News

Exclusive: Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother) has come aboard to star opposite Thomas Sadoski (The Newsroom) in Jill Takes a Break, a new comedic drama directed by Independent Spirit Award winner Liz Cardenas.

Written by Scott Rodgers, the film follows Jill (Smulders), a bartender in Long Beach who impulsively buys the dive bar she’s worked at for years — only to discover that owning the chaos isn’t the same as surviving it.

Attached to the project since its early development, Sadoski will play Jill’s longtime partner, Vaughn, and also serve in a producorial capacity. The film will be produced by Talon Entertainment, Driven Equation and Ten to the Six Pictures, with Steven Demmler and Sundance fellow Helena Sardinha (Satisfaction) also attached as producers. WME Independent reps worldwide rights.

In 2024, Jill Takes a Break won a development award from the Austin Film Society, founded by Richard Linklater,...

Exclusive: Kenneth Branagh, Hiam Abbass (Succession) and Boyd Holbrook (A Complete Unknown) are teaming on a feature adaptation of 2012 New Yorker article Atonement.

Atonement, which rolls cameras this month in Jordon and Texas, is about a troubled marine who seeks to reconcile with the survivors of an Iraqi family he and his unit fired on back in 2003.

The movie is the feature directorial debut of Reed Van Dyk, who was Oscar-nominated for his 2017 short DeKalb Elementary. Based on a 911 call, that pic followed a gunman who enters an elementary school and encounters a compassionate employee.

The ensemble trio lead the movie that comes 13 years after Dexter Filkins’ resonant New Yorker article, which was also titled Atonement. Delving into the psychological and emotional aftermath of the Iraq War on both Iraqi civilians and U.S. Marines, it centered on Lu Lobello, haunted by memories of a deadly incident in Baghdad, whose journey...

A new project from the creator of the cult classic, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, is currently in the works and is set to feature an impressive cast.

Charlie Kaufman, the writer behind Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, is currently working on his latest film, Later the War, which will star quite a few big names. Per Deadline, the project will feature Eddie Redmayne from Day of the Jackal and Tessa Thompson, known for her role as Valkyrie within the MCU. Additionally, actress Patsy Ferren, primarily known for her work in theater as well as her role in the upcoming Mickey 17, has also been vetted for the project. The film is set to be produced by Ken Kao and Josh Rosenbaum, along with Sarah Green and Steven Demmler.

RelatedEddie Redmayne's Award-Nominated Thriller Series Sets Peacock Streaming Record

The acclaimed series is a huge hit for the streamer.

Oscar-winning filmmaker Charlie Kaufman is making dreams come true with exciting news about his next feature. According to Deadline, Eddie Redmayne, Tessa Thompson, and Patsy Ferran will help lead Charlie Kaufman’s next film, Later the War, which he will write and direct, based on the short story Debby’s Dream House by Iddo Gefen.

Taken from Gefen’s literary collection Jerusalem Beach, the author’s short story follows a man who manufactures dreams for people but ultimately begins creating nightmares for them. Whether Kaufman’s version will adapt the story to its original form is unknown. Additionally, since it’s a short story, he’s bound to add new details. Ken Kao and Josh Rosenbaum will produce via Waypoint Entertainment, with Sarah Green of Brace Productions and Steven Demmler.

Eddie Redmayne is coming off his Peacock Original series, The Day of the Jackal, focusing on an elusive assassin who...

Charlie Kaufman is getting back in the director’s chair. The auteur, who has mostly focused on his screenplays since helming 2020’s “I’m Thinking of Ending Things,” will write and direct short story adaptation “Later the War.” IndieWire can confirm that Eddie Redmayne, Tessa Thompson, and Patsy Ferran will lead the film. World of Reel first announced the project, with Deadline following up Monday.

“Later the War” follows a man (Redmayne) who manufactures dreams for people but instead begins to create nightmares for his clients. The script is based on Iddo Gefen’s short story “Debby’s Dream House,” which is part of the “Jerusalem Beach” collection.

Ken Kao and Josh Rosenbaum of Waypoint Entertainment will produce “Later the War,” along with Sarah Green of Brace Cove Productions and Steven Demmler. The film will be fully financed by Suraj Maraboyina’s 131 Pictures, with WME Independent and CAA Media Finance co-representing...

Oscar-winning director Charlie Kaufman has signed on to write and direct Later The War, a film adapted from Iddo Gefen’s short story ‘Debby’s Dream House’. Kaufman is best known for his unique storytelling, and this new project seems to fit right into his style.

Eddie Redmayne, Tessa Thompson, and Patsy Ferran will star in the film, though specific plot details are still under wraps. The short story it’s based on follows a man who creates dreams for people, but things go wrong when he starts making nightmares instead.

The movie will be produced by Ken Kao and Josh Rosenbaum of Waypoint Entertainment, Sarah Green of Brace Cove Productions, and Steven Demmler. The film will be financed by Suraj Maraboyina’s 131 Pictures. Worldwide distribution rights will be handled by WME Independent and CAA Media Finance.

In recent news, Redmayne has been getting attention for his role in the...

Exclusive: Oscar-winner Charlie Kaufman has found his next project as he is set to write and direct Later The War and tapped Eddie Redmayne, Tessa Thompson and Patsy Ferran to star. Kaufman adapted the script from the short story Debby’s Dream House by acclaimed author Iddo Gefen from his short story collection titled Jerusalem Beach.

The original short story follows a man who manufactures dreams for people but ultimately begins creating nightmares for them. Exact plot details of the feature adaptation are unknown.

Ken Kao and Josh Rosenbaum of Waypoint Entertainment will produce, alongside Sarah Green of Brace Cove Productions and Steven Demmler. The film will be fully financed by Suraj Maraboyina’s 131 Pictures with WME Independent and CAA Media Finance co-representing the film’s worldwide distribution rights.

Redmayne is coming off strong reviews in his Peacock series Day of the Jackal. The series also stars Lashana Lynch and...

Mister Smith Entertainment has closed multiple international sales for the adventure comedy Bookworm, starring Elijah Wood and Nell Fisher.

The feature, from Come to Daddy director Ant Timpson follows 11-year-old Mildred (Fisher) whose life takes a wild turn when her estranged father, a washed-up Las Vegas illusionist Strawn Wise (Wood) suddenly reappears. Strawn is left to care for Mildred while her mom is hospitalized and the pair set off on a trip to find the mythological Canterbury Panther.

Mister Smith closed deals on the film for Photon Films in Canada; Metropolitan in France; Plaion Pictures in Germany, Italy and Switzerland; and La Aventura in Spain, among other territories. Vertical Entertainment picked up the film for the U.S. earlier this year. Signature Entertainment will release in the U.K.

Written by Toby Harvard, Bookworm is produced by Emma Slade, Roxi Bull, Victoria Dabbs, Mette-Marie Kongsved and Laura Tunstall. It is...

True Native Media, a premier podcast representation agency, is thrilled to announce its partnership with SpectreVision's new podcast network, SpectreVision Radio. SpectreVision, co-founded by Elijah Wood, Daniel Noah, and Lawrence Inglee, is expanding its influence in the audio entertainment realm with a lineup of compelling and innovative podcasts.

True Native Media will be responsible for representing SpectreVision's diverse podcast slate, offering advertisers unique opportunities to connect with dedicated and engaged audiences. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for both companies, enhancing SpectreVision Radio’s outreach and True Native Media's portfolio with high-quality, genre-defining content.

"We are incredibly excited to represent SpectreVision Radio's podcast network," said Heather Osgood, CEO of True Native Media. "Their commitment to creative storytelling and high production values aligns perfectly with our mission to connect advertisers with outstanding podcast content. We look forward to building strong advertising partnerships that will benefit both SpectreVision Radio and our clients.

SpectreVision, the production company led by Elijah Wood, Daniel Noah and Lawrence Inglee, is launching a new podcast network called SpectreVision Radio.

SpectreVision Radio is set to be a home for podcasts focused on film, music and the arts, in addition to esoteric subjects including the paranormal and surprising history. The network will feature an array of new podcasts, in addition to forthcoming seasons of existing projects.

The new titles set to launch on SpectreVision Radio include the first-ever podcasts from filmmakers Mike Flanagan (The Fall of the House of Usher) and David Lowery (The Green Knight). Also new is The Spiel from co-hosts Scott Wampler and Eric Vespe; the pair recorded 12 episodes prior to the unexpected death earlier this year of Wampler, who also worked as a film journalist.

Among the returning podcasts getting a new season on the network is Visitations from SpectreVision co-founders Wood and Noah. An...

Exclusive: Steven Demmler’s Talon Entertainment has hired Tony Armer, an industry veteran known for his tenure as Film Commissioner of Dallas and St. Petersburg, as its first Head of Physical Production.

In his new role, Armer will work alongside Demmler to oversee all physical production as the company prepares to open its gates to the Dallas-based South Side Studios.

Talon CEO Demmler purchased South Side Studios, an 11-acre film studio and sound stage facility, earlier this year, and has seen it undergo renovations and upgrades ahead of its reopening later this year. The soundstages are less than two miles from Dallas’ city center and boast 70,000 square-feet of studio space and 50,000 square-feet of office space.

Demmler also has a stake in St. Petersburg’s Coastal Creative, a 25,000 square-foot production facility that also operates as a black box theater and features special event programming. Last weekend, Coastal Creative, in partnership with the Sunscreen Film Festival,...

Exclusive: SpectreVision, the award-winning production company founded by Elijah Wood and Daniel Noah, has brought on Lawrence Inglee as Partner and President of Production, Deadline can exclusively reveal.

A veteran producer with 25 years of industry experience, Inglee will work alongside Wood and Noah in overseeing all aspects of the company’s business as SpectreVision rapidly expands across multiple avenues. He comes to the company after producing such notable films as the Academy Award-, Golden Globe and Spirit Award-nominated The Messenger starring Woody Harrelson; the Daniels’ debut feature, Sundance Best Director Winner Swiss Army Man; and HBO’s Emmy, Golden Globe and Spirit Award-nominated The Tale, starring Laura Dern. Previously, he served as Co-President of The Mark Gordon Company, where he shepherded international blockbusters including The Day After Tomorrow and Source Code, having begun his career at Imagine Entertainment.

(L-r) Steven Demmler and Michael Risley

With regard to their hiring of Inglee,...

Established in 2004, Mondo forever changed the landscape of pop culture collectibles — from t-shirts to screen printed movie posters, vinyl soundtracks, toys, board games and even home goods, the company elevated fandom from a hobby to a lifestyle. It has not only inspired dozens of similar businesses worldwide and propelled the consumption of physical media, but minted a team that quickly and widely became known for its passion, creativity and shrewd decisionmaking. On Monday, four of their former leaders — led by Eric Garza, Mitch Putnam, Spencer Hickman and Mo Shafeek — debuted a new endeavor leveraging their experience, relationships and reputation: Mutant.

Led by CEO Jenny Jacobi, a Vidiots Foundation advisory board member and seven-year Alamo Drafthouse veteran, the quartet will produce posters, music, apparel and more. The announcement them a chance to start fresh after exiting Mondo, now under the ownership of vinyl figurine company Funko Inc.

“The industry’s approach...

Back in March 2023, the Austin-based collectibles and poster company Mondo was hit with a wave of layoffs from parent company Funko, including the company’s former co-founders and creative directors. Today, those leaders have announced their comeback.

Former Mondo creative directors Spencer Hickman, Eric Garza, Mitch Putnam, and Mo Shafeek have teamed up with CEO Jenny Jacobi to form a new company called Mutant, which will release limited-edition artwork, posters, soundtracks on vinyl, collectibles, events, and more.

The company is being formed underneath SpectreVision, Elijah Wood and Daniel Noah’s genre-bending production company. The company is kicking off its launch with a vinyl soundtrack for Netflix’s “Society of the Snow.” The LP features artwork from Mo Shafeek adorning the score from composer Michael Giacchino as well as liner notes from director J.A. Bayona.

Next up, Mutant will release vinyl for “Wonka” and is also teaming with Pressure Printing to...

SpectreVision, the genre-bending production company behind acclaimed films like Mandy, Daniel Isn’t Real, and A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, is teaming up with the former creative team behind Mondo for new art and collectible label Mutant.

Announced via press release, “former Mondo creative directors Spencer Hickman, Eric Garza, Mitch Putnam, and Mo Shafeek have reassembled with CEO Jenny Jacobi under a new roof to continue and expand upon their groundbreaking work producing highly sought-after limited-edition artwork, soundtracks on vinyl, collectibles, unique experiential events, and more.”

SpectreVision founders Elijah Wood and Daniel Noah set out to launch Mutant based on years of admiring the work of the creative directors, commenting, “It’s not hyperbole to say that we’re superfans of this team and their work. Our offices are covered in their prints and our shelves lined with their records. It’s a true privilege to provide a platform...

Elijah Wood and Daniel Noah's production banner SpectreVision is venturing beyond the world of movies and video games to create a new premium collectibles shop for fans of all things pop culture. Not only that, but the company, alongside Alamo Drafthouse founder Tim League and Talon Entertainment CEO Steven Demmler, is also partnering with a creative bunch that knows how to deliver distinctive memorabilia — the former team behind Mondo, including co-founders Eric Garza and Mitch Putnam. United under the new name Mutant, this group will focus on producing limited-edition artwork that will reflect the high quality of Mondo's best pieces, as well as vinyl soundtracks, unique "experiential events," and much more.

Evil Dead Rise actress Nell Fisher and Bad Sisters actor Michael Smiley are set to join Elijah Wood in Bookworm, a new family adventure comedy from New Zealand director Ant Timpson (Come to Daddy).

Fisher will play Mildred, a 12-year-old girl whose life is turned upside down when her estranged, washed-up American magician father, Strawn Wise (Wood), comes to look after her. Hoping to bond with the tween, Strawn takes Mildred on an ill-advised camping trip into the rugged New Zealand wilderness in a quest to find the mythological beast known as the Canterbury Panther, named after the region on New Zealand’s South Island.

The project will reteam Wood with Come to Daddy director Timpson and will see the Lord of the Rings actor return to New Zealand to shoot.

“In Bookworm we’re going to put him through the wringer again, except this time he’s at the...