Good morning: In today's edition of The Industry, we look at:
Charlize Theron’s Tyrant, Taron Egerton’s Kockroach, and a Kangaroo.
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THE INDUSTRY TLDR
Charlize Theron in final talks to star in and produce Amazon’s Tyrant.
Taylor Sheridan to write and produce Call of Duty film. Peter Berg directs.
Netflix hires Skydance’s advisors to explore potential WBD acquisition.
Sony Pictures acquires Eric Heisserer’s novel Simultaneous for film adaptation.
Hulu’s Onyx Collective greenlights Southern Bastards pilot from Nia DaCosta.
Producer Neal H. Moritz signs multi-year overall deal with Sony Pictures TV.
Taron Egerton joins Kockroach with Channing Tatum and Zazie Beetz.
Claire Danes replaces Kate Winslet in A24/Hulu’s The Spot.
Rob Lowe and Keith David to star in My New Friend Jim.
Wayne Knight joins NBC’s St. Denis Medical S2.
IFC’s RLJE Films acquires TIFF title Motor City for $3–4M.
Bleecker Street launches event cinema arm Crosswalk.
Mubi acquires Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s series The New Year’s.
Australian hit Kangaroo grosses $3.4M USD.
THE INDUSTRY NEWS
Charlize Theron is in final talks to star in and produce Tyrant, a psychological drama from writer director David Weil (Hunters).
The film centers on New York’s elite culinary world and is described as Wall Street meets Whiplash. Once Theron is locked in there is apparently another dueling female role still needing casting. Could this be a big dual powerhouse performance?
Amazon secured the project after a fierce bidding war in August, fast tracking it once Theron joined.
This would not be the first time Theron took on a role in the restaurant world; she played a restaurant manager in The Burning Plain - clip. It’s also hard not to think of the tense scene she had across from Edward Norton in The Italian Job (pictured above). Theron is above all else a master of playing cool but with a wicked intensity. It’s very easy to imagine her as a head chef torturing a new fresh faced hopeful.
She’s been focusing on her producing as of late with her prod co Secret Menu slate including Apex (w/ Taron Egerton), The Quiet Tenant (Blumhouse), Jane (Alfonso Cuarón, Jack Thorne), and Two for the Money (Justin Lin).
Comcast, Apple, Amazon, Roku, and Tubi released Q3 2025 earnings. Click here for full details.
Taylor Sheridan is doing one last film for Paramount before moving to NBCU. He’ll write and produce the long-in-development Call of Duty movie with Peter Berg (Lone Survivor) directing and co-writing.
There’s a hardened quality of to the COD soldiers that Sheridan could bring some real depth too. Of course, Berg’s direction will make the action pop on screen.
The film had been in development since 2015 with Activision. It even had a full script and previsualization by 2017, but it stalled by 2020.
We now have some more granularity about the new structure of Paramount’s TV Studios after the recent layoffs.
TV Lead under Dana Goldberg (President of Paramount TV Studios, which now includes Skydance, MTV, Showtime, Nickelodeon) is Matt Thunell (current Skydance TV President). E.g., he’s the guy in charge of Taylor Sheridan’s shows (through 2028).
Under Thunell:
Showtime/MTV Head of Scripted, Keith Cox
Drew Brown, EVP, Physical Production for Skydance, is now PTVS Head of Production
Shelley Zimmerman and Carolyn Harris, EVPs, Head of Development and EVP, Head of Current
Folks that were let go:
Keri Flint, EVP and Head of Global Production for MTVE/Showtime
Jeff Hegedus, EVP, TV Business & Legal Affairs for Skydance
Shauna Phelan, EVP, Head of Live Action Series, Films & Talent, Nickelodeon and Awesomeness TV
Tidbits:
Netflix makes its first move to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. According to a report, they’ve hired the investment bank that advised Skydance on its successful acquisition of Paramount. The goal? To take a deeper dive into the value of Warner Bros. Discover’s assets and financial data. No formal bid has been made, unlike David Ellison. But a number of suitors are lining up for WBD, including Comcast.
Sony Pictures has pre-emptively acquired writer of Arrival Eric Heisserer’s debut novel Simultaneous for film development under his Chronology banner. Published by Flatiron Books, the psychological thriller follows a past life regression therapist and a Homeland Security agent who uncover a reincarnation linked killer. The plot really is very cool, and past life regression to solve a crime is such a cool hook, this one is promising.
The small town charm of Friday Night Lights with the grit of The Sopranos. Hulu’s Onyx Collective has officially green-lit a pilot for a new series adaptation of the acclaimed graphic novels Southern Bastards, collaborating with Proximity Media (Sinners), Nia DaCosta (Hedda) as director and EP, and Ozark co-creator Bill Dubuque who wrote the teleplay. The drama, set deep in Alabama’s football-frenzied “Craw County,” will explore loyalty, legacy and the dark underbelly of small-town Americana.
Zero Gravity Management (Ozark) and Romulus Films (Oliver!) are developing a new TV adaptation of Frederick Forsyth’s The Odessa File. Written by Simon Fellows (Steel Country), the conspiracy thriller follows journalist Peter Miller as he infiltrates a network of ex-Nazi SS officers in 1960s Germany. The project is currently being packaged for talent and network partners. With a four-season arc planned.
Sunset Lane Media, led by David Beaubaire, is opening a D.C. office to mine political and diplomatic circles for authentic film and TV stories, marking Hollywood’s first creative foothold in Washington. There’s plenty of material as of late.
Mini Tidbits:
Veteran producer Marty Tudor is partnering with Shirley Temple’s estate to develop projects spanning film, TV, stage, and streaming, plus publish two unseen autobiographies.
Producer Neal H. Moritz and his banner Original Film (The Boys) signs a multi-year overall deal with Sony Pictures Television. Since first working with SPT a decade ago, Original has created a slew of successful shows like AMC’s Preacher and CBS’ S.W.A.T.
Nexstar founder and major shareholder Perry Sook has his CEO contract extended till 2029. The extension comes in the midst of the TV giant trying to acquire media company TEGNA in a potential $6.2 M deal.
Emmy-winning sound designer and producer Kent Gibson, known for his work on Cosmos (1981), died Oct. 23 in Seattle at 77. He earned multiple Emmy nominations, led Cosmos Studios, and worked with artists like Olivia Newton John, Fleetwood Mac, and John Lennon. He will be missed.
Netflix stock has split 10 for 1. It’ll now be cheaper to buy in.
Renewals:
FX’s Adults (for S2)
Hulu’s King of the Hill (for S16 + S17)
Trailers:
Netflix’s Stranger Things (S5)
Trailer for the nostalgic and high-stakes finale
Volume 1 Release: Nov 26
Paramount Pictures’ Scream 7
Release: Feb 27, 2026
Nat Geo’s The Tale of Silyan
North Macedonia Oscar Entry
Release: Nov 28
Janus Films’ The Love That Remains
Icelandic Oscar entry
Release: Jan 30
Starz’s Spartacus: House of Ashur
Release: Dec 5
Release dates:
Fox’s The Saints (S2)
Host/Narrator/EP: Martin Scorsese
Dir of 1 episode: Francesca Scorsese
Release: Nov. 16
Live Nation Studios and Trafalgar Releasing’s Rebecca
Becky G doc
Premiere: Tribeca Film Festival
Release: Dec 10, 13
THE ACTOR SPOTLIGHT
Taron Egerton (Carry-On, Rocketman) has joined Channing Tatum and Zazie Beetz in Matt Ross’s (Captain Fantastic) crime thriller Kockroach.
The film, described as a blend of Goodfellas and Scarface, follows a mysterious figure’s violent rise through New York’s criminal underworld. Produced by Andrew Lazar (American Sniper) and Kevin Frakes (Hereditary), the feature adapts the novel of the same name by William Lashner.
Egerton is actually stepping in for Oscar Isaac, who had to exit the film due to scheduling conflicts. Though Egerton to most started out in Kingsman it as been really great seeing him hone his craft and become an actor who plays more psychologically hardened men, who are just cracking under the surface. Like his excellent two-faced role in Apple TV+’s Smoke.
Claire Danes takes Kate Winslet’s spot. Following Kate Winslet’s exit from A24/Hulu’s show The Spot, Danes will replace her.
The HBO show queen, who has perfected a trio of powerfully broken leaders (Mildred Pierce, Mare of Easttown, The Regime), was going to star and EP in The Spot. However, Danes’ eight seasons as the brilliant yet tormented CIA officer in Homeland perfectly showcase her talent for portraying morally conflicted and emotionally complex women, making her an ideal replacement for the role.
Synopsis:
When a successful surgeon (now: Danes, previously: Winslet) and her schoolteacher husband begin to suspect that she may be responsible for a child’s hit-and-run death, their quest for truth spirals into a web of mounting suspicion and dark secrets, testing their resolve and their relationship as they confront the possibility of hidden guilt and betrayal.
A24 and 20th Television will co-produce.
Tidbits:
But if you’re looking for a new Kate Winslet project, check out Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision, a new doc taking a closer look at King Charles III. The Oscar-winning actress narrates the film, highlighting The King’s Foundation and its extensive environmental work.
Rob Lowe (The West Wing) and Keith David (The Lowdown) will star in My New Friend Jim, a dark comedy from Ash Avildsen (Queen of the Ring) about two fathers from different worlds who bond while searching for a runaway daughter in Reno. Surprisingly, these two television fixtures have never before been in anything together.
Your Friends and Neighbors’ actress Aimee Carrero is set to lead Lionsgate’s new untitled thriller film. From breaking into houses to being the victim of a home invasion, Carrero will play a mother whose paranoia is heightened when a group of attackers breaks into her home. From Talking Pictures’ horror label Midnight Pictures (The Silence of the Lambs), the indie horror-thriller is currently filming in LA.
Mini Tidbits:
Alyla Browne (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga) joins psychological horror From Below, about a teen battling a predator visible only to its next victim. Sean Loch (Sleepwalker) directs his Black List-featured script. This one has It Follows energy.
Greg Berlanti (You) has founded his newest muse in Chloe East (Heretic), set to lead Hulu’s newest YA series Foster Dade. Set in a boarding school on the East Coast, the story is described as a “sophisticated mystery” where East is set to play the enchanting Annabeth, who is far less innocent than Heretic’s Sister Paxton.
Jersey Shore goes paranormal. Reality star Nicole Polizzi is taking a break from the beach and trying out ghost hunting in Crave’s new series Snooki: Paranormal Rookie. The 8-episode special will drop early next year.
As part of her film deal with the streamer, Taraji P. Henson (Empire) joins ‘Tis So Sweet, a new Netflix faith-based film. The story is centered on a baker who witnesses a miracle, with Henson joined by Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott (aka singer Joey Bada$$), who has also signed on.
Wayne Knight (Seinfeld, Jurassic Park) joins Season 2 of NBC’s St. Denis Medical as Dr. Axler, a gruff cardiologist who frequently clashes with Ron (David Alan Grier). Knight joins the ensemble led by Wendi McLendon-Covey (The Goldbergs), Allison Tolman (Fargo), and Josh Lawson (Superstore). Knight brings veteran comic energy (I mean, he’s Newman).
FESTIVALS
Two big animated projects at AFM:
The Turning Door (animated)
Voice Cast: Alicia Vikander, Jamie Dornan, Jodie Turner-Smith, Bill Nighy, and Gillian Anderson
Prod Co/North American Sales Rep: 2AM (Babygirl)
International Sales Rep: Mister Smith Entertainment (1917, Dangerous Animals)
Synopsis:
A girl sneaks from bed during a party and finds a magical box in her parents’ room, leading to The Turning. To save her frozen parents and return home, she must find a sorceress with a crystal vial, meeting fantastical beings.
ViQueens (semi-animated)
Voice Cast: Rita Ora & Ella Purnell
Sales Rep: Sola Media (The Pout Pout Fish)
Synopsis:
The calamitous adventures of 2 Viking women lost in modern times.
More AFM projects:
Lapland War
Finnish period war film
International Sales Rep: Beta Film (Bookish)
From Below
Australian Psychological Horror
Cast: Alyla Browne (Furiosa)
Worldwide sales rep: Cornerstone (Pillion)
Invader
Christmas Survival Film
Cast: Amy Acker (Cabin in the Woods scientist)
Sales Rep: Alliance Media Partners (The School Duel)
The Queen’s Jewels
Cast: Katherine McNamara (Arrow)
Sales Rep: Quantify
INDIE FILMMAKER SPOTLIGHT
IFC’s RLJE Films (Clown in a Cornfield) has picked up TIFF’s Motor City for $3-4M. The film is directed by Potsy Ponciroli (Old Henry) and stars Alan Ritchson, Shailene Woodley, Ben Foster, and Pablo Schreiber.
Offers had come in from Lionsgate, Samuel Goldwyn, and Briarcliff, but it may have been IFC’s recent success with genre films (Good Boy 2025 had a $2.3M opening) that may have been the perfect fit. Although Motor City suposedly cost $30M we would have liked to see Lionsgate play off the John Wick energy and have a stab at the release.
Motor City has very little dialogue and a whole lot of action. And with a really fun style, it was a massive festival crowd pleaser. Releasing in 2026.
Tidbits:
Bleecker Street has launched a new distribution arm called Crosswalk, focused on “event cinema” releases, films shown as special events or limited-run experiences. Through Crosswalk, Bleecker aims to roll out five to six titles annually in addition to its standard theatrical slate, offering another avenue for bringing content to audiences outside the traditional release model. The first titles include Rob Reiner’s Spinal Tap at Stonehenge: The Final Finale and the SXSW-winning coming-of-age film Slanted. Crosswalk’s debut is expected in early 2026.
Mubi has acquired The New Year’s (Los años nuevos), a decade-spanning romance series co-created and directed by Cesar Award-winning Rodrigo Sorogoyen (The Beasts). Each episode in the 10-part series will revolve around a single celebratory night exploring how love evolves and fractures across time. In acquiring the Spanish series, Mubi will bring the romance across the globe, yesterday dropping the first official trailer. The series will launch on Dec. 3rd.
Anna Zlokovic (Appendage) will direct The Broodmare, a horror feature written by Michael Voyer for XYZ Films and Tea Shop. Featured on the Black List, the story follows a recovering alcoholic who visits a secluded horse breeding farm to reconcile with his high school sweetheart, only to be ensnared in a brutal cult conspiracy.
Writer, actress, and comedian Iliza Schlesinger (Pieces of a Woman) is set to star in Chasing Summer, a romantic dramedy she wrote and directed by Josephine Decker (dir: Madeline’s Madeline). A “contemporary take on the millennial-coming-of-age of age” story, Schlesinger is joined by a strong ensemble of Megan Mullally (Will and Grace), Tom Welling (Smallville), and The Summer I Turned Pretty’s Lola Tung. Chasing Summer is currently in post.
Mini Tidbit:
London-based Good Chaos (Sisu) brings on Teresa Moneo as Creative Director and producer shortly after her Netflix resignation. Moneo will build on the company’s current slate and lead all creative teams.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Japan’s animation industry is reporting nearly 15% growth, hitting a record $25bn in 2024, driven by overseas growth. Overseas markets drove the surge, contributing 56% ($14.25bn) of total revenue, largely from streaming deals. This is buoyed by the major global surge in popularity of anime event films like the latest Demon Slayer ($893.9M) and Chainsaw Man ($114M WW).
Ashley Walters is set to direct Khadijah for Fable Pictures (Stan & Ollie), a feature film based on the true story of Khadijah Mellah, the teenager from Peckham, London, who became the first female Muslim jockey to win a British horse race. Khadijah is in the early stages of production.
FilmSharks acquired world sales rights to The Convent, a South Spain-set horror about nuns seeking a vessel for the devil’s son. Pre-sold to Meteor for German-speaking territories (2026 release). the dark nuns thriller drew multiple bids before FilmSharks secured rights.
Family comedy Kangaroo has grossed A$5.2M ($3.4M USD) in Australia, becoming the year’s top local hit. Directed by Kate Woods, it follows a TV host (Ryan Corr) befriending an Indigenous girl (Lily Whiteley) to rescue joeys. No US release planned just yet, but maybe the success will bring this one stateside. Trailer here. Get ready for a lot of cuteness.
ON THIS DAY
2010. The Walking Dead premieres on AMC.
Written by Gabriel Miller, Spencer Carter, and Madelyn Menapace.
Editor: Gabriel Miller.
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