Normal People producer Element Pictures has made its first signature hire since being acquired by Fremantle, signing up Fleabag indie Two Brothers Pictures drama boss Christopher Aird as Creative Director.
22.09.2022 - 13:25 / variety.com
Ben Croll A pre-school series produced by Ireland’s Paper Panther Productions, “Little Whale” was one of the early-breakouts at this year’s Cartoon Forum. Following their Tuesday pitch, series director Carol Freeman and producer Chris Hees greeted a steady stream of French studios and U.K. buyers, among others, auguring a bright future for the maritime project. Paper Panther shared this exclusive first-look with Variety. Loosely adapted from Freeman’s 2018 short “The Bird & The Whale” – a hand-painted gem that would claim nearly 70 awards throughout its festival run – this series follows the gentle Little Whale and his courageous friend Narwhalia as they travel the ocean blue. Dealing with questions of family and ecology, the program is above all a way for Freeman to share her particular enthusiasm.
“I want to make kids as excited about whales as they are about dinosaurs,” says Freeman. “To spread my obsession to the next generation, because whales are so cool! The biggest creature that ever lived is alive right now — it’s the blue whale and you can even go see it. The T. Rex is old news.” As screenwriter Kristina Yee (“Goat Girl”) handles scripting duties, Freeman will hone the project’s precise visual approach, drawing lines of continuity with the oily and painted quality of the earlier short while testing out different 2D puppet styles. Along with a unique look, the director would also like to give her project a unique tone. “We want to showcase [Narwhalia] a strong female character, while showing our male lead as empathetic and gentle,” Freeman explains. “Because you don’t always see that in boy characters. [We want] kids to see themselves on screen.” Freeman and Yee are also working on “The Lost Queen,” a
Normal People producer Element Pictures has made its first signature hire since being acquired by Fremantle, signing up Fleabag indie Two Brothers Pictures drama boss Christopher Aird as Creative Director.
Brent Lang Executive Editor Briarcliff Entertainment has acquired domestic distribution rights to “Sweetwater,” a recently completed feature about Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, the first African American to land an NBA contract. The drama is written and directed by Martín Guigui and stars newcomer Everett Osborne as Clifton. The ensemble includes veteran actors such as Kevin Pollak, Cary Elwes, Jeremy Piven, Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Ri’chard. There are also special appearances by Gary Clark Jr., Jim Caviezel and NBA champion Bobby Portis Jr. The film follows Clifton (Osborn), who is the star attraction of the Harlem Globetrotters, led by owner/coach Abe Saperstein (Pollak). When New York Knicks executive Ned Irish (Elwes) and Knicks coach Joe Lapchick (Piven) decide it is time for the Knicks to integrate, with the support of NBA President Maurice Podoloff (Dreyfuss), they come together with the other team owners of the league to make history. Briarcliff will give the film a wide theatrical release on April 14, 2023.
Guy Lodge Film Critic Children’s literature loves few things as much as a mighty monster who remains, against all outward appearances, defiantly benign — one who sets out to soothe young nightmares after initially stoking them, ultimately proving that fears and anxieties aren’t limited to little folk. Boris, the cheerfully dorky title character in Ruth Stiles Gannett’s 1948 book “My Father’s Dragon,” is cut from the same soft felt as Frank L. Baum’s Cowardly Lion, Roald Dahl’s Big Friendly Giant or Jill Murphy’s Worst Witch. A would-be flying fire-breather who hasn’t yet found his wings or his flames, he has even more growing up to do than fearful 10-year-old hero Elmer, and their mutual guilelessness sets the tone for Irish animator Nora Twomey’s winningly sweet-natured, visually transporting adaptation.
An unwelcome visit? Princess Kate was heckled by an onlooker during her royal trip to Northern Ireland with husband Prince William.
Marcus Mumford was the musical guest on The Late Late Show With James Corden this week – watch him perform new single ‘Grace’ below.The track appears the Mumford & Sons frontman’s debut solo album ‘(self-titled)’, which came out last month.In a new interview about the album with NME, Mumford spoke of how ‘Grace’ was written about the moment he told his mother of the sexual abuse he experienced as a child, which is explored on debut single and album opener ‘Cannibal’.Mumford started to write more songs over lockdown, which he spent in Devon with his wife, the actor Carey Mulligan, their children and his parents. Mumford’s mum heard the early workings of ‘Cannibal’ through the walls of their house and asked her son what it was about.
Joe Otterson TV Reporter Manti Te’o has signed on with UTA for representation in all areas, Variety has learned exclusively. With the signing, UTA will help Te’o work across a variety of areas, including broadcasting, public speaking, publishing, unscripted television, and audio. Te’o is known for his standout college football career. He was one of the most sought after high school recruits in the country when he entered college, eventually enrolling at Notre Dame University and joining the Fighting Irish as a linebacker. He played for Notre Dame from 2009-2012. He racked up impressive stats, including All-American honors and securing 437 tackles over the course of his time there. He was the captain of the team in 2012 and led Notre Dame against Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game that same year. He is also one of the most decorated players in college football, winning top honors such as the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Butkus Award. Te’o was a finalist for the Heisman trophy in 2012 as well.
Bono is heading out on tour. A book tour.
Steven Gerrard's daughter Lilly-Ella has found love with the son of an Irish mob boss.
EXCLUSIVE: Production is underway in the UK on feature Wicked Little Letters, which reunites Oscar winner Olivia Colman with her Oscar-nominated Lost Daughter co-star Jessie Buckley (Chernobyl).
Craig Gordon wants to become Scotland ’s oldest international when the Nations League countdown concludes after turning back the clock again to reach the top table.
Fans of The Great British Bake Off are feeling a bit of dread after Dame Prue Leith confirmed a twist is looming after a huge change was made during the latest episode. The hit Channel 4 show was back on screens on Tuesday night (September 27) for episode three.
Great British Bake Off's bread week was left in chaos as two budding baking hopefuls were forced to pull out of filming. Both Rebs and Abdul will not take part in this week's challenge due to "feeling under the weather", meaning they are still guaranteed a place in the show next week, despite neither winning 'Star Baker' so far in this year's series.
Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough praised Bolton Wanderers defender Conor Bradley for his performance in the Uefa Nations League win over Kosovo.
Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough believes Eoin Toal will do well at Bolton Wanderers and has watched the former under-21 international train at his new club as he assesses the defender's potential path to the senior international scene.
Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent An English-language reimagining of the world of Sergio Corbucci’s cult 1966 spaghetti western “Django,” which launched the career of Italian icon Franco Nero, is set to launch from the Rome Film Festival in October. The high–concept TV series, titled “Django,” will play in 2023 exclusively on Sky and its streaming service NOW in all countries where Sky operates, including the U.K., Ireland, Italy, Germany and Austria. It will also air on Canal+ in France, Switzerland, Benelux and Africa. The Rome Film Festival runs from Oct. 13-23. The 10-episode “Django” show stars Matthias Schoenaerts (“Rust and Bone,” “Bullhead”) as the iconic gunman who is the title character, alongside Nicholas Pinnock (“For Life”) as John Ellis, described as the “visionary founder” of the town of New Babylon. Lisa Vicari (“Dark”) plays Django’s daughter Sarah and Noomi Rapace (Millennium Trilogy) has the adversarial role of John’s powerful and ruthless enemy Elizabeth Thurman.
We may only be two episodes into this year's series of The Great British Bake Off but fans are fully invested in the new batch of bakers - and the themes. Week one started off strong with 'Cake Week' but viewers had to say a sad farewell to Will who became the first baker to be eliminated from the competition.
Channel 4 hit with Paul Hollywood. And if the dates work well, her one-woman show will go on a bigger tour next year. Dame Prue said: “I’m going to try out one-woman shows in Los Angeles and New York and then I’m going to do the same in England in Bath and Leamington Spa.