Exclusive: Former Fifth Season film head Alexis Garcia has launched CAT5, an action film label that will be backed by his former employers, who are among other investors and partners to be announced at later date. As one of its first projects, CAT5 has signed on to co-finance Black Bear’s Levon’s Trade. The film is in production, with David Ayer-directing the Jason Statham vehicle that was adapted from the Chuck Dixon novel by Sylvester Stallone, with revisions by Ayer. Garcia joins as an executive producer. The film is in production in London and slated for wide theatrical release in the U.S. by Amazon MGM Studios on January 17, 2025.
Garcia spent seven years with Fifth Season and Graham Taylor and Chris Rice, helping build it from its 2017 launch as Endeavor Content. Before that he spent a decade at Endeavor/WME under Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell, where he...
Garcia spent seven years with Fifth Season and Graham Taylor and Chris Rice, helping build it from its 2017 launch as Endeavor Content. Before that he spent a decade at Endeavor/WME under Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell, where he...
- 5/2/2024
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Scout a picturesque cliffside and fire up the wind machines because Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas are ready to feel the wind in their hair while serenading audiences for the musical comedy Power Ballad. The film starring Rudd and Jonas revolves around a wedding singer (Rudd), a rock star (Jonas), and the song that divides them. The project hails from 30West and Anthony Bregman’s Likely Story.
John Carney directs Power Ballad from a script he co-wrote with Peter McDonald, who wrote and directed the comedy short Pentecost and co-wrote The Bachelor Weekend with John Butler.
“We are so excited to bring John Carney’s next film to Cannes. John has a magic ability to weave great music into wonderfully engaging and universally relatable stories that make audience emotions run high,” said Alex Walton of WME. “Power Ballad is fun and heartwarming – themes that audiences crave today. His unique vision,...
John Carney directs Power Ballad from a script he co-wrote with Peter McDonald, who wrote and directed the comedy short Pentecost and co-wrote The Bachelor Weekend with John Butler.
“We are so excited to bring John Carney’s next film to Cannes. John has a magic ability to weave great music into wonderfully engaging and universally relatable stories that make audience emotions run high,” said Alex Walton of WME. “Power Ballad is fun and heartwarming – themes that audiences crave today. His unique vision,...
- 5/2/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Andrew DeYoung has been tapped to direct and executive produce HBO’s half-hour comedy pilot The Chair Company, starring Tim Robinson. The project hails from Robinson and his writing partner Zach Kanin, and is executive produced by Adam McKay and Todd Schulman for McKay’s Hyperobject Industries.
In The Chair Company, written and executive produced by Robinson and Kanin, after an embarrassing incident at work, a man (Robinson) finds himself investigating a far-reaching conspiracy.
The project continues DeYoung’s with Robinson, having most recently shot his feature debut comedy Friendship, from Fifth Season and BoulderLight Pictures, with Robinson and Paul Rudd. He co-wrote and directed the Peacock sketch comedy special Would It Kill You To Laugh? through A24. Recent credits include directing episodes of the hit Max series Our Flag Means Death and upcoming Jenji Kohan Netflix series Decameron. He has directed multiple episodes, including the series finale, of...
In The Chair Company, written and executive produced by Robinson and Kanin, after an embarrassing incident at work, a man (Robinson) finds himself investigating a far-reaching conspiracy.
The project continues DeYoung’s with Robinson, having most recently shot his feature debut comedy Friendship, from Fifth Season and BoulderLight Pictures, with Robinson and Paul Rudd. He co-wrote and directed the Peacock sketch comedy special Would It Kill You To Laugh? through A24. Recent credits include directing episodes of the hit Max series Our Flag Means Death and upcoming Jenji Kohan Netflix series Decameron. He has directed multiple episodes, including the series finale, of...
- 4/18/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Fifth Season has upped Christopher Slager to Head of Film as the studio expands its in-house production and development of feature films.
Slager will oversee the studio’s anticipated productions including Netflix/Artists Equity’s Animals, starring Matt Damon and directed by Ben Affleck, as well as the Samuel L. Jackson and Joel Kinnaman movie The Beast directed by Emmy winner James Madigan.
Alexis Garcia, who previously managed features, will launch a new venture with backing from Fifth Season, details to be announced down the road. Garcia will remain a consultant to the studio during his transition.
Among those titles on the horizon for Fifth Season under Slager’s watch are Stephen Chbosky’s Nonnas, starring Vince Vaughn, Susan Sarandon, and Linda Cardellini; Jan Komasa’s Anniversary, starring Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler, Dylan O’Brien, Zoey Deutch, Phoebe Dynevor, Madeline Brewer, Mckenna Grace, and Daryl McCormack; Nick Rowland’s She Rides Shotgun,...
Slager will oversee the studio’s anticipated productions including Netflix/Artists Equity’s Animals, starring Matt Damon and directed by Ben Affleck, as well as the Samuel L. Jackson and Joel Kinnaman movie The Beast directed by Emmy winner James Madigan.
Alexis Garcia, who previously managed features, will launch a new venture with backing from Fifth Season, details to be announced down the road. Garcia will remain a consultant to the studio during his transition.
Among those titles on the horizon for Fifth Season under Slager’s watch are Stephen Chbosky’s Nonnas, starring Vince Vaughn, Susan Sarandon, and Linda Cardellini; Jan Komasa’s Anniversary, starring Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler, Dylan O’Brien, Zoey Deutch, Phoebe Dynevor, Madeline Brewer, Mckenna Grace, and Daryl McCormack; Nick Rowland’s She Rides Shotgun,...
- 3/27/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Jack Dylan Grazer, Josh Segarra & Billy Bryk Among New Additions To Tim Robinson Comedy ‘Friendship’
Exclusive: Jack Dylan Grazer (It franchise), Josh Segarra (Scream VI) and Billy Bryk (When You Finish Saving the World) are among the final additions to the cast of the comedy Friendship, from Fifth Season and BoulderLight Pictures. Their roles are under wraps.
As previously reported, Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd, and Kate Mara lead the cast. Other new additions include Jason Veasey, Jon Glaser, Eric Rahill, Conner O’Malley, Carmen Christopher, Craig Frank, Omar Torres, Jacob Ming-Trent, Daniel London, Whitmer Thomas, and Raphael Sbarge.
The first feature from writer-director Andrew DeYoung, Friendship follows Craig Waterman (Robinson), who enjoys his life. He likes New Balance shoes, Subway sandwiches, and Marvel movies. He lives in the suburbs with his wife, Tami, and son, Steven. He’s happy to work at Universal Digital, a company that helps brands make their products more habit-forming. Craig sees no reason to change anything or make new friends… until...
As previously reported, Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd, and Kate Mara lead the cast. Other new additions include Jason Veasey, Jon Glaser, Eric Rahill, Conner O’Malley, Carmen Christopher, Craig Frank, Omar Torres, Jacob Ming-Trent, Daniel London, Whitmer Thomas, and Raphael Sbarge.
The first feature from writer-director Andrew DeYoung, Friendship follows Craig Waterman (Robinson), who enjoys his life. He likes New Balance shoes, Subway sandwiches, and Marvel movies. He lives in the suburbs with his wife, Tami, and son, Steven. He’s happy to work at Universal Digital, a company that helps brands make their products more habit-forming. Craig sees no reason to change anything or make new friends… until...
- 3/20/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The Unnamed Footage Festival returns to San Francisco, California next month for the 7th edition of the Found Footage Horror, First Person Pov, and Faux Doc film festival.
The full lineup has been announced this week. Read on for everything you need to know…
“The Unnamed Footage Festival team has unveiled the final wave of features for the 7th edition of their annual in-person event, including retro screenings and several special events. Alongside the full schedule and official festival art, Uff has announced a partnership with genre studio Welcome Villain Films, and with their support UFF7 has grown into the biggest and most diverse event in the festival’s history.
“Following the pre-festival 10th anniversary screening of As Above So Below at the Alamo Drafthouse, Uff has added another night at the Artist’s Television Access for a badgeholder only sneak peek at a new version of The Outwaters with filmmaker Robbie Banfitch in person.
The full lineup has been announced this week. Read on for everything you need to know…
“The Unnamed Footage Festival team has unveiled the final wave of features for the 7th edition of their annual in-person event, including retro screenings and several special events. Alongside the full schedule and official festival art, Uff has announced a partnership with genre studio Welcome Villain Films, and with their support UFF7 has grown into the biggest and most diverse event in the festival’s history.
“Following the pre-festival 10th anniversary screening of As Above So Below at the Alamo Drafthouse, Uff has added another night at the Artist’s Television Access for a badgeholder only sneak peek at a new version of The Outwaters with filmmaker Robbie Banfitch in person.
- 2/29/2024
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Tim Robinson, the comedian behind sketch series I Think You Should Leave, is starring in Friendship, along with Paul Rudd and Kate Mara. The indie comedy is marking the feature directorial debut of Andrew DeYoung, the helmer known for his work on such series as Our Flag Means Death and PEN15.
J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules, the producing duo behind horror hit Barbarian, are producing the comedy, which is now in production, with Fifth Season, the financier-distribution-production outfit behind recent movies Flora and Son and 80 for Brady. Fifth Season, formerly named Endeavor Content, is also financing.
Written by DeYoung, Friendship centers on a mild-mannered man named Craig, whose life is perfectly balanced, with Subway sandwiches and Marvel movies, a job he enjoys and a happy home life with a wife and son. That life is upended with the arrival in the neighborhood by a weatherman, played by Rudd. Mysterious yet friendly,...
J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules, the producing duo behind horror hit Barbarian, are producing the comedy, which is now in production, with Fifth Season, the financier-distribution-production outfit behind recent movies Flora and Son and 80 for Brady. Fifth Season, formerly named Endeavor Content, is also financing.
Written by DeYoung, Friendship centers on a mild-mannered man named Craig, whose life is perfectly balanced, with Subway sandwiches and Marvel movies, a job he enjoys and a happy home life with a wife and son. That life is upended with the arrival in the neighborhood by a weatherman, played by Rudd. Mysterious yet friendly,...
- 2/2/2024
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Tim Robinson (I Think You Should Leave), Paul Rudd (Only Murders in the Building) and Kate Mara (Class of ’09) have been set to star in Friendship, a new comedy from Fifth Season and BoulderLight Pictures.
Pic centers on Craig Waterman (Robinson), who enjoys his life. He likes New Balance shoes, Subway sandwiches, and Marvel movies. He lives in the suburbs with his wife, Tami, and son, Steven. He’s happy to work at Universal Digital, a company that helps brands make their products more habit-forming. Craig sees no reason to change anything or make new friends… until weatherman Brian moves into the neighborhood. Mysterious yet friendly, macho but vulnerable, Brian (Rudd) transforms everything for Craig, but Craig’s obsessive and childlike nature threatens to ruin the friendship, and possibly everything else in his life.
Friendship is the first feature from director Andrew DeYoung, who also penned the script and is exec producing alongside Tracy Rosenblum.
Pic centers on Craig Waterman (Robinson), who enjoys his life. He likes New Balance shoes, Subway sandwiches, and Marvel movies. He lives in the suburbs with his wife, Tami, and son, Steven. He’s happy to work at Universal Digital, a company that helps brands make their products more habit-forming. Craig sees no reason to change anything or make new friends… until weatherman Brian moves into the neighborhood. Mysterious yet friendly, macho but vulnerable, Brian (Rudd) transforms everything for Craig, but Craig’s obsessive and childlike nature threatens to ruin the friendship, and possibly everything else in his life.
Friendship is the first feature from director Andrew DeYoung, who also penned the script and is exec producing alongside Tracy Rosenblum.
- 2/2/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
As the recently concluded WGA strike conclusively proved, a TV writer’s work doesn’t stop the moment they shut Final Draft. A TV showrunner all the more so. For both Season 1 and Season 2 of “Our Flag Means Death,” creator David Jenkins has had to weigh in on every facet of the series: from the biker-gang look of Blackbeard’s (Taika Waititi) crew to the comic-splash-panel style of the cinematography in romantic moments between the notorious pirate and the show’s more low-key infamous lead Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby) to the quality of clouds brought in by the VFX team for the show’s LED background.
So while stepping into the director’s chair for the first two episodes of Season 2 did give Jenkins even more and new choices to make, he found it was a smooth transition; the work of directing honestly offered a bit of a break from...
So while stepping into the director’s chair for the first two episodes of Season 2 did give Jenkins even more and new choices to make, he found it was a smooth transition; the work of directing honestly offered a bit of a break from...
- 10/12/2023
- by Sarah Shachat
- Indiewire
Based on Gold Derby’s odds, one of the absolute tightest 2023 Creative Arts Emmy races involves Best Variety Special Writing contenders Chris Rock and John Mulaney, both of whom have previously conquered the category and are now facing off for the first time ever. Having both pushed their comedy to new levels of boldness in their respective Netflix specials “Selective Outrage” and “Baby J,” they provide voters with a truly tough choice when it comes to honoring the most impressive writing of the year.
This contest is made even more interesting by the fact that Rock and Wanda Sykes (“I’m an Entertainer”) are competing against each other after jointly earning four writing nominations and one win for “The Chris Rock Show” over two decades ago. Also included in this lineup are the sketch comedy special “Would It Kill You to Laugh?” and the career retrospective “Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love....
This contest is made even more interesting by the fact that Rock and Wanda Sykes (“I’m an Entertainer”) are competing against each other after jointly earning four writing nominations and one win for “The Chris Rock Show” over two decades ago. Also included in this lineup are the sketch comedy special “Would It Kill You to Laugh?” and the career retrospective “Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love....
- 8/4/2023
- by Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
The 2022 Emmy ballot for Best Comedy Directing lists 178 episodes, so there will be seven nominees. As a refresher, last year’s winner was “Hacks” (“There Is No Line” by Lucia Aniello) and the other nominees were “The Flight Attendant” (“In Case of Emergency” by Susanna Fogel), “B Positive” (“Pilot” by James Burrows) and “Mom” (“Scooby-Doo Checks and Salisbury Steak” by James Widdoes), plus “Ted Lasso” with three episodes.
With the exception of “Mom,” which ended last year, all of these series are back in the running. “Hacks” once again went with a solo submission (as it did with writing), with Aniello defending her title with the episode “There Will Be Blood.” After getting three slots last year, “Ted Lasso” takes its shot with four episode submissions, including nominees Lowney (“Inventing The Pyramid Of Success”) and Delaney (“No Weddings and a Funeral”), along with Erica Dunton (“Rainbow”) and Sam Jones (“Beard...
With the exception of “Mom,” which ended last year, all of these series are back in the running. “Hacks” once again went with a solo submission (as it did with writing), with Aniello defending her title with the episode “There Will Be Blood.” After getting three slots last year, “Ted Lasso” takes its shot with four episode submissions, including nominees Lowney (“Inventing The Pyramid Of Success”) and Delaney (“No Weddings and a Funeral”), along with Erica Dunton (“Rainbow”) and Sam Jones (“Beard...
- 6/30/2022
- by Christopher Tsang
- Gold Derby
What is the most famous gay and half-Jewish comedy duo you can think of? If you’re coming up short, the answer is Kate Berlant and John Early, who have solidified that reputation in the zeitgeist with their Peacock special, “Would It Kill You to Laugh?,” which premiered on Friday.
The special, directed by Andrew DeYoung, is extremely high concept. It sets the scene of Berlant and Early’s decades-long feud and public falling-out from their hit sitcom, “He’s Gay, She’s Half-Jewish.” Meredith Vieira sits them down for an interview and things quickly go sideways, as the two battle it out over who got the rights to which comedic bits in their settlement.
It then transitions into seemingly unrelated sketches that traverse time and space: the two of them have a meltdown in a children’s hip-hop class, they wear full beaver costumes at an airport (everyone else...
The special, directed by Andrew DeYoung, is extremely high concept. It sets the scene of Berlant and Early’s decades-long feud and public falling-out from their hit sitcom, “He’s Gay, She’s Half-Jewish.” Meredith Vieira sits them down for an interview and things quickly go sideways, as the two battle it out over who got the rights to which comedic bits in their settlement.
It then transitions into seemingly unrelated sketches that traverse time and space: the two of them have a meltdown in a children’s hip-hop class, they wear full beaver costumes at an airport (everyone else...
- 6/28/2022
- by Sasha Urban
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Los Angeles Media Fund has landed rights to Andrew DeYoung’s novel The Temps in a competitive situation with plans to develop it for television. Gabriel Bisset-Smith (The Last Hours of Laura K) will serve as the show’s creator.
The Temps was release by Turner Publishing on March 29th and sold out its first print run. Its synopsis is as follows:
They’re underemployed. Underpaid. And trying to survive the end of the world while trapped inside an office complex. Who knew temp work could be this dangerous?
Jacob Elliot doesn’t want a temporary job in the mailroom at Delphi Enterprises, but after two post-college years of unpaid internships and living in his parents’ basement, he needs the work. Then, on his first day, the unthinkable happens: toxic gas descends on a meeting in Delphi’s outdoor amphitheater, killing all the regular employees and leaving Jacob stranded inside the vast office complex.
The Temps was release by Turner Publishing on March 29th and sold out its first print run. Its synopsis is as follows:
They’re underemployed. Underpaid. And trying to survive the end of the world while trapped inside an office complex. Who knew temp work could be this dangerous?
Jacob Elliot doesn’t want a temporary job in the mailroom at Delphi Enterprises, but after two post-college years of unpaid internships and living in his parents’ basement, he needs the work. Then, on his first day, the unthinkable happens: toxic gas descends on a meeting in Delphi’s outdoor amphitheater, killing all the regular employees and leaving Jacob stranded inside the vast office complex.
- 6/13/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Peacock has commissioned a sketch comedy special from Kate Berlant and John Early, Variety has learned exclusively.
The special is titled “Would It Kill You to Laugh? Starring Kate Berlant & John Early” and is slated to debut on Peacock this summer. The one-hour special will see Berlant and Early playing exaggerated versions of themselves as they reunite after suffering a public falling out many years earlier. They will also play a variety of other characters. In addition, veteran TV journalist Meredith Vieira is set to appear in the special as well.
“We are beyond excited that Kate and John are bringing their comedic talents to Peacock,” said Katie Hockmeyer, executive vice president of late night programming and comedy specials for NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “This one-of-a-kind special is so brilliant and fun and we can’t wait for our audience to see this magic.”
Berlant and Early will also serve...
The special is titled “Would It Kill You to Laugh? Starring Kate Berlant & John Early” and is slated to debut on Peacock this summer. The one-hour special will see Berlant and Early playing exaggerated versions of themselves as they reunite after suffering a public falling out many years earlier. They will also play a variety of other characters. In addition, veteran TV journalist Meredith Vieira is set to appear in the special as well.
“We are beyond excited that Kate and John are bringing their comedic talents to Peacock,” said Katie Hockmeyer, executive vice president of late night programming and comedy specials for NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. “This one-of-a-kind special is so brilliant and fun and we can’t wait for our audience to see this magic.”
Berlant and Early will also serve...
- 3/30/2022
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
When E.R. Fightmaster first read the scripts for Season 3 of “Shrill,” they were delighted to see their character’s pronouns had been changed — and with very little fanfare. After a brief stint on Season 2, Fightmaster impressed their way into a substantial recurring role as Em after displaying great chemistry with Fran (Lolly Adefope). Fran is the snarky best friend and perennial roommate of Aidy Bryant’s Annie, the show’s intrepid and cheerful main character, who is based on co-creator and co-writer Lindy West. As Fran’s dreamy new love interest, Fightmaster instantly became “Shrill” family.
With nary a comment from the writers, either behind the scenes or onscreen, the character’s name had changed from Emily to Em, and everyone on the show easily transitioned to using they/them pronouns.
If only it were that easy in real life, Fightmaster mused during a recent phone interview. “It’s...
With nary a comment from the writers, either behind the scenes or onscreen, the character’s name had changed from Emily to Em, and everyone on the show easily transitioned to using they/them pronouns.
If only it were that easy in real life, Fightmaster mused during a recent phone interview. “It’s...
- 5/21/2021
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Lil Dicky’s Fxx show is scoring some not so lil viewership numbers.
The rapper, real name David Burd (hence the title), and his new series “Dave” are averaging 4.8 million total viewers per episode across all platforms, which represents a ridiculous 2112% increase over its on-air average of just 217,000 viewers.
The audience for the Fxx is so large that it could be on course to overtake “Atlanta” as the FX Networks’ most watched comedy. Season 1 of the Donald Glover series currently beats it with an average 5.2 million viewers, but “Dave” still has half its season left to air. “Dave” is clearly finding its audience via word of mouth, as over the past two weeks, its average audience per episode has increased by 1.2 million total viewers, per FX.
In episode 6, titled “Talent Shows,” which airs tonight, Dave finds himself in Philly for his first concert ever, and the gang stays with his parents.
The rapper, real name David Burd (hence the title), and his new series “Dave” are averaging 4.8 million total viewers per episode across all platforms, which represents a ridiculous 2112% increase over its on-air average of just 217,000 viewers.
The audience for the Fxx is so large that it could be on course to overtake “Atlanta” as the FX Networks’ most watched comedy. Season 1 of the Donald Glover series currently beats it with an average 5.2 million viewers, but “Dave” still has half its season left to air. “Dave” is clearly finding its audience via word of mouth, as over the past two weeks, its average audience per episode has increased by 1.2 million total viewers, per FX.
In episode 6, titled “Talent Shows,” which airs tonight, Dave finds himself in Philly for his first concert ever, and the gang stays with his parents.
- 4/1/2020
- by Will Thorne
- Variety Film + TV
Despite the insanity of announcing year-end award nominations with still well over two months to go in 2017, we have to give it to the annual Ifp Gotham Awards for being more on-point than most trophy ceremonies this season.
They’ve now unveiled the nominations for their 27th edition and leading the pack is Jordan Peele’s social thriller Get Out. Also among the stellar group of Best Feature nominations are Call Me by Your Name, The Florida Project, I, Tonya, and Good Time.
Check out the full list of nominations below, including Columbus, Ex Libris, Rat Film, Lady Bird, Marjorie Prime, and more of the best films of the year. If The Academy takes just a few notes from this group come next year, we’ll be mightily pleased.
Best Feature
Call Me by Your Name
The Florida Project
Get Out
Good Time
I, Tonya
Best Documentary
Ex Libris – The...
They’ve now unveiled the nominations for their 27th edition and leading the pack is Jordan Peele’s social thriller Get Out. Also among the stellar group of Best Feature nominations are Call Me by Your Name, The Florida Project, I, Tonya, and Good Time.
Check out the full list of nominations below, including Columbus, Ex Libris, Rat Film, Lady Bird, Marjorie Prime, and more of the best films of the year. If The Academy takes just a few notes from this group come next year, we’ll be mightily pleased.
Best Feature
Call Me by Your Name
The Florida Project
Get Out
Good Time
I, Tonya
Best Documentary
Ex Libris – The...
- 10/19/2017
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
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.