Josh Schwartz

Paramount Acquires IN THE WOODS and Sequel THE LIKENESS for GOSSIP GIRL’s Stephanie Savage

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: November 2nd, 2011 at 7:51 pm

Paramount Pictures has picked up the feature rights to two Tana French novels for adaptation. In the Woods, French’s 2008 debut novel, is part police procedural and part psychological thriller and charts the investigation into the murder of a 12-year-old girl in Dublin, Ireland. The sequel, The Likeness, features the same detective, Cassie Maddox, investigating the death of a young woman who is a dead ringer for Cassie herself, allowing the detective to assume the woman’s identity as a grad student at Trinity College.

The Likeness was acquired for adaptation by Stephanie Savage (Gossip Girl). She will produce with Fake Empire partner Josh Schwartz. As reported by Deadline, the duo purchased the book rights through their discretionary fund at Paramount. Fake Empire has set up five projects thus far, with its first film Fun Size to be released late next year.  Hit the jump for synopses for both books.

CHUCK and THE O.C. Creator Josh Schwartz to Adapt British Sci-Fi Series MISFITS for American TV

by Ethan Anderton    Posted: October 19th, 2011 at 11:20 am

Though Josh Schwartz got his new series Hart of Dixie picked up for a full season on The CW, his series Chuck will have its last season begin later this month, so he’ll have some more time to work on something new. Schwartz is now giving his attention to an American adaptation of the British sci-fi drama series Misfits. A deal between the Schwartz’s Fake Empire banner and Warner Bros. TV has just been finalized for the rights to the show which is said to follow a group of working-class teens who find themselves endowed with superpowers following an electrical storm. Sounds like standard superhero fare [Matt's note: I've seen the first season of the UK series and it's not standard superhero fare because the characters aren't heroes.  It's irresponsible teenagers with superpowers and they're kind of jerks to each other about it] .  , but in Schwartz’s hands, I’m sure it won’t be as dramatic as something like Heroes. Hit the jump for more, including the trailer for the original series.

Release Dates for WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN Starring John C. Reilly and Tilda Swinton and Josh Schwartz’s FUN SIZE

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: July 26th, 2011 at 2:46 pm

We’ve got a couple of release dates for you this afternoon. First up, the indie drama We Need to Talk About Kevin has been slated for a December 2^nd release (per The Playlist). The film stars John C. Reilly and Tilda Swinton as the parents of a teenager who goes on a high-school killing spree. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to a widely positive response, and is set to be featured at this September’s Toronto International Film Festival. The December release puts the film in a prime position for awards season, where the film’s said-to-be stellar performances are sure to turn heads.

Additionally, director Josh Schwartz’s (The O.C.) feature debut comedy Fun Size is set to open on October 12^th, 2012 (per Deadline). The Paramount comedy centers on a sarcastic teen who takes her little brother-trick-or-treating on Halloween only to lose him along the way. She must enlist the help of her best friend (who also happens to be in love with her) in order to find her brother before the night is over. The cast includes Victoria Justice (Victorious), Jane Levy, Thomas Mann (It’s Kind of a Funny Story), Johnny Knoxville and Chelsea Handler.

Paul Bettany Up for Role of Javert Opposite Hugh Jackman in LES MISERABLES; Chelsea Handler Joins Josh Schwartz’s FUN SIZE

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: June 16th, 2011 at 8:22 am

We’ve got a couple of casting stories for you this morning. Last night, we reported that Hugh Jackman is currently in negotiations to star in director Tom Hooper’s (The King’s Speech) big-budget musical adaptation of Les Miserables. Jackman is eyeing the role of protagonist Jean Valjean, and now Deadline reports that Paul Bettany is a candidate to play the villainous police inspector Javert. Apparently he’s read for the role and sang a few songs from the stage musical. I like the idea of Bettany as Javert. He’s a fine dramatic actor, and he and Jackman make an interesting pair.

Additionally, THR reports that Chelsea Handler is in talks to join The O.C. creator Josh Schwartz’s feature directorial debut Fun Size. The comedy centers on a sarcastic teen who takes her little brother-trick-or-treating on Halloween only to lose him along the way. She must spend the rest of the night trying to track him down, with the help of her friends. Handler will play the mother of the teen girl. The cast now includes Victoria Justice (Victorious), Jane Levy, Thomas Mann (It’s Kind of a Funny Story) and Johnny Knoxville.

Jane Levy in Talks for Halloween Teen Comedy FUN SIZE

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: April 28th, 2011 at 8:22 pm

Jane Levy is in talks to star in Fun Size, the feature directorial debut of Josh Schwartz (Chuck).  Victoria Justice (Victorious) stars as Wren , “a sarcastic teen who takes her little brother-trick-or-treating only to lose him along the way.”  THR indicates Levy is under consideration to play Wren’s best friend in the movie.  Thomas Mann is in talks to play a debate team member in love with Wren.

I tend to love movies that take place over a single night, and the comedic blend of Schwartz and The Colbert Report writer Max Werner has potential.  This sounds the ideal opportunity for Justice to transition into the next stage of her career.  Levy is a fresh (and, might I add, incredibly beautiful) face in the acting game, with just a few episodes of Shameless on her resume.  Levy recently starred in the ABC comedy pilot Suburgatory and is now preparing for her first feature role in the indie dramedy Nobody Walks.

Thomas Mann in Talks for Josh Schwartz’s FUN SIZE and Indie Drama AS COOL AS I AM

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: April 21st, 2011 at 4:01 pm

Actor Thomas Mann (It’s Kind of a Funny Story) is in final negotiations to join two upcoming projects. First up, the actor is in talks to star alongside Victoria Justice (TeenNick’s Victorious) in Fun Size. Marking the feature directorial debut of Josh Schwartz (creator/executive producer of Chuck, Gossip Girl), the film tells the story of a teenage girl who loses her younger brother trick-or-treating on Halloween. Variety reports that Mann will play Roosevelt, “the star of his school’s debate team who is in love with Justice’s character, Wren.” He aids Wren in the search for her brother. Max Werner (The Colbert Report) wrote the script.

Hit the jump for news on Mann joining the cast of the indie drama As Cool As I Am with James Marsden and Claire Danes, as well as a synopsis of the book.

NBC Picks Up WONDER WOMAN; Plus, Pilot Orders from Steven Spielberg, Conan O’Brien, Ethan Hawke, Rob Thomas, Tim Kring, and More

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: January 21st, 2011 at 10:14 pm

Wonder Woman will not die.  David E. Kelly is a bizarre choice to run the show, and the networks seemed to realize this when they passed on Wonder Woman in unison.  But where there’s a will (and a deeply troubled network), there’s a way: NBC has picked up Kelley’s Wonder Woman reboot.  I hope to see a live-action Wonder Woman in my lifetime, but not like this.  Not like this at all.

This report comes among a flurry of pilot season news involving such talent as Steven Spielberg, Conan O’Brien, Ethan Hawke, Rob Thomas, Tim Kring, and more.  Hit the jump for a recap.

Josh Schwartz to Helm FUN SIZE

by Jason Barr    Posted: January 19th, 2011 at 1:36 pm

Television creator/producer/writer Josh Schwartz (The O.C., Chuck, and Gossip Girl) will make his feature directorial debut with the Halloween comedy Fun Size.  Penned by Colbert Report writer Max Werner, Fun Size tells the story of a girl who is forced to take her little brother trick-r-treating and accidentally loses him along the way.  Based on that one-line premise alone, I’m getting an Adventures in Babysitting/Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead meets Halloween vibe.  A vibe I’m completely okay with, I might add.

Per THR, Schwartz (who also has a writing credit on the upcoming X-Men: First Class) will develop Fun Size under his Fake Empire moniker for Paramount.  The hope is to have the film shooting in St. Louis by late spring and in theaters by Halloween 2011.  With that type of turnaround in mind, we should be hearing casting news for the film in the very near future.

Josh Schwartz and Rachel Bilson Reunite for Supernatural Romantic Comedy Series GHOST ANGELES

by Ethan Anderton    Posted: September 28th, 2010 at 9:40 am

Fans of The O.C. (and maybe even Chuck) should be excited as Deadline reports series creator Josh Schwartz just landed a pilot production deal for his new hourlong project Ghost Angeles starring Rachel Bilson (who starred on both The O.C. and had an extended guest role on Chuck). NBC picked up the concept to pilot, but the interesting fact here is that the script hasn’t even been written yet. Must have been one hell of a pitch meeting. Schwartz created the project with Henry Alonso Myers (co-executive producer of Ugly Betty) and they will also work on the script together. Plot details are mostly under wraps, but the series will apparently follow a young woman in Los Angeles who can talk to the dead, helping the spirits as much as they are helping her. Sounds kind of cheesy, but we’ll reserve judgment until the pilot gets released.

GOSSIP GIRL Creators Josh Schwartz & Stephanie Savage Say AU REVOIR, CRAZY EUROPEAN CHICK

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: August 10th, 2010 at 9:12 pm

As a team, Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage are best known as the creative minds behind Gossip Girl and The O.C. In case you are particularly averse to teen soaps, you should probably identify Schwartz as the creator of the immensely male-friendly spy dramedy Chuck.  Once you factor in that How to Train Your Dragon producer Roy Lee is also on board, there is something for everyone within the news that the Schwartz/Savage banner Fake Empire has acquired the screen rights to Joe Schreiber’s upcoming young-adult novel Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick.  The tone has been likened to a cross between John Hughes and Grosse Pointe Blank; hit the jump for a synopsis.

Writer Max Werner and Producer Josh Schwartz Join for Halloween Comedy FUN SIZE

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 25th, 2010 at 10:19 pm

Writer Max Werner (The Colbert Report) has sold his spec script Fun Size to Paramount, and Josh Schwartz (The O.C.) will produce.  According to The Hollywood Reporter “loglines are being kept under wraps, but Fun is described as a cross between Superbad and Adventures in Babysitting that is set on Halloween.  Werner said of the film, “I grew up on John Hughes films and miss those great character-based comedies that make you feel something. Fun Size is about real characters who are smart, funny and a little bit offbeat.”  I don’t know why he misses these kinds of comedies.  You can find at least five or six every year.

Are Bubble Shows CHUCK, OLD CHRISTINE, and GHOST WHISPERER Safe? Is ONE TREE HILL vs. LIFE UNEXPECTED a Sophie’s Choice for The CW?

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: May 3rd, 2010 at 7:29 am

Last night gave us some insight into the fates of Chuck, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Ghost Whisperer, One Tree Hill, Life Unexpected, and Medium as well as some potentially bad news for CBS comedies Gary Unmarried, Rules of Engagement, and Accidentally on Purpose.  Deadline put their ear to their ground and reported the “rumblings” around town regarding certain renewals, likely cancellations, and even a couple cases of the rare network switcharoo–it may be wise to update my comprehensive bubble show report.

In short Chuck, Old Christine, Ghost Whisperer, and Medium should all have a home next year, while One Tree Hill, Life Expected, and the lesser performers among the CBS comedies may be left out in the cold.  Details after the jump:

CHUCK Fans Organize Flash Mobs to Ward Off Cancellation

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: April 29th, 2010 at 9:44 pm

At this time last year, when NBC’s spy comedy Chuck was on the bubble for renewal, the fans united for the “Finale and a Footlong” campaign, in which they bought $5 subs from show sponsor Subway en masse.  As a result (kinda), the show got a season three.  Now that Chuck again finds itself on the bubble (shucks), what do the fans have up their sleeves?  Fansite ChuckTV.net has the answer (which The Live Feed was kind enough to pass it along): Flash mobs!

On Monday, if you live in such cities as Chicago, Seattle, San Diego, and Philadelphia, you may bear witness to a large group of people dressed in khakis and green polos (the uniform of a Buy More employee such as Chuck), some of whom may approach you to convince you how great the show is (listen–it’s awesome).  Hit the jump for appreciative comments from Chuck co-creator Josh Schwartz.

3 Clips from the Season Premiere of CHUCK

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: December 22nd, 2009 at 11:52 pm

With Chuck returning with new episodes on January 10th, NBC has started promoting the show by releasing three clips from the season premiere.  If you’re like me and a huge fan of the show, you’ll enjoy the clips as they showcase Chuck’s new abilities.

*Spoiler Alert* If you missed last season’s finale, it ended with Chuck getting a new version of the intersect that’s fundamentally changed the show.  Now, instead of Chuck helpless against the agents of Fulcrum, he’s going to spend this season as a super spy.  Should be a lot of fun.  Hit the jump for the clips:

CHUCK Returns to NBC’s Schedule Sunday, January 10th with 2 Hour Event! Plus Message From Chuck!

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: November 19th, 2009 at 3:25 pm

NBC has just announced Chuck will finally return to the airwaves on Sunday, January 10^th with back-to-back original episodes (9-11 p.m. ET) before the series moves to its regular day and time (Mondays 8-9 p.m. ET) beginning January 11.  For fans of the show, this is welcome news, as it’s getting back its original time slot and it’s being paired again with Heroes.

If you aren’t aware, NBC has loaded up this season with tons of guest stars like Angie Harmon (Law & Order), who will play Sydney, an enemy operative; Brandon Routh (Superman Returns), who is set to play CIA Agent Daniel Shaw; Robert Patrick (Terminator 2: Judgment Day) will play Colonel Keller, a soldier and spy from Casey’s past; Kristin Kreuk (Smallville), who will portray Hannah — a potential love interest for Chuck; Armand Assante as dictator Premier Goya, who is the target of an assassin; Steve Austin will portray Hugo Panzer, who becomes entangled in Chuck’s first solo mission; and Vinnie Jones (Snatch) will play Carl Stromberg, an arms dealer.

For more on Chuck, you can watch a preview of the new season after the jump!

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