Monarch Media (Hit Man) is getting into the holiday spirit early with The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, a live-action feature adaptation of Frank Baum’s classic children’s book. Filmmaker Kali Bailey (dir. Angel Studios’ A Week Away) has been tapped to pen the screenplay that will look at Santa’s origin story before he became the jolly man he is today.
The newest streamer to be in hot water is Amazon after leaking Jason Statham’s Mutiny on Prime Video days before its theatrical debut, giving subscribers full access to the action thriller. Lionsgate and other buyers who’ve spent millions on the film and its marketing are obviously fuming.
Netflix has greenlit a documentary feature all about Jessica Simpson from director Joe Pearlman (Robbie Williams). After a 15-year hiatus, the world-famous entrepreneur and “With You” singer returned to the scene with new original music last year, with the doc set to follow the ins and outs of Simpson’s controversial career and personal life.
Former Netflix VP of Comedy Andy Weil joins Amazon MGM Studios as Head of Comedy. He previously produced comedy shows like Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and BoJack Horseman.
Charter Communications’ $ 34.5 bn acquisition of Cox Communications closes. This is now the nation’s largest cable and broadband provider.
Chuck Saftler, one of the biggest names in TV acquisition, leaves Disney after working for the company for 32 years. He was previously the Head of Acquisitions for ABC and Disney Kids and Family.
Ari Aster films don’t announce themselves! Kate Fassl (former A24 Publicist for 12 years) joins Aster’s prod co Square Peg as Head of Comms and Talent Relations.
HBO Max’s Lanterns premiere got 9.3M views in 3 days. That puts it in HBO Max’s top 5 series to premiere.