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During the '90s and 2000s, teen dramas became the bread and butter for TV networks, with massively popular hits like Beverly Hills, 90210, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The O.C., and My So-Called Life taking audiences by storm with their complex characters and captivating storylines. In 1998, director, producer, and writer Kevin Williamson was basking in the success of Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer (whose screenplays he penned) and decided to set his sights on tackling the small screen with the beloved hit Dawson's Creek.

The fan-favorite series famously starred James Van Der Beek, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and Michelle Williams and took place in the fictional town of Capeside, Massachusetts, where aspiring filmmaker Dawson Leery tries to navigate his youth and the many growing pains that come with it, doing so with close-knit pals. The trailblazing teen drama ran for six dazzling seasons before concluding in...

Your browser does not support the video tag. Consumed reimagines the supernatural legend of the Wendigo with emotional depth through the story of a woman recovering from a brush with death from cancer. Creative duo The Butcher Brothers break down their approach to the horror film, including why Courtney Halverson and Devon Sawa were perfect for their roles, and trying to find the "intricate" layers of the script. The duo also reflect on the challenges of filming on location in the forest and how it was a "horror film within itself".

An iconic supernatural legend is getting a fresh new twist in Consumed. The movie hails from the creative duo known as The Butcher Brothers, comprised of director Mitchell Altieri and producer Phil Flores, who first broke out on the scene with 2006's The Hamiltons before going on to find further success with the remake of the cult classic 1986 horror slasher April Fool's Day,...

Your browser does not support the video tag. Courtney Halverson stars in Consumed as Beth, a woman who survived a brush with cancer, but now faces a mysterious entity while backpacking through the woods with her husband. Halverson wanted to portray Beth as strong, not a damsel in distress, and enjoyed working with Devon Sawa to push their characters and physical scenes beyond the script. Halverson also reflects on the legacy of Unfriended after a decade, feeling it is both a "time capsule" and timeless "brilliant idea".

Courtney Halverson is a woman facing more than just her own tragic past in Consumed. Halverson has been part of the acting industry since she was a teenager, garnering acclaim for her roles in the short films A Distant Shore and Sleepwalk before going on to make appearances in everything from Nickelodeon's Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide to HBO's Big Love. Following...

Consumed, the latest horror movie from indie director-producer duo, the Butcher Brothers, takes audiences deep into the woods for a terrifying and ominous dive into North American folklore for the mother of all creature features. Cancer survivor Beth (Courtney Halverson) and her husband Jay (Mark Famiglietti) are celebrating the one-year anniversary of Beth's recovery with a romantic camping trip in the forest. However, all is not well. Beth is deeply troubled by a dark and tragic secret. To make things worse, she and Jay aren't alone in the woods. Animals are turning up dead and flayed. Human skins are draped around a ritual site. Beth is having surreal nightmares and visions. Someone or some things is out there, stalking them. One of them, the feral hunter Quinn (Devon Sawa) is human. The other, the legendary cryptid known as the Wendigo, is something much worse.

In this exclusive interview with Cbr,...

Beth (Courtney Halverson) and Jay (Mark Famiglietti) want to celebrate a one-year anniversary of Beth’s cancer remission. Apparently, neither of them is acquainted with horror classics, so they decide to go on a camping trip to the woods. Everyone familiar with the genre can easily imagine about a dozen different scenarios of how things might go wrong, and here Consumed offers its biggest (honestly - its only) surprise by introducing two menaces at once. First, Beth makes a gruesome discovery in the woods, and soon a skin stealing creature attacks the couple. Then, they are saved by a brooding, silent man (Devon Sawa) with a rifle. Valuable...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

The following contains spoilers for Consumed, now showing in theaters.

The horror filmmaking duo, the Butcher Brothers consisting of director Mitchell Altieri and producer Phil Flores return to cinemas with their gruesome take on folk horror, Consumed. The sordid tale follows a married couple, Beth (Courtney Halverson) and Jay (Mark Famiglietti), who venture deep into the woods to celebrate Beth's one-year anniversary of her defeat of one of the world's worst monsters: cancer. Jay may be up for the adventure, but there's something eating Beth perhaps literally.

However, there isn't much time to explain her angst. There's something evil lurking in the woods. Animals are turning up dead and flayed. There are dismembered parts and stretched out skins on display. And something or some things are hunting both Beth and Jay. One of them, a huntsman gone mad in the wilderness (Devon Sawa), is quite human. The other is something...

Finding strength when you feel most afraid isn’t easy, but that’s exactly what Beth endeavors to do in the new wilderness thriller Consumed. Directed by Mitchell Altieri from a script by David Calbert, the film tells the story of Beth and her husband Jay hiking through dense forest to celebrate her cancer going into remission. Their trip takes a dark turn though when something monstrous lurks in the trees, putting their lives at risk.

We meet Beth struggling to reclaim her sense of vitality after intensive medical treatment left her weakened. She pushes onward despite her fatigue, determined to make the most of this second chance. But the deep scars of her illness remain, manifesting as nightmares of claws tearing into her chest. When strange events in the woods threaten to cut short their escape from reality, Beth must dig deep within to find reserves of bravery she didn’t know she had.

Millennials grew up watching young-adult hunk Devon Sawa gracing the screen in classics like Final Destination, Casper, and Idle Hands. And fret not, as the lad still has his looks and skills, and is seeing a bit of a resurgence of late, guest-starring in a hilarious episode of Hacks and starring in the excellent Chucky TV series. And with his latest film, Consumed, Sawa seems to have utilized a bit from his leading roles in the aforementioned movies, as it continues his proficiency with horror.

The new creature feature from The Butcher Brothers aka director/producer Mitchell Altieri and producer Phil Flores established a quite simplified battleground out in the sticks: A married couple trapped between a madman and a skin-stealing monster must fight to make it out alive. Written by David Calbert, Consumed is glossy B-movie cinema that makes for easy consumption in a tight 89-minute runtime thanks to some added heart,...

This review contains spoilers for Consumed, which opens on August 16th.

The latest outing of horror filmmaker duo, the Butcher Brothers consisting of director Mitchell Altieri and producer Phil Flores Consumed is a dark and pastoral indie horror dive into the now-popular folk horror. Using North American folklore and cyptids to explore the real-life monster that is cancer, Consumed has a lot of great ideas supplemented by stolen skins, rotten flesh and unnatural violence. The movie got everything right including the acting, practical effects and premise but it unfortunately loses its message in the final leg of its bear trap-ridden trudge through the wilderness.

Married couple Jay (Mark Famiglietti) and Beth (Courtney Halverson) hit an important milestone. It's been one year since Beth was declared cancer-free. To celebrate, the couple travel deep into the woods for a romantic weekend of hiking and camping in the beautiful wilderness. But all is not right.

Watching horror movies about camping seems as much a beloved pastime as actual camping. The concept of campers being terrorized by someone or something in the great outdoors has timeless appeal. And Consumed, directed by Mitchell Altieri and written by David Calbert, boasts all the expected characteristics: a foreboding forest setting, unnatural forces hiding within nature, and people tapping into their primal instincts so they can survive. That’s all good and fine if standards for these kinds of movies are low to begin with, but for anyone hoping for a story that goes off the well-beaten path, then they might be better off looking elsewhere for their fill of camping horror.

Consumed immediately starts to feel familiar as the movie introduces its two main characters: city folks Beth (Courtney Halverson) and husband Jay (Mark Famiglietti) came out to the woods for some peace and quiet, only to then end...

"Are you hunting this thing?!" Brainstorm Media has revealed an official trailer for an indie horror movie called Consumed, the latest from the genre filmmaker Mitchell Altieri. It's set for a direct-to-vod release in August later this summer if anyone's curious. This horror is the new creature feature from The Butcher Brothers – also known as director / producer Mitchell Altieri and producer Phil Flores – and it stars Courtney Halverson, Mark Famiglietti, and Devon Sawa. Consumed is a horror thriller that follows a married couple out camping who encounter something horrifying. Trapped between a madman (played by Sawa) seeking revenge and a skin-stealing monster, a married couple must find the strength to fight and make it out of the woods alive. There's a nice cosmic sci-fi horror tinge to this trailer, with a creepy tease of the gross as monster that's in it. // Continue Reading ›...

Fourteen months ago, we heard that Devon Sawa of Chucky, Final Destination, and Idle Hands had signed on to play the a lead role in the horror film Consumed, coming our way from The Butcher Brothers (a.k.a. director Mitchell Altieri and producer Phil Flores), the filmmaking duo behind The Night Watchmen, The Violent Kind, and The Hamiltons. Now we know that Brainstorm Media will be giving Consumed a theatrical and On Demand release on August 16th – and with that date just one month away, a trailer for the film has arrived online. You can check it out in the embed above!

Courtney Halverson of Unfriended and St. Agatha and Mark Famiglietti of Hang Time and Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines star in Consumed as Jay and Beth, a married couple taking a celebratory camping trip a year after Beth’s cancer remission. Here’s the synopsis: Trapped...

Horror stalwart Devon Sawa delivered a memorable turn in 2020’s survival horror Hunter Hunter. He’s set to get feral in the wilderness once more with Consumed, the latest horror movie by The Butcher Brothers. We’re exclusively sharing the new trailer and poster teasing a savage creature feature ahead.

Consumed releases in theaters and On Demand on August 16, 2024.

In the film, “Trapped between a madman (Devon Sawa) seeking revenge and a skin-stealing monster, a married couple must find the strength to fight and make it out of the woods alive.”

Courtney Halverson and Mark Famiglietti (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines) costar with Sawa as “Jay and Beth, a married couple taking a celebratory camping trip a year after Beth’s cancer remission, who find themselves trapped between a wild madman (Sawa) and a skin stealing monster.”

The Butcher Brothers, aka director Mitchell Altieri and producer Phil Flores, direct...

FBI: Most Wanted fans, we’ve got a fresh off the press preview for the new Season 5 Episode 5 episode titled Desperate!

Find out everything you need to know about the Desperate episode of FBI: Most Wanted, including a full preview, videos, release date, cast information and how to watch!

FBI: Most Wanted Desperate Season 5 Episode 5 Preview

In the upcoming episode of “FBI: Most Wanted” titled “Desperate,” set to air on CBS at 10:00 Pm on March 19, 2024, viewers can prepare for an intense and urgent investigation as the elite task force faces a harrowing situation. The storyline unfolds in rural Pennsylvania, where a high school debate team and their English teacher are kidnapped, propelling the task force into action to decipher the motives behind the abduction and ensure the safe return of the hostages before it’s too late.

The cast, led by Julian McMahon as Supervisory Special Agent Jess Lacroix...

Prepare for an intense ride on CBS as “FBI: Most Wanted” returns with Season 5 Episode 5, titled “Desperate.” Airing at 10:00 Pm this Tuesday, March 19, 2024, the episode plunges viewers into a high-stakes situation when a high school debate team and their English teacher are kidnapped in rural Pennsylvania.

The task force springs into action, racing against time to unravel the mystery of who took them and discern their motives before it’s too late. As the plot unfolds, the tension rises, promising a riveting episode filled with suspense and adrenaline-pumping moments.

In this installment, Remy steps in to help Corey navigate a challenging situation, adding a layer of personal dynamics to the larger narrative. “Desperate” guarantees an evening of gripping storytelling and heart-stopping moments. Tune in at 10:00 Pm on CBS for an intense and thrilling ride with “FBI: Most Wanted” Season 5 Episode 5.

Release Date & Time: 10:00 Pm Tuesday 19 March 2024 on...

Fresh off playing three characters across two seasons of the Chucky TV series, Devon Sawa has taken a lead role in the horror film Consumed, coming our way from The Butcher Brothers (a.k.a. director Mitchell Altieri and producer Phil Flores), the filmmaking duo behind The Night Watchmen, The Violent Kind, and The Hamiltons.

Courtney Halverson of Unfriended and St. Agatha and Mark Famiglietti of Hang Time and Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines star in Consumed as Jay and Beth, a married couple taking a celebratory camping trip a year after Beth’s cancer remission, who find themselves trapped between a wild madman (Sawa) and a skin stealing monster.

David Calbert wrote the screenplay for the film, which was executive produced by Jeffrey Allard and XYZ Films. XYZ Films is also handling the world distribution sales and will be presenting the project to potential buyers at the Cannes Film Festival this month.

Chucky and Final Destination star Devon Sawa is starring in Consumed, the new film from The Butcher Brothers, aka director Mitchell Altieri, and producer Phil Flores, the team behind The Night Watchmen, The Violent Kind, and The Hamiltons.

Jeffrey Allard, producer of the 2003 The Texas Chainsaw Massacre reboot and a frequent Butcher Brothers’ collaborator, is executive producing the film.

Courtney Halverson (Unfriended, St. Agatha) and Mark Famiglietti (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines) co-star in Consumed as Jay and Beth, a married couple taking a celebratory camping trip a year after Beth’s cancer remission, who find themselves trapped between a wild madman ( Sawa) and a skin stealing monster. David Calbert wrote the script.

“When I first read the script for Consumed, I was excited about the challenges it presented. Its characters not only have to face a terrifying creature stalking the woods, but individually, they are also forced to...

Lifetime’s spring slate of movies kicks off on March 4 with eight new movies premiering back-to-back through April 15.

The network today announced the addition of six original films to accompany, “Black Girl Missing” starring Garcelle Beauvais (also of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills) and “Pride: A Seven Deadly Sins Story,” which will premiere on March 4 and April 8, respectively.

The six additional originals — “Girl in the Closet,” “The Hillsdale Adoption Scam,” “Twisted Sister,” “Every Breath She Takes,” “Giving Hope: The Ni’cola Mitchell Story” and “Drunk, Driving, and 17” — have a slew of stars joining the projects, including Tami Roman, Remy Ma, Jackée Harry, Tisha Campbell, Tamala Jones, Mena Suvari, Joy Nash and Keshia Knight Pulliam.

“Girl in the Closet,” “The Hillsdale Adoption Scam” “Drunk, Driving, and 17” and “Giving Hope: The Ni’cola Mitchell Story” are each inspired by true events.

See below for Lifetime’s 2023 early spring slate.

“Black Girl Missing”

March 4, 8 p.

"It's what you said it was out there... It is Not the chaos that you've always described!" Vertical Ent. has unveiled an official trailer for the post-apocalyptic thriller Last Survivors, the second feature made by up-and-coming filmmaker Drew Mylrea. A father and son, who have been living off grid for 20 years, encounter an outsider who threatens to destroy the utopia they've built. Ordered to kill any humans he encounters when venturing out, Jake defies his father by starting a forbidden relationship with a mysterious woman, Henrietta. The film stars Drew Van Acker, Alicia Silverstone, Stephen Moyer, Mark Famiglietti, and Benjamin Arthur. This has some good style and a handful of excellent shots in the trailer, but it also looks so obvious. The Shyamalan-esque twist is so clear from this trailer. But it still might be worth a watch? Here's the official trailer (+ poster) for Drew Mylrea's Last Survivors, direct from...

Witless sexism masquerades as genre parody in this comedy thriller desperately devoid of comedy or thrills

It’s long been a complaint that all the big awards go to tragic dramas, while comedy, especially farce, is much harder to pull off. Nothing illustrates that truism as well as Spy Intervention. Presumably it’s meant to be a larky spoof of spy movies and marital romance – except without any of the cool gadgets, sense of danger, charm or sexual chemistry you’d expect.

Given it was clearly made on a modest budget and is the work of a first-time director (Drew Mylrea), I would normally cut it a bit of slack. But the script, credited to Mark Famiglietti and Lane Garrison, is so sexist, lazy and lacking in wit, it’s hard to find any forgiveness for the end result.

Exclusive: yA (working title), a spinoff of Amazon’s multiple Emmy-winning digital daytime drama series The Bay, which is in development from original series creator Gregori J. Martin, former General Hospital showrunner Wendy Riche and producer Lany Entertainment, is rounding out its cast.

Co-written by Martin and Riche, the coming of age young adult series will follow teens Frankie Sanders and Regan Sanders as they relocate to sunny California and a sometimes cruel new social environment of Bay City High. Crossing over from The Bay are series star Kristos Andrews as Pete Garrett, Vivica A. Fox as Dr. Angela Foster, and Michael Copon as Officer Colton Kurosaki.

The series regular cast of the spinoff also will include Dante Aleksander, who plays Xander Castro, with newcomers Damoni Burkhardt, Logan Garretson, Brady Gentry, Tyler C. Lofton,...

Jennie Garth‘s eldest daughter is following in her mom’s acting footsteps.

The BH92010 star and Luca Bella, her 22-year-old daughter with ex-husband Peter Facinelli, will co-star together in Lifetime’s upcoming movie, Your Family or Your Life, the network announced Monday.

Out Nov. 1, the movie follows Dr. Kathy Meyer (Garth) as her world is turned upside down when her husband David (Alexander Carroll) is found dead in their home. Kathy and her daughter April (Bella), suspicious of the suicide note, decide to investigate and soon discover that David had uncovered damaging information exposing a billionaire banker.

Josh Server,...

"Henry, were you dreaming?" "Dreamt I was human..." Lionsgate has debuted a trailer for an indie sci-fi thriller titled Life Like, which heading straight-to-vod this May. No surprise once you see the trailer, this looks pretty awful. It's one of those sci-fi films that tries to play with a cool concept, but really turns out to be some mushy, cheesy waste of time. Addison Timlin and Drew Van Acker star as a couple who get a lifelike robot to help them with work. At first, android Henry is quiet and hard-working. But as his AI kicks in, he "starts to anticipate the couple's needs and desires, ones they themselves cannot fully understand." What will happen next? Of course, he's going to ruin everything and kill one of them. How else would this progress. Also starring Steven Strait, James D'Arcy, and Mark Famiglietti. This is one worth skipping. Here's the first...

Exclusive: American Made and Hacksaw Ridge backer Argent Pictures, whose partners include sports stars Drew Brees and Tony Parker, and Amateur producer Mandalay Pictures begin shoot next week in Vermont on female buddy comedy Soulmates.

Pic focuses on two friends who are trying to maintain the balance of their friendship just as their community rallies against the corporate takeover of the local maple sugar industry. Stephanie Lynn (Castle) and Alexandra Case (Fishes ‘n Loaves: Heaven Sent) wrote the script and will star alongside Mark Famiglietti (Aquarius). Tim Armstrong (Dakota’s Summer) is on board to direct.

Jill Ahrens, Ryan Ahrens and Ben Renzo of Argent, Caroline Connor, Patrick Raymond of Mandalay Pictures, and Alexandra Renzo are producing. Executive producers are Argent’s Brees, Parker, Michael Finley and Derrick Brooks, and Mandalay Pictures’ Jason Michael Berman. Lisa Nitti negotiated the deal on behalf of Argent Pictures and will serve as production counsel.

Elizabeth Bogush is set as the lead in Last Night, a MarVista Entertainment indie feature from director Chris Sivertson. The plot follows a successful family woman who wakes up next to the dead body of her former lover with no memory of what happened last night. She must race to uncover the identity of the killer before she’s arrested for the crime or becomes the next victim herself. Brad Schmidt, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Mark Famiglietti, Sarah Lind, Victoria Barbaras and Stephanie Bast round out the cast. Michael Moran and John Hermann are the producers. Bogush, who has recurred on CBS’s NCIS: La and Showtime’s Masters of Sex, is repped by Innovative, Margie Weiner Management, and Meyer & Downs.

Chris Caldovino has been added to the cast of Art Camacho and Robert Samuels’ mob comedy indie Made in Chinatown. Written by Mark V Wiley, the pic centers on “Vinny...

James DuMont has joined the cast of The Divorce Party, the comedy directed by Hughes William Thompson from Sprockerfeller Films and 2020 Productions. The film follows a newly dumped divorcee who hires his former wedding planner to throw a "divorce party" celebrating his new singledom after being left by his wife. DuMont will play Charlie, a member of the Divorce Support Group. Lane Garrison and Mark Famiglietti wrote the script with Sunil Perkash, Ryan R. Johnson, Martin…...

Katrina Bowden (30 Rock), Todd Lasance (CW’s The Flash), Max Silvestri (The Good Place) have been added to the cast of The Divorce Party along with the film’s writers Lane Garrison (Roots miniseries) and Mark Famiglietti (NBC's Aquarius). First time director H. Will Thompson is at the helm and the film is presently shooting in Georgia. The pic follows a newly dumped divorcee who hires his former wedding planner to throw a "divorce party" celebrating his new singledom…...

A start date for the Sprockerfeller Films and 2020 Productions comedy The Divorce Party has been set, with filming to begin in November in Savannah, Georgia. Thomas Cocquerel, Matilda Lutz, and Claire Holt will topline the Hughes William Thompson-directed film. Written by Lane Garrison and Mark Famiglietti, The Divorce Party story tracks a newly dumped divorcee (Cocquerel) who hires his former wedding planner (Lutz) to throw a "divorce party" celebrating his new singledom…...

Exclusive: Defiant Pictures and 2020 Entertainment have joined together in fiscal union to back The Divorce Party, an original comedy feature written by actors Lane Garrison (Camp X-Ray, Bonnie & Clyde) and Mark Famiglietti (Premonition, The Greens Are Gone). Story tracks a newly dumped divorcee who hires his sexy former wedding planner to throw a “divorce party” celebrating his new singledom. Garrison and Famiglietti were inspired by the increasing popularity of fetes thrown to mark the end of wedded unions, a trend that’s grown its own cottage industry in recent years. They teamed with Salt producer Sunil Perkash to develop […]...

‘Tis the season for original Christmas-themed TV movies. We’ve already spotlighted the five Hallmark Channel offerings you’ll be watching this year, whether or not you’ll admit it. Now, let’s examine Ion Television’s slate, which offers more truly inspired casting and amazing synopses.

On a Scale of So Insane You Need to See It to Wait, That’s All You Got?:

Defending Santa (Sun., November 24, at 9 p.m. Et)

Cast: Dean Cain, Jud Tylor, Bill Lewis, Jamie McRae, Cooper Barnes, Jodie Sweetin, Seth Menachem, John Savage

Synopsis: Scott Hanson, a ski resort sheriff, inadvertently arrests...

Cary Elwes is set to play the male lead in Horizon, USA’s upcoming alien drama pilot which comes from director Yves Simoneau. At this moment we know that “The Princess Bride” star comes on board to play the male lead, and that he will join previously announced Ruth Bradley, Meg Steedle, Mark Famiglietti and Taylor Handley. In case you’re not so familiar with the project, hit the jump to find more details. Bridget Tyler is in charge for Horizon script, which is set during the height of World War II. It will reportedly revolve around a secretary at the FBI named Lauren, who discovers that...

Click to read original and full article: Cary Elwes to Star in Horizon on http://www.filmofilia.com...

Exclusive: Taylor Handley (Vegas) is set to co-star opposite Ruth Bradley in USA Network‘s period alien drama pilot Horizon. Also cast in the project, executive produced by Gale Anne Hurd, is Mark Famiglietti. Set during the height of World War II, Horizon, from Universal Cable Prods., centers on Lauren (Bradley), a secretary at the FBI who begins a secretive investigation into files that have been stamped with the codename “horizon.” The mysterious project provides links to the presumed death of her husband and the disappearance of a young girl. Handley, repped by Booh Schut Co. and Paradigm, will play George Howl, Lauren’s marine husband who mysteriously resurfaces after disappearing in a battle over the Pacific which the Navy has deemed classified. Famiglietti plays Will “Sparks” Sparkman, a by-the-book FBI agent whose crush on co-worker Lauren is obvious to everyone but her. He joins recently cast Meg Steedle in the pilot,...

Kip Pardue will be chasing Jordana Brewster for helmer Nigel Dick and Madonna and Guy Oseary's Maverick Films. Brewster has been cast in the lead female role opposite Pardue in the romantic comedy Chasing Fate. Production is scheduled to start in the spring, with shooting set for Los Angeles and San Francisco. Penned by Mark Famiglietti and Lane Garrison, Fate finds Pardue starring as a successful man whose life unravels after he dumps his fiancee (Brewster). When she finds sudden fame and fortune, he becomes convinced that they were fated to be together and sets out on a journey to win her back.

Kip Pardue has found his destiny: a lead role in Chasing Fate for helmer Nigel Dick and Madonna and Guy Oseary's Maverick Films. Shooting is scheduled to start in the spring on location in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Penned by Mark Famiglietti and Lane Garrison, the romantic comedy will find Pardue starring as a successful man whose life unravels after he dumps his fiancee. When she finds sudden fame and fortune, he becomes convinced that they were fated to be together and goes on a journey to win her back. Along with Maverick, Sunil Perkash and Zachary Feuer will produce. At the company, vp Brent Emery is overseeing along with Maverick-based producer Baron Kidd. Pardue is repped by ICM, Untitled Entertainment and attorney Jay Froberg. He most recently starred onscreen as Victor in Roger Avary's The Rules of Attraction for Lions Gate Films. He recently wrapped a lead role in Dan Harris' Imaginary Heroes for Moshe Diamont's Signature Films. His other credits include thirteen, Driven and Remember the Titans.

Madonna and Guy Oseary's Maverick Films has tapped music video-turned-feature helmer Nigel Dick to direct Chasing Fate. Acquired in May from scribes Mark Famiglietti and Lane Garrison, the project is a romantic comedy about a successful man whose life unravels after he dumps his fiancee. When she finds sudden fame and fortune, he becomes convinced they were fated to be together and goes on a journey to win her back. Along with Maverick, Sunil Perkash and Zachary Feuer will produce. At the company, vp Brent Emery and executive producer Baron Kidd are overseeing. "This is the kind of movie I've been wanting to get my hands on for years," Dick said. "When I first moved to Hollywood, I spent $12.98 on a book about screwball comedies, and I'm delighted that at long last I'll be seeing a return on my investment. I've even made a promise to the producers that I won't charge them for it in my expenses." Said Maverick president Mark Morgan: "We are thrilled to be working with a director with as keen a sense of pop culture and visual style as Nigel Dick. His tremendous music video background is the perfect fit for Maverick." Dick has helmed more than 200 music videos during his career for such wide-ranging artists as Guns N' Roses and Britney Spears. He also directed the MTV telefilm 2Gether and the S Club 7 film S Club Seeing Double for Columbia TriStar. Dick is repped by Endeavor and Handprint Entertainment's Dannielle Thomas.

Maverick Films has optioned feature film rights to first-time writers Mark Famiglietti and Lane Garrison's romantic comedy screenplay "Chasing Fate". "Fate" centers on a guy's guy who is plagued by misfortune when he breaks up with the girl he was "fated" to be with. He has to learn the art of romance in order to win her back. Zachary Feuer, who will produce along with Maverick and Sunil Perkash, brought "Fate" to the attention of Maverick Films vp Brent Emery. Maverick Films is the Los Angeles-based production company founded by Madonna and Guy Oseary. "I thought it was a really unique point of view on romantic comedies," Feuer said. "Most have female leads and are written from that perspective; this one is different." The writers, who also are actors, first met through a mutual friend on a trip to Las Vegas several years ago and decided to partner up. Famiglietti next appears in "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines" and has guest-starred on "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and "Fastlane". Lane Garrison recently guest-starred on the NBC series "Kingpin". Both are repped by Endeavor. Larry Shire and Robert Strent of Grubman Indursky & Schindler negotiated the deal on behalf of Maverick Films.