The newly founded Sycamore Studios has bagged another high-profile piece of intellectual property for film adaptation. Formed in August by Christian McGuigan and Timothy Reckart, Sycamore has won the rights to the bestselling graphic novel series “Zita the Spacegirl.” The project joins a development slate that also includes an animated feature take on the classic […]

The final scene of “Wicked” is a cinematic triumph. A defiant Cynthia Erivo soars through the skies, circling above Oz and belting “Defying Gravity” as her enemies look on in awe. It inspires tears and applause, even sending audiences jumping from their theater seats as Erivo nails those high notes. But you don’t have to […]

The internet has practically gone into bicep spasm from “holding space” for a viral moment born in an interview between journalist Tracy E. Gilchrist and “Wicked” stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Captured over two weeks ago at one of the many press junkets for the record-breaking movie musical, the interview produced what many viewed […]

Oscar-winning indie studio Neon has secured a new $200 million credit facility, flushing the company with cash for operations and growth. The infusion, which could keep “Anora” star Mikey Madison in lucite platform heels until the end of time, is led by Neon’s existing credit provider Comerica Bank. The raise will contribute to film acquisition, […]

Doha, Qatar’s capital city and main financial hub, saw serious star traffic this week from Hollywood players and world leaders.  Heads of state including President Barack Obama, former British prime ministers Boris Johnson and Tony Blair, “Deadpool and Wolverine” star Ryan Reynolds, Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel and host of other big names hit the Arabian […]

NBCUniversal’s long-awaited move to spin off most of its cable assets and reorganize the studio’s top leadership inspired plenty of questions about the media conglomerate’s future – and, for many in the industry, a case of Donna Langley déjà vu.   The veteran film executive who had been chief content officer across all of NBCUniversal has […]

A highly competitive auction has been raging for weeks over adaptative rights to S.A. Cosby’s forthcoming novel “King of Ashes,” and we have a winner. Netflix, Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment and Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground emerged victorious over as many as 11 competing bids, multiple sources familiar with the deal told Variety. Amblin and […]

Investing in premium original content is looking less and less like a passing fad in the fashion and beauty business.  Brands in that space have increasingly been founding in-house production divisions to create and collaborate on content that moves past traditional advertising — and further into worlds like art house film and urgent digital culture.  […]

Moonbug, the family content machine behind the Netflix juggernaut “Cocomelon,” has enacted a small round of layoffs. Sources estimated that less than 5% of the company will be impacted, and that pink slips will come for roles in Los Angeles and London. Another source said the brunt of downsizing will hit in-house writers for series […]