News

Is it possible that network television is so back? That's the immediate reaction to hearing CBS bought a new workplace comedy pilot starring Tim Meadows. Per Deadline, the sitcom is called Dmv, and Meadows "will play former high school English teacher Gregg, the examiner who likes to get through the driving tests,...

Finn Wittrock is best known for playing some of the most twisted characters in shows like American Horror Story and Ratched. As reported by Deadline, his next character from an upcoming romantic comedy film won't be as twisted, but he will be spoiled. Wittrock plays Sam Davies in In So Much For Love alongside Sylvia Hoeks (See) and Esai Morales (Mission Impossible). The film is currently shooting in Louisville, Kentucky, by filmmaker Lina Roessler and writer Anthony Greico.

Exclusive: Finn Wittrock, Sylvia Hoeks and Esai Morales are starring in So Much For Love which is currently shooting in Louisville, Kentucky.

The movie which reteams filmmaker Lina Roessler with Best Sellers scribe Anthony Grieco follows Sam Davies (Wittrock), a trust fund supported bon vivant and bachelor, who is living his best life – right up until the day he turns 35. Much to his horror, that’s when he learns his deceased parents have a provision in the trust that will terminate his installments and force him to earn his keep. Cast out of his posh Hollywood Hills digs and landing in La Grange, Kentucky, Sam has a calendar year to learn the value of hard work, the meaning of purpose, and the true price of love – or lose it all.

The story is originally by Paul Robarts and Gigi Gaston (Nine Bullets). Pic is being produced by Cassian Elwes’ Elevated Films along with Paul Robarts (Nine Bullets), Arielle Elwes (Best Sellers) and Veronica Radaelli (Violet). EPs are are Gaston and Tom Culliver (In the Summers).

Roessler says, “I knew this film would be something special when I started collaborating again with Anthony on the script. Being back on set and getting to work with Finn, Sylvia and Esai has been absolutely wonderful. It has also been a magical experience working again with Cassian and Arielle along with our amazing crew in Louisville.”

Robarts adds, “So Much for Love is a film I have been working on for a long time. Seeing it come to life with such talented actors and Lina directing is a dream come true!”

Wittrock is repped by CAA, Weissenbach Management and Schreck Rose Dapello Adams Berlin & Dunham Llp. Hoeks is repped by UTA, Untitled, Independent Talent, and Gang, Tyre.

Morales is repped by Innovative Artists, Link Entertainment and Vault Entertainment. Roessler and Grieco are repped by Innovative.

Michael Caine got candid about the reality of being a working actor at 90 as he explained his potential retirement.

After over 70 years in show business, Caine said he is now “sort of” retired from acting before explaining how he came to the decision in an interview with The Telegraph. “I am bloody 90 now, and I can’t walk properly and all that,” he said. “I’ve had the best possible life I could have thought of. The best possible wife, and the best possible family. They may not be a family that other people would say is the best possible family — but the best possible family for me.”

Related: Michael Caine Had a Serious Request Before Joining The Muppet Christmas Carol

When asked what he wants to be remembered for, Caine conbtinued, “The fact that I remained an actor all my life, and I never went into anything else. I never left,...

Michael Caine, the icon of British cinema, has confirmed that he now views himself as retired after filming what he feels will be his final role, in The Great Escaper. Caine had caused in stir after filming Lina Roessler's Best Sellers in 2021 when he said the movie might be his last. Representatives for the esteemed two-time Oscar winner promptly moved to clarify that Caine's proclamation was premature, revealing that he was already contemplating involvement in two upcoming film projects at that time. Fast forward two years, and it appears that Caine has largely embraced retirement.

Michael Caine caused a stir in 2021 when he said that his role in director Lina Roessler’s comedy “Best Sellers” might be the last of his career. Reps for the two-time Oscar winner were swift to clarify that Caine’s announcement was premature and that he was already considering two new films to star in at the time. Flash forward two years later, and it seems Caine is more or less retired now.

“I am bloody 90 now, and I can’t walk properly and all that,” he told The Telegraph in a new profile. “I sort of am retired now.”

If Caine actually is retired, then his final film will be the upcoming “The Great Escaper.” The film, co-starring Glenda Jackson, is based on the true story of Bernard “Bernie” Jordan, a Royal Navy veteran who disappeared from his old age home at 89 to travel to France so he could...

Exclusive: Screen Media has acquired North American rights to the horror film The Accursed, from director Kevin Lewis (Willy’s Wonderland), which stars Mena Suvari (American Beauty), Sarah Grey (Power Rangers), Meg Foster (They Live) and Alexis Knapp (Pitch Perfect). The Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment company has slated the title, which is currently in post-production, for a theatrical day-and-date release this fall.

The Accursed follows a young woman who is forced to return home following the death of her mother. Consumed by guilt and desperate to escape the haunting visions playing out in her head, she takes a temporary caregiver position for a comatose, old lady living alone in the woods. It does not take long before she realizes that not all is as it seems, and that the old lady harbors a demonic secret; an evil secret that the old lady’s daughter is intent on passing on.

Screen Media has acquired North American rights to “9 Bullets,” a new crime thriller with “Game of Thrones” star Lena Headey and “Avatar’s” Sam Worthington. The studio is planning a day-and-date release in April.

“9 Bullets” centers on a showgirl (Headey), who risks everything when she rescues a young boy after his family is murdered by her ex-boyfriend, who also happens to be the local crime-boss (Worthington). Now on the run, she makes a desperate attempt to get the boy safely to his uncle in South Dakota.

The film is directed and written by Gigi Gaston (“Rip it Off”) and also stars Dean Scott Vasquez (“Transformers: Rise of the Beasts”), Cam Gigandet (“The Magnificent Seven”), La La Anthony (“Power”), Martin Sensmeier (“Westworld”) and Oscar-nominee Barbara Hershey (“The Portrait of a Lady”). Foresight Unlimited, Screen Media’s international sales division, is handling foreign sales for the picture and has successfully closed deals in many key international territories.

Exclusive: Screen Media has acquired worldwide rights to Family Squares—the comedy formerly titled Shoot the Rooster—from Unbound Media. The indie distributor is planning to unveil the film—starring Ann Dowd (Mass), Elsie Fisher (Eighth Grade), Judy Greer (Archer), Billy Magnussen (No Time to Die), Margo Martindale (August: Osage County), Sam Richardson (Veep), Timothy Simons (Veep), June Squibb (Nebraska), Casey Wilson (Saturday Night Live), Scott MacArthur (Halloween Kills), Zoe Chao (Love Life), Jessica Miesel (The Resident), Maclaren Laing (Eastbound & Down) and Henry Winkler (Barry)—in a day-and-date domestic release early next year.

The film from writer-director Stephanie Laing is a love letter to her family, the South and small-town America based on the passing of her mother, which was for the most part shot remotely during quarantine, with Laing directing actors via video conference. It centers on the members of the divided Worth family,...

Exclusive: Screen Media has acquired North American rights to A Week in Paradise, a Caribbean-set romantic comedy starring Malin Akerman (The Final Girls), Connie Nielsen (Wonder Woman), Philip Winchester (Flyboys) and Jack Donnelly (Atlantis), with plans for a day-and-date release early next year.

The film directed by Philippe Martinez centers on Maggie (Akerman), a London-based international film star whose world collapses when her film director husband is outed by the paparazzi as having a baby with his new leading lady. Seeking solace and healing, she escapes to the Caribbean to stay at her expat cousin’s charming boutique hotel resort in Nevis. After a week in paradise, she finds herself and falls in love—only for the outside world to come crashing back in.

Kate Wood (Miss Willoughby and the Haunted Bookshop) scripted the film, which Martinez produced with Alan Latham.

“Directing this...

Exclusive: Screen Media has acquired U.S. rights to Benjamin Louis’ found footage horror film Stoker Hills, starring William Lee Scott (The Butterfly Effect), Danny Nucci (Titanic), Steffani Brass (Six Feet Under) and Tony Todd (Candyman), with plans to release it in theaters and on demand in January.

The film penned by Jonah Kuehner (Good Luck Charlie) is set in the secluded town of Stoker Hills, watching as three college students filming a horror movie find themselves trapped in their own worst nightmare. Their only hope for survival is two detectives who find the camera they left behind in the woods.

Louis, Rab Butler, Timothy Christian and Jonah Kuehner produced through Streetwalkers Productions.

“After several years of hard work and dedication our team is thrilled to partner with Screen Media for our domestic release,” said Louis. “We are excited to share the film with the US audience.”

“We’re always on the hunt for new,...

Best Sellers Review — Best Sellers (2021) Film Review, a movie directed by Lina Roessler and starring Michael Caine, Aubrey Plaza, Scott Speedman, Ellen Wong, Cary Elwes, Luc Morissette, Veronica Ferres, Frank Schorpion, Florence Situ, Linda Joyce Nourse, Sebree Laurie, Charli Birdgenaw and Philip Le Maistre. Oscar winner for Hannah and Her Sisters and The Cider House [...]

Continue reading: Film Review: Best Sellers (2021): Michael Caine And Aubrey Plaza Make Comedic Drama A Real Winner...

Despite his recent comments that Lina Roessler’s “Best Sellers” may end up being his last film, reps for Michael Caine confirmed to Variety that the actor is not retiring.

In fact, sources close to Caine said that he is currently reviewing two scripts for upcoming projects.

Rumors about Caine’s retirement began to swirl on Friday, when the 88-year-old actor spoke about the state of his career on the BBC radio program “Kermode and Mayo’s Film Review.” “Funnily enough, it has turned out to be my last part, really,” he said of his role in “Best Sellers.” “Because I haven’t worked for two years, and I have a spine problem which affects my leg, so I can’t walk very well.”

Caine continued: “And I also wrote a book, a couple of books, which were published and successful. So, I’m now not an actor; I’m a writer.

Screen Media has acquired all North American rights to “La Soga Salvation” following its premiere at 2021 Toronto International Film Festival, where it screened in the Contemporary World Cinema section. The crime thriller is directed by and stars Manny Perez, who previously appeared in “Pride & Glory” and “Homeland.” “La Soga Salvation” also stars Chris McGarry (“Lucifer”), Juan Fernández (“The Collector”), Hada Vanessa (“La Bruja”), and Sarah Jorge Leon (“La Siete Muertes”). Screen Media is planning a day-and-date release in early 2022.

Here’s the official log-line: “Years after his last hit as a skilled and sought-after hitman under the alias La Soga, Luisito (Perez) has finally settled down with his girlfriend Lía (Sarah Jorge Leon) in a quiet seaside town. Unfortunately, his past isn’t done with him. When criminal contractor Jimmy Mac (Chris McGarry) finds himself in need of a skilled hitman to take out a powerful Dominican drug lord,...

Screen Media has nabbed North American rights to Black Friday, an alien invasion holiday horror film starring Bruce Campbell (The Evil Dead), Devon Sawa (Final Destination), Ivana Baquero (Pan’s Labyrinth), Ryan Lee (Goosebumps), Michael Jai White (Arrow) and Stephen Peck, ahead of its Fantastic Fest world premiere, with plans for a day-and-date release in November.

Casey Tebo’s film, penned by Andy Greskoviak, takes place on the busiest shopping night of the year, watching as a group of disgruntled toy store employees are forced to defend themselves from legions of holiday shoppers, who have been turned into monstrous creatures by a mysterious alien parasite.

Warner Davis produced the pic, with Greskoviak exec producing via his company Mfw Manufacturing.

“When Andy sent me this script, it was such a blast!” said Tebo. “It reminded me of some of my favorite holiday horror movies like Gremlins or Krampus. I could see myself...

One of the first rules of writing is: never start with a cliché. But I'm going to do it anyway, because "Best Sellers," the feature directorial debut of Canadian filmmaker Lina Roessler, is one of those many quirky indie dramedies that you can judge by its cover. Predictable and slightly rote, "Best Sellers" is a typical indie heartwarmer where two opposite people meet, clash, and ultimately teach each other how to be better people over an alt-rock soundtrack curated by Pitchfork. But unoriginality isn't a sin, and "Best Sellers" isn't without its charms — namely, Roessler's visually stimulating direction (hurrah, a comedy...

The post Best Sellers Review: Michael Caine Steals the Scenes in a By-the-Book Indie Dramedy appeared first on /Film.

Festival

Raindance Film Festival, Britain’s largest independent film festival, will return to cinemas this year, reimagined and restructured with a host of new partners and new films. Running Oct. 27 – Nov. 6, this year’s in-person event will partner with several cinemas across London and offer online screenings in the U.K., facilitated by Curzon Home Cinema.

After seeing last year’s data, which showed that about 70% of the festival’s online audience was located outside of London, Raindance has made a concerted effort to continue fostering its online reach, resulting in the new partnership with Curzon, which will host pay-per-view screenings of official competition films on its iOS, Android and Smart TV apps.

Kicking off on Oct. 27, the Raindance opening gala will feature a screening of Lina Roessler’s “Best Sellers,” starring Academy Award winner Michael Caine, Cary Elwes and Aubrey Plaza. Bookending the event on Nov. 6, the closing gala...

Harris Shaw (Michael Caine) is a writer in need of money. Lucy Stanbridge (Aubrey Plaza) is an editor/publisher in need of money. And it just so happens that a contract between him and her company is already on the books to provide some for both. There are a couple problems, though. Shaw hates people, press, and perhaps life itself, while Lucy is constantly being judged against her father (a pillar of the literary world who left her the shingle) and thus constantly disrespected. Does the benefit of teaming up outweigh the obvious issues? In the short-term, yes. If she agrees to not edit a single word he’s written, he’ll participate in her book tour. Unfortunately for Lucy’s sanity and bottom line, Harris never said he’d play nice.

Welcome to Best Sellers, Lina Roessler’s feature directorial debut (written by Anthony Grieco). We have the highly...

Titles include ‘The Hating Game’, ‘One Second’, ‘Blacklight’

Australia-New Zealand distributor Rialto Distribution has acquired rights to nine new films, with plans to release them all theatrically across the coming year.

The nine features are led by Liam Neeson thriller Blacklight, which filmed in Melbourne during the pandemic lockdown in 2020 and is in post-production. Neeson plays a shadowy government agent who detects a deadly conspiracy within his own ranks linked to the highest echelons. Mark Williams is directing, having previously directed Neeson in 2020 thriller Honest Thief; US agency Solution Entertainment Group handles sales.

Based on Sally Thorne’s novel of the same name,...

You can easily see why Michael Caine wanted to play alcoholic, cantankerous novelist Harris Shaw in Lina Roessler’s comedy. Constantly exclaiming “Bullshite!” and prone to such antisocial behavior as peeing on his own book during a literary reading, Shaw provides the octogenarian actor with the sort of elderly show-offy lead role that’s miles away from his recent dignified supporting turns in Christopher Nolan movies. The character isn’t remotely believable for a second, but in Caine’s capable hands he’s vastly amusing to watch.

The same could be said of Aubrey Plaza as Lucy, the young book publisher ...

You can easily see why Michael Caine wanted to play alcoholic, cantankerous novelist Harris Shaw in Lina Roessler’s comedy. Constantly exclaiming “Bullshite!” and prone to such antisocial behavior as peeing on his own book during a literary reading, Shaw provides the octogenarian actor with the sort of elderly show-offy lead role that’s miles away from his recent dignified supporting turns in Christopher Nolan movies. The character isn’t remotely believable for a second, but in Caine’s capable hands he’s vastly amusing to watch.

The same could be said of Aubrey Plaza as Lucy, the young book publisher ...

For any older men feeling left behind by a world of youth, social media and anti-patriarchal sentiment, “Best Sellers” offers a comforting message: You may yet be a younger person’s savior, provided they come to save you first.

Harris Shaw, the ornery, outdated writer at the center of Lina Roessler’s gentle literary comedy, has been creatively blocked for 50 years since producing one vastly acclaimed novel. Stymied by his own one-time success, he needs to be dragged into an era that has largely left him behind to be freed as an artist. Michael Caine, on the other hand, has never needed any such encouragement. Still working inexhaustibly at the age of 88, he brings to “Best Sellers” a signature screen persona of shaggy, get-the-job-done defiance. Still, it’s the more withdrawn melancholy he locates in the character — or vice versa — that makes this one of his richer recent vehicles.

True to its message,...

Honored this year at the Karlovy Vary Intl. Film Festival for his incredible volume of work over six decades, Michael Caine is remarkably down-to-earth as he reflects on lessons learned and how his plans to retire more than 20 years ago just never quite worked out. In addition to winning the Kviff award for contribution to world cinema, Caine came to the Czech Republic to screen “Best Sellers,” director Lina Roessler’s feature debut, in which he plays a cantankerous writer – a character into whom he says he has real insight as the author of several books of his own, ranging from biography to fiction. Caine will also be seen soon as Lord Boresh in the Czech historic epic “Jan Zizka.”

As you thanked the crowd here on opening night at the Karlovy Vary festival, many noticed your voice hasn’t seemed to lose its tenor a bit over the years.

Screen Media has released the first trailer for Best Sellers, which pairs up two sharp tongued actors, Sir Michael Caine (The Prestige) and Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation) to tell the tale of a curmudgeonly down and out writer forced to hold up a dusty contract to furnish a book and participate in a book tour. Joining in the road trip from hell is a woman trying to squeeze some cash out of her father's crumbling publishing company.

Aubrey Plaza sums it up, explaining, "I'm a young book publisher that's trying to save my dying publishing house. I'm putting all my eggs in one basket, which is Michael Caine, who plays a legendary author - a novelist whom I've dragged out obscurity, and I'm banking on him to save my business. For me, the movie is really kind of more like a love story between the two of us ... two unlikely,...

"You vanquished my fears - and for that, I am forever grateful." Screen Media Films has released the first official trailer for an indie dramedy titled Best Sellers, marking the feature directorial debut of Canadian actress Lina Roessler. This film first premiered at the 2021 Berlin Film Festival earlier this year (but did not screen online initially), and is also playing at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival and Melbourne Film Festival. When Lucy inherits her father's publishing house, and realizes it's in trouble, she discovers a cranky, retired author still owes them a book. So she convinces him to reluctantly embark on a final book tour to help them out. Michael Caine co-stars with Aubrey Plaza, and a cast including Cary Elwes, Scott Speedman, Ellen Wong, and Veronica Ferres. This looks like some good indie fun, with two performances that seem to have some offbeat chemistry and charm. It also reminds...

The 55th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (Aug. 20-28) will honor Michael Caine and Johnny Depp.

Two time Oscar winner Caine is this year’s festival special guest and will be presented with a Crystal Globe for outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema at the festival’s opening ceremony.

At the festival, Caine will personally present the comedy drama “Best Sellers” (2021), director Lina Roessler’s feature film debut in which he portrays a cranky old author who sets out on one final book tour.

When he received his first Oscar for best supporting actor for “Hannah and Her Sisters,” it was his fourth nomination for the Academy Awards, having been previously nominated for “Alfie,” “Sleuth,” and “Educating Rita.” In 2000, he received his second Oscar for his performance in the film adaption of the bestselling book “The Cider House Rules” and in 2003 he was again nominated for “The Quiet American.”

The festival will also honor actor,...

Second European event this week to announce it will honour Depp.

Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (Kviff) is the second European event this week to announce it will honour Johnny Depp, paying tribute to the actor’s career at the 55th edition of the event (August 20-28).

The tribute follows an announcement from San Sebastian film festival yesterday that Depp will be awarded its highest prize, the Donostia award, in September.

It is expected that Depp will attend both events in person.

A statement from Karlovy Vary described the recognition as “a tribute to Depp’s significant contributions to film...

Second European event this week to announce it will honour Depp.

Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (Kviff) is the second European event this week to announce it will honour Johnny Depp, paying tribute to the actor’s career at the 55th edition of the event (August 20-28).

The tribute follows an announcement from San Sebastian film festival yesterday that Depp will be awarded its highest prize, the Donostia award, in September.

It is expected that Depp will attend both events in person.

A statement from Karlovy Vary described the recognition as “a tribute to Depp’s significant contributions to film...

Michael Caine will receive the Crystal Globe Award for Outstanding Contribution to World Cinema at the 2021 Karlovy Vary Film Festival, Kviff organizers announced on Tuesday.

Caine will receive the award, the festival’s highest honor, at the Karlovy Vary’s opening ceremony on Aug. 20. He will also present the film “Best Sellers,” the directorial debut of Lina Roessler, in which he plays an author embarking on one final book tour.

Johnny Depp will also attend the festival to present screenings of two films he produced, the documentary “Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds With Shane MacGowan” and the drama “Minamata,” in which he also plays a photographer who documented the effects of mercury poisoning in Japan.

The festival will also give the Kviff Presidents Award to veteran Czech director Jan Svěrák, whose film “The Ride” won the Crystal Globe for best film at Karlovy Vary in 1995.

Previously, Kviff announced that...

He does this sort of thing for a living.

British actor Michael Caine will add another trophy to his packed awards case when the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival honors the two-time Oscar, three-time Golden Globe, and two-time European Film Award winner with its 2021 Crystal Globe for outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema.

Caine will attend the Czech festival, which runs August 20-28, where he will present Lina Roessler’s Best Sellers. Caine stars in the comedic drama as a curmudgeonly author on one final book tour.

In his long career, now into its sixth decade, Caine has played heavies, heroes, and husbands ...

He does this sort of thing for a living.

British actor Michael Caine will add another trophy to his packed awards case when the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival honors the two-time Oscar, three-time Golden Globe, and two-time European Film Award winner with its 2021 Crystal Globe for outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema.

Caine will attend the Czech festival, which runs August 20-28, where he will present Lina Roessler’s Best Sellers. Caine stars in the comedic drama as a curmudgeonly author on one final book tour.

In his long career, now into its sixth decade, Caine has played heavies, heroes, and husbands ...

Screen Media has acquired “Best Sellers,” a comedy with Michael Caine and Aubrey Plaza about a pair of misfits that has a literary twist. The deal is for all U.S. rights, and the company plans to release the film theatrically and on-demand in September.

Directed by Lina Roessler (“Little Whispers: The Vow”), “Best Sellers” centers on an ambitious young editor (Plaza) who decides to try to save the flailing publishing house her father left her by going on a book tour with the bitter, hard-drinking author (Caine) who helped establish the company several decades and an ocean of booze ago.

Cary Elwes, Scott Speedman, Ellen Wong and Veronica Ferres co-star in the film. The screenplay, written by Anthony Grieco, won a 2015 Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting award.

“Not since ‘As Good as it Gets’ have we seen such a mismatched pair take to the road,” said Screen Media in a statement.

Exclusive: Aaron Eckhart has boarded the pugilist thriller Rumble Through the Dark based on the Michael Farris Smith novel The Fighter.

Smith adapted his own novel and Graham Phillips & Parker Phillips (The Bygone) will direct. Foresight Unlimited is introducing the movie for foreign buyers at the Virtual Cannes Market. Elevated’s Cassian Elwes is producing and will rep the pic for U.S. sale along with CAA Media Finance.

Rumble Through the Dark is set in the dark landscape of the Mississippi Delta, where a former bare-knuckle fighter (Eckhart) must win one last fight to pay off his debts to the local mob boss and save his childhood home—the stakes nothing less than life or death. Cameras roll at the end of July in Natchez, Ms.

Elwes is producing alongside Cleta Ellington for the Crooked Letter Picture Company. Foresight’s Mark Damon and Tamara Birkemoe will serve as EPs...

Exclusive: Indie stalwart Cassian Elwes is making a move into management via his Elevated banner, kicking off with signing Best Sellers director Lina Roessler, whose debut feature starring Michael Caine and Aubrey Plaza screened in the Berlin Film Festival’s Special Gala section this week. It’s the first time the film producer and former co-head of William Morris Independent has moved into the management space.

Coming off the back of producing Best Sellers with his daughter Arielle – also a first working partnership between the two – the father-daughter duo are currently in the early stages of development with Roessler’s next project, said to be an “ambitious” and “wildly different” one from her feature debut.

Elwes, who has produced eight films with female directors in the last 20 months, said that while the initial round of management signings are female helmers, the plan is to include male talent as well. He...

Foresight Unlimited has closed deals for key international territories on Gigi Gaston’s “Nine Bullets.” The adventure thriller, written by Gaston, stars Lena Headey (“Game of Thrones”), Sam Worthington (“Avatar” franchise), Barbara Hershey (the “Insidious” films) and Dean Scott Vasquez (“Jack Ryan”).

Major territories sold include Australia (Rialto), Benelux (Splendid), the Cis (Top Film), Eastern Europe (Daro), France (Daro), Germany (Splendid), Greece (Spentzos), Iceland (Myndform), Italy (Italian International Film), Latin America (CDC), the Middle East (Salim Ramia), Portugal (Lusomundo), South Africa (Daro), Spain (YouPlanet), and the U.K. (Signature Entertainment).

“Nine Bullets,” formerly known as “Gypsy Moon,” follows Gypsy Moon (Headey), a tough and sexy burlesque dancer by night, and an intellectual aspiring novelist by day. On the eve of her last dance, she must go on a nail-biting, action-packed ride across state lines to save a neighbor’s son (Vasquez), whose life is threatened by her ex-longtime lover (Worthington...

“Best Sellers,” a Berlinale Special Gala screener and debut feature from Lina Roessler, has scored deals from major territories, which were announced by film’s sales outfit Foresight Unlimited at the European Film Market.

Universal Pictures Content Group has acquired major markets including the U.K., Germany, France and Latin America, among others. Other territories sold include Australia (Rialto), Cis (Top Film), Greece (Tanweer), Iceland (Myndform), Israel (Red Cape), the Middle East (Salim Ramia), Portugal (Lusomundo) and Turkey (Mars Cgv).

Films stars Michael Caine, Aubrey Plaza, Scott Speedman, Ellen Wong and Cary Elwes. Anthony Grieco wrote the screenplay, which won a 2015 Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting award. “Best Sellers” revolves around an ambitious young editor (Plaza) who goes on a wild book tour with a curmudgeonly has-been author (Caine), who just wants to live out his days in peace with a bottle of scotch and his cat.

Foresight Unlimited, a Chicken...

Despite its virtual setting and lack of red carpet, the 2021 Berlinale still has a sprinkling of Hollywood A-listers to it. Among the splashier titles getting their online world premieres is Best Sellers, starring rising film favorite Aubrey Plaza and Oscar-winning cinema icon Michael Caine. The debut feature from director Lina Roessler (and being shopped at the European Film Market by Foresight Unlimited), the comedic road movie sees the two square off as a young New York publisher (Plaza) and grumpy British author (Caine) on a last-ditch book tour around America with his final novel.

Best Sellers is one of three ...

Despite its virtual setting and lack of red carpet, the 2021 Berlinale still has a sprinkling of Hollywood A-listers to it. Among the splashier titles getting their online world premieres is Best Sellers, starring rising film favorite Aubrey Plaza and Oscar-winning cinema icon Michael Caine. The debut feature from director Lina Roessler (and being shopped at the European Film Market by Foresight Unlimited), the comedic road movie sees the two square off as a young New York publisher (Plaza) and grumpy British author (Caine) on a last-ditch book tour around America with his final novel.

Best Sellers is one of three ...

This year’s Berlin International Film Festival will look a bit different this year, with a virtual edition taking place March 1-5 for industry and press, then a public, in-person edition kicking off in June.

The complete lineup has now been unveiled, including Céline Sciamma’s highly-anticipated Portrait of a Lady on Fire follow-up Petite Maman, a surprise new Hong Sang-soo feature, the latest work from Ryūsuke Hamaguchi, along with new projects by Radu Jude, Xavier Beauvois, Dominik Graf, Pietro Marcello, Ramon Zürcher & Silvan Zürcher, and more.

Check out each section below.

Competition Tiles

“Albatros” (Drift Away)

France

by Xavier Beauvois

with Jérémie Renier, Marie-Julie Maille, Victor Belmondo

“Babardeală cu buclucsau porno balamuc” (Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn)

Romania/Luxemburg/Croatia/Czech Republic

by Radu Jude

with Katia Pascariu, Claudia Ieremia, Olimpia Mălai

“Fabian oder Der Gang vor die Hunde” (Fabian – Going to the Dogs)

Germany

by Dominik Graf

with Tom Schilling,...

The Berlin International Film Festival has set its full slate for the upcoming 2021 edition. Berlinale usually follows Sundance with a February festival, but the pandemic has forced organizers to develop a new festival format for 2021. The 71st Berlin International Film Festival is set to take place with the “Industry Event” from March 1 to 5, which will include the European Film Market (EFM), the Berlinale Co-Production Market, the Berlinale Talents, and the World Cinema Fund in online forms. From June 9 to 20, 2021 the Berlinale will launch a “Summer Special” with numerous film presentations in Berlin, both at indoor and outdoor cinemas.

Included in the March event is the traditional film festival slate, which includes the main Berlinale Competition lineup as well as sidebar sections such as Berlinale Special & Berlinale Series, Encounters, Berlinale Shorts, Panorama, Forum & Forum Expanded, Generation, Perspektive Deutsches Kino, and Retrospective. With the exception of the Retrospective, the films will be shown at the March event.

Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian also unveiled Berlinale Special features.

A 15-title Competition line-up including new films from Céline Sciamma and Radu Jude has been unveiled for the 2021 Berlin International Film Festival.

The festival’s executive director Mariette Rissenbeek and artistic director Carlo Chatrian unveiled the complete Competition strand along with Berlinale Special titles at a virtual press conference today (February 11), from an empty cinema.

Scroll down for the full list of titles

This year’s edition will take place in two parts; an industry-focused, online-only event running March 1-5, and a Summer Special event featuring physical screenings, planned for June 9-20.

The Panorama,...

“Happiest Season” standout Aubrey Plaza will star opposite Jason Statham in Guy Ritchie’s untitled thriller, formerly titled “Five Eyes.”

Statham will portray an agent recruited by the global intelligence alliance Five Eyes to track down and stop the sale of a deadly new weapon that threatens to disrupt the world order. Reluctantly paired with a high-tech CIA expert, he sets off on a globe-trotting mission to infiltrate a billionaire arms broker.

Miramax is producing and financing, and STX is distributing the movie. Ritchie will direct and produce from a screenplay written by Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies, with revisions by Ritchie. Atkinson will also produce along with Bill Block for Miramax. CAA Media Finance arranged financing, and brokered the U.S., U.K. and Ireland distribution deal.

STX Films will distribute the movie directly in the U.S., U.K. and Ireland, and STX International launched sales to foreign...

Exclusive: Following her scene-stealing role in the romantic comedy Happiest Season, Aubrey Plaza is switching genres as she is set to co-star Jason Statham in the Guy Ritchie untitled thriller formally known as Five Eyes. Miramax is producing and financing with STX handling distribution.

The film was sold at the TIFF Virtual sales room and became one of, if not the biggest sale, during the market, as STX aggressively pursued it after working with Ritchie on The Gentlemen.

Ritchie will direct and produce from a screenplay written by The Gentlemen scribes Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies with revisions by Ritchie. Atkinson will also produce. Miramax will finance and produce with STXfilms, who most recently worked with Ritchie on The Gentlemen, is handling worldwide distribution and sales.

The story follows MI6 guns-and-steel agent (Statham) who is recruited by a global intelligence alliance to track down and stop the sale of a...

An actress turned director hit the lottery when the likes of Michael Caine, Aubrey Plaza and Cary Elwes lined up for her directorial debut. Canuck Lina Roessler‘s Best Sellers is based on Anthony Grieco’s original screenplay, which won the prestigious Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting award. Production on the Canadian-uk funded dramedy began in mid 2019 in Montreal (with some Los Angeles in the backdrop as well) and pictured locked during the Covid and would be an acquisitions friendly title for adult auds.

Gist: The story follows a has-been author (Michael Caine), who is on a wild book tour with a young editor (Aubrey Plaza), trying to save her father’s boutique publishing house.…...

Exclusive: Animal Kingdom alum Scott Speedman has been tapped for a major recurring role on the upcoming third season of the Netflix series You, headlined by Penn Badgley and Victoria Pedretti.

Speedman will play Matthew, a successful CEO, husband, and uncommunicative father. He’s reserved, at times mysterious, and has a tendency to be withdrawn, all of which masks a deep well of emotion underneath.

The actor is the latest major addition to You for next season, joining recently cast new series regulars Travis Van Winkle and Shalita Grant.

Developed by Sera Gamble and Greg Berlanti, You is based on Caroline Kepnes’ bestselling books You and Hidden Bodies. In the second season, Joe Goldberg (Badgley) moves from New York to Los Angeles to escape his past, and starts over with a new identity. Fresh out of an intense relationship that ended in murder, the last thing he expects is to...

Exclusive: Cary Elwes has joined Lina Roessler’s feature directorial debut Best Sellers starring Michael Caine and Aubrey Plaza.

Movie follows Caine as a has-been author on a wild book tour with his young editor played by Plaza. She’s trying to save her father’s boutique publishing house, but Caine’s character would prefer to live out his days with a bottle of scotch, a cigar and his orange Tabby cat. Elwes will play Halpren Nolan, a New York Times book critic. Production is already underway in Montreal.

Elwes broke out in the classic Rob Reiner comedy The Princess Bride and went on to star in such movies as Kiss the Girls, Saw, Glory, Days of Thunder, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, New Year’s Eve and most recently Blumhouse’s Black Christmas. He currently stars in season 3 of Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel as Gavin Hawk and also...

Exclusive: Ellen Wong has joined the Michael Caine-Aubrey Plaza comedy Best Sellers. The pic follows Caine as a has-been author on a wild book tour with his young editor, Plaza as she’s trying to save her father’s boutique publishing house. Caine’s miserable and sharp-witted author just wants to live out his days in peace with a bottle of scotch, a cigar and his orange Tabby cat, but Plaza’s hopeful editor pulls him out of his reclusion. Wong will play the role of Rachel Spence. Wong broke out in Universal’s Edgar Wright cult pic Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World as Knives Chow and is renowned for playing femme wrestler Jenny Chey in the Netflix Emmy-winning and Golden Globe nominated comedy series Glow. A Scarborough, Ontario, Canada native, Wong’s first role was on the award winning television series This Is Wonderland. She is repped...

Aubrey Plaza will return as host of the Spirit Awards, Film Independent’s marquee indie film awards show that is set for February 8, 2020 live on IFC from the beach just north of the Santa Monica Pier. Plaza debuted as host for last year’s Spirits, when she took over duties from John Mulaney and Nick Kroll, who had co-hosted event for the past two years.

“At a time when the world is so bitterly divided and civil discourse is almost impossible, it’s nice we can all agree that Aubrey Plaza is the greatest host in the history of hosting,” said Josh Welsh, president of Film Independent, in making the announcement Thursday. “We are thrilled to have her back.”

The Spirits will be executive produced and directed by Joel Gallen of Tenth Planet Productions. Shawn Davis and Rick Austin are producers, and Danielle Federico and Andrew Schaff are co-producers.

They...

Aubrey Plaza will return to the white tent on Santa Monica beach to host the Film Independent Spirit Awards for the second consecutive year.

Now in its 35th year, the ceremony honoring the year’s best independent cinema will be held on Feb. 8. The 2020 celebration will broadcast live on IFC.

“Like all great independent film performances, this one deserves a sequel,” Plaza said in a statement. “The people have spoken. Bow down to your host!”

Film Independent president Josh Welsh added, “At a time when the world is so bitterly divided and civil discourse is almost impossible, it’s nice we can all agree that Aubrey Plaza is the greatest host in the history of hosting. We are thrilled to have her back. Today is also the last day to join Film Independent as a member to get access to the nominated films and vote on the winners.”

Past Spirit...

Foresight Unlimited handles foreign sales, producer Cassian Elwes represents Us rights.

Scott Speedman from the Underworld fantasy action franchise has joined Michael Caine and Aubrey Plaza on UK-Canada co-production Best Sellers, which is set to commence shooting in Montreal this month.

Foresight Unlimited handles foreign sales, and producer Cassian Elwes will represent Us rights on Lina Roessler’s feature directorial debut about an ambitious young editor (Plaza) at a struggling boutique pusher who goes on a wild book tour with a curmudgeonly author past his prime (Caine).

Speedman will portray the heir to a rival publishing firm that is looking...