Tagged: Universal

Gregory Noveck Leaves DC, Takes Helm at Syfy Films

The press release came out late yesterday:

Gregory Noveck has been named to the newly created position of Senior Vice President, Production, Syfy Films, charged with launching projects for the new film company which the two companies announced in December. Noveck will report jointly to Mark Stern, President of Original Content, Syfy and Co-Head of Content for Universal Cable Productions, and Co-Chairman, Universal Pictures, Donna Langley. Noveck will work closely with the Universal and Syfy creative teams to find projects to develop by leveraging Syfy’s experience in developing genre content.

Noveck most recently served as Senior Vice President, Creative Affairs and Executive Producer for DC Comics where he established a new Film and TV division to help deliver quality content by mining the extensive DC Comics library. Feature projects included Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, Watchmen, Red (for Summit Entertainment), and the upcoming Green Lantern, with television projects ranging from Smallville and Human Target to over ten animated DTV features. Prior to that he was Senior Vice President of Silver Pictures Television, developing and producing series and pilots for producer Joel Silver. Noveck previously served as Senior Vice President, Creative Affairs and Producer at Platinum Studios, where he established and grew the Creative Affairs department for Film and Television, overseeing all aspects of production and development. Projects included Cowboys & Aliens (Universal/DreamWorks) and Jeremiah (Showtime).

Syfy Ventures and Universal Pictures joined forces in December 2010 to create Syfy Films, a new film company that will develop and produce Syfy branded theatrical motion pictures to be distributed by Universal. The new entity will leverage Syfy’s genre expertise to produce human and relatable theatrical releases from the worlds of science fiction, fantasy, supernatural and horror. Beginning in 2012, Syfy Films will distribute one to two films a year through Universal Pictures. Mark Stern and Donna Langley jointly oversee the operation.

Very interesting. Diane Nelson is consolidating her position.

As for Gregory, he’s certainly shown the ability to do a lot with limited budgets, which will serve him well at his new job, as Syfy, and Universal’s new owner Comcast, have a reputation for keeping a tight control on purse strings. We wish him the best of luck.

Universal Announces ‘Flipper’ Format for Home Video

Universal Announces ‘Flipper’ Format for Home Video

  • News
  • December 1, 2009

We think the following press release from Universal is pretty cool and could be a game changer for those quibbling about being forced to upgrade to Blu-ray.

Universal City, California, December 1, 2009 – In a move that is poised to elevate the Blu-ray™ Hi-Def format and provide consumers with the ultimate in convenience and viewing flexibility, Universal Studios Home Entertainment (USHE) announced the introduction of groundbreaking dual-format discs containing both Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD versions of some of Hollywood’s most iconic films.  An industry first, the new “flipper” discs will launch on January 19, 2010 with the blockbuster superspy thrillers The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum, starring Matt Damon, premiering as individually packaged Blu-ray™ discs.

For the first time ever, consumers will have the ability to choose between Blu-ray™ and DVD formats, simply by flipping a single disc.  With complete utility in one convenient package, the revolutionary medium can be used on any DVD or Blu-ray™ compatible player, game platform or computer, making it ideal for anyone planning to upgrade to Blu-ray™ at a future date as well as current owners of both Blu-ray™ and DVD systems.  Each side of Universal’s flipper discs includes the entire movie as well as all available bonus features, with the Blu-ray™ side featuring exciting BD exclusives such as U-Control and BD-Live™.

“Universal’s flipper discs are the perfect way for consumers to future-proof their collections while still enjoying their favorite movies on all their existing DVD players,” said Craig Kornblau, President of Universal Studios Home Entertainment.  “The flipper disc offers an easy way for viewers to convert to Blu-ray now or at any time in the future, confident in the fact they will be able to experience their home entertainment purchases in the highest quality picture and sound when they do.”

The release will mark the first time the Bourne trilogy, one of the highest grossing action movie franchises in history, is available individually in Blu-ray’s™ renowned perfect picture and purest digital sound.  Each film is accompanied by an array of exciting bonus features that plunge viewers deeper in to the shadowy world of international espionage, including top-secret files, challenging strategy games,  fascinating filmmakers and actor profiles, commentary, deleted scenes and Universal’s renowned BD-Live™ functionality.

Riddled with deception, intrigue and high-octane thrills, each chapter of the globe-hopping search for Jason Bourne’s true identity raises the stakes another lethal notch as the undercover killer settles old scores and uncovers new secrets.  A commanding roster of acclaimed actors accompanies Damon on his quest, including Chris Cooper, Clive Owen, Brian Cox, Julia Stiles, Franka Potente, Joan Allen, David Strathairn and Albert Finney.

What about Jack? Kirby estate files notice of copyright reversion aainst Marvel, Disney, Sony, Universal, Paramount…

What about Jack? Kirby estate files notice of copyright reversion aainst Marvel, Disney, Sony, Universal, Paramount…

  • News
  • September 20, 2009

And now, the other shoe drops.

Jeff Trexler points to this New York Times piece saying that the Jack Kirby estate sent notice of copyright termination to Marvel, Disney, Sony
Pictures, Universal Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures and
others who have been making films and other forms of entertainment
based on the characters Jack created or co-created for Marvel.

The Kirby estate lawyer is Marc Toberoff, the man representing the Siegel estate in the Superman copyright case, who has already done an excellent job of raking DC and Warner Brothers over the coals. Toberoff has an impressive winning tally; Nikki Finke reminds us that Toberoff has also won or settled lawsuits on Lassie, Get Smart, The Dukes of Hazzard, and The Wild Wild West.

Kirby battled Marvel for years over the return of the physical artwork to his comics,
and was asked to sign documents that would have irrevocable and
specifically signed away rights to the characters, something he refused
to do. This led to heavy coverage in the industry, including the ad at right from 1986.

Two immediate questions come to mind:

1. Does this potentially sour the Disney-Marvel deal? Disney said in a statement, “The notices involved are an attempt to
terminate rights seven to 10 years from now, and involve claims that
were fully considered in the acquisition.” Really? You think Disney shareholders are ready to spend four billion dollars on intellectual properties they’re prepared to lose in seven years? Related: there’s a $140 million dollar kill fee Marvel has to pay if the deal doesn’t go through. Does this mean that Marvel has an extra 140 million reasons to settle with Jack’s kids?

2. If the copyright reversion is settled with Marvel and/or Disney, does this give them additional leverage in breaking existing contracts with other movie studios? In other words, does that “right to make X-Men movies in perpetuity” hold up if they don’t control the rights to the underlying characters?

Stretch Armstrong: the movie?

Stretch Armstrong: the movie?

  • News
  • February 16, 2009

First Hasbro turned Transformers into a movie. (Obligatory Mark Ryan link and reference to The Pilgrim here.) Then Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (June 26, 2009) and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (August 7, 2009). And then they put Monopoly, Candyland, and Ouija into production with Universal. And now, announced just in time for Toy Fair International, writer Steve Oedekerk (Bruce Almighty, Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius) has been tapped to write Universal’s movie adaptation of Stretch Armstrong, a comedy based on Hasbro’s stretchy strong guy toy, according to Variety.

Stretch Armstrong was first introduced by Kenner in the late 1970s, which eventually featured a line of stretchy characters, including Stretch Monster, Wretch Armstrong, and Fetch Armstrong. Stretch Armstrong was later re-introduced after Hasbro acquired Kenner (which was part of Tonka) in 1991. Disney had acquired the movie rights to Stretch Armstrong and worked at developing a movie first with Danny DeVito and then Jackie Chan.

If nothing else, this puts an interesting twist (sorry) on the possibility that the Wachowskis will get to do their long-gestating Plastic Man film.

Dark Horse Entertainment Adds Keith Goldberg

Dark Horse Entertainment Adds Keith Goldberg

  • News
  • December 15, 2008

Keith Goldberg has been hired by Dark Horse Comics’ Entertainment division as Senior VP Production according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Given Dark Horse’s current deal with Universal, the move was necessary to oversee the existing projects, such as War Monkeys, while giving Goldberg access to the company’s library for further exploitation in media. He will be based in Dark Horse’s Los Angeles offices.

Under the terms of the deal, announced in March, Universal would have creative access to all Dark Horse characters and properties, as well as any material that Dark Horse might acquire on its own and want to develop as a motion picture. In addition, Dark Horse would have the opportunity to distribute movies through Universal.

Goldberg is "the right person at the right time," according to statement from Dark Horse president Mike Richardson. "We’ve seen explosive growth throughout our company, and the film division is no exception. With the addition of an ambitious slate at Universal to our existing film projects, we needed to expand."

Goldberg was previously a production executive at New Line Cinema, working on 17 Again; Rendition; and The Number 23.
 

Universal Moves ‘Wolfman’ to November

Universal Moves ‘Wolfman’ to November

  • News
  • December 10, 2008

With The Wolfman needing extra time for its special effects, Universal has adjusted its 2009 genre schedule, moving the Joe Johnston-directed film from April to November 6. How this may effect Johnston’s role in prepping Marvel’s First Avenger: Captain America, which should be in re-production by that time remains uncertain.

Taking the April 3 slot will be Vin Diesel’s return in the fourth Fast and Furious film.

The Wolfman gains the slot Universal had reserved for Ridley Scott’s revisionist Robin Hood film, Nottingham, which will got to 2010.  The Russell Crowe feature may depict Hood as both the deposed noble and the wicked Sheriff who hunts the archer. Production will begin this spring.

Screen Gems also delayed it thriller Obsessed from February 27 to April 24 and Woody Harrelson’s Zombieland will be unearthed on October 9.
 

‘Wicked’ Film Inevitable

‘Wicked’ Film Inevitable

  • News
  • November 28, 2008

Kristin Chenoweth, now out of work with the cancellation of Pushing Daisies, was asked if she’d be reprising the role of Galinda in the inevitable feature film version of Wicked. She told Moviehole, ”Well, will it ever be made? Yes, I do think it will be made. I think — you know, there’s some sort of thing going on right now where everyone’s hearing that there’s going to be a movie. You know, there will be a movie. But I believe — and I could be wrong, but I believe it will be years before we see it as a movie, because — you know, Universal will really want to make sure that they suck it dry, so to speak in all the theaters. And if you look at movies like Chicago and Phantom of the Opera those were 20, 25 years after the fact. And I could see, definitely, me playing Madame Morrible at that point. But I hope they really do it soon, so that I’m young enough to play Galinda.”

The musical is based on Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire which takes a revisionist look at the witches living in L. Frank Baum’s Oz. The best-seller was turned into a musical songs and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman and it debuted to acclaim in 2003, making stars of Chenoweth and Idina Menzel.

Wanted’s Marc Platt was signed to a long term deal at Universal this past July according to Variety and Wicked was included in the projects he will produce for them. Holzman is said to be at  work on a screenplay with David Stone on board  to co-produce.

‘The Wolfman’ May be Delayed Until Fall

‘The Wolfman’ May be Delayed Until Fall

  • News
  • November 28, 2008

Fangoria is reporting that the Joe Johnston-directed remake of Universal’s classic The Wolfman may miss its April 3 release date. Benicio Del Toro stars as Lawrence Talbot who is bitten by a werewolf and endures the agonizing transformation every time the moon is full and the wolf’s bane bright and now may wait until fall.

The movie was written by Andrew Kevin Walker and David Self with make-up effects from Oscar-winning monster maker Rick Baker.

This was Universal’s first step in freshening that brand following their success with The Mummy films starting Brendan Fraser.  The studio intends to patiently wait for Guillermo del Toro to finish The Hobbit before he takes on a remake of Frankenstein, the one that started it all back in 1931.
 

Animated ‘Nutty Professor’ Coming Tuesday

Animated ‘Nutty Professor’ Coming Tuesday

  • News
  • November 23, 2008

Just the other day we were talking about Universal seeking ideas for a third Nutty Professor film.  Now, Genius Products has announced the release of animated The Nutty Professor on DVD next Tuesday.

The once-buried secret potion to being cool is rediscovered when The Nutty Professor debuts on DVD November 25 from Genius Products, Rainmaker Entertainment and The Weinstein Company. Featuring the voice talents of the original Nutty Professor, comedic icon Jerry Lewis as Julius Kelp and three-time Kids’ Choice Award* Winner Drake Bell (Superhero Movie,) as his grandson Harold, The Nutty Professor is the modern animated sequel to the beloved 1963 classic and one of the great family franchises in movie history. When Harold gets his hands on the recipe for his grandfather’s secret elixir, he creates a potion that drastically transforms his personality to be more confident and suave. Unfortunately his alter ego is also obnoxious and destructive. Much like his grandfather before him, Harold must face his insecurities and fears while learning to believe in himself without the help of any special concoctions. A heart-warming comedy to be enjoyed by the whole family, The Nutty Professor DVD will be
available for the suggested retail price of $19.97.

Synopsis:

Years after the original nutty professor has hidden away the formula for his secret potion, his boy genius grandson, Harold, rediscovers the recipe and the adventure begins anew. Along the way, Harold learns to face his fears and the power of just being himself.

Bonus Features:

• The Science of Animating The Nutty Professor
• Character Storyboard Gallery

Basics:

Price: $19.97
Street Date: November 25, 2008
Run Time: 76 minutes
MPAA Rating: G
Languages: English Dolby 5.1
Subtitles: English and Spanish
Closed Captioned

‘Wanted 2’ on the Boards

‘Wanted 2’ on the Boards

  • News
  • November 6, 2008

Chris Morgan confirmed he will be writing the sequel to Wanted for Universal.  He spoke with MTV and said, “Yes, I will be writing it. I’m actually leaving this conversation with you to go to a meeting with the director, Timur [Bekmambetov], and we’re talking about the story.”

Despite confirming interest in a sequel to June’s action thriller starring Angelina Jolie, Universal continues to negotiate with writer Mark Millar who wrote the original comic miniseries, with artist J.G. Jones. A deal is said to be imminent.

“As far as I know, the studio is finishing their deal with Mark [Millar], and then we’re all going to get together and collaborate,” said Morgan, a longtime comics fan. “And that’s something I’m very excited about.”

After all, the movie deviated from the comic, creating its own mythology and now has to explore new facets of that world. Terence Stamp has already hinted to the press his Pekwarsky will return in the sequel which may be wishful thinking.

“That is the challenge here,” laughed Morgan, “but the point is to continue the journey that Wes started in the first film. Wherever he ended up at the end of the film, now it’s time to move him forward.”

The $75 million movie went on to earn good reviews and more importantly, scored $134,327,125 domestically plus an additional $203,210,478 in foreign box office.  The 
$337,537,603 global total before licensing and home video revenue more than justified Universal wanting a sequel. 

The DVD version will be released on December 2 in multiple versions: single-disc widescreen and full frame DVD editions, 2-disc Special Edition DVD and Blu-ray Hi-Def versions, and deluxe collector’s sets. The limited edition 2-disc versions and collector’s sets include a digital copy of the film.

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