Mike White

Mike White Drops Out of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: January 19th, 2011 at 6:14 pm

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a high priority at Lionsgate, but they’re having trouble putting it together.  In the early days, David O. Russell was set to direct Natalie Portman before both bailed (Portman stayed on as producer).  Mike White (Year of the Dog) was hired to replace Russell, but the writer/director has a scheduling conflict with HBO, presumably for his series Enlightened.  White released a gracious statement to Deadline:

“I loved the project and looked forward to working with Lionsgate. Unfortunately, the timing could not be worked out. I wish them the best with the movie.”

Now Lionsgate must return to the drawing board, which previously included David Slade, Jonathan Demme, and Matt Reeves among others.  It’s an enticing project, so I’m sure they’ll lure a talented filmmaker — one that’ll stick — sooner or later.  Hit the jump for a synopsis of the source material, a tongue-in-cheek novel  by Seth Grahme-Smith.

Mike White to Direct PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: November 15th, 2010 at 8:52 pm

Writer/director Mike White has moved from “top contender” to “signed on” to direct Lionsgate’s adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.  Thus ends the whirlwind of candidates rumored when once-attached director David O. Russell departed to pursue other projects.  Up next: find an actress to replace Natalie Portman in the lead role.

White made his name first as a writer with about a dozen writing credits on both film and TV (School of Rock, Orange County, Freaks and Geeks) compared to his one as a director (Year of the Dog).  However, Variety makes no note whether or not White’s capable eye will take a pass at the script.  The first draft was written by Seth Grahme-Smith, the author of the source novel which inserts zombies into the classic Jane Austen tale.  Hit the jump for a synopsis.

Mike White Becomes the Top Contender to Direct PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES

by Ramses Flores    Posted: November 3rd, 2010 at 6:39 pm

The directing gig for the upcoming adaptation of Seth Grahame-Smith’s horror-comedy parody novel Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is nearly settled.  David O. Russell was originally going to direct (Three Kings), but left the project to direct an adaptation of the video game Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune instead.

After that, such directors as David Slade (Hard Candy), Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs), Matt Reeves (Cloverfield), Mike Newell (Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time), Neil Marshall (The Descent), Mike White (Year of the Dog), and the directing team of Phil Lord and Chris Miller (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs) were in the running.  Now, Mike White has emerged as the top contender to helm the film.  Hit the jump to find out why White is a surprising choice and, whom White might direct if he gets the job.

Jonathan Demme, Matt Reeves, Mike Newell, Neil Marshall, and More Join List of Potential Directors for PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: October 19th, 2010 at 2:37 pm

The list to direct the adaptation of Seth Grahame-Smith’s horror-comedy parody novel Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is growing after David O. Russell left the project at the beginning of the month.  As we previously reported, David Slade (The Twilight Saga: Eclipse) is on the list.  Deadline updated their original story by reporting that Mike Newell (Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time) and Neil Marshall (Centurion) are also in the running.  TheWrap is also throwing out some interesting names circling the project: Jonathan Demme (The Silence of the Lambs), Matt Reeves (Let Me In), Mike White (The Year of the Dog), and the directing team of Phil Lord and Chris Miller (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs).  Hit the jump for more details on these potential helmers.

Jonathan Demme, John Cameron Mitchell, Phil Morrison, Nicole Holofcener to Direct Episodes of HBO’s ENLIGHTENED

by Ethan Anderton    Posted: August 9th, 2010 at 10:01 pm

As more name actors make the jump back and forth from the silver screen to the flickering box, the great divide  of “success” between film and television actors has been dwindling.  Even further evidence of this closing gap can be seen in the talent behind the camera.  While film directors often direct the pilot of a new series for a big boost in viewership, more and more directors are being utilized for single episodes of series and HBO seems to have cornered the market.  Deadline reports the cable network’s new comedy series Enlightened has a lined up an impressive group to helm the episodes, including Academy Award winner Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs)

Hit the jump for the rest of the directors and a refresher on the series’ story.

Ruben Fleischer is Developing the Action-Comedy BABE IN THE WOODS at Columbia Pictures; Written by Mike White

by David Lane    Posted: June 22nd, 2010 at 2:12 pm

Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland) is developing the action-comedy Babe in the Woods at Columbia Pictures.  Written by Mike White, the film centers on a female freshman from the Midwest who arrives at Yale and becomes a target of the New Jersey mob.  White will produce the project through his Rip Cord Productions banner.  Rip Cord’s David Bernad will also serve as a producer on the film.

Presidents of Columbia Pictures Matt Tolmach said in a press release, “Our experience working with Ruben on Zombieland was nothing short of amazing.  We love what Mike did with this script and could not be more thrilled to develop Babe in the Woods with these two guys. They bring the perfect blend of comedy and attitude to their projects.”

Fleischer is currently developing 30 Minutes or Less for Columbia which stars Danny McBride, Aziz Ansari and Jesse Eisenberg.

Mike White Interview GENTLEMEN BRONCOS

by Sara Wayland    Posted: October 27th, 2009 at 5:45 pm

Along with being the producer of Jared and Jerusha Hess’ latest film, “Gentlemen Broncos”, Mike White also plays the role of Dusty. In the film’s unusual world, in which 17-year-old Benjamin Purvis (Michael Angarano) has his prized science-fiction story stolen by his idol, Dr. Ronald Chevalier (Jemaine Clement), at a writers camp, Dusty is an odd, scraggly-haired member of the Purvis’ church who takes his giant albino snake with him everywhere.

At the press day for the film, Mike White talked about working with his friends, the Hesses, and bonding with the snake, known as Peaches.

Mike White on His HBO Pilot ENLIGHTENED, THEM and SCHOOL OF ROCK 2

by Sara Wayland    Posted: October 21st, 2009 at 7:14 pm

Writer, director, producer and actor Mike White is known for his rather eclectic dramedies, such as Chuck & Buck, The Good Girl, School of Rock, Nacho Libre and Year of the Dog, which is totally fine with him. Not looking to be a producer or director for hire, he enjoys working with his friends, like Jared and Jerusha Hess (Napoleon Dynamite) on their latest film, Gentlemen Broncos, about a lovable underdog (played by Michael Angarano) whose passion for writing science-fiction novels is turned upside down when his idol, the celebrated fantasy author Dr. Ronald Chevalier (Jemaine Clement), steals his story at a writers camp.

At the press day for the film, Mike White gave some updates on what he’s currently working on, including the HBO pilot Enlightened, headed into production in January 2010, as well as the status of Them (with Edgar Wright) and School of Rock 2. Look for what he said on “Gentlemen Broncos” very soon.

2 Movie Clips from Director Jared Hess’ GENTLEMEN BRONCOS

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: October 21st, 2009 at 8:31 am

Opening on October 30th is director Jared Hess’ (“Napoleon Dynamite”) new movie “Gentlemen Broncos”. While the reviews out of Fantastic Fest were not pretty, this is one of those movies I still want to see due to the cast. After all, who isn’t a fan of Sam Rockwell and Jemaine Clement. Anyway, Fox Searchlight has released two clips from the movie and you can watch them after the jump. I’ve also posted the synopsis if you’re not familiar with the film.

HBO Greenlights the Laura Dern and Mike White Pilot ENLIGHTENED

by Nicole Pedersen    Posted: September 3rd, 2009 at 9:35 am

Continuing in their quest to regain television network preeminence, HBO has given the greenlight to yet another pilot.  “Enlightened”, the tentatively-titled, single camera comedy which stars Laura Dern, was developed by “School of Rock scribe Mike White.  More after the jump.

Posters for AMELIA, GENTLEMAN BRONCOS, and LAW ABIDING CITIZEN

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: August 12th, 2009 at 2:15 pm

A slew of posters hit the web today (I’m not sure the quantity of a “slew” but we have four posters below) and I have witty comments on all of them that I’m sure you will enjoy.  Or you can just skip my words (and make me sad) and just look at the posters.  You’ll find both after the jump.

SCHOOL OF ROCK Writer Mike White is a BABE IN THE WOODS

by Nicole Pedersen    Posted: August 4th, 2009 at 9:44 pm

Actor, screenwriter and “The Amazing Race” castoff Mike White has sold his action comedy spec script “Babe in the Woods” to Columbia Pictures.  The writer of such comedies as “School of Rock” and “Nacho Libre” will produce “Babe” – about a college coed who becomes a target for the New Jersey mob – through his own Rip Cord productions.  According to Variety, White will first turn in a “polished” version of his script before Columbia puts out the call for a director and cast.  We’ll keep you posted.

Director Jared Hess’s GENTLEMEN BRONCOS Gets Released October 30th

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: August 3rd, 2009 at 1:21 pm

When Jared Hess’s (“Napoleon Dynamite”, “Nacho Libre”) new film “Gentlemen Broncos” was announced as the opening film at next month’s Fantastic Fest, I figured a theatrical release date wasn’t too far behind. It seems my assumption was correct as Fox Searchlight has just announced an October 30^th release.

Unfortunately, their announcement didn’t say if it’s a limited opening or a wide release. But any release date is great news as Jared’s new film stars Michael Angarano, Jennifer Coolidge, Jemaine Clement, Mike White and Sam Rockwell. If you don’t know about the film, the synopsis is after the jump:

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