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German-born laywer acquired hundreds of film and TV projects as pre-buys from US producers.

International media consultant and producer Thomas Augsberger has passed away suddenly at his home in the Hollywood Hills. He was 60 years old.

The German-born lawyer was founder of Eden Rock Media, a film and television production company and media consulting business.

Augsberger advised a number of high-profile media clients over the years, most prominently Germany’s Leonine Studios. Before Leonine, Augsberger spent 23 years as an advisor to Dr. Herbert Kloiber’s Tele Muenchen Group as Tmg’s exclusive North American representative in the US.

Augsberger’s...

International media consultant and producer Thomas Augsberger died suddenly on Tuesday at his home in the Hollywood Hills, his publicist informed Variety. He was 60.

The German-born and trained attorney was founder of film and television production company and media consulting business Eden Rock Media. Augsberger’s high profile media clients included Germany’s Leonine Studios. Prior to Leonine, Augsberger served for more than two decades as an advisor to the Tele Muenchen Group (Tmg) as their exclusive North American representative in the U.S. During this time he oversaw Tmg investments in the U.S., including a preferred equity investment in Lionsgate Entertainment in 1999 and the acquisition of the Mutual Film Library in 2006.

Over his 26-year consulting career, Augsberger acquired hundreds of projects as pre-buys including Marvel’s Iron Man franchise, Voltage’s Oscar winner “The Hurt Locker,” Paramount’s “Shutter Island,” Summit’s Twilight franchise, Lionsgate’s John Wick franchise,...

Deadline has learned that Thomas Augsberger, Eden Rock Media founder, producer and international media consultant died suddenly today at his Hollywood Hills home. He was 60 years old.

The German-born and trained attorney advised a number of high-profile media clients over the years, most prominently Germany’s Leonine Studios. Prior to Leonine, Augsberger served 23 years as an advisor to Dr. Herbert Kloiber‘s Tele Muenchen Group as Tmg’s exclusive North American representative in the US.

In 2002, he founded Eden Rock Media, a film and television production company and media consulting business.

Augsberger was widely respected for his deep experience in the production and acquisition of feature films, television series, and content libraries; investments in US distributors and production companies; the co-financing, co-production, and distribution of film, television, and digital projects; and the negotiation of German output deals with studios for theatrical, home entertainment, and television. Over the course of his 26-year consulting career,...

Owen Wilson has provided another positive update on Wedding Crashers 2, confirming that he's recently been in talks to return for the comedy sequel alongside Vince Vaughn. In 2005, the first Wedding Crashers, which was directed by David Dobkin, was a big hit with filmgoers when it premiered. Some fans of the movie has called for a sequel to happen for years, but while Dobkin has teased one in the past, it just never seemed to get off the ground.

There have been new rumors of Wedding Crashers 2 inching closer to getting an official green light. This wasn't confirmed and it remains to be seen if the movie really will happen this time, but the report suggested that it's closer than ever before. To find out exactly what's going on with the project's current status, Collider directly spoke to Owen Wilson who had this to say in response.

"Yeah, there...

Stars: Ed Helms, Jake Johnson, Annabelle Wallis, Hannibal Buress, Isla Fisher, Rashida Jones, Leslie Bibb, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner | Written by Rob McKittrick, Mark Steilen | Directed by Jeff Tomsic

Based, unbelievably, on a true story Tag tells the story of five highly competitive friends who, for one month every year, hit the ground running in a no-holds-barred game of tag they’ve been playing since the first grade—risking their necks, their jobs and their relationships to take each other down with the battle cry: “You’re It!” This year, the game coincides with the wedding of their only undefeated player, which should finally make him an easy target. But he knows they’re coming and he’s ready…

Besides the obvious desire to see how Hollywood could possibly turn an already crazy Real story into a cinematic comedy, one of my main attractions for checking out Tag was that...

The ensemble comedy Tag hits Blu-ray and DVD on August 28 and arrives on digital platforms August 17.

Penned by Mark Steilen (Mozart in the Jungle) and Rob McKittrick (Waiting), Tag centers on several friends who have been playing an ultra competitive game of tag. The [...]

The post True Story Comedy ‘Tag’ Lands Blu-Ray Release In August appeared first on Hollywood Outbreak.

Stars: Ed Helms, Jake Johnson, Annabelle Wallis, Hannibal Buress, Isla Fisher, Rashida Jones, Leslie Bibb, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner | Written by Rob McKittrick, Mark Steilen | Directed by Jeff Tomsic

Based, unbelievably, on a true story Tag tells the story of five highly competitive friends who, for one month every year, hit the ground running in a no-holds-barred game of tag they’ve been playing since the first grade—risking their necks, their jobs and their relationships to take each other down with the battle cry: “You’re It!” This year, the game coincides with the wedding of their only undefeated player, which should finally make him an easy target. But he knows they’re coming and he’s ready…

Besides the obvious desire to see how Hollywood could possibly turn an already crazy Real story into a cinematic comedy, one of my main attractions for checking out Tag was that...

Chicago – When a real life group of friends keep a thirty year tradition alive, playing a game of “Tag,” there is bound to be a film that shares the same name. Jeff Tomsic makes his director debut with a killer cast… Ed Helms, Jon Hamm, Jake Johnson, Hannibal Buress and Jeremy Renner, all still playing that childhood game.

The rules are the game only takes place in the month of May every year, and there are other agreed upon guidelines like no “tag backs.” The kicker is that Jerry (Jeremy Renner) has never been “It.” Yes, in all the years the crew has been playing the game, he’s never been tagged. The other players see an opportunity during Jerry’s wedding weekend, if they can overcome his determination, his bride-to-be (Anabelle Wallis), and the various women in their lives, as portrayed by Isla Fisher, Rashida Jones and Nora Dunn.

Disney-Pixar’s “Incredibles 2” is flying to an estimated $182 million from 4,410 North American locations in its debut weekend.

Disney’s most recent estimate is more conservative, predicting an opening between $160 million and $170 million. Either way, “Incredibles 2” will become the animated film with the highest ever opening weekend, beating out 2016’s “Finding Dory,” which brought in $135 million.

“Incredibles 2” earned a record-breaking $18.5 million in Thursday previews alone, causing its debut box office predictions to skyrocket from an an earlier range of $125 million to $140 million. It grossed an estimated $71.5 million on Friday, and became the 47th film to earn an A+ CinemaScore. The film is currently rated at 94% certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Brad Bird film reunites original voice cast members Craig T. Nelson (Mr. Incredible), Holly Hunter (Elastigirl), Samuel L. Jackson (Frozone), and Sarah Vowell (Violet), with newcomer Huck Milner as Dash. Sophia Bush and Bob Odenkirk also star.

“The Incredibles 2” earned $18.5 million at the Thursday box office, surpassing “Finding Dory’s” animation preview record of $9.2 million.

“Minions” earned $6.2 million in Thursday previews, while “The Secret Life of Pets” grossed $5.3 million. The preview gross for “Incredibles 2” is higher than those for “Beauty and the Beast” ($16.3 million), “Spider-Man: Homecoming” ($15.4 million) and “Justice League” ($13 million).

The sequel to “The Incredibles” is looking at a weekend opening of $120 million to $145 million. The first “Incredibles” opened to $70 million in 2004, and “Incredibles 2” will still have a higher opening than its predecessor even after inflation adjustments are made.

Also Read: 'Incredibles 2' Film Review: Pixar's Superhero Family Is Back, Baby - and What a Baby

Taking place right after the end of the first film, “The Incredibles 2” sees the Parr family face a new family dynamic after Elastigirl is recruited for a campaign to help bring superheroes back. While she fights the bad guys,...

Welcome to an R-rated summer funfest ... with the substance and staying power of a helium balloon. It's a trip, at least until the laughing gas sputters and evaporates. Based on a true story (reported in a 2013 article in the Wall Street Journal), this comedy foillows a group of fortysomething manchildren who meet up one month out of every year to play the infantile game they’re been obsessing over since First Grade. It's a competition that revels unashamedly in the male need to compete as a way of expressing a...

Sony Pictures’ “Superfly” earned $1.2 million at the Wednesday previews, looking at a $10-$12 million opening weekend.

The remake of the famed ’70s blaxploitation drama “Superfly” holds a Rotten Tomatoes score of 67 percent. Its reported budget was $16 million.

“Superfly” stars Trevor Jackson as Youngblood Priest, a career criminal who wants out of the Atlanta drug business, only to get dragged into even deeper trouble after one bad deal. Jason Mitchell, Michael Kenneth Williams, Lex Scott Davis and Jennifer Morrison also star, with Director X helming the film. “Watchmen” co-writer Alex Tse penned the script, with Joel Silver producing with Atlanta rapper Future.

“Superfly” will face off against Pixar’s “The Incredibles 2” and Warner Bros./New Line Cinema’s “Tag” this weekend. “Incredibles 2” could potentially post the best opening weekend for an animated film in movie history. Pixar...

Lifelong friendships are always a tricky thing to condense into a tidy frame. Sometimes people are brought together by years of complex struggles or a harrowing series of shared challenges, encapsulating the very nature of the human condition. Other times, someone writes a story about an ongoing, 30-year game of tag.

Following the exploits of a group united by their annual, month-long challenges to catch each other unsuspecting in various places across the country, “Tag” faces the added challenge of finding the chemistry in a tight-knit friend group played by recognizable screen comedians. The result is much like the game it’s built around: fun for what it is, and equally disposable.

Ed Helms stars as “Hoagie” Malloy, a put-together family man who, along with wife Anna (Isla Fisher), reinvigorates the yearly challenge among his compatriots. Gathering bottomed-out stoner Chilli (Jake Johnson), high-flying CEO Bob Callahan (Jon Hamm), and insecure...

Superheroes are back to save the day — and the box office.

“Incredibles 2” will give the North American box office a nice boost this weekend as the Disney and Pixar animated superhero sequel is looking at a broad range between $125 million-$140 million when it bows at over 4,400 locations. A launch near the higher end of that estimate would earn the highly anticipated adventure the best opening weekend ever for an animated film.

That title currently belongs to another Pixar sequel, “Finding Dory.” The followup to 2003’s “Finding Nemo” launched in 2016 with $135 million and went on to pick up $486 million in North America and over $1 billion worldwide.

Like “Finding Dory,” enthusiasm has been strong for the sequel, which comes 14 years after its predecessor, “The Incredibles.” Early reception seems strong, as the film already boasts a 97% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. That’s on par with the acclaimed first film’s 97% average.

After its box office winning streak was snapped with “Solo: A Star Wars Story” flopping, Disney is turning to Pixar and “The Incredibles 2” to get back to its record-breaking ways.

And some box office trackers think that new records may indeed be set, as the sequel to Brad Bird’s superhero film could post the best opening weekend for an animated film in movie history. Pixar currently holds that record with “Finding Dory,” which made $135 million two years ago. Trackers are split on whether “Incredibles 2” will beat that, with some having it come just short at $125-130 million while others expect the new record to be set at $145 million.

Also Read: 'Incredibles 2' Is 'One of the Greatest Superhero Movies Ever Made' and 6 Other Fantastic Reviews

Disney is keeping its projections broad at $120-140 million as they release it on over 4,400 screens. But regardless of whether it tops “Finding Dory,...

Tag opens in theaters on June 15 and Wamg has your passes to the advance screening in St. Louis.

For one month every year, five highly competitive friends hit the ground running in a no-holds-barred game of tag they’ve been playing since the first grade—risking their necks, their jobs and their relationships to take each other down with the battle cry: “You’re It!”

This year, the game coincides with the wedding of their only undefeated player, which should finally make him an easy target. But he knows they’re coming…and he’s ready.

Based on a true story, the New Line Cinema comedy “Tag” shows how far some guys will go to be the last man standing.

“Tag” is directed by Jeff Tomsic (Comedy Central’s “Broad City”), with a starring ensemble cast led by Ed Helms, Jake Johnson (TV’s “New Girl”), Annabelle Wallis (“The Mummy...

Based on a true story (surprisingly), Tag – set for a June 15th release in the Us and July 6th here in the UK – shows how far some guys will go to be the last man standing….

For one month every year, five highly competitive friends hit the ground running in a no-holds-barred game of tag they’ve been playing since the first grade—risking their necks, their jobs and their relationships to take each other down with the battle cry: “You’re It!” This year, the game coincides with the wedding of their only undefeated player, which should finally make him an easy target. But he knows they’re coming and he’s ready.

Tag comes from was writers by Rob McKittrick (Waiting) and Mark Steilen (Mozart in the Jungle) and is directed by Jeff Tomsic . The film features an ensemble cast led by Ed Helms, Jake Johnson, Annabelle Wallis,...

Warner Bros. has released the first trailer for Tag, a new game-centric comedy from director Jeff Tomsic (Broad City). Based on a true story, the film follows that follows a group of friends, who have been playing an annual game of tag for 30 years. When the one that’s never been tagged (Jeremy Renner) threatens to retire from their elaborate game, the group’s shenanigans kick into overdrive in an attempt to stop him. I have to say that while this trailer has a bit of a tone problem, there is a bit of fun in seeing this real-life concept come to fruition. In case you were unaware, The concept for Tag is based on the Wall Street Journal article titled, “It Takes Planning, Caution to Avoid Being It,” by Russell Adams.

The screenplay for Tag was written by Rob McKittrick (Waiting) and Mark Steilen (Mozart in the Jungle), form...

For one month every year, five highly competitive friends hit the ground running in a no-holds-barred game of tag they’ve been playing since the first grade—risking their necks, their jobs and their relationships to take each other down with the battle cry: “You’re It!”

This year, the game coincides with the wedding of their only undefeated player, which should finally make him an easy target. But he knows they’re coming…and he’s ready.

Based on a true story, the New Line Cinema comedy Tag shows how far some guys will go to be the last man standing.

Tag is directed by Jeff Tomsic (Comedy Central’s “Broad City”), with a starring ensemble cast led by Ed Helms (The “Hangover” movies, “We’re the Millers”), Jake Johnson (TV’s “New Girl”), Annabelle Wallis (“The Mummy”), Rashida Jones (TV’s “Parks and Recreation”), Isla Fisher (“Now You See Me...

Based on a true story (surprisingly), Tag – set for a June 15th release – shows how far some guys will go to be the last man standing….

For one month every year, five highly competitive friends hit the ground running in a no-holds-barred game of tag they’ve been playing since the first grade—risking their necks, their jobs and their relationships to take each other down with the battle cry: “You’re It!” This year, the game coincides with the wedding of their only undefeated player, which should finally make him an easy target. But he knows they’re coming and he’s ready.

Tag comes from was writers by Rob McKittrick (Waiting) and Mark Steilen (Mozart in the Jungle) and is directed by Jeff Tomsic . The film features an ensemble cast led by Ed Helms, Jake Johnson, Annabelle Wallis, Rashida Jones, Isla Fisher, Leslie Bibb, Hannibal Buress, with Jon Hamm and Jeremy Renner.

Groups of friends and the crazy games they play seems to be a fun trend at the movies this year. We just had the stellar comedy Game Night starring Jason Bateman. Now, we get Tag, an ensemble that looks as crazy as it's premise. Even weirder, this one's based on a true story. Today, Warner Bros. released the first trailer. And it's bonkers.

One month every year, five highly competitive friends hit the ground running in a no-holds-barred game of Tag they've been playing since the first grade, risking their necks, their jobs and their relationships to take each other down with the battle cry "You're It!" This year, the game coincides with the wedding of their only undefeated player, which should finally make him an easy target. But he knows they're coming...and he's ready. Based on a true story, Tag shows how far some guys will go to be the last man standing.

Ed Helms, Jake Johnson, Hannibal Buress, Jon Hamm and Jeremy Renner began production on the film, Tag, as friends pursuing a lifelong game of tag. Production is currently shooting in Atlanta for the new comedy Tag, directed by Jeff Tomsic (Comedy Central’s “Broad City”) for New Line Cinema.

The film’s starring ensemble cast is led by Ed Helms (The “Hangover” movies, “We’re the Millers”), Jake Johnson (TV’s “New Girl”), and Hannibal Buress (“Neighbors”), with Jon Hamm (“Baby Driver,” TV’s “Mad Men”) and Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner (“The Hurt Locker, “The Town”).

For one month every year, five highly competitive friends hit the ground running in a no-holds-barred game of tag they’ve been playing since the first grade—risking their necks, their jobs and their relationships to take each other down with the battle cry “You’re It!” This year, the game coincides with the...

Following the global success of 2014’s “Godzilla” and this year’s “Kong: Skull Island,” comes the next chapter in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ cinematic MonsterVerse: an epic action adventure that pits Godzilla against some of the most popular monsters in pop culture history.

The film, which began principal photography on June 19, is being directed by Michael Dougherty (“Krampus”), and stars Oscar nominees Vera Farmiga (“Up in the Air,” “The Conjuring” films), and Ken Watanabe (“The Last Samurai”) and Sally Hawkins (“Blue Jasmine”), both reprising their “Godzilla” roles; Kyle Chandler (“The Wolf of Wall Street,” “Manchester by the Sea”); Millie Bobby Brown (“Stranger Things”) in her feature film debut; Bradley Whitford (“Get Out”); Thomas Middleditch (HBO’s “Silicon Valley”); Charles Dance (HBO’s “Game of Thrones”); O’Shea Jackson Jr. (“Straight Outta Compton”); Aisha Hinds (“Star Trek Into Darkness”); and Golden Globe nominee Zhang Ziyi (“Memoirs of a Geisha,” “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”).

The new story follows the heroic efforts of the crypto-zoological agency Monarch as its members face off against a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan, and his ultimate nemesis, the three-headed King Ghidorah. When these ancient super-species—thought to be mere myths—rise again, they all vie for supremacy, leaving humanity’s very existence hanging in the balance.

Dougherty directs from a script he wrote with Zach Shields. The film is being produced by Mary Parent, Alex Garcia, Brian Rogers and Thomas Tull, with Barry H. Waldman, Zach Shields, Yoshimitsu Banno and Kenji Okuhira serving as executive producers and Alexandra Mendes co-producing for Legendary.

Behind the scenes, Dougherty’s creative team includes director of photography Lawrence Sher, whose past credits include “War Dogs” and “Godzilla,” for which he handled additional photography; production designer Scott Chambliss (“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” “Star Trek Into Darkness”); editor Roger Barton (“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,” the “Transformers” films); costume designer Louise Migenbach (the “X-Men” and “Hangover” films); and Oscar-winning VFX supervisor Guillaume Rocheron (“Godzilla,” “Ghost in the Shell,” and part of the Oscar-winning team behind “Life of Pi ”).

Filming is taking place mainly in Atlanta, Georgia. A presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, the film is currently scheduled for release in March 2019, and will be distributed in 3D and 2D and in select IMAX theaters by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, except in Japan, where it will be distributed by Toho Co., Ltd.

Meanwhile, Tag! You’re It!

Production begins this week on location in Atlanta for the new comedy “Tag,” directed by Jeff Tomsic (Comedy Central’s “Broad City”) for New Line Cinema. The film’s starring ensemble cast is led by Ed Helms (The “Hangover” movies, “We’re the Millers”), Jake Johnson (TV’s “New Girl”), and Hannibal Buress (“Neighbors”), with Jon Hamm (“Baby Driver,” TV’s “Mad Men”) and Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner (“The Hurt Locker, “The Town”).

For one month every year, five highly competitive friends hit the ground running in a no-holds-barred game of tag they’ve been playing since the first grade—risking their necks, their jobs and their relationships to take each other down with the battle cry “You’re It!” This year, the game coincides with the wedding of their only undefeated player, which should finally make him an easy target. But he knows they’re coming…and he’s ready. Based on a true story, “Tag” shows how far some guys will go to be the last man standing.

The film also stars Annabelle Wallis (“The Mummy”), Rashida Jones (TV’s “Parks and Recreation”), Isla Fisher (“Now You See Me”) and Leslie Bibb (“Iron Man 2”).

Tomsic directs from a screenplay written by Mark Steilen (TV’s “Mozart in the Jungle”) and Rob McKittrick (“Waiting”), based on the Wall Street Journal article entitled “It Takes Planning, Caution to Avoid Being It.” The film is produced by Todd Garner, Mark Steilen and Sean Robins, with Hans Ritter serving as executive producer. The creative filmmaking team includes director of photography Larry Blanford, editor Josh Crockett, production designer David Sandefur, and costume designer Denise Wingate.

“Tag” is set for a June 29, 2018, release.

The post Warner Bros. Pictures’ Next Godzilla Film And Tag Movie Begin Production appeared first on We Are Movie Geeks.

Exclusive: Leslie Bibb has been set to round out the main ensemble cast for Tag, the New Line Cinema comedy that already stars Jeremy Renner, Ed Helms, Jon Hamm, Jake Johnson, Hannibal Buress, Annabelle Wallis, Rashida Jones and Isla Fisher. Production got underway on the pic this week. Jeff Tomsic is helming the script by Mark Steilen and Rob McKittrick, who adapted a Wall Street Journal story about a group of friends who have been playing a no-holds-barred version of…...

Isla Fisher has joined the all-star cast of the New Line comedy Tag.

The actress now joins Ed Helms, Jeremy Renner, Jake Johnson, Hannibal Buress, Jon Hamm, Annabelle Wallis and Rashida Jones for the film, which is set to begin shooting in Atlanta later this month.

Tag is based on a true story featured in The Wall Street Journal about a group of friends who have been playing a no-holds-barred version of the children’s game Tag for the last 30 years. Mark Steilen and Rob McKittrick penned the script.

Fisher will play Helms’ wife, who is the...

Jon Hamm has joined the all-star cast of the New Line comedy Tag.

Jeremy Renner, Ed Helms, Jake Johnson, Hannibal Buress, Annabelle Wallis and Rashida Jones are already on the call sheet for the film, which is set to begin shooting in Atlanta later this month.

Tag is based on a true story featured in The Wall Street Journal about a group of friends who have been playing a no-holds-barred version of the children’s game Tag for the last 30 years. Mark Steilen and Rob McKittrick penned the script.

Hamm will play an overachiever, both in high school and...

Exclusive: Annabelle Wallis is Tag‘s it girl. She’s been set to star in the New Line comedy alongside Jeremy Renner, Ed Helms, Jake Johnson and Hannibal Buress. The film is based on a true story featured in the Wall Street Journal about a group of friends who have been playing a no-holds-barred version of the children's game for the last 30 years. Jeff Tomsic is directing from a script by Mark Steilen and Rob McKittrick. Wallis, who’s next up in Universal’s The Mummy with…...

Exclusive: New Line has set Ed Helms and is negotiating with Tracy Morgan to star in Tag. The studio has set Jeff Tomsic to direct a comedy based on an actual group of friends who for 30 years played a bizarre cross country version of the venerable kids game Tag. The script was written by Mark Steilen and Rob McKittrick, and Todd Garner and Sean Robins are producing with Steilen. The idea for the film came from a Wall Street Journal feature in 2013 about the "Tag…...

A couple of years ago Mark Steilen (The Settlement) was attached to write the script for a New Line comedy project called Tag based on the Wall Street Journal article "It Takes Planning, Caution to Avoid Being 'It'", but now Variety has learned that Waiting scribe and director Rob McKittrick has been hired compose the screenplay. Both Will Ferrell and recent Grammy winner Jack Black are still planning on starring in Tag, and Todd Garner is producing the...

For as much as Jack Black and Will Ferrell have been seen in some of the same movies, they've never really shared anything other than a short moment in any of their films. Well that all looked like it was about to change in 2013 when Tag Brothers was first announced over at New Line. Two years later, it looks like the stars are finally aligning for the two comedy titans to face off with two other adversaries in the still active project, as a scribe has been hired! So who's ready for a game of Tag at the film's writer's desk? None other than Waiting's Rob McKittrick! Variety broke the news that the man who started his career ripping on the service industry has turned his focus on this comedy concept that sprang forth from a Wall Street Journal article. The piece detailed a group ...

Joe Swanberg is continuing his ascension from making movies with friends, to making movies with celebrities, and now making movies with a major studio. The filmmaker has signed up to helm "Work Wife" for New Line. Rob McKittrick (“Waiting…”) wrote the latest draft of the script that "follows a pair of thirty-something lawyers who attempt to find out if they really can date a co-worker." No word yet on when it will shoot. [The Wrap] Lee Toland Krieger is another movie maker shifting gears. He's done drama ("The Vicious Kind"), romantic comedy ("Celeste And Jesse Forever"), romantic fantasy (the forthcoming "Age Of Adaline"), and now he's going into action-thriller mode with "Vanish Man." It will follow "a man who helps people escape their troubled lives by staging elaborate deaths and creating new identities. He finds himself enlisted by the FBI to track down the one client that was not supposed to disappear.

Exclusive: In separate deals, 30 Rock star Alec Baldwin is reuniting with his To Rome With Love helmer Woody Allen, and his Rock Of Ages co-star Russell Brand. I’m told that Baldwin will be part of the cast of Allen’s next ensemble comedy, which he’ll shoot in San Francisco. Cate Blanchett and Bradley Cooper have also been rumored as participants. Baldwin and Brand are reuniting to star in Man That Rocks The Cradle, a New Line comedy about an overworked husband and father who thinks he has found the solution to all his problems by importing a super-nanny he is told is a true kid whisperer. Turns out the live-in maid is a man. The film will be produced by Arnold and Anne Kopelson. Man That Rocks The Cradle originated as a spec script by Josh Cagan and based on a story by Cagan and Rob McKittrick. New...

The one thing 2005’s Waiting… did right was figuring out that people will watch a movie if you put Ryan Reynolds’s face on it. They caught him just before his career took off and studios considered him viable as a leading man for film. What Waiting… did wrong was everything else. It wanted to be for waiters what Clerks was for convenient store employees and what Super Troopers was for highway patrol officers. It wasn’t. It isn’t. The jokes didn’t take and the director never got the knack of comedic timing. At first it seems there’s a chance for its direct-to-dvd sequel as Jeff Balis took over as the director, though Rob McKittrick is still responsible for the writing. Consequently, Still Waiting… delivers a few meager laughs, but it’s still a flop in the comedy genre.

The sequel goes back to Shenaniganz where the...

According to THR’s Live Feed, Comedy Central has ordered a pilot about the service industry based on the 2005 indie film Waiting, which starred Ryan Reynolds.

The film followed the employees at Shenaniganz chain restaurant as they gossip, make fun of customers, and avert boredom and adulthood with their antics. The 2005 original was followed by a much less successful direct to DVD sequel Still Waiting in 2009 which was a redundant rehash of the original – something I fear may occur with the proposed TV series.

Rob McKittrick – the writer/director of the original movie and writer of the ‘09 sequel, is returning once again for the television iteration of Waiting as executive producer / director / writer. No news if, or when, the pilot will air. If you haven’t seen the original I strongly urge you do; in the meantime here’s the trailer:...

So, for the thirty-seven of you who might actually care, the 2005 Ryan Reynolds comedy "Waiting...." is being turned into half-hour television show by Comedy Central. In case you don't remember, the original Rob McKittrick film was a sort of minor comedy hit that starred Reynolds, Anna Faris, Justin Long, John Francis Daley, David Koechner, Dane Cook and Andy Milonakis. The film found more of a following when it hit DVD and even spawned a straight-to-dvd sequel cleverly titled "Still Waiting" whose only connective tissue to the original film was Milonakis cashing a paycheck and reprising his role. Needless to…...

Comedy Central has handed out a pilot order to Waiting…, a half-hour project based on the 2005 indie comedy of the same name which starred Ryan Reynolds, Anna Faris and Justin Long. Written by the film’s writer-director Rob McKittrick, the project follows the young and not so young employees at Shenaniganz restaurant as they gossip, make fun of customers, and avert boredom and adulthood with their antics. Each of the employees projects their own issues into the restaurant as they grapple with sex, booze, and whether they are temporary or permanent fixtures in the restaurant world. McKittrick is executive producing with Thomas Augsberger and Jeff Balis. Waiting... was featured on Comedy Central's 2010-11 Development slate announced in May.

Craig here with Take Three.

Today: Anna Faris

Take One: Even cowgirls get the blues

I’m always up for a spot of Brokeback love. I know there's been plenty of attention around these parts in the past but let’s divert the love that-a-way. Let’s ride sidesaddle and gallop slightly away from Jake ‘n’ Heath. And Michelle 'n' Anne. And Ang. Hey, look, it’s Anna Faris as Lashawn Malone in Brokeback Mountain (2005).

I’d just seen Faris in Just Friends when barely a week later (January 2006) Brokeback was released here in the UK. The complete contrast between Faris in the two films caught me off guard. She pops up ninety-minutes in during a couples’ C&W night-out scene with Jake Gyllenhaal & Anne Hathaway. She “talks a blue streak” without much pause for breath – and in doing so fills the gap where a homoerotic attraction is becoming increasingly...

I truly set out to make a definitive, objective list of the biggest cult films from the last five years today. However, pinning down a usable definition of "cult film" with a truly workable set of criteria was not just challenging, but nearly impossible. The one constant in definitions for cult films, however, was that they are movies that failed commercially, not just at the box office, but often in DVD sales, yet eventually found a successful second life after their initial release.

The best I could do was to spend way more hours than I expected to researching DVD sales, rental charts, and Netflix rankings from the last five years and combine those with my own anecdotal observations as a movie critic. There's no way to implement an algorithm to determine the standings (and actual figures are often very hard to come by), but in piecing together the evidence...

Comedy Central has unveiled its entire development slate and, as to be expected, there are plenty of funny concepts in the bunch. The standouts include Highdeas, which explores such stoner-friendly hypotheticals as “white chocolate milk” and “hamster-sized rhinos”, Jc, the animated New York City adventures of one Jesus Christ, and The Fuzz, a police procedural in a corrupt city where humans and puppets co-exist.

Also in development are potential series from the likes of Jon Benjamin (Archer), Broken Lizard (Super Troopers), and Bob Odenkirk (Mr. Show), plus a Wating… adaptation from Rob McKittrick, the writer/director of the feature film that starred Ryan Reynolds. Note that this in addition to already announced projects from Will Ferrell, Nick Swardson, and The Onion. For a complete rundown, hit the jump.

Series In Production

“Futurama” – premieres Thursday, June 24

The Emmy® Award-winning “Futurama” is back! Everybody’s favorite zany group from the future has returned with 12 brand-new episodes,...

Before I start, I should probably tell you that I have a little bit of a crush on Jay Baruchel. Maybe it's his pride in his Canadian heritage, or maybe it's because he's just a funny guy -- either way, I'll cut him a little slack no matter how goofy his idea might sound on paper (please don't judge me, I'm totally weak sauce). The Hollywood Reporter announced that Baruchel has gotten the green light from Universal to bring his own creation, Johnnie Klutz, to the big screen.

His concept is a lovable loser that feels no pain, and is a chance for the actor to show off his skills when it comes to physical comedy. (See what I mean about the idea not sounding so hot on paper?) Baruchel first made the deal with Lawrence Grey at Universal (who has since left the building), but the project really kicked...

 Jay Baruchel is set to star in "Klutz," playing Johnny Klutz, the character he created. Rob McKittrick, writer of "Waiting" and the recent funny sequel "Still Waiting...," writes the film which Red Hour will be producing.   The story tells of a lovable loser who is apparently impervious to pain. Ben Stiller, Stuart Cornfield and Jeremy Kramer will produce via Red Hour. Thruline's Marc Hamou and Willie Mercer executive produce.   Canadian Baruchel's career is flying at the moment after his big break with 2004's "Million Dollar Baby," where he showcased his drama talents, he moved on with roles in comedies like "Knocked Up," "Fanboys," "Tropic Thunder" and "Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist."   He's finished filming "How to Train Your Dragon" directed by Peter Hastings and is filming "The Sorceror's Apprentice" with Nicolas Cage, Alfred Molina, Peyton List and Teresa Palmer.  ...

Jay Baruchel is finally bringing his passion project -- based on his character Johnny Klutz --to the big screen, says The Hollywood Reporter . Rob McKittrick has come aboard to write Johnny Klutz , a comedy Universal picked up with Baruchel attached to star and Red Hour producing. Working from his love of physical comedy, Baruchel created the character of Klutz, a lovable loser who is impervious to pain. McKittrick came up with a story based on the Klutz character, which put the project in gear. Ben Stiller, Stuart Cornfeld and Jeremy Kramer are producing for Red Hour. Thruline's Marc Hamou and Willie Mercer, who represent Baruchel, will serve as executive producers.

We've gotten used to seeing Jay Baruchel as the skinny, goofy sidekick in movies like Knocked Up and Tropic Thunder, but apparently there was a big comedic brain growing under that silly haircut. For the past few years Baruchel has been developing an original character, Johnny Klutz, and now he's finally found a feature vehicle to debut him to the world. Universal has picked up the project, with Rob McKittrick writing for Baruchel to play Klutz, "a lovable loser who is impervious to pain." THR says Baruchel and Red Hour production company have been working on the character for months now, and eventually picked up McKittrick for the team. McKittrick's previous project was Waiting, with Ryan Reynolds and Anna Faris. I think we all figured it was only a matter of time before Baruchel got his own star vehicle, but I had kind of assumed it would come through the...

Jay Baruchel is set to star in "Klutz," playing Johnny Klutz, the character he created. Rob McKittrick, writer of "Waiting" and the recent funny sequel "Still Waiting...," writes the film which Red Hour will be producing. The story tells of a lovable loser who is apparently impervious to pain. Ben Stiller, Stuart Cornfield and Jeremy Kramer will produce via Red Hour. Thruline's Marc Hamou and Willie Mercer executive produce. Canadian Baruchel's career is flying at the moment after his big break with 2004's "Million Dollar Baby"...

Jay Baruchel is set to star in "Klutz," playing Johnny Klutz, the character he created. Rob McKittrick, writer of "Waiting" and the recent funny sequel "Still Waiting...," writes the film which Red Hour will be producing. The story tells of a lovable loser who is apparently impervious to pain. Ben Stiller, Stuart Cornfield and Jeremy Kramer will produce via Red Hour. Thruline's Marc Hamou and Willie Mercer executive produce. Canadian Baruchel's career is flying at the moment after his big break with 2004's "Million Dollar Baby"...

Here's your dose of film news for March 12, 2009:

• Former WWE star "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Charisma Carpenter have joined Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke, Jet Li, Randy Couture in Stallone's upcoming action flick "The Expendables." The movie follows a group of mercenaries who infiltrate a South American country to overthrow its dictator. (Variety)

• Mena Suvari, Tia Carrere and Ken Davitian have joined the cast of Rob Hedden's upcoming romantic comedy "You May Not Kiss the Bride," formerly known as "Wedlocked." Dave Annable, Vinnie Jones and Katharine McPhee also star in the film. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Rob McKittrick is set to write "Johnny Klutz," a film based on the character created by Jay Baruchel, who is also attached to star in the project. The Hollywood Reporter describes Klutz as "lovable loser who is impervious to pain." McKittrick also wrote and directed "Waiting..."

• Alexandre Aja has signed on...

Jay Baruchel (Tropic Thunder, Knocked Up), Universal and Ben Stiller’s Red Hour Films are teaming for Johnny Klutz, a comedy that, according to the trades, has been a passion project for the rising star. Rob McKittrick, writer and director of the Ryan Reynolds and Anna Faris comedy Waiting, has signed on to write the screenplay. Working from his love of physical comedy, Baruchel created the character of Klutz, a lovable loser who is impervious to pain. He paired with Red Hour in the fall, pitching the concept to Universal executives. Baruchel and Red Hour kept honing the character, trying to crack his story, eventually meeting with McKittrick who came up with a story based on the Klutz character, which put the project in gear. Baruchel is currently filming the Disney-Bruckheimer flick The Sorcerer's Apprentice, which stars Nicolas Cage, Teresa Palmer and Alfred Molina. Jon Turteltaub (National Treasure) is directing for a 2010 release.

Ok, hands up – who thought, going into Tropic Thunder, that the breakout comedy star would be the great Bill Hader? Ok, who thought it would be the wonderful Danny McBride? How about Brandon T. Jackson, who played Alpa Chino?Well, you were all wrong. Turns out the breakout star of Tropic Thunder (let’s assume for a second that the three stars – Stiller, Black and Downey Jr. had already broken out, shall we?) was the guy everybody overlooked going in – Jay Baruchel, who played Kevin Sandusky, the most normal member of the acting platoon.For, since then, Baruchel has been in much demand. He’s about to start work soon on the big-budget Disney adventure, The Sorceror’s Apprentice, opposite Nic Cage, and today it was announced that he’ll be starring in his own comedy vehicle, Johnny Klutz.Rob McKittrick, director of the Ryan Reynolds/Justin Long comedy, …Waiting,...

Tropic Thunder’s Jay Baruchel is bringing a passion project to the big screen in the shape of Johnny Klutz. The character – which he’s been working on for a while – is a loveable loser with zero ability to feel pain (think Robert Carlyle in The World Is Not Enough but more accident prone and less bent on terrorism). He’d been trying to find an idea that would work as a story, and now Rob McKittrick – who wrote an d directed Waiting… has cracked it, and signed on to write the film for... .

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Jay Baruchel is finally bringing his passion project -- based on his character Johnny Klutz --to the big screen.

Rob McKittrick has come aboard to write "Johnny Klutz," a comedy Universal picked up with Baruchel attached to star and Red Hour producing.

Working from his love of physical comedy, Baruchel created the character of Klutz, a lovable loser who is impervious to pain. He paired with Red Hour in the fall, pitching the concept to Universal execs Lawrence Grey and Eric Baiers. Grey has since departed the studio, a victim of company's December layoffs. Red Hour, which was based at DreamWorks, has since signed a first-look deal at Fox.

Baruchel and Red Hour kept honing the character, trying to crack his story, eventually meeting with McKittrick, the writer-director behind the ensemble comedy "Waiting ...," starring Ryan Reynolds and Anna Faris. McKittrick came up with a story based on the Klutz character,...