Epix is a movie channel created by MGM, Lionsgate, and Viacom; and on Tuesday it struck a five-year deal to stream its movies on the internet via Netflix. With the deal, Netflix will be able to stream movies from the aforementioned companies, along with Paramount. It’ll garner Epix around $1 billion in licensing fees. The deal will also allow studios to make new releases available on Netflix 90 days after their on-demand debuts.
[NY Post]
MGM’s financial debt is estimated at $4 billion and approaching bankruptcy. Lionsgate and Summit International have been showing interest in acquiring MGM, but Spyglass Entertainment is ahead with negotiations to merge with the failing company.
The proposal would earn Spyglass Entertainment 4% ownership in MGM, which is reportedly valued at $1.9 billion. A downside would be that the amount owed to creditors would be due — which of course the creditors want this outcome to happen. Who can blame them after MGM’s recent decision?
Director Martin Scorsese made the leap from movies to the television medium. For years now he’s been wanting to be involved with a television show because of the character development and long story arcs, explained Scorsese.
He’ll be attached to the new series Boardwalk Empire, created by Terence Winter and starring Steve Buscemi. The premise will deal with Prohibition; with crime figures such as Capone and Luciano. The period drama’s first episode will be directed by Scorsese, and he’s made it vocal that he’s interested in directing more episodes.
A period piece on organized crime drama starring Steve Buscemi — and with Martin Scorsese attached? That’s enough reason to watch the new HBO series.
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Upon going through the screenplay, Ryan Reynolds noticed that the Green Lantern Corps. oath was written differently. He didn’t hesitate to bring it to attention, saying, “‘You cannot get the oath wrong! We had a meeting about this . . . this is where (the fans) will murder you.”
I was hesitant on a Green Lantern film until the Comic-Con panel, and then this incident showing how much Ryan Reynolds wants to make sure the movie is done right for the fans has me stoked for it. He really has become an actor that every woman and geek loves.
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Despite not having the ability to financially back films The Hobbit and the latest James Bond project — along with owing money to 140 creditors — MGM requested an extension while investing six figures in a film adaptation of The Outer Limits, which is to be written by Saw screenwriters Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan.
Are they trying to intentionally fail? MGM is fumbling with two film projects that are guaranteed draws while putting money in one that’s adapting a sci-fi show from the 60s — smart. Maybe after that they can ask for another extension from their creditors, and then throw money at a movie adaptation of Heroes.
[AV Club]
Apparently Ridley Scott will be filming an adaptation of the sci-fi novel, the Forever War, with — according to the author of the book — Blade Runner screenwriter David Peoples. They haven’t worked together since 1982, and the fact that they both excelled at the sci-fi genre makes this collaboration sound very promising.
The Forever War is written by author Joe Haldeman, who served as a combat engineer in Vietnam. The premise is an ongoing war between humanity and a species known as Taurans. Spanning across worlds and time itself due to time dilation between worlds, the protagonist endures loss of family and unfamiliarity with society that’s quickly progressing. The novel also deals with exploring war and its affect on people.
It’s a very immersing novel that I had a hard time putting down; the protagonist was very humanized, and therefore making it easy to relate to. I’m excited by the prospect of Ridley Scott and David Peoples being attached to the film project. They would do the novel justice.
You can buy the book HERE.
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The panel for Supernatural brought out actors Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Misha Collins, and Jim Beaver; along with creator Eric Kripke, show runner Sera Gamble, and writer Ben Edlund.
Season five wrapped the five-year-long story arc that Kripke wrote for Supernatural, and he considers the upcoming season to be a sequel that won’t be hindered by the prior story. Kripke stepped down from his creative role, but he will still be involved with the direction of the show in some capacity with the writers, and as he put it, “I’m like delightful hemorrhoids, fuzzy hemorrhoids.” He believes the new team has great ideas that will further the show’s success.
With a fresh start ahead for the show, Gamble told the audience that they want to bring in more monsters on the show, but instead of the typical monster of the week, the monsters will have more of an impact on the overall storyline.
With Heaven in disarray, Castiel has been assigned to “clean up duty” according to Misha Collins. He compared it to when Russia had a crumbling government many years ago, and joked that Castiel will speak with a Russian accent — going as far as suddenly speaking with the accent.
Season six will pick up a year after the events of the prior season, with Dean Winchester living a domesticated lifestyle. Then, of course, being pulled back into a life as a hunter. It’s quite the reversal from the first season when Dean was the one pulling Sam back into the fray.
The cast were relentless on teasing each other. Jared at one point admitted that he didn’t watch the last three episodes, which later caused Misha to say, “Jared is still watching the first season; he can’t answer that question.” Jensen, on directing an episode revolving around Bobby Singer, joked that directing Jim Beaver was extremely difficult. Jim was quick to praise Jensen’s directing, and he became sentimental at one point discussing it — only to quickly add, “Did you really believe that crap?” getting a laugh out of the cast, crew, and audience.
Supernatural returns on September 24th, and will be airing on Fridays at 9 PM. It’ll be exciting to see the direction they’ll be taking the show — they clearly enjoy their work, and the passion for it is as strong as ever.
After the panel for Thor came to a close, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige told us that he knows it’s getting late, but there’s a quick surprise he wants the audience to see. The lights dimmed and a video began to play with a voice over by Samuel L. Jackson.
“And there came a day, a day unlike any other, when Earth’s mightiest heroes and heroines found themselves united against a common threat. On that day, the Avengers were born.”
Samuel L. Jackson then hit the stage much to the audience’s delight. He approached the podium and said that there’s a group he wants to introduce us to — he began his role call: Clark Gregg as Agent Coulson, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Chris Evans as Captain America, and Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man.
With all of them on stage, Robert Downey Jr. took over the podium and introduced the audience to Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye and Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk. He went on to introduce Joss Whedon as the director.
The crowd went completely nuts for the cast and director of the Avengers. Downey was barely able to contain himself, giggling and saying that he can’t help himself. He was too excited. Joss Whedon went on to say that he had a dream his whole life, but it wasn’t this good. He told the audience that he’s afraid he’ll blow it and needs our support. Whedon and the cast were given a standing ovation.
Marvel Studios really wanted to bring something special for Comic-Con, and they brought something very memorable. Days ago I said that the panel for Captain America: The First Avenger was one of the landmarks for Comic-Con this year, but the surprise role call for the Avengers is the landmark for Comic-Con.