News

Exclusive: Amazon MGM Studios has added 12 to the cast of its holiday family comedy, The Man with the Bag. They are Michael Cyril Creighton (Only Murders in the Building), Liza Koshy (upcoming Naked Gun), Kyle Mooney (SNL), Berkeley James (The Neighborhood), Ken Jeong (The Hangover franchise), Jesmille Darbouze (Broadway’s A Doll’s House), Adrian Martinez (Severance), Roger Bart (Good Trouble), Karren Karagulian (Anora), Gabi Samels (FX’s upcoming Adults), Jane Krakowski (Schmigadoon!) and Murray Hill (Somebody Somewhere).

As previously announced, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Reacher breakout Alan Ritchson, and Awkwafina lead the ensemble. The film watches as Santa gets his magic bag stolen and turns to his naughty list to find Vance, a thief, to help him get it back. Along with his daughter, Santa, and a group of misfits, Vance will have to pull off the greatest heist of his life to save Christmas.

Adam Shankman (Hairspray) is directing from a script by Allan Rice.

Exclusive: Awkwafina is set to star in the holiday family comedy The Man with the Bag, alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger and Alan Ritchson. Details for her role are being kept under wraps.

The film revolves around Santa’s magic bag and after its stolen, he turns to his naughty list to find Vance, a thief, to help him get it back. Along with his daughter, Santa, and a group of misfits, Vance will have to pull off the greatest heist of his life to save Christmas.”

Adam Shankman is directing the Christmas film, which hails from Amazon MGM Studios, from a script penned by Allan Rice. Producers for The Man with the Bag include Lawrence Grey, Ben Everard, Reg Tigerman, Dan Spilo, and Alan Ritchson.

Awkwafina has recently lent her voice to Universal’s Kung Fu Panda 4 and Illumination’s Migration. She can also be seen in Hulu’s Emmy award winning Quiz Lady,...

Arnold Schwarzenegger is taking his talents to the holiday season, alongside Reacher star Alan Ritchson for Amazon MGM's upcoming Christmas-themed action film The Man With the Bag. The film sees the action heroes play unlikely allies forced to join forces to save Christmas. Prime Video's latest attempt to produce a successful holiday franchise has officially begun filming, and the streamer has unveiled the first look at The Man with the Bag featuring both actors.

The first image (see below) features Alan Ritchson and Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Christmas spirit, with the latter sporting a Santa Claus appearance. Ritchson will play Vance, a former thief, while Schwarzenegger plays the bearded gift-giver that needs help getting his Santa bag of presents back. This marks the second time Amazon has made Santa an old buff guy, after Red One featured a ripped J.K. Simmons in the role. It's unclear when The Man with the Bag will release,...

A documentary about Interdisciplinary art star Romero Britto has released a trailer ahead of its premiere at this year’s Art Basel in Miami.

“The Britto Doc” is narrated by Britto himself and includes special appearances from opera star Andrea Bocelli, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, fashion designer Domenico Dolce, Brazilian soccer player Ronaldinho and Martha Stewart to name a few.

The film dives into Britto’s life and career. “From painting on scraps with his mother’s nail polish in the slums of Recife, Brazil, to seeing his vibrant creations in Miami celebrated and collected globally, Britto’s journey is a testament to resilience, determination, and the transformative power of art. This poignant narrative is infused with Britto’s warmth, optimism, and love,” filmmakers said in a statement.

Patrick Moreau directs while Lucas L. C. Vidal, Arthur Morrical, Caitlin Miranda, and Ben Everard serve as executive producers. Additional figures to appear...

Exclusive: Up-and-comers Arlan Ruf and Ellis Hobbs IV will round out the cast of Way of the Warrior Kid, Apple Original Films’ youth empowerment tale, based on the novel by Jocko Willink.

The project marks the first big film for both, who alongside Jude Hill, Levi McConaughey and Ava Torres, play a couple of the titular warrior kids. As previously announced, Chris Pratt and Linda Cardellini also star in the pic from Skydance Media.

Way of the Warrior Kid follows a self-doubting boy (Hill) who gets bullied and is hard-pressed to complete a single pull-up. That’s until his uncle Jake (Pratt), an elite Navy Seal, is injured on a mission and moves in with his sister (Cardellini) for rehab. When he discovers his 13-year-old nephew, Marc, is struggling academically, socially and physically, Jake takes on a new mission: using his Seal Team training over three months of summer to...

Exclusive: Young up-and-comers Levi McConaughey and Ava Torres (Match Me If You Can) have landed supporting roles in Way of the Warrior Kid, Apple and Skydance’s youth empowerment tale, based on the novel by Jocko Willink.

The duo’s roles are under wraps. As previously announced, Chris Pratt, Linda Cardellini and Jude Hill lead the cast, with the latter tackling the title role.

Written by Will Staples, with McG aboard to direct, Way of the Warrior Kid follows a self-doubting boy (Hill) who gets bullied and is hard-pressed to complete a single pull-up. That’s until his uncle Jake (Pratt), an elite Navy Seal, is injured on a mission and moves in with his sister (Cardellini) for rehab. When he discovers his 13-year-old nephew, Marc, is struggling academically, socially and physically, Jake takes on a new mission: using his Seal Team training over three months of summer to help...

Exclusive: In-between its months-long pursuit of Paramount, Skydance has found time to make what we understand to be an $80-$85M global deal for Chris Pratt Cannes package The Way Of The Warrior Kid.

We make this the single biggest package deal out of a film market since Apple splashed on Emancipation back in 2020.

As we revealed ahead of last month’s Cannes market, Jurassic World star Pratt is teaming with director McG on the in-demand project, which is lining up a summer start. The Will Staples (Without Remorse) script is adapted from the kids novel by Jock Willink, the retired Navy Seal who found a second career as a wildly popular podcast host, author and motivational speaker. Additional casting is in process. Skydance will bring the project to Apple through its overall deal there.

The youth empowerment tale follows a self-doubting boy who gets bullied...

Stephen Curry has netted a new scripted project as the basketball superstar continues making inroads as a Hollywood playmaker.

Curry’s producing banner Unanimous Media and David Henrie’s Cedar Hill are developing the basketball-focused comedy feature Trick Shot. A director has yet to be attached to the film that has a script from Jay Longino, whose previous writing credits include Uncle Drew (2018) and Skiptrace (2016).

Trick Shot centers on a middle school student who is dismal at basketball until a freak accident occurs, and he suddenly can’t miss a shot. His newfound hoops talent leads him to become an unexpected NBA rookie, where he is soon an integral member of his favorite team.

Producers include Curry and Erick Peyton for Unanimous Media, David Henrie and James Henrie for Cedar Hill and Ben Everard for Everard Entertainment. Longino and Unanimous’ Brian Testuro Ivie serve as executive producers.

Curry is a...

Exclusive: Now that we know the competition slates, it’s time to bring out the star packages that will line the Cannes Market. Here’s one inspirational movie package that ought to register strongly with the buying crowd. Way of The Warrior Kid is slated to begin production this summer, with Chris Pratt starring and McG directing a Will Staples-scripted adaptation of the the novel by Jock Willink. He is the retired Navy Seal who found a thriving second career as podcast host, bestselling author and motivational speaker.

UTA Independent Film Group and FilmNation will introduce the script shortly. If it’s as good as the backstories here, it ought to be a hot property. It’s a youth empowerment tale, only the title character isn’t waving a magic wand or wearing spandex. He’s a self-doubting kid who gets bullied and is hard pressed to complete a single pullup.

Jenna Ortega’s hit Netflix show Wednesday announces the addition of actor Steve Buscemi to the cast. His character details remain undisclosed, but sources claimed he will be playing the new principal of Nevermore Academy, a role once bestowed to actress Gwendoline Christie.

Jenna Ortega in Wednesday

After Principal Larissa Weems’ death, many fans wish there was a way to bring the character back to life. But, with the announcement of Buscemi replacing Christie, the idea seems futile now.

Gwendoline Christie Talks About Larissa Weems’ Possible Return

So far, there are only a few details about the progress of Wednesday Season 2. It was previously announced that Jenna Ortega will reprise her role as Wednesday Addams. The return of Gwendoline Christie’s Larissa Weems is very vague at this point, though she gave fans a flicker of hope during her interview with Digital Spy:

“We haven’t seen her put in the ground,...

Nearly three decades since the release of Jingle All the Way, Arnold Schwarzenegger is finally starring in another Christmas comedy movie.

According to Deadline, The Terminator vet has officially signed on to lead Amazon MGM Studios’ newest holiday family comedy titled, The Man With the Bag. After starring as a workaholic father desperately trying to buy his son a Turbo-Man action figure for Christmas in 1996’s Jingle All the Way, Schwarzenegger is now set to portray Santa Claus in the upcoming project, which is expected to begin its production later this year. Joining Schwarzenegger in the project is Reacher star Alan Ritchson, who has also been tapped to play one of the main characters.

Related Titans' Alan Ritchson Initially Auditioned for a Different Superhero Titans star Alan Ritchson reveals that he originally auditioned for a different superhero in the DC show before landing the role of Hawk. Close

The Man With the Bag...

Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to make his first return to the big screen after five years in the holiday family comedy from Amazon MGM Studios, ‘The Man with the Bag.’

Schwarzenegger will star alongside the already cast ‘Reacher’ star Alan Ritchson. Adam Shankman (Hairspray) will take the helm on the film from a script written by Allan Rice.

The synopsis reads; When Santa’s magic bag is stolen, he turns to his naughty list to find Vance, a former thief, to help him get it back. Along with his daughter, Santa, and a group of misfit elves, Vance will have to pull off the greatest heist of his life to save Christmas.”

Also in news – Ben Affleck, J. K Simmons & more return for ‘The Accountant 2’

Lawrence Grey, Ben Everard, Reg Tigerman, Dan Spilo, and Alan Ritchson are set to produce the feature.

Schwarzenegger is also attached to star in the action movie ‘Breakout.

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Alan Ritchson team up for a Christmas action flick, The Man With The Bag. Directed by Adam Shankman, the movie follows Santa and a former thief on a heist to retrieve a stolen magic bag. Schwarzenegger, known for action hits like Predator and Terminator, takes on the role of Santa in this holiday adventure from Amazon.

Hollywood icon Arnold Schwarzenegger will join forces with Reacher star Alan Ritchson for a new Christmas action flick, The Man With The Bag, from Amazon MGM Studios. Described as a “family comedy” by Deadline, The Man With The Bag will reportedly see the Predator and Terminator star donning a bright red suit and big white beard as Santa Claus, who turns to Ritchson’s naughty thief in order save the festive season in what could be the most muscular movie of all time.

An official synopsis for The Man With The Bag...

Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to return to the holiday genre with Amazon MGM Studios’ The Man With the Bag.

Adam Shankman is directing the family Christmas comedy that will see Schwarzenegger star alongside Alan Ritchson, whose involvement was previously announced. Allan Rice wrote the script for the movie that counts Ritchson, Lawrence Grey, Ben Everard, Reg Tigerman and Dan Spilo as producers.

The Man With the Bag centers on Santa Claus learning that his magic bag has been swiped, leading Old St. Nick to team up with Vance, a reformed thief and denizen of the naughty list, to get it back. The duo also enlist Vance’s daughter and a team of misfit elves to help them save Christmas.

Schwarzenegger, who captivated Oscar viewers over the weekend by reuniting with Twins cohort Danny DeVito, stars on the Netflix action-comedy series Fubar, which is set to return for its second season.

Exclusive: Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to star in holiday family comedy The Man With The Bag, alongside Reacher star Alan Ritchson, we can reveal.

Silver screen icon Schwarzenegger hasn’t starred in a movie since 2019 when he shot Kung Fury 2 and he was last seen on the big screen in the same year in Terminator: Dark Fate. We understand this one is aiming to shoot later this year.

Adam Shankman (Hairspray) is directing the film, which hails from Amazon MGM Studios, from a script penned by Allan Rice.

The logline reads: “When Santa’s magic bag is stolen, he turns to his naughty list to find Vance, a former thief, to help him get it back. Along with his daughter, Santa, and a group of misfit elves, Vance will have to pull off the greatest heist of his life to save Christmas.”

No word yet on who is playing...

At this point, the body switch comedy genre is pretty well worn. Big, Freaky Friday (twice), 17 Again, 13 Going on 30, etc., have pretty much defined and exhausted what can be done with the concept to keep it fresh. The latter 2004 hit actually starred Jennifer Garner, who is now returning to the genre again, this time as producer and star of Netflix’s holiday comedy Family Switch.

This time around, the formula is expanded to have an entire family experience a life-altering cosmic moment and become their opposites. The parents become their kids, the kids become their parents, even the baby becomes the French Bulldog. Guess what? It works, even offering some Lol moments along the way in a movie that isn’t trying to reinvent anything here, just finding a new angle to squeeze some more life out of it.

Inspired by the book Bedtime For Mommy by Amy Krouse Rosenthal,...

Family Switch‘s age/identity swapping premise has been done many times before. In fact, Jennifer Garner even references her prior age-swapping comedy 13 Going on 30 in Family Switch‘s trailer. But Netflix is hoping audiences are ready for a new 2023 version of the tried-and-true premise with Garner and Ed Helms in starring roles.

The cast includes Emma Myers, Brady Noon, Bashir Salahuddin, Matthias Schweighöfer, and Xosha Roquemore. Ilia Isorelýs Paulino, Paul Scheer, Fortune Feimster, and Rita Moreno also star.

McG directs from a screenplay by Victoria Strouse and Adam Sztykiel, based on Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s Bedtime For Mommy novel. McG, Jennifer Lawrence, Lawrence Grey, Ben Everard, Nicole King Solaka, and Mary Viola serve as producers, with David Hyman, Jason Rosenthal, and Victoria Strause executive producing.

Family Switch premieres on November 30, 2023 on Netflix.

Poster for Netflix’s ‘Family Switch’

“Jess and Bill Walker are doing their best to...

It was announced in May 2022 that Netflix acquired the film Pain Hustlers in one of the largest deals at the Cannes market, coming in at a whopping $50 million. Netflix has been working overtime to build up its catalog of original movies, and it seems that this deal only cements that notion. Their original content is produced, co-produced, or distributed by Netflix exclusively and is funded differently than other TV networks.

Pain Hustlers had a lot of major talent behind it, from being directed by David Yates, best known for the Harry Potter films, as well as securing stars like Emily Blunt and Chris Evans. The film's plot and trailers have hinted at a satirical comedy about corporate greed similar to films like The Big Short or The Wolf of Wall Street.

So, what is going on with their upcoming drama Pain Hustlers? Here is what we know so far.

Update...

An Iranian American woman navigating culture clash, an Argentine bank heist and an animated ghost story voiced by Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie debut this weekend with a handful of docs and some notable expansion, vying with Apple wide release Killers Of The Flower Moon.

Sony Pictures Classics The Persian Version opens on eight screens in NY, LA, Toronto and Vancouver today. The film by writer-director Maryam Keshavarz won both the Audience Award and the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at Sundance where it premiered (Deadline review here). Her previous film Circumstance, about two teenage Iranian girls who fall in love, won the Audience Award too, in 2011, but the filmmaker hasn’t been able to return to Iran since.

The Persian Version stars Layla Mohammadi as Leila, Iranian-American like Keshavarz, and bisexual, striving to find balance and embrace her opposing cultures. When her family reunites in New York City for her father’s heart transplant,...

If the trailer for Netflix’s Pain Hustlers has a familiar-ish ring, it’s because we’ve seen the topic – a big pharma company making billions off the [hurt] backs of patients – done multiple times before. This outing benefits from a big-name cast and narrowing the focus to one particular employee, played by Emily Blunt.

“I feel like it’s been bucket list name after bucket list name,” stated producer Lawrence Grey. “It is such an incredible cast.”

In addition to Emily Blunt, Chris Evans, Catherine O’Hara, Chloe Coleman, Jay Duplass, and Brian d’Arcy James star in the pharmaceutical drama. The cast also includes Amit Shah, Aubrey Dollar, Willie Raysor, and Andy Garcia .

David Yates (the Fantastic Beasts films) directs from a screenplay by Wells Tower. Yates and Lawrence Grey produce, with Emily Blunt, Mark Moran, Yvonne Walcott-Yates, Lewis Taylor, and Ben Everard executive producing.

Pain Hustlers opens in select theaters...

The world of peddling pharmaceuticals and the sudden financial success that comes with it is bound to have some side effects. The new Netflix comedy/drama, Pain Hustlers, is a new cautionary tale of breaking laws and business ethics for massive flows of cash. The recently released trailer showcases Emily Blunt taking a chance on a career opportunity that puts her in over her head. Joining Blunt is Chris Evans and the cast of the movie includes Catherine O’Hara, Chloe Coleman, Jay Duplass, Brian d’Arcy James, Amit Shah, Aubrey Dollar, Willie Raysor and Andy Garcia.

The official synopsis from Netflix reads,

“Liza Drake (Emily Blunt) is a blue-collar single mom who has just lost her job and is at the end of her rope. A chance meeting with pharmaceutical sales rep Pete Brenner (Chris Evans) puts her on an upwards trajectory economically but dubious path ethically as she becomes entangled in a dangerous racketeering scheme.

Emily Blunt was excited to play a shadier character in the Netflix movie Pain Hustlers.

Set to arrive on the streaming platform on Oct. 27, Pain Hustlers unites lead stars Emily Blunt and Chris Evans as they get into the business of peddling pharmaceuticals. Along with a teaser, new character posters for both Blunt and Evans were also unveiled. Ahead of the film's release next month on Netflix, director David Yates addressed Emily Blunt taking on her shady character's role.

Related: Emily Blunt Hopes to Reunite With Tom Cruise for Edge of Tomorrow Sequel

"Emily loved the character and she loved the idea of this story," Yates explained. "I think what appealed to her more than anything was the fact that we were not taking a very straightforward approach to the story. It's a bit subversive, it's a bit naughty, it's got some humor at play. She said, 'You know what,...

Emily Blunt is a desperate single mom who ends up in a wild criminal scheme in David Yates’ Pain Hustlers. Netflix today dropped the first trailer for the film billed as tonally similar to The Big Short, American Hustle and The Wolf of Wall Street.

In Pain Hustlers, Blunt stars as Liza Drake, a blue-collar single mom who has just lost her job and is at the end of her rope. A chance meeting with pharmaceutical sales rep Pete Brenner (Chris Evans) puts her on an upwards trajectory economically but dubious path ethically as she becomes entangled in a dangerous racketeering scheme. Dealing with her increasingly unhinged boss (Andy Garcia), the worsening medical condition of her daughter (Chloe Coleman), and a growing awareness of the devastation the company is causing forces Liza to examine her choices.

The trailer teases Liza and Pete’s high salary, hard-partying lifestyle with title cards...

Netflix has just dropped the teaser trailer of one of their anticipated releases of the year with Pain Hustlers. The dark comedy showcases Emily Blunt joining Chris Evans in the lucrative game of pill peddling. David Yates, who is predominantly involved with the Harry Potter movies, as well as the Fantastic Beasts spin-offs, helms this new original Netflix film.

The official synopsis from Netflix reads,

“Liza Drake (Emily Blunt) is a blue-collar single mom who has just lost her job and is at the end of her rope. A chance meeting with pharmaceutical sales rep Pete Brenner (Chris Evans) puts her on an upwards trajectory economically but dubious path ethically as she becomes entangled in a dangerous racketeering scheme. Dealing with her increasingly unhinged boss (Andy Garcia), the worsening medical condition of her daughter (Chloe Coleman), and a growing awareness of the devastation the company is causing forces Liza to examine her choices.

Emily Blunt has gone from bombs to pills in her domination of 2023 cinema.

The “Oppenheimer” actress and anticipated Oscar nominee leads (and also executive produces) Netflix film “Pain Hustlers” alongside MCU alum Chris Evans. BAFTA-winning “Harry Potter” franchise director David Yates helms the pharmaceutical-centric drama adapted by Wells Tower from Evan Hughes’ book of the same name.

The official synopsis reads: Liza Drake (Emily Blunt) is a blue-collar single mom who has just lost her job and is at the end of her rope. A chance meeting with pharmaceutical sales rep Pete Brenner (Chris Evans) puts her on an upwards trajectory economically but dubious path ethically as she becomes entangled in a dangerous racketeering scheme. Dealing with her increasingly unhinged boss (Andy Garcia), the worsening medical condition of her daughter (Chloe Coleman), and a growing awareness of the devastation the company is causing forces Liza to examine her choices.

Catherine O’Hara,...

Alan Ritchson is renewing his collaboration with Amazon for a new project, just right after the premiere of Fast X, where he starred alongside Vin Diesel. Ritchson will lead the film The Man with the Bag, a forthcoming family comedy set around the holiday season. The movie will be helmed by Adam Shankman, based on a screenplay by Allan Rice according to Deadline.

The Man with the Bag, currently in the works at Amazon Studios, weaves an intriguing story following the theft of Santa's magical bag. The plot thickens as Santa resorts to his naughty list to seek assistance from a past offender, Vance, played by Ritchson. Vance, alongside his daughter, Santa, and a team of quirky elves, embarks on a mission to retrieve the stolen bag, staging what could be the most significant heist of his life to ensure Christmas is saved​​.

The film falls under Ritchson's three-picture acting deal with Amazon Studios,...

Christmas has come early for Alan Ritchson.

The star of Reacher is set to star in The Man With the Bag, a holiday family comedy that Adam Shankman will direct for Amazon Studios. Allan Rice (Stuck in the Middle) wrote the script for the feature project, which is in development.

Man With the Bag’s plot is set in motion when Santa’s magical bag of gifts is stolen, forcing him to turn to his naughty list to find help. He enlists Vance (Ritchson), a charming thief fresh out of prison who is trying to go straight, while attempting to spend a normal, crime-free Christmas with his family. The thief, with the help of his daughter and a group of misfit elves, then must pull off the greatest heist of his life to save Christmas

On top of starring, Ritchson will also produce. Lawrence Grey, Ben Everard, Reg Tigerman and Dan Spilo are also producing.

Following the worldwide release of Fast X, in which he stars opposite Vin Diesel and many more, Reacher breakout Alan Ritchson has recommitted to his relationship with Amazon by coming aboard to star in The Man with the Bag, a holiday family comedy that Adam Shankman (Hairspray) will direct from Allan Rice’s script.

The film in development at Amazon Studios picks up following the theft of Santa’s magic bag, as he turns to his naughty list to find Vance (Ritchson), a former thief who will help him get it back. Along with his daughter, Santa and a group of misfit elves, Vance will have to pull off the greatest heist of his life to save Christmas.

Falling under Ritchson’s three-picture film deal for acting with Amazon Studios, The Man with the Bag will be produced by Lawrence Grey, Ben Everard, Reg Tigerman, Dan Spilo and Ritchson.

Ritchson...

“Family Leave,” the upcoming Netflix movie starring Jennifer Garner and Ed Helms, has rounded out its ensemble cast.

Joining the comedy film are Rita Moreno, Matthias Schweighöfer, Bashir Salahuddin, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino, Fortune Feimster, Xosha Roquemore, Paul Scheer, King Bach aka Andrew Bachelor, Pete Holmes, Naomi Ekperigin, Dan Finnerty, Cyrus Arnold and Vanessa Carrasco, with character details yet to come.

Based on the book “Bedtime For Mommy” by Amy Krouse-Rosenthal, “Family Leave” follows Jess (Garner) and Bill Walker (Helms), who are doing their best to keep their family connected as their children grow older, more independent and more distant. When a chance encounter with an astrological reader causes the family to wake up to a full body switch, on the morning of the most important day of each of their lives, the Walkers must unite to land a promotion, college interview, record deal and soccer tryout. Emma Myers (“Wednesday”) and...

Emma Myers (Wednesday) and Brady Noon (The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers) have signed on to star alongside Jennifer Garner and Ed Helms in the body-swap comedy Family Leave, which McG is directing for Netflix.

The family film based on New York Times bestseller Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s book, Bedtime for Mommy, follows Jess (Garner) and Bill Walker (Helms), who are doing their best to keep their family connected as their children grow older, more independent, and more distant. When a chance encounter with an astrological reader causes the family to wake up to a full body switch, on the morning of the most important day of each of their lives, can the Walkers unite to land a promotion, college interview, record deal and soccer tryout?

Myers and Noon will play Jess and Bill’s children, Cc and Wyatt.

Adam Sztykiel is writing the latest draft of the...

Mason Lee, the son of famed filmmaker Ang Lee, will play Bruce Lee in a forthcoming film of the same name for Sony’s 3000 Pictures. Ang will direct the project from a script written by Dan Futterman. Futterman is taking over scripting duties after Jean Castelli, Alex Law, Mabel Cheung, and Wells Tower penned previous versions of the story.

It’s challenging to overestimate Lee’s astronomical impact on the martial arts film genre. Already a star in Asia, Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon catapulted his star into the stratosphere in the West. Had he lived beyond the age of 32, Lee would have achieved the success of actors like Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Donnie Yen, and more. Still, Lee is a household name despite his early passing, and few martial artists have risen to his level of notoriety since. Lee’s death was labeled “death by misadventure” by authorities,...

Martial arts legend Bruce Lee is getting the biopic treatment. Oscar-winner Ang Lee is set to direct a film about the late actor, simply titled "Bruce Lee," for Sony's 3000 Pictures. What's more, the filmmaker has actually tapped his own son, Mason Lee ("The Hangover Part II") to star as the Hollywood icon in the upcoming biopic, making it a high-profile family affair.

According to Deadline, Dan Futterman ("Foxcatcher") is currently working on the script, a script that has already passed through many hands up to this point. Lee, in addition to direction, will produce alongside the likes of Lawrence Grey, Shannon Lee, Ben Everard, and Brian Bell, with Elizabeth Gabler and Marisa Paiva overseeing the project for the studio. Ang Lee had this to say about it:

"Accepted as neither fully American nor fully Chinese, Bruce Lee was a bridge between East and West who introduced Chinese Kung Fu to the world,...

Click here to read the full article.

Director Ang Lee, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind Life of Pi and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, has tapped his son, Mason Lee, to play revered martial artist, actor and filmmaker Bruce Lee in his upcoming action pic for Sony’s 3000 Pictures.

Dan Futterman is penning the script for Bruce Lee, a martial arts pic about the Chinese American actor best known for movies like Fists of Fury and Enter the Dragon. Ang Lee will direct the drama.

Mason Lee appeared in The Hangover Part 2 as Teddy, the teenager that the lead characters to try to rescue as they struggle to piece together what happened during a crazy night in Bangkok. He also appeared in his father’s 2016 drama, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, and most recently starred in the Taiwanese comedy Stand by Me, the Hong Kong drama Limbo and Who Killed...

Oscar-winning filmmaker Ang Lee has cast his son Mason to play Bruce Lee in a biopic about the legendary martial artist for Sony’s 3000 Pictures.

The “Brokeback Mountain” director will helm a script by Dan Futterman, building on previous versions by Jean Castelli, Alex Law and Mabel Cheung and, most recently Wells Tower.

Bruce Lee’s daughter Shannon Lee will produce the film, which is untitled for now, along with Ang Lee, Lawrence Grey of Grey Matter Productions, Ben Everard and Brian Bell. 3000 Pictures’ Elizabeth Gabler and Marisa Paiva will oversee the project on behalf of the studio. They previously collaborated on Lee’s 2012 film “Life Of Pi.”

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Said Ang Lee, “Accepted as neither fully American nor Fully Chinese, Bruce Lee was a bridge between East and West who introduced Chinese Gung Fu to the world,...

Three Lees are better than one. Legendary director Ang Lee will direct his son Mason Lee in “Bruce Lee,” a biopic about the life and career of the iconic martial artist and movie star, IndieWire has confirmed.

Lee is set to direct the film for Sony’s 3000 Pictures banner, with a script written by Dan Futterman, best known for his work on the Oscar-nominated films “Capote” and “Foxcatcher.” Futterman’s script is the latest in a long line of scripts written for a potential biopic on the “Enter the Dragon” star. Past versions were written by Jean Castelli, Alex Law and Mabel Cheung, and Wells Tower.

“Accepted as neither fully American nor Fully Chinese, Bruce Lee was a bridge between East and West who introduced Chinese Gung Fu to the world, a scientist of combat and an iconic performing artist who revolutionized both the martial arts and action cinema,...

Ang Lee, the Oscar-winning director of “Life of Pi” and “Brokeback Mountain,” is set to direct a film about Chinese American martial arts legend Bruce Lee.

Ang Lee’s son Mason Lee is attached to star in the film, which is in development at Sony’s 3000 Pictures. Dan Futterman, who wrote “Capote” and “Foxcatcher,” is adapting the script. Jean Castelli, Alex Law and Mabel Cheung and Wells Tower wrote earlier versions of the screenplay.

Bruce Lee, who died in 1973 at the age of 32, had a brief but lasting presence in Hollywood as an actor, director and martial arts expert. His films, including “Fist of Fury,” “Enter the Dragon” and “The Way of the Dragon,” as well as the TV series “The Green Hornet,” popularized martial arts across the globe in the late 1960s and early ’70s.

“Accepted as neither fully American nor Fully Chinese, Bruce Lee was a bridge...

The filmmaker’s son Mason Lee is attached to star.

Ang Lee, the Oscar-winning director of Brokeback Mountain and Life Of Pi, is developing a biopic of martial arts icon Bruce Lee with the filmmaker’s son Mason Lee attached to star.

The project has been in development all year with Sony Pictures division 3000 Pictures. Dan Futterman is adapting the script, which has seen versions by Jean Castelli, Alex Law and Mabel Cheung and, most recently, Wells Tower.

Lawrence Grey, Shannon Lee, Ang Lee, Ben Everard, and Brian Bell are producing.

Elizabeth Gabler and Marisa Paiva are overseeing the...

Exclusive: Sony’s 3000 Pictures has finalized a deal that will see Oscar winner Ang Lee direct Bruce Lee, a film that will star the filmmaker’s son Mason Lee in the role of the iconic martial artist. Dan Futterman, whose work includes Capote and Foxcatcher, is working on a script that has seen previous versions by Jean Castelli, Alex Law and Mabel Cheung, and, most recently, Wells Tower.

Lawrence Grey, Shannon Lee, Ang Lee, Ben Everard and Brian Bell are producing, and Elizabeth Gabler and Marisa Paiva are overseeing the project for the studio. The project will see Gabler, Paiva and Tom Rothman reunited with the director after they worked together previously on Life of Pi.

Ang Lee

The director, who left his stamp on the martial arts genre with Best Foreign Film Oscar winner Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in 2000 (it remains the highest-grossing international film in the U.

“The Office” star Ed Helms will join Jennifer Garner in “Family Leave,” a body-swap comedy set at Netflix.

Joseph McGinty Nichol, known professionally as McG, is directing the film, which is written by Adam Sztykiel and adapted from author Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s heartwarming book “Bedtime For Mommy.”

In the film, Garner and Helms will play Jess and Bill Walker, two parents who are doing their best to keep their family connected as their children grow older, more independent and more distant. When a chance encounter with an astrological reader causes the family to wake up to a full body switch, on the morning of the most important day of each of their lives, the Walkers will attempt to unite to land a promotion, college interview, record deal and soccer tryout. Additional cast members, who will play the rest of the Walker clan, have yet to be announced.

David Hyman...

Ed Helms has signed on to co-star with Jennifer Garner in the Netflix comedy “Family Leave,” with McG joining as director and producer.

Garner, who also serves as a producer, has been attached to the film since Feb. 2021. Adam Sztykiel is handling the rewrite of Victoria Strouse’s script, which is based on “Bedtime for Mommy” by Amy Krouse Rosenthal.

The film follows Jess and Bill Walker, a couple determined to keep their family close as their kids are growing older and less connected to one another. One day, after a chance meeting with an astrological reader, they wake up to find that they’ve switched bodies with a family living on the other side of the world. Unfortunately, the body swap happens to take place on the most important day in their individual lives, with a promotion, college interview, record deal and soccer tryout on the table.

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Ed Helms (Together Together) and McG (The Babysitter) have boarded the Netflix body swap comedy Family Leave, inspired by New York Times bestselling author Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s book, Bedtime for Mommy. Helms will star alongside the previously announced Jennifer Garner, with McG serving as the project’s director and producer.

The film first announced back in February of 2021 follows Jess and Bill Walker, who are doing their best to keep their family connected as their children grow older, more independent, and more distant. When a chance encounter with an astrological reader causes the family to wake up to a full body switch, on the morning of the most important day of each of their lives, can the Walkers unite to land a promotion, college interview, record deal and soccer tryout?

Family Leave is a continuation of McG’s recent work with Netflix on titles like The Babysitter, Holidate, the...

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Ed Helms is joining Jennifer Garner in Netflix’s body switch comedy Family Leave.

Based on Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s book Bedtime For Mommy, the story follows Jess and Bill Walker, who are doing their best to keep their family connected as their children grow older, more independent and more distant.

The rest of the logline reads: “When a chance encounter with an astrological reader causes the family to wake up to a full body switch, on the morning of the most important day of each of their lives, can the Walkers unite to land a promotion, college interview, record deal and soccer tryout?”

McG is set to direct from a script by Adam Sztykiel (Black Adam). McG, who has a long history with Netflix that includes titles The Babysitter and Tall Girl, will also produce along with Wonderland partner Mary Viola.

Lawrence Grey...

We love watching Chris Evans in romantic comedies. In villainous roles. In action thrillers. And soon, in crime dramas. The actor has dabbled in distinct projects, more so since stepping away from his superhero responsibilities. He was recently seen playing the egocentric sociopath Lloyd Hansen alongside Ryan Gosling in Netflix's "The Gray Man." 

Lately, Evans has joined a new production alongside award-winning actress Emily Blunt, a crime drama film titled "The Pain Hustlers," which Netflix acquired global rights to during this year's Cannes Film Festival. The Chris Evans and Emily Blunt-led film has found several new award-winning cast members (via Variety); keep reading to learn all you need to know about it.

What Is The Pain Hustlers About?

"The Pain Hustlers," penned by American screenwriter Wells Towers depicts a blue-collar woman's endeavor to live the American dream. As per the official logline, the film follows Liza Drake (Emily Blunt...

David Yates’ Netflix film The Pain Hustlers has begun rounding out its cast, with Andy Garcia (Father of the Bride), Catherine O’Hara (Schitt’s Creek), Jay Duplass (Industry), Brian d’Arcy James (West Side Story) and Chloe Coleman (My Spy) signing on to star alongside Emily Blunt and Chris Evans.

The film billed as tonally similar to The Big Short, American Hustle and The Wolf of Wall Street follows Liza Drake (Blunt), a high-school dropout dreaming of a better life for her and her young daughter. Liza lands a job with a failing pharmaceutical startup in a yellowing strip mall in Central Florida. Her charm, guts and drive then catapult the company and her into the high life, where she soon finds herself at the center of a criminal conspiracy with deadly consequences.

Netflix acquired global rights to the film written by Wells Tower for 50M out of this year’s Cannes Film Festival,...

Andy Garcia, Catherine O’Hara, Jay Duplass, Brian d’Arcy James and Chloe Coleman are attached to join Emily Blunt and Chris Evans in the cast of “The Pain Hustlers,” director David Yates’ feature film for Netflix.

Production on “The Pain Hustlers” kicked off this month. The project is described as a “hilarious, dramatic and wild journey to the corrupt heart of the American dream” in the vein of Adam McKay’s “The Big Short.”

The film follows Blunt as a blue-collar woman who, upon losing her job struggling to raise her daughter, takes a position at a failing pharmaceutical start-up, only to get involved in a dangerous racketeering scheme.

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Yates, best known for the final “Harry Potter” and all of the “Fantastic Beasts” films, is directing “The Pain Hustlers” from a script by Wells Tower. Yates is also producing via his Wychwood Media banner,...

Chris Evans has entered into talks to join the cast of the Netflix feature ‘Pain Hustlers’ alongside Emily Blunt.

Described as being tonally similar to ‘The Big Short,’ ‘American Hustle’ and ‘The Wolf of Wall Street,’ the film focuses on Liza Drake (Blunt), a high-school dropout dreaming of a better life for her and her young daughter. Liz lands a job with a failing pharmaceutical startup in a yellowing strip mall in Central Florida. Her charm, guts and drive catapult the company and her into the high life, where she soon finds herself at the centre of a criminal conspiracy with deadly consequences.

Also in news – Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal, Claire Foy & more join Andrew Haigh’s ‘Strangers’

Written by Wells Tower, the film is directed by David Yates. Lawrence Grey is producing under his Grey Matter Productions banner alongside Yates and Yvonne Walcott Yates’ Wychwood Pictures. Lewis Taylor and Ben Everard are EPs,...

Chris Evans is in talks to join pharmaceutical drama “Pain Hustlers” at Netflix, according to an individual with knowledge of the project.

Emily Blunt is attached to star. Details about Evans’ role is being kept under wraps.

David Yates is attached to direct the project, which Netflux acquired during Cannes in a 50 million global rights deal. The sale is the biggest out of Cannes so far this year.

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Netflix Acquires David Yates Film ‘Pain Hustlers’ Starring Emily Blunt for 50 Million

Acclaimed short story and nonfiction writer Wells Tower will be penning the script. The project — which is described as tonally similar to “The Big Short,” “American Hustle” and “The Wolf of Wall Street” — follows high school dropout Liza (Blunt), who has bigger ambitions for herself and her young daughter. She lands a job at an ailing pharmaceutical startup in Central Florida, where her charm and grit catapult her...

Exclusive: Chris Evans is in final negotiations to join Netflix’s Pain Hustlers opposite Emily Blunt.

Deadline first told you about the project out of Cannes, where the streamer landed global rights to the David Yates-directed, Wells Tower-written feature for 50 million. Netflix had no comment on Evans potentially joining the film.

Pic centers on Liza Drake (Blunt), a high-school dropout dreaming of a better life for her and her young daughter. Liz lands a job with a failing pharmaceutical startup in a yellowing strip mall in Central Florida. Her charm, guts and drive catapult the company and her into the high life, where she soon finds herself at the center of a criminal conspiracy with deadly consequences.

Production is expected to begin in late August on the pic, which has been billed as being tonally similar to The Big Short, American Hustle and The Wolf of Wall Street.

Lawrence Grey...

Netflix is in the final stages of closing a 50 million global rights deal for “Pain Hustlers,” a new drama helmed by David Yates and starring Emily Blunt, Variety reports. The sale is the biggest yet out of Cannes this year.

Acclaimed short story and nonfiction writer Wells Tower will be penning the script. The project — which is described as tonally similar to “The Big Short,” “American Hustle” and “The Wolf of Wall Street” — follows high school dropout Liza (Blunt), who has bigger ambitions for herself and her young daughter. She then lands a job at an ailing pharmaceutical startup in Central Florida, where her charm and grit catapult her to the top and she soon finds herself embroiled in a deadly criminal conspiracy.

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Emily Blunt to Star and Produce Detective Film ‘Kate Warne’ for Amazon and Seven Bucks

“‘Pain Hustlers’ is a hilarious, dramatic and wild journey to...

Exclusive: Netflix might have had a bumpy few weeks, but the streamer is poised to strike the first major Cannes deal on a hot market package.

We understand Netflix is closing up a 50M+ world rights deal for Pain Hustlers, with A Quiet Place star Emily Blunt attached for director David Yates (Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore).

Pic, introduced to buyers at the Cannes Film Market by The Veterans and CAA Media Finance, is due to begin production in late August.

Pain Hustlers is said to be tonally similar to such films as The Big Short, American Hustle and The Wolf of Wall Street. The film centers on Liza Drake (Blunt), a high-school dropout dreaming of a better life for her and her young daughter, who lands a job with a failing pharmaceutical start-up in a yellowing strip mall in Central Florida. Liza’s charm, guts and drive catapult...