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After collaborating with Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Films and Scott Sanders Productions on Warner Bros’ The Color Purple, in which she portrayed the character of Squeak, actress and musician H.E.R. is getting back into the business with the companies on a Majorettes-inspired project for 20th Century Studios that she’ll develop, produce and topline.

An untitled dance movie set at a fictional Historically Black College in Atlanta, pic’s story follows an introverted ballet dancer from L.A. who defies her parents by putting her thriving dance career on hold to go to college. There, she joins her Hbcu’s struggling majorette team and attempts to overcome culture shock, her stuffy dance background and fierce rivals to help return the team to its former glory.

Beyond providing cultural connection and entertainment, the Majorettes have maintained a major presence on Hbcu campuses for over 50 years. The majorette dance style, which combines elements of jazz,...

Dangerous Waters is a fast-paced thriller about a young woman and her mother who must fight for survival against vicious pirates after their boat is attacked. The film features a star-studded cast including Odeya Rush, Eric Dane, Saffron Burrows, and Ray Liotta in one of his final roles. Odeya Rush, in an exclusive interview, discusses her experience working on the film, including her collaboration with Eric Dane, learning from Ray Liotta, and her newfound enjoyment of action scenes.

A young woman's getaway with her mom and her boyfriend becomes a harrowing fight for survival in Dangerous Waters. The action-thriller centers on Rose as she and her single mom Alma are invited by the latter's new beau Derek for a weekend trip on his boat in the ocean, only for vicious pirates to arrive and kill her mom and wound Derek, setting the boat ablaze and leaving he and Rose for dead,...

Exclusive: Peter Hedges, like so many filmmakers looking not to lose their creative mojo during the pandemic, managed at the height of the Covid lockdown to take advantage of many talented actors trying to survive in the same circumstance, and in the best show business tradition managed to create a new film, The Same Storm, that turned out to be so much more than he could have imagined.

Enlisting the talents of the likes of Elaine May, Mary-Louise Parker, Noma Dumezweni, Judith Light, Sandra Oh, Moses Ingram, Danny Burstein, Ron Livingston, Rosemarie DeWitt, Raza Jeffrey, Daphne Rubin-Vega and many more, he and his team developed a sophisticated shooting system, sent the equipment to each star with some production design and camera setup advice, and created a feature-length movie comprised of a series of vignettes that hand off to one another with seamless editing magic.

Remember the classic Weird-Ohs monster hot rod model kits from the ’60s? Well, they are coming back thanks to Ahmet Zappa. His company Monsterfoot Productions have acquired the rights to develop and create new shows and media based on Weird-Ohs.

Weird-Ohs is the brainchild of William “Bill” Campbell, who in the early ‘60s set out to design a wild cast of monsters in hot rods along the lines of Ed “Big Daddy” Roth’s designs. The Hawk Model Company released the first line of Weird-Ohs based on Campbell’s designs in 1963 spawning a hit model toy line with licenses extending from board games, masks, trading cards, records, puzzles, lunch boxes and action figures to a short-lived animated series which aired on Fox Family in 2000.

Toronto-based toy and entertainment licensing agency Mlgpc brokered the deal between Zappa and current owner of Weird-Ohs, J. Lloyd International.

“This is a dream come true for me,...

Exclusive: Devon Schiff is returning to the agency world, joining Verve as a television agent. She will start at the Los Angeles-based firm in January.

Verve is one of handful of lit agencies allowed to represent writers after signing a franchise agreement with the WGA in May.

Schiff comes to Verve from Monsterfoot Productions, where she had served as producing partner to Ahmet Zappa. During her tenure, the company had a deals with Disney, ABC and CBS and produced such films as the Peter Hedges-directed The Odd Life Of Timothy Green.

Schiff began her career at Wma followed by stints at 3 Arts and Endeavor. She then spent several years as an executive at Intermedia, where she worked on films including Adaptation and Terminator 3. She then segued to production, working as an executive at Panther Films, which had a first-look deal at Disney, producing films such as Dan In Real Life.

Oscar winner Julia Roberts and nominee Lucas Hedges are back in the awards season race with new film Ben is Back, from director Peter Hedges.

In the drama, Hedges plays Ben, a 19-year-old drug addict in rehabilitation, while Roberts plays Holly, his loving but wary mother. Roberts’ character Holly soon learns that her charming yet troubled son is still very much in harm’s way at the outset of the film, which takes place in one day.

In this scene, exclusive to People, Holly makes a deal with her son that he can come home for one day, Christmas Eve,...

"If I don't deal with this, then it could be worse next time." Roadside Attractions has debuted the full-length official trailer for Ben is Back, another addiction film this year and the latest by filmmaker Peter Hedges. Ben is Back stars Peter's real-life son Lucas Hedges as Ben Burns, a troubled boy who returns home to his family on Christmas Eve morning. Over a turbulent 24 hours, new truths are revealed, and a mother's undying love for her son is tested as she does everything in her power to keep him safe. Hedges' Ben is Back also stars Julia Roberts & Courtney B. Vance as Ben's parents, along with Kathryn Newton and Tim Guinee. This is a very moving, emotional trailer and it makes this film look tremendous. Give this a look. Here's the new full-length trailer for Peter Hedges' ...

Roadside Attractions has debuted the official trailer for “Ben Is Back,” the upcoming family drama from “Dan in Real Life” and “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” director Peter Hedges. The movie stars the director’s son, “Manchester by the Sea” and “Lady Bird” favorite Lucas Hedges, opposite Julia Roberts, Courtney B. Vance, and Kathryn Newton.

“Ben Is Back” centers around the title character (Hedges), a 19-year-old who unexpectedly returns home to his family’s suburban home on Christmas Eve morning. Ben’s mother, Holly (Roberts), tries to keep the family at peace as her son’s troubled bast rises back to the surface, including his history of substance abuse.

While reviews out of the Toronto International Film Festival were mixed, most critics lauded the performances by Hedges and Roberts, the latter of whom earned some best supporting actress buzz. IndieWire’s David Ehrlich wrote in his review that Hedges...

A more nuanced and sobering addiction drama than some viewers might expect from the man responsible for gentle schmaltz like “Dan in Real Life” and “The Odd Life of Timothy Green,” Peter Hedges’ “Ben Is Back” is the kind of white, middlebrow, ruthlessly effective look at the opioid epidemic that might inspire Hollywood to better engage with a crisis that’s become inescapable for the rest of the country. But the film is more than a wake-up call writ large. Beneath its overworked plot — and a Julia Roberts performance that toes the line between maternal desperation and movie-screen broadness — this is a tender and knowing story about the salvation that an addict can find within their family, and the toll that addiction can take on it.

Addicts constantly lie, but this film does not: Ben is indeed back. He’s back in snowy Westchester, after a 77-day stint in rehab.

For awhile there, it seemed as though Julia Roberts had fallen off the face of the earth. We haven't seen the actress do much in quite a while. Now, she returns in a heartfelt drama that is sure to bring some tears this winter. Today, we have the first teaser trailer for Ben Is Back, and it brings a mother and son reunion between Julia Roberts and Lucas Hedges.

Ben is Back will have its World Premiere as a special presentation at the 2018 Toronto Film Festival. Ld Entertainment, Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions will then release Ben is Back in theaters December 7, 2018. The movie is written and directed by Peter Hedges, and also features Courtesy B. Vance and Kathryn Newton.

In Ben is Back, 19 year-old Ben Burns (Lucas Hedges) unexpectedly returns home to his family's suburban home on Christmas Eve morning. Ben's mother, Holly (Julia Roberts), is relieved and welcoming but...

"Look - we're home!" Roadside Attractions has unveiled the first short teaser trailer for Ben is Back, the latest film written and directed by filmmaker Peter Hedges. Ben is Back stars Peter's real-life son Lucas Hedges as Ben Burns, a troubled boy who returns home to his family on Christmas Eve morning. Over a turbulent 24 hours, new truths are revealed, and a mother's undying love for her son is tested as she does everything in her power to keep him safe. Hedges' Ben is Back also stars Julia Roberts & Courtney B. Vance as Ben's parents, along with Kathryn Newton and Tim Guinee. This just a simple teaser but it's captivating in introducing us to the main characters. Take a look. Here's the first official teaser trailer for Peter Hedges' Ben is Back, direct ...

After appearing in best picture nominees “Lady Bird” and “Three Billboards” last year, Lucas Hedges is set to have yet another extremely busy awards season this fall. The 21-year-old “Manchester by the Sea” Oscar nominee is appearing in “Boy Erased” and Jonah Hill’s directorial debut “Mid90s,” plus the family drama “Ben Is Back.”

“Back Is Back” stars Hedges as the eponymous 19-year-old who unexpectedly returns home to his family’s suburban home on Christmas Eve morning. Julia Roberts plays Ben’s mother Holly, who worries her son will have trouble staying clean while visiting his hometown. The film takes place over 24 hours as Holly’s love for Ben is put to the test.

“Ben Is Back” is written and directed by Peter Hedges, who happens to be Lucas Hedges’ father. Peter’s directorial credits also include “Dan in Real Life” and “The Odd Life of Timothy Green.” His...

We have seen quite a few sides to actress Jennifer Garner. We’ve seen her kick butt in “Alias” and the upcoming “Peppermint.” We’ve seen her tackle serious work in “Dallas Buyers Club” and “Men, Women & Children.” She’s no stranger to feel-good family films like “The Odd Life of Timothy Green.” Hell, we’ve seen Garner put on the tights in superhero films also, albeit they weren’t any good.

Continue reading ‘Camping’ Trailer: Jennifer Garner Tackles The Great Outdoors In New HBO Series From The Creators Of ‘Girls’ at The Playlist.

Jennifer Garner will make her return to live-action television with a leading role in HBO’s forthcoming comedy Camping, TVLine has learned.

Garner’s last regular TV gig was Alias, J.J. Abrams’ grad-student-turned-spy drama, in which she starred for five seasons. Since Alias ended in 2006, Garner has focused on her film career, taking roles in movies like Dallas Buyers Club, Butter, The Odd Life of Timothy Green and Miracles From Heaven. She also voices Mama Llama in Netflix’s animated Llama Llama.

In Camping, Garner will play Kathryn Siddell-Bauers, described as “a controlling L.A. mom who is far less cheerful than her Lululemons imply.

Disney's live-action Pinocchio movie is searching for a new director tonight, after filmmaker Sam Mendes backs out. Director Sam Mendes entered talks for Pinocchio back in May, but nearly six months later, the filmmaker has exited the project, although no reason for his departure is given. There is no indication if the studio has any top contenders in mind to replace Sam Mendes, but this new report claims Disney shouldn't have too hard a time finding a replacement, given the success of similar live-action adaptations in recent years.

Disney has been able to lure top-notch directorial talent into its stable with their growing slate of live-action adaptations, including Jon Favreau taking the helm on last year's hit The Jungle Book, and Bill Condon directing this year's Beauty and the Beast, currently the highest-grossing movie of the year. Director Tim Burton is currently shooting Dumbo for the studio and Guy Ritchie...

Greenlit means a project is officially a go, so all you have to do is follow these leads to stay up to date. You never know where you’ll find an opportunity to land an audition! “Ben is Back”Julia Roberts and “Manchester by the Sea” breakout star Lucas Hedges will star together in a drama directed and written by Hedges’ father Peter Hedges. Peter Hedges’ recent work includes “Dan in Real Life,” and “The Odd Life of Timothy Green,” and other past works include, “Pieces of April,” “About a Boy,” and “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.” The story follows Lucas Hedges as a troubled son who returns to his family for Christmas when his mother learns he is in harm’s way and must aid in the family’s survival. No other talent is attached, and no casting director has been announced, but Hedges has consistently worked with Telsey + Co on past films.

Principal photography started on location in Vancouver on Richard Says Goodbye starring three-time Academy Award® nominee Johnny Depp, it was announced today by Im Global Founder and CEO Stuart Ford.

Golden Globe® nominee Danny Huston (Wonder Woman, X-Men Origins: Wolverine), Rosemarie DeWitt (La La Land, Rachel’s Getting Married), Zoey Deutch (Everybody Wants Some!!, upcoming The Disaster Artist), Devon Terrell (Barry), and Odessa Young (Looking for Grace, The Daughter) have joined the cast of the comedy drama, which is written and directed by Wayne Roberts (Katie Says Goodbye).

Im Global and Cirrina Studios are co-financing the film with additional financing from Leeding Media.

Brian Kavanaugh-Jones (Sinister, Midnight Special) of Automatik Entertainment and Im Global’s President of Production Greg Shapiro (The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty) are producing the film. Ford and Miguel Palos of Im Global, Karine Martin, David Lipman and Jim Pesoli of Cirrina Studios, David U. Lee...

Chicago – Bringing the musical movie genre back requires a bit of nostalgia, a nod to modernity and always old fashioned star power. Writer/director Damien Chazelle (“Whiplash”) combined all three to produce “La La Land,” with Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling as star-crossed lovers. Rosemarie DeWitt also has a featured role.

Set in the mythical land of Los Angeles, the story features actress Mia (Emma Stone) and jazz pianist Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) as artists who are trying to reach their own peaks in their respective professions. The tale feeds off the time-honored musical tradition of lovers trying to connect, often through song and dance, and the film embraces its soaring music and touchingly romantic choreography.

Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling in ‘La La Land’

Photo credit: Lionsgate

Damien Chazelle exploded onto the film scene in 2014 with his feature debut “Whiplash,” the intense and searing drama about a jazz drummer. From Rhode Island,...

It seems very strange to me that it took until 2016 for me to meet David Lowery face to face. Not because I expect I should meet every single working filmmaker. That’s just silly. I’ve met a staggering number of writers, directors, actors, and people working at every other level in film and television over the years, but there are are plenty of people I’ve never run into, and I’m fine with that. With David, though, I have a history. You see, he used to be a spy for me. More accurately, he was a regular reviewer at Ain’t It Cool under the name “ghostboy,” and his beat was the festival circuit. I edited dozens and dozens of his pieces over the years, and I came to rely on him as a guy with a very strong sense of what he does or doesn’t like,...

Even before it has officially been released Suicide Squad is already breaking records as it will premiere in over 4,250 theaters nationwide making it the widest August release of all-time. Next is the August opening weekend record, which is currently held by Guardians of the Galaxy with $94.3 million, a number that will surely be blown away come Sunday evening, as Suicide Squad looks to become the third superhero film to break an opening weekend record in 2016. Earlier this year it was Deadpool taking the February opening weekend record with a massive $132.4 million debut. A month later, Warner Bros' DC Comics adaptation Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice broke the March record with a $166 million opening despite largely negative reviews and a mixed audience response. Suicide Squad is Warner's latest attempt to breathe life into their DC Comics Universe, this time relying on a Dirty Dozen-esque team of antiheroes. Director David Ayer...

Disney's Mary Poppins sequel is moving forward in the right direction, with Emily Blunt entering talks to play the magical nanny last week. Today, Variety has word that Lin-Manuel Miranda, the star and creator of the hit Broadway sensation Hamilton, has engaged in talks with the studio to play Jack. This character is said to be a lamplighter, who resembles Dick Van Dyke's character Bert from the original Mary Poppins.

This new Mary Poppins project will be set in the 1930s, 20 years after the events of the original movie, in Depression-Era London. The plot follows the adult Michael Banks, who now has children of his own. When his big sister Jane returns to town, after falling on hard times, their beloved Mary Poppins comes back to help. The story will be pulled from author P.L. Travers' eight literary sequels, including the first follow-up Mary Poppins Comes Back, but...

Israeli actress Odeya Rush, who starred in both “Goosebumps” and “The Giver,” has signed with management company Mgmt Entertainment, TheWrap has learned. She joins an impressive crop of talent at Mgmt, which also represents Melissa McCarthy, Michael B. Jordan, Keira Knightley, Ethan Hawke and Aubrey Plaza, among many others. Rush landed on Hollywood’s radar after she secured a role in Disney’s family film “The Odd Life of Timothy Green,” which led to a supporting turn in Jim Mickle‘s cannibal movie “We Are What We Are.” Also Read: 'Goosebumps' Author R.L. Stine on Movie Cameo, Stephen King...

Hitting theaters today is 20th Century Fox and MGM’s big screen remake of Tobe Hooper’s 1982 Poltergeist. But is it a remake after all? That’s one of the questions we’re asking director Gil Kenan and stars Sam Rockwell (The Way, Way Back, Iron Man 2) and Rosemarie DeWitt (The Odd Life of Timothy Green, Kill the Messenger)…

The post Shock Video: Gil Kenan, Sam Rockwell and Rosemarie DeWitt Talk Poltergeist appeared first on Shock Till You Drop.

No strings attached: Disney's set to make a live-action version of its 1940 animated classic, Pinocchio...

Disney's grand tour through its own animated history continues with news that it's to make a live-action version of the much-loved 1940 film, Pinocchio.

It's to be written by Peter Hedges, who wrote What's Eating Gilbert Grape - both the book (1991) and the film (1993) - and, most recently, The Odd Life Of Timothy Green for Disney.

Pinocchio is far from the only live-action adaptation of a classic Disney film, of course. We've previously heard that Tim Burton's directing an adaptation of Dumbo with a CG elephant flapping about in a live-action environment.

There's a live-action version of Mulan in the offing, as well as The Jungle Book, Pete's Dragon, Beauty And The Beast, Cruella de Vil, and even Winnie The Pooh.

Neither is Disney's Pinocchio the only version of the classic Italian story on the horizon.

Another day, another report of Disney turning one of their animated classics into a live-action feature film. This time Deadline is reporting that Pinocchio is up for a live-action revamp with Peter Hedges (What's Eating Gilbert Grape?) basing the story loosely on the original story about a wooden puppet who wishes to become a real boy. And of course, there's that whole thing about his nose growing when he tells a lie. We're not sure about how this new version of the story will change things up from the classic, but the core of the story has always been about the relationship between Geppetto and Pinocchio as a father and son. Read on! Hedges has plenty of experience with family relationship drama since he's written What's Eating Gilbert Grape? and About a Boy, not to mention directing Dan in Real Life and The Odd Life of Timothy Green, both of which he also wrote.

Disney has once more donned its Indiana Jones fedora and raided the archives for yet another film the studio once brought to life via animation to turn into a live-action adventure. Today’s discovery pulled into the light? Pinocchio.The Mouse House has The Odd Life Of Timothy Green writer/director Peter Hedges aboard to craft a script that will once more follow the wooden boy as he wishes to become a real child, sees that come true and then has adventures. All the while being unable to tell a lie lest his nose grow.It’s very early days for the new film, which like the 1940 original will be drawn from Carlo Collodi’s 1883 novel The Adventures Of Pinocchio. It joins fellow Disney conversion jobs already in the works including Dumbo, The Jungle Book, Beauty And The Beast, Winnie The Pooh and Mulan.This one, though, faces competition from Guillermo del Toro,...

Disney is developing a project loosely based on their 1940 animated classic Pinocchio, bringing on screenwriter Peter Hedges (The Odd Life of Timothy Green) to write the screenplay. This is the third live action adaptation of an animated movie that Disney has put into development over the past week, following Mulan and Winnie the Pooh. The studio has also announced new live action versions of Dumbo and Beauty and the Beast over the past few months.

The story of Pinocchio originated with author Carlo Collodi's 1883 novel The Adventures of Pinocchio, following a boy made out of wood who ultimately gets his wish to become a real human, but each time he tells a lie, his nose grows longer and longer. Peter Hedges' take on Pinocchio is said to be inspired by the original story, but no specific plot details were given. Director Guillermo del Toro is currently developing his own version of Pinocchio,...

Disney has announced that the latest live-action film version of an animated classic that they have put into development is a new adaptation of their 1940 film "Pinocchio," which itself was based on Carlo Collodi’s 1883 children's book.

Peter Hedges ("What's Eating Gilbert Grape," "About a Boy") is on board to write the story which will be loosely based on the earlier movie. No word if he will direct as he has helmed several films including "Dan in Real Life" and "The Odd Life of Timothy Green".

No other attachments have been announced at this time. The announcement follows in the wake of news about live-action takes on "Mulan," "Dumbo," and "Winnie the Pooh" being in the works along with live-action "Jungle Book" and "Beauty and the Beast" films which are already in various stages of production.

Source: Variety...

If the past month or so has taught us anything, it’s that Disney won’t stop rifling through its veritable back catalogue until every single one of their pre-existing properties enters development. The mouse house is gearing up to fill its entire future production slate with remakes, spinoffs and sequels – but mainly remakes – of its most iconic characters. You know, so as to appeal to modern audiences.

Well, if you thought Disney had exhausted its supply, think again. Deadline now reports that a new live-action Pinocchio feature has been ushered into development. Writer Peter Hedges (Pieces Of April, Dan In Real Life) has been contracted to pen the script and it will be the first major movie since he wrote and directed 2012’s The Odd Life Of Timothy Green.

Described as a “Pinocchio-inspired” movie, this new iteration is said to be “loosely based” on the original source material.

Modern Family star Sarah Hyland has an awkward family reunion in the trailer for See You in Valhalla.

The indie drama casts Hyland as Johana Burwood, a successful young woman who returns to her hometown following her brother's death.

Johana is confronted with an awkward family reunion, and must confront the reasons why she chose to strike out on her own to begin with.

The ensemble cast for See You in Valhalla includes Odeya Rush (The Odd Life of Timothy Green), Steve Howey (Shameless) and Bret Harrison (Reaper).

April Apocalypse's Jarret Tarnol has directed a screenplay from his brother Brent Tarnol.

See You in Valhalla opens on April 24 in the Us.

Karl Urban has joined the cast of Disney's Pete's Dragon remake.

The Star Trek actor replaces Michael C Hall in the project, The Wrap reports.

Hall had to step down from his unspecified role in the movie due to scheduling issues.

Robert Redford, Bryce Dallas Howard, Wes Bentley and newcomer Oakes Fegley will also feature in the remake of the 1977 film, which featured an animated dragon and live-action actors.

The new film is not expected to be a musical, and will use CGI to create the dragon.

Pete's Dragon follows the story of a young boy who escapes from his abusive adoptive parents with his pet dragon.

David Lowery (Ain't Them Bodies Saints) will direct the film, while Jim Whitaker (The Odd Life of Timothy Green) is set to produce.

The folks over at Film Divider (via Coming Soon) have revealed the specifics of what British filmmaker Edgar Wright has been up to since he bowed out of Marvel’s Ant-Man last year. In a surprising – and utterly exciting – turn of events, it transpires that Wright has recently submitted a script revision for Sony’s Dodge And Twist. If the name hasn’t rung a bell, then perhaps you weren’t paying attention during English.

The project originated back in 2013 when the studio jumped on The Odd Life Of Timothy Green scribe Ahmet Zappa’s original spinoff idea. Described as a steampunk sequel to Charles Dickens’ classic work of literature, Oliver Twist, Zappa’s take would pick up 20 years after the events of that novel. Two decades on, Oliver is now a police officer who is still at loggerheads with the Artful Dodger, who now attempts to steal the crown jewels.

You might think a sequel to "Oliver Twist" is unnecessary, and you'd probably be correct. But what if we told you it was written by Edgar Wright? And it was going to take the Dickensian era and throw a little steampunk sauce on it? Yeah, we figured you might be warming up to the idea now. Film Divider reports the Wright has done a full-blown rewrite of "Dodge And Twist" for Sony. Conceived by Ahmet Zappa ("The Odd Life Of Timothy Green"), with Cole Haddon (NBC series "Dracula") working out the story, and Simon Beaufoy ("Slumdog Millionaire," "127 Hours") writing an initial draft, Wright's tale brings a new dimension to the long-brewing project that centers on Twist and the Artful Dodger, 20 years after the events in the Dickens novel, and plunks them into a Victorian-era  heist film. But if you think Wright will direct, guess again. He's got "Baby Driver" coming up,...

“I have to move out of my apartment soon,” says the 66-year-old actress who believes she’s been typecast

Two-time Oscar winner Dianne Wiest says she is struggling financially and having trouble paying her rent because she can’t find enough work.

“I have to move out of my apartment soon,” the 66-year-old Wiest told the New York Times in a story published in Sunday’s print edition.

Wiest won Best Supporting Actress Oscars for her work in two Woody Allen-directed films, 1986’s “Hannah and Her Sisters” and 1994’s “Bullets Over Broadway.”

Also Read: Hey Actresses, Want a TV Job?...

It appears that Quentin Tarantino.s long-gestating project, The Hateful Eight, is finally starting to achieve some movement. It is being reported that the film has added an entire slew of new cast members to what was already an impressive dais, including repertory Tarantino cast member and stuntwoman Zoe Bell. Additionally, the film has finally begun to shoot on location in Telluride, Colorado. According to The Wrap, the film can now add the names of James Parks (an alum from the Kill Bill series), Dana Gourrier, Keith Jefferson, Lee Horsley, Craig Stark and Belinda Owino (who all appeared in Django Unchained), Gene Jones of (No Country for Old Men, The Odd Life of Timothy Green), and of course, the aforementioned Zoe Bell, who, besides appearing in a number of Tarantino films and working as a stuntwoman, would memorably play herself in Tarantino.s 2007 Grindhouse effort, Deathproof as a pipe-wielding badass.

The Giver actress Odeya Rush has been cast in Hunter's Prayer.

She will star in director Jonathan Mostow's action thriller alongside Sam Worthington, reports Deadline.

Rush will play Ella, a young woman who teams up with an assassin (Worthington) hired to kill her family to discover who wants them dead.

The UK-us co-production was formerly titled For the Dogs.

Hailee Steinfeld and Emma Roberts were previously attached to the project.

Rush also featured in The Odd Life of Timothy Green and We Are What We Are.

She will play the daughter of Jack Black's Rl Stine in 2015's Goosebumps film.

Hunter's Prayer will begin shooting in the UK in November.

The Giver star Odeya Rush has signed on to star in the action-thriller Hunter's Prayer, which was formerly known as For the Dogs.

The actress is playing Ella, a young woman who is aided by a contract killer named Lucas (Sam Worthington) on her quest for justice, where she encounters a number of thugs and other assassins. Hailee Steinfeld and Emma Roberts were previously attached to play Ella before Odeya Rush won the starring role.

Jonathan Mostow (Surrogates) is directing from an adapted screenplay by Oren Moverman, Paul Leyden, John D. Brancato and Michael Ferris, based on the book by Kevin Wignall. Navid McIlhargey and Anthony Rhulen are producing for Film Engine, alongside Mid Summer Films' Christopher Milburn for Midsummer Films, and Full Clip's Sam Worthington, Paul Leyden, John Schwarz and Michael Schwarz. No production schedule was given at this time.

Odeya Rush will next be seen in Sony's Goosebumps.

Exclusive: The Giver’s Odeya Rush has been cast in action-thriller Hunter’s Prayer as Ella, a young girl who teams up with the assassin hired to wipe out her family to find the person responsible. Jonathan Mostow is helming the U.S.-UK co-production formerly known as For The Dogs, which has Sam Worthington in place to play Lucas, the contract killer who helps Ella navigate the tangled web of hitmen and thugs on her quest for justice. Filming is gearing up to start next month in the UK.

Hailee Steinfeld and Emma Roberts previously were attached before Rush landed the role after starring in this summer’s The Giver opposite Jeff Bridges and Meryl Streep. Rush’s credits also include The Odd Life Of Timothy Green and horror remake We Are What We Are. In next year’s Sony summer pic Goosebumps she’ll play the daughter of...

She first came to Hollywood's attention in The Odd Life Of Timothy Green, but since then Odeya Rush has been flitting between genres, showing up most recently in novel adaptation The Giver. She’s now landed one of the lead roles in Jonathan Mostow’s action thriller Hunter’s Prayer.The film, once known as For The Dogs, sounds a little like Leon, albeit with a twist. Sam Worthington plays Lucas, an assassin who is initially assigned to take out Ella’s (Rush) family. But he develops a bond with the young woman and ends up helping her track down and punish the person who is actually responsible for the killings.Mostow took over the project from Phillip Noyce, and the script, adapted from Kevin Wignall’s novel, has been through the word processors of Paul Leyden, Oren Moverman, John Brancato and Michael Ferris. Shooting is scheduled to start next month here in the UK.

I love family films. I love movies that are directed towards children. Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day made me want to leave the theater within the first twenty minutes.

Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day follows the journey of Alexander (Ed Oxenbould) and his day, which hasn’t gone according to plan. Feeling like his family doesn’t understand his daily struggles, Alexander makes a birthday wish for his family to go through their own terrible, horrible bad day… which happens to be on his birthday. Now, his family struggles to make it through their series of bad luck as Alexander looks on in worry and self blame. Will today ever go right?

Like I said previously… I love family movies. I support the idea of a movie that is built with almost every audience in mind so that both children...

It’s strictly for kids, this very silly, mostly sweet tale of middle-school angst, with a few nonconformist hand grenades tossed in for good measure. I’m “biast” (pro): nothing

I’m “biast” (con): nothing

I have not read the source material

(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)

This is where we are with kids’ movies, in a place where a flick that isn’t nonstop kicks to the crotch and “jokes” about poop seems like a revelation, and hence something to celebrate. If that’s the sitch, fine. I hate that we’ve lowered the bar so far, but we have, and this is where we are. And despite my current abject pessimism about Hollywood, I still love movies — or the idea of movies, anyway — and still feel that kids should be exposed to them and will hopefully come to love them, too.

So...

Previous | Image 1 of 4 | NextOdeya Rush portrays Fiona in ‘The Giver.’

Chicago – Two of the hottest young stars came to Chicago recently to promote their latest film, “The Giver.” Odeya Rush and Brenton Thwaites were at Chicago’s historic Navy Pier to greet fans and sign autographs. HollywoodChicago.com was there and got Exclusives Portraits of the dynamic co-stars.

The Australian born Brenton Thwaites was on a couple of popular TV shows there, but desired to expand into international cinema, and landed supporting roles in this year’s “Oculus” and “Maleficent.” Odeya Rush was born in Israel, but moved to the U.S. at nine years old. Her first big film was “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” (2012), and she followed that up with the independent film “We Are What We Are” (2013). She has a high profile role in the upcoming film adaptation of the ‘Goosebumps’ book series.

Photographer Joe Arce...

After years of development, Lois Lowry’s famous Ya novel The Giver has finally arrived to theaters, in an adaptation directed by Philip Noyce and starring young talent Brenton Thwaites and Odeya Rush, acting opposite the likes of Alexander Skarsgaard, Meryl Streep, and Jeff Bridges. The film arrives in a time after other Ya dystopia franchises, such as Divergent and The Hunger Games, and at least sets itself apart from these behemoths by making its revolution more intellectual than physical.

In the future dystopia of The Giver, in which all senses of emotion and individuality have been been muted, Thwaites plays a young man named Jonas who is chosen to carry on the memories from a past failed society, as shared with him by The Giver. His love interest is Fiona, a friend whom he doesn’t understand his true feelings for until he has a revelation that threatens to change the entire society.

Chicago – Once Jeff Bridges and Meryl Streep are locked into a film about a society that limits its emotions and memories, how do you find the teenage actors to play opposite them? Australian Brenton Thwaites, and Israeli-born Odeya Rush passed the audition, and they join the Oscar winners in the adaptation of “The Giver.”

The popular book series sold 10 million copies in the 1990s, and it deals with a society that has comfort and order, but little emotion or memories. Brenton Thwaites portrays Jonas, who accepts his assigned job as “Receiver of Memories” and begins a journey with the current Receiver, portrayed by Jeff Bridges. Oyeda Rush is Fiona, one of the community who starts to have feelings that Jonas wants her to act on, and they are both seen as threats to the society by the Chief Elder (Meryl Streep).

Odeya Rush in Chicago, July 30th, 2014

Photo credit: Joe...

Given the massive success of “Frozen,” Jennifer Lee has all kinds of industry credibility moving forward with her next film.

And it just so happens the writer/director will be developing a screen adaptation of Madeline L’Engle’s classic novel “A Wrinkle in Time” for Disney.

So far, “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” honcho Jim Whitaker has signed on to produce the project, though there’s no word on the director position.

Published in 1962, “A Wrinkle in Time” is the story of a brother and sister who travel through time and space to rescue their father from ‘The Black Thing.’

Stay linked to the GossipCenter for further details.

The black-and-white cinematography and sterilized-seeming sets of "The Giver," based on Lois Lowry's Newbery-winning 1993 novel, give the movie a dystopian air unlike any other movie -- let alone a Ya-tinged movie -- out this year. It's a moving film set in a creepy, brainwashed future, and when you watch young actors Brenton Thwaites (of "Maleficent") and Odeya Rush ("The Odd Life of Timothy Green") navigating the film, you have to wonder: Is this as unsettling on-set as it is as a viewing experience?  We interviewed Thwaites, who plays the film's young and defiant protagonist Jonas, and Rush, who plays the defiantly emotional Fiona, to discuss the most brutal and emotional moments of filming, the power of Meryl Streep's voice, and how much time they spent soaking wet. Answer: A lot.

The woman behind Frozen has chosen her next project, and it's no less magical than her last. Jennifer Lee has agreed to write the film adaption of Madeleine L'Engle's science-fiction novel A Wrinkle in Time for Disney, Variety reports. There's no word on who will direct the movie, but Disney has revealed that it will be produced by Jim Whitaker, who also produced American Gangster and The Odd Life of Timothy Green, with Catherine Hand. A Wrinkle in Time, published in 1962, follows a brother and sister who must travel through space and time in order to save their missing...

The woman behind Frozen has chosen her next project, and it's no less magical than her last. Jennifer Lee has agreed to write the film adaption of Madeleine L'Engle's science-fiction novel A Wrinkle in Time for Disney, Variety reports. There's no word on who will direct the movie, but Disney has revealed that it will be produced by Jim Whitaker, who also produced American Gangster and The Odd Life of Timothy Green, with Catherine Hand. A Wrinkle in Time, published in 1962, follows a brother and sister who must travel through space and time in order to save their missing...

Madeleine L'Engle's classic children's sci-fi book A Wrinkle in Time has avoided a big-screen adaptation for over fifty years, but now it might be finally headed to theaters. According to Variety, Disney has hired Oscar-winning Frozen co-writer and director Jennifer Lee to write the screenplay for the Newbery Medal-winning novel. The book is usually one of the first works of literature to introduce children to sci-fi, and revolves around a young girl who goes out to find her missing father, who worked as a government scientist. Lee reportedly "impressed Disney executives with her take on the project, which emphasizes a strong female-driven narrative and creatively approaches the science fiction and world-building elements of the book." Hit the jump for more. There is currently no director attached, and while I assume it's possible that Lee could want the job, Variety notes that "she will continue in her role as part...

Jennifer Lee is set to adapt Madeleine L'Engle's children's book A Wrinkle in Time for the big screen.

Lee co-wrote and directed Disney's mega-hit Frozen with Chris Buck, and it has since become the highest-grossing animated film in history.

A Wrinkle in Time is a science fantasy novel that features a young girl named Meg Murry whose father is a government scientist.

He goes missing after working on a mysterious project called a tesseract. Meg and her three brothers then travel through time to find their dad.

It is the first book in a series by L'Engle, which also includes A Wind in the Door, Many Waters, and A Swiftly Tilting Planet.

According to Variety, Jim Whitaker, who recently produced The Odd Life of Timothy Green, and Catherine Hand will produce Lee's big-screen adaptation, which currently does not have a director.

Hand previously produced a separate adaptation of the...