by Joe Gillis, Sep 13 2010 // 8:00 AM
In what Deadline is describing as a “major deal’ IFC Films has picked up the rights to James Gunn’s latest film Super. The deal happened late last night during the currently running Toronto Film Festival and is reportedly of the seven figure variety.
In the film, Rainn Wilson plays Frank, a man who’s wife (Liv Tyler) leaves him for a seductive drug dealer (Kevin Bacon). Because of this, Frank decides to don the guise of a superhero called Crimson Bolt to wreak havoc on villains everywhere.
With his trusty sidekick Boltie (Ellen Page) Frank takes to the streets to stop evil doers and in the process tries to regain his self-respect and the affections of his wife. Plus, he uses his plumber’s wrench to good effect and crushes a few bad guys skulls in the process.
No word yet on IFC’s release plans for the film but we’ll bring it to you when we know. In the meantime, for more info on this deal check out the full press release from IFC after the jump.
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Posted in: Action · Deals and Dealmaking · IFC Films · Movies · News
Tagged: Crimson Bolt, Deals, Ellen Page, IFC Films, James Gunn, Kevin Bacon, Movies, Rainn Wilson, Slither, Superheroes
by Joe Gillis, Jul 20 2010 // 1:00 PM
I will have to admit that I’ve not watched the FX series Damages very much. In truth, I’ve only seen the first few episodes. However, that hasn’t stopped the show from being a hit with many fans.
Unfortunately, that number of fans wasn’t enough for FX to keep the show on the air another season and it was officially canceled. But wait, there’s good news if you love the show. According to Deadline, the ratings-challenged show has been rescued by DirecTV. What does this mean? Well, count on Glenn Close, Rose Byrne and other major cast members being on board for two more seasons (20 episodes) of the Emmy-nominated show.
In addition, the satellite company is also picking up the rights to air seasons one through three so fans will get a chance to experience the series in its entirety all on one network. This deal will be different than DirecTV’s previous pickup of NBC’s canceled Friday Night Lights in that, unlike that show, Damages will only air on the satellite network and not on NBC as well.
Expect more episodes of Damages to being airing on DirecTV next year.
Posted in: FX · News · Sony · TV
Tagged: Damages, Deals, DirecTV, FX, Glenn Close, Rose Byrne, Sony TV, Ted Danson, TV, Zeljko Ivanek
by Chris Ullrich, Jul 20 2010 // 9:00 AM
Apparently, director Sam Raimi isn’t straying too far from comics now that his tenure with the Spider-Man film franchise is done. According to Variety, Raimi is now attached to direct Radical Comics’ Earp: Saints for Sinners. The film will be a co-production of Dreamworks, Radical Studios, Mandeville and Star Road, Raimi’s production company.
In case you’re not familiar, the story of the project is described as “a modern-day re-imagining of Western hero Wyatt Earp fighting outlaws in a ravaged society where the only boomtown left is Las Vegas.” Co-creator/writer Matt Cirulnick will adapt the graphic novel for the big screen.
There’s no word on how this new project will fit into Raimi’s already busy schedule which includes directing World of Warcraft, based on the popular MMO, and Oz, the Great and Powerful, a prequel to the The Wizard of Oz. However, according to reports, this will be his next film after WOW.
With Raimi’s undeniable talent and love for material such as this the combo of Raimi and pretty much any comic property should be cause for happiness among fans. Now that his directing of the adaptation is set, we can turn to other important things like what part Bruce Campbell is going to play.
Posted in: Comics · Deals and Dealmaking · Movies · News
Tagged: Adaptationn, Bruce Campbell, Comics, Deals, Dreamworks, Earp: Saints for Sinners, Mandeville, Matt Cirulnick, Movies, Oz, Radical Comics, Sam Raimi, Star Road, the Great and Powerful, World of Warcraft
by Joe Gillis, May 17 2010 // 4:00 PM
Get ready for some cool undersea adventure as Disney is about to go 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea with director David Fincher. Previously, the studio had been talking with Charlie’s Angels helmer McG about taking on the pic, but that didn’t end up happening.
Now, Disney has decided that the film might need a fresher approach and is going after Fight Club‘s Fincher to direct and Bourne Ultimatum scribe Scott Z. Burns to write the script. The project reportedly came together after Fincher approached Disney and said he wanted to tackle a big “tentpole” project for the studio and something different from his usual dark, R-rated films.
In case you’re not familiar with the story, it is based on a novel by Jules Verne, first published in 1869, and tells the story of a group of men who encounter a vengeful scientist names Nemo and his submarine, the Nautilus. Plus, if you remember the first Disney version of the film, which is a classic by most standards, there’s also a giant squid the men, including a young Kirk Douglas, must fight in order to survive.
Last year, Disney was fast-tracking a $150 Million Leagues that would have served as an origin story for Nemo. But that film was canceled after a regime-change at the studio. Now, Disney wants to get back in the Nemo business and this new film, even though plotlines are still a secret, will reportedly be more like Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back.
Not sure exactly what that means, but I guess we’ll find out soon enough. Maybe it means Nemo has a son and they have family issues? Could be.
Posted in: Action · Disney · Drama · Movies · News
Tagged: 000 Leagues Under the Sea, 20, Bourne Ultimatum, David Fincher, Deals, Disney, Fight Club, Jules Verne, McG, Movies, Scott Z. Burns
by Joe Gillis, Apr 29 2010 // 9:00 AM
Palm, Inc., the somewhat beleaguered company known for innovative software, hardware and the webOS has been in serious financial trouble of late. They have some really interesting products but sadly, still manages to lose money. Now it seems those trouble are behind them as Hewlett Packard today announced it is acquiring Palm for $1.2 Billion.
The acquisition has been approved by the boards of both Palm and HP, but is subject to regulatory approval by the Federal Government. Palm CEO John Rubinstein is expected to remain at the company in an as yet undisclosed capacity. It also appears likely webOS will live on, at least if you can believe what you read in press releases.
Want more info? If so, check out this official pres release from HP after the jump.
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Posted in: Business · Deals and Dealmaking · Hardware · News
Tagged: Business, Deals, Hardware, HP, Palm, Smartphones, WebOs
by Cortney Zamm, Feb 26 2010 // 12:00 PM
Regardless of the hype, good reviews, or recommendations we get on a game, sometimes we just miss out on some of the latest and greatest titles because of one thing: cold, hard cash. Videogames are expensive, and whether you rent or buy you’re still paying a pretty penny for the ones that you deem worthy enough to play.
So what if you could get a bunch of really great games you’ve wanted for dirt cheap? That’s what Microsoft’s Games on Demand for Windows is banking on for the month of March, when they’ll be discounting a different PC game every weekend. According to Kotaku, the first one will be Batman: Arkham Asylum and starting today this weekend (now confirmed via Major Nelson), the game will sell for 75% off of the $49.99 retail price on their online store.
While PC might not be your console of preference for this or any of the other titles they’ll be releasing, you can’t deny the awesome savings at a time when we all kind of need them. Be sure to check back here at The Flickcast or your Games for Windows Live account every Friday all month long for the latest.
Posted in: DC · DC Entertainment · Games · Geek · PC Games · Video Games
Tagged: Arkham Asylum, Batman, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Comics, DC, Deals, Games, Geek, Microsoft, PC Games
by Joe Gillis, Feb 2 2010 // 10:00 AM
According to Variety, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, the prolific writer-producers involved with Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Star Trek and Fox’s series Fringe, have signed an exclusive three-year deal with 20th Century Fox TV. As part of the deal, which officially starts March 1, the duo will bring in show ideas, recruit writers to work with them and also create their own projects, either by themselves or with others.
According to the article, 20th Century Fox TV chairman Dana Walden couldn’t be happier with the deal. “We’ve been pursuing this deal for quite some time,” said Walden. “They would elevate any type of development. But they were very thoughtful about the kind of commitment they were making. They didn’t want to overpromise.”
As for the writer/producers themselves, they are equally as excited. “We’ve been excited about going back into TV, but wanted to wait until the feature side of our company was on its feet,” Kurtzman said.
“One of the things that drew us back to TV was the idea that we could do the kind of stories that we’re not known for in features,” said Orci. “From sci-fi to procedurals to medical genres, those are all the kind of shows that we love.”
For TV, the prolific pair are already overseeing CBS’ reboot of Hawaii Five-O, which recently got a pilot order. They are also producing a new animated version of Transformers for the Hub, the new Discovery/Hasbro joint venture that is set to replace Discovery Kids later this year. Even though they are still involved with Transformers, let’s hope their TV projects during this new deal are more like Fringe and less like Transformers.
Posted in: 20th Century Fox · Deals and Dealmaking · News · TV
Tagged: Alex Kurtzman, Alias, Deals, Fringe, Hawaii Five-O, J.J. Abrams, Roberto Orci, Star Trek, Transformers, TV
by Joe Gillis, Dec 3 2009 // 12:00 PM
Comcast and General Electric announced early today they have made an agreement to combine GE’s NBC Universal with Comcast’s entertainment assets. The new company will be 51% owned, and managed, by Comcast. GE will have 49%. Jeff Zucker, president of NBC U, will become CEO of the new company.
According to the trade, the agreement “creates a new powerhouse with enormous reach in sports and entertainment programming.” It also will allow “GE to contribute NBC U’s businesses valued at $30 billion, including broadcast and cable television, filmed entertainment and theme parks.”
As part of the agreement, Comcast will contribute $6.5 Billion in cash, along with its own cable networks including E!, Versus and the Golf Channel, its 10 regional sports networks, and certain digital media properties collectively valued at $7.25 Billion.
The cable networks, including NBC’s USA, Bravo, Syfy, CNBC and MSNBC, will account for 80% of the new, combined company’s cash flow — which is a good thing. Comcast will create a new division called Comcast Entertainment Group to control its interest in the new venture. Okay, that’s all well and good, but how does the Sheinhardt Wig Company figure in all of this?
Posted in: Deals and Dealmaking · NBC · News · Universal Pictures
Tagged: Business, Comcast, Deals, Merger, NBCU, Universal