Patricia Velasquez, Rumer Willis & More Set For Social Impact Film ‘Maya’ From Director Julia Verdin
Exclusive: Patricia Velasquez (The Mummy), Gian Franco Rodriguez (Halston), Rumer Willis (Sorority Row), Billy Budinich (Frank and Penelope) and newcomer Isabella Feliciana will star in the social impact film Maya from director Julia Verdin (Angie: Lost Girls), which has entered production in Los Angeles.
The film written by Verdin looks to raise awareness on key issues including child trafficking, domestic violence, alcoholism and child abuse. It’s inspired by true events and will show how predators use social media to lure vulnerable teens into their lair.
When Maya (Feliciana) is six years old, her father abandons her and her mother Camila. This, of course, has a lasting effect on them both. Camila resorts to seeking comfort in alcohol and an abusive boyfriend, with Maya suffers from feeling unlovable. No longer feeling safe in her own home, Maya searches for comfort outside of her family—finding it in Ray (Budinich), an edgy,...
The film written by Verdin looks to raise awareness on key issues including child trafficking, domestic violence, alcoholism and child abuse. It’s inspired by true events and will show how predators use social media to lure vulnerable teens into their lair.
When Maya (Feliciana) is six years old, her father abandons her and her mother Camila. This, of course, has a lasting effect on them both. Camila resorts to seeking comfort in alcohol and an abusive boyfriend, with Maya suffers from feeling unlovable. No longer feeling safe in her own home, Maya searches for comfort outside of her family—finding it in Ray (Budinich), an edgy,...
- 5/17/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Morris S. Levy’s M.E.G.A. Films (Angie: Lost Girls) has acquired the rights to Jill Eileen Smith’s epic historical novel Star of Persia to develop as a television event series. Keeper of the Diary and Mayday 109 scribes Samuel Franco and Evan Kilgore are attached to write the series, based on the book and the duo’s own historical research.
Star of Persia is inspired by the Old Testament’s Book of Esther, following a brave peasant girl, Esther, who is enslaved by Persian King Xerxes, and forced to be a part of his harem. There, as she works to gain the trust and respect of the other women in the palace, she fights to become their protector and advocate. Now rising to wield great power as the King’s favorite concubine, she discovers a deadly coup among his most trusted advisors. On the heels of his army’s...
Star of Persia is inspired by the Old Testament’s Book of Esther, following a brave peasant girl, Esther, who is enslaved by Persian King Xerxes, and forced to be a part of his harem. There, as she works to gain the trust and respect of the other women in the palace, she fights to become their protector and advocate. Now rising to wield great power as the King’s favorite concubine, she discovers a deadly coup among his most trusted advisors. On the heels of his army’s...
- 6/18/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The 3rd Annual NYC Web Fest (Nycwf) announced its official selections today – a wide variety of web series that span the globe. The Pit Loft on West 29th Street will host the three-day festival. Of the 96 series highlighted, nearly half are from the tri-state area, with an impressive international showing as well.
Now in its third year, Nycwf is following a very successful second edition. 2015 highlights included the world premiere of “The Mentors” starring Lewis Black, the festival premieres of Colin Quinn’s “Cop Show,” and Refinery 29’s “The Queens of Kings.” This year features shows with appearances by comedians Judy Gold and Sherrod Small, as well as “The Blacklist” actress Erika Robel.
Read More: Comedy Web Series ‘Poly’ Follows a Misunderstood Trio’s Adventures in Suburbia
The NYC Web Fest brings together a multifaceted diverse group of people from around the world to showcase the best of the web.
Now in its third year, Nycwf is following a very successful second edition. 2015 highlights included the world premiere of “The Mentors” starring Lewis Black, the festival premieres of Colin Quinn’s “Cop Show,” and Refinery 29’s “The Queens of Kings.” This year features shows with appearances by comedians Judy Gold and Sherrod Small, as well as “The Blacklist” actress Erika Robel.
Read More: Comedy Web Series ‘Poly’ Follows a Misunderstood Trio’s Adventures in Suburbia
The NYC Web Fest brings together a multifaceted diverse group of people from around the world to showcase the best of the web.
- 9/23/2016
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Jeremy Renner has been cast as legendary boxer Rocky Marciano in a new biopic being developed by producer Morris S. Levy. Marciano held the heavyweight champion title from 1952 to 1956, and what makes Marciano such a badass is the fact that he is the only heavyweight boxing champion ever to retire undefeated with a record of 49-0.
The story for the film will follow Marciano from his days as a kid to his death in a plane crash in 1969. The script is being written by Samuel Franco and Evan Kilgore, and Levy is currently on the hunt for a director.
Renner is an incredible actor whose career really took off after he starred in The Hurt Locker. Now most of us just know him as Hawkeye from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's great to see that he landed such a great lead role in this movie. He seems like he is the perfect fit.
The story for the film will follow Marciano from his days as a kid to his death in a plane crash in 1969. The script is being written by Samuel Franco and Evan Kilgore, and Levy is currently on the hunt for a director.
Renner is an incredible actor whose career really took off after he starred in The Hurt Locker. Now most of us just know him as Hawkeye from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's great to see that he landed such a great lead role in this movie. He seems like he is the perfect fit.
- 12/18/2015
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Jeremy Renner is set to play a boxer named Rocky, no not Rocky Balboa but rather Rocky Marciano - the real life heavyweight boxer and champ whom Stallone's character idolised in the early "Rocky" films.
"Undefeated: The Rocky Marciano Story" will follow Marciano's life from childhood until his death in a plane crash in 1969. Marciano held the heavyweight crown from 1952 to 1956 and is the only heavyweight champion to retire from his professional career undefeated - with a record of 49-0.
Morris S. Levy will produce the film which has been penned by Samuel Franco and Evan Kilgore and is currently seeking a director.
Source: THR...
"Undefeated: The Rocky Marciano Story" will follow Marciano's life from childhood until his death in a plane crash in 1969. Marciano held the heavyweight crown from 1952 to 1956 and is the only heavyweight champion to retire from his professional career undefeated - with a record of 49-0.
Morris S. Levy will produce the film which has been penned by Samuel Franco and Evan Kilgore and is currently seeking a director.
Source: THR...
- 12/17/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
'Cop Show,' an eight-episode Web series written by and starring comedian and Saturday Night Live SNL alum Colin Quinn, has been ordered by LStudio LStudio.com for the series debut season tonight, February 18th. The comedy is executive produced by Morris S. Levy of Mega Films HBO's 'Seduced and Abandoned', Brian Stern Comedy Central's 'Big Time in Hollywood, Fl' and Colin Quinn and directed by J.D. Amato 'The Chris Gethard Show'. Shooting began last month in New York City.
- 2/18/2015
- by TV News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
'Cop Show,' an eight-episode Web series written by and starring comedian and Saturday Night Live SNL alum Colin Quinn, has been ordered by LStudio LStudio.com for the series debut season on February 18th. The comedy is executive produced by Morris S. Levy of Mega Films HBO's 'Seduced and Abandoned', Brian Stern Comedy Central's 'Big Time in Hollywood, Fl' and Colin Quinn and directed by J.D. Amato 'The Chris Gethard Show'. Shooting began last month in New York City.
- 2/3/2015
- by TV News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Steve Guttenberg will poke fun at his status as an '80s icon in his latest movie role.
The actor was king of the box office during the 1980s, starring in four major movie franchises; Three Men and a Baby, Police Academy, Cocoon and Short Circuit.
He has since been forced to reinvent himself to stay in the spotlight, appearing on reality show Dancing with the Stars and even embarking on a new career as a stand-up comedian.
In his latest role, in romantic drama It's Not You, the 51 year old plays an ad executive who is forced to reinvent himself after struggling to live up to the success he enjoyed earlier in his career.
And Guttenberg admits there are parallels between his life and that of his character Nate Shepherd.
The actor tells WENN, "It's about a man who reinvents himself. Everyone has to reinvent themselves to stay in the game, whether you're Madonna or Paul McCartney."
Morris S. Levy, the movie's producer, adds, "It sort of mirrors Steve Guttenberg's life as an actor. The writer/director (Allie Dvorin) actually changed a lot of the material, to make (Nate Shepherd) more of the '80s character that Steve was.
"In the opening scene we find out that he came up with one of the most famous catchphrases of the 80s, but he gets fired in the (film) because he's behind the times.
Levy is hoping It's Not You is a big box office hit and kickstarts Guttenberg's career - in the same way The Wrestler turned Mickey Rourke from a has-been into a Golden Globe winner.
Levy says, "People forget, Steve was in six films in the 1980s that made over $100 million. When ticket prices were $2.50. That's $200 million, $300 million films now.
"How many actors have done that? And he's still young.
"With Mickey Rourke coming back in the Wrestler.... And I don't think Mickey Rourke was a beloved character. So we have a shot at that."...
The actor was king of the box office during the 1980s, starring in four major movie franchises; Three Men and a Baby, Police Academy, Cocoon and Short Circuit.
He has since been forced to reinvent himself to stay in the spotlight, appearing on reality show Dancing with the Stars and even embarking on a new career as a stand-up comedian.
In his latest role, in romantic drama It's Not You, the 51 year old plays an ad executive who is forced to reinvent himself after struggling to live up to the success he enjoyed earlier in his career.
And Guttenberg admits there are parallels between his life and that of his character Nate Shepherd.
The actor tells WENN, "It's about a man who reinvents himself. Everyone has to reinvent themselves to stay in the game, whether you're Madonna or Paul McCartney."
Morris S. Levy, the movie's producer, adds, "It sort of mirrors Steve Guttenberg's life as an actor. The writer/director (Allie Dvorin) actually changed a lot of the material, to make (Nate Shepherd) more of the '80s character that Steve was.
"In the opening scene we find out that he came up with one of the most famous catchphrases of the 80s, but he gets fired in the (film) because he's behind the times.
Levy is hoping It's Not You is a big box office hit and kickstarts Guttenberg's career - in the same way The Wrestler turned Mickey Rourke from a has-been into a Golden Globe winner.
Levy says, "People forget, Steve was in six films in the 1980s that made over $100 million. When ticket prices were $2.50. That's $200 million, $300 million films now.
"How many actors have done that? And he's still young.
"With Mickey Rourke coming back in the Wrestler.... And I don't think Mickey Rourke was a beloved character. So we have a shot at that."...
- 11/4/2009
- WENN
Mikael Salomon is attached to "Undefeated: The Rocky Marciano Story," the first authorized biopic about the boxing champion, which Morris S. Levy is producing for his M.E.G.A. Films from Terri Apple's screenplay.
The film, which will follow Marciano from childhood to his 1969 death in a plane crash, promises to include never-before-revealed details provided by the fighter's younger brother, Lou Marciano.
The CAA-repped Salomon recently directed the TV miniseries "The Company" and "The Andromeda Strain."...
The film, which will follow Marciano from childhood to his 1969 death in a plane crash, promises to include never-before-revealed details provided by the fighter's younger brother, Lou Marciano.
The CAA-repped Salomon recently directed the TV miniseries "The Company" and "The Andromeda Strain."...
- 2/26/2009
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The indie matrimonial comedy "The Big Question" will be helmed by "30 Rock" Emmy nominee Michael Engler who will make his feature-length directorial debut. This also marks the big screen debut for TV writer Andrew Lenchewski. Apparently, the a man plans to propose to a woman on New Year's Eve but her deadline is Christmas Day. The film focuses on the mind games involved. Producers Morris S. Levy, Martin E. Caan and Peter Sussman are developing the project to shart shooting sometime either in summer or fall next year.
- 10/30/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
The indie matrimonial comedy "The Big Question" will be helmed by "30 Rock" Emmy nominee Michael Engler who will make his feature-length directorial debut. This also marks the big screen debut for TV writer Andrew Lenchewski. Apparently, the a man plans to propose to a woman on New Year's Eve but her deadline is Christmas Day. The film focuses on the mind games involved. Producers Morris S. Levy, Martin E. Caan and Peter Sussman are developing the project to shart shooting sometime either in summer or fall next year.
- 10/30/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
The indie matrimonial comedy "The Big Question" will be helmed by "30 Rock" Emmy nominee Michael Engler who will make his feature-length directorial debut. This also marks the big screen debut for TV writer Andrew Lenchewski. Apparently, the a man plans to propose to a woman on New Year's Eve but her deadline is Christmas Day. The film focuses on the mind games involved.Producers Morris S. Levy, Martin E. Caan and Peter Sussman are developing the project to shart shooting sometime either in summer or fall next year. Andrew Lenchewski wrote a single episode of "Uc: Undercover" back in 2002.
- 10/30/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
The indie matrimonial comedy "The Big Question" will be helmed by "30 Rock" Emmy nominee Michael Engler who will make his feature-length directorial debut. This also marks the big screen debut for TV writer Andrew Lenchewski. Apparently, the a man plans to propose to a woman on New Year's Eve but her deadline is Christmas Day. The film focuses on the mind games involved. Producers Morris S. Levy, Martin E. Caan and Peter Sussman are developing the project to shart shooting sometime either in summer or fall next year.
- 10/30/2008
- Upcoming-Movies.com
"30 Rock" Emmy nominee Michael Engler is taking the plunge into feature directing with the matrimonial comedy "The Big Question."
Morris S. Levy's M.E.G.A Films production also will mark the big-screen debut for TV writer Andrew Lenchewski.
"Question" will explore the mind games that take place when a man quietly plans to propose marriage on New Year's Eve as his girlfriend secretly makes Christmas her unspoken deadline.
Producers Levy, Martin E. Caan ("National Lampoon's Adam & Eve") and Peter Sussman ("How to Rob a Bank") are developing the indie project for a summer/fall 2009 shoot. M.E.G.A recently produced David Wain's comedy "The Ten," starring Paul Rudd, and producer-star Rosario Dawson's drama "Descent."
The Endeavor-repped Engler directed several episodes of "Sex and the City" and "Six Feet Under" before his nom for the "Rosemary's Baby" episode of "Rock" this year. USA Networks recently picked...
Morris S. Levy's M.E.G.A Films production also will mark the big-screen debut for TV writer Andrew Lenchewski.
"Question" will explore the mind games that take place when a man quietly plans to propose marriage on New Year's Eve as his girlfriend secretly makes Christmas her unspoken deadline.
Producers Levy, Martin E. Caan ("National Lampoon's Adam & Eve") and Peter Sussman ("How to Rob a Bank") are developing the indie project for a summer/fall 2009 shoot. M.E.G.A recently produced David Wain's comedy "The Ten," starring Paul Rudd, and producer-star Rosario Dawson's drama "Descent."
The Endeavor-repped Engler directed several episodes of "Sex and the City" and "Six Feet Under" before his nom for the "Rosemary's Baby" episode of "Rock" this year. USA Networks recently picked...
- 10/30/2008
- by By Gregg Goldstein
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NEW YORK -- Boxing legend Rocky Marciano is coming to the big screen in his first authorized biopic.
Morris S. Levy's M.E.G.A Films has acquired rights to Marciano's story from his family and will produce a feature from a script by first-time writer Terri Apple.
The film will follow Marciano from childhood in blue-collar Brockton, Mass., to his 1969 death in a plane crash. He was the only champion boxer to retire from his professional career undefeated, ringing up six heavyweight championships and 49 straight wins, 43 by way of knockout.
The fighter's younger brother, Lou, gave Levy and Apple never-before-revealed details about the athlete's life, including his relationship with his wife and father, for an original draft written before the writers strike. Marciano's family said they hope the film will erase memories of the unauthorized 1979 ABC telefilm Marciano starring Tony Lo Bianco and the 1999 Showtime telefilm Rocky Marciano starring Jon Favreau.
"They didn't have any similarities to my brother," Marciano said.
Morris S. Levy's M.E.G.A Films has acquired rights to Marciano's story from his family and will produce a feature from a script by first-time writer Terri Apple.
The film will follow Marciano from childhood in blue-collar Brockton, Mass., to his 1969 death in a plane crash. He was the only champion boxer to retire from his professional career undefeated, ringing up six heavyweight championships and 49 straight wins, 43 by way of knockout.
The fighter's younger brother, Lou, gave Levy and Apple never-before-revealed details about the athlete's life, including his relationship with his wife and father, for an original draft written before the writers strike. Marciano's family said they hope the film will erase memories of the unauthorized 1979 ABC telefilm Marciano starring Tony Lo Bianco and the 1999 Showtime telefilm Rocky Marciano starring Jon Favreau.
"They didn't have any similarities to my brother," Marciano said.
- 12/12/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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