Omar Sy, Louis Leterrier & Thomas Benski’s Carrousel Studios Taps Cécile Gaget For CEO

EXCLUSIVE: Here’s some buzzy casting. Greta Lee (Past Lives) and Kingsley Ben-Adir (Bob Marley: One Love) are in negotiations to star in director and producer Louis Leterrier’s (Now You See Me) upcoming sci-fi horror film 11817.

Pulsar Content has formed a strategic partnership with Digital District Entertainment, a leading post-production, VFX and production facilities company, with offices in France, Belgium and India. The partnership will create “a streamlined and cost-effective production process for international film projects,” according to a statement.

Tyler Perry Studios and DeVon Franklin (Flamin’ Hot) have formed a partnership with Netflix to produce faith-based films under a multi-year and multi-picture first-look deal. This deal marks the latest extension of Perry and Netflix’s creative partnership which sees Perry write, direct, and produce films and series, however, these films will be produced by Franklin and Perry in conjunction with Tyler Perry Studios.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent An organization representing freelance festival workers is calling for a strike during the upcoming Cannes Film Festival. Called Sous les écrans la dèche (Broke Behind the Screens), the org is protesting against a looming labor reform that will see their unemployment indemnities slashed by more than half.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Morgan Freeman will receive the Crystal Nymph Award at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival, which runs June 14-18 in Monaco. Freeman will receive the award at the opening ceremony from Prince Albert II of Monaco, in recognition of his television career.

Louis Leterrier (Fast X) will direct and produce 11817, a sci-fi horror film scripted by Matthew Robinson (The Invention of Lying) that is being presented to buyers at Cannes by Rocket Science.

Beyoncé‘s first name will be included in the new edition of the French encyclopaedic dictionary Le Petit Larousse.As Sky News reports, more than 150 new words have been added to the 120th version of the book this year.The ‘Cowboy Carter’ star will appear as an entry alongside celebrities such as Cate Blanchett, French actor Omar Sy, Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan, and French rugby captain Antoine Dupont.Many additions “reflect concerns, developments or strong movements” in 2024, Carine Girac-Marinier, director of the dictionaries and encyclopaedias department, told French news magazine Le Point.As Marie Claire notes, “Beyoncé” will be accompanied by the definition “American singer of R&B and pop”.Many fans have responded to the nod on social media, with one writing: “That’s when you know you’ve succeeded.” Another person said: “Beyoncé’s influence knows no bounds!” A third user commented: “Star power.”“Creole French queen,” wrote someone else, referring to Beyoncé’s Louisiana Creole ancestry (via Nola).In 2004, the term “bootylicious” – featured in Destiny’s Child 2001 hit single of the same name – was added to the Oxford English Dictionary with the definition “(of a woman) sexually attractive”.Other new additions to the Le Petit Larousse include the English phrases “fast fashion” and “skate park”, as well as “platisme” (the French term for the Flat Earth theory).In February, Beyoncé made history by becoming the first Black woman to reach Number One on the US country chart with ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Music Box Films has acquired U.S. distribution rights to “Daaaaaalí!,” the latest film by Quentin Dupieux whose upcoming movie “The Second Act” will world premiere on opening night at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

EXCLUSIVE: The Cannes Film Festival is well known as a place of protest and this year will be no different. However, this edition, the rebellion is coming from within.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent Starring “3o Coins’” Miguel Angel Silvestre and “The Palace’s” Katia Fellin, “Weiss & Morales” has gone into production in the Canary Islands, boasting the credentials of a textbook procedural appealing to current market appetites. As co-production ramps up between free-to-air players in Europe, led very often by its state-backed networks, “Weiss & Morales” links two of the continents’ most powerful public broadcasters, Germany’s ZDF and Spain’s RTVE, which produce with ZDF Studios.

Greta Gerwig has her jury. This evening, the Cannes Film Festival revealed the rest of the nine-member jury filled with festival veterans and Academy members.

The Cannes Film Festival has named the eight members of its main Competition jury who will join previously announced president Greta Gerwig in deciding the Palme d’Or and other key prizes at 77th edition running from May 14 to 25.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Carrousel Studios, the newly launched production company of “Lupin” star Omar Sy, “Fast X” director Louis Leterrier and “Gangs of London” producer Thomas Benski, has appointed Cécile Gaget as CEO. A seasoned executive, the Paris-based Gaget previously worked at Wild Bunch as head of film, and also worked at Anton Capital and Gaumont where she spearheaded international sales and co-productions.

Lexi Carson After spending more than 30 years at Ubisoft, Cécile Russeil has been promoted to executive vice president, starting Wednesday. In her elevated role, Russeil will bring her experience in the company to lead Ubisoft’s functions and teams. She will also be in charge of communications, corporate affairs, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, human resources, and legal.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer Mattel Television Studios has tapped three new executives for key roles: Sidney Clifton as head of creative for animation, Cory Bennett Lewis as head of production, and Amy Suh as head of creative for live action, scripted and unscripted. The trio of execs will report directly to Mattel Television Studios chief Michelle Mendelovitz. “We are thrilled to welcome Sidney, Cory and Amy to Mattel,” Mendelovitz said.

Manchester United and Chelsea are reportedly battling it out to sign RB Leipzig centre-back Castello Lukeba.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent In the run-up to its world premiere in competition at the Cannes Film Festival, Francis Ford Coppola‘s 135-minute epic “Megalopolis” is on track to sell to a French distributor, Le Pacte. The indie company, presided over by veteran French distributor Jean Labadie, is currently negotiating a deal. It seems like an odd match for such a pricey movie considering Le Pacte’s fairly modest size.

Jamie Lang Leading French production-distribution outfit Le Pacte has boarded the upcoming 2D animated feature project “Conference of the Birds,” which will be spotlighted at the Marché du Film’s Animation Day during this year’s Cannes Festival. In addition to co-producing, Le Pacte will handle French distribution and serve as international sales agent on the film, part of the five-title Annecy Showcase at the Animation Day.

EXCLUSIVE: Emily Rios (Snowfall, Breaking Bad), Louis Ferreira (S.W.A.T., Breaking Bad), and Bonnie Root (Cruel Hearts, The Movie, Cold Case) will star in the new independent horror-thriller feature film, Don’t Let Them Out.

Holly Jones Standout Paris-based sales outfit Luxbox (“1976”) has acquired international sales rights to the debut solo feature effort from Chilean multi-hyphenate Vinko Tomičić Salinas(“Durmiente”),“The Dog Thief” (“El Ladrón de Perros”), which bows in the international narrative competition at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival, running June 5-16. The film follows an adolescent shoe shining orphan, Martín (Franklin Aro Huasco), in his quest to get closer to Mr.