General News
Universal Pictures 2015 Preview Includes First Photos From TED 2, SISTERS
With the New Year just days away, Universal Pictures has released brand new photos, storylines and dates for some of the most anticipated movies in 2015.
First up is TED 2.
Hitting theaters on June 26, 2015, SETH MACFARLANE returns as writer, director and voice star of TED 2, Universal and Media Rights Capital’s follow-up to the highest-grossing original R-rated comedy of all time.
Joined once again by star MARK WAHLBERG and fellow “Ted” writers Alec Sulkin & Wellesley Wild, MacFarlane produces the live action/CG-animated comedy alongside Bluegrass Films’ Scott Stuber, as well as John Jacobs and Jason Clark.
Photo Credit: Tippett Studios/Universal Pictures © 2015 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
(L to R) TINA FEY and AMY POEHLER reunite for SISTERS
SISTERS – December 18, 2015
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Ike Barinholtz, John Leguizamo, Dianne Wiest, John Cena and James Brolin
Directed by: Jason Moore
Writer: Paula Pell
Produced by: Jay Roach, Tina Fey, John S. Lyons
Executive Producers: Amy Poehler, Jeff Richmond, Brian Bell
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler reunite for Sisters, a new film from Pitch Perfect director Jason Moore about two disconnected sisters summoned home to clean out their childhood bedroom before their parents sell the family house. Looking to recapture their glory days, they throw one final high-school-style party for their classmates, which turns into the cathartic rager that a bunch of ground-down adults really need.
Fey produces the comedy alongside Jay Roach (Meet the Parents series) and John S. Lyons (Austin Powers in Goldmember), and Poehler executive produces alongside Jeff Richmond and Brian Bell from a script by Paula Pell (TV’s Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock).
Photo Credit: K. C. Bailey © 2015 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
JESSICA CHASTAIN stars in Legendary Pictures’ CRIMSON PEAK.
CRIMSON PEAK – October 16, 2015
Legendary Pictures’ Crimson Peak, a co-production with Universal Pictures, is a haunting gothic horror story directed by the master of dark fairy tales, Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth, Hellboy series, Pacific Rim), written by del Toro, Matthew Robbins and Lucinda Coxon and starring Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston and Charlie Hunnam.
In the aftermath of a family tragedy, an aspiring author is torn between love for her childhood friend and the temptation of a mysterious outsider. Trying to escape the ghosts of her past, she is swept away to a house that breathes, bleeds…and remembers.
Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni, del Toro and Callum Greene produce, and Jillian Share executive produces.
Photo Credit: Kerry Hayes/Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures © 2015 Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
(L to R) Scott Fischer (JAKE GYLLENHAAL), Jon Krakauer (MICHAEL KELLY) and Beck Weathers (JOSH BROLIN) in EVEREST.
EVEREST – September 18, 2015
Inspired by the incredible events surrounding an attempt to reach the summit of the world’s highest mountain, Everest documents the awe-inspiring journey of two different expeditions challenged beyond their limits by one of the fiercest snowstorms ever encountered by mankind. Their mettle tested by the harshest elements found on the planet, the climbers will face nearly impossible obstacles as a lifelong obsession becomes a breathtaking struggle for survival.
The epic adventure stars Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes and Jake Gyllenhaal. They are joined by Martin Henderson, Emily Watson, Michael Kelly and Thomas M. Wright.
EVEREST is directed by Baltasar Kormákur (2 Guns, Contraband) and produced by Working Title Films’ Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, Cross Creek Pictures’ Brian Oliver and Tyler Thompson, as well as Nicky Kentish Barnes and Kormákur.
Universal Pictures and Cross Creek Pictures’ presentation of Everest—in association with Walden Media—is adapted for the screen by Mark Medoff (Children of a Lesser God) and Oscar winner Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire).
The film was shot on location in Nepal on the foothills of Everest, the Italian Alps and at Cinecittà Studios in Rome and Pinewood Studios in the U.K. Universal will distribute the film worldwide.
Photo Credit: Jasin Boland © 2015 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
CHRIS HEMSWORTH and TANG WEI star in Legendary’s BLACKHAT
BLACKHAT – January 16, 2015
Genre: Action-Thriller
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Viola Davis, Tang Wei, Wang Leehom
Directed by: Michael Mann
Writers: Morgan Davis Foehl, Michael Mann
Produced by: Michael Mann, Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni
Executive Producers: Eric McCleod and Alex Garcia
Set within the world of global cybercrime, Legendary’s Blackhat follows a furloughed convict and his American and Chinese partners as they hunt a high-level cybercrime network from Chicago to Los Angeles to Hong Kong to Jakarta.
Directed and produced by Michael Mann, the film stars Chris Hemsworth, Viola Davis, Tang Wei and Wang Leehom, and it is written by Morgan Davis Foehl and Mann. Legendary’s Thomas Tull and Jon Jashni produce alongside Mann, while Alex Garcia and Eric McLeod serve as the executive producers.
http://www.blackhatthemovie.com
Photo Credit: Frank Connor/Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures © 2015 Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
THE BOY NEXT DOOR – January 23, 2015
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Cast: Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Guzman, John Corbett, Ian Nelson and Kristin Chenoweth
Directed by: Rob Cohen
Written by: Barbara Curry
Produced by: Jason Blum, John Jacobs, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Benny Medina, Jennifer Lopez
Executive Producers: Couper Samuelson, Jeanette Volturno-Brill, Zac Unterman
Jennifer Lopez leads the cast in THE BOY NEXT DOOR, a psychological thriller that explores a forbidden attraction that goes much too far. Directed by Rob Cohen (The Fast and the Furious) and written by Barbara Curry, the film also stars Ryan Guzman, John Corbett and Kristin Chenoweth.
THE BOY NEXT DOOR is produced by Jason Blum of Blumhouse Productions, Lopez and Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas of Nuyorican Productions, Benny Medina of The Medina Company and John Jacobs of Smart Entertainment.
http://www.theboynextdoorfilm.com/
(L to R) Master Gregory (JEFF BRIDGES) trains Tom Ward (BEN BARNES) in SEVENTH SON.
SEVENTH SON – February 6, 2015
Genre: Epic Action-Adventure
Cast: Jeff Bridges, Ben Barnes, Alicia Vikander, Kit Harington, Olivia Williams, Antje Traue with Djimon Hounsou and Julianne Moore
Directed by: Sergei Bodrov
Screenplay by: Charles Leavitt and Steve Knight
Screen Story by: Matt Greenberg
Based on the Book Series “The Last Apprentice” by: Joseph Delaney
Produced by: Basil Iwanyk, Thomas Tull, Lionel Wigram
Executive Producers: Jon Jashni, Brent O’Connor, Alysia Cotter
In a time of enchantments when legends and magic collide, the sole remaining warrior of a mystical order (Oscar® winner Jeff Bridges) travels to find a prophesized hero born with incredible powers, the last Seventh Son (Ben Barnes). Torn from his quiet life as a farmhand, the unlikely young hero embarks on a daring adventure with his battle-hardened mentor to vanquish a dark queen (Julianne Moore) and the army of supernatural assassins she has dispatched against their kingdom.
Sergei Bodrov directed Seventh Son from a screenplay by Charles Leavitt and Steve Knight and a screen story by Matt Greenberg, based on the book series “The Last Apprentice” by Joseph Delaney. The film is produced by Basil Iwanyk, Thomas Tull and Lionel Wigram. Jon Jashni, Brent O’Connor and Alysia Cotter are executive producers, with Jillian Share and Erica Lee co-producing. The film will be released in 3D.
http://www.seventhsonmovie.com
© 2015 Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
DAKOTA JOHNSON stars as Anastasia Steele in FIFTY SHADES OF GREY
FIFTY SHADES OF GREY – February 13, 2015
Genre: Drama
Cast: Jamie Dornan, Dakota Johnson, Jennifer Ehle, Luke Grimes, Marcia Gay Harden, Max Martini, Eloise Mumford, Dylan Neal, Rita Ora, Victor Rasuk, Callum Keith Rennie
Directed by: Sam Taylor-Johnson
Screenplay by: Kelly Marcel
Based on the Book by: E L James
Produced by: Michael De Luca, E L James, Dana Brunetti
Executive Producer: Marcus Viscidi
FIFTY SHADES OF GREY is the hotly anticipated film adaptation of the bestselling book that has become a global phenomenon. Since its release, the “Fifty Shades” trilogy has been translated into 51 languages worldwide and sold more than 100 million copies in e-book and print—making it one of the biggest and fastest-selling book series ever.
Stepping into the roles of Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, who have become iconic to millions of readers, are Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson.
Joining Dornan and Johnson in the cast are Luke Grimes as Elliot, Christian’s brother; Victor Rasuk as José, Anastasia’s close friend; Eloise Mumford as Kate, Anastasia’s best friend and roommate; Marcia Gay Harden as Dr. Grace Trevelyan Grey, Christian’s mother; Rita Ora as Mia, Christian’s sister; Max Martini as Taylor, Christian’s bodyguard; Callum Keith Rennie as Ray, Anastasia’s stepfather; Jennifer Ehle as Carla, Anastasia’s mother; and Dylan Neal as Bob, Carla’s husband.
FIFTY SHADES OF GREY is directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and produced by Michael De Luca and Dana Brunetti alongside E L James, the creator of the series. The screenplay for the film is by Kelly Marcel.
http://www.fiftyshadesmovie.com
Photo Credit: Universal Pictures and Focus Features © 2014 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
(L to R) Roman (TYRESE GIBSON), Letty (MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ), Brian (PAUL WALKER) and Tej (CHRIS “LUDACRIS” BRIDGES)
FURIOUS 7 – April 3, 2015
Genre: Action-Thriller
Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Elsa Pataky, Lucas Black, Djimon Hounsou, Tony Jaa, Ronda Rousey, Nathalie Emmanuel, with Kurt Russell and Jason Statham
Directed by: James Wan
Writer: Chris Morgan
Based on the Characters Created by: Gary Scott Thompson
Produced by: Neal Moritz, Vin Diesel, Michael Fottrell
Executive Producers: Samantha Vincent, Amanda Lewis, Chris Morgan
Continuing the global exploits in the unstoppable franchise built on speed, Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Dwayne Johnson lead the returning cast of Furious 7. James Wan directs this chapter of the hugely successful series that also welcomes back favorites Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Elsa Pataky and Lucas Black. They are joined by international action stars new to the franchise including Jason Statham, Djimon Hounsou, Tony Jaa, Ronda Rousey, Nathalie Emmanuel and Kurt Russell.
Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel and Michael Fottrell return to produce the film written by Chris Morgan.
Photo Credit: Scott Garfield © 2014 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
CHRIS PRATT surrounded by raptors.
JURASSIC WORLD – June 12, 2015
Genre: Epic Action-Adventure
Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty Simkins, Nick Robinson, Irrfan Khan, Vincent D’Onofrio, Jake Johnson, Omar Sy, BD Wong, Judy Greer
Director: Colin Trevorrow
Written by: Derek Connolly & Colin Trevorrow
Based on Characters Created by: Michael Crichton
Produced by: Frank Marshall, Pat Crowley
Executive Producers: Steven Spielberg, Thomas Tull
Steven Spielberg returns to executive produce the long-awaited next installment of his groundbreaking Jurassic Park series, Jurassic World. Colin Trevorrow directs the epic action-adventure from a screenplay he wrote with Derek Connolly. Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley join the team as producers.
Jurassic World will be released in 3D by Universal Pictures on June 12, 2015.
© 2015 Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
(L to R) BOB, KEVIN and STUART star in Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s “Minions”.
MINIONS – July 10, 2015
Genre: 3D-CG comedy adventure
Cast: Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm
Directed by: Pierre Coffin & Kyle Balda
Writer: Brian Lynch
Produced by: Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy
Executive Producer: Chris Renaud
The story of Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s Minions begins at the dawn of time. Starting as single-celled yellow organisms, Minions evolve through the ages, perpetually serving the most despicable of masters. Continuously unsuccessful at keeping these masters—from T. rex to Napoleon—the Minions find themselves without someone to serve and fall into a deep depression.
But one Minion named Kevin has a plan, and he—alongside teenage rebel Stuart and lovable little Bob—ventures out into the world to find a new evil boss for his brethren to follow.
The trio embarks upon a thrilling journey that ultimately leads them to their next potential master, Scarlet Overkill (Academy Award® winner Sandra Bullock), the world’s first-ever female super-villain. They travel from frigid Antarctica to 1960s New York City, ending in mod London, where they must face their biggest challenge to date: saving all of Minionkind…from annihilation.
Featuring a soundtrack of hit music from the ’60s that still permeates our culture today, Minions is produced by Illumination’s Chris Meledandri and Janet Healy, and is directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda. Brian Lynch has written the screenplay for the 3D-CG comedy adventure, and Chris Renaud serves as executive producer of the film.
© 2015 Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
(clockwise, from top left): producer ICE CUBE, director F. GARY GRAY, producer DR. DRE, COREY HAWKINS (Dr. Dre), JASON MITCHELL (Eazy-E) and O’SHEA JACKSON JR. (Ice Cube).
STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON – August 14, 2015
Genre: Drama
Cast: O’Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins, Jason Mitchell, Aldis Hodge, Neil Brown Jr.
Directed by: F. Gary Gray
Writers: Jonathan Herman, Andrea Berloff, Sheldon Turner
Produced by: Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Matt Alvarez, Tomica Woods-Wright
Executive Producers: Will Packer, F. Gary Gray, David Engel, Bill Strauss, Ronald G. Muhammad, Scott Bernstein, Adam Merims
In the mid-1980s, the streets of Compton, California, were some of the most dangerous in the country. When five young men translated their experiences growing up into brutally honest music that rebelled against abusive authority, they gave an explosive voice to a silenced generation. Following the meteoric rise and fall of N.W.A., Straight Outta Compton tells the astonishing story of how these youngsters revolutionized music and pop culture forever the moment they told the world the truth about life in the hood and ignited a cultural war.
Starring O’Shea Jackson Jr., Corey Hawkins and Jason Mitchell as Ice Cube, Dr. Dre and Eazy-E, Straight Outta Compton is directed by F. Gary Gray (Friday, Set It Off, The Italian Job). The drama is produced by original N.W.A. members Ice Cube and Dr. Dre, who are joined by fellow producers Matt Alvarez and Tomica Woods-Wright. Will Packer serves as executive producer of the film alongside Gray.
Photo Credit: Todd MacMillan/Universal Pictures © 2014 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
(L to R) ESTER DEAN, SHELLEY REGNER, KELLEY JAKLE, HAILEE STEINFELD, ANNA KENDRICK, BRITTANY SNOW, ALEXIS KNAPP, REBEL WILSON, and HANNA MAE LEE
PITCH PERFECT 2 – May 15, 2015
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld, Brittany Snow, Skylar Astin, Adam DeVine, Katey Sagal, Anna Camp, Ben Platt, Alexis Knapp, Hana Mae Lee, John Hodgman, Jason Jones, Joe Lo Truglio, Reggie Watts with John Michael Higgins and Elizabeth Banks
Directed by: Elizabeth Banks
Written by: Kay Cannon
Produced by: Paul Brooks, Elizabeth Banks, Max Handelman
Executive Producers: Scott Niemeyer, Jason Moore
The Barden Bellas are back in Pitch Perfect 2, the follow-up to 2012’s smash hit. The comedy is helmed by Elizabeth Banks, co-star and producer of Pitch Perfect, and produced by Paul Brooks, Max Handelman and Banks. Writer Kay Cannon returns to the team to pen the next chapter.
http://www.pitchperfectmovie.com
Photo Credit: Richard Cartwright / Universal Pictures © 2014 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
UNFRIENDED – April 17, 2015
Genre: Thriller
Directed by: Levan Gabriadze
Writer: Nelson Greaves
Produced by: Timur Bekmambetov, Nelson Greaves, Jason Blum
Ushering in a new era of horror, Universal Pictures’ UNFRIENDED unfolds over a teenager’s computer screen as she and her friends are stalked by an unseen figure who seeks vengeance for a shaming video that led a vicious bully to kill herself a year earlier.
After Universal executives saw a test screening of UNFRIENDED terrify a test audience, the studio acquired the thriller that was developed and conceived by visionary filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter). Directed by Levan Gabriadze, Unfriended is written by Nelson Greaves and produced by Bekmambetov and Greaves, as well as Jason Blum for Blumhouse Productions (Ouija and Paranormal Activity, The Purge and Insidious series).
TRAINWRECK – July 17, 2015
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Amy Schumer, Bill Hader, Brie Larson, Tilda Swinton, Colin Quinn, Vanessa Bayer
Director: Judd Apatow
Writers: Amy Schumer, Judd Apatow
Produced by: Judd Apatow, Barry Mendel
Executive Producer: David Householter
Blockbuster filmmaker Judd Apatow (The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, This Is 40) will direct Universal Pictures’ Trainwreck, starring breakout comedic actress Amy Schumer (Inside Amy Schumer). The comedy, from a script written by Schumer and developed with Apatow, is produced through his Apatow Productions alongside Barry Mendel (Bridesmaids, This Is 40).
JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS – October 23, 2015
Genre: Musical adventure
Cast: Aubrey Peeples, Stefanie Scott, Aurora Perrineau, Hayley Kiyoko, Ryan Guzman, Molly Ringwald and Juliette Lewis
Directed by: Jon M. Chu
Writer: Ryan Landels
Produced by: John M. Chu, Jason Blum, Scooter Braun, Bennett Schneir, Brian Goldner, Stephen Davis
As a small-town girl catapults from underground video sensation to global superstar, she and her three sisters begin a one-in-a-million journey of discovering that some talents are too special to keep hidden. In Universal Pictures’ Jem and the Holograms, four aspiring musicians will take the world by storm when they see that the key to creating your own destiny lies in finding your own voice.
Directed by Jon M. Chu (Step Up series, G.I. Joe: Retaliation), the musical adventure stars Aubrey Peeples, Stefanie Scott, Aurora Perrineau, Hayley Kiyoko, Ryan Guzman, Molly Ringwald and Juliette Lewis. Jem and the Holograms, based on the iconic Hasbro animated TV series, is written by Ryan Landels and produced by Chu, Jason Blum for Blumhouse Productions, Scooter Braun for SB Projects, Bennett Schneir, and Brian Goldner and Stephen Davis of Hasbro Studios.
KRAMPUS – December 4, 2015
Genre: Horror Comedy
Directed by: Michael Dougherty
Writers: Michael Dougherty, Todd Casey, Zach Shields
Produced by: Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni, Alex Garcia
Based on the ancient legend of a pagan demon who punishes the wicked, Legendary Pictures’ Krampus, a twisted horror comedy set during the holidays, is written and directed by Michael Dougherty (Trick ‘r Treat). Co-written by Todd Casey and Zach Shields and produced by Legendary’s Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni and Alex Garcia, this darkly festive tale of a yuletide ghoul will be released by Universal Pictures.
Also on Universal’s slate are UNTITLED BLUMHOUSE HORROR 1 (September 25, 2015) and THE NEST (December 18, 2015).
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