See what else is happening in film & TV industries around the world.
Kevin Spacey to play Winston Churchill
Actor Kevin Spacey, the star of popular Netflix series ‘House of Cards’, is attached to star in ‘Captain of the Gate’, a feature film that will be produced and fully financed by Sierra/Affinity with a budget of €20 million. Studio Canal, whose latest feature is ‘Non-Stop’ starring Liam Neeson, is in early talks to act as producer to the biopic.
Spacey will be playing Winston Churchill in ‘Captain of the Gate’, the UK Prime Minister who is considered to be one of the greatest wartime leaders of the twentieth century. The film chronicles Churchill’s rise to power and his defending of Britain and the world from the threat of Hitler’s Third Reich during World War II. Sierra/Affinity is currently looking for a director for the project.
Magnolia Acquires Whitey Bulger Documentary
‘Whitey: The United States of America vs James J. Bulger’, a documentary based on Boston gangster Whitey Bulger, has been acquired by Magnolia Pictures. Magnolia now has US theatrical, VOD and home entertainment rights to the film. It will be given a day-and-date theatrical and on-demand release in June, followed by a broadcast on CNN later in the year. The documentary is directed by Joe Berlinger and premiered at Sundance this year.
“Whitey is a jaw-dropping true crime epic – a real-life ‘The Departed’,” said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles, who originally comes from Belfast. Last January, Magnolia acquired the US distribution rights to Lenny Abrahamson’s ‘Frank’ (the full story of which can be read here). The deal for ‘Whitey’ was negotiated by Senior VP Acquisitions Dori Begley for Magonia and Cinetic Media on behalf of the filmmakers and CNN Films.
Teaser Trailer released for Reboot Series of ‘24’
A minute long teaser trailer has been released for the reboot of hit series ‘24’, which sees the return of counter-terrorism agent Jack Bauer, played by Kiefer Sutherland. The trailer advertises the limited series event of ‘24: Live Another Day’, which will follow a 12-hour timeline rather than the previous 24-hour standard. Benjamin Bratt and Tat Donovan will return for the reboot while Michelle Fairley of ‘GOT’ will replace Judy Davis as the character Margot.
‘24: Live Another Day’ hits the small screen May 5. See the trailer below:
