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Johnny Knoxville has been tapped to host the all-new Fear Factor: The Next Chapter (working title), it was announced today by Michael Thorn, President of Fox Television Network. The iconic reality competition Fear Factor is coming back bigger, bolder, and more daring.

Dropped into an unforgiving, remote location, a group of strangers will live together under one roof, and face mind-blowing stunts, harrowing challenges, and a twisted game of social strategy where trust is fleeting — and fear is a weapon. Only one contestant will conquer all their fears and walk away with the massive grand prize.

“Johnny Knoxville is the champion of fearless entertainment,” said Michael Thorn, President of Fox Television Network. “His wild sense of humor, unmatched ability to push boundaries and take on the extreme makes him the perfect fit to lead this bold new reinvention of Fear Factor.”

“When you reimagine a series as legendary as Fear Factor,...

In September 2023, months into both the actors’ and writers’ strikes, something of a “happening” took shape at Venice Beach’s Electric Lodge, a multidisciplinary arts and community center that hosts everything from taekwondo classes to live performances. For a few weeks, the venue also played home to something increasingly rare: a new play from David Mamet.

Over the years, the controversial Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright has drawn ire for both his political leanings and the content of his work, both on stage and screen. The play, titled “Henry Johnson,” was viewed by some as a reaction to those reactions, by others as a timeless parable. Set across four scenes, the film (and play) follows Jonigkeit’s Henry, whose life is upended after he participates in a heinous crime, is sent to jail for his misdeeds, and struggles to find meaning in all of it.

No matter the takeaway, the play was a hit,...

Pulitzer Prize-winning filmmaker David Mamet comes out of a 10-year hibernation today with a trailer for his upcoming thriller Henry Johnson. The prison drama finds Shia Labeouf and Evan Jonigkeit turning up the heat inside a hostage situation.

Here’s the official synopsis for Henry Johnson courtesy of the project’s production company 1993:

Written and Directed by Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet, Henry Johnson follows the title character (Jonigkeit) as he navigates his search for a moral center, after an act of compassion upends his life. Looking to authority figures he encounters along the way — including his eventual cellmate, Gene (Labeouf) — Henry’s journey leads him down a road of manipulation and ethical uncertainty. The film is an exploration of power, justice and the consequences of letting others choose your path for you.

In David Mamet’s Henry Johnson trailer, Henry (Evan Jonigkeit) forms a unique friendship with Gene...

Two years after staging his newest play, David Mamet is returning to the big screen with a brand-new cinematic adaptation of the work. “Henry Johnson,” Mamet’s first film since his 2013 Al Pacino-starring Phil Spector TV movie, reunites the full original cast from the stage version, including Shia Labeouf, Evan Jonigkeit, Chris Bauer, and Dominic Hoffman. The film’s first trailer, an IndieWire exclusive available below, hints at the acidic drama to come.

Per the film’s official synopsis, “Henry Johnson” is “a drama that follows the title character (Jonigkeit) as he navigates his search for a moral center, after an act of compassion upends his life. Looking to authority figures he encounters along the way — including his eventual cellmate, Gene (Labeouf) —Henry’s journey leads him down a road of manipulation and ethical uncertainty.”

When the play was first mounted at Venice, California’s Electric Lodge in October...

David Mamet will release “Henry Johnson,” a prison drama that marks his first film in over a decade, this spring. Production wrapped recently on the film, which stars Shia Labeouf and is an adaptation of Mamet’s 2023 play of the same name.

In addition to Labeouf, who starred in the show when it was mounted at the Electric Lodge venue in Venice, Calif., the rest of the play’s cast will reprise their stage roles on-screen. They include Evan Jonigkeit (“The Night House”), Chris Bauer (“True Blood”), and Dominic Hoffman (“Suits: LA”).

“Henry Johnson” will be released independently in partnership with production company 1993. Starting on May 9, the movie will be available to rent directly through the film’s website. It will also get a simultaneous theatrical run at the Aero Theatre in Los Angeles. Mamet said in a statement, “If you only see one film this year… you should get out more.

Exclusive: UTA has signed comic, actor, writer, and producer Jonnie “Dumbfoundead” Park for representation in all areas.

Park, who first gained recognition in the battle rap scene, made his on-screen debut in Joseph Kahn’s award-winning feature film Bodied and has since built a career both in front of and behind the camera.

He most recently produced and starred opposite Anderson .Paak in K-pops!, which premiered at TIFF last year. The family comedy follows a washed-up musician who jumps at the chance to capitalize on his long-lost son’s stardom for his renaissance, but ultimately learns that fatherhood is much more than stardom.

Park also played the villain, ‘Ken’, in Hulu’s Emmy-winning comedy series Quiz Lady, starring Awkwafina, Will Ferrell, and Sandra Oh; starred in Lije Sarki’s 2024 comedy feature Sweet Dreams opposite Johnny Knoxville, Mo Amer, Theo Von, Bobby Lee, and Kate Upton; and starred in the All...

Ethan Berger has made his feature directorial debut with the frat house thriller The Line, which is set to reach select theatres on October 18th, with an expanded release to follow on October 25th. With those dates swiftly approaching, a red band trailer for the film has made its way online and can be seen in the embed above.

Berger wrote the screenplay with Alex Russek, crafting the following story: The Line is a campus thriller that plunges into the dangerous world of college fraternities and blind adherence to tradition. Tom, a scholarship student desperate to break free from his working-class background, is charmed by the prestigious Kna fraternity’s promises of high social status and alumni connections that open doors. But upon beginning a romance with Annabelle, a classmate outside of his social circle, and the manipulative schemes of his fraternity president unfolding during the hazing of new members,...

Ethan Berger has made his feature directorial debut with the campus thriller The Line, which is set to reach select theatres on October 18th, with an expanded release to follow on October 23rd. With those dates swiftly approaching, a teaser trailer for the film has made its way online and can be seen in the embed above.

Berger wrote the screenplay with Alex Russek, crafting the following story: The Line is a campus thriller that plunges into the dangerous world of college fraternities and blind adherence to tradition. Tom, a scholarship student desperate to break free from his working-class background, is charmed by the prestigious Kna fraternity’s promises of high social status and alumni connections that open doors. But upon beginning a romance with Annabelle, a classmate outside of his social circle, and the manipulative schemes of his fraternity president unfolding during the hazing of new members, Tom finds...

“Sweet Dreams” the new R-rated comedy feature, written and directed by Lije Sarki, stars Johnny Knoxville, Mo Amer, GaTa, Bobby Lee, Theo Von, Brian Van Holt, Jonnie Park, Shakewell, Adam Faison, Erik Anthony Gonzalez and Beth Grant, with Jay Mohr and Kate Upton, now streaming on Prime Video:

“…forced into rehab at the ‘Sweet Dreams’ recovery center, ‘Morris’ (Knoxville) struggles to confront the wreckage of his life.

‘But when their house goes up for auction, he reluctantly agrees to coach their misfit softball team of recovering addicts to win a cash prize and prove that everyone, despite their past, can hit a home run…”

Click the images to enlarge…...

When you hear that Oscar winners Nicolas Cage and J.K. Simmons are teaming up with popular actors Giancarlo Esposito, Andy Garcia, and Scott Haze for a movie, it sounds more than promising. When you also know that it is going to be an addiction flick that explores the good and the bad sides of this issue, it becomes even more promising. To that, you can also add the fact that the movie will be partially inspired by the real-life story of the recently convicted Hunter Biden, son of current US President Joe Biden, and you have – The Prince!

The Prince has officially entered pre-production, as the premise and confirmed cast members imply that we’re in for a very interesting movie. The Hunter Biden connection will definitely attract a lot of fans, and while this won’t be a biographical film about the convicted businessman, many will definitely notice some...

The Prince features an impressive cast led by Scott Haze, and follows the addiction issues of the son of a powerful man. Directed by Cameron Van Hoy and written by David Mamet, the film promises a transformative odyssey of recovery. Despite some comments that the film is inspired by Hunter Biden, the connection has been denied.

A new movie thought to be inspired by the life and times of Hunter Biden, The Prince, is now in the works and brings together an all-star cast. Set to be directed by Cameron Van Hoy from a script written by acclaimed writer, Pulitzer Prize winner, and Oscar nominee David Mamet, The Prince will be led by Scott Haze (Old Henry), with the rest of the cast featuring Nicolas Cage (Pig), J.K. Simmons (Whiplash), Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad) and Andy Garcia (Oceans Eleven).

According to a report by Deadline, The Prince will chronicles an...

Exclusive: Director Cameron Van Hoy has entered production on The Prince, a new feature drama penned by Pulitzer Prize winner and Oscar nominee David Mamet. Scott Haze (Old Henry) leads a starry ensemble that also includes Nicolas Cage (Pig), J.K. Simmons (Whiplash), Giancarlo Esposito (Parish) and Andy Garcia (Ocean’s Eleven).

The Prince chronicles an addict’s tumultuous odyssey through the high-stakes world of power, pleasure, and pain on a transformative journey toward recovery.

While unconfirmed, we’re told by multiple sources close to the project that the lead character Parker, played by Haze, is inspired at least in part by Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, whose abuse of drugs and alcohol is well documented — including in his 2021 memoir Beautiful Things — and who was found guilty Tuesday in Delaware of three felony counts related to the purchase of a gun in 2018.

Mamet alluded to his work on...

Heading into Cannes, Utopia has secured worldwide rights to college fraternity thriller The Line starring Alex Wolff, Halle Bailey, Austin Abrams, Lewis Pullman, and the late Euphoria star Angus Cloud.

Ethan Berger’s feature debut premiered in Tribeca last year and explores the cult-like aggression in fraternity culture and the antiquated traditions perpetuated in educational institutions.

Wolff (Hereditary) stars in the Chaos Cedar Production as Tom, a university sophomore who gets caught up in fraternity politics when he is lined up as a potential successor to the group’s president. Berger and Alex Russek co-wrote the screenplay.

Bailey starred in The Little Mermaid,...

Fan-favorite comedy Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle has just received its Certified Fresh status. The new rating comes right after the film celebrated its 20th anniversary.

2004's Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle was the first installment in the Harold & Kumar franchise. It was directed by Danny Leiner with a script by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg, two of the creators of Cobra Kai. The first sequel, Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, arrived in 2008, followed by 2011's A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas. The series, which stars John Cho, Kal Penn, and Neil Patrick Harris as a fictional version of himself, has just received an important critical rating: it was officially deemed Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Related White Castle Celebrates 20th Anniversary of Original Harold & Kumar Movie Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle gets celebrated by the titular burger joint in honor of the film's 20th anniversary.

The 20th anniversary of Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle is being celebrated by the restaurant at the heart of the film that spawned a franchise. White Castle is even giving out free digital copies of the film along with exclusive 20th anniversary merchandise.

Directed by Danny Leiner, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle was written by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg, two of the creators of Cobra Kai. It starred John Cho and Kal Penn as the titular stoners, following the pair as they partake in smoking cannabis and setting out on an adventure to visit a White Castle restaurant. Neil Patrick Harris also memorably appeared as himself, with the actor stealing their car serving as one of many obstacles that prevent Harold and Kumar from reaching their destination. Ahead of the film's 20th anniversary, which will officially fall on July 30, White Castle started the promotion early, appropriately on...

Johnny Knoxville takes on a role that comes with just as much drama as it does comedy with the new film Sweet Dreams. It's a film that the Jackass star compares to the classic sports comedy Bad News Bears, but with adults.

Sweet Dreams was directed by Lije Sarki, who joined Knoxville to speak about the movie with Cbr's Kevin Polowy following its digital release on April 16. In the film, Knoxville plays a recovering alcoholic who forms a baseball team with a group of misfits to save their rehab facility from getting auctioned. Sarki mentioned how the film was inspired in part by his real life, as he's struggled with addiction in the past. Though this is serious subject matter, the goal was to make light of it in an entertaining way with Sweet Dreams.

Related Johnny Knoxville Shares What It Would Take for Jackass 5 to Happen Exclusive: Johnny...

It’s never easy finding that sweet spot between sentimentality and comedy, but it’s a line walked successfully by filmmaker Lije Sarki, in the gentle, at times poignant Sweet Dreams, which features Johnny Knoxville in a role far removed from that of which we’ve seen him undertake before.

To mark the film’s release we had the pleasure of speaking to both Knoxville and Sarki together, as well as the two supporting actors Bobby Lee and GaTa. We discuss the film’s tonality, the fun that was had on set – and finally got to tell Knoxville all about ‘BillyBum’. It’ll make sense after you’ve seen the interview.

Johnny Knoxville & Lije Sarki

Bobby Lee & GaTa

Synopsis

Follows Morris, who must coach a misfit softball team of his fellow housemates during his mandatory stay at Sweet Dreams sober living in order to get his life back on track.

The potential for Jackass 5 is uncertain as Johnny Knoxville is not currently feeling the urge to film another sequel. Despite not having the Jackass "feeling," Knoxville continues to write stunt ideas for a possible future project. Concerns about the physical toll on Johnny Knoxville from previous stunts may impact the likelihood of a Jackass 5.

Johnny Knoxville recently hinted at the potential for Jackass 5. He has been a key figure in the Jackass series, known for his fearless antics. Jackass Forever, the latest in the series, saw considerable success, which naturally led to questions about another sequel.

In an interview with ComicBook, Knoxville spoke about the possibility of revisiting his roots in audacious humor, while promoting his latest film, Sweet Dreams. He disclosed that while the desire for another go isn't currently burning within him, he continually conjures up stunts and sketches, storing them away for a possibly ripe future. Knoxville said:

"Uh No,...

Most people love an uplifting sports movie, but what if the story were to focus on more than just a bunch of guys trying to win some sort of championship? Paramount's new film Sweet Dreams gets its title from the name of a rehab facility that houses men on the path of sobriety, men who ultimately try to keep their lights on by competing in a softball league with a cash prize.

From writer-director Lije Sarki (producer on The Peanut Butter Falcon) and starring Jackass icon Johnny Knoxville as a recovering boozer who checks into "Sweet Dreams," the hard-hitting new dramedy also features some familiar faces like Bobby Lee (Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle) and GaTa (Anyone But You). We recently caught up with the two gents in a paired interview to learn more about how their real-life experiences tied to addiction helped fuel their standout performances.

You might know him best from MTV's hilarious, groundbreaking, and painful show Jackass, with its latest movie receiving the most acclaim the franchise has ever experienced. Millennials may remember his fun little supporting turn in Walking Tall (2004) alongside Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. But more recently, Johnny Knoxville has tackled a role he was perhaps born to play, a dramatic turn with shades of humor and hard R-rated banter about this cruel world we live in.

In Sweet Dreams, a new feature from Paramount and writer-director Lije Sarki (producer on The Peanut Butter Falcon), Knoxville plays a recovering alcoholic who joins a rehab home that the film is named after. We recently caught up with Knoxville and Sarki in a paired interview to learn more about their heartfelt new drama, which features a stellar cast that also includes familiar faces like Bobby Lee, Mohammed Amer, GaTa, and Kate Upton.

Getting...

Actor Johnny Knoxville and director Lije Sarki reflected on the meaning of their new movie, Sweet Dreams, in their new uInterview.

Sweet Dreams follows a father (Knoxville) forced into rehab as he coaches a softball team of unconventional men in recovery.

When asked what drew him to the role, Knoxville told uInterview founder Erik Meers, “My dad was an alcoholic, a lot of my friends are in recovery. There’s been many times in my life where I distracted with this or that, so there was a lot of time of preparation for this role.”

Sarki, who wrote the movie inspired by his own experience with alcoholism, remembered one of his favorite scenes.

“Where they’re in the circle upstairs in the attic of the house, he talks about the Frag meeting, you know, Fear, Resentment, Acceptance, Gratitude – that was really really powerful,” he recalled. “Both that scene and the...

Paramount Pictures hosted a ‘Friends & Family’ screening for its new Johnny Knoxville-starrer Sweet Dreams at L.A.’s Laemmle Royal on April 1. Even with a handful of comedians in the building and a date that coincided with April Fool’s Day, the world premiere of filmmaker Lije Sarki’s recovery-centered softball dramedy was no joke.

The scene mirrored much larger Hollywood premieres as members of the starry cast and their friends (Anderson .Paak, Bobby Lee, Lil Dicky) mingled with movie stars (Josh Brolin, Shia Labeouf). Guests took advantage of a red carpet complete with a veteran Tinseltown photographer (Todd Williamson) while others waited in long lines simply to get into the Laemmle (an overflow theater was added to accommodate the number of RSVPs).

Three days later, Sarki was still soaking it in. “It’s wild to me to have that much support,” said the filmmaker over coffee on the...

Johnny Knoxville always seems to display an aching vulnerability, and it’s not just because he’s voluntarily endured years of intense bodily suffering as a result of his Jackass movies. So he seems the perfect choice to play the central character in Lije Sarki’s raucous black comedy that plays like a Bad News Bears featuring recovering addicts rather than precocious children.

Knoxville plays Morris, whose sad state of affairs is made immediately apparent in the opening scene: He’s shown waking up nearly naked and bloody on a park bench, having clearly been on one hell of a bender the night before. Even worse, he had apparently left his eight-year-old daughter home alone, making him realize he’s a danger to others as well as himself.

To try to get his life back on track, Morris signs up for a 90-day stint at Sweet Dreams, a rehab center...

To celebrate Johnny Knoxville’s upcoming film, Sweet Dreams, Wamg is giving away two prizepacks with some terrific swag!

Johnny Knoxville, Mo Amer, Bobby Lee and Kate Upton unite in this wild and off-the-wall journey of second chances from the producer of The Peanut Butter Falcon. Forced into rehab at Sweet Dreams recovery center, Morris (Knoxville) struggles to confront the wreckage of his life. But when their house goes up for auction, he reluctantly agrees to coach their misfit softball team of recovering addicts to win a cash prize and prove that everyone, despite their past, can hit a home run.

Check out the Official Sweet Creams Jerseys, inspired by the jerseys the cast wore in the film!

Written & Directed by Lije Sarki, the film stars Johnny Knoxville, Mo Amer, GaTa, Bobby Lee, Theo Von, Brian Van Holt, Jonnie Park, Shakewell, Adam Faison, Erik Anthony Gonzalez, Beth Grant with Jay Mohr and Kate Upton.

“Sweet Dreams” the new R-rated comedy feature, written and directed by Lije Sarki, stars Johnny Knoxville, Mo Amer, GaTa, Bobby Lee, Theo Von, Brian Van Holt, Jonnie Park, Shakewell, Adam Faison, Erik Anthony Gonzalez and Beth Grant, with Jay Mohr and Kate Upton, opening April 12, 2024 in theaters:

“…forced into rehab at the ‘Sweet Dreams’ recovery center, ‘Morris’ (Knoxville) struggles to confront the wreckage of his life.

‘But when their house goes up for auction, he reluctantly agrees to coach their misfit softball team of recovering addicts to win a cash prize and prove that everyone, despite their past, can hit a home run…”

Click the images to enlarge…...

“Sweet Dreams” the new R-rated comedy feature, written and directed by Lije Sarki, stars Johnny Knoxville, Mo Amer, GaTa, Bobby Lee, Theo Von, Brian Van Holt, Jonnie Park, Shakewell, Adam Faison, Erik Anthony Gonzalez and Beth Grant, with Jay Mohr and Kate Upton, opening April 12, 2024 in theaters:

“…forced into rehab at the ‘Sweet Dreams’ recovery center, ‘Morris’ (Knoxville) struggles to confront the wreckage of his life.

‘But when their house goes up for auction, he reluctantly agrees to coach their misfit softball team of recovering addicts to win a cash prize and prove that everyone, despite their past, can hit a home run…”

Click the images to enlarge…...

There have been plenty of movies detailing life in a fraternity — Animal House being the crown jewel of all, no matter how outrageously funny. The newest entry in the genre, The Line, which premiered at the Tribeca Festival this weekend, is not trying to amuse on any level; a deadly serious take on college frat houses, it looks like it was ripped straight from the many headlines about hazing deaths and horrific goings-on at these places.

However, for at least its first half to first two thirds, this feature film debut for director Ethan Berger (who also co-wrote the script with Alex Russek) is aiming to entertain with a look at the fictional southern Kappa Nu Alpha fraternity in all its vile, sick, crass ugliness. If the goal was to make us hate these guys, the filmmakers succeed admirably. By the end I wanted see every last one of them...

Exclusive: Johnny Knoxville (Reboot), Mo Amer (Mo) and Kate Upton (The Other Woman) will topline the indie comedy Sweet Dreams, from writer-director Lije Sarki. Additional cast set for the pic includes actor-comedians Bobby Lee (Reservation Dogs), Theo Von and Jay Mohr (The Cleaning Lady), as well as GaTa (Dave), Brian Van Holt (Joe vs. Carole), Jon “Dumbfoundead” Park (Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens), Adam Faison (Hellraiser) and Shakewell.

Drawing on Sarki’s personal experience with sobriety, Sweet Dreams follows Morris (Knoxville) as he navigates his way through a mandatory stay at Sweet Dreams sober living. In an attempt to get his life back on track, Morris agrees to coach a misfit softball team of his fellow housemates. Amer is playing Pete, who runs the sober living, with Upton portraying one of the facility’s residents.

1993’s Sarki is producing alongside Robert Ogden Barnum for The Barnum Picture Company, Ari Basile,...

Writer/directors Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz are among the nominees for the DGA’s Outstanding First-Time Feature Film Director for 2019. The honor came after an unbelievable year for the partners, as they not only delivered their little movie that could, “The Peanut Butter Falcon,” which scored raves and the Narrative Spotlight Audience Award at SXSW, but landed a distribution deal with Roadside Attractions, which took them to over $20 million at the domestic box office. That doesn’t happen much anymore.

How did Nilson and Schwartz pull off this rare feat? Like many breakouts, the short filmmakers listened to their own intuition, crafted a unique story that touched them, and found gifted producers to back them.

Eight years ago in 2011, they met a young actor with Down syndrome, Zack Gottsagen, at a Venice camp for actors with disabilities. “We were enamored by him as a human being,” said Nilson in a telephone interview.

Writer/directors Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz are among the nominees for the DGA’s Outstanding First-Time Feature Film Director for 2019. The honor came after an unbelievable year for the partners, as they not only delivered their little movie that could, “The Peanut Butter Falcon,” which scored raves and the Narrative Spotlight Audience Award at SXSW, but landed a distribution deal with Roadside Attractions, which took them to over $20 million at the domestic box office. That doesn’t happen much anymore.

How did Nilson and Schwartz pull off this rare feat? Like many breakouts, the short filmmakers listened to their own intuition, crafted a unique story that touched them, and found gifted producers to back them.

Eight years ago in 2011, they met a young actor with Down syndrome, Zack Gottsagen, at a Venice camp for actors with disabilities. “We were enamored by him as a human being,” said Nilson in a telephone interview.

When Zack Gottsagen, a young man with acting dreams who also happens to have Down syndrome, asked creative duo Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz to write and direct a film for him, they responded with pure determination to make it happen. “Honestly, I thought, ‘That’s a great idea,’” Schwartz says. “He’s the best actor we know.” Impressed with Gottsagen’s work in the Peanut Butter Falcon’s ‘proof of concept’ reel, Shia Laboeuf and Dakota Johnson jumped aboard the Mark Twain-esque tale of Zak (Gottsagan), a man on the run from a care home in pursuit of his wrestling dreams, aided by outlaw Tyler (Laboeuf) and disillusioned care worker Eleanor (Johnson). A heartwarming story for the ages, touching on the power of dreams, familial friendships and love, it’s proven a launchpad for the directors who received a DGA nomination in the First-Time Feature category, and are about...

On Thursday, November 14, the Media Access Awards, in partnership with nonprofit disability services EasterSeals, hosted the 40th annual Media Access Awards.

Daryl "Chill" Mitchell, Actor in "NCIS:New Orleans," and Kurt Yaeger, Actor and Writer of "NCIS:NewOrleans," present the WGA West Evan Somers Memorial Award to Katherine Beattie, Writer of "NCIS:New Orleans".

The awards celebrate those who have redefined on-screen representation for people with disabilities and created more opportunities for the disability community in the entertainment industry.

Host Joe Mantegna, Actor in "Criminal Minds," welcomes everyone to the 40th annual Media Access Awards in partnership with Easterseals to celebrate the advancement and portrayal of people with disabilities in Hollywood.

The awards opened with a pre-taped skit by founder Norman Lear, joined by Jimmy Kimmel. Joe Mantegna, longtime disability advocate for EasterSeals and star of “Criminal Minds” joined actor, writer and producer of “This Close,” and former Media Access Awards winner,...

Exclusive: Endeavor Content has largely sold out on Shia Labeouf, Dakota Johnson and Zack Gottsagen drama The Peanut Butter Falcon, which has slow-burned its way to a healthy $19M at the U.S. box office for Roadside Attractions and Armory Films, after opening in early August.

Deals have closed with Rialto for Australia and New Zealand, Tobis in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Officine Ubu in Italy, Mis Label in Scandinavia, A Contracorriente Films in Spain, The Searchers in Benelux, Outside Films in

Portugal, Capella in Russia, Aeon Entertainment Co. Ltd. in Japan, Cdc in Latin America and South Africa, Eagle Films in the Middle East, Filmarti in Turkey, Falcon in Indonesia, Shaw in Singapore, Cai Chang in Taiwan and Golden A in Thailand. As we previously revealed, Signature will release in the UK on October 18.

The Mark Twain-style story, written and directed by Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson, also stars Bruce Dern,...

Exclusive: Signature Entertainment has picked up UK rights to SXSW Audience Award winner The Peanut Butter Falcon, starring Shia Labeouf, Dakota Johnson and newcomer Zack Gottsagen.

Labeouf plays as a small time outlaw turned unlikely coach who joins forces with Zak, a young man with Down Syndrome on the run from a nursing home and hoping to fulfil his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. Johnson plays Zak’s carer.

Also starring are Jon Bernthal, Thomas Hayden Church, Bruce Dern and John Hawkes. Writer-director duo Tyler Nilson and Michael Shwartz set the film up specifically for Gottsagen, who has Down syndrome, after they met him at a camp for disabled actors.

Signature struck the deal with Endeavor Content and will release theatrically and online later this year. The film will get its U.S. release on August 9 via Roadside Attractions.

Tim Zajaros and Christopher Lemole of Armory Films financed and...

Roadside Attractions has acquired U.S. distribution rights to The Peanut Butter Falcon, the road trip comedy that stars Shia Labeouf, Dakota Johnson and Zack Gottsagen and won the SXSW audience award this year after its world premiere there. The pic will now hit theaters August 9.

The film was written and directed by Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson specifically for Gottsagen, who has Down syndrome, after they met him at a camp for disabled actors. It centers on Zak (Gottsagen), who runs away from a residential nursing home to follow his dream of attending the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck (Thomas Haden Church). A strange turn of events pairs him on the road with Tyler (Labeouf), a small-time outlaw on the run, who becomes Zak’s unlikely coach and ally. Together they wind through deltas, elude capture, drink whisky, find God, catch fish, and convince...

Shia Labeouf’s “The Peanut Butter Falcon,” winner of the Audience Award at the SXSW Film Festival, has found a home.

Roadside Attractions has bought U.S. distribution rights to the adventure film, written and directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz.

Labeouf portrays a small-time outlaw and stars alongside Zack Gottsagen, a young man with Down syndrome, who runs away from a nursing home to follow his dream of attending the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck (Thomas Haden Church).

Labeouf becomes an unlikely coach and ally as the two characters wind through deltas, elude capture, drink whiskey, find God, and catch fish. They also convince a nursing home employee charged with Gottsagen’s return (Dakota Johnson), to join them on their journey. “The Peanut Butter Falcon” also stars Bruce Dern, John Hawkes, Jon Bernthal, and Yelawolf.

Roadside has set a release date of Aug.

Roadside Attractions has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to “The Peanut Butter Falcon” starring Shia Labeouf and Dakota Johnson, the company announced Wednesday.

The adventure comedy made its world premiere at this year’s SXSW Film Festival and won an Audience Award, and Roadside will release the film on Aug. 9.

Newcomer Zack Gottsagen, an actor with Down syndrome whose character also deals with the condition, stars in the film that’s described as a modern Mark Twain adventure. Zak (Gottsagen) is a young man who runs away from a residential nursing home to follow his dream of attending the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck (Thomas Haden Church). A strange turn of events pairs him on the road with Tyler (Labeouf), a small time outlaw on the run, who becomes Zak’s unlikely coach and ally. Together they wind through deltas, elude capture, drink whisky,...

Dakota Johnson, Thomas Hayden Church, newcomer Zack Gottsagen also star.

Roadside Attractions has acquired Us rights to Shia Labeouf road trip adventure The Peanut Butter Falcon, which Endeavor Content represents for international sales in Cannes.

Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson directed the SXSW audience award winner starring newcomer Zack Gottsagen as a young man with Down syndrome who runs away from a residential nursing home to follow his dream of attending the professional wrestling school of his idol, The Salt Water Redneck, played by Thomas Haden Church.

Along the way he befriends Tyler (Labeouf), a small-time outlaw who becomes an ally,...

Alex Wolff has been set to star in The Line, a thriller in the works that will be directed by Ethan Berger in his feature narrative debut. John Malkovich, Scoot McNairy, Jessica Barden and Lewis Pullman have also joined the cast of the movie.

Lije Sarki, who won the SXSW audience award for Peanut Butter Falcon, is producing with Valparaiso Pictures’ David Carrico and Adam Paulsen. Bobby Hoppey is executive producer. A fall shooting start is being eyed.

The film, co-written by Berger and Alex Russek, is being described as a coming-of-age thriller at a university that encapsulates the wild excitement of being young and the dangers of living without fear of consequences.

“The Line will be a profoundly nuanced portrait of a young man being sucked into this seemingly glamorous, rambunctious and familial unit,” Wolff said. “Its heartbreak echoes a larger issue with men and their painful need for approval,...

Hereditary actor Alex Wolff will star in thriller The Line.

The ensemble cast also includes John Malkovich, Scoot McNairy, Jessica Barden (The Lobster) and Lewis Pullman (Bad Times at the El Royale).

The story is being described as ‘a coming-of-age thriller at a university that encapsulates both the wild excitement of being young, and the dangers of living without fear of consequences.’

Ethan Berger and Alex Russek penned the script, with Berger set to direct. Lije Sarki is producing, alongside David Carrico and Adam Paulsen of Valparaiso Pictures. Bobby Hoppey is exec producing.

Wolff, who is set for ...

Hereditary actor Alex Wolff will star in thriller The Line.

The ensemble cast also includes John Malkovich, Scoot McNairy, Jessica Barden (The Lobster) and Lewis Pullman (Bad Times at the El Royale).

The story is being described as "a coming-of-age thriller at a university that encapsulates both the wild excitement of being young, and the dangers of living without fear of consequences."

Ethan Berger and Alex Russek penned the script, with Berger set to direct the pic. Lije Sarki is producing, alongside David Carrico and Adam Paulsen of Valparaiso Pictures. Bobby Hoppey is executive producing.

Wolff, who is set ...

Lije Sarki and David Carrico and Adam Paulsen of Valparaiso Pictures produce.

Hereditary star Alex Wolff, John Malkovich and Scoot McNairy are among an ensemble that has joined upcoming thriller The Line, set to begin production in autumn.

Jessica Barden, and Lewis Pullman round out the key cast at this stage on the project, described as a coming-of-age thriller set on a university campus.

Ethan Berger, currently in post on an untitled documentary with Uninterrupted, will mark his feature directorial debut from a screenplay he wrote with Alex Russek. Lije Sarki, who produced this month’s SXSW narrative spotlight audience...

Principal photography underway in Savannah, Georgia.

Armory Films has announced that John Hawkes, Jon Bernthal, Thomas Haden Church, and Yelawolf will join the cast of The Peanut Butter Falcon.

The film directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz centres on Zak, a young man with Down Syndrome who has been confined to live in a retirement home for most of his life.

One day he breaks out and takes to the road to try to find his hero, a retired wrestler named The Salt Water Redneck. Along the way Zak experiences adventure and danger, and joins forces with a desperado crab fisherman and a kind nurse.

The cast also includes newcomer Zachary Gottsagen, Shia Labeouf, Dakota Johnson, and Bruce Dern.

Armory Films’ Tim Zajaros and Christopher Lemole are producing and financing the film, alongside Bona Fide Productions’ Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa, T Bone Burnett, Lije Sarki, and David Thies. Burnett will also...

The actors join previously announced Shia Labeouf in the drama set to begin production this month.

Dakota Johnson and Bruce Dern will join Shia Labeouf in The Peanut Butter Falcon, which Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz will direct from their screenplay.

The Peanut Butter Falcon follows a down-on-his-luck crab fisherman as he embarks on a journey to get a young man with Down syndrome to a professional wresting school in rural North Carolina and away from the retirement home where he has lived most of his life.

Newcomer Zachary Gottsagen, who is the inspiration for the film, will play the principal character of Zak. Gottsagen lives with high-functioning Down syndrome, and became the inspiration for The Peanut Butter Falcon after Nilson and Schwartz met him while working at a non-profit arts organisation.

Principal Photography will commence on June 17 in Savannah, Georgia.

Armory Films’ Tim Zajaros and Christopher Lemole will produce and finance the film, alongside [link=co...

Keep up with the wild and wooly world of indie film acquisitions with our weekly Rundown of everything that’s been picked up around the globe. Check out last week’s Rundown here.

– Exclusive: Maxine Street LLC will release Alex Grossman’s teen workplace comedy “Hickey” for an La theatrical run on January 6, followed by a North American DVD/Tvod release from Gravitas Ventures on January 10. The film is Grossman’s first feature film and stars Troy Doherty, Flavia Watson, Raychel Diane Weiner and Tommy “Tiny” Lister Jr. Grossman wrote and directed and Lije Sarki produced.

The film is “a day in the life of math whiz and recent high school graduate Ryan Chess (Doherty) who has spent the entire summer dithering over his choice of colleges. On the one hand, he has a full ride to his dream school, MIT but he’s also hopelessly in love with co-worker...

Nickelodeon star Jack Griffo has joined the cast of “Those Left Behind,” an indie movie starring Daphne Zuniga (“Melrose Place”), Michael Hogan (“Battlestar Galactica”), Debra Mooney (“Everwood”) and Coby McLaughlin (“Parenthood”), TheWrap has learned.

Maria Finitzo is writing and directing the film, which is being produced by Lije Sarki. The cast also includes Annie Read, Grant Jordan and Jack Herndon.

Also Read: Victoria Justice Hunts Cyber Killer in MTV’s First ‘Eye Candy’ Trailer (Video)

Upon returning to her childhood home with her son to see her ailing mother, Shelly (Zuniga) must confront the demons of her past in order...

• Jamie Foxx will reportedly play Mike Tyson in an untitled biopic. Terence Winter is set to write. Rick Yorn, Foxx’s manager, will produce. The project is still in the works and is currently without a studio. Though HBO released 1995’s Tyson, this is the first feature film to follow the controversial boxer. [Variety]

• Dakota Johnson will star in the Luca Guadagnino-directed A Bigger Splash. Tilda Swinton and Ralph Fiennes have signed on as well, and Michael Costigan will produce. The film, based on the 1969 French crime drama La Piscine, follows a triangle that develops between a couple and a...

Canberra-born Us-based actor and filmmaker Paul Ashton is directing his first feature, romantic comedy This Isn.t Funny, in Los Angeles. . There is a strong Aussie element as the cast includes Anthony Lapaglia, Gia Carides, Angie Milliken and Ashton. . Ashton wrote the screenplay with co-star Katie Page, loosely inspired by their own off-camera relationship, which poses the question: Can true love survive when you meet the right person at the wrong time? . The producers are Lije Sarki with Easy Open Productions' Ian Keiser and Leigh Jones. The executive producer is Metropolitan Entertainment.s Pierce Cravens. . Ashton plays Jamie, a perpetual traveller who brims with unfulfilled potential.. Page is Eliot, a stand-up comic with a severe anxiety disorder.. They fall for each other, romance blossoms then fractures, forcing them to examine their preconceptions about family and identity. . Lapaglia plays a co-worker of Jamie.s character and Milliken is his mother.