was built out of a deep friendship and collaboration with the riders of North Philly, and I couldn’t be more excited to honor their legacy with this film,” Staub said.

The pic follows 15-year-old Cole, who’s forced to live with his estranged father Harp (Elba) in North Philadelphia, where, despite the surrounding poverty and violence, he discovers the redemptive world of urban horseback riding.

“Ricky and Dan’s brilliant script combines the energy and grit of an urban movie with the poetry and romance of the urban cowboy way of life,...

Idris Elba is attached to star and produce Ghetto Cowboy, a film based on the eponymous novel by Greg Neri. Ricky Staub is directing the pic, which is his first directorial feature. Staub also penned the screenplay with Dan Walser.

The story follows 15-year-old Cole who is forced to live with his estranged father Harp (Elba) in North Philadelphia, where despite the surrounding poverty and violence, he discovers the redemptive world of urban horseback riding.

Elba, who was recently seen on the big screen in Disney/ Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War, is producing the drama via his Green Door Pictures shingle, along with Jeff Waxman, Jen Madeloff, Sam Mercer, Tegan Jones and Walser.

Elba marked his directorial debut with the Sundance film, Yardie, and was recently announced as the main villain in Fast and Furious spinoff, Hobbs and Shaw, starring Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham.

He’s repped by Wme,...

Disney's The Bfg is coming to Blu-ray and Digital HD December 6.

This month, the world celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Roald Dahl, beloved children’s author of family favorites like “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “James and the Giant Peach,” “Matilda” and Dahl’s personal favorite, “The Bfg,” as well as World Dream Day, an annual event honoring “the dreamer, visionary and innovator in all of us.” It seems a fitting time to announce the in-home release of “The Bfg,” Disney’s fantasy adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg, on Dec. 6 on Digital HD, Blu-ray™, Disney Movies Anywhere, DVD and On-Demand.

As dreamers around the globe gear up for World Dream Day, an annual holiday honoring “the dreamer, visionary and innovator in all of us,” it seems a fitting time to announce the in-home release of “The Bfg,” Disney’s fantasy adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg...

Burbank, Calif., Sept. 23, 2016 — This month, the world celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Roald Dahl, beloved children’s author of family favorites like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda and Dahl’s personal favorite, The Bfg, as well as World Dream Day, an annual event honoring “the dreamer, visionary and innovator in all of us.” It seems a fitting time to announce the in-home release of The Bfg, Disney’s fantasy adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg, on Dec. 6 on Digital HD, Blu-ray™, Disney Movies Anywhere, DVD and On-Demand.

As dreamers around the globe gear up for Sunday’s World Dream Day, an annual holiday honoring “the dreamer, visionary and innovator in all of us,” it seems a fitting time to announce the in-home release of The Bfg, Disney’s fantasy adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg and featuring a dream-collecting Big Friendly Giant.

The 4th of July holiday weekend is typically a big one at the box office, with fans flocking to their local theaters to beat the heat. This year, three new movies opened, The Bfg, The Legend of Tarzan and The Purge: Election Year, going up against the winner for the past two weekends, Finding Dory. Unfortunately, none of these newcomers could defeat the champ, with Finding Dory winning for a third week in a row with $41.9 million.

Box Office Mojo reports that Finding Dory dropped just 42.6% this weekend. The Legend of Tarzan opened in 3,561 theaters, followed by The Bfg in 3,357 theaters and The Purge: Election Year in 2,796 theaters. The Bfg is the only new release to have a positive Rotten Tomatoes rating, with a solid 71% Fresh, with The Legend of Tarzan scoring just 35% and The Purge: Election Year getting 54%. The Legend of Tarzan debuted in second place with $38.1 million, followed...

Pixar's Finding Dory helped resuscitate a sagging summer box office earlier this month, with a record-breaking $135 million, the highest debut ever for an animated movie. The sequel easily took down Independence Day: Resurgence, The Shallows and Free State of Jones in its second weekend, but it faces some much stiffer competition heading into the extended holiday. Disney's The Bfg, Warner Bros.' The Legend of Tarzan and Universal's The Purge: Election Year all debut this Friday. While it will likely be fairly close, Finding Dory is expected to hold onto its crown for a third weekend in a row, with $38.7 million.

If this prediction holds true, it will represent a 53.5% drop for Finding Dory in its third weekend, and push it past $300 million domestic. While $38.7 million isn't a terribly high figure for a winning summer weekend, none of the three new releases have been tracking very high with box office pundits.

This weekend, one of the biggest adventures of the summer will hit theaters when The Bfg arrives July 1. To get fans ready for this release, we have five new clips that give us some new insight into Giant Country in this highly-anticipated adaptation. This long-awaited movie will go up against Universal's The Purge: Anarchy and Warner Bros.' The Legend of Tarzan this weekend.

The talents of three of the world's greatest storytellers - Roald Dahl, Walt Disney and Steven Spielberg - finally come together to bring The Bfg to life. Directed by the three-time Academy Award winner from a screenplay by Melissa Mathison based on the best-selling book by Dahl, The Bfg tells the imaginative story of a young girl and the Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country and stars three-time Tony Award, two-time Olivier Award and Oscar winner Mark Rylance, newcomer Ruby Barnhill,...

The first trailers for Steven Spielberg.s take on The Bfg have wonderfully teased and set-up the impending family epic. But while Mark Rylance looks sublime as the titular giant, it.s now been revealed that when producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall originally looked into bringing Roald Dahl.s 1982 children.s novel to the big screen in the early 1990s they wanted Robin Williams to take the part. Which is something that we can all admit should definitely have happened. Kathleen Kennedy, who is now the president of Lucasfilm and has passed her producing work on The Bfg to Sam Mercer and Steven Spielberg, as well as her husband Frank Marshall, made this admission to Entertainment Weekly. Not only did she admit that The Bfg has had many different scripts during its 20 plus year development, but she confessed that Robin Williams was only unable to take the giant role...

The talents of three of the world's greatest storytellers, Roald Dahl, Walt Disney and Steven Spielberg, finally unite to bring Roald Dahl's beloved classic The Bfg to life. Walt Disney Studios is thrilled to share the latest trailer for "The Bfg, which includes new, never-before-seen footage of the Bfg (Big Friendly Giant) in action. The film hits theaters nationwide&#160on July 1.&#160And be on the lookout for the next trailer, which will have even more of the The Bfg as well as the other giants from Giant Country!

Directed by Steven Spielberg, Disney's The Bfg tells the imaginative story of a young girl and the Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country. The Bfg (Mark Rylance), while a giant himself, is a Big Friendly Giant and nothing like the other inhabitants of Giant Country. Standing 24-feet tall with enormous ears and a keen sense of smell,...

The first poster for Disney’s The Bfg is here.

The talents of three of the world’s greatest storytellers – Roald Dahl, Walt Disney and Steven Spielberg – finally unite to bring Dahl’s beloved classic “The Bfg” to life.

Directed by Spielberg, Disney’s The Bfg tells the imaginative story of a young girl and the Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country.

The Bfg (Mark Rylance), while a giant himself, is a Big Friendly Giant and nothing like the other inhabitants of Giant Country. Standing 24-feet tall with enormous ears and a keen sense of smell, he is endearingly dim-witted and keeps to himself for the most part. Giants like Bloodbottler (Bill Hader) and Fleshlumpeater (Jemaine Clement) on the other hand, are twice as big and at least twice as scary and have been known to eat humans, while the Bfg prefers Snozzcumber and Frobscottle.

Steven Spielberg has unveiled the first teaser for Disney's The Bfg!&#160The talents of three of the world's greatest storytellers, &#160Roald Dahl, Walt Disney and Steven Spielberg, finally unite to bring Dahl's beloved classic The Bfg to life. Directed by Spielberg, Disney's The Bfg tells the imaginative story of a young girl and the Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country. Says Spielberg.

"I think it was kind of genius of Roald Dahl to be able to empower the children. It was very, very brave of him to introduce that combination of darkness and light which was so much Disney's original signature in a lot of their earlier works like in 'Dumbo,' 'Fantasia,' 'Snow White' and 'Cinderella,' and being able to do scary, but also be redemptive at the same time and teach a lesson, an enduring lesson, to everyone, it was...

Walt Disney and Roald Dahl in Hollywood in 1942.

Steven Spielberg has unveiled the first teaser for Disney’s The Bfg.

The talents of three of the world’s greatest storytellers – Roald Dahl, Walt Disney and Steven Spielberg – finally unite to bring Dahl’s beloved classic “The Bfg” to life.

Directed by Spielberg, Disney’s The Bfg tells the imaginative story of a young girl and the Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country.

“I think it was kind of genius of Roald Dahl to be able to empower the children. It was very, very brave of him to introduce that combination of darkness and light which was so much Disney’s original signature in a lot of their earlier works like in ‘Dumbo,’ ‘Fantasia,’ ‘Snow White’ and ‘Cinderella,’ and being able to do scary, but also be redemptive at the same time and teach a lesson,...

Film producer Sam Mercer has joined Industrial Light & Magic (Ilm) as the head of studio, the division of Lucasfilm Ltd. announced Tuesday. Mercer will oversee and coordinate the company’s operations across the visual effects studio’s four global studios, which include studios in San Francisco, Singapore, Vancouver and London. Over the years, Mercer has produced many films which include seven of M. Night Shyamalan‘s movies (“Signs,” “Sixth Sense”), as well as “Jarhead” and “Snow White and the Huntsman.” Mercer also serves as a producer on Steven Spielberg‘s upcoming film “The Bfg,” based on Roald Dahl’s novel...

Industrial Light & Magic has appointed film producer Sam Mercer head of Ilm Studios, the post made available when Lynwen Brennan was upped to Gm of Lucasfilm earlier this year. The onetime Disney exec has been a producer and production executive among his roles, most recently on Snow White And The Huntsman now on Steven Spielberg’s Roald Dahl adaptation The Bfg. His credits also include eight films with Ilm ties, and now he will be tasked with overseeing and coordinating…...

Industrial Light & Magic has appointed film producer Sam Mercer head of Ilm Studios, the post made available when Lynwen Brennan was upped to Gm of Lucasfilm earlier this year. The onetime Disney exec has been a producer and production executive among his roles, most recently on Snow White And The Huntsman now on Steven Spielberg’s Roald Dahl adaptation The Bfg. His credits also include eight films with Ilm ties, and now he will be tasked with overseeing and coordinating…...

After completing work on his cold war thriller Bridge Of Spies with long-time collaborator Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg has turned his eye to something a little more family-friendly: The Bfg. The Roald Dahl adaptation has been on the director’s radar for years, and has at last commenced principal photography in Vancouver, B.C. with a starry cast all poised to bring the much-loved story to the big screen.

And if that prospect hasn’t tantalized your tastebuds, then brace yourself for this latest development. The classic tale will now go down in history as Spielberg’s first proper Disney movie. The mouse house has joined forces with Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment to co-produce and co-finance the flick, with Disney set to distribute internationally.

Here’s what the legendary filmmaker had to say on the union:

“In more than 40 years of making movies, I have been on the producing end...

As production gets underway in Vancouver, The Walt Disney Studios announced it will co-produce and co-finance Steven Spielberg's The Bfg.&#160This marks the three-time Academy Award winner's first time directing a Disney-branded movie. Previously&#160announced cast include three-time Tony Award winner Mark Rylance&#160who will play the titular "Big Friendly Giant" and newcomer Ruby Barnhill as Sophie. &#160They are now joined by&#160Bill Hader,&#160Jemaine Clement, Michael Adamthwaite, Daniel Bacon, Chris Gibbs, Adam Godley, Jonathan Holmes, Paul Moniz de Sa&#160and&#160Olafur&#160Olaffson, all&#160cast as giants. Buckingham Palace has also found its residents with Penelope Wilton being cast as The Queen and Rebecca Hall as Mary, the Queen's maid. Said Steven Spielberg:

"In more than 40 years of making movies, I have been on the producing end of a number of films for The Walt Disney Company, but never as a director. It is a special joy to...

As production gets underway in Vancouver, The Walt Disney Studios announced it will co-produce and co-finance Steven Spielberg’s The Bfg. This marks the three-time Academy Award winner’s first time directing a Disney-branded movie.

The Bfg is the exciting tale of a young London girl and the mysterious Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country.

Previously announced cast include three-time Tony Award winner Mark Rylance who will play the titular “Big Friendly Giant” and newcomer Ruby Barnhill as Sophie. They are now joined by Bill Hader, Jemaine Clement, Michael David Adamthwaite, Daniel Bacon, Chris Gibbs, Adam Godley, Jonathan Holmes, Paul Moniz de Sa and Olafur Olaffson, all cast as giants. Buckingham Palace has also found its residents with Penelope Wilton being cast as The Queen and Rebecca Hall as Mary, the Queen’s maid.

The Disney/Amblin/Reliance production in association with Walden Media will open in U.

Bill Hader has signed on to join the growing cast of director Steven Spielberg's The Bfg. The actor will play one of the giants in this adaptation of Roald Dahl's beloved 1982 novel, joining a cast that includes Mark Rylance and Ruby Barnhill. Production will take place in Vancouver, but it isn't known when shooting is scheduled to start.

The story centers on a young girl (Ruby Barnhill) who meets a Big Friendly Giant (Mark Rylance) and is taken inside their world, known as Giant Country. She teams up with this Bfg and the Queen of England to stop a group of mean giants from invading the rest of the planet. No specific details were given for Bill Hader's character, except that he will play one of the not-so-friendly giants.

Steven Spielberg is directing from an adapted screenplay by Melissa Mathison (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial). The director is...

Walden Media has come on board to co-finance and co-produce the Roald Dahl adaptation with DreamWorks Studios.

Steven Spielberg, who recently wrapped the Tom Hanks Cold War thriller Bridge Of Spies, is set to commence production in March.

The Bfg centres on a young London girl and the giant who introduces her to the wonders of Giant Country.

Melissa Mathison, who last teamed with Spielberg on E.T., wrote the screenplay. Spielberg, Frank Marshall and Sam Mercer will produce while Kathleen Kennedy, John Madden and Michael Siegel serve as executive producers.

Disney distributes in the Us and select international territories while Mister Smith Entertainment will oversee distribution in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. DreamWorks’ partner Reliance, will distribute The Bfg in India...

Steven Spielberg's upcoming adaptation of Roald Dhal's classic children's book, The Bfg, has found it's lead actor (portraying the character of Sophie) in the form of a newbie to the acting world, Ruby Barnhill. Come inside to learn more about the film and how it's coming together!

I love Roald Dahl and his books were frequently found in my hands when I was younger. Combine his stories with Steven Spielberg you have a recipe (hopefully) for something really special. Today's update on the film comes in the form of some casting for Sophie. Check out the press release for the details:

DreamWorks Studios announced today that newcomer Ruby Barnhill has been cast as the young girl, Sophie, in Roald Dahl’s beloved classic story, “The Bfg.” Steven Spielberg will direct the film adaptation of the children’s novel. Published in 1982, “The Bfg” is the tale of a young London...

DreamWorks Studios announced today that newcomer Ruby Barnhill has been cast as the young girl, Sophie, in Roald Dahl's beloved classic story, The Bfg.&#160 Steven Spielberg will direct the film adaptation of the children's novel.&#160 Published in 1982, The Bfg is the tale of a young London girl and the mysterious Giant who introduces her to the beauty and peril of Giant Country. Barnhill joins Mark Rylance who has been cast as the "Big Friendly Giant."

The Bfg will be 10-year-old Ruby Barnhill's first feature film role.&#160 She has been acting for two years and will appear in the upcoming BBC BAFTA award-winning children's drama "Four O'Clock Club."&#160 Ruby lives in Cheshire with her parents, younger sister and Tom the cat and is a member of her local youth theatre.

Said Ruby Barnhill:

"I feel incredibly lucky and I'm so happy. Sophie gets to go on this wonderful adventure and...

DreamWorks Studios announced today that newcomer Ruby Barnhill has been cast as the young girl, Sophie, in Roald Dahl’s beloved classic story, The Bfg. Steven Spielberg will direct the film adaptation of the children’s novel and will begin production in early 2015. The Bfg will open in U.S. theaters on July 1, 2016.

Published in 1982, The Bfg is the tale of a young London girl and the mysterious Giant who introduces her to the beauty and peril of Giant Country. Barnhill joins Mark Rylance who has been cast as the “Big Friendly Giant.”

The Bfg will be 10-year-old Ruby Barnhill’s first feature film role. She has been acting for two years and will appear in the upcoming BBC BAFTA award-winning children’s drama “Four O’Clock Club.” Ruby lives in Cheshire with her parents, younger sister and Tom the cat and is a member of her local youth theatre.

After a lengthy search, DreamWorks has settled on Ruby Barnhill, a 10-year-old girl from Cheshire, England, to play Sophie in Steven Spielberg’s upcoming adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Bfg. Barnhill will star with Mark Rylance who was previously set as the eponymous Big Friendly Giant. This is Barnhill’s first feature role, although she has been acting for two years, including in the BBC children’s drama Four O’Clock and at her local youth theater.

Published in 1982, The Bfg is the story of a young London girl and the world’s only benevolent giant who introduces her to the beauty and peril of Giant Country. The two set off on an adventure (with the aid of the Queen of England) to capture the evil, man-eating giants who have been invading the human world. Spielberg is beginning production early in the New Year and Disney releases on July 1, 2016 in the U.

• Mark Rylance will play the title role in The Bfg, director Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic children’s novel. The story follows a young girl, the Queen of England, and a giant, called the Bfg, who set out to capture the evil, man-eating giants who are taking over the human world. DreamWorks acquired the book in 2010. Melissa Mathison adapted it for the screen. Spielberg, Frank Marshall, and Sam Mercer are producing. Kathleen Kennedy will executive produce with John Madden and Michael Siegel. Kristie Macosko Krieger and Adam Somner are co-producers. Disney will release the film on July 1, 2016 in the U.

DreamWorks Studios announced today that three-time Tony Award winner and two-time Olivier Award winner Mark Rylance has been cast as the title character in The Bfg.

Steven Spielberg will direct the adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved classic children’s novel. Published in 1982, “The Bfg” tells the tale of a young girl, the Queen of England and a benevolent giant known as the Bfg, who set out on an adventure to capture the evil, man-eating giants who have been invading the human world.

“As I witnessed on stage, Mark Rylance is a transformational actor,” said Steven Spielberg. “I am excited and thrilled that Mark will be making this journey with us to Giant Country. Everything about his career so far is about making the courageous choice and I’m honored he has chosen ‘The Bfg’ as his next big screen performance.”

Luke Kelly, Managing Director of the Roald Dahl Literary...

English film and television actor, and former Globe Theatre director, Mark Rylance has been cast as the title character in Steven Spielberg's adaptation of the Roald Dahl kids' book "The Bfg." That stands for Big Friendly Giant, a benevolent 24-foot-tall man, who befriends a human-sized girl named Sophie. Spielberg will direct a screenplay by Melissa Mathison. In 2010, his frequent collaborator Kathleen Kennedy brought the beloved novel from 1982 — the same year Mathison wrote Spielberg's "E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial" — to DreamWorks. Spielberg, Frank Marshall and Sam Mercer will produce, alongside exec producers Kennedy, John Madden, Michael Siegel, Kristie Macosko Krieger and Adam Somner will co-producer, reports THR. Revered for his period savvy, Rylance currently stars in a wave of upcoming British productions including the BBC miniseries "Wolf Hall," a 16th-century set epic adapted from novels by Hilary Mantel in which Rylance takes on the...

DreamWorks Studios announced today that three-time Tony Award winner and two-time Olivier Award winner Mark Rylance has been cast as the title character in The Bfg. Steven Spielberg will direct the adaptation of Roald Dahl's beloved classic children's novel. Published in 1982, The Bfg tells the tale of a young girl, the Queen of England and a benevolent giant known as The Bfg, who set out on an adventure to capture the evil, man-eating giants who have been invading the human world.

Here's what director Steven Spielberg had to say about the casting in a statement.

"As I witnessed on stage, Mark Rylance is a transformational actor. I am excited and thrilled that Mark will be making this journey with us to Giant Country. Everything about his career so far is about making the courageous choice and I'm honored he has chosen The Bfg as his next big screen performance.

Based on the #1 New York Times best-selling book of the same name, Heaven Is For Real brings to the screen the true story that has inspired millions across the globe – that of a little boy’s extraordinary, life-changing experience, and his father’s search for the courage and conviction to share his son’s discovery with the world.

Academy Award® nominee and Emmy® Award-winner Greg Kinnear (Little Miss Sunshine) stars as Todd Burpo, a small-town businessman, volunteer firefighter and pastor struggling to make ends meet in a tough year for his family. After his bright young son Colton (newcomer Connor Corum in his feature film debut) is rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery, Todd and his wife Sonja (Kelly Reilly, Flight, Sherlock Holmes) are overjoyed by his miraculous survival. But they are wholly unprepared for what happens next — Colton starts to matter-of-factly recount what he says was an amazing journey to heaven and back.

After giving it much consideration and thought, Legendary has decided that Simon Craig will direct Hot Wheels, based on the Mattel toy line.

Hot Wheels has been in development for quite some time. At some point, McG was attached to direct, with a script by writers like Cormac Wibberly (National Treasure) and John Gatins (Flight). Eventually the project went to Art Marcum and Matt Holloway (Iron Man), and is now getting a rewrite by Paul Attanasio (Quiz Show, The Good German).

The story focuses on a washed-up Illinois State Trooper who, after a dangerous military device falls into the hands of a criminal, fights the man his father once put behind bars.

Joe Roth, Palak Patel, and Sam Mercer of Roth Films are producing the project along with Legendary.

Crane is best known in the business as a second-unit director and stunt coordinator. He’s worked on films like World War Z,...