Spielberg, Ford reuniting for ‘Indiana Jones’ – Cowell boards Epstein in ‘Life’
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LOS ANGELES, March 16, (RTRS): Director Steven Spielberg and star Harrison Ford will make a fifth “Indiana Jones” film, to screen July 19, 2019, Disney announced Tuesday.
The release from the studio describes “a fifth epic adventure in the blockbuster series,” adding: “Steven Spielberg, who directed all four previous films, will helm the as-yet-untitled project with star Harrison Ford reprising his iconic role. Franchise veterans Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall will produce.”
Production of a new installment about the swashbuckling archaeologist fits with Disney’s strategy of focusing on big-budget franchise films that can attract big audiences but also provide myriad spin-off ancillary opportunities via other media, theme park attractions and merchandising. The first Indiana Jones film, “Raiders of the Los Ark,” debuted in 1981. The last, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull,” came in 2008.
Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn called the Jones character “one of the greatest heroes in cinematic history,” adding, “It’s rare to have such a perfect combination of director, producers, actor and role, and we couldn’t be more excited to embark on this adventure with Harrison and Steven.”
The four previous Jones films — including 1984’s “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” and 1989’s “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade,” have brought in nearly $2 billion in box office worldwide.
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LOS ANGELES: Simon Cowell and IM Global have come on board to produce “A Life in the Day,” based on the life of Beatles manager Brian Epstein.
Cowell will produce through his SyCo production company with Stuart Ford’s IM Global along with David Permut through his Permut Presentations and Dylan Sellers. Permut Presentations VP Chris Mangano will exec produce.
The script for “A Life in the Day” — a play on the Beatles’ iconic song “A Day in the Life” — has been written by Tony Gittelson.
Epstein discovered the Beatles while selling records in his father’s store, and despite not having experience as a manager, became convinced he could make the band bigger then Elvis Presley. Six months later, after being rejected by nearly all major labels in London, he was able to persuade George Martin of EMI Parlophone to sign the group.
Despite his personal demons, he made good on his promise to the band before dying in 1967 at the age of 32. Paul McCartney said in 1997, “If anyone was the fifth Beatle, it was Brian.”
It’s the second Epstein biopic that’s been in the works for Cowell and IM Global. Variety exclusively reported last May that Cowell, IM Global and Vivek J. Tiwary had unveiled development “The Fifth Beatle,” based on an adaptation of Tiwary’s graphic novel.
IM Global has since parted ways with development of “The Fifth Beatle.”
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Permut is in post-production on “Hacksaw Ridge,” starring Andew Garfield and directed by Mel Gibson. Sellers is a former production exec with the Weinstein Co. who has exec producing credits on “Southpaw” and “Burnt.”
Cowell is a London native best known for the reality TV franchises “American Idol,” “The X Factor” and “America’s Got Talent.” He was a producer on the “One Direction: This Is Us” documentary.
The news about Cowell and IM Global coming on board “A Life in the Day” was first reported by Deadline Hollywood.
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