Sky Documentary ‘The Ghost of Richard Harris’ Boarded by Abacus Media Rights (EXCLUSIVE)

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaWestEnd Films has closed a series of new deals on “Out of the Blue,” an upcoming thriller that brings together Neil LaBute and Diane Kruger.Rights for the film, which LaBute writes and directs, have gone to Australia and New Zealand (Kismet Movies), France (Metropolitan Filmexport), Germany (Koch Films), Spain (A Contracorriente Films), Italy (Eagle Pictures), Middle East (Phoenicia Pictures) Israel (Forum Film), Poland (Galapagos Films), Greece (Spentzos Film), former Yugoslavia (Investacommerce) and Portugal (Nos Lusomundo). WestEnd is also sharing a moody first-look image.Kruger, best known for her performances in “Inglourious Basterds” and “Troy,” leads an ensemble that also includes Ray Nicholson (“Promising Young Woman”), Hank Azaria (“Love & Other Drugs”) and Chase Sui Wonders (“Genera+ion”).

The band is getting back together. A sequel is in the works to the 1984 rock mockumentary "This Is Spinal Tap," with director Rob Reiner returning alongside stars Michael McKean, Christopher Guest and Harry Shearer. The movie package will launch sales at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival.

Get ready to turn the volume back up to 11!

Ready to rock?Castle Rock Entertainment, Rob Reiner’s company that recently re-launched its film division after going somewhat dormant, is back and with a big new project to shop around the Cannes Film Festival: “Spinal Tap II,” a sequel to 1984’s immortal comedy classic “This is Spinal Tap.” And what’s more – everybody is back, including Reiner (as director and in the film as Marty DiBergi), Harry Shearer, Michael McKean and Christopher Guest, sources with knowledge confirm to TheWrap.No plot details for “Spinal Tap 2” have been revealed but it’ll undoubtedly be another faux documentary chronicling the sunset years of England’s most controversial rock band and navigating a very different pop culture landscape. (If you thought “Smell the Glove” was offensive back then!)The package should generate a lot of interest at Cannes, especially since they are showing the original film on the beach as part of the Cinema de la Plage sidebar on Wednesday, May 18.

EXCLUSIVE: Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Laura Nyro, one of the most revered singer-songwriters of the 20thcentury, will be the subject of an upcoming documentary from Vistas Media Capital.

EXCLUSIVE: Jeremy O. Harris, the Tony-nominated author of Slave Play, has been named the presiding playwright for the 2023 Yale Drama Series Prize, one of the theater world’s most prestigious playwriting prizes. As the presiding playwright, Harris, a Yale alum, becomes a judging panel of one to select an emerging playwright to receive the annual prize.

Harry Styles has reflected on going to therapy for five years, admitting that it has made him "more alive" after years of avoiding it.The former One Direction star, who can be seen in the new trailer for his upcoming film, Don't Worry Darling, alongside Florence Pugh, confessed that he had previously had misconceptions about going to therapy. "I thought it meant that you were broken," the 28 year old movie star said.

Manori Ravindran International EditorCapstone Global has boarded action-thriller “Boy Kills World,” starring Bill Skarsgård, Michelle Dockery and Jessica Rothe.The Los Angeles-based production and sales outfit is partnering on the pic with Nthibah Pictures, Hammerstone Studios, Sam Raimi’s Raimi Productions and Roy Lee’s Vertigo Entertainment. Sales will be launched in Cannes, with both Capstone and CAA co-representing U.S.

Captain Josh Harris is returning to the high seas, and there are plenty of turbulent waters. The 39-year-old is sailing back to Discovery Channel’s "Deadliest Catch." Season 18 explores how the captains are faced with the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the Alaskan government’s shutdown of red king crab catching for the first time in 25 years.  For Harris, it’s especially personal as he reconnects with his estranged brother Shane.The pair got back in touch after their father, renowned fisherman Phil Harris, died in 2010 at age 53. As for Captain "Wild" Bill Wichrowski, he’s determined to reel in viewers and show them the no-nonsense reality of searching the Bering Sea for a new way to make a living before risking financial ruin.

As It Was by Harry Styles triumphs in a fifth week at the top of the Irish Singles Chart – becoming the longest-reigning Number 1 of the year.

Jarnell Stokesand Grammy-nominated film and music producer Vassal Benford IIIhave partnered with sports manager Torrel Harrisofto launch TBC Sports Entertainment (TBCS).In collaboration with Harris’ Unique Sports Management International (USMI), TBCS will work on content featuring noted sports figures based on relevant stories produced by Stokes. Additionally, TBCS aims to create ancillary incomes for the athletes through promotion on social media and digital platforms.Projects underway include “Memphis on the Mountain Top,” a docuseries showcasing the intersection of iconic civil rights leaders, sports and music during the city’s struggle in the late ’60s as the epicenter of the social justice movement, and “Learning to Win,” a television series hosted by Stokes.

EXCLUSIVE: Anonymous Content has promoted Joe Bello, Austin Hegedus, Julia Mok and Ali Lefkowitz—four assistants and coordinators working across its Media Rights and Talent divisions—to Manager. Bello, Hegedus and Mok will be working within the Talent division, with Lefkowitz joining the previously promoted Ryan Wilson as a Manager in Media Rights. In their new roles, Bello, Hegedus, Mok and Lefkowitz will continue to work with and expand Anonymous’ client roster.

EXCLUSIVE: XYZ Films has boarded worldwide sales rights to Hounds Of War starring Frank Grillo, Robert Patrick, and Rhona Mitra, and directed by Isaac Florentine.

John Hopewell Chief International CorrespondentJosé Luis López Linares’ “Goya, Carrière and the Ghost of Buñuel,” a portrait of French film great Jean-Claude Carrière, captured breaking down the paintings and personality of painter Francisco de Goya, has been acquired for international sales by Reservoir Docs.In its earliest sales, the doc feature has closed the two biggest markets in Europe with reputed distributors, licensing France to Epicentre and Germany and Austria to Weltkino.  Launched in 2020 by Anais Clanet, Reservoir Docs will bring the documentary feature onto the market at next month’s Cannes Festival.“Reservoir Docs has always been a key sales agent for theatrical art & culture docs and Jose Luis’ work fits perfectly,” said Clanet.

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent“Wallace and Gromit,” the cult British stop-motion comedy franchise created by Nick Park of Aardman Animations, is set for a virtual reality makeover. Aardman is partnering with Meta Quest and Paris-based banner Atlas V to create an interactive, narrative-led, single player VR experience which will follow the new adventures of Wallace and Gromit.Called “The Grand Getaway,” the VR experience will revolve around Wallace and Gromit’s holidays and will launch in 2023 in the Oculus Store for Meta Quest.

EXCLUSIVE: Singapore-based Indian financier Vistas Media Capital has launched a North American division to be run by film industry vet Ben Waisbren.

Addie Morfoot ContributorThis Machine, the production company founded by veteran documentary director and producer R.J. Cutler, has bolstered its development and production team with four new hires.Cutler, the Emmy Award-winning director behind docus including “The September Issue,” “Belushi” and most recently with “Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry,” launched This Machine in 2020 with an investment from Los Angeles-based Industrial Media.Cutler has named Sally Rosen Phillips as vice president, creative; Qadriyyah Shamsid-Deen as director, creative; Jim Czarnecki, senior vice president, production, and Ian Egos, vice president.

With Democrats facing a tough midterm cycle, Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff will be back in their Los Angeles hometown tonight for a top-dollar, in-person fundraiser.