Spike Jonze Boards Sony Pictures Classics’ ‘Nine Days’ As EP; Pic Eyes Early 2021 Release

Sony Corp. reported Wednesday in Tokyo that Sony Pictures saw its fiscal second-quarter operating earnings fall to $299 million as the novel coronavirus pandemic continued to weigh on the theatrical film business and hit advertising revenues.

Library Pictures International, the Los Angeles-based film financier backed by Legendary Entertainment, has inked a deal to co-finance South Korean studio CJ Entertainment's local-language slate in Indonesia, Vietnam and Turkey. Under the terms of the deal, Library Pictures will finance up to 50 percent of the budget of CJ's various projects in the three developing markets.

Alexandra Del Rosario Associate Editor/Nights & WeekendsEXCLUSIVE: Gemstone Studios’ inaugural Rising Storytellers Search has identified the four finalists who will compete for chance to sign a deal with the boutique Sony Pictures Television studio and win additional prizes.“Never did we imagine we’d get the response or the depth or the quality of our 1700+ submissions in this first-ever Rising Storytellers Search.

Sony Pictures has acquired Studio 8’s upcoming family comedy Adulting, now in development. The screenplay comes from Chris Hazzard and Michael Fontana, who penned Lionsgate’s Zachary Levi and Cole Sprouse musical comedy Undercover from Mandeville Films.

Patrick Hipes Executive Managing EditorSony Pictures has landed Adulting, a high-concept family comedy feature film from Studio 8 that was written by Chris Hazzard and Michael Fontana based on their original idea. Studio 8’s Jeff Robinov, John Graham and Guy Danella are producing the pic, which is now in development.The logline is under wraps but is said to be a unique spin on the coming-of-age movie, exploring the themes of marriage, divorce and parenting through the lens of adolescence.

Andreas Wiseman International EditorNetflix’s Latest Turkish SeriesAt a press conference today in Istanbul, Netflix announced Original drama series Midnight At the Pera Palace, produced by Karga Seven Pictures Turkey, the Turkish production arm of LA-based production company Karga Seven Pictures, part of the Red Arrow Studios group. The eight-episode Turkish-language time-travel series has started production in multiple locations in Turkey.

Dino-Ray Ramos Associate Editor/ReporterEXCLUSIVE: Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is changing the game with its latest venture.

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentSony Pictures Television has picked up exclusive format and global distribution rights to “Medici” producer Lux Vide’s hit Italian medical drama “Doc – Nelle Tue Mani”.Under the deal, SPT Studios will develop a U.S. adaptation of the show, which has scored record ratings on Italy’s public broadcaster RAI.

Jake Kanter International TV EditorSony Pictures Television plans to create a U.S. television series based on Lux Vide’s Italian drama Doc – Nelle Tue Mani as part of a deal that also hands it the rights to sell the original show internationally.The Doctor House-meets-The Good Doctor series stars Luca Argentero (Eat Pray Love) as Andrea Fanti, a doctor who suffers a major head injury that wipes 12 years from his memory.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film WriterSony Pictures Animation has plucked the first feature film from Academy Award winner Matthew Cherry, Variety has learned exclusively.After winning the Oscar for his acclaimed short “Hair Love,” Cherry is at work on the tentatively-titled “Tut,”  an afro-futuristic, coming-of-age story of the boy king Tutankhamun.Based on an original idea from Cherry and Monica A.

Tom Grater, Nancy Tartaglione Focus Features has struck a deal for Wolf, an Irish drama starring George MacKay and Lily-Rose Depp. The Screen Ireland-backed picture recently wrapped after a COVID-19-safe shoot.

Eccho represents Sony Pictures Television titles; ViacomCBS commissions Artemesia Gentileschi series; Channel 4 revives “Changing Rooms”; and Cake sells “Tish Tash.”Sweden-based global distributor Eccho Rights has agreed an exclusive representation deal with Sony Pictures Television that includes 15 titles from all over the world.The titles that are part of this deal are “Leverage” (South Korea), “Crane in the Sky,” “Midwives” (Russia), “Friday on My Mind,” “Love Child” (Australia), “Hugo El

Jake Kanter International TV EditorFirst Look Media streamer Topic has picked up the U.S. rights to Israeli drama Nehama in a deal that will see Topic Studios develop an English-language adaptation of the darkly comic series.Topic clinched the rights in a competitive situation, and the original series will premiere in North America on October 15.

Variety Staff Follow Us on TwitterUniversal Music Israel has announced the appointment of journalist and radio host Meytal Shevach to the position of A&R Manager, effective immediately.In her new role, Shevach will lead UMG’s efforts in the signing and development of new domestic Israeli musical talent for the label, which launched earlier this year.

Sony Corp.'s Sony Pictures Television (SPT) has picked up worldwide rights for Fran Strine music documentary Who You Gonna Call? about the life of Grammy-Award-winning musician, and Ghostbusters' theme tune writer, Ray Parker Jr. SPT unveiled the deal shortly after the film's premiere at the Zurich International Film Festival on Saturday.

straight to your inboxThe Porto supporters could not believe it at first.Alex Telles, their new left-back, had joined the Portuguese giants from Galatasaray for a fee of around £5million in the summer of 2016.The Brazilian signed for Porto following a season on loan in Serie A with Inter, whose manager, Roberto Mancini, had been his boss in Turkey.Telles made 21 appearances for the Italians during the 2015/2016 campaign, regularly lining up against clubs of the magnitude of AC Milan, Roma and