NYPAA News

The scripts for Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” Lulu Wang’s “The Farewell” and Tom Edge’s “Judy” have been excluded from the Writers Guild of America Awards.

Unlike other guilds, the WGA excludes as candidates any screenplays not produced under its jurisdiction or that of another guild. That’s because the WGA has the ultimate authority over determining which writers receive screenplay credit, if the script is produced under WGA jurisdiction. Non-members are also not eligible.

WGA leaders have said that if the script is not produced under a guild contract, there’s no certainty as to authorship.

Other original scripts that have been excluded from voting are: Pedro Almodovar’s “Pain and Glory”; “The Peanut Butter Falcon” from writers Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz; “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” by Jimmie Fails, Rob Richert and Joe Talbot; Trey Edward Shults’ “Waves” and “Midsommar” by Ari Aster.

Adapted scripts that are not on WGA ballots include “Downton Abbey” by Julian Fellowes. Animated scripts for “Toy Story 4” and “Frozen 2” are not eligible as the WGA lacks jurisdiction over most animated films.

Tarantino has never received a WGA screenplay nomination as he is not a member. He’s been nominated for three screenplay Academy Awards and won for “Pulp Fiction” and “Django Unchained” in the original screenplay category.

Last year’s WGA exclusions included “The Favourite,” “Sorry to Bother You,” “Isle of Dogs,” “Hereditary,” “Leave No Trace,” “Death of Stalin” and “Incredibles 2.”

A total of 64 original scripts and 44 adapted screenplays are eligible. WGA members began receiving their ballots this week.

Nominations will be announced on Jan. 6, with the awards shows set for Feb. 1. The news was first reported by Deadline.

https://variety.com/2019/film/news/writers-guild-awards-excludes-once-upon-a-time-farewell-judy-1203433449/

A television series based on the tumultuous story of WeWork is in the works, Variety has confirmed.

Chernin Entertainment and Endeavor Content have acquired the rights to the upcoming book about the shared workspace company from Wall Street Journal reporters Maureen Farrell and Eliot Brown. Nicholas Braun, who currently plays Cousin Greg on the critically-acclaimed HBO series “Succession,” is attached to star as WeWork cofounder Adam Neumann. Endeavor Content and Chernin Entertainment have also acquired the unscripted rights and are developing a documentary based on the book.

Farrell and Brown’s book will be published by Crown, an imprint of Penguin Random House. The project is in the early development stages, with no writer or network currently attached. Braun will serve as executive producer in addition to starring. Chernin Entertainment and Endeavor Content will produce under their TV drama development pact. Other shows produced under the deal include “See” and “Truth be Told” at Apple and “Circe,” the drama series adaptation of Madeline Miller’s book of the same name at HBO Max.

WeWork was viewed as the next hot startup and was valued at nearly $50 billion at one time. However, the company pulled the plug on an initial public offering in September in the wake of revelations about the erratic management and personal enrichment of its founder Adam Neumann, as well as questions about its business model and the role of funders like JPMorgan and Softbank. Neumann resigned from the company around this time, while Wework accepted a bailout from SoftBank in October.

The series is the second WeWork project currently in development. It was previously announced that Universal and Blumhouse are currently prepping a film about the company with “The Big Short” screenwriter Charles Randolph attached to pen the script. The film is based on Katrina Brooker’s reporting and upcoming book.

In addition to starring in “Succession,” Braun has starred in films such as “The Stanford Prison Experiment” and “How to Be Single.” He will next be seen in the film “Zola,” based on the viral Twitter thread, which is set to debut at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.

Braun is repped by UTA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners. Brown and Farrell are repped by Anonymous Content and Fletcher & Co.

The Hollywood Reporter first reported this development news.

https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/wework-series-nicholas-braun-adam-neumann-1203433524/

Hold the phone.

When it comes to Netflix viewing, Martin Scorsese doesn’t necessarily speak for the room.

Commenting on “The Irishman” director’s objection to the all-too-common method of watching Netflix on personal cell phones, Ryan Reynolds told Variety ,” You should be able to watch whatever the f–k you want to watch on whatever f–king device you want to watch it on. I don’t know. I would say that’s just the way things are.”

Reynolds was in New York for the premiere of his Netflix action movie, “6 Underground,” which is released Friday, Dec. 13.

Speaking to Rolling Stone last month, Scorsese urged “The Irishman” viewers to “please, please don’t look at it on a phone, please. An iPad, a big iPad, maybe.”

Michael Bay, director of “6 Underground,” saw it both ways: “I don’t want my movies to be watched on a phone either. But movies aren’t that bad on these new TVs that have HDR, high dynamic range. Listen most of the Academy votes on TVs, okay. We all love movies. I’m a big cinema guy. But, the great thing about Netflix is it’s a new voice out here and it’s a strong voice. And they do interesting content. So, that’s why I appreciate it.”

The “6 Underground” cast marched onto the red carpet in front of hundreds of bleacher fans who screamed with excitement as an electrifying Parkour act took note from the world of Michael Bay. The audience was left breathless as the acrobats leaped on columns and zip-lined over the heads of reporters.

The director’s trademark action-packed vision of big bang thrilling punches at the event was felt equally during filming.

When asked about acting under the guidance of Bay, Reynolds replied, “I wouldn’t say he’s intense. It’s chaos. Like it’s just chaotic. You never know when you are supposed to shooting or what you are supposed to be doing or where you are supposed to be going or what you are supposed to be saying. But some how, some way he and his editors make it all kind of come together on the screen and you get this unbelievable spectacle of a movie that’s muscular and a huge event. There is a rhyme to his madness.”

The mega budget action thriller stars the “Deadpool” actor as an enigmatic leader taking charge over a bunch of wild vigilantes played by Mélanie Laurent, Corey Hawkins, Adria Arjona, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Ben Hardy, Lior Raz, Payman Maadi, and Dave Franco.

At the swanky after-party at The Shed at Hudson Yards, Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton and Joseph Mazzello reunited to toast their “Bohemian Rhapsody” co-star Hardy for his latest film role. Guests at the grand Netflix soiree took in the views of Hudson Yard’s Vessel on the chilly night, as they dined on endless servings of ricotta ravioli, short ribs and seared trout. The decadent night was proof that Netflix certainly never skimps on any budget.

https://variety.com/2019/scene/news/michael-bay-6-underground-netflix-martin-scorsese-ryan-reynolds-1203433101/

https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/sinclair-boris-epshetyn-ameshia-cross-political-commentary-segments-1203433419/

Harry Styles served as guest host of “The Late Late Show” on Tuesday. The “Lights Up” singer delivered the late-night show’s monologue, drove host James Corden to work in a mini version of “Carpool Karaoke” and interviewed Kendall Jenner.

Styles challenged Jenner to a game of “Spill Your Guts or Fill Your Guts,” in which the two asked each other personal questions at the risk of eating whatever gross food was in front of them, if they didn’t answer truthfully. Jenner — unlike Styles — was well-versed in the rules of the game, having played with Corden in 2016.

“How do they get the sperm out of the cod?” Styles wondered aloud about their food choices.

Jenner answered the first question, admitting that she ranked sister Kourtney Kardashian as the worst parent in the family’s large clan.

After Jenner asked Styles what songs on his last album were about her — as his reported former love interest — he donned a bib and dug into the cod sperm.

“To spit or to swallow, that is the question,” Styles said before spitting sperm into a bucket.

Later, Styles admitted that he had watched an episode of “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” before: “It was the one where you were all eating salads in the kitchen. And then you were shouting at each other.”

“So you’ve seen every episode,” Jenner quipped.

Earlier on, Corden helped Styles belt out his single “Watermelon Sugar” on their way to work.

The two-time guest host delivered the opening monologue, ripping on Donald Trump and the two articles of impeachment against him.

“Thanks for giving me an easy one, James,” Styles said. “The articles have been formally written up, and to make sure Trump reads them, they’ve included lots of pictures and some scratch-and-sniff stickers.”

After a formal chat with Jenner and Tracee Ellis Ross (“Black-ish”), and a short sketch with Styles interviewing himself, the singer ended his guest stint by performing “Adore You” from his new album, “Fine Line,” out Dec. 13.

https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/harry-styles-kendall-jenner-sperm-1203433075/

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https://variety.com/2019/dirt/entertainers/doobie-brother-michael-mcdonald-lists-hawaiian-hideaway-1203433463/

Harvey Weinstein is close to a $25 million settlement that would resolve most of the civil litigation against him, including a broad class action case accusing him and his board of directors of a systemic pattern of sexual misconduct.

The general terms of the agreement have been in place for several months, though it has taken time to resolve the details. Under the deal, the insurance companies for the Weinstein Co. would pay the victims with the most serious claims $500,000 apiece. A larger pool of claimants would split the balance of the funds. The deal was first reported by the New York Times.

The deal, which has been hammered out with the assistance of the New York attorney general’s office, must still be approved by the judge overseeing the Weinstein Co. bankruptcy case.

Jeffrey Herman, the attorney for plaintiff Kadian Noble, said that the payout was “largely symbolic.”

“She feels she won just by having a voice and filing her lawsuit,” he said. “For her it really is life-changing that she could do something about it and expose Harvey Weinstein.”

At least four Weinstein plaintiffs are not participating in the agreement, and at least three of them are expected to oppose the deal. Thomas Giuffra, who represents plaintiff Alexandra Canosa, said he would object before the bankruptcy court. He argued that the agreement is being driven by Elizabeth Fegan, the attorney who led the class action case, and that he and other plaintiffs have been pressured to accept the terms.

Giuffra said that Fegan stands to receive a percentage of the payout to the class action claimants, or several million dollars, as part of the deal. Another $12 million will go to the attorneys who defended Weinstein, his brother Bob Weinstein, and the Weinstein Co. directors in the civil cases.

Giuffra said that for every plaintiff who does not accept the deal, the insurers will give the $500,000 to Weinstein. In other words, Weinstein would receive at least $1 million in the agreement, as a way for the insurers to disclaim any further obligations to defend him.

“That is so morally wrong,” Giuffra said.

Douglas Wigdor, who represents plaintiff Wedil David and an anonymous Weinstein accuser, said he will also oppose the provision releasing the insurance companies from further liability.

“We reject the notion that this was the best settlement that could have been achieved on behalf of the victims,” said Widgor and his co-counsel, Kevin Mintzer, in a statement. “It is shameful that $12 million of the settlement is going to the lawyers for the directors who we alleged enabled Harvey Weinstein and it is even more outrageous that the proposed settlement will seek to bind non participating members by providing a release to the insurance companies and the directors of the Weinstein Company itself. While we don’t begrudge victims who want to settle, we plan to vigorously object to any provision that tries to bind victims who want to proceed with holding Harvey Weinstein accountable for his actions which is exactly what we intend to do.”

Ashley Judd, who has filed a sexual harassment and retaliation claim against Weinstein, is also not part of the settlement agreement.

Much of the civil litigation has been put on hold as terms of the agreement have been ironed out, and in light of Weinstein’s upcoming criminal trial.

https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/weinstein-civil-settlement-25-million-1203433232/

Warner Bros. has dated the fourth “The Matrix” movie and “The Flash” for summer openings in 2021 and 2022, respectively, and pulled “Akira” off the schedule.

The studio announced Wednesday that “The Flash” would be released on July 1, 2022, while the untitled “Matrix” would open on May 21, 2021. “The Flash” will star Ezra Miller, who debuted as The Flash in Zack Snyder’s “Batman vs. Superman” with roles in “Suicide Squad and “Justice League.”

Original stars Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss are returning for the fourth “Matrix” along with co-creator Lana Wachowski. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jessica Henwick, and Neil Patrick Harris will also star.

The Matrix movie is taking over the slot for “Akira,” which has now has no release date. Warner Bros. has apparently ditched “Akira” for now despite the movie — which had been due to be  produced by Leonardo DiCaprio — having been allocated to receive a conditional $18.5 million tax credit for shooting in California.

The California Film Commission announced in April that “Akira” was by far the biggest of the 18 tax credit allocations unveiled under the state’s Film & TV Tax Credit Program 2.0.  “Akira,” based on a manga series written and illustrated by Katsuhiro Otama and set in a post-apocalyptic 2060 Tokyo, would have generated an estimated $92 million in qualified spending.

But to receive the California credit, “Akira” would have needed to start shooting within 180 days after the announcement.

Warner Bros. also announced Wednesday that it had set an Aug. 21, 2020 release date for its  untitled Fred Hampton project about the co-founder of the Black Panthers. The studio also gave a title to its fourth movie in its Conjuring franchise — “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It,” which already had a Sept. 11, 2020 release date.

Warner Bros. is moving up its “Mortal Kombat” movie from its original March, 2021, launch to to Jan. 15, 2021.

https://variety.com/2019/film/box-office/flash-matrix-akira-release-dates-warner-bros-1203433336/

Carey Mulligan is a vengeance-seeking, rape-culture-dismantling badass in the trailer for “Killing Eve” showrunner Emerald Fennell’s new film, “Promising Young Woman.”

“Every week, I go to a club. I act like I’m too drunk to stand. And every week, a nice guy comes over to see if I’m okay,” Mulligan says coldly over a violinist’s rendition of Britney Spears’ “Toxic.”

After a mysterious event takes place in her life, derailing the “promising young woman’s” future, the whip-smart and crafty Cassie begins to lead a double life as she cuts down any man who crosses her path.

“I wanted to be a doctor my whole life,” Cassie, dressed in a latex nurse outfit with medical tools in hand, says in one scene as she eyes her next victim. “Lately, I’ve been feeling like I might want to get back into it.”

In addition to her credits as Camilla Shand in the third season of “The Crown” and writer/executive producer of “Killing Eve,” Fennell adds a new title to her resume as “Promising Young Woman” marks her feature film directorial debut. Laverne Cox, Bo Burnham, Alison Brie, Connie Britton, Jennifer Coolidge, Max Greenfield, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Chris Lowell, Sam Richardson, Molly Shannon and Clancy Brown round out the ensemble.

Produced by Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley, Josey McNamara, Ben Browning and Ashley Fox, the film is set to premiere at Sundance in January. Distributed by Focus Features, it hits theaters on April 17.

https://variety.com/2019/film/news/promising-young-woman-trailer-carey-mulligan-1203432981/