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Reader, you have been lied to! Film history is littered with unfairly maligned classics, whether critics were too eager to review the making of rather than the finished product, or they suffered from underwhelming ad campaigns or general disinterest. Let’s revise our takes on some of these films from wrongheaded to the correct opinion.

When director John Badham‘s skydiving thriller “Drop Zone” was released by Paramount Pictures in December 1994, the general perception was that it was a ridiculous and disposable programmer. It did Ok at the box office (opening at number three behind Barry Levinson‘s hot-button drama “Disclosure” and the Tim Allen family hit “The Santa Clause”), but critics had their knives out for the movie’s allegedly indefensible plot holes, and the movie was largely forgotten a few weeks after it opened.

“Drop Zone,” with its story of a US Marshal (Wesley Snipes) pursuing a gang...

Exclusive: Rob Minkoff (The Lion King) is set to direct Tenor by Night, a live-action comedy musical fantasy based on the Chinese-themed stage musical of the same name, created and produced by James Chiao.

Written by Peter Barsocchini (High School Musical franchise), the film is described as a whimsical, cross-cultural comedy about a Chinese American businessman who gives up his dreams of becoming a world-famous singer to build a successful mannequin business to support his family. Through a series of magical misadventures, a group of mannequins are brought to life which leads to a second chance to fulfill his dreams.

The project is believed to be the first Chinese-themed musical coming up for production in Hollywood since Flower Drum Song in 1961. Hope is for it to draft on the success of such recent Chinese American-themed box office hits as Everything Everywhere All at Once and Crazy Rich Asians. Casting for the pic is now underway.

Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Ben Thompson on Wbgr-fm on November 9th, 2023, reviewing “Journey to Bethlehem,” a re-telling of the Baby Jesus story as a musical! In theaters on November 10th, 2023.

Rating: 3.5/5.0

Three Kings discover the star they are to follow, while Mary (Fiona Palomo) becomes engaged to Joseph (Milo Manheim). The angel Gabriel (the rapper Lecrae) also appears, and tells Mary she’s going to be the Mother of Jesus. At first, Joseph runs away, but a vision comes to him, and he finds his fiancé and completes the nuptials. Meanwhile, Herod (Antonio Banderas) calls for a census, so Mary and Joseph are about to journey to Bethlehem …and their destiny.

”Journey to Bethlehem” is in theaters on November 9th. Featuring Fiona Palomo, Milo Manheim, Lecrae, Geno Segers, Rizwan Manji, Omi Djalili and Antonio Banderas. Written by Adam Anders and Peter Barsocchini.

Christmas comes early this year, as “Journey to Bethlehem” puts words (and music) in the mouths of all who bore witness to Jesus’ birth. Some of those tunes — like “Silent Night” and “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” — will sound familiar enough, though most of the songs — like most of the script — represents a fresh interpretation of believers’ original miracle, courtesy of Adam Anders, making a competent, if undistinguished directorial debut with the least edgy retelling of the nativity story around (which is essentially what the faith-based audience has been asking for).

One half of the duo behind the music for “Glee,” Swedish-born Anders comes to the project after more than two decades of penning and producing songs for boy bands and Disney Channel artists, including the Backstreet Boys (“More Than This”), Nick Lachey and the Jonas Brothers. He was instrumental in the soundtracks of big-screen musicals “Rock of Ages” and “The Prom,...

You may never see a Christmas musical quite like this. In Journey to Bethlehem, director Adam Anders creates a lavish spectacle capturing “the greatest story ever told” with the tale of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus. Anders, who co-wrote the film with Peter Barsocchini, was the executive music producer for Glee before producing The Prom. But with Journey to Bethlehem, the filmmaker takes a big leap of faith — literally — in helming a musical which he wrote, directed, and produced.

The mammoth undertaking features 12 original new songs, performed by a cast featuringFiona Palomo (Outer Banks), Milo Manheim (Zombies), Antonio Banderas (Puss in Boots), King + Country’s Joel Smallbone, and multiple Grammy-winner Lecrae, among many others. The story tracks a young woman with a big responsibility. Themes of love and honor are woven into the cinematic fabric, too, as one couple (Palomo and Manheim) attempt to hold their own...

Sony Pictures’ faith-focused label Affirm Films and Monarch Media have launched a trailer for Christmas musical film “Journey to Bethlehem.”

The film marks the feature directorial debut of Adam Anders, who was a music producer on “Glee.” A retelling of the the story of Mary and Joseph and the birth of Jesus, the film is a live-action Christmas musical weaving classic Christmas melodies with humor, faith and new pop songs.

The cast includes Fiona Palomo (“Outer Banks”) as Mary, Milo Manheim (“Prom Pact”) as Joseph, Antonio Banderas (“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”) as Herod, Stephanie Gil (“Fatima”), Rizwan Manji (“Schitt’s Creek”), Geno Segers (“Perfect Harmony”), Omid Djalili (“Gladiator”), Joel Smallbone and Lecrae.

Anders penned the script along with Peter Barsocchini (“High School Musical”) and wrote the music with Nikki Anders (“Glee”) and Peer Astrom (“Rock of Ages”). The film is produced by Anders, Alan Powell and Steve Barnett through Monarch Media,...

Exclusive: Fiona Palomo is Mary, Milo Manheim is Joseph and Oscar nominee Antonio Banderas is King Herod in Sony Affirm’s upcoming untitled holiday musical centered around the Nativity.

The movie is currently in production with Monarch Media on the coast of Spain for a Nov. 10 theatrical release.

Award-winning music producer Adam Anders is making his feature directorial debut and wrote the script along with Peter Barsocchini (High School Musical franchise) and wrote the music with Nikki Anders and Peer Astrom.

Logline: A young woman carrying an unimaginable responsibility. A young man torn between love and honor. A jealous king who will stop at nothing to keep his crown. This live-action Christmas musical celebration for the entire family, weaves classic Christmas melodies into new pop songs in a music-infused retelling...

2021’s totally online NATPE Virtual Miami is just but half over. Some inkling of how it might shape out, however, is fast falling into place.

Basically, streaming stole the show. Yes, Fox did announce during NATPE that the Jay Leno-hosted “You Bet Your Life” reboot, bowing this fall, has sold in 85% of the U.S. Yet a once annual launchpad for shows seeking U.S. syndication was dominated this time round by the seismic pivot of Hollywood’s majors and other players into global VOD platforms, and the impact of this tectonic shunt on the industry at large.

Dominating NATPE-related business announcements and online panel discussions, that impact is inevitable.

But it didn’t always play out in the most obvious fashion.

Following, six – somewhat provisional – takeaways from this year’s NATPE Miami, focused on its international business:

The Big Swings

During NATPE, Paramount Plus set a March 4 launch date for the U.

ViacomCBS International Studios (Vis) president Jc Acosta has used his virtual NATPE address to unveil the studio’s latest slate of content, spanning high-end drama series, TV movies, documentaries, and kids content.

Among the more eye-catching content announced by Jc Acosta was an action heist series, titled Electric Years, which Vis is co-producing with CBS Studios and LatAm production outfit Dynamo.

Created by Fernando Navarro (Veronica) and Cristian Conti (Wild District), the show is set in Europe during the Spring of 1968 throughout the student revolution. At the center of it all is Campano, a wanderer, daredevil, and an unlikely, anachronistic hero who journeys across the Mediterranean.

Acosta also pulled the curtain back on another development: The Gold. Written by Neil Forsyth, the screenwriter behind BBC series Guilt, the true-crime series tells the story of one of Britain’s most notorious criminal investigations.

Elsewhere, The Great and Tin Star scribe Vanessa Alexander...

ViacomCBS International Studios (Vis) has unveiled a new slate of projects tapping talents as diverse as “Guilt” writer-creator Neil Forsyth, “The Great” writer Vanessa Alexander, “Wild District” originator Cristian Conti and “High School Musical” writer Peter Barsocchini.

Underscoring Vis’ ambitions to play in the big league of international local content producer-distributors, both in production volume and breadth of content, Vis also confirmed its drive into documentary production, of both doc features and series, and unveiled its first four titles.

This year will, moreover, see Vis bow development and production of its first made-for-streaming movies and first content for Vis Kids, created last year.

Launched in 2018, Vis has proved one of the fastest-growing production powers on the Latin American and Latinx scene, signing first-look deals with Argentina’s Juan José Campanella, writer-director of the Oscar winning “The Secret in Their Eyes,” and Ariel Winograd, director of remake phenomenon “Ten Days Without Mom.

In the early aughts, Kenny Ortega had directed a string of “Ally McBeal” and “Gilmore Girls” episodes, but what he really wanted was to return to making movies.

So he asked his agents to keep an eye out for a TV movie, something “under the radar” that would allow him to quietly flex his filmmaking chops as he slid behind the camera for his first feature since 1993’s “Hocus Pocus.”

The script that caught his eye, a Disney Channel Original Movie with the working title “Untitled High School Musical Project,” became a phenomenon despite Ortega’s desire to keep a low-profile.

“High School Musical” was the rare made-for-tv movie that transcended its humble origins and captivated a generation of teens and tweens when it premiered on Jan. 20, 2006. It didn’t just launch the careers Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens (known then as Vanessa Anne Hudgens), Ashley Tisdale and more. It also...

Disney is going to give “High School Musical” fans a treat prior to the launch of the standalone streaming service Disney Plus.

“High School Musical: The Musical: The Series,” the series adaptation of the popular Disney Channel film franchise, will air its first episode across three Disney-owned networks nearly a week before it debuts at the launch of Disney Plus.

The series premiere will air on ABC, Disney Channel, and Freeform on Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. Et., while the streamer is due to launch on Nov. 12. The series features an entirely new cast of characters playing drama students and faculty of East High, the Utah high school where the original “High School Musical” was filmed. The 10-episode series sees them go from the auditions to opening night of their staging of “High School Musical: The Musical.”

The series stars Joshua Bassett, Olivia Rodrigo, Kate Reinders, Sofia Wylie, Matt Cornett, Dara Reneé,...

The planned “High School Musical” TV series in the works at Disney’s upcoming streaming service has found its writer, Variety has learned exclusively.

Tim Federle, who worked on the screenplay for the animated comedy “Ferdinand,” is attached to write and executive produce the series.

Federle is the author of a series of young adult novels that began with “Better Nate Than Ever” as well as several cocktail recipe books including “Tequila Mockingbird.” He co-wrote the libretto for the Broadway musical adaptation of “Tuck Everlasting” and won the Humanitas Prize for co-writing the screenplay for “Ferdinand.” He is also writing the screenplay for an animated film, “Foster,” with the songwriting team of Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. He is repped by CAA, Magnet Management, and Jackoway Tyerman.

The exact nature of the plot of the series is being kept under wraps. At this time, no one from the original films is attached to the project.

It's been quite the week for Lin Manuel-Miranda, who has worked on not only the #1 movie in the country (Moana), but he also has the top Broadway play with his smash hit Hamilton, and the best-selling record in the country with the Hamilton Mixtape. The actor/writer/composer has been more sought-after than ever, signing on to star alongside Emily Blunt in Mary Poppins Returns, and composing the music for The Little Mermaid remake alongside Alan Menken. Today we have word that he has added yet another project to his burgeoning slate, the animated musical Vivo for Sony Pictures Animation.

Deadline reports that Sony Pictures Animation has set a December 18, 2020 release date for Vivo, which is currently the only movie set for release on that date. Sony Pictures Animation had previously set an untitled project for release one week earlier, on December 11, 2020, but it's possible that date will be...

“The Passion” star Trisha Yearwood discovered an amazing street performer while filming a live chat with her Facebook fans at the classic New Orleans coffee-and-beignets shop Cafe du Monde. Yearwood was in New Orleans to rehearse for Sunday’s “The Passion,” Fox’s next live musical event after the success of “Grease: Live.” Set in the modern day, “The Passion,” written by Peter Barsocchini (“High School Musical”), tells the 2,000-year-old story of the last hours of Jesus Christ’s life on earth through a variety of popular music pieces, sung by the cast and arranged specifically for this event by executive producer and music.

Netflix has picked up the distribution rights to Fox’s live “The Passion” musical after it airs this Sunday, TheWrap has learned. The Biblical story of Jesus Christ will be available in almost all Netflix territories beginning March 22, with the exception of the Netherlands, where it will be available March 25. The move is an interesting one for Netflix, which has typically avoided live events such as “The Passion.” “The Passion,” written by Peter Barsocchini, tells the 2,000-year-old story of the last hours of the earthly life of Jesus Christ (Jencarlos Canela) through passages from the Bible and a variety of pieces of.

The Disney Channel is officially scheduled to start casting for High Musical 4. The movie will be written by Peter Barsocchini and Dan Berendsen. Barsocchini wrote all three previous High School movies while Berendsen wrote Hanna Montana: The Movie. The movie will focus on a new group of East High students and their rivals, West High Knights. The franchise launched the careers of Zac Efron and […]

The post Disney Channel’s ‘High School Musical 4’ Is Officially In Production appeared first on uInterview.

Disney Channel creatives are all in this together to find their new ensemble of East High Wildcats for their next “High School Musical” film. Casting is underway for a fourth installment of Disney franchise. “High School Musical 4” will introduce new East High Wildcats and their cross-town school rivals, the West High Knights. “ ‘High School Musical’ is part of Disney Channel’s DNA,” said Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, in a statement. “It embodies all that we stand for.” DGA Award nominee Jeffrey Hornaday (Disney Channel’s “Teen Beach Movie”) is attached to direct and choreograph. Dan Berendsen (creator/executive producer of Freeform’s “Baby Daddy”), and Peter Barsocchini (writer of all three “High School Musical” movies) will write the latest project. The original “High School Musical” premiered in 2006 to a record-breaking 7.7 million total viewers in the U.S.; it was at the time the highest...

Take heed, Wildcats! High School Musical is on its way back to the Disney Channel, after the House of Mouse officially confirmed that plans were underway to revive the dormant TV movie series.

As the first mainline installment in almost a decade, Disney is aiming for a total overhaul ahead of High School Musical 4, and it’s understood the company is already on the hunt for a new cast ahead of its planned return to East High. Details are thin on the ground for now, but it appears said newcomers will go up against the Wildcats’ cross-town rivals, the West High Knights.

Jeffrey Hornaday (Teen Beach Movie, Teen Beach 2) will direct and choreograph the revival, working from a script by Dan Berendsen and series stalwart Peter Barsocchini. In light of the announcement, Disney Channel President Gary Marsh was full of praise for the HSM brand, hinting that the new...

Disney Channel has officially begun a nationwide casting search for "High School Musical 4," a long-rumored next installment in the successful movie series.

The franchise launched the careers of the likes of Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens, but this fourth film will center on a new group of students at East High, as well as their crosstown rivals the West High Knights.

Peter Barsocchini, who wrote the three previous movies, will co-write with Dan Berendsen. Jeffrey Hornaday ("Teen Beach Movie") is attached to direct and choreograph.

Source: The Live Feed...

More than 10 years after High School Musical became a global phenomenon, Disney Channel is getting ready to return to East High one more time. A nationwide casting search begins today for a planned Disney Channel Original Movie, High School Musical 4, that will continue the story of the global sensation High School Musical - and introduce new East High Wildcats and their cross-town school rivals, the West High Knights. DGA Award nominee Jeffrey Hornaday (Disney Channel's Teen Beach Movie, Teen Beach 2) is attached to direct and choreograph the movie.

The casting directors are Jason La Padura, C.S.A., Natalie Hart, C.S.A., and Kendra Patterson, C.S.A., of Lapadura/Hart/Patterson. Information on open casting calls to be scheduled this spring will soon be posted at DisneyChannel.com/OpenCall. Here's what Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, had to say in a statement.

Gabriel Conte has been cast in Fox’s live musical event “The Passion,” TheWrap has learned. He’ll play one of Jesus’s disciples — a close friend and advocate of the son of God until his final days. Starring in the Palm Sunday special are Tyler Perry, Seal, Chris Daughtry, Trisha Yearwood, Jencarlos Canela and Prince Royce. Conte is an entertainment content creator who started with Vine and now works across all social platforms, amassing nearly five million followers across the digital space. Also Read: 'The Simpsons' to Air Live Episode: Al Jean Tells Us How They'll Pull It Off “The Passion,...

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Seal has been cast as Pontius Pilate in Fox's Bible-based live musical "The Passion" airing next month.

Peter Barsocchini ("High School Musical") penned the project which tells the story of the last hours of Jesus' life on Earth using Bible passages and a variety of popular music - sung by the cast and arranged specifically for the special. It will also be set in the modern day and be staged live at signature New Orleans locations.

Seal joins host and narrator Tyler Perry and cast members Jencarlos Canela (Jesus Christ), Chris Daughtry (Judas), Prince Royce (the disciple Peter) and Trisha Yearwood (Mary, the mother of Jesus).

The special will air on Palm Sunday - March 20th.

Source: Deadline...

Seal is about to meet a crowd he can’t win over.

The Grammy-winning vocalist has been cast as Pontius Pilate in Fox’s live musical version of The Passion, the network announced today.

RelatedRocky Horror Casts Masters of Sex Fave as Columbia

Seal joins previously announced cast members including Trisha Yearwood as Mary, Latin pop star Prince Royce as the disciple Peter, Chris Daughtry as Judas, Telenovela‘s Jencarlos Canela as Jesus Christ and Tyler Perry as the host and narrator.

The Passion, written by Peter Barsocchini (High School Musical), tells the story of the final hours of Jesus...

The Passion, Fox’s Bible-based live musical airing next month, has cast Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Seal as Pontius Pilate. He joins host and narrator Tyler Perry and cast members Jencarlos Canela (Jesus Christ), Chris Daughtry (Judas), Prince Royce (the disciple Peter) and Trisha Yearwood (Mary, the mother of Jesus). The special will air live from New Orleans on Palm Sunday, March 20. Written by Peter Barsocchini (High School Musical), The Passion tells the story of…...

Grammy Award-winning singer Seal has been set as Pontius Pilate on Fox’s upcoming live musical event “The Passion.” With the role, he’ll join Tyler Perry, Chris Daughtry and Trisha Yearwood on Palm Sunday. Additional previously announced cast members include Jencarlos Canela and Prince Royce. “The Passion,” written by Peter Barsocchini, tells the 2000-year-old story of the last hours of Jesus Christ’s (Canela) life on earth through passages from the Bible and a variety of contemporary popular music, sung by the cast, and arranged specifically for this event by executive producer and music producer Adam Anders. Set in modern day,...

The Passion just got a little more epic.

People can announce exclusively that Seal has now joined Fox's upcoming biblical musical as Pontius Pilate, the Judaean politician who sentences Jesus Christ to death under the pressure of his constituents.

Seal joins Telenovela's Jencarlos Canela as Jesus Christ, American Idol alum Chris Daughtry as Judas, Latin recording star Prince Royce as the disciple Peter, country star Trisha Yearwood as Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Tyler Perry as the host and narrator.

Written by High School Musical scribe Peter Barsocchini, The Passion will tell the 2,000-year-old story of the last...

The Passion just got a little more epic. People can announce exclusively that Seal has now joined Fox's upcoming biblical musical as Pontius Pilate, the Judaean politician who sentences Jesus Christ to death under the pressure of his constituents. Seal joins Telenovela's Jencarlos Canela as Jesus Christ, American Idol alum Chris Daughtry as Judas, Latin recording star Prince Royce as the disciple Peter, country star Trisha Yearwood as Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Tyler Perry as the host and narrator.Written by High School Musical scribe Peter Barsocchini, The Passion will tell the 2,000-year-old story of the last...

Singer/actor Jencarlos Canela ("Telenovela") will play Jesus Christ and rocker Chris Daughtry has been cast as his traitorous disciple Judas in the Biblical live musical "The Passion" for Fox.

Tyler Perry narrates this modern day-set interpretation of the last hours of Jesus Christ's life on Earth, set to a variety of popular music which has been arranged specifically for the live special by producer Adam Anders ("Glee"). Jesus' betrayal, trial, conviction, crucifixion and resurrection are all expecte to be portrayed.

Peter Barsocchini ("High School Musical") penned the special event which will be staged live at signature New Orleans locations. A procession of hundreds of people will carry a twenty-foot, illuminated cross from outside the Superdome to the live stage at Woldenburg Park on the banks of the Mississippi River.

Also onboard are Prince Royce as Peter and Trisha Yearwood as Jesus' mother Mary. The event will air live on March 20th.

Chris Daughtry is picking up a few more silver pieces from Fox.

The American Idol grad and “Waiting for Superman” singer has been cast as Judas in the network’s live musical version of The Passion, the network announced today.

RelatedFox Staging The Passion, Live: How Trisha Yearwood, Imagine Dragons and Nola Will Tell Jesus’ Story

Additionally, Telenovela‘s Jencarlos Canela, who is also a singer/songwriter, has landed the role of Jesus Christ.

Daughtry and Canela join previously announced cast members including Trisha Yearwood as Mary, Latin pop star Prince Royce as the disciple Peter, and Tyler Perry as the host and narrator.

Fox’s “The Passion” has found its Jesus, and its Judas. “Telenovela” star Jencarlos Canela (pictured above, left) will play the son of God, and “American Idol” alum Chris Daughtry (pictured above, right) will portray the biblical figure who betrays him. The two-hour live Palm Sunday music event will be hosted and narrated by Tyler Perry. Also previously announced, Trisha Yearwood will play Mary, mother of Jesus, and Latin recording artist Prince Royce is set to portray disciple Peter. “The Passion” is written by Peter Barsocchini. Also Read: Live Outdoor Fox Musical 'The Passion' Ready for Bad New...

The Passion, Fox’s Biblical live musical, has found its Jesus Christ, casting singer/actor Jencarlos Canela (Telenovela) in the lead role. Additionally, rocker Chris Daughtry has been cast as the disciple Judas. The two join host and narrator Tyler Perry and cast members Prince Royce (the disciple Peter) and Trisha Yearwood (Mary, the mother of Jesus). The special will air live from New Orleans on Palm Sunday, March 20. Written by Peter Barsocchini (High School Musical), T…...

Fox’s staging of The Passion — a live, musical event that originated years ago in Holland — will use Trisha Yearwood’s pipes, music from Whitney Houston and others, and iconic New Orleans locations to tell the tale of Jesus’ final hours.

RelatedCountry Star Trisha Yearwood to Play Jesus’ Mother in Fox’s The Passion

Written by Peter Barsocchini (High School Musical) and airing live from New Orleans on Palm Sunday, March 20, The Passion has Yearwood playing Mary, the mother of Jesus, while Latin pop star Prince Royce will play the disciple Peter. Jesus, who also sings, has yet to be...

Trisa Yearwood has been cast as Mary, the mother of Jesus, in Fox’s two-hour musical event “The Passion.” Additionally, recording artist Prince Royce was set to play disciple Peter in the Tyler Perry-hosted special. “The Passion,” written by Peter Barsocchini (“High School Musical”), tells the 2000-year-old story of the last hours of Jesus Christ’s life on earth through a variety of popular music, sung by the cast and arranged specifically for this event by executive producer and music producer Adam Anders (“Glee,” “Rock of Ages”). Set in modern day, the event will follow the dramatic and inspirational story of Jesus of Nazareth,...

Do they serve grits and gravy in Galilee?

Country superstar and southern food expert Trisha Yearwood has landed the role of Mary, the mother of Jesus, in Fox’s The Passion, the network announced Friday.

RelatedWinter TV Preview! Your Scoop-Filled Guide to 20+ Returning Favorites

Additionally, Latin pop star Prince Royce will play the disciple Peter in the two-hour musical event, which will air live from New Orleans on Palm Sunday, March 20, at 8/7c on Fox.

Yearwood and Royce join Tyler Perry, who was previously announced as the event’s host and narrator.

RelatedAdam Lambert Joins the Cast of Fox...

Exclusive: Edward Noeltner’s sales company has announced key sales on Mili Pictures’ animation directed by Oscar nominee Mike Johnson and Song Yuefeng.

Deals on Ping Pong Rabbit have closed in South Korea (First Run), Poland (Kino Swiat), Turkey (Associated Euromedia), Israel (FilmHouse), Hungary (Bohemia Motion Pictures), Bulgaria (Tandem Film), former Yugoslavia (2i Film) and Central America (Produciones Latinamericanas).

Cmg, in Toronto showing footage on the film, licensed rights in the Middle East to Front Row Entertainment in Cannes.

Peter Barsocchini wrote the screenplay to the tale of a rabbit who aspires to win the fabled Jade Table prize awarded to the finest table tennis player in the land and must overcome the dastardly monkey champion.

Mili Pictures Us executive Bill Borden produces Ping Pong Rabbit with Jack Zhang.

“We are very excited to show distributors attending Toronto new footage of Ping Pong Rabbit, which has some of the most adorable bunnies ever seen on the big...

Chinese animation studio Mili Pictures Worldwide has opened an office in Los Angeles, headed by producer Bill Borden.

Borden’s credits include the High School Musical series, Stephen Chow’s Kung Fu Hustle, Mission: Impossible 3 and Spike Lee’s Get On the Bus.

Mili’s debut production, Dragon Nest, will be premiered on July 31 at China’s biggest video gaming convention, China Joy. Directed by award-winning animation director Song Yuefeng, the adventure tale is based on a hugely popular online game, which has 100 million registered users. All Rights Entertainment is handling international sales.

Mili also announced that its next production, family comedy Ping Pong Rabbit, has started pre-production in Los Angeles.

Directed by Mike Johnson, who co-directed Corpse Bride with Tim Burton, the film will move into the animation process in China this autumn and is scheduled for release in early 2016. The film is scripted by High School Musical writer Peter Barsocchini.

Backed by online...

Chinese animation studio Mili Pictures Worldwide has opened an office in Los Angeles, headed by producer Bill Borden.

Borden’s credits include the High School Musical series, Stephen Chow’s Kung Fu Hustle, Mission: Impossible 3 and Spike Lee’s Get On the Bus.

Mili’s debut production, Dragon Nest, will be premiered on July 31 at China’s biggest video gaming convention, China Joy. Directed by award-winning animation director Song Yuefeng, the adventure tale is based on a hugely popular online game, which has 100 million registered users. All Rights Entertainment is handling international sales.

Mili also announced that its next production, family comedy Ping Pong Rabbit, has started pre-production in Los Angeles.

Directed by Mike Johnson, who co-directed Corpse Bride with Tim Burton, the film will move into the animation process in China this autumn and is scheduled for release in early 2016. The film is scripted by High School Musical writer Peter Barsocchini.

Backed by online...

Nickelodeon is packing up its trunk for sleep away camp. Nickelodeon commissions E1 Entertainment and Reveille to co-produce its new comedy pilot (1x30), Summer Camp, created by writer Peter Barsocchini (High School Musical) and directed by Lev L. Spiro (Wizards of Waverly Place, Jonas, Weeds, Everybody Hates Chris, Arrested Development and many others). The pilot is scheduled to begin production this month in Malibu. Summer Camp is Executive Produced by Barsocchini, Frank Saperstein, Svp/Kids and Animation, E1, and John Morayniss of E1 Entertainment, and Reveille's Carolyn Bernstein and Todd Cohen, as well as Laurence Mark of Laurence Mark Productions who is also producing. Co-Executive Producer is David Blackman of Laurence Mark Productions. E1 Entertainment will handle the worldwide distribution for the property.

http://enews.cynopsis.com/html.asp?XZY2277428UTF60...

Score one for Nickelodeon in its unspoken kiddie-programming arms race with the Disney Channel: The network has signed High School Musical writer Peter Barsocchini to make a half-hour comedy pilot about summer camp. No word on whom they'll cast yet, though the offspring or sibling of a famous person is always a good bet. Barsocchini will likely be zipping up his writing a little for the slightly edgier net (we're talking more tolerance of pop culture references and passing references to puberty here, not The Sopranos). And I'm guessing he won't be bringing his penchant for incorporating musical numbers to this project,...

By the Hollywood Reporter

Nickelodeon is going to "Summer Camp."

The network has greenlighted production on a half-hour pilot from Peter Barsocchini, writer of the "High School Musical" movies.

E1 Entertainment and Reveille are co-producing the single-camera pilot set at a sleep-away camp, with veteran TV helmer Lev L. Spiro on board to direct.

Read more from the Hollywood Reporter.

Nickelodeon has greenlit Summer Camp, a half-hour pilot from Peter Barsocchini, writer of the High School Musical movies.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the single-camera pilot will be set at a sleep-away camp, with veteran TV helmer Lev L. Spiro on board to direct.

"Summer camp, in reality, is an iconic experience for kids, and the show is an opportunity to present the comedy and emotion kids experience when they are away from home for the first time," Peter Barsocchini said. "Our slogan is, 'Camp is why kids invented summer.' "

Production on the pilot is slated to begin in Malibu this month.

Nickelodeon is going to "Summer Camp."

The network has greenlighted production on a half-hour pilot from Peter Barsocchini, writer of the "High School Musical" movies.

E1 Entertainment and Reveille are co-producing the single-camera pilot set at a sleep-away camp, with veteran TV helmer Lev L. Spiro on board to direct.

"Summer camp, in reality, is an iconic experience for kids, and the show is an opportunity to present the comedy and emotion kids experience when they are away from home for the first time," Peter Barsocchini said. "Our slogan is, 'Camp is why kids invented summer.' "

Production on the pilot is slated to begin in Malibu this month.

"Summer camp is an American tradition, and Peter has captured this rite of passage in a fun family comedy that's perfect for Nickelodeon," said Reveille executive producer of scripted programs Carolyn Bernstein, who is exec producing the pilot with Barsocchini; Frank Saperstein...

Another day, another piece of childhood ripped away from those nostalgic for the 1980s. Having a Y chromosome, it wasn't exactly my cup of tea, but I am sure that many a girl will begin weeping as it has been announced that Hasbro has sold off yet another one of its toy's film rights, this time being Jem and the Holograms. With Stretch Armstrong, Ouija Board, Candyland, Battleship, Clue, and Monopoly all headed out in the next few years, the news exactly exactly shocking. (I'm still waiting for the Lincoln Logs movie, however). As of now, relatively unknown Chinese director John Chu is, at least temporarily, attached to the project, as is High School Musical Scribe Peter Barsocchini, according to Pajiba, though it is not yet known whether Barsocchini will write the script or merely produce. Is there going to be anything in this movie that wasn't said in Spice...

Disney Channel sets a director/choreographer for the new High School Musical TV movie and extends Handy Manny with a short form series. • The network has tapped Jeffrey Hornaday to direct and choreograph High School Musical East Meets West, the fourth chapter in the Disney Channel Original Movie series. Slated to premiere on the network in 2010, HSM East Meets West is being written by Peter Barsocchini, with Bill Borden and Barry Rosenbush serving as Executive Producers and Don Schain as Producer. • The network commissions the new short-form animated preschool series, Handy Manny's School for Tools (20 shorts), and two primetime Handy Manny specials. The short-form series is based on Disney Playhouse's Handy Manny series, which is currently in production on a third season (29 episodes) that will introduce a host of new tools. Set to begin production this year Handy Manny's School for Tools will bow in 2010. Meanwhile, this fall...

"Hannah Montana" will shine on.

Disney Channel has closed a deal for a fourth season of the blockbuster series starring Miley Cyrus.

Additionally, the cable channel has ordered a second season of its breakout new comedy series, "Sonny With a Chance," and has tapped Jeffrey Hornaday, choreographer of such movies as "Flashdance" and "A Chorus Line," to direct and choreograph the fourth "High School Musical" movie.

There had been questions about whether Cyrus would return to the series that made her a global star, with the teen actress-singer recently expressing her intention to continue her small-screen duties as Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana for one more year.

As part of the deal, Cyrus will get a long hiatus to work on the feature "The Last Song," with production on the fourth season of "Hannah Montana" slated to begin next year. (Filming on the show's third season wraps this week.)

The series will change settings next season,...

When the "High School Musical" franchise was launched on the Disney Channel, the first few installments did fairly well in the awards derby. The dance-a-thons got tripped up, though, when part three headed to movie theaters as a feature film, forsaking a first run on cable TV like the first two parts. It earned $250 million worldwide, but didn't fare well with awards.

"High School Musical 4" will return to TV and — yikes — not star Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens. Curiously, it may not even include Kenny Ortega, the director of the first three installments. Word is still out on that. Writer Peter Barsocchini will pick up his pen again, though, and its original producers will return.

According to the Disney news release, new stars will be cast as leads and "High School Musical 4" will feature a love triangle "set against the cross-town rivalry between the East High Wildcats and West High Knights.

Okay, before you get too excited, this Disney project is slated to appear on....television! So now, it's full circle. The once-Disney TV franchise which had a fling in movie theaters last year is now back where it all started...TV.

Here's more info for "High School Musical" fans:

1) Goodbye old cast, hello new high schoolers! This time, it's going to focus on East High Wildcasts' rival across town know as West High Knights!

2) So no Troy (Zac Efron), Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) and company, but Peter Barsocchini, the screenwriter behind the first three films, is back for the fourth installment.

3) Look for this on the Disney Channel in 2010. I know, that's a bit long, but you can watch the first three films over and over again, until the brand new HSM4 :happy...

The East High Wildcats return in Disney Channel's High School Musical 4 (HSM4). With production on HSM4 set for later this year, the movie is scheduled to premiere on the network in 2010. This time around the story features a love triangle while a cross-town school rivalry wages with the West High Knights. Peter Barsocchini, who wrote the previous three movies in the HSM franchise, two for Disney Channel and the third a feature film, is writing HSM4. Now word on casting for the new TV movie, but based on every interview everywhere the stars of the original cast gave over the last year, who appeared in HSM 1-3, it will be a pretty much all new cast of kids.

http://enews.cynopsis.com/html.asp?XZY1491734UTF60...

High School Musical is set for return for a fourth term.

A new movie will hit TV screens in 2010, but it won't feature stars Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens.

A Disney studio statement reads High School Musical 4 will feature a love triangle "set against the cross-town rivalry between the East High Wildcats and West High Knights."

Peter Barsocchini, who wrote High School Musical 1, 2 and 3, is back in as screenwriter, while Bill Borden and Barry Rosenbush will once again executive produce the project.