Vet Indie Execs Launch A24 Distribution Outfit
A24 is a new film company that will focus on distribution, financing and production. The New York-based company will acquire finished films and finance and produce original content. A24 aims to distribute 8 - 10 titles per year, several of which will have wide theatrical releases. The new company is being spearheaded by former Oscilloscope Laboratories exec David Fenkel, Daniel Katz from finance group Guggenheim Partners (The Social Network) and John Hodges of Big Beach Films (Little Miss Sunshine). The three said in a statement: "We see an exciting opportunity right now for movies in the domestic space especially given all the new ways to target moviegoers and the changes that are happening in the marketplace. We are looking forward to working with great storytellers to bring their films to audiences."
Rom-Com Cheerful Weather for the Wedding Headed to Theaters
Donald Rice's romantic comedy Cheerful Weather for the Wedding, based on Julia Strachey's 1932 novel of the same name, has been picked up by IFC Films. The film stars Elizabeth McGovern, Felicity Jones, Luke Treadaway, Mackenzie Crook, Zoe Tapper, and Ellie Kendrick and centers on a woman who realizes on her wedding day she's about to make a serious mistake. The film had its world premiere last spring at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Writers Guild Accepting 2013 Doc Screenplay Awards Contenders
The Writers Guild of America, West and the WGA, East are accepting submissions for their 2013 WGA Documentary Screenplay Award. Submissions are being accepted through November 16th. Nominations will be announced January 3rd and the 2013 Writers Guild Awards will take place at simultaneous ceremonies in New York and Los Angeles on February 17th. For more information, visit their website.
Around the 'net…
Tony Scott Spent Final Days Working on Top Gun 2
Scott spent time last week in Nevada with Tom Cruise touring a naval air station as part of their research for the project. Scott, who directed Cruise in the original Top Gun, was set to direct the movie's sequel in addition to two other projects that were in advanced development when he died of an apparent suicide this past weekend, THR reports.
Gary Ross Eyes Peter Pan
The Hunger Games director opted against the franchise's follow-up due in theaters this November, but is now likely set to direct the Disney project Peter and the Starcatchers. The story is based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. Jesse Wigutow is working on a script that is scheduled for October delivery, Deadline reports.
Growing Number of Comics Move Behind the Camera
Dax Shepard's car-chase comedy Hit & Run and Mike Birbiglia's one-man-show adaptation Sleepwalk With Me are part of an influx of low-budget pics that has afforded such talent creative control, Variety reports.