Film Industry News Roundup
Netflix announced on Monday that it has signed a lease to keep New York City’s historic Paris Theatre open to the public. The streaming giant plans to use the single-screen, landmark venue for special theatrical engagements and screenings of awards contenders released under its banner, including Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman. This move preserves one of America’s oldest cinemas as a location for curated theatrical exhibitions and public screenings, supporting films that benefit from a theatrical presentation before or alongside streaming distribution.
THR – 25th Nov 2019
Producer Gareth Neame has confirmed that a sequel to Downton Abbey(2019) is in active development. Neame explained that the team is “working on what the story is, and when we might be able to make it,” and emphasized the challenge of reuniting the original ensemble. The 2019 film adaptation of the popular ITV series was a substantial commercial success, reportedly grossing around $180 million worldwide from a production budget reportedly under $20 million, making a sequel a commercially attractive prospect.
THR – 26th Nov 2019
Warner Bros. is developing a remake of The Fugitive, and Albert Hughes—one half of the directing duo The Hughes Brothers and known for films such as Alpha and The Book of Eli—is attached to direct. The studio’s move to revisit the classic thriller reflects continued interest in reimagining established properties for modern audiences.
Deadline – 26th Nov 2019
Universal Pictures and Blumhouse have begun developing a spin-off from their upcoming production The Invisible Man. The project, titled The Invisible Woman, has brought on Elizabeth Banks—known for directing Charlie’s Angels and Pitch Perfect 2—to both direct and star in the film, indicating a creative continuation within the studio’s contemporary horror-thriller strategy.
THR – 26th Nov 2019
Actor Rhys Darby is set to reunite with director Taika Waititi—following their work together on What We Do in the Shadows and Hunt for the Wilderpeople—for Waititi’s latest feature, Next Goal Wins. The pairing continues a productive creative relationship between the actor and director and hints at the comedic tone fans might expect from the film.
Deadline – 25th Nov 2019
After recent statements by Henry Cavill indicating that he remains connected to Warner Bros.’ version of Superman, reports also suggest that the studio has met with filmmaker J.J. Abrams and actor-producer Michael B. Jordan to discuss possible future directions for the franchise. Sources caution, however, that such discussions do not guarantee a new project and that any revival would still be speculative at this stage.
Variety – 26th Nov 2019
Cast announcements for the period drama Please Baby Please have been confirmed: Maya Hawke, Charlie Plummer, and Andrea Riseborough are signed to star in the production, which is being managed by Paris Film Inc. and CAA Media Finance. The casting suggests a strong ensemble for the forthcoming period piece.
THR – 25th Nov 2019
Warner Bros.’ monster sequel Godzilla vs. Kong has moved its release date from March 2020 to 20 November 2020. Director Adam Wingard, known for his previous work on projects such as Death Note, remains attached, and the new release timing positions the film for a late-year box office window.
Empire – 26th Nov 2019
Mark Adams has stepped down as artistic director of the Edinburgh International Film Festival after five years in the role. Rod White, director of programming for the festival’s parent charity CMI, is set to assume responsibilities as the festival prepares for its next edition, scheduled for 17–28 June 2020.
EIFF – 29th Nov 2019
Following a violent incident at one venue, cinema chains Vue and Showcase initially removed the contemporary crime drama Blue Story from their schedules. The decision followed a separate attack in a cinema foyer, during which some of the young people involved reportedly held tickets for a different family film. After public reaction and debate, both exhibitors announced they would reinstate the film in their lineups.
Empire – 25th Nov 2019
Disney’s animated sequel Frozen II opened to strong global box office results, topping charts in multiple territories and claiming the number one worldwide spot during its first weekend. The film’s wide appeal and franchise recognition helped secure its leading box office position.
The latest Star Wars entry, The Rise of Skywalker, is set for a day-and-date release in China, a strategic choice by Disney intended to maximize opening weekend box office performance by aligning release timing in a major international market.
Deadline – 28th Nov 2019
In a related story, John Boyega revealed that a version of the final script for the Skywalker saga—reportedly the draft that surfaced on eBay—was one of the versions he had seen, a disclosure that sparked concern and scene-by-scene scrutiny behind the scenes at Lucasfilm and Disney.
Director J.J. Abrams, who helmed The Force Awakens and returned as director on The Rise of Skywalker, told Stephen Colbert that late actress Carrie Fisher had once credited him in her autobiography with a “special thanks” line referencing working with him “twice.” Abrams noted the anecdote in light of the complex, collaborative nature of sequels and franchise filmmaking.
And finally…
Disney CEO Bob Iger arranged an early private screening of Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker for a terminally ill child at Rowan’s Hospice in the UK after the hospice requested help to make the screening possible. The gesture provided a meaningful opportunity for the child and family to see the film ahead of its public release.