Motion Picture: ‘Never Let Go’ Trailer Released, Morgana Studios, ReachStar, and ReDefine Originals Team on ‘Diamante’
Action/Horror/Fantasy/Sci-Fi: The trailer for the horror film Never Let Go was released. The feature follows a mother and her twin sons facing off against evil from their home in the woods; to protect themselves from the evil, the three must always stay connected to their house by rope. The feature stars Halle Berry, Anthony B. Jenkins, Percy Daggs, Matthew Kevin Anderson, Christin Park, and Stephanie Lavigne. Speaking on the film at CinemaCon, Berry, who serves as an executive producer, mentioned her desire to bring reality to the film’s world, looking at what it would be like to be a mother in her character’s environment and learning some of the survival skills her character exhibits. Set to release on Sept. 27, Never Let Go is directed by Alexandre Aja (The Hills Have Eyes/Crawl), written by Kevin Coughlin and Ryan Grassby, and produced by Aja, Dan Cohen, Dan Levine, and Shawn Levy.
Freddy Rodriguez (V/H/S 85/Six Feet Under) and Ashley Elizabeth (Psych: The Movie) will star in the horror film You Lose You Die. The feature focuses on a show where sociopathic tech experts use audience voting to determine challenges for the show’s prisoners to compete in. Should prisoners lose the challenges, the audience votes on weapons to be used to kill them. Rodriguez (who also executive produces) and Elizabeth play two of the tech experts, Mr. Fantastik and Ms. Perfect, respectively. The film is written and directed by Carlos “Spiff TV” Suarez, and will mark his directorial debut. Additionally, You Lose You Die comes from Suarez’s production company Averted Vision Pictures LLC. The feature is currently in pre-production.
Donnie Yen (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story/the Ip Man franchise) will star in a spinoff film centering around his character Caine from John Wick: Chapter 4. The untitled spinoff will take place after the events of the fourth John Wick entry, and comes as part of a deal between John Wick franchise director Chad Stahelski and Lionsgate to expand the John Wick universe. The Caine spinoff film, which will follow another John Wick spinoff, Ballerina, is produced by Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, and Stahelski, and will be written by Robert Askins; a director is not currently attached to the project. The spinoff is set to shoot in Hong Kong in 2025.
Jeff Pierre (Walker/Shameless) has joined the cast of the science-fiction thriller film Mercy for Amazon MGM Studios. The feature follows a detective (Chris Pratt) forced to prove his innocence in connection with a crime. The film is set in a future where capital crime has increased. Pierre’s role in the feature is currently unknown. Mercy is directed and produced by Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted), written by Marco van Belle (Arthur & Merlin), and additionally produced by Charles Roven, Robert Amidon, and Majd Nassif. The feature is set for a worldwide theatrical release on Aug. 15, 2025.
Michael Jai White (The Dark Knight) will star in the action film Fight or Flight. The feature follows an assassin who, after failing to eliminate his target, teams up with his target to take down the hitman (White) after him. The feature is directed by Shane Dax Taylor (The Christmas Classic) and produced by Scott Martin and Michael Slifkin (The Best Man). The North American rights to the film have been bought by Saban, while Archstone is overseeing the feature’s international sales at Cannes. Production on Fight or Flight is set to begin in May.
The action-thriller Sugar Bandits has secured multiple distribution deals around the world. The feature focuses on a former special forces soldier (Will Smith) fighting against the Boston drug trade with a vigilante squad. Some of the deals involving the feature include Leonine in Germany and Switzerland, SND in France, and Leone Film Group in Italy. The most substantial deal was with Amazon Prime Video who, for eight figures, picked up the film in, among other areas, the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Sugar Bandits is based on Chuck Hogan’s novel Devils In Exile; Hogan additionally wrote the film, while Smith, Jon Mone, Stuart Ford, and Richard Abate will produce. Ludovico Purgatori will co-produce, while Stefano Sollima (Without Remorse/Sicario: Day of the Soldado) will direct. Sugar Bandits will film on-location in Boston and Montreal.
leticia tonos Paniagua - Johnny Louis
Comedy/Dramedy/Musical: The animated film Diamante is coming from Morgana Studios, ReachStar, and ReDefine Originals. Set in the Dominican Republic, the feature follows Luisito’s dreams of becoming a professional baseball player, and the journey he takes after discovering a mysterious power. According to some of Diamante’s producers, the film aims to showcase Dominican culture and resonate with worldwide audiences. The feature is directed by Mathieu Ratthé, written by Ratthé and Leticia Tonos Paniagua from an idea by Claudio Lluberes, and produced by Ratthé, Lluberes, Caroline Desmarais, Steven Thibault, Miguel Cabañas, Verónica Buide, and Daysi Cruz.
The film Purple Rain is being rereleased for its 40th anniversary. Available in 4K UHD, the re-release of the Academy Award-winning film will include a featurette and music videos for eight Prince songs, including “Let’s Go Crazy,” “When Doves Cry,” and the title track. Purple Rain was directed by Albert Magnoli, and the film’s re-release will include commentary from him, cinematographer Donald E. Thorin, and producer Robert Cavallo. Warner Home Video will make the re-release available on June 25.
Craig Robinson (Killing It/The Office) will star in the holiday romantic comedy Hot Frosty for Netflix. The feature follows the romance that develops between a widow and a snowman who has been brought to life. Hot Frosty is one project of an upcoming Netflix holiday slate; others include the Lindsay Lohan-starring Our Little Secret and the Christina Milian-starring Meet Me Next Christmas. The feature is directed by Jerry Ciccoritti (My Life with the Walter Boys/Schitt’s Creek), produced by Joel S. Rice (Single All the Way/A Tourist’s Guide to Love) and Michael Barbuto (Never Too Late to Celebrate/Catch Me if You Claus), and written by Russell Hainline (The Santa Summit). Lacey Chabert (Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up), Dustin Milligan (Schitt’s Creek), Joe Lo Truglio (Brooklyn 99), Katy Mixon (Mike & Molly), Lauren Holly (Dumb and Dumber), and Chrishell Stause (Selling Sunset) are also set to star.
The basketball comedy Trick Shot is coming from Stephen Curry’s Unanimous Media and David Henrie’s Cedar Hill. The feature follows a middle schooler who, after an accident, suddenly exhibits professional basketball skills and finds himself entering the NBA and playing on his favorite team. Trick Shot is written by Jay Longino (Uncle Drew/Skiptrace), who also executive produces, and is produced by Stephen Curry, Erick Peyton, David Henrie, James Henrie, and Ben Everard. The project does not currently have a director attached.
Radhika Apte - Prodip Guha
Drama: Radhika Apte (Sister Midnight/Mrs. Undercover), Naveen Andrews (The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh/The Dropout), Sky Lang, and Ken Leung (Avatar: The Last Airbender/Industry) will star in the feature Last Days; Toby Wallace (Babyteeth), Ciara Bravo (Cherry), Claire Price (The Capture), Dieudonné Ngabo (Forever), and Marny Kennedy (Between Two Worlds) will also star. Directed by Justin Lin, the feature, based on Outside Magazine’s The Last Days of John Allen Chau article, follows the true story of John Allen Chau, who attempted to make contact with an uncontacted tribe on North Sentinel Island. The film is written by Ben Ripley (Source Code) and produced by Lin, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Eric Robinson, Clayton Townsend, and Guja Quaranta. Alex Perry, the journalist who authored The Last Days of John Allen Chau, will serve as an executive producer on the film, which has begun production in Thailand.
The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat will release exclusively on Hulu on Aug. 23. Based on Edward Kelsey Moore’s novel, the feature follows three lifelong friends - “The Supremes” - at a friendship-testing crossroads. “The Supremes” will be played by Uzo Aduba, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Sanaa Lathan. The feature is directed by Tina Mabry, produced by Temple Hill Entertainment, and written by Cee Marcellus, with revisions by Mabry. The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat comes from Searchlight Pictures, and is the latest film from the company to release on Hulu after Suncoast and The Greatest Hits.
The boxing film Tomato Can is coming from Chernin Entertainment (Back in Action/Rez Ball) and an original story by Jamie Foxx and screenwriter Michael Brandt (Chicago Fire/3:10 to Yuma). The plot of the film is currently unknown, but Brandt will write the feature while Foxx and Datari Turner will produce for Foxxhole Productions (Luther: Never Too Much/The Burial). Chernin Entertainment will also produce the project.
Documentary: The trailer for the documentary MoviePass, MovieCrash was released. The project, which comes from HBO, Unrealistic Ideas, and Assemble Media, in association with Nightbrain Pictures and Tower Way, focuses on MoviePass, a movie theater ticket subscription service. Founded by Stacy Spikes and Hamet Watt, the company’s stock soared after a “too good to be true” price offering in 2017. However, the company would only last two more years due to the leadership of its former CEOs. MoviePass, MovieCrash is directed by Muta’Ali, and will premiere on HBO on May 29. The documentary will also be available to stream on Max.
Luther: Never Too Much has been picked up by CNN Films and OWN. The documentary tells the story of vocalist Luther Vandross, who, in addition to having a solo career, worked with Robert Flack, Bette Midler, and David Bowie. Luther: Never Too Much is directed and executive produced by Dawn Porter, and features interviews with, among others, Mariah Carey and Jamie Foxx. Foxx also produces the documentary, along with Trish D Chetty, Ged Doherty, Datari Turner, and Leah Smith. The documentary will premiere on CNN, Max, and OWN in 2025.
Cara Santana (Daughter of the Bride/Salem) will direct the documentary The Shuffle. The project focuses on a con within the addiction treatment industry; according to the creative, the con is a $43 billion-a-year scheme that profits off of recovering persons’ insurance. The project was developed over two years; Santana also produces the documentary with Andrew Renzi’s North of Now. While some of the project has already been shot, pre-production will begin in August. The Shuffle marks Santana’s directorial debut.
Raoul Peck spoke on the making of his documentary Ernest Cole: Lost and Found. The documentary focuses on photographer Ernest Cole, who photographed Apartheid in South Africa. After publishing a book, House of Bondage, Cole’s passport was stripped and the photographer went to New York City, where he continued working. Peck was inspired to make the documentary after going through more of Cole’s work. In making the project, he wanted the documentary to tell Cole’s story from Cole’s point of view, and the filmmaker tried to put himself in Cole’s position. After interviewing Cole’s family and peers, and with basis coming from Cole’s writings, Peck wrote first-person narration to accompany the documentary. The narration is voiced by Lakeith Stanfield, one of Peck’s top choices for the reading.
Industry Update: The International Documentary Association (IDA) is calling for applicants for its Enterprise Documentary Fund and the Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund. The Enterprise Documentary Fund is committed to promoting facts-based, research-supported stories, while the Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund is used to support production and post-production on documentaries focused on urgent issues. This year’s Pare Lorentz Documentary Fund is calling for films focused around Gender Justice, with this year being the first year that the fund is operating under an open-call system as opposed to a nominations-based system. Applications for the funds open on May 29; IDA members can apply up to July 9, while non-members can apply up to June 25.
Jennifer Aquino has signed with Exclusive Artists Agency. Aquino’s work spans multiple mediums; among other projects, on film she has been seen in The Message and Only the Brave. Her television work includes the series Chicken Nugget, General Hospital, and Matador, while her voice-acting work has garnered her award wins and nominations. Regarding theater, Aquino produced and starred in the play Ten Thousand Years. At Exclusive Artists Agency, Aquino has signed with Bailey Rae Harrison.
Multiple projects are on the market at Cannes. One such project is The Smashing Machine, which is directed by Benny Safdie and focuses on MMA fighter Mark Kerr, who will be portrayed by Dwayne Johnson. The feature closed a deal with A24. An additional project is 77 Blackout, which stars Mahershala Ali and Tom Hardy and is directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga. The feature focuses on a group of rogue police officers attempting to rob criminal empires when a blackout overtakes their city. The feature’s international rights were acquired by Black Bear, while its North American rights were acquired by WME.
ARRAY Releasing, the distribution arm of Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY, has partnered with the Mansa streaming platform to have its streamer distribute some of ARRAY’s titles. Mansa, a streamer that highlights Black stories from around the world, will make ARRAY’s titles available through the Mansa Mix FAST channel in addition to the streaming service. To Mansa co-founder David Oyelowo, the partnership is not just about film distribution, but is about amplifying marginalized voices and continuing DuVernay’s championing of diversity and inclusivity. Some of the initial titles that will be distributed on Mansa are This is the Life, They’ve Gotta Have Us, Jezebel, Residue, and Burning Cane.
The Toronto Film Festival (TIFF) is adding an official film market to its events. According to TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey, the festival’s market is beneficial for those already coming to TIFF to test their projects. According to Anita Lee, the festival’s chief programming officer and co-initiator of the market, there is a desire for a market covering multiple IP types. To fund the market, the Canadian government is providing $23 million across three years. Previously, TIFF offered its Industry Selects program, which offered screenings of films for buyers and executives. The 2024 TIFF will run from Sept. 5-15.
NBCUniversal Studio group chief content officer and chairman Donna Langley spoke at the Kering Women in Motion talk at Cannes. At the talk, Langley mentioned her sadness at the possible acquisition of Paramount Global by another company and that the competition between studios is fun and best for the entertainment industry. In an interview with Variety’s co-editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh, Langley discussed the future of the Fast & Furious franchise (including the possibility that the franchise sparks spinoff television and streaming series), the next generation of women filmmakers, including her admiration for organizations that work to foster careers for women directors, and the difficulty in returning the theatrical market to pre-pandemic numbers, among other topics.
A campaign to improve the on-set hair and makeup experience in the UK has gained backing. The campaign, which comes from Time’s Up UK, the PMA Diverse Squad (a working group of non-white female agents), the British Blacklist, and Garden Studios, is advocating for a hair and makeup clause to be added into Black and Global Majority actors’ deal memos that advocates for better treatment regarding the styling of afro textured hair and darker skin tones. Specifically, an example of a proposed memo asks for conversations to be had between actors and the hair and makeup departments, with the assurance that productions will provide stylists with the knowledge of how to work with afro textured hair. Additionally, the example memo asks that makeup stylists have makeup suited for darker skin tones. Naomie Harris and Lashana Lynch have backed the campaign.
Ashlee Hypolite is the new executive director of Hollywood Cinema Production Resources. The nonprofit works to create accessible workforce training and employment opportunities for students from underrepresented communities. Some of Hypolite’s responsibilities will include managing nonprofit organizations, community colleges, and film and TV studios. Additionally, she will lead the first below-the-line career pathway training program to be recognized by a union in the industry. Some of Hypolite’s past work includes work at Range Media Partners and Creative Artists Agency, and contributions to CAA Amplify and Time’s Up.
Zoe Saldaña spoke on gender equality in the entertainment industry, advocating for women in high-level positions within the industry to make more opportunities available for other women. Speaking at Cannes’ Kering’s Women in Motion talk, Saldaña spoke on her career and aspects of herself, including the trajectory her career took after starring in Avatar, her anxieties and self-sabotaging regarding her work, and her film Emilia Pérez, which received a nine-minute standing ovation at Cannes. Emilia Pérez follows a drug cartel leader seeking gender-affirming surgery. The feature is directed by Jacques Audiard, who Saldaña mentioned as an artist she follows.
Makrand Deshpande (Monkey Man) and Rami Zeinn have signed with 5x Media. Monkey Man marks the English-language debut of Deshpande, who has worked in Indian cinema and theater for nearly forty years and has worked in six languages, while Zeinn, a social media influencer who studied acting, moved to Los Angeles to break into the performing arts. Recently, 5x Media promoted Michael Swidler, a former television literary agent at Paradigm, to a partner role, while the company added Michael Morriatti, a former talent scout, as a talent manager.
Eva Longoria spoke on diversity within the entertainment industry. Longoria spoke about the industry’s removal of diversity from its development processes. Additionally, the Flamin’ Hot director spoke on companies needing to attract Generation Z, and that the company she co-founded, Hyphenate Media Group, will make inclusive content for that generation. Longoria mentioned Hyphenate’s desire to make content for the growing market, citing that half of Gen Z is non-white and a quarter of the generation is Latino. Additionally, Longoria spoke on receiving $50 million from Lauren Sánchez and Jeff Bezos after speaking at the Women in Film dinner; according to Longoria, the money will be put towards opportunity infrastructure, microloans, and STEM education for girls.
