Author: Erik Hayden

Netflix Teams With Ricky Gervais for Comedy Film ‘Special Correspondents’

Erik Hayden
Netflix Teams With Ricky Gervais for Comedy Film ‘Special Correspondents’ – The Hollywood Reporter

April 06, 2015 4 hours ago by Erik Hayden

Eric Bana will also star in the film, to be released in 2016.  AP Images; Brian Bowen Smith

Eric Bana will also star in the film, to be released in 2016.

Netflix has picked up a satirical movie by Ricky Gervais about a radio journalist who resorts to faking stories.

The film, titled Special Correspondents, features Gervais starring alongside Eric Bana and is slated to debut next year, Netflix announced on Monday.

The project, written and directed by Gervais, remakes a 2009 film by Frédéric Auburtin. It is co-produced by Bron Studios and Unanimous Entertainment.

“Special Correspondents is classic Ricky Gervais; smart social satire with heart,” read a statement from Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos. “It’s the kind of great grown-up comedy that studios rarely make anymore, one that’s perfect for Netflix members around the world.”

The project was announced at American Film Market last October and a month later Sony Pictures Worldwide picked up overseas distribution rights in several countries.  

The comedy film is the latest project from The Office creator and the streaming service. Two seasons of Gervais’ comedy Derek were released by Netflix, and the service recently added a special of the show on April 3.

“Having shaken up the TV industry, Netflix is about to do the same to Hollywood,” read Gervais’ statement. “It’s great to be part of the changing future. Ted Sarandos is the new Godfather of entertainment and he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”

Ricky Gervais

Erik Hayden

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Netflix Orders Mystery Series ‘Montauk’

Erik Hayden
Shawn Levy - P - 2015

Associated Press

Shawn Levy

Netflix’s latest newly ordered drama will be a mystery-themed series set in Long Island and billed as a “love letter to the 80s classics.”

Brothers Matt and Ross Duffer are set as the writer-directors for Montauk, which will have eight episodes debut on the streaming service next year, Netflix announced on Thursday. The Duffer brothers previously shared writing duties for several horror shorts, including 2005’s We All Fall Down. 

The duo will also exec produce the series along with Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen.

The series centers around the disappearance of a boy in Long Island in 1980 Montauk and is said to have supernatural elements involved. 

“Matt and Ross are emerging filmmakers with an unmistakable passion for genre and suspense. Their unique voice infuses this coming of age drama with supernatural thrills that will captivate our global audience,” read a statement from Cindy Holland, Netflix’s vice president of original content.

The supernatural series order follows other recently announced shows from the streaming service, including drama The OA, from Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, and Baz Luhrmann‘s hip-hop drama The Get Down.

Read more Netflix Movies: Producers Weigh Hidden Downsides

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Howard Stern Returning to ‘America’s Got Talent’

Erik Hayden
Howard Stern Headshot - P 2014

AP Images

Howard Stern is heading back to competition series America’s Got Talent. 

The SiriusXM radio host is rejoining the series as it enters its 10th season on NBC. Stern was announced to have joined the reality series in December 2011 as a judge. 

“I decided that a life without AGT is not worth living,” said Stern in a statement posted on the show’s Facebook page. “America needs a caring, compassionate and wise judge, and who am I to deny the people what they want? It would be selfish of me to walk away.”

On his radio show on Monday, Stern elaborated, saying there was some “soul-searching” involved in the decision to return this year, that plans for the 10-year anniversary convinced him. 

“Howard’s wit and character bring an incomparable humor and insight to America’s Got Talent,” said NBC’s Paul Telegdy, president, alternative and late-night programming, in a statement. 

Read more SiriusXM CFO on Howard Stern’s Future, Why Company Won’t Launch Abroad

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