1996s “Irma Vep” saw Olivier Assayas contribute to a rich tapestry of meta cinema stretching back to Federico Fellini’s 1963 masterpiece “8½.” Itself drawing upon François Truffaut’s metafictional “Day For Night” as a direct source, the film followed René Vidal, an over-the-hill film director whose recent output has descended into alienating pseudo-intellectualism, and his attempt to remake the classic French film serial, “Les Vampires.” Introducing veteran of Hong Kong cinema, Maggie Cheung, to a western audience, playing herself as an actress cast in the fictional director’s film as Irma (keeping up?), Assayas’ film contemplated the nature of the creative process, using its verité aesthetic to capture the mania of a film set while also providing a broader meditation on the state of modern French cinema.
Christian Slater Joins FX Limited Series ‘Fleishman Is In Trouble’
29.04.2022 - 19:51 / deadline.com
EXCLUSIVE: Christian Slater is the latest big name to join FX’s limited series Fleishman Is In Trouble.
The Dr. Death and Dirty John star will feature opposite Jesse Eisenberg, Lizzy Caplan and Claire Danes in the series, which is based on Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s bestselling debut novel.
The series also stars Adam Brody and Joy Supruno with the likes of Ralph Adriel Johnson, Brian Miskell, Michael Gaston, Maxim Jasper Swinton and Meara Mahoney Gross also featuring.
Created by Brodesser-Akner, the story centers on recently separated fortysomething Toby Fleishman (Eisenberg), who dives into the brave new world of app-based dating with the kind of success he never had dating in his youth, before he got married at the tail end of medical school. But just at the start of his first summer of sexual freedom, his ex-wife, Rachel (Danes), disappears, leaving him with the kids and no hint of where she is or whether she plans to return. As he balances parenting, the return of old friends, a promotion at the hospital that is a long time coming and all the eligible women that Manhattan has to offer, he realizes that he’ll never be able to figure out what happened to Rachel until he can take a more honest look at what happened to their marriage in the first place.
Slater, who recurs in three episodes, plays Archer Sylvan, a Tom Wolfe-esque figure in the book, a journalist who wrote a “legendary” article, titled Decoupling, which details the dissolution of a marriage and is pretty close to the story of Fleishman is in Trouble. Sylvan is also the obsession of Libby Epstein, the narrator of the book and friend of Toby Fleishman’s from college.
Brodesser-Akner serves as a writer of the limited series and executive produces along with Sarah
Christina Bazdekis Joins UTA In Motion Picture Division
Christina Bazdekis has joined United Talent Agency as an agent in the motion picture division. Based in New York, she will report to MP co-heads Jason Burns and Julien Thuan.
Jennifer Lopez to Produce Limited Series Based on 'Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella'
Jennifer Lopez is taking on a new project!
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘Cinderella’ to Be Adapted as Limited Series by Skydance TV, Nuyorican Productions, Concord Originals
Joe Otterson TV ReporterSkydance Television, Concord Originals, and Jennifer Lopez’s Nuyorican Productions are teaming to develop a limited series based on Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella.”Rachel Shukert will write the adaptation in addition to serving as executive producer and showrunner. Lopez, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, and Benny Medina will executive produce for Nuyorican.
Jennifer Lopez To EP Limited Series Based On Rodgers & Hammerstein’s ‘Cinderella’ With Skydance And Concord
There’s a limited series based on Rodgers & Hammerstein’s in the works from Jennifer Lopez‘s Nuyorican Productions, Skydance Television, and Concord Originals. The project is an original take on the musical to be written by Rachel Shukert (GLOW, The Baby-Sitters Club) who will also executive produce and serve as showrunner.
Apple Limited Series ‘Manhunt’ Adds Seven To Cast
Apple is rounding out its ensemble cast for its upcoming true-crime limited series Manhunt, about the Lincoln assassination. Brandon Flynn (13 Reasons Why), Betty Gabriel (Get Out), Will Harrison (Daisy Jones & The Six), Hamish Linklater (Midnight Mass), Damian O’Hare (Perry Mason), Patton Oswalt (Gaslit) and Lili Taylor (Outer Range) join previously announced leads Tobias Menzies, Lovie Simone and Matt Walsh in the series from Friday Night Lights and Fargo writer-producer Monica Beletsky, Lionsgate and 3 Arts.
‘Game of Thrones’ Alum Maisie Williams Joins Apple Series ‘The New Look’
Joe Otterson TV ReporterMaisie Williams has joined the upcoming Apple drama series “The New Look.”Williams joins previously announced series leads Ben Mendelsohn and Juliette Binoche in the series. “The New Look” is set against the World War II Nazi Occupation of Paris when Coco Chanel’s (Binoche) reign as the world’s most famous fashion designer ends and Christian Dior (Mendelsohn) rises helping return spirit and life to the world with his ground-breaking, iconic brand.Williams will play the role of Catherine Dior, Christian’s younger sister and Medal of Honor winner for Courage in the cause of Freedom.Williams is best known for playing Arya Stark in the megahit HBO series “Game of Thrones.” She starred in all eight seasons of the series, earning two Emmy nominations for best supporting actress in a drama in the process.
Henry And Max Winkler Team For The First Time On Limited Series ‘King Rex’ For HBO, Malcolm Spellman and Nichelle Tramble Spellman EPing
EXCLUSIVE: Even as their hit Emmy-winning comedy Barry makes its long awaited return, HBO is looking to stay in business with its star Henry Winkler as sources tell Deadline that HBO is developing the new limited series King Rex with Henry Winkler attached to star and his son, Max, directing the pilot. It would mark the first time the father-son duo have worked together in the business and both Winklers are also exec producing. Joining them as exec producers are Malcolm Spellman and Nichelle Tramble Spellman who will exec produce through their The 51 banner along with Eli Dansky (the Spellman’s have a first look deal with HBO). Scott Brown and Megan Creydt of Texas Monthly (who also has first look deal with HBO) will also exec produce with Trey Selman writing the pilot and co-exec producing.
Emmy Predictions: Supporting Actress in a Limited Series – Can Faith Hill Land a Nomination for Her First Series Role?
Clayton Davis Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official awards predictions for the upcoming Oscars and Emmys ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis; Awards Circuit Column, a weekly analysis dissecting the trends and contenders by television editor Michael Schneider (for Emmys) and Davis (for Oscars); Awards Circuit Podcast, a weekly interview series with talent and an expert roundtable discussion; and Awards Circuit Video analyzes various categories and contenders by Variety's leading awards pundits. Variety's unmatched coverage gives its readership unbeatable exposure in print and online, as well as provide inside reports on all the contenders in this year's awards season races.
‘Justified: City Primeval’: Aunjanue Ellis, Boyd Holbrook, Adelaide Clemens, Vondie Curtis Hall Among 8 Cast In FX Limited Series
Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard), Boyd Holbrook (The Premise), Adelaide Clemens (The Great Gatsby), Vondie Curtis Hall (Harriet), Marin Ireland (Y: The Last Man), Norbert Leo Butz (Bloodline), Victor Williams (The Good Lord Bird) and Vivian Olyphant are set as leads opposite Timothy Olyphant in FX’s Justified: City Primeval, the limited series inspired by Elmore Leonard’s City Primeval: High Noon in Detroit. Production begins this week in Chicago.
Ed O’Neill to Play Donald Sterling in FX Limited Series ‘The Sterling Affairs’
Joe Otterson TV ReporterEd O’Neill is set to play Donald Sterling in the upcoming FX limited series “The Sterling Affairs,” Variety has learned.The show was picked up to series at FX back in April. It is based on the ESPN 30 for 30 podcast of the same name. O’Neill joins previously announced stars Laurence Fishburne and Jacki Weaver.The six-episode series tells the behind the scenes story of Doc Rivers (Fishburne) and the Los Angeles Clippers’ quest to bring a championship to one of the historically worst franchises in all of sports during the impending downfall of the team’s owner, Donald Sterling (O’Neill), whose notoriously racist behavior is brought to light amid the power struggle between his wife of 60+ years, Shelly Sterling (Weaver), and his mistress, V.
Ed O’Neill To Play Donald Sterling In FX Limited Series About Disgraced LA Clippers Owner
Ed O’Neill is set to star opposite Jacki Weaver and Laurence Fishburne in The Sterling Affairs. The Modern Family alum will play the title role in FX’s six-episode limited series about the downfall of Los Angeles Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling amid the team’s drive to win a championship under coach Doc Rivers.
‘The Last Thing He Told Me’: Aisha Tyler Joins Cast Of Apple Limited Series
EXCLUSIVE: Aisha Tyler (Fear the Walking Dead, Archer) has joined the cast of the Apple limited series The Last Thing He Told Me in a leading role.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Joins Apple TV+ Limited Series ‘The Last Thing He Told Me’
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau has joined the cast of the Apple TV+ limited series “The Last Thing He Told Me” alongside Jennifer Garner and Angourie Rice.The series is based on the novel by Laura Dave. It follows follows “Hannah (Garner), a woman who forms an unexpected relationship with her sixteen-year-old stepdaughter Bailey (Rice) while searching for the truth about why her husband has mysteriously disappeared,” per a logline from the streamer.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Joins Jennifer Garner In ‘The Last Thing He Told Me’ Apple Limited Series
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Game of Thrones) is set as the male lead opposite Jennifer Garner in Apple limited series The Last Thing He Told Me, based on Laura Dave’s bestselling novel. Angourie Rice also stars and Garner executive produces.
Jeff Daniels To Headline ‘A Man In Full’ Netflix Limited Series From David E. Kelley & Regina King
Two-time Emmy winner Jeff Daniels has been tapped as the lead of A Man in Full, a six-episode limited series based on Tom Wolfe’s 1998 novel, from David E. Kelley and Regina King. Kelley serves as writer, executive producer and showrunner, with King directing three episodes and exec producing as part of her first-look deal with Netflix via her Royal Ties production company.
Josh Radnor Joins FX Limited Series ‘Fleishman Is In Trouble’
EXCLUSIVE: Josh Radnor (Hunters) has signed on for a major recurring role opposite Lizzy Caplan in FX’s limited series Fleishman Is in Trouble. In addition to Caplan he joins previously announced leads Jesse Eisenberg, Claire Danes, Christian Slater, Adam Brody and Joy Supruno in the series, which is based on Taffy Brodesser-Akner’s bestselling debut novel.
Emmy Predictions: Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie – Tim McGraw and Murray Bartlett Lead Cut-Throat Field
Clayton Davis Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official awards predictions for the upcoming Oscars and Emmys ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis; Awards Circuit Column, a weekly analysis dissecting the trends and contenders by television editor Michael Schneider (for Emmys) and Davis (for Oscars); Awards Circuit Podcast, a weekly interview series with talent and an expert roundtable discussion; and Awards Circuit Video analyzes various categories and contenders by Variety's leading awards pundits. Variety's unmatched coverage gives its readership unbeatable exposure in print and online, as well as provide inside reports on all the contenders in this year's awards season races.