American Genre Film Archive Names Jackson Cooper Executive Director (EXCLUSIVE) – Film News in Brief

Michael Jackson biopic will reportedly address the allegations of child sexual abuse against the singer.Given that the film has the approval of the Jackson estate, it had been unclear whether the film would explore the most controversial aspects of his life, but a new report suggests it will.Puck News’ Matthew Belloni has obtained an early draft of the script, and says that the film “wants very much to convince you Michael is innocent”, adding that it goes to “great lengths to minimise and downplay the actual claims and eviscerate the Chandlers”.In 1993, Evan Chandler, a dentist and screenwriter based in Los Angeles, accused Jackson of sexually abusing his 13-year-old son Jordan. The case was concluded when the two parties reached a financial settlement in 1994.In 2013, four years after Jackson’s death, the choreographer Wade Robson filed a lawsuit against his estate, saying Jackson had sexually abused him between the ages of seven and 14.

Angelique Jackson The documentary “Sue Bird: In the Clutch,” about the basketball legend’s final WNBA season and her impact on sports, has been acquired following its buzzy Sundance debut. Wolfe Releasing, the largest exclusive distributor of LGBTQ+ films, has picked up the North American distribution rights the feature documentary, which will become available for digital purchase and rental on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, VUDU and Wolfe On Demand beginning March 29.

Rebecca Rubin Film and Media Reporter Juno Films has nabbed North American rights to “Girls Will Be Girls,” a mother-daughter drama that premiered at Sundance Film Festival. The movie will screen at SXSW next week before it lands in theaters this fall. Shuchi Talati directed “Girls Will Be Girls,” which is set at a strict boarding school in the Himalayas as 16-year-old Mira’s sexual, rebellious awakening is disrupted by her mother, who never got to come of age herself.

Katcy Stephan Ming-Na Wen has joined the cast of Sony’s new “Karate Kid” film. Previously announced cast members include “American Born Chinese” star Ben Wang in the titular role, plus Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio, who will reprise their characters from previous entries in the franchise. Joshua Jackson and Sadie Stanley will also star.

Brent Lang Executive Editor Magnolia Pictures and Participant have partnered to jointly acquire North American rights to “The Grab,” a new documentary from “Blackfish” director Gabriela Cowperthwaite. The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, follows journalists from The Center for Investigative Reporting as they work high-profile sources and utilize a cache of secret data to uncover the money and influence being used by countries, corporations and members of the uber-elite to control the planet’s most vital resources.

Joshua Jackson is headed back to the big screen!

Katcy Stephan Kaylen Ng was named as the recipient of the $10,000 Deutsche Bank Frieze Los Angeles Film Award on Friday at the renowned art fair. Meanwhile, Britt Williams was announced as the winner of the $2,500 Audience Award, voted for by the public. Ng and Williams received their prizes during a special invitation-only ceremony at the fair.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film Writer “The Last Animal,” the award-winning bestselling novel from Ramona Ausubel, has been snatched up for film adaptation by production companies Walden Media and Big Beach. Ry Russo-Young has been set to direct the feature based on the emotionally resonant story.

The Writers Guild of America East has tapped Sam Wheeler as executive director.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer The Writers Guild of America East has tapped Sam Wheeler as the union’s new executive director. Chosen by the WGA East council as successor to longtime WGA East leader Lowell Peterson, who exited his post last October after the conclusion of the writers strike, Wheeler enters the role after serving as the national executive director of the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) since 2022.

Michael Jackson, titled Michael, is set to be released in 2025, and the cast is coming together – read on to see who will star in the film.Michael has been confirmed to receive a theatrical release in the United States on April 18, 2025, per production house Lionsgate. A UK release date is yet to be announced.It will be directed by Antoine Fuqua, who is known for films including Training Day, The Equalizer and Brooklyn’s Finest.

Alice Cooper has announced an autumn UK tour for later this year – find all the details below.The American rock artist will be heading to the UK for a six-date run of his ‘Too Close For Comfort’ tour, kicking off at Glasgow’s OVO Arena on October 14, followed by shows in Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and London.The tour will conclude with two consecutive nights at London’s Eventim Apollo on October 20 and 21.Primal Scream will join as special guest at all locations except London, alongside The Meffs at all shows. Sex Pistols guitarist and songwriter Glen Matlock will join as special guest at the London dates.Tickets go on sale this Friday (February 23) at 10am GMT from here.

It’s hard to believe American Idol first premiered more than two decades ago!

Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid celebrated their first Valentine’s Day together. The two were spotted braving the cold while out in a walk in New York City. Bradley Cooper and his daughter Lea attend the ‘Maestro’ premiereBradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid seemingly confirm their relationship with PDA in LondonHadid and Cooper were photographed holding on to each other as they walked through the city.

EXCLUSIVE: Production has wrapped on indie feature Bad Man, starring Seann William Scott (American Pie) alongside Johnny Simmons (The Perks of Being a Wallflower), Rob Riggle (21 Jump Street), Chance Perdomo (After We Fell), Andre Hyland (Barry), and Lovi Poe (Chelsea Cowboy).

Marc Malkin Senior Editor, Culture and Events Broadway is coming to Santa Monica. Jenna Ushkowitz (“Glee”) and Merle Dandridge (“The Last of Us,” “Station 19”) are teaming up and gathering their singer friends to raise money for Harvest Home L.A., a non-profit for unhoused pregnant women. “Jenna, Merle, and Friends: A Night of Song” will feature pop and Broadway tunes performed by Jesse Tyler Ferguson (“Modern Family”), Cheyenne Jackson (“American Horror Story”), Katie Lowes (“Scandal”), Kevin McHale (“Glee”), Austin Mackenzie (“Spring Awakening”), Adam Shapiro (“Never Have I Ever”), Tracie Thoms (“9-1-1”), Carly Thomas Smith (“Rent”) and Kim Dawson (“Sing Off”).

EXCLUSIVE: Martin Bobb-Semple has been upped to series regular for Season 3 of All American: Homecoming.

Bret Easton Ellis is an interesting person. First, he’s the author of an iconic novel (a personal favorite of this writer), “American Psycho.” He also wrote other notable books like “Less Than Zero” and “The Rules of Attraction.” But he’s not just an author nowadays.

Christopher Vourlias Gordon Main’s apartheid-era documentary “London Recruits” has been tapped as the opening film at the sixth Joburg Film Festival, which takes place Feb. 27 – March 3 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The film sheds light on a pivotal moment in South Africa‘s history, when the struggle against the apartheid government in South Africa developed a new secret weapon.

Michael Jackson’s nephew Jaafar portraying the late singer in the forthcoming biopic Michael has been shared.The pic, which you can view below, sees Jaafar performing as Jackson during his Dangerous Tour from 1992-93.“With Jaafar, every look, every note, every dance move is Michael,” said producer Graham King in a statement via Variety. “He embodies Michael in a way that no other actor could.”Jaafar and nine-year-old Juliano Krue Valdi will play an adult and child version of Michael respectively in the forthcoming biopic.Colman Domingo was also recently cast as Michael Jackson’s father, Joe Jackson.Domingo previously said of his casting: “It’s exciting to do it with Jaafar.