Gary Ross Archives - The Playlist

Matthew McConaughey Fights The Confederacy In Well-Intentioned, Powerful ‘Free State Of Jones’ [Review]

Kimber Myers — Thu, 23 Jun 2016 20:10:22 +0000

If it weren’t for the close-ups on amputated limbs and dogs feasting on dead soldiers, “Free State Of Jones” might make for essential high-school viewing for its take on an oft-unseen part of American history in a corner of Mississippi. Not only does it focus on a single rebel among the Rebels in the Civil War, but it also reveals the struggles of former slaves in the years after the war.

Continue reading Matthew McConaughey Fights The Confederacy In Well-Intentioned, Powerful ‘Free State Of Jones’ [Review] at The Playlist.

Director Gary Ross Says ‘Ocean’s Eight’ Is An “Extension And A Continuation” Of ‘Ocean’s Eleven’

Kevin Jagernauth — Wed, 15 Jun 2016 19:00:06 +0000

The stars are aligning, literally — Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth Banks, Helena Bonham Carter, and Mindy Kaling — for the all-female redo of “Ocean’s Eleven.” Actually, hold up a moment, because it looks like it won’t exactly be a reboot. As we’ve reported, George Clooney‘s Danny Ocean from Steven Soderbergh‘s original trilogy has been eyed for a potential cameo role, but it’s likely one that won’t happen until after the first movie of what is now being called “Ocean’s Eight.” So that would suggest this new gang of thieves exists in a world where Danny Ocean is still bouncing around, and that seems to be the case.

Continue reading Director Gary Ross Says ‘Ocean’s Eight’ Is An “Extension And A Continuation” Of ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ at The Playlist.

First Poster For Matthew McConaughey’s ‘Free State Of Jones’ Revealed

The Playlist Staff — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 14:55:27 +0000

First Poster For Matthew McConaughey's 'Free State Of Jones' Revealed

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Exclusive: All-Female ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ In The Works Starring Sandra Bullock, With Gary Ross Directing

The Playlist Staff — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 22:06:21 +0000

Exclusive: All-Female ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ In The Works Starring Sandra Bullock, With Gary Ross Directing

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Who Should Direct ‘Catching Fire’? 5 Directors We Think Could Do The Job

The Playlist Staff — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:59:01 +0000

Who Should Direct 'Catching Fire'? 5 Directors We Think Could Do The Job

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Jennifer Lawrence Finally Locked In For ‘The Hunger Games’

The Playlist Staff — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 05:20:34 +0000

Jennifer Lawrence Finally Locked In For 'The Hunger Games'

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Josh Hutcherson Wants To Be Peeta Mellark in ‘Hunger Games’

The Playlist Staff — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 15:29:56 +0000

Josh Hutcherson Wants To Be Peeta Mellark in 'Hunger Games'

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Jennifer Lawrence Once Again Named Frontrunner For ‘The Hunger Games’

The Playlist Staff — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 10:56:27 +0000

Jennifer Lawrence Once Again Named Frontrunner For 'The Hunger Games'

Continue reading Jennifer Lawrence Once Again Named Frontrunner For ‘The Hunger Games’ at The Playlist.

Chloe Moretz, Saoirse Ronan, Emily Browning & More Also Want To Play ‘Hunger Games’

The Playlist Staff — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:29:45 +0000

Chloe Moretz, Saoirse Ronan, Emily Browning & More Also Want To Play 'Hunger Games'

Continue reading Chloe Moretz, Saoirse Ronan, Emily Browning & More Also Want To Play ‘Hunger Games’ at The Playlist.

Jennifer Lawrence Frontrunner For ‘Hunger Games’? Hailee Steinfeld & Abigail Breslin Also In The Mix

The Playlist Staff — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 07:25:12 +0000

Jennifer Lawrence Frontrunner For 'Hunger Games'? Hailee Steinfeld & Abigail Breslin Also In The Mix

Continue reading Jennifer Lawrence Frontrunner For ‘Hunger Games’? Hailee Steinfeld & Abigail Breslin Also In The Mix at The Playlist.

‘Hunger Games’ Will Begin To Play On March 23, 2012

The Playlist Staff — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:10:13 +0000

'Hunger Games' Will Begin To Play On March 23, 2012

Continue reading ‘Hunger Games’ Will Begin To Play On March 23, 2012 at The Playlist.

Ten Dead Projects We’d Like To See Resurrected

The Playlist Staff — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 13:00:53 +0000

Ten Dead Projects We'd Like To See Resurrected

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Gary Ross Wins Race To Helm First Installment Of Suzanne Collins’ ‘Hunger Games’ Series

Simon Dang — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:00:00 +0000

After contending with the likes of Sam Mendes and David Slade for the job, Gary Ross (“Seabiscuit,” “Pleasantville”) has reportedly won the race and is in early talks to helm the first installment of the ‘Hunger Games’ trilogy, based on the sci-fi novels by Suzanne Collins.

The project already has a script by writer Billy Ray and is set to being production next year as a collaboration between Nina Jacobson and Lionsgate, who are hoping this series adaptation can do for it what ‘Twilight’ did for Summit, who have grown infinitely from the financial successes of said vampire series.

Continue reading Gary Ross Wins Race To Helm First Installment Of Suzanne Collins’ ‘Hunger Games’ Series at The Playlist.

Andrew Adamson, Rupert Sanders & Susanna White Join Candidate List For ‘Hunger Games’; Francis Lawrence Also In The Hunt?

Kevin Jagernauth — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 22:56:00 +0000

Andrew Adamson (“The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe”), Rupert Sanders (Brit commercial director) and Susanna White (“Nanny McPhee Returns,” “Generation Kill”) have joined the previously announced trio of Sam Mendes, David Slade and Gary Ross (“Pleasantville,” “Seabiscuit”) as contenders to direct the first installment of the gestating Lionsgate trilogy, “Hunger Games.”

Based on the novels by Suzanne Collins with a fresh re-write done by Billy Ray (“Shattered Glass,” “Breach”), the story follows “Katniss Everdeen, an enterprising 16-year old from a poor territory that was once Appalachia, who becomes a teen gladiator in a reality show event that is a battle to the death against other teens from the 12 districts that make up what is left of the USA, which is run by a cruel totalitarian government.”

According to Deadline, “they could expand the field–Francis Lawrence seems a late candidate” though it’s unclear if he’s also in the running or not.

Continue reading Andrew Adamson, Rupert Sanders & Susanna White Join Candidate List For ‘Hunger Games’; Francis Lawrence Also In The Hunt? at The Playlist.

Sam Mendes, David Slade & Gary Ross Contenders To Direct First Film In Lionsgate’s New Trilogy ‘Hunger Games’

Kevin Jagernauth — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:01:00 +0000

With the cash cow that that is Summit’s ‘Twilight’ franchise making execs across Hollywood green with envy, it’s no surprise that a new trilogy, aimed squarely at the same demographic, is in the works.

Deadline reports that Sam Mendes, David Slade & Gary Ross (“Pleasantville,” “Seabiscuit”) are contenders to direct the first installment of “The Hunger Games” trilogy based on the novels by Suzanne Collins. With a fresh re-write done by Billy Ray (“Shattered Glass,” “Breach”) the story follows “Katniss Everdeen, an enterprising 16-year old from a poor territory that was once Appalachia, who becomes a teen gladiator in a reality show event that is a battle to the death against other teens from the 12 districts that make up what is left of the USA, which is run by a cruel totalitarian government.” So basically “The Running Man” for teens?

Continue reading Sam Mendes, David Slade & Gary Ross Contenders To Direct First Film In Lionsgate’s New Trilogy ‘Hunger Games’ at The Playlist.

Matt Damon Talks ‘Contagion,’ ‘Liberace,’ ‘True Grit,’ Robert F. Kennedy Biopic, Ben Affleck’s ‘The Town’ & Own Directorial Ambitions

Simon Dang — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 07:18:00 +0000

Speaking at a junket for his upcoming collaboration with Paul Greengrass on “Green Zone,” Matt Damon has taken to discussing his massive slate of upcoming projects, as well as revealing his own ambitions to follow BFF Ben Affleck’s footsteps to work behind the camera.

“Scott Burns who wrote ‘The Informant!’ handed in this great script and it’s timely,” the actor revealed. “So it’s more of an ensemble piece and I’m going to play a small part in that and then we’re going to do ‘Liberace’ sometime next year.

Continue reading Matt Damon Talks ‘Contagion,’ ‘Liberace,’ ‘True Grit,’ Robert F. Kennedy Biopic, Ben Affleck’s ‘The Town’ & Own Directorial Ambitions at The Playlist.

Tobey Maguire Set To Produce And Star In Chess Drama, ‘Pawn Sacrifice’

Simon Dang — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:32:00 +0000

Don’t worry, it’s not a feature length chess match but it’s not far off. Tobey Maguire is set to produce and star in a film about American chess player Bobby Fischer titled, “Pawn Sacrifice.”

The film will center on Fischer’s unlikely 1972 victory over Russian chess champ Boris Spassky which saw him take Spassky’s world champion title in a match billed as a ‘Cold War battle.’

Fischer’s life has been full of peaks and troughs though; a grandmaster at the age of 15, his rise in the chess world was marred by his fall into seclusion, unnecessary forfeiting of the title and fall out with the U.S.

Continue reading Tobey Maguire Set To Produce And Star In Chess Drama, ‘Pawn Sacrifice’ at The Playlist.

Matt Damon To Play Robert F. Kennedy In A Biopic From Gary Ross

Simon Dang — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:30:00 +0000

Matt Damon is set to portray iconic politician Robert F. Kennedy in an upcoming biopic by Gary Ross, according to Deadline.

The tough sell that is that the RFK biopic was reportedly sold to New Regency with Damon on board though the quality of a script by “Eastern Promises” scribe Steven Knight will ultimately be Damon’s barometer for giving the project the thumbs up and subsequent studio green-light.

The script will be based on Evan Thomas’ biography, “His Life,” and reportedly trace Kennedy’s transformation from the younger brother in the shadow brother President John F Kennedy to a strong national leader in his own right before he was gunned down in 1968 at a victory speech for a presidential primary.

Continue reading Matt Damon To Play Robert F. Kennedy In A Biopic From Gary Ross at The Playlist.

‘Spider-Man 4’ Dead? No Prob, Tobey Maguire Still Has Myriad Projects To Choose From

Gabe Toro — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:29:00 +0000

With “Spider-Man 4” originally scheduled to shoot by February, Tobey Maguire’s 2010 was beginning to take shape. Now that the project’s fallen through, Maguire’s looking a lot like Chris Tucker — an actor almost exclusively associated to one franchise with almost no other credits. This year, he’s got one other project, an indie drama called “The Details” where he plays half of a married couple frustrated by a pack of raccoons. Clearly, Maguire’s going to need something, anything, to stay on the A-List, or even the B+ List.

Continue reading ‘Spider-Man 4’ Dead? No Prob, Tobey Maguire Still Has Myriad Projects To Choose From at The Playlist.

Marc Webb, Gary Ross And Michael Bay Already Linked To Gritty, Contemporary Teenage ‘Spiderman’ Reboot

Simon Dang — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:36:00 +0000

So Sony’s James Vanderbilt-scribed ‘Spider-Man’ rebooter is now place with a tentative release date already set, but what direction will the franchise take and what talent will come aboard?

EW is reporting that the “Batman Begins” style reboot will be led by a “gritty” script that places “Peter Parker in a more contemporary setting, as a teenager battling today’s issues.” Basically a “Spider-Man” with a Robert Pattinson/Zac Efron type icon to capture the “Twilight”/”High School Musical” market?

Continue reading Marc Webb, Gary Ross And Michael Bay Already Linked To Gritty, Contemporary Teenage ‘Spiderman’ Reboot at The Playlist.

Breaking: ‘Spider-Man 4’ Is Dead; Sam Raimi & Tobey Maguire Leave Project; Series Will Be Completely Rebooted For Summer 2012

Rodrigo Perez — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:34:00 +0000

Holy shit the story of the year has arrived early. The duo of Nikki Finke and her newly poached Variety recruit, Mike Fleming have come down with the quickness and with a furious hammer.

The “Spider-Man” series as we know it is officially no more. “Spider-Man 4” is now dead in the water and director Sam Raimi and lead actor Tobey Maguire are off the project for good.

Instead, Sony is going to overhaul the project and reboot the entire thing.

Continue reading Breaking: ‘Spider-Man 4’ Is Dead; Sam Raimi & Tobey Maguire Leave Project; Series Will Be Completely Rebooted For Summer 2012 at The Playlist.

Ooof: ‘Spider-Man 4’ Delays Start Date Because Of Script Problems; Sam Raimi Apparently “Hates” New Screenplay

Rodrigo Perez — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:03:00 +0000

Any producer or veteran in Hollywood will tell you: screenplays written by committee (or go through the hands of several, too many, people) never end well.

This is evidently the problem with “Spider-Man 4.” The film has gone through several drafts, James Vanderbilt (of “Zodiac” fame) wrote an early draft. Then David Lindsay-Abaire (“Rabbit Hole”) rewrote that draft and then Gary Ross (“Pleasantville”) wrote another draft. In fact, keeping up with all the writers, it’s been easy to forget or keep straight who did what when, but that’s essentially the order.

Continue reading Ooof: ‘Spider-Man 4’ Delays Start Date Because Of Script Problems; Sam Raimi Apparently “Hates” New Screenplay at The Playlist.

‘Creature From The Black Lagoon’ Has A New Director; ‘Frozen’ Poster Is Sort Of Cool

Oliver Lyttelton — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:17:00 +0000

— The long-gestating “Creature From The Black Lagoon” remake, which has had Guillermo Del Toro and Breck Eisner (“The Crazies”) attached in the past, seems to have a new director in the shape of Carl Rinsch, the commercials director and Ridley Scott protege, who was briefly on board to direct “Alien 5.” There was a script by Gary Ross (“Pleasantville”), the son of Arthur Ross, the co-writer of the original, but Universal appear to be starting from scratch.

Continue reading ‘Creature From The Black Lagoon’ Has A New Director; ‘Frozen’ Poster Is Sort Of Cool at The Playlist.

Exclusive: ‘Venom’ Will Have To Wait, Gary Ross Picks Up Exited Spielberg Project ‘Matt Helm’

Rodrigo Perez — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:17:00 +0000

We reported earlier this year that the messy breakup of Steven Spielberg’s DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures may have killed the director’s opportunity to bring the swinging, pulp fiction super-spy, Matt Helm, back to the big screen (he was previously played by Dean Martin in the 1960s films, which partially inspired Mike Myers’ “Austin Powers” series; there was also a TV show in the ’70s).

The project was being spearheaded by the omnipresent writing/producing duo of Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci (“Transformers,” “Star Trek,” TV’s “Fringe,” etc.

Continue reading Exclusive: ‘Venom’ Will Have To Wait, Gary Ross Picks Up Exited Spielberg Project ‘Matt Helm’ at The Playlist.

Gary Ross Just Says ‘Fuck It,’ Signs Onto ‘Venom’ Film

Gabe Toro — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:30:00 +0000

In the late seventies, the rise of the modern blockbuster and the fall of companies like United Artists led to a shift in the balance of power from filmmakers to studios. This shift continued even through the ballyhooed independent era, where the arthouses have now been co-opted by corporate interests. The only films that place power in the hands of the artist behind the camera are so independent they are filming in your neighbor’s backyard today, and screening at the local library tomorrow, and never anywhere else again.

Continue reading Gary Ross Just Says ‘Fuck It,’ Signs Onto ‘Venom’ Film at The Playlist.