‘All Rise’ Co-Showrunner Dee Harris-Lawrence Strikes Overall Deal With Warner Bros. Television Group

Eli Countryman Warner Bros. drew attention in early December when it announced plans to simultaneously release all of its films in theaters and on HBO Max throughout 2021.The decision, affecting 17 major films from “The Matrix 4″ to “Dune,” highlights just how important streaming services have become in the past year.

Dave McNary Film ReporterFormer Warner Bros. Communications Chief Dee Dee Myers has been selected as senior advisor to Gov.

Denis Villeneuve, the director of the upcoming Dune remake, is not happy that Warner Bros. plans on releasing his movie on HBO Max on the same day as the theatrical release.

industry-shaking move to put its 2021 slate on HBO Max day-and-date with theaters.Villeneuve, in an op-ed written for Variety, said he only learned about the fate of his film by reading the news, and that he had agreed to push “Dune” back almost a year, from winter 2020 to October 2021. He says a movie of this scope can’t hope to be financially viable and will succumb to piracy.“With this decision, AT&T has hijacked one of the most respectable and important studios in film history.

EXCLUSIVE: The L Word creator Ilene Chaiken has signed a big overall deal with Universal Television to develop and produce scripted content. As part of the pact, Chaiken will serve as executive producer/showrunner on the first season of NBC’s upcoming Law & Order: SVU spinoff series, Law & Order: Organized Crime, starring Chris Meloni, from Dick Wolf’s Wolf Entertainment and Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

Dave McNary Film ReporterThe Directors Guild of America has criticized Warner Bros. over the studio’s decision to release its entire 2021 theatrical slate simultaneously on the HBO Max streaming service, according to a report in The Hollywood Reporter.DGA National Executive Director Russell Hollander sent a letter to Warner Bros.

release its 2021 slate simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max. That includes sprawling, special-effects-heavy tentpole pictures such as “The Suicide Squad” and “Dune,” as well as awards season hopefuls like “Judas and the Black Messiah” — all representing some $2 billion in production costs.

Ellise Shafer editorThe Independent Cinema Alliance has expressed disappointment over Warner Bros.’ decision to release the rest of its 2021 film state simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max.In a statement released Monday, the volunteer alliance called for a return to theatrical exclusivity, writing that releasing movies solely in theaters for a period of time is “what drives that value – not streaming.” ICA pointed out that with the COVID-19 vaccine set to be distributed soon, a

Legendary Entertainment, the production company behind movies like Dune and Godzilla vs. Kong, reportedly is considering filing a lawsuit against Warner Bros. over the studio’s new release plans for the movies.

Dave McNary Film ReporterChristopher Nolan, who has supplied Warner Bros. with multiple blockbusters, has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the studio’s decision to release its entire 2021 theatrical slate simultaneously on the HBO Max streaming service“There’s such controversy around it, because they didn’t tell anyone,” said Nolan in an ET Online interview released Monday.

etonline. “In 2021, they’ve got some of the top filmmakers in the world, they’ve got some of the biggest stars in the world who worked for years in some cases on these projects very close to their hearts that are meant to be big-screen experiences.”“What you have right now in our business is a lot of the use of the pandemic as an excuse for sort of grappling for short-term advantage.

“Dune” and “Godzilla vs Kong” producer Legendary is considering its options, including legal ones, against Warner Bros.

Legendary Entertainment, the production company that co-financed “Dune” and “Godzilla vs. Kong,” may take legal action against Warner Bros.

AMC CEO Adam Aron responded to Warner Bros.’ announcement that it will put all of its 2021 films on HBO Max at the same time as theaters, saying that it will “aggressively pursue economic terms that preserve our business.”“These coronavirus-impacted times are uncharted waters for all of us, which is why AMC signed on to an HBO Max exception to customary practices for one film only, Wonder Woman 1984, being released by Warner Brothers at Christmas when the pandemic appears that it will be at its

Rachel Kaplan is heading back to Warner Bros. Television after striking an overall deal with the studio via her new production company.

Naman Ramachandran In today’s bulletin, the BBC acquires Warner Bros. TV titles; U.K.’s National Theatre launches a streamer; ZDF chief is set to get an International Emmy in 2021; and Martin Luther King and Robin Williams films set release dates.The BBC has acquired “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Pretty Little Liars” and the spin-off “Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists” from Warner Bros.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterDee Harris-Lawrence has signed a multi-year overall deal with Warner Bros. Television Group.Harris-Lawrence is currently an executive producer and showrunner on the OWN series “David Makes Man” as well as executive producer and co-showrunner on the CBS legal drama “All Rise,” both of which are produced by Warner Bros.“I am thrilled to be continuing my relationship with Warner Bros,” Harris-Lawrence said.

Peter White Television EditorEXCLUSIVE: Human rights activist and author Kimberly Latrice Jones is moving into television after striking an overall deal with Warner Bros. Television Group.Jones is the co-author of I’m Not Dying With You Tonight, alongside attorney Gilly Segal, a YA novel that focuses on prejudice and the racial tension in America.

Anthony D'Alessandro Editorial Director/Box Office EditorAMC’s Adam Aron isn’t the only one who is happy about WarnerMedia’s decision’s to take Wonder Woman 1984  theatrical day and date on HBO Max. This morning the Independent Cinema Alliance (ICA), which reps North America indie movie theatre owners, exclaimed their support to the Burbank, CA studio and its plans to keep the Gal Gadot-Kristen Wiig-Chris Pine movie on the release schedule on Dec.