In Development
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Genius Brands Appoints Harold Chizick President
Genius Brands International, a creator and licensor of multimedia entertainment content for children, has appointed Harold Chizick president, overseeing the global content sales, consumer products and marketing business. Chizick is co-founder of ChizComm Ltd. and ChizComm Beacon Media, subsidiaries of Genius Brands. He reports to Genius Brands’ chairman and CEO Andy Heyward. Chizick, who will continue to run ChizComm Ltd. … Continue reading “Genius Brands Appoints Harold Chizick President”
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Robin Wright Directorial Debut ‘Land’ Due on Digital April 27, Disc May 11
The drama Land, starring and directed by Robin Wright, will come out on digital April 27 and on Blu-ray and DVD May 11 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. From acclaimed actress Wright (Wonder Woman, “House of Cards”) comes her feature film directorial debut, the story of one woman’s search for meaning in the vast and harsh … Continue reading “Robin Wright Directorial Debut ‘Land’ Due on Digital April 27, Disc May 11”

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Roku Unveils ‘Roku Originals’ Repurposing Quibi Content to The Roku Channel
Roku April 21 announced that the content from the Quibi acquisition in January will be re-branded as “Roku Originals,” and will be launched on The Roku Channel. “Roku Originals” will also be the brand name for future original programming for The Roku Channel for viewers in the U.S., the U.K. and Canada. Additional details on … Continue reading “Roku Unveils ‘Roku Originals’ Repurposing Quibi Content to The Roku Channel”
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Dakota Johnson to Star in Jane Austen Adaptation ‘Persuasion’ for Netflix
Dakota Johnson will star in the Jane Austen adaptation Persuasion for Netflix. The film, produced in partnership with MRC Film, takes a modern, witty approach to the story while still remaining true to Austen’s classic novel, according to a Netflix release. The story follows Anne Elliot, an nonconforming woman with modern sensibilities who is living … Continue reading “Dakota Johnson to Star in Jane Austen Adaptation ‘Persuasion’ for Netflix”
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Kevin Feige Addresses Marvel’s New Approach to Original Series/Movies for Disney+
The Marvel Cinematic Universe divides its movies into phases, with the first three phases covering the formation of the Avengers, the rise of Thanos, and the Infinity Saga. The fourth phase is the first to be intertwined with a slate of new series premiering on the Disney+ streaming service — beginning four months ago with … Continue reading “Kevin Feige Addresses Marvel’s New Approach to Original Series/Movies for Disney+”
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Mattel, Universal Pictures Working With Vin Diesel on ‘Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Robots’ Live-Action Movie
Mattel April 19 announced plans to develop with Universal Pictures a live-action movie based on the Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots tabletop game, and starring Vin Diesel — lead actor of the studio’s “Fast and Furious” franchise. Mattel Films will produce the project alongside Diesel and Samantha Vincent (Fast and the Furious) from Diesel’s One … Continue reading “Mattel, Universal Pictures Working With Vin Diesel on ‘Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Robots’ Live-Action Movie”
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Pete Davidson to Star in Biopic ‘I Slept With Joey Ramone’ for Netflix
Netflix and STXfilms have partnered to develop and produce I Slept with Joey Ramone, a biopic chronicling the life of the punk rocker. Directed by Jason Orley (Big Time Adolescence, Pete Davidson: Alive From New York and upcoming film I Want You Back), the film will star Pete Davidson (“Saturday Night Live,” The King of Staten Island, Big … Continue reading “Pete Davidson to Star in Biopic ‘I Slept With Joey Ramone’ for Netflix”
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Apple Greenlights Louis Armstrong Doc
Apple Original Films has greenlighted the Louis Armstrong documentary feature Black & Blues: The Colorful Ballad of Louis Armstrong from Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Documentaries to join its feature film slate. The film offers a definitive look at the master musician’s life and legacy as a founding father of jazz, the first pop … Continue reading “Apple Greenlights Louis Armstrong Doc”
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Netflix Extends Original Hit Series ‘Bridgerton’ for Seasons 3 & 4
Netflix April 13 announced it has renewed original series “Bridgerton” for a third and fourth season. Executive producer Shonda Rhimes’ contemporary take on Julia Quinn’s 19th Century Regency London society novels is currently filming season two without British co-star Regé-Jean Page, whose character, the Duke of Hastings, does not return. The series has been a … Continue reading “Netflix Extends Original Hit Series ‘Bridgerton’ for Seasons 3 & 4”
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Hugh Laurie to Star in BritBox’s Biggest Original Production, Based on Agatha Christie Book
Actor Hugh Laurie and British-themed SVOD service BritBox would seem a perfect pairing. Now, the North American streaming service from BBC Studios and ITV announced that the former “House” star will adapt Agatha Christie mystery, Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?, into an original three-part miniseries — the service’s its biggest original commission to date. Laurie … Continue reading “Hugh Laurie to Star in BritBox’s Biggest Original Production, Based on Agatha Christie Book”
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HBO Max Orders ‘Real Magic Mike’ Competition Series
HBO Max has ordered “The Real Magic Mike” (working title), an unscripted competition series set to debut on the streamer later this year. From the producers behind the “Magic Mike” franchise and live shows, the series will transform 10 men into real-life Magic Mikes in a competition. They will bare their souls and more as they … Continue reading “HBO Max Orders ‘Real Magic Mike’ Competition Series”
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MarVista Entertainment Inks Family Content Deal With MiMO Studios
Independent entertainment studio MarVista Entertainment has signed an agreement to co-produce at least five original, live-action kid and family movies with full-service production company MiMO Studios. The deal will allow MarVista to exclusively shop and represent exclusive titles from MiMO Studios content for development, acquisition, financing, productions and distribution worldwide. MiMO will also develop and … Continue reading “MarVista Entertainment Inks Family Content Deal With MiMO Studios”
