See what else is happening in film & TV industries around the world.
FX to develop an adaptation of ‘The Last of the Mohicans’
The American network FX, creator of such television dramas as ‘Sons of Anarchy’, ‘Nip/Tuck’, and ‘The Americans’, is now developing a limited series adaptation of James Fenimore Cooper’s classic novel ‘The Last of the Mohicans’. The project will tell the story of America’s beginnings as a nation “as told through the eyes of Cooper’s classic characters from the historical novel.” Originally published in 1826, ‘The Last of the Mohicans’ takes place during the French and Indian War in 1757. The novel has been adapted numerous times before for both television and film, with the most famous adaptation being Michael Mann’s 1992 film, which starred Daniel Day-Lewis as Hawkeye/Nathaniel Poe. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Chris Crowe, who co-wrote Mann’s film adaptation, will pen the script for the limited series alongside Kerry McCluggage and Steve Beck. FX also have many other limited series in the pipeline, including a limited series adaptation of The Coen Brothers’ classic film ‘Fargo’, Guillermo del Toro’s TV series adaptation of ‘The Strain’, and Stephen Gaghan’s Vietnam War miniseries drama ‘They Marched Into Sunlight’. FX is also about to begin production on the promising pilot Tyrant, which will be directed by David Yates, director of the final four films in the Harry Potter franchise.
Director Sam Mendes still in talks for the next James Bond instalment
There have been plenty of reports recently suggesting ‘Skyfall’ director Sam Mendes will indeed be returning for the next instalment in the James Bond franchise, and that he might also direct the next instalment after that, James Bond 25. However, he recently spoke with the people at HeyUGuys at the premiere of his stage adaptation of ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ and did not offer any guarantee that he was returning to direct any more Bond films. Even though this doesn’t mean he’s out of contention to take the director’s chair, there is still a strong possibility that Mendes won’t be returning to direct the next sequel.
Pinewood Shepperton reports £5.4 million annual operating profit
Studio facilities operator Pinewood Shepperton on Thursday reported a profit for its latest fiscal year, which once again saw high-profile Hollywood productions take over its stages in London. For the 12 months ended March 31, the company recorded an operating profit of £5.4 million, compared with 2.7 million for the previous period, which was extended to 15 months as the company changed the start of its fiscal year from January to April. According to ScreenDaily, operating profit excluding exceptional items for Pinewood’s latest year totalled £8.4m, compared with £13.2m.Gross profit was £17.8m compared to £24.9m. Revenue stood at 55.6m, against £63m for the 15-month period. Film revenue was £35.2m. The largest film production based at Pinewood Studios during the year was Disney’s ‘Maleficent’ and at Shepperton Studios was Marvel sequel ‘Thor: The Dark World’. Other productions that used the company's facilities and services during the year included ‘Fast and Furious 6’ (Universal), ‘Jack Ryan’ (Paramount), ‘The Muppets Again’ (Disney) and ‘Kick-Ass 2’ (Universal). Pinewood Shepperton also hosted additional filming for ‘47 Ronin’ (Universal), ‘Gravity’ (Warner Bros.) and ‘World War Z’ (Plan B Entertainment). Located just outside of London, the company's $300 million-plus expansion plans were turned down by a district council earlier this year. The company has appealed the decision.
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