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Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail and Julia Roberts have worked together multiple times already. She starred in the series Homecoming, which he co-created; he was an executive producer on the limited series Gaslit, which she starred in; and she starred in his thriller Leave the World Behind, which was a big hit for the Netflix streaming service, landing on their list of Top 10 Most Popular Movies. As of right now, Leave the World Behind stands as Netflix’s fifth most popular English-language film of all time, with 143.4 million views. Last week, we learned that Esmail and Roberts are going to continue their working relationship with another thriller, this one called Panic Carefully… and in the last couple of weeks, Esmail has been building a supporting cast around Roberts. Elizabeth Olsen (WandaVision) and Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything) are in there, and now Deadline has revealed that Brian Tyree Henry of Godzilla vs.

After an exciting and successful six-episodes, The Day of the Jackal ended its first season on a high note. No one saw the surprising season finale twist coming (I didn't!), but the ending definitely laid the groundwork for an even more exciting second season of the spy thriller. Thankfully, Peacock and Sky gave the series a quick renewal for season 2 after only a few weeks into season 1.

Between its excellent acting and storytelling and the breakaway viewership success, The Day of the Jackal was easily one of the best Peacock shows of 2024, and now that the first season is already in the books, all of us fans will be looking ahead to what's next. More specifically, we understandably want to know when they can see the Jackal back in action in season 2.

Well, there's some good and bad news on that front. While The Day of the Jackal season 2 has...

Exclusive: Brian Tyree Henry is in final negotiations to join Julia Roberts, Elizabeth Olsen, and Eddie Redmayne in Panic Carefully, writer-director Sam Esmail’s new paranoid thriller for Warner Bros.

Character details are under wraps, as is the logline. The film is said to be in the vein of Esmail’s Mr. Robot and The Silence of the Lambs and involves the hunt for a cyber terrorist.

Warner Bros won the project in a bidding war earlier this year, in part due to its commitment to a theatrical run. Pic reunites Esmail with Roberts following Leave the World Behind, their apocalyptic thriller, which stands as Netflix’s fifth most popular English-language film of all time.

Producers include Esmail and Chad Hamilton for Email Corp., along with Scott Stuber, Roberts, Marisa Yeres Gill, and Lisa Gillan. Kevin McCormick and Chrystal Li are overseeing the project for Warner Bros, with production to launch in England in January.

Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail and Julia Roberts have worked together multiple times already. She starred in the series Homecoming, which he co-created; he was an executive producer on the limited series Gaslit, which she starred in; and she starred in his thriller Leave the World Behind, which was a big hit for the Netflix streaming service, landing on their list of Top 10 Most Popular Movies. As of right now, Leave the World Behind stands as Netflix’s fifth most popular English-language film of all time, with 143.4 million views. Last week, we learned that Esmail and Roberts are going to continue their working relationship with another thriller, this one called Panic Carefully, with Elizabeth Olsen (WandaVision) set to share the screen with Roberts. Now, The Hollywood Reporter has broken the news that Eddie Redmayne, whose credits include the new version of The Day of the Jackal, the Fantastic Beasts films,...

Eddie Redmanye has lined up his next big acting role.

The 42-year-old actor has been cast alongside Julia Roberts and Elizabeth Olsen in the new movie Panic Carefully from director Sam Esmail.

Keep reading to find out more…

The Hollywood Reporter announced that Eddie had joined the project, which is being described as a “paranoid thriller that has tonal influences of Silence of the Lambs and involves the hunt for a cyber terrorist.”

Additional details have not yet been revealed. We will update you as we learn more about the project.

Eddie recently got some more good news – his series The Day of the Jackal was renewed for a second season at Peacock.

On Tuesday (December 10), the actor attended a conversation with Jessica Shaw at 92Ny in New York City. We’ve got photos of him at the event in the gallery.

If you missed it, Eddie recently addressed “problematic...

Eddie Redmayne is set to join Julia Roberts in the Warner Bros. thriller Panic Carefully sources confirmed to Deadline. Elizabeth Olsen is also on board with Sam Esmail directing. Esmail also penned the script.

Described as a paranoid thriller in the vein of Esmail’s Emmy and Golden Globe winner Mr. Robot, as well as The Silence of the Lambs, the film’s logline is being kept under wraps.

The project went out to assorted studios and streamers near the top of this year, with Warner Bros prevailing in a heated bidding war, in part due to its commitment to a theatrical run. Pic reunites Esmail with Roberts following Leave the World Behind, their hugely popular apocalyptic thriller, based on the 2020 novel by Rumaan Alam, which premiered on Netflix in November 2023 and stands as the streamer’s fifth most popular English-language film of all time, with 143.4 million views.

Producers on...

Eddie Redmayne, currently starring in Peacock’s buzzy series Day of the Jackal, has joined Julia Roberts and Elizabeth Olsen in Warner Bros. Pictures’ Panic Carefully.

Sam Esmail, the creator of the well-regarded thriller series Mr. Robot, wrote the script for the feature and is directing.

Plot and character details are being kept in the hard drive, but the project is described as a paranoid thriller that has tonal influences of Silence of the Lambs and involves the hunt for a cyber terrorist. The film is also a reteaming of Esmail and Roberts after Netflix hit Leave the World Behind.

Esmail and Chad Hamilton are producing via Email Corp., along with Scott Stuber, Roberts, Marisa Yeres Gill and Lisa Gillan. Kevin McCormick and Chrystal Li are overseeing the project for Warners.

Panic Carefully came into the studio after a heated bidding war earlier this year. Part of the appeal for...

Early this year, it was announced that Zac Efron (The Iron Claw) had signed on to star in the A24 thriller Famous for director Jody Hill, and it was revealed that he’ll be playing dual roles in the film, which is based on a novel by Blake Crouch. Phoebe Dynevor (Bridgerton) has since joined the cast, along with Nicholas Braun (Succession), Stephanie Koenig (Lessons in Chemistry), Debby Ryan (Insatiable), Mekki Leeper (Jury Duty), and Cory Michael Smith (Saturday Night) – and now that the project is in production, it has been revealed that Bill Pullman (Independence Day) and Daniel Zovatto (Woman of the Hour) are also in the cast!

Scripted by Chad Hodge, who created the short-lived, Crouch-inspired TV series Wayward Pines back in 2015, Famous has the following synopsis: Lance Dunkquist has one asset that’s about to change his life – he has the face of a movie star. And...

Exclusive: We can tell you that Frankie Shaw’s feature directorial debut, the dark comedy 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank, starring Liam Neeson, has nabbed a domestic distribution deal with Amazon MGM Studios’ Orion label, as well as Miramax boarding as financier and producer. In addition, Deadline can show you first these photos from the set.

The movie, which reps a re-team between Shaw and Neeson after the latter’s action title, Absolution, began production earlier this week in Ireland.

Kinofilms Inc, and Picturestart are also financing. FilmNation is handling international sales. Deadline first told you about the package coming together out of TIFF when FilmNation launched sales.

Based on the Matthew Rosenberg and Tyler Boss graphic novel, and steeped in ’90s nostalgia, 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank centers around Paige who has just lost her mother. Her grandfather steps into to become a more responsible guardian. When...

Exclusive: Woman of the Hour‘s Daniel Zovatto and Independence Day star Bill Pullman are boarding the Black Bear, Esmail Corp, Caviar production Famous which A24 is releasing stateside theatrically.

They join Zac Efron, Bridgerton‘s Phoebe Dynevor, Nicholas Braun, Stephanie Koenig, Debby Ryan, Mekki Lepper and Cory Michael Smith. Cameras are rolling in LA on the Jody Hill directed movie.

Famous explores the dark side of celebrity and the lengths people will go to attain it. Efron plays dual roles: Overzealous fan, Lance Dunkquist and Hollywood heartthrob, James Jansen. Lance has the spitting image of James, and will do whatever it takes to be famous. Pic is based on the novel by New York Times bestselling author Blake Crouch. Chad Hodge adapted for the screen, the scribe also adapted Crouch’s Wayward Pines trilogy into a series.

Famous is being produced by Sam Esmail and...

Elizabeth Olsen has joined Julia Roberts on the cast list for Sam Esmail’s upcoming thriller ‘Panic Carefully.’

Plot details are under lock and key but it is said to be in the same vein as Esmail’s Emmy and Golden Globe winner ‘Mr. Robot,’ as well as ‘The Silence of the Lambs.’

Esmail and Chad Hamilton will produce for Email Corp., along with Scott Stuber, Roberts, Marisa Yeres Gill, and Lisa Gillan. Kevin McCormick and Chrystal Li are overseeing the project for Warner Bros. The production is set to begin in England in January.

Also in news – Jason Clarke joins Murdaugh Murders limited series

Email and Roberts are reuniting on the project after working together on ‘Leave the World Behind,’ an apocalyptic thriller, based on the 2020 novel by Rumaan Alam, which premiered on Netflix in November 2023.

Recently, Olsen starred in a role opposite Carrie Coon and Natasha Lyonne in ‘His Three Daughters,...

Neben Julia Roberts wird Elizabeth Olsen eine Rolle in Sam Esmails Thriller „Panic Carefully“ übernehmen, dessen Dreharbeiten im Januar in England beginnen sollen.

Elizabeth Olsen steht ab Januar in England mit Julia Roberts vor der Kamera (Credit: Imago / TheNews2)

Wenn im Januar in England die Dreharbeiten zu Sam Esmails Thriller „Panic Carefully“ beginnen, wird neben Julia Roberts auch Elizabeth Olsen vor der Kamera stehen. Das berichten US-Branchenmedien.

Über die Handlung des Films, den sich Warner Bros. in einem Bieterwettstreit gesichert hatte, ist nichts bekannt. Beschrieben wird der paranoide Thriller als in der Art von Esmails mit Emmy und Golden Globe prämierten Serie „Mr. Robot“ und „Das Schweigen der Lämmer“.

Sam Esmail wird seine neuerliche Zusammenarbeit mit Julia Roberts nach dem apokalyptischen Thriller „Leave the World Behind“ zusammen mit seinem Partner bei der Esmail Corp., Chad Hamilton, sowie Scott Stuber, Julia Roberts, Marisa Yeres Gill und Lisa Gillan auch produzieren.

Elizabeth Olsen will join Julia Roberts in Panic Carefully, Sam Esmail’s follow-up to 2023’s Leave The World Behind.

Films that release straight to streaming can sometimes find it tricky to make an impact beyond their initial few weeks, quickly becoming just another tile on a screen full of tiles. However, one straight-to-streaming film that neatly sidestepped that pitfall, was Leave The World Behind, the Sam Esmail-directed thriller that dropped at the very end of 2023 on Netflix.

The duo are reuniting for Panic Carefully, a mystery project that attracted the interest of Netflix, Paramount and Warner Bros before the latter came out on top and secured the film. Next to nothing is known about the project itself, beyond that rather curious title and the fact that Esmail’s own Mr Robot series has been mentioned as a comparison point. As has 1991’s brilliantly dark horror thriller, The Silence of The Lambs.

Elizabeth Olsen and Julia Roberts are starring in an upcoming new movie together!

The 35-year-old WandaVision star has joined the cast of thriller Panic Carefully, alongside the 57-year-old Ticket to Paradise actress, according to Deadline.

Set at Warner Bros, the feature is set to be directed by Mr Robot creator Sam Esmail, who also penned the script.

Keep reading to find out more…

Deadline reports that the movie is described as a paranoid thriller, in the same vein as Mr Robot and The Silence of the Lambs. However, exact plot details are being kept under wraps.

This also serves as a reunion for Julia and Sam, who previously worked together on Leave the World Behind, which released in 2023.

Though the project was pitched to movie studios and streamers, Panic Carefully found itself in a bidding war as it has a commitment to be released in theaters.

This past summer, Julia...

Who’s joining Julia Roberts on “Panic Carefully,” her follow-up with “Leave The World Behind” director Sam Esmail? Deadline reports Elizabeth Olsen is the first to join Roberts on the thriller’s cast list. Esmail writes the film’s script along with directing, with the outlet describing it as a paranoid thriller in the veins of “Mr. Robot” and “Silence Of The Lambs.” Shooting starts in England this January.

Continue reading ‘Panic Carefully’: Elizabeth Olsen Joins Julia Roberts For Sam Esmail’s Upcoming Paranoid Thriller at The Playlist.

When Hollywood heavyweights come together for a film, that has nothing to do with a big-budget franchise, it feels quite refreshing! Especially when it’s two powerhouse actresses like Julia Roberts and Elizabeth Olsen, who have teamed up to take us on a cinematic ride.

Julia Roberts | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon / YouTube

They’ll both be a part of Panic Carefully, a film that will be directed by Sam Esmail, who’s also the creative genius behind the series, Mr. Robot. So it would be amazing to see what a stellar cast and a seasoned director could do. The stakes for this project are high, the expectations, even higher, and the details? Well, they are still cloaked in secrecy.

Elizabeth Olsen’s Meteoric Rise and Teaming Up With Julia Roberts For Panic Carefully Elizabeth Olsen | Jimmy Kimmel Live / YouTube

Elizabeth Olsen has joined the star-studded cast of Panic Carefully alongside Julia Roberts,...

Just a year ago, Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail was encouraging us all to Leave The World Behind with his eponymous noodle-twisting, apocalyptic Netflix thriller. Clearly however, Esmail forgot to make a very specific exemption to that directive — it should've been Leave The World Behind (But Not Julia Roberts). "How so?" We hear you cry. Well because, per Deadline's reporting, the Ltwb leading lady is teaming up with Esmail once again on new Warner Bros. thriller Panic Carefully. And, what's more, he's only gone and gotten the Scarlet Witch herself, Elizabeth Olsen, to come along for the ride too.

Set to be directed by Esmail from a self-penned script, plot specifics for Panic Carefully remain hush-hush for the time being. However, according to Deadline, the expectation is that the film will be a Mr. Robot style paranoid thriller, with Jonathan Demme's classic The Silence Of The Lambs also serving as a tonal reference point.

Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail and Julia Roberts have worked together multiple times already. She starred in the series Homecoming, which he co-created; he was an executive producer on the limited series Gaslit, which she starred in; and she starred in his thriller Leave the World Behind, which was a big hit for the Netflix streaming service, landing on their list of Top 10 Most Popular Movies. As of right now, Leave the World Behind stands as Netflix’s fifth most popular English-language film of all time, with 143.4 million views. Esmail and Roberts are set to continue their working relationship with another thriller, this one called Panic Carefully, and Deadline reports that Elizabeth Olsen (WandaVision) has signed on to star in the film alongside Roberts.

Esmail will be directing Panic Carefully from his own screenplay. Plot details are being kept under wraps, but the project is being described as “a paranoid...

Elizabeth Olsen is joining Julia Roberts in Warner Bros.’ thriller feature Panic Carefully.

Sam Esmail is set to direct from his own script, with the studio landing the package in February following a bidding war and committing to a theatrical release. Esmail will produce with Chad Hamilton for Email Corp., alongside Roberts, Scott Stuber, Marisa Yeres Gill and Lisa Gillan.

Panic Carefully is described as a paranoid thriller reminiscent of Silence of the Lambs and Esmail’s Emmy-winning USA Network series Mr. Robot. Kevin McCormick and Chrystal Li will oversee it for Warner Bros.

Esmail’s most recent feature was the 2023 Netflix thriller Leave the World Behind, in which Roberts starred alongside Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke and Myha’la. Coming up, Esmail is producing A24’s thriller movie Famous, in which Zac Efron and Phoebe Dynevor are starring for director Jody Hill. He was also an executive producer on Starz’s Watergate-focused series Gaslit,...

Exclusive: Sam Esmail has made two key hires for his Esmail Corp. The company, run by Esmail and Chad Hamilton, has tapped Sam Shafaghi as Creative Executive in film and Natalie Domengeaux as Creative Executive in television.

Shafaghi, a graduate of the AFI Conservatory’s producing program, joined the company as an intern in 2019 when they first expanded into features. He is currently working on Esmail Corp productions such as Famous, the A24 dark comedy thriller starring Zac Efron, and the upcoming South Korea-set thriller The Hole. Shafaghi reports to Nick Krishnamurthy, the company’s Senior Vice President of Features.

Domengeaux joins Esmail Corp after working as a coordinator at Drew Goddard’s production company, Goddard Textiles. She reports to Sarah Matte, Senior Vice President of Television. Domengeaux is working on the company’s upcoming adaptation of Lee Samantha Chang’s critically acclaimed novel The Family Chao, among other projects on the television slate.

Early this year, it was announced that Zac Efron (The Iron Claw) had signed on to star in the A24 thriller Famous for director Jody Hill, and it was revealed that he’ll be playing dual roles in the film, which is based on a novel by Blake Crouch. Phoebe Dynevor (Bridgerton) has since joined the cast, and now that production is underway in Los Angeles, a press release confirms that Nicholas Braun (Succession), Stephanie Koenig (Lessons in Chemistry), Debby Ryan (Insatiable), Mekki Leeper (Jury Duty), and Cory Michael Smith (Saturday Night) also have roles in the film.

Scripted by Chad Hodge, who created the short-lived, Crouch-inspired TV series Wayward Pines back in 2015, Famous has the following synopsis: Lance Dunkquist has one asset that’s about to change his life – he has the face of a movie star. And not just any movie star – Lance is the spitting image of a Hollywood icon,...

Nicholas Braun, Stephanie Koenig, Debby Ryan, Mekki Leeper and Cory Michael Smith have joined Zac Efron and Phoebe Dynevor in celebrity thriller “Famous.”

The LA-set film — from director Jody Hill and exploring the dark side of celebrity — began production last week in Los Angeles, comes from Esmail Corp. and Caviar.

A24 is set to release “Famous” in the U.S., reuniting with Efron after last year’s “The Iron Claw,” which grossed $45M worldwide. Black Bear is repping international rights. WME Independent and CAA Media Finance brokered the sale.

In “Famous,” Efron stars in dual roles, playing both overzealous fan, Lance Dunkquist, and Hollywood heartthrob, James Jansen. The film is based on the acclaimed novel by New York Times bestselling author Blake Crouch and is adapted for the screen by Chad Hodge, who also adapted Crouch’s Wayward Pines trilogy into a series.

The story follows Dunkquist, who has one...

Last week, it was announced that Theo James of The Gentlemen, the Divergent films, and the upcoming Osgood Perkins / Stephen King movie The Monkey is set to star in a film called The Hole, which is coming our way from South Korean director Kim Jee-woon. Now, the name of James’ first co-star has been revealed, and that co-star is Emmy-nominated Korean actress and model Hoyeon, who made her screen debut in the hit Netflix series Squid Game.

James is taking on the role of Owen, a successful professor living abroad in South Korea, who is bedridden after a devastating car accident that killed his wife, Sandy. He is left under the care of Yuna, his Korean mother-in-law — but when she starts to unravel the devastating truth behind Owen and Sandy’s marriage, and Owen himself, his road to recovery is threatened. Hoyeon will be playing Sandy.

Scripted by Christopher Chen,...

Korean actor Hoyeon is joining Theo James in Kim Jee-woon’s The Hole thriller.

The indie follows Owen, played by James, as a successful professor living in South Korea and bedridden after a devastating car accident killed his wife, Sandy (Hoyeon). Owen is cared for by Yuna, his Korean mother-in-law, who starts to unravel the truth behind Owen and Sandy’s marriage, only to threaten his road to recovery.

Hoyeon made her acting debut in the first season of Netflix’s Squid Game series, and also appears in Alfonso Cuarón’s psychological thriller Disclaimer for Apple TV+. Hoyeon also has an upcoming starring role in Na Hong-jin’s Hope, opposite Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender.

The Veterans is shopping the international rights to The Hole starting at AFM this week, while CAA Media Finance and UTA Independent Film Group are representing the U.S. rights. Sam Esmail, Chad Hamilton and...

Theo James (The Monkey) is set to star in The Hole, a new thriller based on Hye-young Pyun‘s 2017 Shirley Jackson award-winning novel of the same name. Variety reports that the actor will be joined by “Squid Game” breakout star Hoyeon.

Also attached is I Saw the Devil director Kim Jee-woon.

James stars as “Owen, a successful professor living abroad in South Korea, who is bedridden after a devastating car accident that killed his wife, Sandy. He is left under the care of Yuna, his Korean mother-in-law, but when she starts to unravel the devastating truth behind Owen and Sandy’s marriage, and Owen himself, his road to recovery is threatened.”

Hoyeon will play Owen’s wife Sandy. Hoyeon, also known as Jung Ho-yeon, is a South Korean model and an actress who made her acting debut on Netflix’s popular “Squid Game” series as the breakout character Kang Sae-byeok.

There’s a new film called The Hole coming our way from South Korean director Kim Jee-woon, and a press release has revealed that Theo James of The Gentlemen, the Divergent films, and the upcoming Osgood Perkins / Stephen King movie The Monkey is set to star in it. James will be taking on the role of Owen, a successful professor living abroad in South Korea, who is bedridden after a devastating car accident that killed his wife, Sandy. He is left under the care of Yuna, his Korean mother-in-law — but when she starts to unravel the devastating truth behind Owen and Sandy’s marriage, and Owen himself, his road to recovery is threatened.

Scripted by Christopher Chen, The Hole is based on the 2017 Shirley Jackson Award winning novel of the same name by Hye-young Pyun. This adaptation is being produced by Esmail Corp, K Period Media, and Anthology Studios. The...

Theo James (The Monkey) is set to star in The Hole, a new thriller based on Hye-young Pyun‘s 2017 Shirley Jackson award-winning novel of the same name. Also attached is I Saw the Devil director Kim Jee-woon, Deadline reports today.

James stars as ” Owen, a successful professor living abroad in South Korea, who is bedridden after a devastating car accident that killed his wife, Sandy. He is left under the care of Yuna, his Korean mother-in-law, but when she starts to unravel the devastating truth behind Owen and Sandy’s marriage, and Owen himself, his road to recovery is threatened.”

The story takes place in the U.S. and Korea and will feature a combination of English and Korean language. Principal photography is expected to begin in the first half of 2025.

Hye-young Pyun’s novel captures the horrors of isolation, neglect, and loneliness, so expect a more psychological thriller. Of course,...

Exclusive: Theo James (The Gentleman) is set to star in The Hole, directed by Kim Jee-woon (I Saw The Devil) and written by Christopher Chen based on the 2017 Shirley Jackson award-winning novel of the same name by Hye-young Pyun.

Esmail Corp (Leave the World Behind), K Period Media (Manchester by the Sea), and Anthology Studios (Cobweb) are producing. The Veterans is representing international sales rights and is launching the project to buyers at AFM next week. CAA Media Finance and UTA Independent Film Group are co-repping U.S. rights.

The Hole follows Owen (James), a successful professor living abroad in South Korea, who is bedridden after a devastating car accident that killed his wife, Sandy. He is left under the care of Yuna, his Korean mother-in-law, but when she starts to unravel the devastating truth behind Owen and Sandy’s marriage, and Owen himself, his road to recovery is threatened.

Julia Roberts may be the ultimate star, but even Hollywood royalty needs a hero sometimes! During a chaotic moment on set, a co-star stepped in and saved her from a freak accident, forever changing their bond. Now, in true Roberts fashion, she’s giving back in a heartfelt way that’s nothing short of legendary.

Julia Roberts in a still from Leave the World Behind | Credits: Higher Ground Productions

From hair-raising close calls to real-life gratitude, this story dives into how Julia Roberts returned the favor, proving that friendship on and off-screen can be just as magical—and lifesaving—as the movies.

How Shea Whigham’s Quick Move Saved Julia Roberts from a Freak Accident on Homecoming’s First Day A still from Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning | Paramount Pictures

It’s not every day someone can say they once saved Julia Roberts’ life. But her Homecoming co-star, Shea Whigham,...

Exclusive: After announcing his new company and partnering with Amazon MGM Studios, Scott Stuber has found his first major exec hire as Nick Nesbitt has been set as President of Stuber’s production company. This comes after recently entering into a wide-ranging multi-year film partnership with Amazon MGM Studios to finance and release movies via the relaunched historic United Artists label. The company will produce several films per year under the storied United Artists (UA) label for release both theatrically and via Prime Video. Stuber’s new entity is based out of Amazon MGM Studios’ Culver City lot.

“During our many years working closely together, I’ve seen Nick consistently shepherd ambitious film projects, identify compelling stories for features, and develop trusted relationships with top talent,” said Stuber. “As we partner with Amazon to relaunch the legendary UA brand and kick off a wide-ranging slate of films, I am thrilled...

Fresh off the premiere of its new Fox drama “Murder in a Small Town,” Jeff Wachtel’s Future Shack Entertainment shingle is ramping up its development slate — next via a first-look pact with Daily Beast chief content officer Joanna Coles. Future Shack and Coles have multiple projects in development, including a take on MSNBC anchor Katy Tur’s memoir “Rough Draft.”

Wachtel and Coles are also shopping the drama “Base Camp,” which looks at the crowded — and dangerous — queue to get to the top of Mt. Everest. Playwright and screenwriter Anchuli Felicia King is the scribe behind that project.

Additionally, Future Shack and Coles have two more scripts in the works at 20th Television. Coles, who was previously chief content officer at Hearst, was the inspiration for the Freeform drama “The Bold Type,” which she also executive produced. “She’s a phenomenal producer, but primarily a magazine editor and tastemaker,...

Spanish Oscar nominee Society Of The Snow was among the most watched films on Netflix in the first half of 2024, according to the streamer’s latest viewership data.

Ja Bayona’s real-life disaster drama was at number three in the chart, behind action titles Damsel and Lift, with 103.8 million views. Other notable titles in the top 100 included Sam Esmail’s Leave The World Behind, in 35th place with 40.5 million views, and Richard Linklater’s 2024 Venice premiere Hit Man – 47th with 30.9 million views.

Maestro, which scored seven Oscar nominations, was viewed 5.8 million times in the time period, while double nominee Nyad was on 11.2 million.

Phoebe Dynevor joins ‘Famous’ (Photo Credit: Greg Williams / Provided by Black Bear)

Phoebe Dynevor, Bridgerton‘s Daphne Basset, has signed on to star in Famous, described as a thriller about the dark side of celebrity. Dynevor has been cast alongside Zac Efron, who was already confirmed to play the lead role in the drama directed by Jody Hill.

“In Famous, Zac Efron (The Iron Claw) will star in dual roles, playing both overzealous fan, Lance Dunkquist, and Hollywood heartthrob, James Jansen,” reads Black Bear and Esmail Corp’s synopsis. “Lance Dunkquist has one asset that’s about to change his life – he has the face of a movie star. And not just any movie star – Lance is the spitting image of a Hollywood icon, James Jansen. Lance is about to travel to Los Angeles to make his dream come true. Lance is going to be famous, no matter what it takes…...

Exclusive: Phoebe Dynevor is set to join Zac Efron in director Jody Hill’s latest feature film, Famous, a provocative Los Angeles-set thriller that explores the dark side of celebrity.

In Famous, Zac Efron will star in dual roles, playing both overzealous fan, Lance Dunkquist, and Hollywood heartthrob, James Jansen. The film is based on the acclaimed novel by bestselling author Blake Crouch and is adapted for the screen by Chad Hodge, who also adapted Crouch’s Wayward Pines trilogy into a series.

Lance Dunkquist has one asset that’s about to change his life – he has the face of a movie star. And not just any movie star – Lance is the spitting image of a Hollywood icon, James Jansen. Lance is about to travel to Los Angeles to make his dream come true. Lance is going to be famous, no matter what it takes…...

Fargo is one of the most brilliant and weird series that has probably ever been made. While the series is brilliant and gets better with each season, the wait between each season is very long because the creator Noah Hawley is attached to many projects, and he doesn’t have much time to create new seasons every year. So, if you love the surreal humor, psychological thriller, and crime drama aspects of Fargo here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Twin Peaks (Paramount+ & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – ABC

Twin Peaks is a surreal psychological mystery drama series created by Mark Frost and David Lynch. The ABC series follows the story of Dale Cooper, an eccentric FBI agent as he visits a quaint little town, Twin Peaks to investigate the murder of a 17-year-old girl, the homecoming queen with the help of local Sheriff Harry S. Truman.

Exclusive: Sony Motion Picture Group has elevated Ashley Marks to SVP, Casting.

Marks joined the studio in 2021 and has overseen casting for Sony Motion Picture Group’s labels including Columbia Pictures, 3000 Pictures. Her most recent title was VP of Casting. She will report to Sanford Panitch, President of Sony’s Motion Picture Group.

Recent films Marks worked on include the studio’s summer hit, Bad Boys: Ride or Die ($400.2M), the Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell romantic comedy hit, Anyone But You ($220.2M), Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire ($201.8M), the Jennifer Lawrence R-rated comedy No Hard Feelings and The Equalizer 3 ($191M WW).

Prior to Sony Pictures, Marks worked with McCarthy / Abellera Casting on films by Lord & Miller, Working Title, Likely Story and Judd Apatow as well as TV series by Lorne Michaels, Paul Feig, Sam Esmail, Elizabeth Banks, Bj Novak and Rob McElhenney.

Marks began her career at Telsey and...

Exclusive: Higher Ground, the production company of President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, has appointed Anikah McLaren to serve as Head of Film, Deadline can exclusively reveal.

McLaren joins from the recently shuttered Participant, where she spent a little over five years as Executive Vice President of Narrative Film, co-running the department as a key member of the leadership team. In her new role, she will lead Higher Ground’s scripted film division, reporting to President Vinnie Malhotra.

McLaren joins a team that also includes Jessie Dicovitsky, who is Head of Television, and Ethan Lewis, who oversees Higher Ground’s unscripted and non-fiction content. She’ll be based out of Los Angeles and will have VP of Film Mark Wright reporting to her.

“Throughout her wide-ranging career, Anikah has proven she can make bold, provocative, and cinematic visions a reality,” observed Malhotra in a statement to Deadline. “She brings invaluable experience,...

Exclusive: Industry star Myha’la is getting ready to slay in the New Line-Skydance-Nocturna horror film They Will Kill You.

She joins already announced castmembers Zazie Beetz, Patricia Arquette, Heather Graham and Tom Felton.

New Line, as we previously told you, is co-financing and releasing the movie which is from Andy and Barbara Muschietti’s Nocturna Pictures, the horror label they formed this year with Skydance. Kirill Sokolov is writing and directing from a script co-written with Alex Litvak.

The UTA, 11:11 Entertainment, and Jackoway Austen repped Myha’la plays Harper Stern in Industry, currently in its third season on HBO.

Myha’la recently starred in the Sam Esmail-directed Netflix movie Leave the World Behind based on the acclaimed novel of the same name, oppossite Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, and Mahershala Ali. The pic was one of the streamer’s most viewed titles last year. Upcoming, Myha’la can be...

After nearly two years, “Industry” is back for a third season. And this time around, the HBO drama is chronicling a financial saga that will pull its antiheroes into the upper echelons of the financial, political and media worlds.

Created by Mickey Down and Konrad Kay, “Industry” first premiered in 2020 as a steamy and high-stakes drama about a group of new hires at a top-tier London bank. Not all of those newbies lasted, but Down and Kay have found new ways to dive into this ever-stressful world. This season, they’re diving into the world of ethical investment through a new character played by Kit Harington.

Consider this your guide on who’s who in the cast of “Industry” Season 3.

“Industry” Season 3 (Photo Credit: HBO) Marisa Abela as Yasmin Kara-Hanani

Yasmin is one of two characters who has remained at Pierpoint and at the center of “Industry” since Season 1. Part...

Sam Esmail’s cult TV show has an ardent fan in Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr. When asked about his favorite thing to watch on TV, Downey Jr. shared that Mr. Robot was one of the best things airing in 2016. Starring Oscar-winning actor Rami Malek and Christian Slater, the series explores the story of a hacker with social anxiety disorder, clinical depression, and dissociative identity disorder.

Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man in Avengers: Endgame | Marvel Studios

While the cult show along with a couple of other suggestions made it into Downey Jr.’s list of favorites, he did not name any of the Marvel shows. Interestingly, Marvel aired a bunch of animated shows and the non-canonical Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D & Agent Carter until the time when The Avengers actor recommended the list.

Robert Downey Jr.’s Favorite Thing to Watch Is Rami...

In 2019, Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail announced that he was working on a reboot of Battlestar Galactica, the sci-fi series from the late 1970s about humanity struggling to survive after losing a brutal war with robots. Or maybe he was rebooting the early 2000s reboot of Battlestar Galactica, which revamped the story for modern audiences. Is it time to give the series yet another facelift, perhaps for the age of giant, big-budget genre series like Game of Thrones and Foundation?

Apparently not, because Variety reports that Peacock has turned down the chance to go forward with the rebooted reboot, which is now being shopped around to other studios. Might I suggest they hit up Apple TV+? Between Foundation, Silo, Severance, For All Mankind, Invasion and Time Bandits, they have an apparently bottomless appetite for all things sci-fi. Lots of nerds over there at Apple TV+.

In any case, it's a...

Forget your state’s lottery, A24 has the scratch-off game covered. The indie studio has launched its first-ever scratch-off prize event for fans, and it comes with a zoo worth of prizes.

Beginning August 2, AAA24 members have a chance to win exclusive prizes ranging from coveted merchandise to set visits on upcoming A24 films, as well as other unforgettable exclusive experiences. To participate, fans can join membership program AAA24, which includes early access to ticket sales and merch. Members will receive their scratcher in their welcome package and/or first zine shipment; the membership is $5/month or $55/year at launch for U.S. customers, and $9.99/month or $99/year for customers in all other countries.

The scratcher prizes include adopting a baby lamb — a nod to the twisted 2021 family drama “Lamb” — and a roundtrip ticket to Norway and two-night stay at the “Ex Machina” house (aka the Juvet Landskaphotell).

To be clear,...

Recently, Peacock revealed it was scrapping the highly anticipated Battlestar Galactica Reboot that has been promised for years. After hearing the news, fans are upset since they have patiently waited to see it come to fruition.

Peacock Disappoints With Battlestar Galactica Reboot

Sadly, Peacock announced it isn’t moving forward with the Battlestar Galactica Reboot as planned. Initially, the network told fans about the project in 2019 ahead of the launch of Peacock’s streaming platform. Furthermore, it was one of the biggest eye-catchers when promoting the service’s “originals” that would be available. However, it was never given the green light for episode development.

The cast of Battlestar Galactica -Instagram Epic Series Revisited

Originally, Battlestar Galactica aired on ABC for one season in 1978. It was followed up with SciFi Channel’s Galactica 1980 but that was shortlived. However, it became a hit in 2003 when it returned as a three-hour miniseries with...

Mr Robot showrunner Sam Esmail’s Battlestar Galactica reboot needs a new home as streaming platform Peacock has reportedly passed on it.

A new take on the space opera TV series Battlestar Galactica is no longer in development at NBCUniversal’s streaming platform Peacock, it’s been reported.

Originally announced in 2019, the Battlestar reboot was being overseen by Sam Esmail, creator of hit series Mr Robot, who was executive producer under his own company, Esmail Corp. Various writers had come and gone over its long gestation, while 2023’s Hollywood strikes also delayed work on show.

Esmail told Deadline in October 2023 that development on the new Battlestar Galactica was still ongoing, however, and things still sounded positive in January, when Derek Simonds, who wrote and directed TV’s The Sinner, was announced as its new screenwriter.

According to Variety, however, Battlestar Galactica has ceased development at Peacock, and Universal Content Productions...

The long-gestating reboot of the popular sci-fi franchise Battlestar Galactica, from Sam Esmail’s Esmail Corp., is no longer set up at Peacock.

First announced as being in development at the NBCUniversal streamer in 2019, the new incarnation of Battlestar Galactica never got to a green light but remained in development, including a writer change within the past year as The Sinner creator Derek Simonds came on board as writer, executive producer and showrunner.

That version of the project from Simonds will now be shopped to other platforms by its studio, Peacock’s NBCUniversal sibling UCP.

A new take on the classic IP, the latest incarnation is executive produced by Simonds as well as Esmail Corp’s Sam Esmail and Chad Hamilton. UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, is the studio.

Battlestar Galactica has been a passion project for Mr. Robot creator Esmail who is a big fan of the original.

Variety reports that the Battlestar Galactica reboot series, which was in development for Peacock, is no longer moving forward. I smell a Cylon conspiracy.

The Battlestar Galactica reboot series was first announced in 2019 and has been in development ever since. The reboot was a passion project for Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail, who was slated to executive produce. Michael Lesslie (The Little Drummer Girl) was originally attached to write the project, but he left and was replaced by The Sinner creator Derek Simonds in January, who was attached to serve as writer, executive producer, and showrunner of the series. However, this may not be the end of the project, as an individual with knowledge of the situation said that it will be shopped to other outlets.

Related Battlestar Galactica: Derek Simonds tapped as showrunner of Sam Esmail’s reboot series

Esmail provided an update on the project just last year,...

“Battlestar Galactica” will not chronicle its next chapter on Peacock. A planned reboot for the classic sci-fi hit is no longer in development at the streamer, an insider close to the decision-making told TheWrap.

The project had been in development since 2019, helmed by Sam Esmail (“Mr. Robot”). It was never officially picked up to series at Peacock, and though no plot details were revealed, the show was set to be set in the same timeline as the popular 2003 series.

The news comes months after “The Sinner” EP Derek Simonds was tapped to be writer, executive producer and showrunner. The reboot will now be shopped around to other outlets by its production company, UCP, with whom Esmail has an overall deal. The project was in development with UCP, Esmail Corp and Chad Hamilton.

“Battlestar Galactica” was first introduced in the ’70s as a single-season show starring Richard Hatch, Dirk Benedict and Lorne Greene.

The long-gestating reboot of “Battlestar Galactica” is no longer in development at Peacock, Variety has learned exclusively.

The project was first announced back in 2019 ahead of Peacock’s official launch as part of the streamer’s initial slate of original programming. It was never formally ordered to series, though, and has been in development ever since. Exact story details never emerged, but the show was said to be set in the same continuity as the 2003 “Battlestar Galactica” series.

The reboot was a passion project for Sam Esmail, who was executive producing via Esmail Corp. under the company’s overall deal with studio UCP. Chad Hamilton of Esmail Corp. was also an executive producer. Michael Lesslie had originally come onboard as the writer of the reboot in 2020, but it was reported that he left the project in 2021. Most recently, it was reported in January that Derek Simonds was attached to serve as writer,...

Earlier this year, we learned that Zac Efron (The Iron Claw) is set to star in the thriller Famous for director Jody Hill (Observe and Report) – and will be playing dual roles in the film, which is based on a novel by Blake Crouch! Now Deadline has revealed that A24 has landed domestic distribution rights to the film. A24 has also informed Variety that they’re making a horror film called Altar, with Egor Abramenko (Sputnik) on board to direct the film, which will star Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks), Lily Collias (Good One), newcomer Hudson Behling, January Jones (Mad Men), and David Krumholtz (Oppenheimer).

Scripted by Chad Hodge, who created the short-lived, Blake Crouch-inspired TV series Wayward Pines back in 2015, Famous has the following synopsis: Lance Dunkquist has one asset that’s about to change his life – he has the face of a movie star. And not just any movie...

What could possibly be better than Zac Efron? It sounds like a trick question, we know. Surely there's no beating the American acting heartthrob, right? Well, how about two Zac Efrons? Because that's exactly what we'll be getting in Observe & Report writer-director Jody Hill's Famous. A celebrity doppelgänger thriller based on Blake Crouch's same-named Nyt bestseller, Hill's movie has, per Deadline's reporting, landed distribution via A24, teeing up a reunion between Efron and the studio behind his wrestling drama The Iron Claw.

Michael Sagol, Sam Esmail, and Chad Hamilton are all aboard to produce the picture, which will see Efron star as Hollywood hunk James Jansen and overeager fan Lance Dunkquist, who just so happen to both look exactly alike. However, whilst the prospect of two Efrons gadding about sounds like a dream come true on paper, in the film — as in Crouch's book — the bigger picture is a little less rosy.