Espoo, Finland, May 20, 2013 - Rovio Entertainment announced today that comedy writer Jon Vitti, a veteran of The Simpsons, King of the Hill, The Office, and The Larry Sanders Show, will write the screenplay for Angry Birds - the upcoming animated 3D film based on Rovio's bestselling app. Additionally, veteran producer Catherine Winder is joining the production team that includes producer John Cohen (Despicable Me) and executive producer David Maisel (Iron Man) .
Jon Vitti Takes Flight With Angry Birds Movie Screenplay
"After Earth" To Utilize The Galactic Gateway At Spaceport America As The Backdrop For The Film's Press Junket
CULVER CITY, CA (May 15, 2013) - After Earth is set to utilize New Mexico's Spaceport America, the world's first purpose built commercial spaceport, at the movie's press junket on May 17th with the film's two lead actors, Jaden Smith and Will Smith in attendance.
Rovio's Angry Birds Feature Film Nests At Sony Pictures Entertainment
CULVER CITY, CA (May 15, 2013) - Sony Pictures Entertainment has won the exclusive worldwide distribution rights to the eagerly anticipated Angry Birds animated film, making it one of the most high-profile deals of the year. The 3D film is being developed, produced, and financed by Rovio Entertainment and will be released worldwide by Sony Pictures on July 1, 2016. Several major studios pursued the global film rights in recent weeks, with Sony Pictures Entertainment emerging as the winner.
Sony Pictures Television Unveils First Adaptation Of Hit Series "Breaking Bad"
CULVER CITY, CA and MIAMI, FL (May 13, 2013) - Sony Pictures Television (SPT) and Teleset have announced that they will produce an original series adaptation of the smash hit U.S. drama "Breaking Bad" for Latin American audiences. "Metástasis" is the first adaptation of the award-winning series by SPT, a pioneer and industry leader in scripted formats. The show has been cleared in most major Spanish speaking markets including Univision's UniMas in the U.S.
Comedy Legend Billy Crystal And Frank Oz Join "Winter's Discontent" For Atlas Entertainment And Sierra Pictures
Culver City, CA (May 13, 2013) - Billy Crystal is attached to star in Winter's Discontent as a widower who moves into a reputed active adult community in hopes of reinvigorating his sex life. Frank Oz will direct the comedy. Sony Pictures will distribute the film domestically and has also acquired rights in select international territories. Sierra Pictures will finance the film and Sierra/Affinity will handle additional foreign sales on the title in Cannes.
Virgin Produced And Overbrook Entertainment Join Forces On Non-Exclusive Pact Beginning With "After Earth"
CULVER CITY, CA (May 10, 2013) - Virgin Produced, the film and television arm of the Virgin Group, has teamed up with Overbrook Entertainment on a non-exclusive pact, which will support the After Earth franchise, starting with the upcoming May 31st release, it was announced today by Jason Felts, CEO of Virgin Produced, and James Lassiter of Overbrook Entertainment. This pact allows Virgin Produced the option to co-produce, co-finance and co-market a sequel to After Earth.
Sony Movie Channel Pays Tribute To The Legendary Filmmaker Ray Harryhausen In A Special Afternoon Marathon, Saturday, May 11
CULVER CITY, CA (May 8, 2013) - To pay tribute to the legendary Ray Harryhausen's remarkable achievements, Sony Movie Channel has revised its schedule to include a special TV marathon, on Saturday, May 11, highlighting the filmmaker's career. Harryhausen, who died yesterday at the age of 92, is renowned for his special effects innovations and as the inventor of stop motion animation.
Writer/director Shane Black To Make Doc Savage For Sony Pictures And Original Film
CULVER CITY, CA (May 7, 2013) - Sony Pictures Entertainment has closed its deal with Shane Black to co-write and direct Doc Savage, and Black is eyeing it as his next film, it was announced today by Doug Belgrad, president of Columbia Pictures, and Hannah Minghella, president of Production for the studio. Black co-wrote the screenplay with Anthony Bagarozzi and Charles Mondry, based on the hero of pulp novels, films, and comic books. Neal H. Moritz is producing the project with Ori Marmur through his Original Film banner.
Restored "Lawrence Of Arabia" Wins Focal International Award
CULVER CITY, CA (May 6, 2013) - The newly-restored, 50th Anniversary Directors Cut of David Lean's 1962 masterpiece Lawrence of Arabia took home the award for "Best Archive Restoration/Preservation Title" at the tenth FOCAL International Awards held May 2nd in London. The 4K restoration of the film was completed last year by Sony Pictures Entertainment under the direction of Grover Crisp, EVP of Asset Management, Film Restoration and Digital Mastering for SPE.
Colorworks Aids In 4K Restoration Of "Richard III"
Culver City, Calif. - April 25, 2013 - A few months before the bones of Richard III were discovered below a parking lot in Leicester, England, the infamous British monarch was the focal point of a very different type of reclamation project halfway around the world in Culver City, California. There, Colorworks, Sony Pictures' digital intermediate facility, applied the finishing touches to an exhaustive 4K restoration of Richard III, Laurence Olivier's 1955 film adaptation of the Shakespeare play.
