Screenwriter’s Weekly News Wrap-up for Monday, September 16, 2024
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◊Murdaugh Murders Drama Starring Patricia Arquette a Go at Hulu
Hulu has greenlit a limited series based on the infamous Murdaugh murders case, with Emmy-winning actress Patricia Arquette set to star as Maggie Murdaugh. The series is co-created by Michael D. Fuller (Rectify, Locke & Key) and Erin Lee Carr (Britney vs. Spears), and executive produced by Nick Antosca, who previously collaborated with Arquette on The Act, for which she won an Emmy. Fuller will also serve as showrunner, with Carr bringing her expertise as a documentarian. The series is based on reporting from journalist Mandy Matney, creator of the Murdaugh Murders Podcast.
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◊‘Bosch: Legacy’ Ending With Season 3 at Amazon, Spin-off in the Works
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/bosch-legacy-ending-season-3-amazon-1235993592/
Bosch: Legacy will conclude with its third season, set to premiere in March 2025 on Amazon Prime Video. The series, a continuation of Bosch, which originally ran for seven seasons on Prime Video, stars Titus Welliver as Harry Bosch, now a private investigator. The show’s creator and executive producer, Michael Connelly, announced the news on Instagram, promising a fitting close to the character’s decade-long journey. Connelly also revealed that production is underway on a spin-off centered on Renée Ballard, featuring Maggie Q in the lead role, scheduled for release in fall 2025.
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◊‘Orange Is The New Black’ Creator Jenji Kohan To Deliver Masterclass At Seriesly Berlin
https://deadline.com/2024/09/jenji-kohan-seriesly-berlin-1236083382/
Jenji Kohan, the creator and showrunner behind Orange is the New Black and Weeds, will be delivering a masterclass at Seriesly Berlin, a new TV festival in Germany, on September 16-18, 2024. Kohan’s session will focus on her writing process, developing shows, pitching, handling feedback, and maintaining a strong creative voice. This event is tailored for screenwriters and will be held at Fotografiska’s rooftop bar in Berlin. Kohan’s recent work includes The Decameron for Netflix. Other prominent speakers at the event include Christoph Schneider of Amazon Germany and GLOW producer Mel Eslyn.
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◊Francis Ford Coppola Says His Dystopian Epic ‘Megalopolis’ Is a “Vision of Hope”
At the Toronto International Film Festival, Francis Ford Coppola introduced his ambitious sci-fi epic Megalopolis, which he described as a “vision of hope” amidst its dystopian setting. The film, starring Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Aubrey Plaza, reimagines a modern-day New York City on the brink of collapse, drawing inspiration from both ancient Rome and contemporary political struggles. Coppola has positioned the film as part love story, part political drama, and part sci-fi thriller, showcasing his belief in humanity’s capacity to overcome challenges. Despite dividing critics, Megalopolis remains one of Coppola’s most expensive and passionate projects.
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◊Shailene Woodley to Star in Janis Joplin Biopic
Shailene Woodley is set to star as Janis Joplin in an upcoming biopic, which will receive $2.5 million in funding from the California Film Commission. The film is one of many attempts over the years to bring Joplin’s life to the big screen. Woodley, who is also producing the film, emphasized how California played a crucial role in Joplin’s life and musical career. The production is expected to spend $10 million in total and will film over 30 days. The project is part of a larger funding effort by the California Film Commission, which is also supporting other productions such as NBC’s “Suits L.A.” and a film adaptation of the TV show “Community.”
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◊Sky History Orders ‘Gunpowder Siege’ With ‘Game Of Thrones’ Actor Chuku Modu; Historical Drama Marks A Move Into Scripted For ‘Whitney’ Producer Lightbox
The upcoming series Gunpowder Siege, which will air on Sky History, is written by Noel McCann, known for his work on Blue Lights. The series, produced by Lightbox, marks the company’s first move into scripted drama, having previously focused on high-end documentaries like Man on Wire and Searching for Sugar Man. The show centers on the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, led by Robert Catesby, and aims to dispel the myths surrounding this infamous historical event. Chuku Modu (Game of Thrones) stars as Catesby, alongside Luke Hobson and Luke Roberts in key roles .
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◊HBO Takes ‘Bottoms’ Star Rachel Sennott’s Comedy to Series
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/hbo-comedy-series-rachel-sennott-bottoms-1235996739/
HBO has greenlit a new comedy series created by and starring Rachel Sennott, known for her work in Bottoms and Shiva Baby. The untitled series, written by Sennott, follows a group of codependent friends who reunite after a period of separation, navigating changes in their lives, ambitions, and relationships. The pilot is directed by Lorene Scafaria (Succession), with Emma Barrie and Aida Rodgers, both Barry alums, joining as executive producers. Sennott, who also co-wrote Bottoms, continues to build her presence in both acting and writing, with this being her latest project under HBO .
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◊PBS’ ‘Masterpiece’ Books ‘Maigret’ Mystery Series
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/pbs-masterpiece-maigret-mystery-series-1235996292/
PBS has ordered a new series titled Maigret, based on Georges Simenon’s iconic detective novels. Benjamin Wainwright (Belgravia) stars as Jules Maigret, a rising star in the Paris Police Judiciaire known for his relentless investigations and deep knowledge of Paris and its criminals. The series, produced by Playground (Wolf Hall), will air under PBS’ Masterpiece Mystery! banner. Patrick Harbinson (Homeland, The Tower) serves as lead writer and executive producer. The show reimagines Maigret as a contemporary detective with something to prove. The cast includes Stefanie Martini, Blake Harrison, and others, with production taking place in Budapest .
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◊‘Parasite’ Star Song Kang-ho to Head Series Adaptation of Hit Political Thriller ‘Inside Men’
https://variety.com/2024/global/news/song-kang-ho-inside-men-series-1236141933/
Song Kang-ho, the acclaimed star of Parasite, is set to lead a series adaptation of the 2015 political thriller Inside Men. Produced by Hive Media Corp., the project is currently in pre-production, with filming planned for 2025. The original film, directed and written by Woo Min-ho, was based on Yoon Tae-ho’s webtoon The Insiders, and it focused on political corruption and revenge. In this new series, Song Kang-ho will portray a newspaper editor, a role that was pivotal in the film version. Mo Wan-il (The World of the Married) will direct the series, which is expected to expand on the original story’s elements. Hive Media Corp. has a reputation for delivering successful Korean films, such as 12.12: The Day, and aims to replicate the success of Inside Men, which garnered over 9 million admissions between its original release and director’s cut .
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◊Michael B. Jordan to Direct and Star in ‘Thomas Crown Affair’
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/michael-b-jordan-thomas-crown-affair-1235998222/
Michael B. Jordan is set to direct and star in The Thomas Crown Affair for Amazon MGM Studios. This marks his second directorial feature following the success of Creed III, which grossed $276.1 million worldwide. Jordan has been attached to the project since 2016, and his production company, Outlier Society, will also produce alongside Elizabeth Raposo. The film will be based on the 1968 original, which starred Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway, with Drew Pearce (The Fall Guy) writing the script. Amazon MGM plans to release the film exclusively in theaters globally. Jordan also has an upcoming project with Warner Bros., directed by Ryan Coogler, set to release in 2025.
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◊Judd Apatow to Direct Coke-Pepsi Rivalry Movie ‘Cola Wars’ From Steven Spielberg and Sony
Judd Apatow is set to direct Cola Wars, a film about the fierce rivalry between Coca-Cola and Pepsi in the 1980s, for Sony Pictures. Produced by Steven Spielberg through Amblin Entertainment, the movie is in the early stages of development, with Jason Shuman (Acapulco) and Ben Queen (The Addams Family 2) working on the script. Apatow, known for his work on The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up, last directed the 2022 Netflix comedy The Bubble. This project joins a trend of films exploring corporate competition, similar to 2023’s Air, about Nike’s deal with Michael Jordan.
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◊Tim Robinson Comedy Snags HBO Series Order
Tim Robinson, star of Netflix’s I Think You Should Leave, is set to headline and co-write a new HBO comedy series titled The Chair Company. Co-created with his frequent collaborator Zach Kanin (Saturday Night Live, Detroiters), the show follows William Ronald Trosper (Robinson), who stumbles upon a conspiracy after an embarrassing incident at work. Robinson and Kanin will write and executive produce the series, with Adam McKay and Todd Schulman also on board as executive producers. Directed by Andrew DeYoung, who previously worked with Robinson on Friendship, the show will feature a cast including Lake Bell, Sophia Lillis, and Lou Diamond Phillips.
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◊Netflix Grabs Silicon Valley Thriller Starring Rosamund Pike
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/rosamund-pike-netflix-drama-silicon-valley-1236000369/
Netflix has ordered Thumblite, a Silicon Valley-set corporate thriller created by Scott Z. Burns (The Report, Extrapolations) and produced by Media Res (The Morning Show, Pachinko). The show, starring and executive produced by Rosamund Pike (The Wheel of Time, Saltburn), explores the power struggles, obsessions, and rivalries in the tech world. Scott Galloway, a marketing professor and co-host of the Pivot podcast, will also serve as an executive producer, marking his first venture into scripted television. Burns, known for writing Contagion and The Laundromat, will act as the showrunner. Details on Pike’s role are being kept under wraps, but the series is set to delve into the high-stakes world of tech industry power players.
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◊Adam Sandler Celebrates ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ Starting Production: “We’ve Only Just Begun”
Adam Sandler is officially returning to his iconic role in Happy Gilmore 2, which has begun production for Netflix. Directed by Kyle Newacheck (Murder Mystery), the film is co-written by Sandler and Tim Herlihy, who also collaborated on the original 1996 film. While plot details are still under wraps, Sandler will reprise his role as the unlikely golf phenomenon, and Christopher McDonald is set to return as Shooter McGavin. Benny Safdie and NFL star Travis Kelce will also feature in the movie. Sandler has expressed excitement about reviving the character, calling the project a natural evolution of ideas between him and Herlihy.
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