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Amazon MGM Studios, the renamed joint venture of Amazon Studios and MGM, has acquired rights to James Ponti’s popular children’s book series “City Spies” and is developing a film based on the first novel.

The idea is for the initial installment to launch a global franchise, described by the company as a “four-quadrant action-adventure that will delight audiences of all ages and as a universe-building property for the studio.”

The story follows a 12-year-old coding prodigy, who is recruited by an eccentric MI6 agent to join the City Spies, a team of kids from around the world who feel unnoticed in their own lives. When they’re not at the local boarding school, they are mastering spy skills to go to places in the world of espionage that adults can’t access. The cast and creative team have yet to be set.

Since it’s early in the development process,...

VH1 announced that “Wild ‘N Out” will premiere its 300th episode on Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. Et. The premiere will kick off the comedy show’s next season, with new episodes airing on the following Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Hosted by Nick Cannon, this season’s guest stars and performances include Fat Joe, Wyclef Jean, Tommy Davidson, Saucy Santana, Miles Brown, G-Eazy and Kossiko, Dreamdoll, Kelsey Plum and Dearica Hamby, Jimmy Allen, Lisa Raye, Kid ‘N Play and Mariah the Scientist. “Wild ‘N Out” is also partnering with Super League Gaming this season to produce live streams for three weeks. Each week within Minehut, Super League’s Minecraft community, players will be able to freestyle rap, discuss the new “Wild ‘N Out” episodes and more on “Wild ‘N Out: Metaverse Remix” at 9 p.m. Et beginning Feb. 22.

“Wild ‘N Out” features improvisational comedy games and celebrity guests that lead teams in a series of challenges.

Exclusive: Stephen Land, who founded Snapped producer Jupiter Entertainment, has launched a new production company after exiting the Sky-backed business.

Land, who sold the company to the Comcast-backed European studio in 2015, has launched A3 Content, a Miami-based production company.

With credits including ID’s In Pursuit with John Walsh and Homicide Hunter as well as TLC’s Welcome to Myrtle Manor, Land will produce programming across linear and streaming platforms and is also investing in early-stage businesses both inside and outside of the sector.

A3 Content kicks off with a series on Telemundo’s streaming service Tplus on Peacock. Mysteries and Scandals is an anthology docuseries.

The company is also working on feature documentaries and is working on scripted series Dead City, a tween zombie hunting series based on James Ponti’s book.

Land’s exit comes a year after Sky Studios handed him and Jupiter Entertainment President Patrick Reardon,...

Indiana Jones fans are celebrating the 40th anniversary of Raiders of the Lost Ark, the first installment of the popular movie series. As of now, Harrison Ford is on set for Indiana Jones 5, the movie that will likely serve as the final adventure for his incarnation of the character. It all began with Indy's first theatrical venture on June 12, 1981, when Raiders of the Lost Ark premiered in U.S. theaters.

Directed by Steven Spielberg, Raiders of the Lost Ark was written by Lawrence Kasdan based on a story by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman. Set in 1936, it follows Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, an archaeologist on a quest to recover the long-lost Ark of the Covenant. With the help of Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), Indy must retrieve the relic before rival archaeologist Dr. René Belloq (Paul Freeman) can guide Nazi German forces to it first.

After its release, Raiders of the Lost Ark...