Wraps

 
Tyler Perry’s A Madea Christmas

Wrap:  2/6/2013
Logline:  Madea helps a friend visit her daughter for Christmas.
Studio/Distributor:  Lionsgate
Production Company:  The Tyler Perry Company
Director:  Tyler Perry
Producer:  Tyler Perry, Ozzie Areu, Matt Moore
Cast:  Tyler Perry, Chad Michael Murray, Larry the Cable Guy, Tika Sumpter, Kathy Najimy, Eric Lively, Lisa Whelchel
Screenwriter:  Tyler Perry
SSN Insight:  In March 2011, Lionsgate extended its first-look deal with Perry for another two years, after initially partnering with the filmmaker in 2005.  In the past six years, Tyler Perry’s films for Lionsgate have grossed more than $520 million at the North American box office alone.

Parkland

Wrap:  2/13/2013
Logline:  The dramatic true story explores the chaotic events that occurred at Parkland Hospital in Dallas on the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963.
Distribution Rights:  Open Road Films (in negotiations)
Production Company:  Playtone, Exclusive Media
Director:  Peter Landesman
Producer:  Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman, Nigel Sinclair, Guy East
Cast:  Paul Giamatti, Billy Bob Thornton, Jacki Weaver, Zac Efron, Marcia Gay Harden, Jeremy Strong, James Badge Dale, Jackie Earle Haley, Colin Hanks, Ron Livingston
Screenwriter:  Peter Landesman
Details:  Based on the book Reclaiming History: The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy, by author and former prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi.
SSN Insight:  Peter Landesman is currently attached to write several high-profile projects based on true events, including Who Killed Daniel Pearl? for Bedford Falls and Beacon and the Untitled Universal/Deep Throat Project produced by Playtone.  The film is set for a 2013 release to coincide with the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy’s death.

Walk of Shame

Wrap:  2/13/2013
Logline:  When a female news anchor wakes up from a one night stand, she has to overcome many obstacles to get to her job and land a coveted promotion.
Distributor:  FilmDistrict
Production Company:  Lakeshore Entertainment, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment
Director:  Steven Brill
Producer:  Gary Lucchesi, Tom Rosenberg, Sidney Kimmel
Cast:  Elizabeth Banks, Ethan Suplee, Willie Garson, James Marsden, Gillian Jacobs, Ken Davitian, Kevin Nealon, Tig Notaro
Screenwriter:  Steven Brill
SSN Insight:  FilmDistrict plans to distribute an average of six to eight films per year.  The company also has an agreement with Netflix to distribute its films in the pay television window.

Mercy

Wrap:  2/14/2013
Logline:  Two children go with their mother to take care of their grandma, a witch, who made an evil deal using black magic years earlier.
Distributor:  Universal Pictures
Production Company:  Blumhouse Productions, Wonderland Sound and Vision
Director:  Peter Cornwell
Producer:  Jason Blum, McG, Mary Viola
Cast:  Frances O’Connor, Chandler Riggs, Joel Courtney, Dylan McDermott, Shirley Knight, Chris Browning
Screenwriter:  Matthew Greenberg
Details:  The film is based on the Stephen King short story Gramma.
SSN Insight:  The story was initially published in Weirdbook magazine in 1984 and later included in King’s 1985 collection of short fiction, Skeleton Crew.

Frank

Wrap:  2/15/2013
Logline:  A fledgling musician becomes part of a band fronted by a mysterious lead singer.
Production Company:  Film4, Runaway Fridge Films, Element Pictures
Director:  Lenny Abrahamson
Producer:  David Barron, Ed Guiney, Stevie Lee
Cast:  Michael Fassbender, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Domhnall Gleeson, Scoot McNairy
Screenwriter:  Jon Ronson, Peter Straughan
SSN Insight:  Writers Jon Ronson and  Peter Straughan had previously collaborated on the film The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009), with Straughan adapting the screenplay from Ronson’s book.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night

Wrap:  2/17/2013
Logline:  A lonely vampire terrorizes a small Iranian town.
Production Company:  The Woodshed Horror Company, Say Ahh…
Director:  Ana Lily Amirpour
Producer:  Elijah Wood, Daniel Noah, Josh C. Waller, Sina Sayyah
Cast:  Sheila Vand, Marshall Manesh, Mozhan Marno
Screenwriter:  Ana Lily Amirpour
Details:  Based on the short film, “A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night,” written and directed by Ana Lily Amirpour.
SSN Insight:  This is the full-length feature debut of writer/director Ana Lily Amirpour.  Elijah Wood formed the production company, The Woodshed, with Daniel Noah and Josh C. Waller.  They will be producing mainly low-budget horror and genre films.