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Stars: Jeffrey Donovan, Tilly Keeper, Richard Fleeshman, Penelope Mitchell, Richard Brake | Written by Paul Leyden, Andrew Klein | Directed by Paul Leyden

R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned may be the most unexpected sequel in recent memory, and in a year that’s seen Eraser: Reborn and Blade of the 47 Ronin that’s saying a lot. The 2013 original was a Men in Black style action comedy that featured Ryan Reynolds as a ghostly cop protecting the living from undead threats. It was also an expensive flop, the kind studios want to forget, not make sequels, or in this case, prequels, to.

Set in 1876, R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned is the story of Sheriff Roy Pulsipher, played by Jeff Bridges in the original and Jeffrey Donovan this time around. Here he’s meeting his daughter Charlotte and her fiance Angus at the train station when a robbery occurs and he’s killed in a shootout.

When asked about R.I.P.D., Jeff Bridges said he was “a little underwhelmed” after finally watching the 2013 movie. “The studio made some, uh, choices that I wouldn’t have made,” he added. Bridges’ colorful performance was praised, but that was as much positivity critics could muster about this misfire of a comic-book adaptation. Adding insult to injury was the box-office report; Robert Schwentke’s action-comedy cost Universal 130 million and failed to break even. Despite the first movie’s failings, Universal went ahead with a sequel. Nine years later. It’s standard to dust off, kick around and spruce up old IPs these days, but surely no one was expecting another go at the Dark Horse comic book, much less one worse than the first attempt.

Like in the first movie, R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned follows the otherworldly misadventures of two officers from the Rest in Peace Department. The most remarkable change here,...

R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned is a Western directed by Paul Leyden, starring Jeffrey Donovan and Penelope Mitchell.

A blend of the wild west with a more mystical supernatural dimension.

Premise

When Sheriff Roy Pulsipher finds himself in the afterlife, he joins a special police force and returns to Earth to save humanity from the undead.

R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned About the Movie

A rather banal production that might have an audience. It is difficult to foresee.

Bordering the B movie category, this is a feature that will neither be remembered nor leave a mark. The characters are unconvincing, the gimmicks are bad, but at the same time it is harmless entertainment.

Enjoy.

Sequel of R.I.P.D. (2013)

Director: Robert Schwentke

Writers: Peter M. Lenkov,David Dobkin,Phil Hay

Cast: Jeff Bridges,Ryan Reynolds,Kevin Bacon

Plot: A recently slain cop joins a team of undead...

Stars: Jeffrey Donovan, Tilly Keeper, Richard Fleeshman, Penelope Mitchell, Richard Brake | Written by Paul Leyden, Andrew Klein | Directed by Paul Leyden

R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned may be the most unexpected sequel in recent memory, and in a year that’s seen Eraser: Reborn and Blade of the 47 Ronin that’s saying a lot. The 2013 original was a Men in Black style action comedy that featured Ryan Reynolds as a ghostly cop protecting the living from undead threats. It was also an expensive flop, the kind studios want to forget, not make sequels, or in this case, prequels, to.

Set in 1876, R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned is the story of Sheriff Roy Pulsipher, played by Jeff Bridges in the original and Jeffrey Donovan this time around. Here he’s meeting his daughter Charlotte and her fiance Angus at the train station when a robbery occurs and he’s killed in a shootout.

A little under a decade ago, Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges starred in Ripd: Rest in Peace Department, a supernatural action-comedy which followed a murdered cop who joined an afterlife law enforcement department to apprehend monsters disguised as humans on Earth. Unfortunately, the film was a box-office bomb, grossing just 78 million worldwide on a 130 million budget. It also received overwhelmingly negative reviews, which made it all the more confusing when a sequel came out of nowhere earlier this year. Universal Pictures have released a brief trailer for Ripd 2: Rise of the Damned, which you can check out above.

The Ripd 2 trailer reveals that the sequel is actually a prequel, taking place in the Old West and focusing on Sheriff Roy Pulsipher, the character played by Jeff Bridges in the first movie. The prequel finds Jeffrey Donovan (Burn Notice) taking on the role of Roy, and he’s joined by...

Like a department store that pulls out its winter holiday items weeks before All Hallows' Eve, Netflix isn't going to let a little thing like the calendar stop it from bombarding its subscribers with Christmas movies in November. That's not to say the streamer's exclusive yuletide rom-coms are all bad — quite the opposite, in fact (consider this your friendly reminder to finally watch "Single All the Way" this year).

Fortunately, if films like "Falling for Christmas" (aka the long-awaited Lindsay Lohan Netflix Christmas movie) aren't your bag, there are plenty of other options on the service to choose from that month. Perhaps you'd be more inclined to watch "Slumberland," Francis Lawrence's fantasy film adaptation of Winsor McCay's classic "Little Nemo in Slumberland" comic strips starring Jason Momoa as a shaggy-furred half-man, half-animal with mountain goat horns and an impeccably flamboyant fashion sense? You could also go for the...

One of the biggest box office bombs of the 2010s is getting a sequel in the form of "R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned." Yes, really, and we even have a trailer to prove that nobody is having their leg pulled. The folks at Universal Pictures thought there might be enough of an audience for this, nearly a decade after the original Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges two-hander lost a boatload of money (to the point where Reynolds re-thought his entire career). And they even got an actual known actor to take on the lead role in the form of Jeffrey Donovan ("Burn Notice").

Now, it is really important to point out that this is a direct-to-video sequel, meaning they presumably spent a whole lot less money on it. That is just about the only way in which a sequel to a bomb this big makes any sense.

Nine years ago, Universal released a supernatural action comedy called R.I.P.D.: Rest in Peace Department, which didn’t do much at the box office despite starring Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges. Made on a budget somewhere in the 150 million range, R.I.P.D. only earned 78.3 million worldwide. It was considered a bomb… but that hasn’t stopped Universal from making a direct-to-video sequel. Made completely under the radar, the sequel is called R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned – and it has already been screened for the ratings board at the Motion Picture Association, earning a PG-13 rating for “sequences of violence, language, disturbing images and some crude/sexual references“.

According to IMDb, R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned was directed by Paul Leyden (Chick Fight) from a screenplay he wrote with Andrew Klein. Since the film was made in secrecy, a plot...

Stars: Malin Akerman, Bella Thorne, Dulcé Sloan, Kevin Nash, Kevin Connolly, Alec Mapa, Dominique Jackson, Fortune Feimster, Alec Baldwin | Written by Joseph Downey, Hope Bryant | Directed by Paul Leyden

After her life falls apart – her car repossessed, her coffee shop up in literal flames – Anna Wyncomb (Malin Akerman) is introduced to an underground, all-female fight club by her friend and cop Charleen (Dulcé Sloan); who thinks the club will be the thing to help turn the mess of her life around. Shocked at first, Anna soon discovers she is much more personally connected to the history of the club than she could ever imagine and enlists hard drinking trainer, Jack Murphy (Alec Baldwin), to teach her how to actually fight…

Let’s be fair here. Chick Fight falls solidly into the classic movie underdog trope – though here there’s a much more feminine take on the cliched story. Yes this...

“What if we made [iname of popular movie here] but for [a different audience than said first film]?” is a classic Hollywood formula, and while Paul Leyden’s “Chick Fight” is built on the somewhat shoddy assumption that David Fincher’s “Fight Club” wasn’t really for the ladies, crafting a feel-good comedy around a bunch of gals who start their own underground boxing group isn’t a bad idea. Neither is producer-star Malin Akerman, an actress who brings relentless energy and enthusiasm to even the most anemic features. And while

It all starts predictably enough: Anna (Akerman) is struggling with the responsibilities of adult life, evidenced by both her inability to pay her bills (her car is repossessed in the opening credits) and her heartbreak over her dead mom (her morning routine can only start after she says hi to a picture of the pair them in happier times). Akerman is adept at playing believably addled, as the script (from first-time...

"It's time for you to come face-to-face with who you are, and what you're capable of." Quiver has released an official trailer for an action-comedy titled Chick Fight, from Australian filmmaker Paul Leyden. The film stars Malin Akerman as Anna, who's introduced to an underground, all-female fight club in order to turn the mess of her life around. She soon discovers she is much more personally connected to the history of the club than she could ever imagine. Akerman (who is also a producer) states that, "she was a fan of fight movies and buddy comedies that combine heart with healthy amounts of raunchiness but found most to be dominated by male-centric stories and protagonists. Chick Fight gave her the opportunity to create the kind of film she wanted to see." The film's cast includes Bella Thorne, Alec Baldwin, Dulcé Sloan, Kevin Connolly, Fortune Feimster, and Kevin Nash. It looks like fun big-bucket-of-popcorn entertainment.

Quiver Distribution has debuted a new trailer for its upcoming comedy ‘Chick Fight’ featuring Malin Akerman.

When Anna Wyncomb is introduced to an underground, all-female fight club in order to turn the mess of her life around, she discovers she is much more personally connected to the history of the club than she could ever imagine.

Directed by Paul Leyden, the film stars Malin Akerman, Bella Thorne, Alec Baldwin, Kevin Connolly, Dulcé Sloan, Dominique Jackson, Kevin Nash, Fortune Feimster and Alec Mapa.

Also in trailers – Ryan Reynolds stars in new trailer for ‘Free Guy’

The film is released in US cinemas, On-Demand and digital November 13th

The post Malin Akerman stars in trailer for ‘Chick Fight’ appeared first on HeyUGuys.

Quiver Distribution and Redbox Entertainment have announced the North American acquisition rights to Chick Fight, an action-comedy featuring a starry cast that includes Malin Akerman, Emmy winner Alec Baldwin, Bella Thorne, and Kevin Connolly. Paul Leyden directed the film which will get a day-and-date release on November 13.

Written by first-time feature writer Joseph Downey, the plot follows Anna Wyncomb (Akerman), who is introduced to an underground, all-female fight club in order to turn her life around, when she discovers she is much more personally connected to the history of the club than she could ever imagine.

Dominique Jackson, former pro-wrestler Kevin Nash, Fortune Feimster, Dulcé Sloan, and Alec Mapa round out the cast.

Producers are Akerman, Yale Productions’ Jordan Yale Levine, Jordan Beckerman, and Michael J. Rothstein, Idiot Savant Pictures’ Anne Clements as well as Frances Lausell and Ash Christian, who spearheaded the film’s development. Christian, a beloved Emmy-winning independent producer,...

Quiver Distribution and Redbox Entertainment have teamed to acquire the North American rights to the action comedy Chick Fight, starring Malin Akerman and Alec Baldwin.

A theatrical, digital and on Demand release on Nov. 13 is planned. Chick Fight sees Akerman play Anna Wyncomb as she is introduced to an underground, all-female fight club to turn her life around, only to discover she is personally tied to the club more than she ever imagined.

Bella Thorne, Kevin Connolly, Dulce Sloan, Dominique Jackson, Kevin Nash, Fortune Feimster and Alec Mapa round out the ensemble cast.

Paul Leyden directed Chick Fight from a script by ...

Quiver Distribution and Redbox Entertainment have teamed to acquire the North American rights to the action comedy Chick Fight, starring Malin Akerman and Alec Baldwin.

A theatrical, digital and on Demand release on Nov. 13 is planned. Chick Fight sees Akerman play Anna Wyncomb as she is introduced to an underground, all-female fight club to turn her life around, only to discover she is personally tied to the club more than she ever imagined.

Bella Thorne, Kevin Connolly, Dulce Sloan, Dominique Jackson, Kevin Nash, Fortune Feimster and Alec Mapa round out the ensemble cast.

Paul Leyden directed Chick Fight from a script by ...

In today’s film news roundup, “Apollo 13” gets a three-day re-release, “Calm With Horses” gets a home, and Malin Akerman’s action-comedy “Chick Fight” rounds out its cast.

Anniversary Release

“Apollo 13” will be re-released to 600 North American theaters on April 5, 6 and 8, nearly 50 years after the liftoff of the ill-fated 1970 space mission.

Fathom Events, Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment made the announcement Wednesday.

“Apollo 13” starred Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise, Ed Harris and Kathleen Quinlan. The film, directed by Ron Howard, received nine Academy Award nominations and grossed $355 million worldwide.

The movie recounts the three astronauts dealing with the aftermath of an on-board explosion, reported with the line, “Houston, we have a problem.” With their spacecraft depleted of most of its oxygen supply and electrical power, they looped around the Moon with an improvised plan to returned to earth in the pre-digital age.

“Apollo 13...

Exclusive: Alec Baldwin and Bella Thorne have joined the cast of Chick Fight, the indie action comedy starring and to be produced by Malin Akerman. Paul Leyden is directing Joseph Downey’s original script for the pic, which is being produced by Yale Productions and Idiot Savant Pictures. A January shooting start is in the works.

Akerman stars as Anna, who still hasn’t reconciled with the recent death of her adored mother. She’s just discovered that her loving and supportive father is gay, and she accidentally burns down her uninsured coffee shop after learning a thrown joint and a spilled bottle of moonshine don’t mix. Knowing Anna needs to be abruptly shaken and stirred from her deep funk, her best friend takes her to an all-women underground fight club, where she encounters an eclectic cast of characters.

Thorne plays Olivia, the club’s intimidatingly perfect and most brutally efficient fighter,...

Malin Ackerman has jumped on the project Chick Fight as the producer and star. The action comedy is being directed by Paul Leyden, who worked with Ackerman on the short 2009 thriller Bye Bye Sally. Deadline has shared the following synopsis for the original story:

Chick Fight “centers on Anna (Akerman), who still hasn’t reconciled with the recent death of her adored mother. She’s also just discovered her loving and supportive father is gay. And she accidentally burns down her uninsured coffee shop. Knowing Anna needs to be abruptly shaken and stirred from her deep funk, her best friend Charleen takes Anna to an all-women underground fight club, where Anna slowly rediscovers herself, her inner strength and true purpose.”

This sounds like a fun movie, and a refreshing premise for a female-driven story. Does this sound like a movie you might enjoy?...

Exclusive: Malin Akerman has come aboard to star in Chick Fight, an action comedy being directed by Paul Leyden. The new project is being produced by Akerman; Yale Productions’ Jordan Yale Levine, Jordan Beckerman and Michael J. Rothstein; Idiot Savant Pictures’ Anne Clements; and Ash Christian.

The film, which reteams Akerman and Leyden after they worked together on the 2009 short film Bye Bye Sally, will be presented to buyers at the upcoming American Film Market.

The original script from Joseph Downey centers on Anna (Akerman), who still hasn’t reconciled with the recent death of her adored mother. She’s also just discovered her loving and supportive father is gay. And she accidentally burns down her uninsured coffee shop. Knowing Anna needs to be abruptly shaken and stirred from her deep funk, her best friend Charleen takes Anna to an all-women underground fight club,...

1986: Another World's Cass was determined to see Kathleen.

1991: Days of our Lives' Jack and Jennifer saw a familiar star.

2002: Passions' Theresa begged for help during her execution.

2003: All My Children's Bianca burned her clothes after the rape."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1946: Mary-Ellis Bunim was born. She produced daytime soap operas Search for Tomorrow, As the World Turns, Santa Barbara and Loving before moving into reality television with The Real World. She died in 2004 at age 57.

1954: On Search for Tomorrow, Joanne Barron...

1976: Ryan's Hope's Delia talked her way around Frank's suspicions.

1999: Passions premiered on NBC.

2001: As the World Turns' Simon found Katie on an island.

2002: Stephanie Gatschet debuted as Tammy on Guiding Light."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1966: On The Guiding Light, Bert Bauer (Charita Bauer) met Leslie Jackson (Lynne Adams).

1966: New head writer William J. Bell's first Days of our Lives script aired. By this point NBC had canceled Ted Corday's other two daytime soaps launched in 1965, Morning Star and Paradise Bay,...

1966: Dark Shadows premiered on ABC.

1984: Guiding Light's Bert stood after losing her leg.

1995: One Life to Live's "Tommy" was enraged.

2003: Passions paid homage to the musical "Chicago"."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1952: ABC Radio aired the final episode of Lone Journey after a 12 year run on multiple networks with multiple sponsors.

1955: On The Brighter Day, Lydia Hamilton (Murial Williams) struggled with her conscience after taking a silver clock.

1963: On Ben Jerrod, Agnes (Jeanne Baird) lost her temper for the second time.

1986: In the series finale of Search for Tomorrow, Stu asked, "What is it, Jo? What is it you're searching for?"

Jo's reply: "Tomorrow. And I can't wait.""History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1941: After being canceled by the network, NBC Radio aired what was intended to be the final episode of radio soap opera The Guiding Light. The network received 75,000 protest letters and the show returned 11 weeks later on March 16, 1942, running for four and a half more years on NBC Radio before being canceled again. CBS Radio...

1986: Another World's Cass was determined to see Kathleen.

1991: Days of our Lives' Jack and Jennifer saw a familiar star.

2002: Passions' Theresa begged for help during her execution.

2003: All My Children's Bianca burned her clothes after the rape."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."

― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1946: Mary-Ellis Bunim was born. She produced daytime soap operas Search for Tomorrow, As the World Turns, Santa Barbara and Loving...

1976: Ryan's Hope's Delia talked her way around Frank's suspicions.

1999: Passions premiered on NBC.

2001: As the World Turns' Simon found Katie on an island.

2002: Stephanie Gatschet debuted as Tammy on Guiding Light."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."

― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1966: On The Guiding Light, Bert Bauer (Charita Bauer) met Leslie Jackson (Lynne Adams).

1966: New head writer William J. Bell's first Days of our Lives script aired.

1966: Sft's Joanne and Stu celebrated Christmas with family and

friends. 1986: In the final scene of Search for Tomorrow,

Stu asked, "What is it, Jo? What is it you're searching for?"

Jo's reply: "Tomorrow. And I can't wait.""History is a vast early warning system."

― Norman Cousins

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1941: After being canceled by the network, NBC Radio aired what was intended to be the final episode of radio soap opera The Guiding Light. The network received 75,000 protest letters and the show returned 11 weeks later on March 16, 1942, running for four and a half more years on NBC Radio before being canceled again. CBS Radio...

Saban Films has acquired Us rights to Jonathan Mostow’s action-thriller starring Sam Worthington and newcomer Odeya Rush.

John Brancato and Michael Ferris adapted the screenplay to The Hunter’s Prayer from Kevin Wignall’s novel For The Dogs, about a hitman who forms a bond with a target and sets out to find her family’s killers.

Wme Global and CAA co-represented Us rights and Sierra/Affinity handles international sales.

Navid McIlhargey produced with Anthony Rhulen, Chris Milburn, John Schwarz, Michael Schwarz, Sam Worthington, Tove Christensen, Michael Wexler, Juan Garcia Peredo, Jimmy Costas, Paul Rock and Paul Leyden.

Executive Producers include Gavin Poolman, Duncan Reid, Hugo Heppell, Norman Merry, Peter Hampden, IIdiko Kemeny, David Minkowski and Jack L. Murray.

Earlier in the week Saban announced it had picked up North American rights to Sean Penn’s The Last Face.

• Jean-Claude Van Damme is in final talks for Kickboxer, a franchise remake of the 1989 action film that kickstarted his career. John Stockwell is directing the film, which stars Dave Bautista, Alain Moussi, and Georges St. Pierre. The story follows Kurt Sloane (Moussi), a man who travels to Thailand and learns how to kickbox in order to face his brother's killer, Tong Po (Bautista). Van Damme starred as Sloane in the original, and is eyeing an updated version of Sloane's teacher, Master Chow. If it's finalized, he will be replacing Tony Jaa who had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts.

Allen Leech (Downton Abbey, The Imitation Game) has joined Jonathan Mostow’s Hunter’s Prayer, alongside Sam Worthington and Odeya Rush. Adapted from Kevin Wignall’s novel For The Dogs by Paul Leyden, Oren Moverman, John Brancato and Michael Ferris, the film tells the story of Lucas, a hired assassin (Worthington) sent to target Ella (Rush). Instead, he bonds with her and cannot carry out his assignment. Lucas is then targeted, and the pair flee across Europe. Leech will play the role of Lucas’ former employer.

Leech stars as Tom Branson in Downton Abbey and can currently be seen as John Cairncross in The Weinstein Company’s The Imitation Game.

He is repped by Nigel Meiojas at ICM Partners and by Kat Gosling at Troika in the UK.

Sam Worthington and Odeya Rush's international action-thriller The Hunter's Prayer has pre-sold in a raft of international markets, as well as snagging new castmembers Martin Compston, Amy Landecker and Verónica Echegui. Jonathan Mostow (Terminator 3, U-571) is directing the film adaptation of Kevin Wignall's critically acclaimed novel, For the Dogs, with Sierra/Affinity representing international rights. Paul Leydon, Oren Moverman, John Brancato and Michael Ferris wrote the adapted script. Hunter's Prayer stars Lucas as a solitary assassin hired to kill Rush's character. But his plans go awry afer the two develop a bond, and the duo soon find

read more...

The company has wrapped up a slew of sales on Jonathan Mostow’s upcoming thriller starring Sam Worthington and Odeya Rush.

Principal photography is set to begin this week in Yorkshire on the story of a hitman who goes on the run across Europe with the woman he was hired to kill. Martin Compston, Amy Landecker and Verónica Echegui also star.

Paul Leyden, Oren Moverman, John Brancato and Michael Ferris adapted the screenplay from Kevin Wignall’s novel The Dogs.

Deals have closed in Germany (Square One), Latin America (Sun), South Korea (Focus And Company), South Africa (Ster Kinekor), Hong Kong and Taiwan (Sound Space), Switzerland (Ascot Elite) and former Yugoslavia (Blitz).

Sierra / Affinity licensed rights in Bulgaria (Tandem), Greece, India, Middle East and Turkey (Italia), Iceland (Myndform), Israel (United King), Indonesia (Pt Prima), Thailand (Mongkol), Malaysia and Vietnam (Roarlion) and Asia pay-tv (Star).

Financiers are Ingenious Senior Film Fund, Ingenious Project...

• Ariana Grande, Katie Homes, Nicholas Hoult (X-Men: Days of Future Past), Matthew Morrison (Glee), John Leguizamo (Chef), Eugenio Derbez (Instructions Not Included), Taran Killam (12 Years a Slave), Bobby Moynihan (Saturday Night Live), and Chazz Palminteri (Rizzoli & Isles) have signed on to voice The Weinstein Company's Underdogs, EW has confirmed. The film, from Argentinian director Juan Jose Campanella, is being re-voiced in English by TWC with a script that has been reworked for domestic audiences. The story follows football player Jake (Morrison) and his love interest, Laura (Grande). With Laura's support, Jake beats the town bully, Ace (Hoult), in a foosball game.

Exclusive: The Giver’s Odeya Rush has been cast in action-thriller Hunter’s Prayer as Ella, a young girl who teams up with the assassin hired to wipe out her family to find the person responsible. Jonathan Mostow is helming the U.S.-UK co-production formerly known as For The Dogs, which has Sam Worthington in place to play Lucas, the contract killer who helps Ella navigate the tangled web of hitmen and thugs on her quest for justice. Filming is gearing up to start next month in the UK.

Hailee Steinfeld and Emma Roberts previously were attached before Rush landed the role after starring in this summer’s The Giver opposite Jeff Bridges and Meryl Streep. Rush’s credits also include The Odd Life Of Timothy Green and horror remake We Are What We Are. In next year’s Sony summer pic Goosebumps she’ll play the daughter of...

She first came to Hollywood's attention in The Odd Life Of Timothy Green, but since then Odeya Rush has been flitting between genres, showing up most recently in novel adaptation The Giver. She’s now landed one of the lead roles in Jonathan Mostow’s action thriller Hunter’s Prayer.The film, once known as For The Dogs, sounds a little like Leon, albeit with a twist. Sam Worthington plays Lucas, an assassin who is initially assigned to take out Ella’s (Rush) family. But he develops a bond with the young woman and ends up helping her track down and punish the person who is actually responsible for the killings.Mostow took over the project from Phillip Noyce, and the script, adapted from Kevin Wignall’s novel, has been through the word processors of Paul Leyden, Oren Moverman, John Brancato and Michael Ferris. Shooting is scheduled to start next month here in the UK.

Psycho has a lot to answer for: Half a century later, lazy filmmakers are still using "mommy issues" as the paper-thin motivation for killers of all stripes.

That's one problem with Paul Leyden's stab at psychological horror, Come Back to Me, a film in which every character states her motivation out loud, and even so-called "shocking" revelations are underlined with a hand-holding voice-over.

Sarah (Katie Walder) is a young wife who begins having unsettling visions of her own death. Again and again, she wakes up terrified, thinking it was a dream, but occasionally comes across disturbing evidence that says otherwise. Is her new neighbor, maladjusted mama's boy Dale (Nathan Keyes), stalking her? And if so, why doesn't she remember it?

The film's c...

The Jonathan Mostow-directed, Sam Worthington-led thriller "For The Dogs" has undergone a title change to "Hunter’s Prayer" and scored a financial commitment from Screen Yorkshire.

Based on Kevin Wignall's novel, Worthington plays a solitary assassin who is hired to kill a young girl but can’t bring himself to do it. After he fails to carry out the task, both are marked for death and hunted across Europe.

Their only hope is to find out why her family were killed and bring those responsible to justice. Emma Roberts and Hailee Steinfeld were both previously linked to the project but are no longer in the frame, so casting continues for the female lead.

Worthington, Navid McIlhargey, Anthony Rhulen, Chris Milburn, Paul Leyden, and John and Michael Schwarz will produce. Filming begins in the UK and Hungary next year.

Source: Screen...

On tap right now are a really creepy clip and the final poster art for the psycho-looking new film Come Back to Me (review). Check them out, and look for more on this one as soon as we get it! Gonna be a heavy week, folks! Get set!

Come Back to Me is a horror film based on the novel titled The Resurrectionist by Wrath James White, which will be playing in limited theaters and available on iTunes, DirecTV, and iN-Demand on July 25th.

The flick stars Matt Passmore ("The Glades"), Katie Walder ("Gilmore Girls"), Nathan Keyes (The Kings of Summer), Maura West ("General Hospital," "The Young and The Restless"), and Laura Gordon (Saw V). The film is written and directed by Paul Leyden (also known for his roles on "The Young and the Restless" and "As The World Turns").

Synopsis

Sarah (Walder) and Josh McLaren (Passmore) are a young...

Exclusive: Co-pro Hunter’s Prayer marks largest investment and first Us production for fund.

Screen Yorkshire has made its biggest production investment to date on $25m Us-uk co-production Hunter’s Prayer (previously known as For The Dogs).

Avatar and Clash of the Titans star Sam Worthington will star as an assassin in director Jonathan Mostow’s (Terminator 3) thriller, which is due to shoot in the UK and Hungary in 2015.

The film is the first Us production to get backing from Screen Yorkshire, which would not reveal the amount invested but confirmed it to be above £1m.

Casting is currently underway on the female lead. Emma Roberts and Hailee Steinfeld were both previously linked to the project but are no longer in the frame.

Based on the novel For The Dogs by Kevin Wignall, the script has been adapted for the screen by Paul Leyden, Oren Moverman, John Brancato and Michael Ferris.

Producers are [link...

On tap right now are some surprisingly bloody new stills and the first poster art for the creepy looking new film Come Back to Me. Check them out, and look for more on this one as soon as we get it!

Come Back to Me is a horror film based on the novel titled The Resurrectionist by Matthew Guinn, which will be playing in limited theaters and available on iTunes, DirecTV, and iN-Demand on July 25th.

The flick stars Matt Passmore ("The Glades"), Katie Walder ("Gilmore Girls"), Nathan Keyes (The Kings of Summer), Maura West ("General Hospital," "The Young and The Restless"), and Laura Gordon (Saw V). The film is written and directed by Paul Leyden (also known for his roles on "The Young and the Restless" and "As The World Turns").

Synopsis

Sarah (Walder) and Josh McLaren (Passmore) are a young married couple living in suburban Las Vegas. Shortly after a car accident,...

Attention, filmmakers... please stop finding footage. Too much has been found already. No one should be looking for more. The ship has sailed. Still... sometimes a gem can sneak through. Is Come Back to Me such a gem? It definitely uses said footage in a unique way. Watch the trailer and decide!

Directed by Paul Leyden, Come Back to Me stars Matt Passmore, Katie Walder, Nathan Keyes, and Laura Gordon.

The film revolves around a young woman (Walder) who suffers memory lapses and blackouts after a car accident.

She then learns she is pregnant, but her husband (Passmore) is infertile, which leads her to set up a security camera in their bedroom. The trailer seemingly reveals what their creepy neighbor (Keyes) is doing to her in the night: “Killing and bringing you back - it’s how he connects.”

It’s a twist suggested by the title of the novel The Resurrectionist,...

Director Paul Leyden's adaptation of the novel "The Resurrectionist," Come Back to Me, is getting a limited theatrical/VOD release on July 25th. Today, a trailer made its debut and you can now watch it via the player here. See a neighbor get creepy when he finds out cookies that were given to him were not home made. Freestyle Releasing is handling the distribution of the film which stars Matt Passmore, Katie Walder and Nathan Keyes. This film appears to have come out of nowhere, so all we have to go on is THR's report. The outlet says...

The post [Trailer] More Found Footage on the Way With ‘Come Back to Me’ appeared first on Shock Till You Drop.

Exclusive: Emma Roberts has replaced Hailee Steinfeld as the female lead opposite Sam Worthington in the Jonathan Mostow-directed action thriller For The Dogs. The film is an adaptation of the Kevin Wignall novel. Paul Leyden originally adapted, and the most recent draft is by Oren Moverman. FilmEngine Entertainment’s Anthony Rhulen and Navid McIlhargey will produce with Worthington, John Schwarz, and Michael Schwarz via their Full Clip Productions banner, and Leyden. Sierra/Affinity is handling international sales for the film and Paradigm will be handling domestic sales in what will be a buzz title in Berlin. A solitary assassin (Worthington) agrees to help a young woman (Roberts) exact revenge on those who mercilessly murdered her parents and younger brother. His guidance unleashes events that ultimately stoke her thirst for vengeance while he desperately seeks peace and absolution. Roberts, repped by CAA and Sweeney Entertainment, is coming off the New...

Although Hailee Steinfeld was announced for the role last summer , Deadline reports today that Emma Roberts ( We're the Millers ) is set to take over Steinfeld's part in the Jonathan Mostow ( Breakdown ) directed For the Dogs . Oren Moverman wrote the most recent draft for the project, based on Paul Leyden's adaptation of Kevin Wignall's novel. The novel is described as follows: Inspired in part by "The Nibelungenlied" (the epic German poem which was the basis for Wagner's "Ring Cycle") and partly by Jane Austen's "Persuasion" (both books actually appear in the text), this is the story of Ella and Lucas. Ella is touring Italy with her boyfriend, unaware that her entire family has been murdered, that her father's business dealings are...

It’s a fast paced, action thriller with a star packed cast, but Cleaners isn’t coming to theaters or cable. The new series debuts this week exclusively on Sony Crackle. Director Paul Leyden and star Emmanuelle Chriqui talk about how quickly the whole project moved both in front and behind the camera. Catch a trailer here and be ready for the series debut Thursday. Plus Agents Of Shield grows even more and Constantine is headed to TV.

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"Terminator 3" and "U-571" director Jonathan Mostow has come on board to direct Sam Worthington in the indie action-thriller "For the Dogs" at FilmEngine Entertainment and Anthropology Films.

The story centers on a solitary assassin who agrees to help a bright college girl exact revenge on those who mercilessly murdered her parents and younger brother.

Mostow replaces Phillip Noyce at the helm of the project which is based on Kevin Wignall’s novel. Oren Moverman ("Rampart," "The Messenger") is adapting the script.

Worthington, Paul Leyden, Anthony Rhulen, Navid McIlhargey, John Schwarz and Michael Schwarz will produce and shooting begins this Fall.

Source: Variety...

Hailee Steinfeld just keeps losing dads. The “True Grit” star has signed up to seek revenge once again for the sake of a killed pops, this time in “For the Dogs” with Sam Worthington, which is also set to be directed by “Salt’s” Phillip Noyce. Based on the book by Kevin Wignall (and originally adapted by Paul Leyden), “For the Dogs” would star former “Titans” man Sam Worthington as “a solitary assassin who agrees to help a precocious teenager exact revenge on those who murdered her parents and younger brother. His guidance unleashes events that ultimately stoke her thirst for vengeance while he desperately seeks peace and absolution.” Basically “True Grit” crossed with “Leon”/”The Professional”? Steinfeld is also starring in “Three Days To Kill” with Kevin Costner in the pipe, along with the teen assassin actioner “Barely Lethal”. But just to break up the monotony of action/revenge roles,...

True Grit and Ender’s Game star Hailee Steinfeld has come aboard For the Dogs, where she’ll star alongside Aussie thesp Sam Worthington who signed on for the film in January. The indie action thriller will be directed by Phillip Noyce (Salt), based on an adaptation of Kevin Wignall’s novel by TV star Paul Leyden. Worthington’s character is Lucas, an assassin looking for redemption and Steinfeld’s character is Ella, an orphan out for revenge. She seeks the assistance of a semi-retired hitman after her parents were murdered to avenge their deaths. While the lone assassin is looking for an exit from the violence, and a chaotic...

Click to continue reading Hailee Steinfeld Comes Aboard For The Dogs on www.filmofilia.com...

Hailee Steinfeld has been cast in For the Dogs.

She will star alongside Sam Worthington in the Phillip Noyce-directed action thriller, reports Deadline.

For the Dogs centres around precocious teenager Ella (Steinfeld) who convinces solitary assassin Lucas (Worthington) to help her take revenge on the people who murdered her family.

As she gets dragged deeper into the cycle of vengeance, the hired killer searches for absolution.

Oren Moverman wrote the script for the project from Paul Leyden's adaptation of the 2007 Kevin Wignall novel.

Steinfeld will next be seen in Ender's Game and Romeo and Juliet.

Watch Hailee Steinfeld in the trailer for Romeo and Juliet below:...

Hailee Steinfeld ("True Grit") will star opposite Sam Worthington in Phillip Noyce's adaptation of Kevin Wignall's novel "For The Dogs".

Worthington plays a solitary assassin seeking peace and absolution who agrees to help a precocious teenager (Steinfeld) exact revenge on those who murdered her parents and younger brother.

His guidance unleashes events that ultimately stoke her thirst for vengeance.

Oren Moverman wrote the script, while Worthington, Anthony Rhulen, Navid McIlhargey, John Schwarz, Michael Schwarz and Paul Leyden will produce.

Source: Deadline...

Exclusive: Hailee Steinfeld has come aboard For The Dogs, the Phillip Noyce-directed pic that has Sam Worthington attached to star. Oren Moverman wrote the script based on an adaptation of the Kevin Wignall novel by Paul Leyden. Sierra/Affinity is selling international and CAA and Paradigm domestic beginning this week at Cannes. The pic centers on a solitary assassin (Worthington) who agrees to help a precocious teenager (Steinfeld) exact revenge on those who murdered her parents and younger brother. His guidance unleashes events that ultimately stoke her thirst for vengeance while he desperately seeks peace and absolution. The pic is being produced by Anthony Rhulen and Navid McIlhargey via FilmEngine Entertainment; Worthington, John Schwarz and Michael Schwarz for Full Clip Productions; and Leyden, who wrote the script after optioning rights out of his own pocket. Steinfeld, who just appeared in the first trailer for Summit’s November 1 pic Ender’s Game,...