Universal won’t start production this spring on Central Intelligence, the comedy that had The Office’s Ed Helms starring and Dean Parisot directing. Rumors raced yesterday that the film was scrapped. Insiders insist that isn’t so. I’ve learned the comedy won’t likely come before Helms reprises in The Hangover sequel, giving Universal time to sort things out.
Tag Universal
American Pie franchise gets whole new crust
[HMG] – An American summer has many traditions, among the most questionable of which is the return of American Pie in some warmed-over form. But this year may see an entirely new pie;
Following Hollywood’s tiresome fetish for uncreative ‘reboots,’ Universal is now prepping a whole new adventure for Chuck, Stifler, Oz and the rest of [...]
Universal Studios Names Licensing Czarina
Stephanie Sperber has been named President, Universal Partnerships and Licensing (UP&L) for Universal Studios it was announced today. Sperber has secured promotions, licensing agreements, and corporate alliances across all divisions of Universal Studios with American Express, Burger King, Kellogg’
David Linde Resurfaces With New Company
From Deadline|London editor Tim Adler: David Linde is sequing into his new gig after exiting as co-chairman of Universal Pictures. (The international expert was collateral damage when Marc Shmuger got axed.) Linde is starting his own global indie film company called Lava Bear that will adopt the Summit/Overture model of having U.S. distribution in place, and then selling off overseas territories. Universal will put up some of the money for 2 to 4 movies a year from Lava Bear. Press reports say Linde has been meeting in Berlin and elsewhere in Europe about his company.
Uni Repositions Foreign Prod Under UPI
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA, and LONDON, ENGLAND, February 11, 2010 ‘
Universal Studios Korea Theme Park & Resort To Be Opened in 2014
(SEOUL January 19, 2010) A consortium of reputable South Korean conglomerates led by Lotte Group signed a Framework Agreement in Seoul today announcing the multi-billion dollar Universal Studios Korea Theme Park and Resort project at Gyeonggi Province of South Korea. Universal Studios Korea Resort (USKR) will include a state-of-the-art Universal Studios theme park, Universal CityWalk, a retail, dining and entertainment complex, a championship 18-hole golf course, themed hotels, a water park, premium retail outlet and hypermarket, as well as condos.
“Korea is a great business opportunity for Universal Parks & Resorts. We are excited to be working with an esteemed group [...]
Kirschenbaum New EVP Uni Production
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA, January 14, 2010 ‘
TOLDJA! Liebling New Uni Production Prez
UPDATES Fox Executive In Talks With Universal
Exactly what Debbie Liebling did, or didn’t do, on her resume has become the latest parlor game in Hollywood. But why in the world is Vince Vaughn being quoted in a Universal press release? (Unless having a vanity deal there suddenly includes allowing self-involved actors to pretend to be studio execs.)
UNIVERSAL CITY, CA, December 10, 2009 ‘
Rihanna, Mariah Carey & Other A-List Musicians Celebrate Music Site Vevo
Backed by Vivendi’s Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment, Vevo.com his hoping their website will become “the” destination for music videos. Vevo offers music from both Universal and Sony, as well as EMI Music, and contains programing f …read full story
Universal Equates Personnel With Paper Clips
Dave Targan, who had been recently fired co-chairman David Linde’s assistant and then was promoted to junior creative exec, has been let go in what Universal Pictures is calling “more cost-cutting” moves.
Peter Liguori Now Consulting For Comcast
EXCLUSIVE: I’m told that Comcast CEO Brian Roberts a few months ago quietly brought on Peter Liguori as a consultant to the company. It’s not specifically for the NBC Universal deal but rather for “a broad array of things” like retrans, one of my insiders reports back to me. What a smart move. Not only does Liguori know [...]
UPDATE: Universal's Movie Slate Plans
UPDATES More From Universal Town Hall Meeting
It’s annoying when Universal Pictures mouthpieces don’t think it’s important what its top execs say about the studio’s movie slate plans, even when asked by journalists, who help inform shareholders of parent company GE. So, instead of having the PR-bots “interpret” what was said at Uni’s town hall meeting this week, I [...]
STUDIO SHAKEUP! Adam Fogelson Named New Chairman Of Universal Pictures; Donna Langley Named Co-Chairman; Shmuger And Linde Unceremoniously Out
UPDATES Why Karma Is A Bitch For Marc Shmuger
Universal City, CA (October 5, 2009) ’
New Details On Upgrading Universal City
Interesting timing for this announcement today, especially because it’s titled, “NBC Universal reaffirms commitment to film/TV production and tourism in Los Angeles” Click here to read the long news release:
UNIVERSAL CITY, California, October 1, 2009 — NBC Universal today reaffirmed its commitment to the entertainment industry in Los Angeles and released new details on its [...]
Mattel sells rights to Barbie and He-Man movies
It comes as no surprise that Hollywood is turning to an iconic fashion doll and one of the original Masters of the Universe for new movies. Guy Adams at The Independent reports that Mattel has signed Barbie to Universal Pictures in a multimillion-dollar deal that will produce a series of “family-friendly” live-action movies based on [...]
Zucker Orders NBCU: Get Ready For IPO
UPDATES As Rumors Swirl & GE Probes, Vivendi See IPO Possibility For 20% NBCU
I’ve learned that last week, during a visit to the West Coast, NBC Universal chief Jeff Zucker told both Universal and NBC, “We have to be ready in case Vivendi exits for an IPO of that 20% stake.” This is why, as [...]
As Rumors Swirl and GE Probes, Vivendi's Levy Says IPO Possibility For 20% NBCU
In just the past week, I’ve heard rumor after rumor about what may happen to NBC Universal because of the Vivendi put option coming due. One crazy rumor claimed Viacom and GE would merge Paramount and Universal — just the movie studios — into one company of best assets. (That was denied by insiders at both conglomerates.) Another saner [...]
Details On 'Harry Potter World' Theme Park: Opening Spring 2010
ORLANDO, Fla. (September 15, 2009) ‘
Relativity & Universal Acquire 'Sanctum' With Universal and James Cameron; Rogue Will Distribute
EXCLUSIVE: I know that every studio tried to get this film but Jim Cameron went with RML/Uni. Now Relativity Media teamed up with Universal Pictures to acquire the domestic rights to Sanctum, that 3-D underwater survival actioner. They’ll own the pic together, and Relativity’