For those who remember, the game show Press Your Luck relied a lot on good timing. In a very roulette-like manner, contestants would watch squares on a board randomly be highlighted until they prompt it to stop in order to get the prize it halted on. An amazing episode in 1984 would have a contestant endlessly receiving good luck as he won big money every time he called, “Stop!” His fortune would be called into question as he would get accused of cheating on the show. Deadline has now shared the first look at Press Your Luck — a movie that will depict the events of that episode and all the controversy surrounding it, starring Paul Walter Hauser as the fateful contestant.
The synopsis, according to Deadline, reads,
“Set in 1984, the film follows Ohio resident Michael Larson, who steps on to the set of game show Press Your Luck harboring a secret:...
The synopsis, according to Deadline, reads,
“Set in 1984, the film follows Ohio resident Michael Larson, who steps on to the set of game show Press Your Luck harboring a secret:...
- 5/10/2024
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
Paul Walter Hauser has added another project to a packed upcoming slate.
The Emmy and Golden Globe winner, who in the last few weeks alone has been tapped to play Chris Farley in Josh Gad’s biopic and has joined the cast of both “Fantastic Four” and the “Naked Gun” reboot, is to lead “Press Your Luck,” a drama-thriller based on the true story of Michael Larson. Protagonist Pictures has unveiled the drama-thriller — from Plenty Good in co-production with Fabula — alongside a first look image and will handle international sales, while CAA Media Finance represents North American rights.
Set in 1984, “Press Your Luck” follows Larson, an unemployed truck driver from Ohio who stepped onto the game show “Press Your Luck” harbouring a secret: the key to endless amounts of money. But his winning streak gets threatened when the executives in the control room start to uncover his real motivations.
The...
The Emmy and Golden Globe winner, who in the last few weeks alone has been tapped to play Chris Farley in Josh Gad’s biopic and has joined the cast of both “Fantastic Four” and the “Naked Gun” reboot, is to lead “Press Your Luck,” a drama-thriller based on the true story of Michael Larson. Protagonist Pictures has unveiled the drama-thriller — from Plenty Good in co-production with Fabula — alongside a first look image and will handle international sales, while CAA Media Finance represents North American rights.
Set in 1984, “Press Your Luck” follows Larson, an unemployed truck driver from Ohio who stepped onto the game show “Press Your Luck” harbouring a secret: the key to endless amounts of money. But his winning streak gets threatened when the executives in the control room start to uncover his real motivations.
The...
- 5/9/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
Protagonist Pictures has unveiled the new drama-thriller Press Your Luck, starring Paul Walter Hauser (Black Bird, Richard Jewell, I, Tonya). The company on Thursday also unveiled a first glimpse at the project, based on the “incredible” true story of Michael Larson, an unemployed ice-cream truck driver from Ohio who steps onto the game show “Press Your Luck” harboring a secret: the key to endless amounts of money. But his winning streak gets threatened when executives in the control room start to uncover his real motivations.
The all-star ensemble cast also includes Walton Goggins (Fallout, The Righteous Gemstones, The Hateful Eight), David Strathairn (Nomadland, Good Night and Good Luck), Maisie Williams (The New Look, Game of Thrones), Haley Bennett (Swallow, The Magnificent Seven), Shamier Anderson (John Wick: Chapter 4, “Invasion”), and David Rysdahl (Fargo, Oppenheimer).
Jackass legend Johnny Knoxville, Brian Geraghty (The Hurt Locker, Chicago P.D.), Patti Harrison (Theater Camp,...
The all-star ensemble cast also includes Walton Goggins (Fallout, The Righteous Gemstones, The Hateful Eight), David Strathairn (Nomadland, Good Night and Good Luck), Maisie Williams (The New Look, Game of Thrones), Haley Bennett (Swallow, The Magnificent Seven), Shamier Anderson (John Wick: Chapter 4, “Invasion”), and David Rysdahl (Fargo, Oppenheimer).
Jackass legend Johnny Knoxville, Brian Geraghty (The Hurt Locker, Chicago P.D.), Patti Harrison (Theater Camp,...
- 5/9/2024
- by Lily Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Olivia Colman and John Lithgow head the cast of “Jimpa,” a multi-generational family tale involving a nonbinary teenager and her mother who take a trip to see their gay grandfather. The Australia- and Europe-set film is directed by Sophie Hyde, whose most recent film was the breakout “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande.”
The film is now in its third week of production in Amsterdam and will later shoot in Adelaide, Australia and Helsinki, Finland.
Rights to the film are being handled by Protagonist Pictures in much of the world and by CAA Media Finance in North America, with sales kicking off at the Cannes Market next week. The film has already locked in Cineart as distributor in the Benelux region and Kismet and The Unquiet Collective for Australia and New Zealand.
Oscar winner Colman’s recent credits include “The Favourite,” “The Lost Daughter” and the hit Netflix series “The Crown.
The film is now in its third week of production in Amsterdam and will later shoot in Adelaide, Australia and Helsinki, Finland.
Rights to the film are being handled by Protagonist Pictures in much of the world and by CAA Media Finance in North America, with sales kicking off at the Cannes Market next week. The film has already locked in Cineart as distributor in the Benelux region and Kismet and The Unquiet Collective for Australia and New Zealand.
Oscar winner Colman’s recent credits include “The Favourite,” “The Lost Daughter” and the hit Netflix series “The Crown.
- 5/7/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Olivia Colman and John Lithgow are leading Jimpa, a movie about a trans non-binary teenager visiting their gay grandfather from Sophie Hyde, with Protagonist Pictures launching international sales at Cannes.
Filming on Jimpa has entered its third week in Amsterdam and a first-look image can be seen above.
The pic follows Hannah (Colman), a mother who takes her trans non-binary teenager Frances (Aud Mason-Hyde) to Amsterdam to visit their gay grandfather Jimpa (Lithgow). But Frances’ desire to stay with Jimpa for a year abroad means Hannah is forced to re-consider her beliefs about parenting and finally confront old stories about the past.
Mason-Hyde is making their feature debut and they are joined by Daniel Henshall (The Royal Hotel), Kate Box (Erotic Stories), Eamon Farren (The Witcher), Cody Fern (American Horror Story), Tilda Cobham-Hervey (I Am Woman), Deborah Kennedy (The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart), Hans Kesting (Nr.
Filming on Jimpa has entered its third week in Amsterdam and a first-look image can be seen above.
The pic follows Hannah (Colman), a mother who takes her trans non-binary teenager Frances (Aud Mason-Hyde) to Amsterdam to visit their gay grandfather Jimpa (Lithgow). But Frances’ desire to stay with Jimpa for a year abroad means Hannah is forced to re-consider her beliefs about parenting and finally confront old stories about the past.
Mason-Hyde is making their feature debut and they are joined by Daniel Henshall (The Royal Hotel), Kate Box (Erotic Stories), Eamon Farren (The Witcher), Cody Fern (American Horror Story), Tilda Cobham-Hervey (I Am Woman), Deborah Kennedy (The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart), Hans Kesting (Nr.
- 5/7/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Sophie Hyde’s personally inspired multi-generational family story Jimpa, starring Olivia Colman and John Lithgow, has been acquired by Protagonist Pictures. CAA Media Finance is repping North American rights.
Screen Australia and Align are backing the film with the Netherlands Film Fund and Netherlands Film Production Incentive support. Cinéart has Benelux rights, while Kismet will distribute in Australia and New Zealand. The Unquiet Collective, six women who work with filmmakers to help their films engage better with audiences, is involved in the Australian release.
The fictional story includes characters based on Hyde’s father Jim/Jim-Pa (Lithgow) and Hyde’s child Aud Mason-Hyde,...
Screen Australia and Align are backing the film with the Netherlands Film Fund and Netherlands Film Production Incentive support. Cinéart has Benelux rights, while Kismet will distribute in Australia and New Zealand. The Unquiet Collective, six women who work with filmmakers to help their films engage better with audiences, is involved in the Australian release.
The fictional story includes characters based on Hyde’s father Jim/Jim-Pa (Lithgow) and Hyde’s child Aud Mason-Hyde,...
- 5/7/2024
- ScreenDaily
Simon Curtis has lined up a quartet of stars for upcoming comedy “Encore” from “Twilight” banner Temple Hill Entertainment.
The film — announced by Protagonist Pictures, which is launching worldwide sales ahead of Cannes — will reunite eight-time Oscar nominee Glenn Close with Oscar winner Jeremy Irons 34 years after their critically acclaimed hit “Reversal of Fortune.” Henry Winkler and Don Johnson round out the ensemble cast.
Written by Academy Award nominee Robert Nelson Jacobs (“Chocolat”), “Encore” follows a group of retired actors as they attempt to reignite their passion for life. Former Broadway icons Marie (Close) and Nigel (Irons) are new residents of a retirement home, where they discover a community of forgotten talents. Motivated to revive Nigel’s passion for theater and embrace this new chapter in their life, Marie decides to stage a production with the residents, pulling everyone out of their past and into their present. This production will be their encore.
The film — announced by Protagonist Pictures, which is launching worldwide sales ahead of Cannes — will reunite eight-time Oscar nominee Glenn Close with Oscar winner Jeremy Irons 34 years after their critically acclaimed hit “Reversal of Fortune.” Henry Winkler and Don Johnson round out the ensemble cast.
Written by Academy Award nominee Robert Nelson Jacobs (“Chocolat”), “Encore” follows a group of retired actors as they attempt to reignite their passion for life. Former Broadway icons Marie (Close) and Nigel (Irons) are new residents of a retirement home, where they discover a community of forgotten talents. Motivated to revive Nigel’s passion for theater and embrace this new chapter in their life, Marie decides to stage a production with the residents, pulling everyone out of their past and into their present. This production will be their encore.
- 5/2/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
Simon Curtis’ upcoming comedy Encore, about a group of veteran actors whose passion for their profession is reignited through a retirement home production, has gathered a quartet of Academy Award, Golden Globe and Emmy winning stars for the ensemble cast.
The feature reunites eight-time Academy Award-nominee and three-time Emmy Award-winner Glenn Close and Academy Award-winner Jeremy Irons 34 years after their critically acclaimed hit, Reversal of Fortune.
Three-time Emmy-winner Henry Winkler and Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winner Don Johnson have also signed for the feature.
Close and Irons play former Broadway icons Marie and Nigel, who are new residents of a retirement home, where they discover a community of forgotten talents.
Motivated to revive Nigel’s passion for theatre and embrace this new chapter in their life, Marie decides to stage a production with the residents, pulling everyone out of their past and into their present.
UK sales and finance company...
The feature reunites eight-time Academy Award-nominee and three-time Emmy Award-winner Glenn Close and Academy Award-winner Jeremy Irons 34 years after their critically acclaimed hit, Reversal of Fortune.
Three-time Emmy-winner Henry Winkler and Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winner Don Johnson have also signed for the feature.
Close and Irons play former Broadway icons Marie and Nigel, who are new residents of a retirement home, where they discover a community of forgotten talents.
Motivated to revive Nigel’s passion for theatre and embrace this new chapter in their life, Marie decides to stage a production with the residents, pulling everyone out of their past and into their present.
UK sales and finance company...
- 5/2/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Actor Adam Scott, who was recently seen by some movie-goers in Madame Web, has chosen the project he wants to make his feature directorial debut with – and while Scott is probably best known for his performances in comedy projects like Knocked Up, Step Brothers, Parks and Recreation, Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later, Ghosted, and Party Down, he’s not going to be directing a comedy. Instead, his first directorial effort is a revenge thriller called Double Booked, which he’ll also be starring in… and Deadline reports that he has chosen a great supporting cast to surround himself with. His co-stars in this one are Sterling K. Brown (American Fiction), Zazie Beetz (Atlanta), and Alexandra Daddario (The White Lotus).
Scripted by David Levinson (Welcome Home), Double Booked will tell the story of a successful self-help writer (Scott) and his heavily pregnant wife (Beetz) who organize a weekend away at a secluded lodge,...
Scripted by David Levinson (Welcome Home), Double Booked will tell the story of a successful self-help writer (Scott) and his heavily pregnant wife (Beetz) who organize a weekend away at a secluded lodge,...
- 4/26/2024
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Here’s a nice one. Emmy nominee Adam Scott (Severance) is set to star in and direct his first feature, Double Booked, alongside Oscar nominee Sterling K. Brown (American Fiction), Zazie Beetz (Atlanta), and Alexandra Daddario (The White Lotus).
Protagonist Pictures is launching international sales at the upcoming Cannes market with UTA Independent Film Group and CAA co-repping North America.
Double Booked follows a successful self-help writer (Scott) and his heavily pregnant wife (Beetz) who organize a weekend away at a secluded lodge, only to encounter another couple (Brown and Daddario) at their cabin when they arrive. With a blizzard moving in they are forced to spend the night together, and what seems like an innocent system error turns into a chilling battle of deceit with deadly consequences.
The project is written by David Levinson (Welcome Home), and produced by Adam Goodman (Juror # 2) and Matt Skiena (Juror #2) for Dichotomy Creative Group,...
Protagonist Pictures is launching international sales at the upcoming Cannes market with UTA Independent Film Group and CAA co-repping North America.
Double Booked follows a successful self-help writer (Scott) and his heavily pregnant wife (Beetz) who organize a weekend away at a secluded lodge, only to encounter another couple (Brown and Daddario) at their cabin when they arrive. With a blizzard moving in they are forced to spend the night together, and what seems like an innocent system error turns into a chilling battle of deceit with deadly consequences.
The project is written by David Levinson (Welcome Home), and produced by Adam Goodman (Juror # 2) and Matt Skiena (Juror #2) for Dichotomy Creative Group,...
- 4/26/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Len Rowles, head of development at UK sales, finance and production outfit Protagonist Pictures, is joining environmentally-focused development fund Climate Spring as head of scripted, film and international.
Climate Spring was founded in 2020 by Lucy Stone, Josh Cockroft and James Durrant to offer development funding, editorial consultation, research and community building to climate-focused film and TV projects.
“The screen industries are uniquely placed to shine a light on the root causes of the climate crisis and illuminate existing and future solutions to inspire wide audiences,” said Rowles, a Screen Star of Tomorrow in 2016.
At Protagonist, Rowles spearheaded the company’s...
Climate Spring was founded in 2020 by Lucy Stone, Josh Cockroft and James Durrant to offer development funding, editorial consultation, research and community building to climate-focused film and TV projects.
“The screen industries are uniquely placed to shine a light on the root causes of the climate crisis and illuminate existing and future solutions to inspire wide audiences,” said Rowles, a Screen Star of Tomorrow in 2016.
At Protagonist, Rowles spearheaded the company’s...
- 4/3/2024
- ScreenDaily
UK sales, production and financing outfit Protagonist Pictures has unveiled a slew of changes to its leadership structure.
Janina Vilsmaier and Mounia Wissinger have been promoted to senior leadership roles, with Vilsmaier being upped to senior vice president of sales and distribution and Wissinger becoming senior vice president of global marketing and publicity. Vilsmaier will lead the sales division and work in partnership with Wissinger to strategise the global roll out of Protagonist titles. In addition to leading the marketing and publicity team, Wissinger will oversee the festival strategy for Protagonist’s film slate. Both will report directly into chief commercial officer George Hamilton.
Janina Vilsmaier and Mounia Wissinger have been promoted to senior leadership roles, with Vilsmaier being upped to senior vice president of sales and distribution and Wissinger becoming senior vice president of global marketing and publicity. Vilsmaier will lead the sales division and work in partnership with Wissinger to strategise the global roll out of Protagonist titles. In addition to leading the marketing and publicity team, Wissinger will oversee the festival strategy for Protagonist’s film slate. Both will report directly into chief commercial officer George Hamilton.
- 2/8/2024
- ScreenDaily
Sales, production and finance outfit Protagonist Pictures has beefed up its marketing and sales divisions with a slew of promotions and new hires.
Janina Vilsmaier, previously with Hanway before joining Protagonist in 2020, has been promoted to senior VP sales and distribution. Former Netflix and Studiocanal executive Mounia Wissinger, who joined the company in 2018, has been upped to senior VP global marketing and publicity. Vilsmaier will lead the sales division, overseeing both the first run and library sales activities, and work in partnership with Wissinger to strategize the global roll out of Protagonist titles. Wissinger will head up the marketing and publicity team, including overseeing the festival strategy for Protagonist’s film slate. Both will report directly into chief commercial officer George Hamilton.
Former Arclight Films senior executive Lina Marrone, who initially joined Protagonist as maternity cover, will remain at the company, taking up the permanent position of head of sales and reporting into Vilsmaier.
Janina Vilsmaier, previously with Hanway before joining Protagonist in 2020, has been promoted to senior VP sales and distribution. Former Netflix and Studiocanal executive Mounia Wissinger, who joined the company in 2018, has been upped to senior VP global marketing and publicity. Vilsmaier will lead the sales division, overseeing both the first run and library sales activities, and work in partnership with Wissinger to strategize the global roll out of Protagonist titles. Wissinger will head up the marketing and publicity team, including overseeing the festival strategy for Protagonist’s film slate. Both will report directly into chief commercial officer George Hamilton.
Former Arclight Films senior executive Lina Marrone, who initially joined Protagonist as maternity cover, will remain at the company, taking up the permanent position of head of sales and reporting into Vilsmaier.
- 2/8/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Protagonist Pictures has promoted senior execs Janina Vilsmaier and Mounia Wissinger to senior leadership roles as part of a wider move to strengthen its sales and marketing teams.
Vilsmaier has been upped to SVP Sales and Distribution and Wissinger becomes SVP Global Marketing and Publicity.
Protagonist made the announcement as it gears up for the Berlinale and the EFM, where its slate will include Nora Fingscheidt’s Panorama title The Outrun, starring Saoirse Ronan and Paapa Essiedu, and David and Nathan Zellner’s Berlinale Special selection Sasquatch Sunset with Riley Keough and Jesse Eisenberg, which makes its European premiere after a Sundance debut.
Under the promotions, Vilsmaier will lead the sales division, overseeing both the first run and library sales activities, and work in partnership with Wissinger to strategize the global roll out of Protagonist titles.
Wissinger will head up the marketing and publicity team, including overseeing the festival strategy for Protagonist’s film slate.
Vilsmaier has been upped to SVP Sales and Distribution and Wissinger becomes SVP Global Marketing and Publicity.
Protagonist made the announcement as it gears up for the Berlinale and the EFM, where its slate will include Nora Fingscheidt’s Panorama title The Outrun, starring Saoirse Ronan and Paapa Essiedu, and David and Nathan Zellner’s Berlinale Special selection Sasquatch Sunset with Riley Keough and Jesse Eisenberg, which makes its European premiere after a Sundance debut.
Under the promotions, Vilsmaier will lead the sales division, overseeing both the first run and library sales activities, and work in partnership with Wissinger to strategize the global roll out of Protagonist titles.
Wissinger will head up the marketing and publicity team, including overseeing the festival strategy for Protagonist’s film slate.
- 2/8/2024
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Variety has a first look at “The Damned,” the upcoming psychological horror starring Odessa Young and Joe Cole.
From director Thordur Palsson (“The Valhalla Murders”) and writer Jamie Hannigan, the film, which shot in Iceland last year, follows Eva (Young), a 19th-century widow who is tasked with making an impossible choice when a ship sinks off the coast of her isolated fishing outpost in the middle of an especially cruel winter. According to the synopsis, “Eva and her crew must choose between rescuing the shipwrecked and prioritising their own survival. Facing the consequences of their choice and tormented by their guilt, the inhabitants wrestle with a mounting sense of dread and begin to believe they are all being punished for their choices.”
Alongside Young and Cole, the cast also includes Siobhan Finneran (“Happy Valley,” “The Stranger”), Rory McCann (“Game of Thrones,” “Slow West”), Turlough Convery (“Killing Eve,” “Belfast”), Lewis Gribben (“Somewhere Boy,...
From director Thordur Palsson (“The Valhalla Murders”) and writer Jamie Hannigan, the film, which shot in Iceland last year, follows Eva (Young), a 19th-century widow who is tasked with making an impossible choice when a ship sinks off the coast of her isolated fishing outpost in the middle of an especially cruel winter. According to the synopsis, “Eva and her crew must choose between rescuing the shipwrecked and prioritising their own survival. Facing the consequences of their choice and tormented by their guilt, the inhabitants wrestle with a mounting sense of dread and begin to believe they are all being punished for their choices.”
Alongside Young and Cole, the cast also includes Siobhan Finneran (“Happy Valley,” “The Stranger”), Rory McCann (“Game of Thrones,” “Slow West”), Turlough Convery (“Killing Eve,” “Belfast”), Lewis Gribben (“Somewhere Boy,...
- 2/1/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: UTA Independent Film Group and CAA Media Finance are co-repping North American rights and Protagonist Pictures has come on board to handle international rights to Summer Camp. The film stars Diane Keaton and Kathy Bates along with Alfre Woodard. Rounding out the ensemble is Eugene Levy, Dennis Haysbert, Nicole Richie (Great News) and Josh Peck (Oppenheimer).
The film is currently in post-production and exclusive footage will be available to screen at AFM.
Written and directed by Castille Landon (After franchise), Summer Camp tells the story of Nora, Ginny and Mary, who have been best friends since childhood, spending their summers together at sleepaway camp. Fifty years later, a reunion at Camp Pinnacle means they’ll be back together just like old times. Their lives might not be where they’d imagine,...
The film is currently in post-production and exclusive footage will be available to screen at AFM.
Written and directed by Castille Landon (After franchise), Summer Camp tells the story of Nora, Ginny and Mary, who have been best friends since childhood, spending their summers together at sleepaway camp. Fifty years later, a reunion at Camp Pinnacle means they’ll be back together just like old times. Their lives might not be where they’d imagine,...
- 10/30/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Director Christopher Smith has built up a solid following in the horror community over the last twenty years by taking the helm of such films as Creep (2004), Severance, Triangle, Black Death, Detour, The Banishing, and Consecration. Now he has lined up his next genre project, signing on to direct Spider Island for Vertigo Films. Protagonist Pictures is handling the project’s worldwide rights and will be launching distribution sales ahead of the American Film Market, which is set to be held in Santa Monica, California from October 31st through November 5th.
Scripted by Christopher Jolley (The Price We Pay) and David Quantick (Veep), Spider Island will follow a group of social media influencers going to the launch party of a new luxury resort on a beautiful island. With deadly spiders.
The killer spider effects will be handled by Automatik VFX, a company that has previously designed creatures for Monsters: Dark Continent,...
Scripted by Christopher Jolley (The Price We Pay) and David Quantick (Veep), Spider Island will follow a group of social media influencers going to the launch party of a new luxury resort on a beautiful island. With deadly spiders.
The killer spider effects will be handled by Automatik VFX, a company that has previously designed creatures for Monsters: Dark Continent,...
- 10/18/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Horror Director Christopher Smith is getting ready to unleash arachnophobia-inducing horror-comedy madness in Spider Island. The project was announced today by Protagonist Pictures’ CEO Dave Bishop.
Spider Island “follows a group of social media influencers going to the launch party of a new luxury resort on a beautiful island. With deadly spiders.”
The film is written by Christopher Jolley (The Price We Pay) and David Quantick. Vertigo Films will produce the film, and Protagonist Pictures is handling worldwide rights, launching sales ahead of the upcoming American Film Market.
While the specifics behind these lethal spiders remain under wraps, we at least know that they’ll be handled via VFX.
From the press release: “The state-of-the-art VFX will be handled by Automatik VFX, the visual effects studio responsible for the brilliant creature design on Monsters Dark Continent, ‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘Doctor Who’ and ‘The Wheel Of Time.’ Seb Barker will serve as VFX supervisor.
Spider Island “follows a group of social media influencers going to the launch party of a new luxury resort on a beautiful island. With deadly spiders.”
The film is written by Christopher Jolley (The Price We Pay) and David Quantick. Vertigo Films will produce the film, and Protagonist Pictures is handling worldwide rights, launching sales ahead of the upcoming American Film Market.
While the specifics behind these lethal spiders remain under wraps, we at least know that they’ll be handled via VFX.
From the press release: “The state-of-the-art VFX will be handled by Automatik VFX, the visual effects studio responsible for the brilliant creature design on Monsters Dark Continent, ‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘Doctor Who’ and ‘The Wheel Of Time.’ Seb Barker will serve as VFX supervisor.
- 10/18/2023
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Award-winning horror writer-director Christopher Smith will direct concept horror comedy “Spider Island.”
Written by Christopher Jolley (“The Price We Pay”) and David Quantick (“Veep”), the film will follow a group of social media influencers going to the launch party of a new luxury resort on a beautiful island – one that is infested with deadly spiders.
Smith has won awards at Neuchatel for “Detour” and “Black Death” and at Bucheon for “Severance.” Most recently he directed HBO series “Spy/Master.”
The U.K.’s Vertigo Films will produce the film. Protagonist Pictures is handling worldwide rights, launching sales ahead of the upcoming American Film Market. Automatik VFX will handle visual effects with Seb Barker (“The Wheel of Time”) serving as VFX supervisor.
Production is set to begin in early 2024 in Mauritius. The film will feature a multinational cast.
Smith said: “For a while now, I’ve been searching for the perfect project...
Written by Christopher Jolley (“The Price We Pay”) and David Quantick (“Veep”), the film will follow a group of social media influencers going to the launch party of a new luxury resort on a beautiful island – one that is infested with deadly spiders.
Smith has won awards at Neuchatel for “Detour” and “Black Death” and at Bucheon for “Severance.” Most recently he directed HBO series “Spy/Master.”
The U.K.’s Vertigo Films will produce the film. Protagonist Pictures is handling worldwide rights, launching sales ahead of the upcoming American Film Market. Automatik VFX will handle visual effects with Seb Barker (“The Wheel of Time”) serving as VFX supervisor.
Production is set to begin in early 2024 in Mauritius. The film will feature a multinational cast.
Smith said: “For a while now, I’ve been searching for the perfect project...
- 10/18/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Jonathan Pryce (“The Two Popes”), Meera Syal (“Yesterday”) and Toby Jones (“Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy”) are joining the cast of “Flavia de Luce.”
As revealed by Variety, Isla Gie will star alongside Martin Freeman in the upcoming feature film, which is an adaptation of the New York Times bestselling novel “The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie: A Flavia de Luce Mystery.”
Protagonist Pictures has launched international sales on the family adventure and is introducing to buyers at the ongoing Cannes film market. CAA Media Finance are handling North America.
Adapted by Susan Coyne (“Daisy Jones and the Six”), the film will follow the adventures of 11-year-old Flavia de Luce (Gie), who is both an amateur detective and a master poisoner. When she discovers a dead body in her family’s decaying British manor house and her father is accused of the murder, Flavia launches her own investigation to...
As revealed by Variety, Isla Gie will star alongside Martin Freeman in the upcoming feature film, which is an adaptation of the New York Times bestselling novel “The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie: A Flavia de Luce Mystery.”
Protagonist Pictures has launched international sales on the family adventure and is introducing to buyers at the ongoing Cannes film market. CAA Media Finance are handling North America.
Adapted by Susan Coyne (“Daisy Jones and the Six”), the film will follow the adventures of 11-year-old Flavia de Luce (Gie), who is both an amateur detective and a master poisoner. When she discovers a dead body in her family’s decaying British manor house and her father is accused of the murder, Flavia launches her own investigation to...
- 5/19/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Oscar nominees Lesley Manville (Phantom Thread, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris) and Ciarán Hinds (Belfast, Tinker Tailer Soldier Spy) are teaming up for Midwinter Break, the debut feature of Olivier-winning British theater director Polly Findlay.
The prestige project is heading to the Marche du Film in Cannes, with Protagonist Pictures handling worldwide sales.
Adapted from the novel by BAFTA nominee Bernard MacLaverty (Lamb) and written by Nick Payne (The Last Letter from Your Lover, We Live in Time) Midwinter Break follows Stella and Gerry, a long-time married couple who reach a crossroads in their relationship when they take a trip to Amsterdam.
The film is produced by BAFTA Award-winner Guy Heeley, whose previous credits include the Steven Knight’s Tom Hardy-starring Locke; Joe Wright’s Cyrano, starring Peter Dinklage; and Stephen Daldry’s lockdown comedy-drama Together, starring James McAvoy and Sharon Horgan. The project was developed with Film4, who will executive produce and co-finance.
The prestige project is heading to the Marche du Film in Cannes, with Protagonist Pictures handling worldwide sales.
Adapted from the novel by BAFTA nominee Bernard MacLaverty (Lamb) and written by Nick Payne (The Last Letter from Your Lover, We Live in Time) Midwinter Break follows Stella and Gerry, a long-time married couple who reach a crossroads in their relationship when they take a trip to Amsterdam.
The film is produced by BAFTA Award-winner Guy Heeley, whose previous credits include the Steven Knight’s Tom Hardy-starring Locke; Joe Wright’s Cyrano, starring Peter Dinklage; and Stephen Daldry’s lockdown comedy-drama Together, starring James McAvoy and Sharon Horgan. The project was developed with Film4, who will executive produce and co-finance.
- 5/11/2023
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Isla Gie (“The Sandman”) will star alongside Martin Freeman in the upcoming feature film adaptation of the New York Times bestselling novel “The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie: A Flavia de Luce Mystery.”
Protagonist Pictures is launching international sales on the family adventure and will introduce to buyers at the upcoming Cannes film market. CAA Media Finance are handling North America.
Adapted by Susan Coyne (“Daisy Jones and the Six”), the film will follow the adventures of 11-year-old Flavia de Luce (Gie), who is both an amateur detective and a master poisoner. When she discovers a dead body in her family’s decaying British manor house and her father is accused of the murder, Flavia launches her own investigation to uncover family secrets and bring the true murderer to justice.
The film will be directed by Emmy and BAFTA-nominated director Bharat Nalluri.
The film is being produced by...
Protagonist Pictures is launching international sales on the family adventure and will introduce to buyers at the upcoming Cannes film market. CAA Media Finance are handling North America.
Adapted by Susan Coyne (“Daisy Jones and the Six”), the film will follow the adventures of 11-year-old Flavia de Luce (Gie), who is both an amateur detective and a master poisoner. When she discovers a dead body in her family’s decaying British manor house and her father is accused of the murder, Flavia launches her own investigation to uncover family secrets and bring the true murderer to justice.
The film will be directed by Emmy and BAFTA-nominated director Bharat Nalluri.
The film is being produced by...
- 5/4/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Tatiana Maslany of She-Hulk and Jasmin Savoy Brown of Scream 2022 and the upcoming Scream 6 have signed on to star in Green Bank, a sci-fi horror film from Scare Me and Werewolves Within director Josh Ruben. Variety reports that Protagonist Pictures will be launching international distribution sales at this month’s European Film Market, while CAA Media Finance and UTA Independent Film Group co-rep North American rights.
Green Bank gets its name from a real West Virginia town that’s located within the National Radio Quiet Zone, which is centered between the Green Bank Observatory and the Sugar Grove Station. Radio transmissions are restricted by law in this area “to facilitate scientific research and the gathering of military intelligence.” Cell phone use is restricted in the area, and the use of Wi-Fi routers and microwave ovens is also discouraged.
Scripted by Aaron Horwitz (The Cleansing Hour), Green Bank is...
Green Bank gets its name from a real West Virginia town that’s located within the National Radio Quiet Zone, which is centered between the Green Bank Observatory and the Sugar Grove Station. Radio transmissions are restricted by law in this area “to facilitate scientific research and the gathering of military intelligence.” Cell phone use is restricted in the area, and the use of Wi-Fi routers and microwave ovens is also discouraged.
Scripted by Aaron Horwitz (The Cleansing Hour), Green Bank is...
- 2/7/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
As was first announced by Variety, "She-Hulk" and "Orphan Black" star Tatiana Maslany is joining "Scream" and "Yellowjackets" star Jasmin Savoy Brown in a new sci-fi horror film from "Werewolves Within" and "Scare Me" director, Josh Ruben. The project is called "Green Bank," and both performers are slated to have leading roles. "In a marketplace where original, horror-thrillers slay at the box office, we need no further proof that audiences want to have fun at the movies again," Ruben told Variety. "That's the magic word. Fun. Horror is the bulletproof genre, and 'Green Bank' has the full package — it's smart, scary, and wickedly funny."
Protagonist Pictures CEO Dave Bishop also gave a statement to Variety, having said, "Josh has envisioned a perfectly paced roller coaster of a horror that expertly delivers on its promise to jolt, thrill, and terrify audiences, all while keeping them grinning from ear to ear." He...
Protagonist Pictures CEO Dave Bishop also gave a statement to Variety, having said, "Josh has envisioned a perfectly paced roller coaster of a horror that expertly delivers on its promise to jolt, thrill, and terrify audiences, all while keeping them grinning from ear to ear." He...
- 2/2/2023
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
Protagonist Pictures has closed a U.K. and Ireland distribution deal with BFI Distribution on the debut feature from Dionne Edwards, “Pretty Red Dress,” it was announced Tuesday by CEO Dave Bishop. Protagonist is handling worldwide sales on the critically lauded title and will continue sales at the ongoing American Film Market.
“Pretty Red Dress,” which world premiered at the BFI London Film Festival, will receive its market premiere at AFM screening for world buyers on Nov. 2 at 11 a.m. at the AMC Broadway.
The film stars Natey Jones, singer Alexandra Burke, and new talent Temilola Olatunbosun in the story of a south London family and how their lives revolve around one red dress.
The film is produced by Georgia Goggin for the U.K.’s Teng Teng Films, with the support of the BFI, which awarded National Lottery funding, and BBC Film, in association with Magellanic Media Limited and Great Point Media.
“Pretty Red Dress,” which world premiered at the BFI London Film Festival, will receive its market premiere at AFM screening for world buyers on Nov. 2 at 11 a.m. at the AMC Broadway.
The film stars Natey Jones, singer Alexandra Burke, and new talent Temilola Olatunbosun in the story of a south London family and how their lives revolve around one red dress.
The film is produced by Georgia Goggin for the U.K.’s Teng Teng Films, with the support of the BFI, which awarded National Lottery funding, and BBC Film, in association with Magellanic Media Limited and Great Point Media.
- 11/1/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Temple Hill Entertainment has had great success with the horror movie Smile, which has earned almost 200 million at the global box office – so it’s no surprise they have just lined up another horror project. Deadline reports that Temple Hill will be producing an adaptation of the Adam Cesare novel Clown in a Cornfield (pick up a copy Here), with Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil and Little Evil‘s Eli Craig on board to direct the film.
Clown in a Cornfield will tell the story of a fading midwestern town, in which Frendo the clown – a symbol of bygone success – reemerges as a terrifying scourge. Cesare’s novel has the following description:
Quinn Maybrook and her father have moved to tiny, boring Kettle Springs, to find a fresh start. But what they don’t know is that ever since the Baypen Corn Syrup Factory shut down, Kettle Springs has cracked in half.
Clown in a Cornfield will tell the story of a fading midwestern town, in which Frendo the clown – a symbol of bygone success – reemerges as a terrifying scourge. Cesare’s novel has the following description:
Quinn Maybrook and her father have moved to tiny, boring Kettle Springs, to find a fresh start. But what they don’t know is that ever since the Baypen Corn Syrup Factory shut down, Kettle Springs has cracked in half.
- 10/28/2022
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
The producers behind 2022's horror hit "Smile" are wasting no time in lining up their next project. And this one has a creepy clown in it! Plus, it is coming from the same director who gave us "Tucker and Dale vs. Evil." The project in question? An adaptation of author Adam Cesare's novel "Clown in a Cornfield." It's early stages, but the pieces on the board are promising.
According to Deadline, Eli Craig has been tapped to direct the film, which is a joint venture between Protagonist and Temple Hill. Carter Blanchard, an uncredited writer on "Independence Day: Resurgence," has been tapped to pen the screenplay. "We love Eli Craig's brand of scary fun and are thrilled to be working with him on this terrifying slasher adaptation that is both timely and timeless," said Temple Hill producers in a statement. Protagonist CEO Dave Bishop, meanwhile, had this to add:
"Nostalgia driven,...
According to Deadline, Eli Craig has been tapped to direct the film, which is a joint venture between Protagonist and Temple Hill. Carter Blanchard, an uncredited writer on "Independence Day: Resurgence," has been tapped to pen the screenplay. "We love Eli Craig's brand of scary fun and are thrilled to be working with him on this terrifying slasher adaptation that is both timely and timeless," said Temple Hill producers in a statement. Protagonist CEO Dave Bishop, meanwhile, had this to add:
"Nostalgia driven,...
- 10/28/2022
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Published in 2020, author Adam Cesare gave rise to a new slasher villain in the horror novel Clown in a Cornfield, and Deadline reports this morning that a movie is on the way.
Eli Craig (Tucker & Dale vs. Evil) will direct the movie adaptation of the young adult slasher novel, which comes courtesy of producer Temple Hill Entertainment.
Carter Blanchard is adapting Cesare’s novel, which recently spawned a sequel. And Deadline’s report also teases that a third Clown in a Cornfield novel is in the works.
Here’s the official synopsis for Adam Cesare’s slasher novel…
“Quinn Maybrook and her father have moved to tiny, boring Kettle Springs, to find a fresh start. But what they don’t know is that ever since the Baypen Corn Syrup Factory shut down, Kettle Springs has cracked in half. On one side are the adults, who are desperate to make Kettle Springs great again,...
Eli Craig (Tucker & Dale vs. Evil) will direct the movie adaptation of the young adult slasher novel, which comes courtesy of producer Temple Hill Entertainment.
Carter Blanchard is adapting Cesare’s novel, which recently spawned a sequel. And Deadline’s report also teases that a third Clown in a Cornfield novel is in the works.
Here’s the official synopsis for Adam Cesare’s slasher novel…
“Quinn Maybrook and her father have moved to tiny, boring Kettle Springs, to find a fresh start. But what they don’t know is that ever since the Baypen Corn Syrup Factory shut down, Kettle Springs has cracked in half. On one side are the adults, who are desperate to make Kettle Springs great again,...
- 10/28/2022
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Exclusive: As it nears a worldwide gross of 200M, the producers of box office hit Smile are lining up new horror Clown In A Cornfield, which Protagonist is launching worldwide sales on ahead of next week’s AFM in LA.
Producers Temple Hill Entertainment, also known for The Maze Runner franchise, Love, Simon, and the Twilight franchise, have tapped Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil and Little Evil director Eli Craig to helm the YA slasher thriller, which centers on a fading midwestern town, in which Frendo the clown – a symbol of bygone success – reemerges as a terrifying scourge.
Carter Blanchard is adapting Adam Cesare’s successful novel of the same name. A sequel, Clown in A Cornfield II: Frendo Lives, was published in August this year, and a third instalment is in the works.
Temple Hill’s Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey, who have emerged as forces in the YA market,...
Producers Temple Hill Entertainment, also known for The Maze Runner franchise, Love, Simon, and the Twilight franchise, have tapped Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil and Little Evil director Eli Craig to helm the YA slasher thriller, which centers on a fading midwestern town, in which Frendo the clown – a symbol of bygone success – reemerges as a terrifying scourge.
Carter Blanchard is adapting Adam Cesare’s successful novel of the same name. A sequel, Clown in A Cornfield II: Frendo Lives, was published in August this year, and a third instalment is in the works.
Temple Hill’s Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey, who have emerged as forces in the YA market,...
- 10/28/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The title is the feature debut of Dario Russo, and produced by ’The Babadook’ outfit Causeway Films.
Saint Maud’s Morfydd Clark and The Suicide Squad actor Jai Courtney are set to star in darkly comic folk story The Fox, the debut feature from Australian writer-director Dario Russo, with UK outfit Protagonist Pictures representing worldwide sales, and co-repping North American rights with UTA.
The heir to a vineyard dynasty takes drastic action after discovering his fiancé is cheating on him. He decides to follow the advice of a fox, who promises him a way to transform his doomed relationship, which...
Saint Maud’s Morfydd Clark and The Suicide Squad actor Jai Courtney are set to star in darkly comic folk story The Fox, the debut feature from Australian writer-director Dario Russo, with UK outfit Protagonist Pictures representing worldwide sales, and co-repping North American rights with UTA.
The heir to a vineyard dynasty takes drastic action after discovering his fiancé is cheating on him. He decides to follow the advice of a fox, who promises him a way to transform his doomed relationship, which...
- 10/26/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Co-founder recalls early lessons and its emergence as a major financier of indie filmmaking.
It is 20 years since UK advertising and music photographer Phil Hunt set up Head Gear Films.
The now booming production company and film financier is a major force in the Cannes market this year, involved in films including Mister Smith Entertainment’s He Went That Way, starring Jacob Elordi and Zachary Quinto, Altitude’s Sentinel, Gfm’s The Accursed and many others, including several titles from its sister company Bankside.
Back in 1998, Hunt had produced his first feature, Fast Food, a micro-budget movie made for £50,000, which...
It is 20 years since UK advertising and music photographer Phil Hunt set up Head Gear Films.
The now booming production company and film financier is a major force in the Cannes market this year, involved in films including Mister Smith Entertainment’s He Went That Way, starring Jacob Elordi and Zachary Quinto, Altitude’s Sentinel, Gfm’s The Accursed and many others, including several titles from its sister company Bankside.
Back in 1998, Hunt had produced his first feature, Fast Food, a micro-budget movie made for £50,000, which...
- 5/20/2022
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
Co-founder recalls early lessons and its emergence as a major financier of indie filmmaking.
It is 20 years since UK advertising and music photographer Phil Hunt set up Head Gear Films.
The now booming production company and film financier is a major force in the Cannes market this year, involved in films including Mister Smith Entertainment’s He Went That Way, starring Jacob Elordi and Zachary Quinto, Altitude’s Sentinel, Gfm’s The Accursed and many others, including several titles from its sister company Bankside.
Back in 1998, Hunt had produced his first feature, Fast Food, a micro-budget movie made for £50,000, which...
It is 20 years since UK advertising and music photographer Phil Hunt set up Head Gear Films.
The now booming production company and film financier is a major force in the Cannes market this year, involved in films including Mister Smith Entertainment’s He Went That Way, starring Jacob Elordi and Zachary Quinto, Altitude’s Sentinel, Gfm’s The Accursed and many others, including several titles from its sister company Bankside.
Back in 1998, Hunt had produced his first feature, Fast Food, a micro-budget movie made for £50,000, which...
- 5/20/2022
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
Co-founder recalls early lessons and its emergence as a major financier of indie filmmaking.
It is 20 years since UK advertising and music photographer Phil Hunt set up Head Gear Films.
The now booming production company and film financier is a major force in the Cannes market this year, involved in films like Mister Smith Entertainment’s He Went That Way starring Jacob Elordi and Zachary Quinto, Altitude’s Sentinel, Gfm’s The Accursed and many others, including several titles from its sister company Bankside.
Back in 1998, Hunt had produced his first feature, Fast Food, a micro-budget movie made for £50,000, which...
It is 20 years since UK advertising and music photographer Phil Hunt set up Head Gear Films.
The now booming production company and film financier is a major force in the Cannes market this year, involved in films like Mister Smith Entertainment’s He Went That Way starring Jacob Elordi and Zachary Quinto, Altitude’s Sentinel, Gfm’s The Accursed and many others, including several titles from its sister company Bankside.
Back in 1998, Hunt had produced his first feature, Fast Food, a micro-budget movie made for £50,000, which...
- 5/20/2022
- by Geoffrey Macnab
- ScreenDaily
UK-based company is aiming to ”move faster and come onto projects even earlier”.
Dave Bishop has been CEO of London-based sales, production and financing agency Protagonist Pictures for five years but Cannes 2022 is just his third time on the Croisette in the top role. Two years of the Covid-19 pandemic have kept Bishop mostly in the UK and reliant on Zoom.
The squeeze on talent has been a particular test. “We’ve spent a lot of time building relationships with [US] agents, managers and financiers,” says Bishop. “What’s been frustrating over the past couple of years is not being able to travel to the US.
Dave Bishop has been CEO of London-based sales, production and financing agency Protagonist Pictures for five years but Cannes 2022 is just his third time on the Croisette in the top role. Two years of the Covid-19 pandemic have kept Bishop mostly in the UK and reliant on Zoom.
The squeeze on talent has been a particular test. “We’ve spent a lot of time building relationships with [US] agents, managers and financiers,” says Bishop. “What’s been frustrating over the past couple of years is not being able to travel to the US.
- 5/19/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
In a further expansive move, London-based Protagonist Pictures is teaming with Madrid’s Mogambo, executive producers on “1917,” for a multi-year, multi-title strategic financing and production partnership.
Announced on the cusp of the Cannes Festival, the deal sees the two companies allying to finance, co-produce and sell up to five films a year, Protagonist CEO Dave Bishop and Cco George Hamilton, announced alongside Mogambo founders Ignacio Salazar-Simpson and Ricardo Marco Budé.
They added in a statement that the partnership will focus on jointly green-lighting prestige third party filmmaker-driven titles with budget ranges of 5 million-25 million, as well as strategic co-productions and development.
Negotiated by Mogambo’s legal director Carlos Segovia and Protagonist’s COO James Pugh, Hamilton and Head of Acquisitions Luane Gauer, the alliance is another building brick for both companies as they seek to leverage co-production to create bigger and more ambitious movie productions.
They can also bring...
Announced on the cusp of the Cannes Festival, the deal sees the two companies allying to finance, co-produce and sell up to five films a year, Protagonist CEO Dave Bishop and Cco George Hamilton, announced alongside Mogambo founders Ignacio Salazar-Simpson and Ricardo Marco Budé.
They added in a statement that the partnership will focus on jointly green-lighting prestige third party filmmaker-driven titles with budget ranges of 5 million-25 million, as well as strategic co-productions and development.
Negotiated by Mogambo’s legal director Carlos Segovia and Protagonist’s COO James Pugh, Hamilton and Head of Acquisitions Luane Gauer, the alliance is another building brick for both companies as they seek to leverage co-production to create bigger and more ambitious movie productions.
They can also bring...
- 5/16/2022
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Protagonist Pictures has closed sales on several key territories, including the U.S. and U.K., on 2021 Tribeca Film Festival Audience Award-winning documentary “Blind Ambition.”
Protagonist Pictures CEO Dave Bishop revealed to Variety that sales include Samuel Goldwyn Films for the U.S., Curzon for the U.K., Level for Canada, Paradiso for Benelux, Weltkino for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Non Stop for Scandinavia, Madman for Australia and New Zealand and New Select for Japan.
Directed by Warwick Ross and Rob Coe, “Blind Ambition” follows four friends who have conquered the odds to become South Africa’s top sommeliers after escaping starvation and tyranny in their homeland of Zimbabwe. Driven by relentless optimism, a passion for their craft and a sense of national pride, they form Zimbabwe’s first national wine tasting team and set their sights on the coveted title of “World Wine Tasting Champions.”
Ross and Coe also...
Protagonist Pictures CEO Dave Bishop revealed to Variety that sales include Samuel Goldwyn Films for the U.S., Curzon for the U.K., Level for Canada, Paradiso for Benelux, Weltkino for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Non Stop for Scandinavia, Madman for Australia and New Zealand and New Select for Japan.
Directed by Warwick Ross and Rob Coe, “Blind Ambition” follows four friends who have conquered the odds to become South Africa’s top sommeliers after escaping starvation and tyranny in their homeland of Zimbabwe. Driven by relentless optimism, a passion for their craft and a sense of national pride, they form Zimbabwe’s first national wine tasting team and set their sights on the coveted title of “World Wine Tasting Champions.”
Ross and Coe also...
- 9/8/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Ahead of its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, Protagonist Pictures has closed a UK all rights deal with Curzon for Spanish-language pic Official Competition starring Antonio Banderas, Penelope Cruz and Oscar Martínez.
In Official Competition, Oscar winner Cruz plays renowned filmmaker Lola Cuevas, who is recruited by a billionaire entrepreneur who impulsively decides to create an iconic movie. Banderas will star as Hollywood heartthrob Félix Rivero, and joining them is Argentinian actor Oscar Martínez (The Distinguished Citizen), who plays radical theatre actor Iván Torres.
The Spanish-language comedy, directed by Mariano Cohn and Gastón Duprat from a script they wrote with Andrés Duprat, will also screen in the Special Presentations section of the Toronto International Film Festival and will open this year’s Perlak Section at the San Sebastian Film Festival.
The deal for the film that debuts as part of the competition line up at Venice, was...
In Official Competition, Oscar winner Cruz plays renowned filmmaker Lola Cuevas, who is recruited by a billionaire entrepreneur who impulsively decides to create an iconic movie. Banderas will star as Hollywood heartthrob Félix Rivero, and joining them is Argentinian actor Oscar Martínez (The Distinguished Citizen), who plays radical theatre actor Iván Torres.
The Spanish-language comedy, directed by Mariano Cohn and Gastón Duprat from a script they wrote with Andrés Duprat, will also screen in the Special Presentations section of the Toronto International Film Festival and will open this year’s Perlak Section at the San Sebastian Film Festival.
The deal for the film that debuts as part of the competition line up at Venice, was...
- 9/4/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The aim is for greater emphasis on executive production and co-production.
London-based international sales, production and finance company Protagonist Pictures, whose titles include Censor and Venice’s Official Competition, has restructured its team, with three new appointments and a slew of promotions.
Alexis Hamaide joins as marketing manager from L’Avventura Studio in Paris, former Carnaby International and WestEnd Films exec Jonathan Walik has been appointed sales executive and Isabel Ivars, who has previously worked at Wide Management and Films Boutique is the new library and festivals manager.
“Our new roles reflect the shifting landscape of film financing and Jonathan,...
London-based international sales, production and finance company Protagonist Pictures, whose titles include Censor and Venice’s Official Competition, has restructured its team, with three new appointments and a slew of promotions.
Alexis Hamaide joins as marketing manager from L’Avventura Studio in Paris, former Carnaby International and WestEnd Films exec Jonathan Walik has been appointed sales executive and Isabel Ivars, who has previously worked at Wide Management and Films Boutique is the new library and festivals manager.
“Our new roles reflect the shifting landscape of film financing and Jonathan,...
- 9/2/2021
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Protagonist Pictures, the international sales, finance and production company behind films such as “Sound of Metal,” has announced a significant restructure with an eye to focusing on executive producing, Variety can reveal.
While Protagonist, which is in Venice with “Official Competition,” will continue to feed their traditional pre-sales model, their pivot to executive producing is intended to open up financing streams. The company will look to board films at an embryonic stage — sometimes even before the director — to arrange financing and allow enhanced creative opportunities in each project’s development and production.
“The restructure is very much in response to the ever-shifting landscape of the independent film business and how we have forged some new strategic initiatives in order to address that,” Protagonist CEO Dave Bishop tells Variety. “So that we can very much be the best partner to the filmmakers that we work with.”
In light of the structural changes,...
While Protagonist, which is in Venice with “Official Competition,” will continue to feed their traditional pre-sales model, their pivot to executive producing is intended to open up financing streams. The company will look to board films at an embryonic stage — sometimes even before the director — to arrange financing and allow enhanced creative opportunities in each project’s development and production.
“The restructure is very much in response to the ever-shifting landscape of the independent film business and how we have forged some new strategic initiatives in order to address that,” Protagonist CEO Dave Bishop tells Variety. “So that we can very much be the best partner to the filmmakers that we work with.”
In light of the structural changes,...
- 9/2/2021
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
“Mothering Sunday’s” Odessa Young has been tapped for award-winning director Thordur Palsson’s upcoming psychological horror “The Damned.”
The film will see Young star as Eva, a 19th-century widow tasked with making an impossible choice when, during an especially cruel winter, a ship sinks off the coast of her impoverished Icelandic fishing village. Any attempt to rescue survivors risks further depleting the starving villagers’ supplies.
As the villagers struggle with their guilt, Eva begins to experience unsettling visions and suspects they are being punished for their choice. Shooting will begin on location in Iceland in January 2022.
Protagonist Pictures will represent sales worldwide, co-repping U.S. rights with CAA Media Finance.
Palsson (“The Valhalla Murders”) wrote the story while Jamie Hannigan wrote the screenplay (supported by Screen Ireland).
Young is currently appearing in Cannes title “Mothering Sunday” alongside Olivia Colman (“The Father”), Colin Firth (“The King’s Speech”) and Josh O’Connor...
The film will see Young star as Eva, a 19th-century widow tasked with making an impossible choice when, during an especially cruel winter, a ship sinks off the coast of her impoverished Icelandic fishing village. Any attempt to rescue survivors risks further depleting the starving villagers’ supplies.
As the villagers struggle with their guilt, Eva begins to experience unsettling visions and suspects they are being punished for their choice. Shooting will begin on location in Iceland in January 2022.
Protagonist Pictures will represent sales worldwide, co-repping U.S. rights with CAA Media Finance.
Palsson (“The Valhalla Murders”) wrote the story while Jamie Hannigan wrote the screenplay (supported by Screen Ireland).
Young is currently appearing in Cannes title “Mothering Sunday” alongside Olivia Colman (“The Father”), Colin Firth (“The King’s Speech”) and Josh O’Connor...
- 7/8/2021
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Jason Wingard to direct UK feature.
UK outfit Protagonist Pictures is launching world sales on UK romantic comedy Fado!, starring Emily Watson and Richard E. Grant, at the Pre-Cannes Screenings next week.
UK filmmaker Jason Wingard will direct the feature from a script by Andrea Mann, and shooting will take place on location in Lisbon, Portugal and Wolverhampton in the UK.
It is produced by Gareth Wiley, whose credits include Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Match Point, with Giulia Salvadori as co-producer. Portuguese production services will be provided by executive producers Nuno Martins and Gerardo Fernandes through Disfarce Lda.
UK outfit Protagonist Pictures is launching world sales on UK romantic comedy Fado!, starring Emily Watson and Richard E. Grant, at the Pre-Cannes Screenings next week.
UK filmmaker Jason Wingard will direct the feature from a script by Andrea Mann, and shooting will take place on location in Lisbon, Portugal and Wolverhampton in the UK.
It is produced by Gareth Wiley, whose credits include Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Match Point, with Giulia Salvadori as co-producer. Portuguese production services will be provided by executive producers Nuno Martins and Gerardo Fernandes through Disfarce Lda.
- 6/17/2021
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Oscar nominees Emily Watson and Richard E. Grant will star in director Jason Wingard’s romantic comedy “Fado!”
Global sales agent Protagonist Pictures will introduce the project to buyers at the upcoming Marche du Film (June 21-25) at Cannes.
Based on a script by Andrea Mann, “Fado!” follows Linda (Watson), a crossword enthusiast, choral society member, wife and mother of two, and her music lecturer husband Jim (Grant), who are about to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary with a romantic trip to Lisbon. But the night before they travel, Linda discovers a monumental secret that will shake the very foundations of their marriage.
“Fado!” will be the first time Watson and Grant have shared the screen since they both starred in Robert Altman’s Oscar winning “Gosford Park” (2001).
The film will be shot on location in Lisbon, Portugal and Wolverhampton, U.K.
Wingard’s debut feature, “In Another Life,” won...
Global sales agent Protagonist Pictures will introduce the project to buyers at the upcoming Marche du Film (June 21-25) at Cannes.
Based on a script by Andrea Mann, “Fado!” follows Linda (Watson), a crossword enthusiast, choral society member, wife and mother of two, and her music lecturer husband Jim (Grant), who are about to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary with a romantic trip to Lisbon. But the night before they travel, Linda discovers a monumental secret that will shake the very foundations of their marriage.
“Fado!” will be the first time Watson and Grant have shared the screen since they both starred in Robert Altman’s Oscar winning “Gosford Park” (2001).
The film will be shot on location in Lisbon, Portugal and Wolverhampton, U.K.
Wingard’s debut feature, “In Another Life,” won...
- 6/17/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Oscar nominees Emily Watson and Richard E. Grant have been set to star in director Jason Wingard’s romantic comedy Fado! from a script by Andrea Mann. Global sales agent Protagonist Pictures will introduce the project to buyers at the upcoming Cannes Market.
Fado!, which marks the first time Watson and Grant have shared the screen since they both starred in Robert Altman’s Academy Award-winning period drama Gosford Park, will be shot on location in Lisbon, Portugal and Wolverhampton, UK.
The film follows Linda (Watson), a crossword enthusiast, choral society member, wife and mother of two, and her music lecturer husband, Jim (Grant), who are about to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary with a romantic trip to Lisbon. But the night before they travel, Linda discovers a monumental secret that will shake the very foundations of their marriage. Determined not to let this discovery define her life and needing space to process,...
Fado!, which marks the first time Watson and Grant have shared the screen since they both starred in Robert Altman’s Academy Award-winning period drama Gosford Park, will be shot on location in Lisbon, Portugal and Wolverhampton, UK.
The film follows Linda (Watson), a crossword enthusiast, choral society member, wife and mother of two, and her music lecturer husband, Jim (Grant), who are about to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary with a romantic trip to Lisbon. But the night before they travel, Linda discovers a monumental secret that will shake the very foundations of their marriage. Determined not to let this discovery define her life and needing space to process,...
- 6/17/2021
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: In an interesting international tie-up, UK sales firm Protagonist Pictures and Germany’s 7500 and Stowaway producer Augenschein are teaming up to co-represent worldwide rights on select English-language movies.
Protagonist will serve as executive producers on the films in the new partnership and work with Augenschein to source finance for the projects. The companies will invest a portion of the funds generated by the sales into the co-development of select projects, with the aim of building a co-production slate.
The strategic alliance is not fully exclusive and will not prevent either company from continuing to work with others.
This is a smart move to bolster prominence in a market in which the streamers are increasingly dominant. We’ve heard for a while about the potential for sellers and distributors teaming up to increase their pulling power and distribution footprints.
The first project under the new deal will be elevated survival...
Protagonist will serve as executive producers on the films in the new partnership and work with Augenschein to source finance for the projects. The companies will invest a portion of the funds generated by the sales into the co-development of select projects, with the aim of building a co-production slate.
The strategic alliance is not fully exclusive and will not prevent either company from continuing to work with others.
This is a smart move to bolster prominence in a market in which the streamers are increasingly dominant. We’ve heard for a while about the potential for sellers and distributors teaming up to increase their pulling power and distribution footprints.
The first project under the new deal will be elevated survival...
- 6/16/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Sophie Lowe, Louisa Krause star in survival thriller, set to shoot later summer in Malta, Germany.
Augenschein Sales and Protagonist Pictures have struck a worldwide sales partnership on select films from Augenschein’s slate of English-speaking films and will kick off virtual Cannes market talks on survival thriller The Dive.
Protagonist will serve as executive producers on the projects and will help augenschein source additional financing.
The companies will invest a portion of the funds generated by the non-exclusive partnership into co-development of select projects as they assemble a co-production slate.
The Dive is scheduled to commence production in mid-August...
Augenschein Sales and Protagonist Pictures have struck a worldwide sales partnership on select films from Augenschein’s slate of English-speaking films and will kick off virtual Cannes market talks on survival thriller The Dive.
Protagonist will serve as executive producers on the projects and will help augenschein source additional financing.
The companies will invest a portion of the funds generated by the non-exclusive partnership into co-development of select projects as they assemble a co-production slate.
The Dive is scheduled to commence production in mid-August...
- 6/16/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
IFC Films acquired North American rights to Cooper Raiff’s romantic comedy.
Vertigo Releasing has acquired SXSW grand jury prize winner Freshman Year (aka Shithouse) for the UK and Ireland, while Protagonist Pictures has boarded international sales on the romantic comedy-drama.
Vertigo is planning a theatrical and digital platform release in February 2021. Protagonist will launch the title to international buyers at AFM in November.
The college romance marks the feature debut of writer-director Cooper Raiff, who also stars in the film alongside Dylan Gelula (Her Smell), Amy Landecker (Transparent) and Logan Miller (Love Simon).
It centres on a friendly college...
Vertigo Releasing has acquired SXSW grand jury prize winner Freshman Year (aka Shithouse) for the UK and Ireland, while Protagonist Pictures has boarded international sales on the romantic comedy-drama.
Vertigo is planning a theatrical and digital platform release in February 2021. Protagonist will launch the title to international buyers at AFM in November.
The college romance marks the feature debut of writer-director Cooper Raiff, who also stars in the film alongside Dylan Gelula (Her Smell), Amy Landecker (Transparent) and Logan Miller (Love Simon).
It centres on a friendly college...
- 10/29/2020
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Former Focus Features executive Luane Gauer has joined sales, production and finance company Protagonist Pictures as head of acquisitions.
As vice-president, production and acquisitions at Focus in Los Angeles, Gauer worked on films for worldwide distribution, including Emerald Fennell’s Sundance title “Promising Young Woman”; international acquisitions like Joanna Hogg’s “The Souvenir,” Asghar Fahradi’s “Everybody Knows”; and Pedro Almodovar’s “Pain and Glory”; as well as in-house productions including Luke Greenfield’s upcoming “Half Brothers.”
Gauer was previously at Universal Pictures in London, where she worked in international production and acquisitions.
“I have long been an admirer of Protagonist Pictures and am delighted to join the team,” said Gauer. “I look forward to working with them and with exceptional creators on films that inspire and entertain audiences across the world.”
Protagonist CEO Dave Bishop said: “Recognised for her exceptional taste, broad industry knowledge, and international filmmaker relationships, Luane...
As vice-president, production and acquisitions at Focus in Los Angeles, Gauer worked on films for worldwide distribution, including Emerald Fennell’s Sundance title “Promising Young Woman”; international acquisitions like Joanna Hogg’s “The Souvenir,” Asghar Fahradi’s “Everybody Knows”; and Pedro Almodovar’s “Pain and Glory”; as well as in-house productions including Luke Greenfield’s upcoming “Half Brothers.”
Gauer was previously at Universal Pictures in London, where she worked in international production and acquisitions.
“I have long been an admirer of Protagonist Pictures and am delighted to join the team,” said Gauer. “I look forward to working with them and with exceptional creators on films that inspire and entertain audiences across the world.”
Protagonist CEO Dave Bishop said: “Recognised for her exceptional taste, broad industry knowledge, and international filmmaker relationships, Luane...
- 8/19/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Gauer most recently held the position of Focus Features vice-president of production and acquisitions.
UK-based sales, production and finance company Protagonist Pictures has hired Luane Gauer as head of acquisitions to replace Isabelle Stewart, who left the company last month.
Gauer will be based in London and arrives from Los Angles, where she most recently held the position of Focus Features vice-president of production and acquisitions.
During her tenure at Focus, she worked on Carey Mulligan revenge tale Promising Young Woman, Joanna Hogg’s The Souvenir, Asghar Farhadi’s Everybody Knows and Pedro Almodovar’s Pain & Glory, as well...
UK-based sales, production and finance company Protagonist Pictures has hired Luane Gauer as head of acquisitions to replace Isabelle Stewart, who left the company last month.
Gauer will be based in London and arrives from Los Angles, where she most recently held the position of Focus Features vice-president of production and acquisitions.
During her tenure at Focus, she worked on Carey Mulligan revenge tale Promising Young Woman, Joanna Hogg’s The Souvenir, Asghar Farhadi’s Everybody Knows and Pedro Almodovar’s Pain & Glory, as well...
- 8/19/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Vanessa Saal has stepped down from her position as managing director, sales and distribution at London-based international sales, finance, and production company Protagonist Pictures, which has a stellar record representing arthouse hits like Pawel Pawlikowski’s “Cold War,” Taika Waititi’s “Hunt for the Wilderpeople,” Sean Baker’s “The Florida Project,” and Yorgos Lanthimos’ “The Lobster.”
As well as leading the company’s international sales, she was also instrumental in bringing in projects such as Mariano Cohn’s and Gaston Duprat’s “Official Competition,” starring Penelope Cruz, Antonio Banderas, and Oscar Martinez, one of the top-selling titles at this year’s Berlin’s European Film Market.
Saal relocated to London to join Protagonist as head of worldwide sales in 2014. Prior to that, she was senior VP of international sales at Paris-based Studiocanal, and international sales and development exec at Paris-based Kinology. She started her career at New York-based Focus Features.
As well as leading the company’s international sales, she was also instrumental in bringing in projects such as Mariano Cohn’s and Gaston Duprat’s “Official Competition,” starring Penelope Cruz, Antonio Banderas, and Oscar Martinez, one of the top-selling titles at this year’s Berlin’s European Film Market.
Saal relocated to London to join Protagonist as head of worldwide sales in 2014. Prior to that, she was senior VP of international sales at Paris-based Studiocanal, and international sales and development exec at Paris-based Kinology. She started her career at New York-based Focus Features.
- 6/5/2020
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Saal led sales on films including ‘Cold War’, ‘The Florida Project’ and ‘The Lobster’.
Vanessa Saal, managing director, sales and distribution at the UK’s Protagonist Pictures, is leaving the company. Her last day at the sales, finance and production outfit is today (Friday June 5).
Saal joined Protagonist as head of worldwide sales in 2014. During her six years at the company, she has overseen award-winning films including Pawel Pawlikowski’s Cold War, Sean Baker’s The Florida Project, Taika Waititi’s The Hunt For The Wilderpeople and Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Lobster.
She was also instrumental in bringing in projects including...
Vanessa Saal, managing director, sales and distribution at the UK’s Protagonist Pictures, is leaving the company. Her last day at the sales, finance and production outfit is today (Friday June 5).
Saal joined Protagonist as head of worldwide sales in 2014. During her six years at the company, she has overseen award-winning films including Pawel Pawlikowski’s Cold War, Sean Baker’s The Florida Project, Taika Waititi’s The Hunt For The Wilderpeople and Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Lobster.
She was also instrumental in bringing in projects including...
- 6/5/2020
- by 88¦Louise Tutt¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.