Innholdsfortegnelse for Wednesday November 28 2018 i The Hollywood Reporter

Three years after YouTube launched a subscription streaming service aimed at making it a destination for premium programming, the online video giant is shifting strategy. The Google-owned platform is expected to scale back its scripted output beginning in 2020, a source with direct knowledge of the company’s plans tells THR. The move comes as executives plan to double down on YouTube’s ad-supported business by making all originals — including the Karate Kid spinoff Cobra Kai and the Doug Liman produced Impulse — free to its 2 billion users regardless of whether they pay $12 a month for subscription service YouTube Premium. The YouTube Originals team, led by former MTV executive Susanne Daniels, has started informing creative partners about the shift, per multiple sources, one of whom describes the pullback as…

FILM American Hustle actor Alessandro Nivola (CAA, the U.K.’s Independent, Management 360) will play Dickey Moltisanti in the Sopranos prequel for New Line and Warner Bros. Rebel Wilson (WME, Sloane Offer) and Jason Derulo (CAA, 23 Management) will join Jennifer Hudson in Working Title and Universal’s Cats. Greg Kinnear (WME, Anonymous, Stone Genow) and Lesley Manville (the U.K.’s Artists Rights Group) will play Bob and Dolores Hope in the Keira Knightley starrer Misbehaviour. Janelle Monae’s Wondaland Pictures (WME, Ziffren Brittenham) has signed a first-look deal at Universal. Happy Death Day writer-director Christopher Landon (WME, Mosaic, Bloom Hergott) is developing an adaptation of My Best Friend’s Exorcism with the Gotham Group. TELEVISION Natalie Dormer (UTA. the U.K.’s United, Untitled, Jackoway Austen) has signed a multiyear, firstlook deal with Fremantle. Shadowhunters showrunner…

The River Widow (LAKE UNION, NOV. 1) BY Ann Howard Creel AGENCY Lake Union Set in the 1930s, the female-led survivalist tale follows a wife who kills her abusive husband. As she attempts to dispose of his body, she is swept away in a river, then must find her way back to civilization and explain her crime to a hostile town. My Dark Vanessa (WILLIAM MORROW) BY Kate Elizabeth Russell AGENCY ICM Partners The topical novel, which sold in a seven-figure publishing deal, tackles a contemporary #MeToo story of a woman who is forced to re-evaluate her high school relationship with her then-English teacher after he is accused of sexual abuse.…

‘I WANT TO GET IN BED WITH ALL OF YOU’ Joan Chen (actress, The Last Emperor) He was so well-read. He would quote ancient Chinese philosophers, people I’d never read myself, like Lao-tzu and Zhuangzi. He made me want to go back and do more reading. But he was also fun to talk to. We met the first time at the Chateau Marmont; we had coffee, and he was so charming. We shot the movie in China; the whole shoot was eight months. He took his time, but he could afford to — the actors were practically free. But he was a considerate director, he didn’t torture the actors. He seduced you into pleasing him. I recall doing a scene where the emperor and the two empresses were in bed,…

Weddings Morning Joe hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough were married Nov. 26 at the National Archives building in Washington, D.C. The couple exchanged vows in front of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, then had a reception at the Georgetown restaurant Chez Billy Sud for about 40 people. The couple became engaged in 2017. Births Charlie Ebersol, founder and CEO of the Alliance of American Football and the television production outfit The Company, and wife Melody McCloskey, founder and CEO of StyleSeat, welcomed daughter Amara Bia Ebersol on Sept. 27. Eric Garfinkel, Gersh motion picture lit agent, and wife Arielle Mesirow, a talent agent at WME, welcomed son Ryan Alexander Garfinkel on Oct. 22 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Congrats Meredith Ahr was promoted…

Ava DuVernay The filmmaker and Queen Sugar creator lands a multiple-year deal with Warner Bros. TV worth in the high eight-figures to develop new projects for the studio. Mark Wahlberg The star’s Instant Family marks his third straight underperformer (after Mile 22 and All the Money in the World), jeopardizing his high salary demands. Jenny Daly The unscripted producer’s T Group is acquired by Tom Forman’s Critical Content, which elevates her to oversee development at the combined indie nonfiction studio. Domenico Dolce & Stefano Gabbana The Dolce & Gabbana co-founders apologize to China and cancel a Shanghai runway show after the fashion house’s Instagram videos were deemed racist. Showbiz Stocks $1,581.33 (+5%) AMAZON.COM (AMZN) The streamer/retailer benefits from soaring online sales, which Adobe predicts will rise 13 percent to $124…

Deal of the Week Taylor Swift brought her own welcome gift when she inked a new global record deal with Universal Music Group, securing a victory for her new labelmates. “There was one condition that meant more to me than any other deal point,” the pop superstar, 28, wrote on social media Nov. 19. “I asked that any sale of their Spotify shares result in a distribution of money to their artists, non-recoupable. They have generously agreed to this, at what they believe will be much better terms than paid out previously by other major labels.” How big was Swift’s move? “It’s tremendous for a superstar artist to make a request that benefits artists who aren’t superstars,” notes music attorney Laurie Soriano. “It’s to UMG’s credit that they’re committing to…

“You have the most misshapen and diseased uterus I’ve seen in my entire career.”LENA DUNHAMThe Camping co-creator, in a profile in New York magazine, revealing what her doctor said after her recent hysterectomy. “We are all graphically nude a couple times of day, so I don’t quite get it.”JOAN GRAVESThe exiting MPAA ratings czar, telling The New York Times that she doesn’t understand America’s hang-up over nudity in film. “Has it ever occurred to you that men’s balls are as vulnerable to radiation as women’s ovaries?”ANDREA MITCHELLThe NBC journalist, speaking at the 92nd Street Y, recalling what she told her boss when he picked a male colleague to cover the 1979 nuclear-reactor accident at Three Mile Island. “It was very exciting. It was also a suicide mission.”AARON SORKINThe Oscar-winning scribe,…

Like Santa Claus in a C-suite, Crown Family Media Networks’ Bill Abbott dictates how more than 72 million viewers will spend their holidays from his 22nd-floor office in midtown Manhattan. The schedule of the annual TV movie fest Countdown to Christmas, which runs on Hallmark channels through November and December, is detailed in red and green marker on a dry erase board — boasting 37 new titles for 2018, such as A Shoe Addict’s Christmas and Pride, Prejudice and Mistletoe. Call them cheesy if you must, but premiere telecasts alone are averaging audiences of more than 4 million this year. After two decades at the cable arm of the privately owned greeting-card behemoth, half of which he’s spent as president and CEO, the 56-year-old exec bucks cable trends with linear…

Never mind the helicopter pad. In the wake of the Woolsey fire, the most-talked-about luxe home amenity is a “concierge” fire-fighting team. Such a crew came in handy for Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, who emerged as saviors of their Hidden Hills gated community in Calabasas after it was revealed that a private team they hired had pushed back the flames, saving dozens of homes. Non-Kardashians can look to insurers for private coverage (annual premiums range from four to six figures, depending on the property): AIG offers a “Wildfire Protection Unit,” and firms including Chubb and Nationwide work with contractors like Montana-based Wildfire Defense Systems (WDS). “We had very good coordination with Cal Fire and other jurisdictions,” says WDS president David Torgerson, who adds that his crew sent 53 engines…

Veteran Indian actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui happened to be vacationing in Italy on the July day that Sacred Games, the critically acclaimed Netflix political thriller in which he stars, was released online around the world. The near-instantaneous response was not something that would be familiar to any Indian television and independent film star, no matter how seasoned. “I’m told it was not even a couple hours after it had launched that he first got recognized on the streets there for it,” says Simran Sethi, director of creative for international originals at Netflix India. Such unfettered global reach is something that Bollywood, for all its triumphs, has never quite achieved, and it has proven instrumental in helping Netflix rapidly align itself with the Indian entertainment industry’s biggest stars since launching there in…

CHRISTIAN BALE Vice Bale is known for extreme physical transformations for his roles, and to play Dick Cheney in Adam McKay’s movie about the vice president’s rise from his days in the Nixon administration to his eight-year reign in the White House, he gained 45 pounds. But to Bale, it wasn’t just the overall weight gain that helped him find the character. The actor, 44, performed special exercises to thicken his neck and speaks of “a feeling of an unstoppable force because I had such neck strength. I was lifting total stacks of weight, and it just gave that feeling of an immovable object. That was immensely helpful.” Bale, who stars opposite Amy Adams, admits that he’s not sure if his physical transformation was “entirely necessary”: “I spoke with actor…

The Hollywood Reporter’s 27th annual Power 100 Women in Entertainment issue salutes the women who are at the top of their game and who dominate the entertainment industry. These are the major producers, directors, agents and A-list talent that make decisions; run studios, networks, agencies and law firms; and greenlight TV & film production. The highly-anticipated standalone issue will offer insight into their lives, careers and success. • Viola Davis–Sherry Lansing Leadership Award • Nina Jacobson–Equity in Entertainment Award • Dana Walden–Executive of the Year Advertise in this issue to congratulate this year’s Power 100 Women and honorees. You will reach an influential audience of decision makers in the entertainment industry with unparalleled purchasing power right before the key gift-giving time of the year. ON SALE: 12/5 Issue Close: 11/28…

BEST PICTURE The Rider Chloe Zhao’s drama about the struggles of a modern-day cowboy triumphed at the Nov. 26 IFP Gotham Awards in New York, where it was named best feature. The award is all the more important since the film won’t appear at 2019’s Spirit Awards, as it was nominated last year by that awards group. The Favourite After its stellar opening — with more than $422,000 from four theaters — Yorgos Lanthimos’ eccentric costume pic had a mixed night at the Gothams. It didn’t prevail in the three categories in which it was nominated, but it took home a special ensemble award, and star Rachel Weisz was treated to one of the tributes. ACTOR Ethan Hawke First Reformed At 48, with the Before trilogy and Boyhood on his…

Big Deal Rockstar Games is embarking on a Western expansion. A month after the release of Red Dead Redemption 2, which set a record with its $725 million opening weekend, the video game publisher has launched Red Dead Online, a multiplayer option that will be available via RDR2’s title menu. The rollout of RDO, which is still in beta testing, began with early access Nov. 27 for those who bought RDR2’s Ultimate Edition and is continuing throughout the week, prioritizing those who played RDR2 on opening day and weekend and culminating in all users gaining access by Nov. 30. The added function comes as hit franchises known for their immersive open worlds and intricate storytelling seek to further enhance their offerings with another equally popular gaming genre: MMOs, or massively…

Governors Awards Hollywood, Nov. 18 Gotham Awards New York City, Nov. 26 MoMA Film Benefit New York City, Nov. 19 Party Crawler Indie Honors The A-listers who hit Cipriani Wall Street for the IFP’s 28th annual Gotham Awards — including tribute honorees Paul Greengrass, Jon Kamen, Rachel Weisz (2) and Willem Dafoe (5) (who paid a tearful tribute to the late Bernardo Bertolucci and was met with the evening’s first standing ovation) — expressed a hope that their films might inspire more than just emotion in their audiences. Barry Jenkins, whose If Beale Street Could Talk was up for two awards but lost out to The Rider for best feature, told THR he wants people to walk out of the theater recognizing the “power of love, family and community to…

Taylor Swift was at Toscana. Producer Brad Weston and Michael Mann stopped by for lunch the day before.… Byron Allen, Gersh’s Frank Wuliger and producer Deepak Nayar were at Mr Chow. The next day, Pam Levine sat with Emma Watts, and Toni Braxton rubbed elbows with Jordan Berkus and Scott Schachter. Lawrence Bender, Robert Melnik and Susan Levine also were in.… Sherry Lansing and William Friedkin shared a corner table at Capo Santa Monica.… Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber popped by Brentwood Country Mart’s Farmshop… In Miami, Drake checked out Zuma. Mister O’s The Quick Pitch This charmer specializing in neo-midcentury Americana has bowed a short stroll from CBS’ Radford lot in Studio City. Restaurateur Michael Cardenas, who launched chef Josef Centeno to L.A. fame, now has bet on Mario…

Gated L.A. 11790 Southampton Court Matt and Josh Altman represented the seller on this 9,000-square-foot Bel Air Crest five-bedroom previously owned by Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. Designed by Ron Firestone, its master suite features sweeping views, a fireplace and a massage room. 75 Beverly Park Lane, Beverly Hills The former home of Wheel of Fortune co-host Vanna White in Beverly Park, listed by The Agency’s Mauricio Urmansky, is a sprawling two-story Italianate mansion with eight bedrooms, 10 baths, a gym and vineyard. 3727 Winford Drive, Tarzana This 6,400-square-foot Mediterranean Villa in Mulholland Park — the 125-acre community with Valley views where Chris Tucker and Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom previously owned homes — offers three en-suite bedrooms, including the master.…

PROJECTED PAY TV MARKET VALUE KEY POINT Unlike in the U.S., where broadcast and cable TV growth are limited by saturation and streaming disruption, traditional television in India is still very much a growing industry, with just 64 percent of households owning a set, and 25 million to 30 million viewers being added to the market each year. *Estimate. Source: Media Partners Asia BROADBAND: MOBILE VS. FIXED KEY POINT Cheap smartphones from China and very affordable 3G and 4G mobile broadband plans have connected hundreds of millions of first-time users, creating the conditions for the Indian streaming boom. Home broadband penetration remains low but is expected to climb fast, creating more opportunity for video consumption growth. Devices Used to Watch Online Video in 2018 ONLINE VIDEO KEY POINT In the…

DONALD TRUMP Steve Coogan “Maybe Donald Trump. Maybe not. They say you have to love the character you’re playing, and I’m not sure I’d be capable of that.” BERNADETTE DEVLIN Saoirse Ronan “Bernadette Devlin, who was a freedom fighter in Northern Ireland and was elected to Parliament in the United Kingdom.” JOSEPHINE BONAPARTE Keira Knightley “Before she became Napoleon’s wife — because she was imprisoned in Carmes and there’s fucking amazing stories there. Her life was really extraordinary.” ELEANOR ROOSEVELT Melissa McCarthy “There’s so many amazing women. Eleanor Roosevelt has always fascinated me. That would be a cool one.” HILLARY CLINTON Felicity Jones “I’ve always wanted to play Hillary Clinton. So I’m taking on one mighty female leader at a time.” ELIZABETH TAYLOR Claire Foy “I haven’t given it much…

As Hollywood’s iconic Egyptian Theatre celebrates the 20th anniversary of its restoration and reopening under the auspices of the American Cinematheque and with the nonprofit organization set to bestow its annual Cinematheque Award on Bradley Cooper on Dec. 5, Barbara Smith, 71, is about to retire as executive director, a post she’s held since 1993. (A successor has not yet been chosen.) The American Cinematheque grew out of Filmex, the ambitious Los Angeles film festival created in 1971 by Gary Essert and his partner, Gary Abrahams. When the two died of AIDS within weeks of each other in 1992, Smith, who’d been working at their side, was left to pursue their dream of establishing a year-round cinematheque, one that reached fruition when the ornate Egyptian, built by Sid Grauman in…

MOTION PICTURE ASSOCIATION ASIA-PACIFIC COPYRIGHT EDUCATOR AWARD Masakazu Kubo, senior vp, Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions EXHIBITOR OF THE YEAR Joe Chang, president, Ambassador Theatres DISTRIBUTOR OF THE YEAR Fu Ruoqing, chairman, Huaxia Film Distribution Co. ICON AWARD Bill Kong, president, Edko Films COMSCORE’S ASIA-PACIFIC BOX OFFICE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International’s Avengers: Infinity War…