Thursday, March 19, 2015

Todd Phillips Begins Shooting "Arms & the Dudes" with Jonah Hill and Miles Teller

Shooting Begins on “Arms & the Dudes”

Jonah Hill and Miles Teller star under the direction of Todd Phillips

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Principal photography is underway on Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Arms & the Dudes,” starring Oscar nominee Jonah Hill (“The Wolf of Wall Street,” “Moneyball”) and Miles Teller (“Whiplash”). “The Hangover” trilogy director and Oscar nominee Todd Phillips (“Borat” screenplay) is directing the film.

Based on a true story, “Arms & the Dudes” follows two friends in their early 20s (Hill and Teller) living in Miami during the Iraq War who exploit a little-known government initiative that allows small businesses to bid on U.S. Military contracts. Starting small, they begin raking in big money and are living the high life. But the pair gets in over their heads when they land a $300 million deal to arm the Afghan Military—a deal that puts them in business with some very shady people, not the least of which turns out to be the U.S. Government.

Phillips directs from a screenplay he co-wrote with Jason Smilovic (“Lucky Number Slevin”), and Stephen C. Chin (“Another Day in Paradise”), based on the Rolling Stone article by Guy Lawson. Todd Phillips and Bradley Cooper, under the banner of their 22nd & Green Productions, and Mark Gordon, under the banner of The Mark Gordon Company, are producing the film. The executive producers are David Siegel and Bryan Zuriff.

Filming began on location in Romania, and shooting is also being accomplished in Las Vegas, Southern California, Miami, and in Morocco.

“Arms & the Dudes” reunites Phillips with several of his collaborators from “The Hangover” trilogy, including director of photography Lawrence Sher, production designer Bill Brzeski and editor Jeff Groth. Joining the team is costume designer Michael Kaplan (“Star Trek,” “Star Trek: Into Darkness”).

The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment company.

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Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Titan Comics Announces Return of "Death Sentence" Comic Book


Death Sentence: London continues the phenomenal critical and sales hit rampant with sex, drugs and superpowers!

Marking this perfect jumping-on point, awesome all-new rising star artist Martin Simmonds joins co-creator Montynero (X-Men Annual, Vertigo CMYK) for a wild ride

The cataclysmic effects of Monty's G-positive super-rampage through London are still being felt...but where are series icons Weasel and Verity?! And what happens when the Americans - and special agent Jeb Mulgrew - get involved?!

Created by writer Montynero and artist Mike Dowling, Death Sentence was a hit with reviewers, retailers and readers the world over. With Death Sentence: London, the scope is bigger, the action bolder, and the storyline more controversial than ever!

Death Sentence: London #1 comes with 4 covers to collect and is available to order from the April edition of Previews

Diamond Previews - ORDER CODE: APR151708

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Mark Hamill Promotes Free Comic Book Day 2015


World famous actor and longtime comic book fan, Mark Hamill, is encouraging fans to celebrate Free Comic Book Day on Saturday May 2nd, 2015!

Known for his role as Luke Skywalker from Star Wars, Mark has also been a part of the comic book culture as he played the voice of The Joker in various Batman animated TV shows, movies and video games. He is also making a return as the Trickster in new episodes of The Flash. He encourages fans to head to their local participating comic shop on the first Saturday in May to get free comic books!

·         Over 2,300 comic shops are participating across the country and around the world
·         Over 5.6 million comics will be given out for free
·         There are 50 free titles available to choose from
·         Comic shops also host special events for communities to take part in
·         FCBD is a great opportunity for those who have never read a comic before to check them out for free
·         FCBD is a family-friendly event as there are comics for readers of all ages available for free
·         You can see the 50 free comics and find participating comic shop at www.freecomicbookday.com

You can view Mark Hamill’s video here: http://bit.ly/MarkHamill_FCBD2015

Also get the official release, pictures and logos for FCBD:  http://bit.ly/FCBD2015_PressKit5

Remember you can find comic shops participating in FCBD using the store locator at www.freecomicbookday.com.

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Oscar-Winning "Selma" is Returning to Theatres

ACADEMY AWARD®-WINNING “SELMA” TO BE RE-RELEASED NATIONWIDE BEGINNING MARCH 20TH

TICKETS ARE ON SALE TODAY

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the historic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, Paramount Pictures will re-release its Academy Award® and Golden Globe Award-winning film “SELMA” nationwide for a special encore engagement. The film will play in theaters across the U.S. beginning Friday, March 20th, 2015.

Tickets are on sale today online and at theater box offices. For a list of theaters and to purchase tickets, visit www.SelmaMovie.com

Moviegoers who purchase a ticket to see “SELMA” at a participating theater can receive an additional ticket free. This limited time offer is only available at participating theater box offices.

“SELMA” won an Academy Award® and a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for “Glory” by Common & John Legend. The film was nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Picture and Golden Globe Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director.

“SELMA,” from Paramount Pictures, Pathé, and Harpo Films, is the story of a movement. The film chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition. The epic march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Johnson (Tom Wilkinson) signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement. Director Ava DuVernay’s “SELMA” tells the story of how the revered leader and visionary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo) and his brothers and sisters in the movement prompted change that forever altered history. The film also stars Tom Wilkinson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Alessandro Nivola, Giovanni Ribisi, Common, Carmen Ejogo, Lorraine Toussaint, with Tim Roth and Oprah Winfrey as “Annie Lee Cooper.”

The film is produced by Christian Colson, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Oprah Winfrey, the film is executive produced by Brad Pitt, Cameron McCracken, Diarmuid McKeown, Nik Bower, Ava DuVernay, Paul Garnes and Nan Morales. The film is written by Paul Webb. “SELMA” is directed by Ava DuVernay.

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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Tuesday, March 17, 2015

385 New VIZ Media Manga Volumes Head to comiXology

VIZ MEDIA AND COMIXOLOGY ANNOUNCE SUBSTANTIAL UPDATE OF NEW DIGITAL MANGA TITLES FROM JAPANESE PUBLISHER HAKUSENSHA
ComiXology, The Revolutionary Cloud-Based Digital Comics Platform, Adds More Than 385 New VIZ Media Manga Volumes Including Scores Of Legacy Titles And Fan Favorite Shojo Series

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, and comiXology have announced the latest substantial addition of new VIZ Media manga titles to the revolutionary cloud-based digital comics platform. More than 385 volumes are available now on comiXology.com and on the comiXology app for Kindle Fire tablets, iPad, iPhone, Android and Windows 8-based devices.

The new English manga volumes span 36 acclaimed series and offer a wide variety of fan-loved action, comedy, and shojo romance titles. New volumes for scores of other continuing series also are added to comiXology each week as part of VIZ Media’s regular digital manga update schedule. Please visit www.comixology.com for more information.

The new VIZ Media titles featured in this update are all published in Japan by Hakusensha, Inc., one of Japan’s most prominent publishing companies and renowned for offering a wide array of award-winning shojo manga series in addition to other genres. This latest comiXology content update expands the VIZ Media manga catalog on the platform to more than 1,500 volumes across more than 220 different series. Readers can enjoy all of these acclaimed releases using comiXology’s Manga Fixed Format, which enables a dedicated right-to-left full-page reading experience and the highest page resolution currently available.

“ComiXology is a service that is widely enjoyed by many avid comic and manga readers, and the addition of this substantial library of Hakusensha titles will give these fans an even larger array of content to enjoy with all the flexibility and ease of use the digital format offers,” says Eric Eberhardt, VIZ Media’s Director of Digital Marketing. “We look forward to continuing our relationship with the comiXology platform, and invite readers to enjoy the massive selection of VIZ Media manga content that is now available!”

New and notable VIZ Media manga series now available on comiXology include:

LIBRARY WARS: LOVE & WAR Vols. 1-12 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · Complete Series
In the near future, the federal government creates a committee to rid society of books it deems unsuitable. The libraries vow to protect their collections, and with the help of local governments, form a military group to defend themselves – the Library Forces!

SKIP BEAT! Vols. 1-33 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · Continuing Series

Kyoko Mogami followed her true love Sho to Tokyo to support him while he made it big as an idol. But he's casting her out now that he's famous! Kyoko won't suffer in silence--she's going to get her sweet revenge by beating Sho in show biz!

PLEASE SAVE MY EARTH Vols. 1-21 · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · Complete Series

Are the woes of the present meant to be endured for the promise of a better future or to atone for past wrongs? In a captivating epic of love, fate and faith, seven young people must struggle with this spiritual puzzle as their alien past lives threaten the future.

OTOMEN Vols. 1-18 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · Complete Series

Asuka Masamune is a guy who loves girly things – sewing, knitting, making cute stuffed animals and reading shojo comics. But in a world where boys are expected to act manly, Asuka must hide his beloved hobbies and play the part of a masculine jock instead. Can Asuka ever show his true self to anyone, much less to Ryo Miyakozuka, the girl that he's falling for?

OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB Vols. 1-18 · Rated ‘T’ for Teens · Complete Series

In this screwball romantic comedy, Haruhi, a poor girl at a rich kids' school, is forced to repay an $80,000 debt by working for the school's swankiest, all-male club – as a boy! There, she discovers just how wealthy the six members are and how different the rich are from everybody else...

VAMPIRE KNIGHT Vols. 1-19 · Rated ‘T+’ for Older Teens · Complete Series

Cross Academy is attended by two groups of students: the Day Class and the Night Class. At twilight, when the students of the Day Class return to their dorm, they cross paths with the Night Class on their way to school. Yuki Cross and Zero Kiryu are the Guardians of the school, protecting the Day Class from the Academy's dark secret: the Night Class is full of vampires!

With over 50,000 comics, manga, and graphic novels from more than 75 publishers, comiXology offers one of the biggest selection of digital comics in the world. ComiXology’s immense catalog and cinematic Guided View reading experience makes it the best digital platform for comic, manga and graphic novel fans worldwide. Fans can discover favorite comics, manga and graphic novels at comixology.com and also try the comiXology app available on all major mobile platforms.

For more information on manga titles available from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.


About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan.  Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and ONE PIECE, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages.  VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products.  Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

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Paramount Pictures Pick's Up Jerry Jameson's "Captive" for September 2015.

PARAMOUNT PICTURES TO DISTRIBUTE “CAPTIVE” STARRING DAVID OYELOWO AND KATE MARA

THE FILM WILL BE RELEASED ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2015

Paramount Pictures announced today that it has secured the worldwide distribution rights to “CAPTIVE,” starring David Oyelowo (“SELMA”) and Kate Mara (“FANTASTIC FOUR,” “House of Cards”). The studio will release the film on September 18, 2015.

Directed by veteran filmmaker Jerry Jameson, the film is based on the book Unlikely Angel: The Untold Story of the Atlanta Hostage Hero by Ashley Smith with Stacy Mattingly. The film’s screenplay is by Brian Bird.

David Oyelowo said,"I was drawn to this story because it beautifully illustrates how a broken spirit can be healed by an unexpected source of hope. I feel blessed to be continuing my very fruitful relationship with Paramount."

Also starring Michael K Williams, Mimi Rogers, Jessica Oyelowo and Leonor Varela, the film was produced by Terry Botwick, Jerry Jameson, David Oyelowo and Ken Wales in addition to BN Films' Alex Garcia, Lucas Akoskin and Katrina Wolfe.  The executive producers are Santiago Garcia Galvan, BN's Jonathan Gray, Elliott Lester, Ralph Winter and Bird.  BN fully financed the picture.

Terry Botwick said, “In March of 2005 Ashley’s story captivated the nation on news outlets everywhere. Her story is thrilling and redemptive as God intersected the lives of two very broken people in the most dramatic way. It has been amazing getting to know Ashley and to be working with such fine actors. I’m so pleased to also be partnering with Paramount to bring this authentic encounter to a worldwide audience.”

"Jerry Jameson has done a fantastic job bringing to life Ashley Smith's harrowing ordeal and miraculous redemption, and Kate Mara portrays her with phenomenal sensitivity and poignancy. Along with “Nightingale,” “Captive” also represents our second collaboration with the brilliantly talented David Oyelowo. We look forward to continuing this special relationship with David and believe that the film has found the perfect home at Paramount," said Alex Garcia, President of AG Studios, the holding company of BN Films.

The film tells the dramatic, thrilling and spiritual true story of Ashley Smith (Mara), a single mother and recovering drug addict who was taken hostage in her own apartment by fugitive, murderer and accused rapist Brian Nichols (Oyelowo). With her back against the wall, Smith turned to the personal spiritual journey of Rick Warren’s best-selling book The Purpose Driven Life in an attempt to survive and help Brian find a better way out.

Oyelowo is represented by CAA, Inphenate, Hamilton Hodell and Schreck, Rose, Dapello & Adams.

Mara is represented by UTA, Stone, Meyer, Genow, Smelkinson and Binder.


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 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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Monday, March 16, 2015

Klaus Janson, Inker on "The Dark Knight Returns," at Baltimore Comic-Con 2015

Join Cully, Dean, Klaus, and Seth at Baltimore Comic-Con 2015!

The Baltimore Comic-Con returns to Baltimore's beautiful Inner Harbor on September 25-27, 2015 for our 16th annual show! Come to the Baltimore Convention Center this fall to meet returning guests Cully Hamner, Dean Haspiel, Klaus Janson, and Seth Kushner.

One of the founding members of Gaijin Studios, Cully Hamner has worked for every major publisher in the comics industry (and many minor ones) since his debut at DC Comics in 1992, where he provided art duties on Green Lantern: Mosaic. He later went on to make a name for himself working on DC's Blue Beetle and Black Lightning: Year One, and his comic, Red was adapted as a major motion picture. Recently, you can find his art on Valiant's The Delinquents variant covers and DC's Convergence: The Question, as well as a Superman: Man of Steel statue design!

Emmy Award winner and Harvey and Eisner Award nominee Dean Haspiel is a man of many talents. In addition to major comics accomplishments like his seminal  Billy Dogma and collaborations with alt-comix legend Harvey Pekar, "Dino" has provided art for HBO's "Bored to Death", co-founded HANG DAI Editions, and was a playwright ("Switch to Kill"). He has provided art for titles such as Marvel Comics' Fantastic Four, Amazing Spider-Man, X-Men: First Class, IDW's Godzilla Legends, and Locust Moon Press' Little Nemo: Dream Another Dream. You can find him these days providing art on DC Comics' Batman '66, covers on Action Lab Entertainment's The Stray, and plots and art on Archie Comics' The Fox.

Klaus Janson's storied career begins back in the 1970s, when he got his first professional comics credit on Marvel's Jungle Action, and he's built a long line of comics work ever since, with noteworthy penciling or inking runs on titles such as Marvel's Defenders and Daredevil, and DC's Detective Comics and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. His artistic skills see him regularly as a penciller, inker, and colorist, and he regularly teaches courses, both publicly at venues such as the School of Visual Arts, and privately at comics publishing events and conventions. You can find examples of his recent work on DC Comics' Superman and Convergence: Batman and Robin, and Marvel's Amazing Spider-Man.

And last but certainly not least, we are especially pleased to welcome back to the Baltimore Comic-Con comix creator and photographer Seth Kushner! For those of you unaware, Seth was unable to attend our 2014 show during his battle with leukemia, and we're happy to report he has recovered and will be joining us this year. Seth's entry into the world of comics came as a result of his friendship with Dean Haspiel, of whom he was taking pictures for a book on interesting people in Brooklyn. As Dean introduced Seth to more people in comics, he became the defacto photographer for many creators, and this work led to the publication of Leaping Tall Buildings, which profiled the comics medium using Seth's pictures of industry players. Since then, Seth went on to become one of the contributors to Trip City, an online repository of online art, and its successor, Act-i-Vate, a webcomics collective. Seth's Schmuck Comix and Secret Sauce Comix are being reissued by Hang Dai Editions through Alternative Comics this year.

"We are so happy to have these 4 guys back go our show, and we know our attendees will be as well," said Marc Nathan, promoter of the Baltimore Comic-Con. "It is particularly fantastic to have Seth Kushner rejoining our annual comics party -- he was with us in spirit last year, even though he couldn't attend in person, and we're excited to see him on the Baltimore Convention Center floor in 2015!"

This year's confirmed guests for the show include: Jeremy Bastian (Cursed Pirate Girl); Mark Buckingham (Fables); Cliff Chiang (Wonder Woman); Frank Cho (Jungle Girl); Steve Conley (Bloop); Amanda Conner (Harley Quinn); Katie Cook (Gronk); Darwyn Cooke (Richard Stark's Parker); John Gallagher (Buzzboy); Cully Hamner (Convergence: The Question); Dean Haspiel (The Fox); Jaime Hernandez (Love and Rockets); Klaus Janson (Superman); JG Jones (Strange Fruit); Denis Kitchen (The Best of Comix Book: When Marvel Went Underground); Barry Kitson (Empire: Uprising); Seth Kushner (Schmuck); Mark Mariano (The Other Side of Hugless Hill); Ron Marz (Convergence: Batman and Robin); Terry Moore (Rachel Rising); Tom Palmer (The Avengers); Jimmy Palmiotti (The Con Job); David Peterson (Mouse Guard); Ron Randall (Convergence: Catwoman); Budd Root (Cavewoman); Don Rosa (Donald Duck); Stan Sakai (Usagi Yojimbo); Bart Sears (Bloodshot); Louise Simonson (Convergence: Superman - The Man of Steel); Walter Simonson (Convergence: Superman - The Man of Steel); Andy Smith (Earth 2); Charles Soule (Uncanny Inhumans); Ben Templesmith (Gotham by Midnight); Frank Tieri (Suicide Squad); John Totleben (Swamp Thing); Rick Veitch (Saga of the Swamp Thing); Mark Waid (Daredevil); and Thom Zahler (My Little Pony: Friends Forever).

In the coming weeks, look for more announcements from the Baltimore Comic-Con. We are looking forward to highlighting our guests, the Harvey Awards, industry exclusives, and programming. The latest developments can always be found on our website, Twitter, and Facebook pages.

Contact Information:

Please use the following e-mail addresses to contact the Baltimore Comic-Con:
press@baltimorecomiccon.com - for any general press inquiries or to be added to our PR distribution
registrar@baltimorecomiccon.com- for exhibitor, publisher, and Artist Alley registrations
harveys@baltimorecomiccon.com - for the Harvey Awards ceremony and banquet
general@baltimorecomiccon.com - for general Baltimore Comic-Con inquiries

About The Baltimore Comic-Con
The Baltimore Comic-Con is celebrating its 16th year of bringing the comic book industry to the Baltimore and Washington D.C. area. For more information, please visit www.baltimorecomiccon.com.

About The Harvey Awards
The Harvey Awards are one of the comic book industry's oldest and most respected awards. With a history of over 20 years, the last 10 in conjunction with the Baltimore Comic-Con, the Harveys recognize outstanding achievements in over 20 categories. They are the only industry awards nominated and selected by the full body of comic book professionals. For more information, please visit www.harveyawards.org.

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