Aram Tertzakian Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

K.J. Yossman Keshet International has acquired worldwide distribution rights for hostage drama “Conflict.” Produced by Backmann & Hoderhoff and XZY Films, “Conflict” is a six-part political thriller about an enemy force trying to incite a global conflict with a surprise attack. The series was created and produced by Andrei Alén and Aku Louhimies (“Rebellion”).

EXCLUSIVE: Ahead of EFM 2024, XYZ Films has promoted James Emanuel Shapiro to President of Domestic Distribution, upping Alex Williams to Sr. Manager, Acquisitions and Development.

EXCLUSIVE: Lena Headey (Game Of Thrones) has stepped back from the XYZ Films, Wayward Entertainment, and Resolute Films horror pic Svalta due to what has been described as scheduling conflicts. She was replaced by This Way Up actor Aisling Bea. 

K.J. Yossman Rachel Griffiths has been cast as the lead in “Madam,” a new dramedy series about an escort agency. Griffiths, best known for her roles in “Six Feet Under” and “Brothers & Sisters,” stars as McKenzie ‘Mack’ Leigh, who sets up an ethical brothel in New Zealand after her philandering husband and mountain of debt leave her struggling to provide for her family.

Charna Flam The so-called “crackberry” is back. IFC Films has released the first official trailer for the upcoming comedy-drama film, “BlackBerry,” which provides a peek into exactly how the handheld device revolutionized the cell phone industry. Director Matt Johnson, along with co-screenwriter Matthew Miller, adapted Jacquie McNish and Sean Silcoff’s book “Losing the Signal: The Untold Story Behind the Extraordinary Rise and Spectacular Fall of BlackBerry” for the big screen. Johnsonplays BlackBerry co-founder Douglas Fregin in the film, alongside Glenn Howerton as chair and co-CEO Jim Balsillie, Jay Baruchel as co-founder Mike Lazaridis and Cary Elwes as Palm CEO Carl Yankowski. The cast also includes Saul Rubinek, Michael Ironside, Rich Sommer, Michelle Giroux, Mark Critch and SungWon Cho.

EXCLUSIVE: Douglas Smith (Big Little Lies), Mark O’Brien (Arrival), Rebecca Liddiard (Alias Grace) and Vinessa Antoine (Diggstown,) have been cast opposite Amanda Seyfried (The Dropout) in Seven Veils, the new feature from filmmaker Atom Egoyan (The Sweet Hereafter).

EXCLUSIVE: Some were expecting Netflix to curb their acquisitions here in Park City, but, as we told you earlier this morning, never count them out of the Sundance marketplace. Before its premiere in the midnight section tonight, the Reed Hastings-Ted Sarandos-run streamer has scooped up a majority of global rights on the Australian horror movie, Run Rabbit Run, starring 2x Emmy nominated Succession actress Sarah Snook. XYZ Films, which co-funded the film, brokered the deal with Netflix on behalf of the filmmakers. 

EXCLUSIVE: XYZ Films has acquired worldwide rights to the English-language horror-thriller Sound of Silence, directed by Alessandro Antonaci, Daniel Lascar and Stefano Mandala — the Italy-based filmmaking trio otherwise known as T3. The independent studio has slated the film for a domestic release next spring.

Manori Ravindran International EditorXYZ Films has struck a first-look production deal with Toronto- and Los Angeles-based producer Lee Kim, who produced Sundance sci-fi title “Dual” and oversees Resolute Films and Entertainment.Under the deal, XYZ and Resolute will jointly produce a number of titles per year, with a focus on films helmed by diverse directors and international co-productions, particularly with Kim’s native Canada.XYZ and Resolute most recently collaborated on Riley Stearns’ “Dual,” which is playing in Sundance’s U.S. Dramatic Competition.

Also Read: Tom Hardy to Star in Action Film 'Havoc' From 'The Raid' Director Gareth Evans at NetflixEvans will produce through his One More One Productions, as will Tom Hardy and Ed Talfan for Severn Screen and Aram Tertzakian for XYZ Films.Evans is best known for his Indonesian action, crime and martial arts films, including “Merantau,” “The Raid” and “The Raid 2.” His blisteringly violent and stylish action movies have won acclaim from critics and have introduced Western audiences to stars

Forest Whitaker is set to star opposite Tom Hardy in the Netflix action thriller Havoc with The Raid director Gareth Evans helming.

EXCLUSIVE: Gareth Evans has found his new home for the next several years as the director of The Raid franchise has signed an exclusive deal with Netflix to produce and direct films for the studio. As part of the new partnership, Evans has set the action thriller Havoc as the first film under the deal with Tom Hardy on board to star.