Australian Streamer Stan Boards ‘Hotel Cocaine’ Crime Drama From ‘Narcos’ Creator Chris Brancato

Jamie Lang Leading French production-distribution outfit Le Pacte has boarded the upcoming 2D animated feature project “Conference of the Birds,” which will be spotlighted at the Marché du Film’s Animation Day during this year’s Cannes Festival. In addition to co-producing, Le Pacte will handle French distribution and serve as international sales agent on the film, part of the five-title Annecy Showcase at the Animation Day.

EXCLUSIVE: Oscar nominee Vanessa Kirby, BAFTA nominee David Oyelowo and BAFTA winner Sofie Gråbøl lead cast in Audible’s The Strange Case, the first audio drama from the creator of the John Wick franchise, Derek Kolstad.

Ellise Shafer Elodie Grace Orkin (“Stranger Things”) and Samuel Small (“The Strays”) are set to star in “Screening Room,” a short drama written and directed by Abdullah Khan (“Find the Light”). “Screening Room” explores the connection between two moviegoers. Set during a film festival in London, the short follows a young screenwriter, played by Small, who while searching for inspiration meets a mysterious woman (Orkin).

In this week’s episode of The Discourse, host Mike DeAngelo grows out his handlebar mustache and puts on a southern accent to discuss “Blood for Dust” with star Kit Harington (“Game of Thrones,” “Eternals”). The movie follows a struggling salesman with a troubled criminal past who is pulled back into a string of crimes by a former colleague, leading to a trail of blood…and dust.

EXCLUSIVE: UK sales outfit SC Films International has acquired world rights to Australian comedy The Way, My Way and will launch sales at the upcoming Cannes market. 

Two months after revealing its Korean slate for 2024, Disney+ has unveiled another series from the country. Titled Low Life, the show will premiere on the platform next year and Hulu in the U.S.

There are casual vacations, and then there’s extreme luxury.

EXCLUSIVE: Lumanity Productions announced that a feature film adaptation deal has been inked with Christine Mangan for her novel The Continental Affair.  

Annika Pham Boutique world sales outfit The Yellow Affair has boarded the Portuguese crime thriller “Irreversible,” produced by prestige outfit Caracol Studios for pubcaster RTP. The upcoming six-part TV show was showcased among 10 exclusive titles at this week’s MipDrama at MipTV in Cannes.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief “Vikings” star Travis Fimmel reprises his role as Detective Cormack in a second season of Australian mystery drama series “Black Snow.” The six-part series is now shooting in Queensland, Australia, and has unveiled first-look images. “Australian film and television have never been stronger. Now, with the addition of streaming networks and their reach, I’m so proud that our local productions and their hard work can be recognized not only here, but around the world,” said Fimmel in a prepared statement. The first season of “Black Snow” was nominated as ‘most outstanding drama series’ at the 2023 Logie Awards and received two nominations at the 2024 AACTA Awards – for best drama series and best lead actor in a drama, for Fimmel.

Netflix has something special planned for Emmy winner John Mulaney in May.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor French broadcaster M6 has greenlit a French-language adaptation of Turkish crime drama “Persona,” to be titled “Mémoire Vive.” Instead of a male protagonist, as in the Turkish version, it will have a female main character, Esther Lefevre, to be played by Clementine Celarie, whose credits include “Six Women,” “Betty Blue” and “Two Is a Family.” “Mémoire Vive,” which will comprise four hour-long episodes, is being produced by Calt Studio. It is written by Laurent Burtin (“Astrid: Murder in Paris”), Anne-Gaëlle Daval (“Ladies”) and Hélène Lombard (“Call My Agent!”).

Elsa Keslassy International Correspondent Mediawan Rights has boarded “Kabul,” a highly anticipated thriller series produced by France’s 24 25 Films and Cinétévé. Shervin Alenabi (“Tehran”) and “Euphoria’s” Eric Dane (in a small role) have joined the international cast of the show, which already comprises Jonathan Zaccaï (“Le bureau des legendes”), Thibault Evrard (“The Night of the 12th”), Vassilis Kukalawi (“Kandahar”), Jeanne Goursaud (“Pax Massilia”), Gianmarco Saurino (“L’estate piu Calda”) and Valentina Cervi (“Medici: Masters of Florence”). The series, set against the backdrop of U.S.

Christine Quinn has been granted a restraining order against her estranged husband Christian Dumontet!

Lake McHenry County Scanner.Perteet, a Waukegan resident who is married and has four children, has been charged with three counts of armed robbery and kidnapping with a firearm, plus one count of carjacking, for his alleged involvement in three separate attacks against men on Chicago’s West Side last summer.According to a news release from the Chicago Police Department, Perteet was arrested by members of the Vehicular Hijacking Task Force on March 26 in the 3000 block of South Sacramento Ave., in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood. He was identified by victims as the man who allegedly held them against their will and robbed them at gunpoint.The three victims included:All three crimes took place in the city’s North Lawndale neighborhood.Prosecutors claim that Perteet used Grindr to track down the victims and obtain their addresses under the guise of arranging a hookup.

Michelle Dockery is back in another period drama – but she has swapped 1920s high society for the two-tone music scene of the 80s. In BBC drama This Town – from the pen of Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight – Michelle plays Estella, a mother and singer who never hit the big time, due to her difficult relationship with alcohol. Against a background of social unrest and IRA terrorist threats, a group of young people harness the power of music to escape their grim reality.

Sam Smith and their boyfriend Christian Cowan are getting cozy enjoying the sunny weather!

Out with the old and in with the new!

Jake Gyllenhaal has opened up about his experience of losing out on the role of Batman in Christopher Nolan’s trilogy.Speaking on The Howard Stern Show (via Variety), he recalled the rejection, having made it to the final round of casting, before the iconic DC superhero role was eventually given to Christian Bale.He also mentioned losing out on the role of Christian in Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge!, a role which went to Ewan McGregor.Speaking on both experiences, Gyllenhaal said: “To [Nolan’s] credit and to Baz [Luhrmann’s] credit, both of those directors called me personally to tell me [I didn’t get the role].”“And they will tell you why. When you get that far, there’s a real legitimacy to you potentially getting something.

Zack Sharf Digital News Director Jake Gyllenhaal recently opened up on “The Howard Stern Show” about what it was like losing two major roles during the final rounds of casting: Batman in Christopher Nolan‘s “Batman Begins” and Christian in Baz Luhrmann’s “Moulin Rouge!” On the latter film, the audition process came down to Gyllenhaal, Heath Ledger and Ewan McGregor. It’s here where Gyllenhaal first heard of Ledger, who would later become his co-star in “Brokeback Mountain.” “What I felt was disappointment when I didn’t get it. Both Heath and I were disappointed,” Gyllenhaal said.