Welcome back Studio Coffee Folks! We’ve got a few studio acquisitions today as Hollywood tries to stockpile for the end of COVID, plus a look at – well – Hollywood the show form Pose co-creator Ryan Murphy.
Melissa McCarthy’s next drama lands at Netflix in a $20 mil deal
Netflix brings another movie home to roost as it wins an auction for world distribution rights to The Starling, Ted Melfi’s drama starring Melissa McCarthy (Can You Ever Forgive Me), Kevin Kline, Chris O’Dowd, and Timothy Olyphant. Per Deadline, the word is that the streamer spent about $20 million on the flick, which is also scripted by Matt Harris. The Starling follows McCarthy and O’Dowd as a married couple trying to pull itself together following a tragedy. While the husband heads out to recovery, the wife stays home, trying to ground herself. She starts a garden in her backyard, but is constantly disrupted by a starling that’s built a nest nearby. She ends up calling in a vet to help her out with the problem – and he ends up making a much bigger impact on her life than either of them could have anticipated. Given COVID, a timeline is unclear, but The Starling is finished up with principal photography and currently in post pro.
Summerland brokers its U.S. rights with IFC Films
IFC Films has acquired U.S. rights to writer-director Jessica Swale’s British period drama, Summerland. Swale’s directorial debut stars Gemma Arterton (Murder Mystery), Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Penelope Wilton and Tom Courtenay. The movie follows Folklore investigator (Arterton) who from her clifftop study debunks myths with science to disprove magic’s existence against a World War II setting – all tied together with themes of opening up to love and kindness in all different forms, according to IFC Executive VP of Acquisitions and Productions Arianna Bocco. Summerland is a collaboration between Quickfire and BFI Presentation of a Shoebox Films and Iota Films. Look for it on July 31.
Expedition Unknown host and Discovery team up for a new virtual talk show focused on environmentalism
I’m hosting an #EarthDay special next Wednesday night on @Discovery! Post videos of hacks/tips/tricks to be green at home. Be sure to tag me and #JoshGatesTonight for a chance to have your submission air on the show! pic.twitter.com/Nct1BmtkFE
— Josh Gates (@joshuagates) April 16, 2020
Discovery Channel revealed yesterday its new virtual talk show, hosted by Expedition Unknown’s Josh Gates. Based on initial news, the show will combine environmentalist themes with various interviews from guests including Joel McHale, Mark Rober, Jonathan Scott, Drew Scott, Dr. Sandra Lee, Jeb Corliss, Jason Hawes, Capt. Keith Colburn and environmental experts including Forrest Galante and Luke Tipple, as well as some of Gates’ fellow Discovery stars. It premieres with an Earth Day themed episode on Wednesday, April 22 at 8 PM, with future episodes airing at 9 PM. As well as interviews, guests can expect tips on how to make self-isolation more green, unused footage of his adventures on Destination Truth, Stranded, and Expedition Unknown and more, per THR.
Pose co-creator Ryan Murphy debuts a trailer for upcoming Netflix series
Hollywood is Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s next limited series – and today we’ve got a first look at what to expect! The limited series follows a group of aspiring actors trying to make their way in the film industry following World War II. Based on this trailer, it looks like the series will make a point to cover Hollywood’s racism through a few of its main cast members, and an official synopsis adds that characters provide “a unique glimpse behind the gilded curtain of Hollywood’s Golden Age, spotlighting the unfair systems and biases across race, gender and sexuality that continue to this day.” Hollywood hits Netflix on May 1.
Don’t fall for the high of this Mandalorian season 2 trailer
For all the masochists out there in need of a second April Fools’ Day, IGN has put together a fake trailer for Star Wars’ favorite dad and his little bud, who’s featured with his own little bud here. It starts out pretty convincingly, if I’m being honest, but the whole thing goes as stale as an old bag of Space Doritos when Mando admonishes his young ward for disobeying him yet again. Check it out above! Look for The Mandalorian’s return (hopefully) this year.
