New Scooby-Doo Movie, "Scoob!," Hits On Demand Fri., May 15th

Warner Bros. to Make the Full-Length Animated Feature “SCOOB!” Available for Both Premium Video On Demand and Premium Digital Ownership May 15, 2020

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In response to the unprecedented demand for high-quality family entertainment in the home, Warner Bros. will make its upcoming animated feature film “SCOOB!” available for both Premium Video On Demand (PVOD) and for premium digital ownership in the U.S. and Canada on May 15, 2020 providing first-run content while theaters remain closed due to the current global health crisis. The announcement was made today by Ann Sarnoff, Chair and CEO, Warner Bros.

    “While we’re all eager to be able to once again show our films in theaters, we’re navigating new, unprecedented times which call for creative thinking and adaptability in how we distribute our content”

“While we’re all eager to be able to once again show our films in theaters, we’re navigating new, unprecedented times which call for creative thinking and adaptability in how we distribute our content,” said Sarnoff. “We know fans are eager to see ‘SCOOB!’ and we’re delighted we can deliver this feel-good movie for families to enjoy while they’re home together.”

“SCOOB!” will be available for a 48-hour rental via Premium Video On Demand for $19.99 or premium digital ownership for $24.99 beginning on Friday, May 15 (prices listed U.S. SRP). The title will be available on participating digital platforms.

The first full-length animated Scooby-Doo adventure for the big screen, “SCOOB!” reveals how lifelong friends Scooby and Shaggy first met and how they joined with young detectives Fred, Velma and Daphne to form the famous Mystery Inc. Now, with hundreds of cases solved and adventures shared, Scooby and the gang face their biggest, most challenging mystery ever: a plot to unleash the ghost dog Cerberus upon the world. As they race to stop this global “dogpocalypse,” the gang discovers that Scooby has a secret legacy and an epic destiny greater than anyone imagined.

Starring in “SCOOB!” are Will Forte (“Booksmart,” TV’s “The Last Man on Earth”) as Scooby-Doo’s best friend, Shaggy; two-time Oscar nominee Mark Wahlberg (“The Fighter,” “The Departed”) as Blue Falcon; Jason Isaacs (the “Harry Potter” films, TV’s “The OA”) as the infamous Dick Dastardly; Gina Rodriguez (“Deepwater Horizon,” TV’s “Jane the Virgin”) as Velma; Zac Efron (“The Greatest Showman,” “Hairspray”) as Fred; Amanda Seyfried (the “Mamma Mia!” films, “Mean Girls”) as Daphne; Kiersey Clemons (“Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising,” TV’s “Angie Tribeca”) as Falcon Fury pilot Dee Dee Skyes; Ken Jeong (“Crazy Rich Asians,” “The Hangover” trilogy) as the Falcon Force’s Dynomutt; Tracy Morgan (“What Men Want,” TV’s “30 Rock”) as Captain Caveman; and Frank Welker (TV’s Scooby-Doo; the “Transformers” franchise) as Scooby-Doo.

“SCOOB!” is directed by Tony Cervone, Annie Award nominee for the feature “Space Jam” and two-time Emmy nominee for his work on “Duck Dodgers.”

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Negromancer News Bits and Bites from February 24th to 28th, 2019 - Update #41

Support Leroy on Patreon:

TELEVISION - From Deadline:  AMC is developing a second spinoff of "The Walking Dead."

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COMICS-FILM - From Variety:  Will Smith is leaving "Suicide Squad 2," reportedly due to scheduling conflicts.  Writer-director James Gunn is hoping to start production on the film this fall for a August 2021 release.

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TELEVISION - From TVFanatic:  Fox's revival of its 1999-2000 series, "Beverly Hill, 90210," is scheduled to debut this coming summer in a six-episode first season.  Most of the original cast will return.

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ANIMATION - From Variety:  The next installment of the "Hotel Transylvania" animated film franchise, "Hotel Transylvania 4," will hit theaters December 2021.

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STREAMING - From Deadline:  Zac Efron and Anna Kendrick are set for the original animated comedy, "Human Discoveries" for "Facebook Watch," Facebook's video-on-demand streaming service.

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SCIENCE - From NPR:  The world's largest bee, the Wallace's giant bee — Megachile pluto, has been spotted for the first time since 1981.

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MOVIES - From BleedingCool:   Yahya Abdoul-Mateen II, who played the villain Black Manta in "Aquaman," will be Candyman in Jordan Peele's reboot of the "Candyman" film.

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COMICS-FILM - From Newsarama:  New "X-Men: Dark Phoenix" trailer is supposed to arrive Wednesday, February 27th.

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SCANDAL - From YahooEntertainment:  R. Kelly pleaded not guilty Monday (Feb. 25th) to charges that he sexually abused four people dating back to 1998, including three underage girls.  Kelly's attorney said the R&B star was still trying to pay the bail ($100,000) on a one million dollar bond that would allow him to go free while awaiting trial.

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BOX OFFICE - From BoxOfficeMojo:  The winner of the 2/22 to 2/24/2019 weekend box office is "How to Train Your Dragon 3" with an estimated take of 55.5 million dollars.

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OSCARS - From Vice:  Spike Lee's Oscar Speech Was A Lesson In Black History

From THR: Oscars: Read Spike Lee's Powerful Political Acceptance Speech

From YahooEntertainment:  Regina King almost turned down a role in "If Beale Street Could Talk."  It was a first film role in 10 years and it ultimately won her an Oscar for best supporting actress.

From Deadline:  President Trump tweets criticism at Spike Lee for Spike's acceptance speech after winning the best adapted screen play Oscar.

From Deadline:  2019 Oscar ratings better than 2018 Oscar ratings.

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GREEN BOOK - From ShadowandAct: " How 'Green Book' And The Hollywood Machine Swallowed Donald Shirley Whole"

From TheAtlantic: The Documentary Highlighting the Real "Green Book."

From LATimes:  Oscars 2019: ‘Green Book’ is the worst best picture winner since ‘Crash’

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OSCARS - From THR:  The winners at the 91st Academy Awards have been announced. "Green Book" was named "Best Motion Picture of the Year."

2019 / 91st Academy Award winners (for film achievements in 2018):

Best motion picture of the year:
“Green Book” Jim Burke, Charles B. Wessler, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly and Nick Vallelonga, Producers

Achievement in directing:
“Roma” Alfonso Cuarón

Performance by an actress in a leading role:
Olivia Colman in “The Favourite”

Performance by an actor in a leading role:
Rami Malek in “Bohemian Rhapsody”

Performance by an actress in a supporting role:
Regina King in “If Beale Street Could Talk”

Performance by an actor in a supporting role:
Mahershala Ali in “Green Book”

Best animated feature film of the year:
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score):
“Black Panther” Ludwig Goransson

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song):
“Shallow” from “A Star Is Born”
Music and Lyric by Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando and Andrew Wyatt

Adapted screenplay:
“BlacKkKlansman” Written by Charlie Wachtel & David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott & Spike Lee

Original screenplay:
“Green Book” Written by Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly

Best live action short film:
“Skin” Guy Nattiv and Jaime Ray Newman

Achievement in visual effects:
“First Man” Paul Lambert, Ian Hunter, Tristan Myles and J.D. Schwalm

Best animated short film:
“Bao” Domee Shi and Becky Neiman-Cobb

 Best documentary short subject:
“Period. End of Sentence.” Rayka Zehtabchi and Melissa Berton

Achievement in film editing:
“Bohemian Rhapsody” John Ottman

Best foreign language film of the year:
“Roma” Mexico

Achievement in sound mixing:
“Bohemian Rhapsody” Paul Massey, Tim Cavagin and John Casali

Achievement in sound editing:
“Bohemian Rhapsody” John Warhurst and Nina Hartstone

Achievement in cinematography:
“Roma” Alfonso Cuarón

Achievement in production design:
“Black Panther” Production Design: Hannah Beachler; Set Decoration: Jay Hart

Achievement in costume design:
“Black Panther” Ruth Carter

Achievement in makeup and hairstyling:
“Vice” Greg Cannom, Kate Biscoe and Patricia DeHaney

Best documentary feature:
“Free Solo” Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin, Evan Hayes and Shannon Dill

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MOVIES - From YahooEntertainment:  Alfred Uhry reflects on the controversial 1989 best picture Oscar winner, "Driving Miss Daisy."  Uhry wrote the play upon which the film is based and won a Pulitzer Prize and Obie Award for the play.  He also won an Oscar for adapting his play into a screenplay.

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OBIT:

From Deadline:  The German-born, American conductor, composer, and pianist, Andre Previn has died at the age of 89, Thursday, February 28, 2019.  Previn was four Oscars for his film music and 10 Grammy Awards for his musical recordings.

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ROBERT KRAFT:

SCANDAL-SPORTS - From CNBC:  Robert Kraft, the owner of the NFL's New England Patriots, has been charged with prostitution in Jupiter, Florida, following a sting operation of the "Orchids of Asia Day Spa" massage palor.

From TMZ:  Graphic video from inside of "Orchids of Asia Day Spa," include ejaculation and subsequent cleanup.

From TCPalm:  "Orchids of Day Spa," which serviced NFL owner, Robert Kraft, may be involved in sex trafficking, with some women reportedly being "sex slaves."

From CNN:  How Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and accused of soliciting prostitution, became a billionaire.

From FoxNews:  New England Patriots' Robert Kraft was not the only rich guy caught in police sting operation of sex trafficking ring.

Negromancer News Bits and Bites from January 1st to 6th, 2018 - Update #35

Support Leroy on Patreon.

STREAMING - From ScreenDaily:  Kiernan Shipka will be the star of the untitled "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" series that is based on the horror comic book, "The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina."

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SCANDAL - From THR:  Four women accuse Oscar-winning filmmaker, Paul Haggis, of sexual misconduct, including two rapes.

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COMICS-FILM - From Local10:  Black Panther movie causing excitement around the country.

From Comicsverse:   This Is Everything You Need to Know About 2018 Comic Book Movies and TV Shows Coming Out in 2018.

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MOVIES - From Variety:  Ridley Scott in talks to direct "Merlin Saga" for Disney.  The movie would be based on the book series by T.A. Barron.

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CULTURE - From TheNewRepublic:  "Water in the raw," the latest stripped-down lifestyle scam.

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COMICS-FILM - From THR:  Marvel Studios' "Captain Marvel" has cast DeWanda Wise (Netflix's "She Gotta Have It") in an unspecified supporting role.  The film stars Oscar-winner Brie Larson and Oscar-nominee Jude Law and is directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck.  The movie is scheduled to open March 8, 2019.

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STREAMING - From TVLine:  Hulu is reviving "Animaniacs."  The animated TV series originally aired for 1993 to 1998, first on Fox Kid and Kids' WB, neither of which exist anymore.  Steven Spielberg will return to executive produce.

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CANNES - From Variety:  Cate Blanchett has been named Cannes Jury President for this year's film festival (the 71st edition of the festival), which begins May 8th and ends May 19th, 2018.

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STREAMING - From ShadowandAct:  The sequel to the Will Smith Netflix's film, "Bright," directed by David Ayer and co-starring Joel Edgerton, is official.  Max Landis will not be returning as writer.  [By the way, this film is not in theaters; viewers can stream it on Netflix.

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STREAMING - From ShadowandAct:  Hulu developing a period comedy/drama about drag queen icon and celebrity, RuPaul, entitled "Queen."  J.J. Abrams is producing.

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COMICS-FILM - From ShadowandAct:  Grammy-winner Kendrick Lamar and TDE are producing the "Black Panther" soundtrack.  The soundtrack album will contain music featured in the film and inspired by the film.  This is the first time that Marvel Studios will integrate multiple original songs in a Marvel Cinematic Universe film.

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SPORTS - From ESPN:  What does NBS star hope to find with the Boston Celtics?

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STREAMING - From Variety:  Netflix's stock reaches an all-time high, $206.21 per share before closing at $205.05, coming off good news about the Will Smith-David Ayer film, Bright.

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MOVIE - From Variety:  Will Smith and James Lassiter's production company, Overbrook Entertaiment, has decided not to re-up its first-look deal with Sony Pictures.

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STAR TREK - From Variety:  It's the 25th anniversary of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine."

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CULTURE - From Wired:  Teens aren't partying anymore.

From TheNewYorker:  What If Parents Loved Strangers’ Children As Much As Their Own?

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JAMES BOND - From BleedingCool:  The next actor to play James Bond, after Daniel Craig, could be black or a woman, says Bond producer Barbara Broccoli.

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HEALTHCARE - From MotherJones:  Go Fund Yourself - crowdfunding personal medical crisis.

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BOX OFFICE - From Variety:  "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" wins the four-day New Year's Day weekend, 12/29/2017 to 1/1/2018 with an estimated take of $68.4 million.

From TheWrap:  For the first time since 1959, the top three movies at the North American box office feature female leads - "Star Wars: The Last Jedi," "Beauty and the Beast," and "Wonder Woman."

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MUSIC - From Variety:  Actor-recording artist Justin Timberlake announces a new music album to be released Feb. 2nd, 2018.  Entitled "Man of the Woods," it is first studio LP since the two-set "The 20/20 Experience."  The first single arrives Friday, Jan. 5th.

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MUSIC-CULTURE - From TheNewRepublic:  Have the richie-poos taken over the British pop music scene.

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STREAMING - From BleedingCool:  Stephen King says that he is in the dark about the development of "Castle Rock," the Stephen King-theme series on Hulu.

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TELEVISION - From ShadowandAct:  30 highly anticipated projects from featuring African-Americans in front of or behind the camera that were announced in 2017.

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STREAMING - From ShadowandAct:  "She's Gotta Have It" gets a second season from Netflix.  The film is based on Spike Lee's 1986 film.

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POLITICS - From NYT:  Nigerians live in huts.  It can no longer be denied - President Trump is a racist and a bigot.

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POLITICS - From TIME:  Robert Redford: The GOP 'Tax Scam' Is a 'Dirty Deal' for America.

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MOVIE - From TheWrap:  Jodie Foster says big-budget, superhero blockbusters are ruining movie.

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BLM - From NewYorkMagazine:  An interview with the late Erica Garner, the anti-police brutality activist and civil rights activist, who died recently.  She was the daughter of Eric Garner, who died as the result of police brutality.

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CELEBRITY - From THR:  Zac Efron shares the story of his phone call with the late Michael Jackson that had both of them in tears.

--------------------------

VIDEO:

From BleedingCool:  Shannon Tindle, the creator of "Kubo and the Two Strings" has been working on an animated series based on Disney's "The Haunted Mansion," to which Disney still has not committed.  Tindle shared a 60-second animated teaser for the potential series.

From BET:  The cast of "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle" on the importance of diversity.

OBITS:

From TMZ:  Actor and comedian, Jerry Van Dyke, has died at the age of 86, Friday, January 5, 2018.  Jerry is best known for his supporting role in the former ABC series, "Coach" (1989 to 1997), alongside series star, Craig T. Nelson.  Jerry is also the younger brother of legendary entertainer, Dick Van Dyke.

From Newsweek:  Singer and child actor, Jon Paul Steuer, has died at the age of 33, Monday, January 1, 2018.  Star Trek fans know Steuer as the first actor to play the child Klingon, Alexander, the son of Worf in "Star Trek: The Next Generations."  He also appeared in the ABC comedy series, "Grace Under Fire."

From CBS:  In a video, CBS Sunday Morning Says "Hail and Farewell" to those we lost in 2017.

"Baywatch" Movie Begins Shooting

PARAMOUNT PICTURES ANNOUNCES START OF PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY ON “BAYWATCH”

HOLLYWOOD, CA – Paramount Pictures today announced that principal photography has commenced on “BAYWATCH,” starring Dwayne Johnson (“Central Intelligence,” “Fast & Furious” franchise) and Zac Efron (“Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates”). Production will take place in Miami and Savannah.

The film will be released on May 19, 2017.

Seth Gordon (“Horrible Bosses,” “Identity Thief”) is directing the film from a screenplay most recently written by Damian Shannon & Mark Swift and Barry Schwartz. Beau Flynn (“HERCULES”), Ivan Reitman (“GHOSTBUSTERS,”), and Michael Berk, Doug Schwartz & Greg Bonann, creators of the iconic “Baywatch” television series, are producing. The executive producers are Michele Berk, Louise Rosner ("THE BIG SHORT"), Tom Pollock, and Ali Bell. Eli Roth is a co-producer.

“BAYWATCH” follows devoted lifeguard Mitch Buchannon (Johnson) as he butts heads with a brash new recruit (Efron). Together, they uncover a local criminal plot that threatens the future of the Bay.

Joining Johnson and Efron are Alexandra Daddario (“True Detective”), Priyanka Chopra (“Quantico”), Jon Bass, Kelly Rohrbach (“UNTITLED WOODY ALLEN PROJECT”), Ilfenesh Hadera (“CHI-RAQ”), and Hannibal Buress (“DADDY’S HOME”).


About Paramount Pictures Corporation:
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. Paramount controls a collection of some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, Paramount Television, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Media Distribution, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.

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Warner Bros. Obtains Max Joseph's "We Are Your Friends"

Warner Bros. Pictures to Release “We Are Your Friends”

Max Joseph directed the Working Title and Studiocanal production starring Zac Efron, Emily Ratajkowski and Wes Bentley

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that it has obtained the domestic distribution rights for Max Joseph’s (MTV’s “Catfish: The TV Show”) feature film directorial debut, “We Are Your Friends.” The film, from Working Title Films and Studiocanal, stars Zac Efron (“Neighbors”), Emily Ratajkowski (“Gone Girl”) and Wes Bentley (“Interstellar,” “The Hunger Games”). The announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, and Sue Kroll, President, Worldwide Marketing and International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

    “The breadth and depth of our slate allows us to proudly bring features from every genre, scope and scale to our audiences, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to usher in Max Joseph’s fresh, raw image of a love story set in today’s modern-day music scene.”

“We Are Your Friends” is about what it takes to find your voice. Set in the world of electronic music and Hollywood nightlife, an aspiring 23-year-old DJ named Cole (Efron) spends his days scheming with his childhood friends and his nights working on the one track that will set the world on fire. All of this changes when he meets a charismatic but damaged older DJ named James (Bentley), who takes him under his wing. Things get complicated, however, when Cole starts falling for James’ much younger girlfriend, Sophie (Ratajkowski). With Cole’s forbidden relationship intensifying and his friendships unraveling, he must choose between love, loyalty, and the future he is destined for.

In making the announcement, Silverman stated, “We are so thrilled to finally be in business with Working Title, and know this is the beginning of a great relationship. The same can be said for Max, a wonderful new voice who will, hopefully, make many movies here. It is also thrilling to have our dear friend Zac back, as well as Emily, who will appear in ‘Entourage,’ and Wes, who is so wonderful in ‘Interstellar.’”

Kroll added, “The breadth and depth of our slate allows us to proudly bring features from every genre, scope and scale to our audiences, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to usher in Max Joseph’s fresh, raw image of a love story set in today’s modern-day music scene.”

“I couldn't be happier to have Warner Bros releasing my first feature film,” director Joseph said. “Having their passion and expertise behind ‘We Are Your Friends’ is a dream come true.”

Joseph directs from a screenplay he wrote with Meaghan Oppenheimer, from a story by Richard Silverman. The producers are Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner and Liza Chasin, with Silverman executive producing and Johanna Byer serving as co-producer. Randall Poster (“The Wolf of Wall Street,” “Divergent,” “Spring Breakers”) is the film’s music supervisor.

“We Are Your Friends” will be distributed in North America by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. Studiocanal, who financed the film, is handling international sales and will be distributing in France, UK, Germany, Australia and New Zealand.

About Working Title Films
Founded in 1983, Working Title Films has been co-chaired by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner since 1992. The pair has produced more than 100 feature films which have amassed over $5 billion worldwide. Their films have won 9 Academy Awards®, and earned over 50 Academy Award® nominations, and won 24 BAFTAs, garnering over 100 BAFTA nominations.

About Studiocanal
Studiocanal is a subsidiary of the Canal+ Group. It is one of Europe’s leading companies in the market for co-production, acquisition, distribution and sales of international feature films and TV series. Studiocanal is the only studio operating simultaneously in the three main European territories—France, the United Kingdom and Germany—as well as in Australia and New Zealand. Additionally, Studiocanal owns one of the most important libraries in the world, with more than 5,000 international titles.

Review: "High School Musical" is a Feel-Good Classic (Happy B'day, Vanessa Hudgens)

TRASH IN MY EYE No. 116 (of 2007) by Leroy Douresseaux

High School Musical (2006) – TV movie
Running time:  98 minutes (1 hour, 38 minutes)
TV-G
DIRECTOR:  Kenny Ortega
WRITER:  Peter Barsocchini
PRODUCERS:  Bill Borden and Barry Rosenbush (executive producers) and Don Schain
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Gordon C. Lonsdale (D.o.P.)
EDITOR:  Seth Flaum
COMPOSER:  David Lawrence

MUSICAL with elements of comedy, drama, romance, and sports

Starring:  Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, Bart Johnson, Alyson Reed, Chris Warren, Jr., Olesya Rulin, and Socorro Herrera

When it debuted on the Disney Channel on January 20, 2006, High School Musical was just another “Disney Channel Original Movie” …to some.  To others, especially the so-called “‘tween” audience (usually described as 10 to12-years old), the telefilm was something special.  It was a smash hit in its time slot when just under eight million viewers tuned in to watch the premier, and the numerous repeat broadcasts since then also remain highly watched.  The High School Musical soundtrack album has been certified quadruple platinum, and the various DVD releases have also sold almost 8 million copies.  So what’s it all about?

High School Musical (HSM) is a twist on Romeo & Juliet and a kind of 21st century take on the hugely successful 1978 film, Grease (itself adapted from a Broadway musical).  HSM is set in Albuquerque, New Mexico and takes place mostly on the campus of East High School, home of the Wildcats.  Troy Bolton (Zac Efron), the basketball team’s star player, and Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Anne Hudgens), a brainiac and the new girl in school, fall in puppy love.  They also end up auditioning for the school winter musical, performing a duet that earns them a call back.

However, Troy and Gabriella find themselves at odds with their family and friends who think that the two should “stick to what they know.”  For Troy, that means devotion to the Wildcats basketball team and the upcoming championship game against West Side High.  Troy feels the most heat from Coach Jack Bolton (Bart Johnson), who is also Troy’s father, and Chad Danforth (Corbin Bleu), Troy’s best friend who is devoted to basketball.  For Gabriella, her friends in the Science Club, especially Taylor McKessie (Monique Coleman), think that Gabriella should focus on the upcoming Scholastic Decathlon.

Meanwhile, the school’s reigning musical duo, fraternal twins, Sharpay Evans (Ashley Tisdale) and her brother, Ryan (Lucas Grabeel, who has a strong, beautiful singing voice), don’t want anyone competing with them for the leads in the winter musical.  Also, Ms. Darbus (Alyson Reed), the school’s drama teacher, isn’t sure she wants a basketball player in her musical, especially Troy because Ms. Darbus and Coach Bolton are often at odds.

Despite that, Troy and Gabrielle get together with fellow student Kelsi Nielsen (Olesya Rulin), a pianist and the winter musical’s composer, and practice their singing.  When Troy’s teammates and Gabriella’s fellow science clubbers learn that the duo is serious about the musical, they conspire to break them apart, but will they end up wishing they’d kept Troy and Gabriella together.

Simply put, I’m a fan of this hugely fun and highly entertaining movie.  I don’t really know why it works.  Perhaps, it’s Disney magic.  I’m not being silly.  Shortly into the film, after two strangers, Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez, come together and start singing in harmony as if it were always meant to be, one has to believe only Disney can get away with this.  Just feel the magic and charm of this flick and go with it.

The songs are really good, and some of them are just good enough to move the narrative forward or flesh out a plot point, character, or mood.  The acting is credible if not often very good, but when the cast sings or when a song becomes an elaborate song and dance number, the move becomes even more fun.  Maybe, part of its appeal is that many wish their high schools were like East Side High, but since we can’t have that, we can dream.  High School Musical is that happy dream.

7 of 10
B+

NOTES:
2006 Primetime Emmy Awards:  2 wins: “Outstanding Children’s Program” (Bill Borden, Barry Rosenbush, and Don Schain) and “Outstanding Choreography” (Kenny Ortega, Charles Klapow, and Bonnie Story); 4 nominations: “Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special” (casting by Jason La Padura and Natalie Hart), “Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special” (Kenny Ortega), “Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics” (Ray Cham, Greg Cham, and Drew Seeley for the song: "Get'cha Head In The Game"), and “Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics” (Jamie Houston-writer and producer for the song "Breaking Free")

2007 Image Awards:  2 nominations: “Outstanding Children's Program” and “Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Program - Series or Special” (Corbin Bleu)

Friday, August 17, 2007

Updated:  Saturday, December 14, 2013

The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

Zac Efron in New Nicholas Sparks Adaptation

Press release:

Scott Hicks Directs Zac Efron in New Romantic Drama

Film is based on the Nicholas Sparks novel The Lucky One

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Principal photography is underway on Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ romantic drama based on Nicholas Sparks’ bestseller The Lucky One, starring Zac Efron (“17 Again,” “Charlie St. Cloud”), Taylor Schilling (upcoming “Atlas Shrugged”) and Blythe Danner (“Meet the Parents,” “Meet the Fockers”).

The film is being directed by Academy Award®-nominated writer/director Scott Hicks (“Shine,” “No Reservations”). Hicks directs from a screenplay by Will Fetters (“Remember Me”), adapted from the Nicholas Sparks novel The Lucky One. The producers are Denise Di Novi, who previously produced Nicolas Sparks novel-to-film adaptations of “A Walk To Remember,” “Nights In Rodanthe” and “Message in a Bottle,” and Kevin McCormick (upcoming “Arthur”). Ravi D. Mehta, Alison Greenspan and Bruce Berman serve as executive producers, and Kerry Heysen is co-producer.

Rounding out the cast are Riley Thomas Stewart (TV’s “90210”), Jay R. Ferguson (TV’s “Mad Men”) and Adam Lefevre (“The Bounty Hunter”).

U.S. Marine Sergeant Logan Thibault (Efron) returns from his third tour of duty in Iraq, with the one thing he credits with keeping him alive—a photograph he found of a woman he doesn’t even know. Learning her name is Beth (Schilling) and where she lives, he shows up at her door, and ends up taking a job at her family-run local kennel. Despite her initial mistrust and the complications in her life, a romance develops between them, giving Logan hope that Beth could be much more than his good luck charm.

The production’s creative team also includes cinematographer Alar Kivilo (“The Blind Side”), production designer Barbara Ling (“No Reservations”), costume designer Dayna Pink (“Bruno,”) and editor Scott Gray (“The Boys Are Back”).

The film is being shot in and around New Orleans, Louisiana, notably in the surrounding communities of St. Bernard Parish, Covington, Abita Springs, Burnside, Ponchatoula and Madisonville. It will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures.

Those Crazy Zac Efron Spider-Man Rumors (A Negromancer Bits and Bites Extra)

Those of you who follow such things know the mess that Sony Pictures' Spider-Man franchise has become.  Director Sam Raimi, who directed all three Spider-Man movies, reportedly could not agree with the studio on issues concerning "Spider-Man 4's" plot and villains or even finish a fourth film in time to meet the May 2011 release date.  Thus, Sony not only dumped Raimi, but also the franchise's stars - even Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Tobey Maguire.  At that point, Sony apparently decided to relaunch the franchise featuring a younger Spider-Man.

Now, news/gossip/rumor site OK is reporting that Zac Efron of the Disney Channel's "High School Musical" will be Spider-Man... And Vanessa is also supposed to be along for the ride.