In-Development

ESCAPE: ‘Maria’ Director Plots U.S. Debut With Black Ops Rescue Thriller From Blue Fox

Lee B. Golden III

Nilalang director Pedring Lopez made a killing earlier this year with the local and subsequent global release of his Spring female-fronted thriller, Maria. That film is now slated for a sequel that is expected to roll cameras early next year, while the noted horror and action director has since planted one other seed in Blue Fox Entertainment title, Escape. Penned by Lopez and screenwriter Scott Rosenfelt (The Jade Pendant) from a story by Michael A. McDermott, Escape centers on John Craig, a former black ops soldier with a penchant for going beyond the law. When the mother of a young teenage son falsely imprisoned in Manila summons him to the job of extracting him, Craig and his team plan the ultimate escape – one from both the rising tensions in Manila, and the demons of John’s past. Lopez, who signaled fans on Instagram on Thursday, teased the project in a […]

Bad Hombre Films Talks Two Upcoming Horror Films

Christina Ortega

Bad Hombre Films are going to be busy churning out horror films between a recently announced (I’m trying not to gag here) reboot and a horror film set in a unique setting. Let’s just get the reboot details over with first: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre film (originally made in 1974 by Tobe Hooper) has already seen a reboot in 2003 produced by Michael I-like-killing-people’s-childhood- Bay. Fede Alvarez (who directed the 2013 Evil Dead reboot) is going to try his hand at yet another reboot. There are no details about this one yet other than it is written by Chris Thomas Devlin. The film is based on a family of cannibals; what more can be done with this series, guys? But don’t worry because Bad Hombre Films has an original horror film coming up, too: this one is being described as “The Shining set in the White House.” Assuming they are […]

VIKINGS: VALLHALLA In The Works From Netflix, MGM TV

Lee B. Golden III

If you enjoyed all five seasons of hit History Channel series epic, Vikings, chances are you’ll have your eyes glued for the season six premiere on December 4. Going forward, you’ll probably be keen on what’s in store from Netflix and MGM Television with Vikings: Valhalla, original series creator Michael Hirst’s new sequel series now in the making. Vikings: Valhalla begins 100 years after Vikings and centers on the adventures of the most famous Vikings who ever lived – Leif Erikson, Freydis, Harald Harada and the Norman King William the Conqueror (also a Viking descendant) – as they blaze new paths fighting for survival in an ever changing and evolving Europe. This is the explosive next chapter of the Vikings legend. Hirst will exec produce along with Jeb Stuart (The Fugitive, Die Hard, The Liberator) and Morgan O’Sullivan (Vikings, Penny Dreadful). “I am beyond excited that we are announcing the […]

BLACK BETTY: Deviant Children’s Webseries Pre-Production Is Back On Track

Lee B. Golden III

It looks as if things are back in full swing with Nicholas Ortiz and his independent production company Deviant Children for forthcoming webseries, Black Betty. The company took to Instagram on Thursday to share the following update: View this post on Instagram A post shared by @deviantchildren Pre-production commenced earlier this year with meetings that followed but left off this summer with a tentative hiatus. As of this report, rewrites are currently underway with rehearsals expected to take off early 2020. Black Betty took off last Spring as a shortform action thriller released on YouTube with Krystal “Honey” Pizaro. Betty is a black leather-clad vigilante with a mysterious past who fights her way out of a nightclub through a gauntlet of henchmen. The original short scored three awards in two categories at the sixth Urban Action Showcase Film Festival last year. The webseries will be woven as a simultaneous series […]

BEVERLY HILLS COP Enlists Reboot Deal With Paramount And Netflix

Lee B. Golden III

It looks like Paramount’s Beverly Hills Cop franchise will finally get the reboot succession some fans have been waiting for with the latest confirmation from Deadline‘s Mike Fleming Jr. The studio is at the table with Netflix for a one-time deal with a sequel option also in play to revive actor Eddie Murphy’s iconic portrayal of sly, fast talking detective Axel Folely to audiences. Martin Brest’s inaugural 1984 feature launched a trilogy centered on the character whose hilarious crime-solving exploits saw the character frequent Beverly Hills all the way from his original station in the city of Detroit whenever he needed to solve a tangible case. Directors Tony Scott and John Landis directed the 1987 and 1994 films, respectively, with the latter failing to meet expectations. In 2013 CBS attempted a TV incarnation with actor Brandon T. Jackson which never got off the ground, but still put a potential fourth […]

RIN TIN TIN: Warner Bros. To Revive Classic Hero Hound Franchise

Lee B. Golden III

Warner Bros. is reportedly reviving Rin Tin Tin according to Deadline‘s Mike Fleming Jr.. Matt Lieberman (Scoob, Playing With Fire) is said to be developing a feature film script based on the film based on the classic hero hound film, television and radio franchise that launched the 1920s – here centered on “an elite military dog on a covert mission to prevent a large scale attack.” Fleming Jr. reports the decision comes in the wake of the Barisha raid in which Conan, the hero German Shepherd was injured. The infiltration eventually saw ISIL leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi blow himself up with a suicide vest. The report also cites the bronze paw print medal the President is shown awarding to the dog (the photo Fleming Jr. describes reads like the photoshopped image Trump tweeted last month; the U.S. military reportedly suspended the practice of awarding medals to dogs after 1944). Andrew […]

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KUNG FU Takes Shape At The CW

Lee B. Golden III

Years and years after numerous shortfallen efforts to revive classic zen action drama IP, Kung Fu, it now looks as if The CW will get a handle on things for a change. Trade news now reports a change over from Fox to its new home and with a new team on board to oversee its televised development. The hour-long female-centric action drama will center on a young adult Chinese-American college dropout whose quarterlife crisis sends her backpacking on a journey of self-discovery before arriving to an isolated monastery in China. She arrives home only to find her hometown overrun with crime and corruption, compelling her to apply her Shaolin training and values to protect her community and bring criminals to justice. Soon, she realizes her actions have made her a target by the person she’s looking for – the killer she suspects murdered her Shaolin mentor. Quinn’s House Production Company’s […]

Rules For Vanishing

RULES FOR VANISHING: Fmr ‘Twilight’, ‘The Hunger Games’ Vets Partner To Acquire Fall YA Novel

Lee B. Golden III

Author Kate Alice Marshall’s YA novel, Rules For Vanishing, was acquired on Tuesday by partnering companies Ascendant Entertainment and Picture Perfect Federation. The move marks a reunion for Ascendant’s Rob Friedman and Picture Perfect’s Patrick Wachsberger. Both served as co-chairs for the Lionsgate Motion Picture Group where they shepherded blockbuster franchises like The Hunger Games and Divergent. Two also oversaw the Twilight franchise during their tenure at Summit Entertainment. Ascendant exec Sam Speiser and Picture Perfect’s Sera Tabb brought the novel in whereupon Friedman and Wachsberger optioned the rights along with Ashley Stern. The novel is described as a genre-bending thriller in which 17-year-old Sara and her friends receive a mysterious invitation into the woods to “play the game.” They are challenged to walk the vanishing road, the stuff of urban legends, unaware of the very real and horrific danger they will face. One thing is for certain: this road […]

HYPNOTIC: Robert Rodriguez Gears Up New Action Thriller For Early 2020 Shoot

Lee B. Golden III

Going into AFM next week, Solstice Studios and Studio 8 will be revving up action thriller Hypnotic with reports that Robert Rodriguez will helm early 2020. Rodriguez will produce from a script he wrote with Max Borenstein (Kong: Skull Island), centered on “a detective who becomes entangled in a mystery involving his missing daughter and a secret government program, while investigating a string of impossible high-end heists.” The film marks a partnership first for Solstice and Studio 8 with a budget tapping $60-$80 million dollars. Both will produce with the former handling U.S. distribution and world sales, and the latter possibly co-financing; Hailing from Studio 8 are Jeff Robinov, Guy Danella and John Graham. Solstice has been slowly brewing since launching a little over a year ago, and with projects that now include Split Second, Shield Of Straw remake Manhunt, and Russell Crowe thriller Unhinged. Rodriguez is on deck for […]

THE DEVIL’S LAIR: ‘Cannibals And Carpet Fitters’ Director To Helm Gritty Action Horror Next Spring [EXCLUSIVE]

Lee B. Golden III

James Bushe will write and direct his next feature, The Devil’s Lair, which is slated to start production in Q2 of 2020. His sophmore production to date began brewing in August, and Bushe tells me he will now ramp up the process with script development and financing for the next few months. The logline so far outlines a gritty, contained war epic with an air of the supernatural to it. “Think ‘Zero Dark Thirty’-meets-‘The Descent’, by way of World War Z and Aliens. That’s The Devil’s Lair.” says Bushe. The film centers on a SWAT team tipped off to the whereabouts possible religious terrorist cell. Their incursion into a seemingly desolate warehouse leads them to a hidden door to a catacomb of creepy, dark and endless tunnels, and they soon find themselves chased and hunted by an underground cult that will do anything to keep their secret hidden. Bushe is […]

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THE SHINOBIS: Ninja Action Comedy Feature Directing Debut In The Works For ‘Jailbreak’ Star [EXCLUSIVE]

Lee B. Golden III

Actor and martial arts star Jean-Paul Ly is now in the early days of development for his own feature directing debut, The Shinobis. I can presently report several things on this – that Ly himself is also penning and producing the project which he’s billing as an action comedy going forward, and he’s also looking heavily at names relative to both acting and high-caliber stunt talent to fit the profile. Here is the tentative logline as it reads: After years on the run for deserting their clan, a dysfunctional ninja family, who tries to live a quiet ordinary life, is forced back into action to rescue one of their own. Production start date and location aren’t yet known while Ly is continues to push the needle forward on evolving his concept to its utmost full potential. Stay tuned for future reports. Ly is best known as a stunt performer and […]

PEDRO PENDUKO: Viva Films’ Engkantos Superhero Universe Launchpad Casts Its Star

Lee B. Golden III

2019 has been much ado with all things superhero-related over in Southeast Asia, particularly the Engkantos cinematic universe announced last summer which is set to include Epik Studios’ superhero adaptation, Pedro Penduko. Actor Matteo Guidicelli (Saturday Night Chills, Across The Crescent Moon) is officially announced to star in the latest incarnation replacing actor James Reid, and with director Jason Paul Laxamana (Instaldo, Bakwit Boys) taking the helm; Respeto helmer Treb Monteras was previously attached to helm after Dan Villegas’ departure, with Reid starring at the time. Regene Estolatan penned the script for the latest Engkantos induction based on his own 2016 VRJ publication, “Pedro Penduko: The Legend Begins”. Here’s a description of the comic from Epik: Peter Harris feels like he doesn’t belong. A Filipino who lived all his life in the US where he grew up being bullied since grade school. Now 20 years old, he has had enough […]

Alex Montagnani

CAGEFIGHTER: UK MMA Fighter Alex Montagnani Replaces Josh Herdman For November Shoot, White Also Out

Lee B. Golden III

January and May saw developments for MMA sports drama, Cagefighter which hadn’t yet come to pass. A new Deadline report now clarifies its return to schedule with cameras set to roll in Saskatchewan on November with Jesse Quinones (Calloused Hands) writing and directing. With five title defences under his belt, knock out artist, Reiss Gibson, is on the cusp of cementing himself as one of the all-time greatest to ever step inside the MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) cage. And his career is not about to end there – his savvy promoter, female powerhouse, Max Black, has big plans for Reiss’s sixth title defence, setting Reiss up to face international WWE showman, Randy Stone. With Stone having never set foot in the cage, Reiss – confident in his unparalleled experience – spends the weeks leading up to the fight neglecting his usual training, basking in newfound international attention and the promise […]

KUNG FU GHOST: Indie Filmmaker Jennifer Linch’s New Supernatural Comedy Developing For Spring 2020 Start

Lee B. Golden III

It’s been several years since actress and independent filmmaker Jennifer Linch landed on my radar following her then award-winning action short, Flowers Of The Night. Her new groove as of late will be to move forward with her first feature, Kung Fu Ghost, casting actor and newcomer Noah Sargent with an eye toward a March start in San Diego. Ivan White is penning the script for a story that centers on Daisy (Linch), a young woman who inherits a spooky old estate in America from her grandfather, a martial arts master whom she had never met. When she arrives to the U.S. and shows up on the property, she soon discovers the house is haunted by her grandfather’s spirit and the ghost of a mysterious man named William (Sargent). When treasure-hunting criminals descend on Daisy’s new home, she is forced to call on her new supernatural friends to fend them […]

Jada Pinkett Smith In Talks To Return For Fourth MATRIX Film

Lee B. Golden III

In the hours since actor Neil Patrick Harris’ casting, Deadline exclusively reported on Tuesday evening that actress Jada Pinkett Smith was in talks to rejoin the fray for writer/producer/director Lana Wachowski for the upcoming fourth installment of The Matrix saga. If confirmed, Smith would reprise the role of Niobe, a human resistance leader of Zion and one of several captains who commands her own ship, fighting battlefronts in both the machine-conquered world as well as the machines’ digitized virtual prison, The Matrix, in which humans live, plugged in while their bodies are siphoned for energy. Niobe’s character also appeared in the multiplayer game, Enter The Matrix, comprised of scenes from the franchise, as well as its own scenes exclusively for the game. The new film is set to shoot as early as February next year as the film has since cast Smith’s fellow stars, Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss, and […]

WIDOW: THE WAY OF THE RAVEN In The Works At Perfect Village

Lee B. Golden III

Deadline‘s Tom Grater is reporting word that Joanne Reay’s speculative script, Widow: The Way Of The Raven, has found a new home at China-based Perfect Village. Directors and several stars are circling the project, described as a Western that takes its cues from the law of “widow’s succession”. Reay’s script is set during the late 19th century in California where a Chinese woman inherits her late husband’s badge and vows to find and execute the man who murdered a young Chinese girl in a racist attack. Reay’s writing and producing credit include Bring Me the Head of Mavis Davis, Cold & Dark, and Gallowwalkers.

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WALKER: TEXAS RANGER Sequel Series Moves Forward At The CW

Lee B. Golden III

Actor Jared Padalecki is officially set to forward with a follow-up series to CBS’ original action drama, Walker: Texas Ranger. The new series will broadcast on the CW in Padalecki’s latest career succession following fifteen seasons of the hit drama, Supernatural. The new series centers on Padalecki in the role of Cordell Walker, a widower and father of two with his own moral code. Upon returning home to Austin after two years undercover, he discovers harder work to come in reconnecting with his children, navigating clashes with his conservative family, and finding unexpected common ground with his new partner – one of the first women in Texas Rangers’ history. As the show moves forward, he grows increasingly suspicious about the circumstances surrounding his wife’s death. Walker: Texas Ranger launched in 1993 and became a Chuck Norris brand that also grew into a TV movie. The reboot is written/executive produced by […]

THE BLACKSMITH: Pierre Morel To Direct Graphic Novel Adaptation

Lee B. Golden III

District B13, Taken and Peppermint helmer Pierre Morel will direct action thriller, The Blacksmith. The film is based on the 2011 Kickstart Comics publication written by Richard Sparkman and Malik Evans, and illustrated by Alberto Muriel. The film renames its protagonist, centering its story on Wes Loomis, a high-tech weapons expert for the spy community who is rendered fugitive and on the run when his secret lab is decimated and his colleagues are murdered. Left to his own devices and without his usual tools, he’ll have to improvise his journey of survival as it inches him closer to the dark heart of his profession. Production will begin next year from a script by Source Code writer Ben Ripley. He will produce with Air Force One producer Jon Shestack, Wanted producer Jason Netter, and Jeremy Stein. Morel’s representation, UTA, has U.S. sales rights with Stuart Ford’s AGC Studios financing, exec producing […]

MANIAC COP Series In The Works For HBO & Canal+

Lee B. Golden III

It’s been four years since John Hyams (Universal Soldier: Day Of Reckoning, Black Summer) and Nicolas Winding Refn (Too Old To Die Young) came together to announce feature film reboot efforts of William Lustic’s cult crime horror classic franchise, Maniac Cop. That film would have already been a reality with principal photography set to begin a few years after with Wild Bunch claiming international sales rights at the time. Fast forward to 2019 and as with all things relative in entertainment, there’s been a change of strategy with Maniac Cop now taking on a serial format instead. Set in Los Angeles, Maniac Cop is told through a kaleidoscope of characters, from cop to common criminal. A killer in uniform has uncaged mayhem upon the streets. Paranoia leads to social disorder as a city wrestles with the mystery of the exterminator in blue – is he mere mortal, or a supernatural […]

BALLERINA: Len Wiseman To Direct Female-Fronted John Wick Spin-Off

Lee B. Golden III

Len Wiseman (Total Recall, Live Free Or Die Hard, Lucifer, Swamp Thing) will direct Ballerina for Lionsgate. Shay Hatten wrote the script for the female-fronted action thriller which will share space in the John Wick cinematic universe as announced back in 2017 According to Deadline on Wednesday, Ballerina centers on ” a young female assassin who seeks revenge against the people who killed her family”. John Wick franchise star Keanu Reeves will serve at a producing capacity with Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee, and Chad Stahelski. The franchise’s latest, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, scored well over $320 million dollars globally prior to becoming one of Lionsgate’s highest-earning home releases. Reeves and Stahelski, star and director, respectively, are expected to reteam for a fourth film in 2021. Casting and other details remain pending.