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| Rating: About Ratings
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| Opens: 10/16/2026 |
| Running Time: 106 |
| Rated: PG-13 |
| Cast: Austin Abrams, Josh Brolin, and
Elisabeth Shue. |
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| Crew: Director: Brian Duffield. Producers: Brian Duffield, Jeb Brody, Brian Grazer, Allan Mandelbaum. Executive Producers: Richard Abate, Douglas C. Merrifield, and Will Rowbotham. Screenwriters: Brian Duffield and Daniel Kraus. Music: Joseph Trapanese. Cinematographer: Aaron Morton. |
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REVIEW: By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
"WHALEFALL" IS A DEEP DIVE INTO TERROR
I could give you at least 20 reasons why I would never go scuba diving. Topping the list would be the fear of being swallowed whole by a sperm whale, much like Austin Abrams' character in the survival thriller "Whalefall."
It's one thing to worry about what might be lurking beneath the surface, but with my luck, being swallowed by a sperm whale would be the ultimate nightmare.
Thankfully, "Whalefall" which is written and directed by Brian Duffield ("No One Will Save You") and adapted from Daniel Kraus' 2023 novel of the same name, isn't based on a true story. Still, its unsettling premise is enough to make even a novice diver think twice about venturing beneath the waves.
In the film, Abrams ("Resident Evil" and "Weapons") plays Jay Gardiner, a college student struggling to cope with the death of his father, Mitt (an excellent Josh Brolin, "Weapons"). Mitt was a man of the sea, happiest when he was out on his boat or scuba diving. Jay wanted to make his father proud, but he never quite shared Mitt's passion for the ocean.
When Mitt is diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare cancer, he refuses treatment. Even as his condition deteriorates, he continues to head out on the water with his friend Hewey (John Ortiz, "Nobody 2"), determined to enjoy whatever time he has left. Eventually, however, his suffering becomes too much, and Mitt jumps from the boat and drowns, leaving his family behind to grapple with the loss.
Jay's mother, Zara (Elisabeth Shue, TV's "The Boys"), and his sisters, Eva (Jane Levy, "River") and Nan (Emily Rudd, TV's "Hunters"), attempt to come to terms with their loss and find a way to move forward as a family. Jay, however, remains stuck in his grief. He hasn't found the courage to read the farewell letter Mitt left for him. The unresolved tension continues to haunt him, leaving Jay with questions and feelings he has yet to confront.
Believing he can finally find some measure of closure, Jay heads to Monastery Beach in Monterey County to search for his father's remains. It's a dangerous undertaking, to say the least. The beach is notorious for its powerful surf and history of fatal drownings and treacherous rescue attempts. But Jay presses on, hoping he can bring something back from his father and put the past to rest.
The film uses flashbacks to show a young Jay being both scolded and embraced by his father as he teaches Jay the skills needed to survive at sea. Though it may not have seemed like Jay was paying attention, he was, and that proves fortunate when he ventures into open water and finds himself caught in the middle of a battle between a sperm whale and a giant squid. In a shocking turn of events, Jay is abruptly swallowed by the whale, seemingly becoming part of a two-course meal.
The scene is remarkably realistic as Jay desperately fights to escape the whale's dark interior while struggling against the giant, gooey squid. Underwater scenes in so many movies are often so dark and poorly lit that audiences must squint to make out what's happening. That isn't the case here. The filmmakers do an excellent job of bringing these harrowing moments into sharp focus, using tight close-ups and effective lighting to heighten the tension and make Jay's terrifying ordeal feel even more immediate. You really have to see it to believe it.
There are moments in "Whalefall" when the flashbacks become a bit overstated, but they still tie into the storyline and don't hamper the film that much. The drama and intensity of Jay's struggle as his oxygen runs low, along with the ingenious way he attempts to escape the whale's belly, are what audiences will enjoy the most about "Whalefall." It's a stunning nail-biter.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty... |
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Rated: PG
Opens: 10/16/2026
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Rated: R
Opens: 10/09/2026
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Rated: R
Opens: 10/09/2026
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Rated: R
Opens: 10/02/2026
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Rated: R
Opens: 10/02/2026
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Rated: PG-13
Opens: 09/25/2026
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OLD SCHOOL VIDEO PICK OF THE MONTH
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Title: COOLEY HIGH
Year Released: 1975
Running Time: 105
Production Company: Orion/MGM
Director: Michael Schultz
Director of Photography: Eliot Schick
Screenwriter: Eric Monte
Author: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
REVIEW: TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL: "COOLEY HIGH" IS A CLASSIC FOR THE AGES
One of my all-time favorite coming-of-age movies is "Cooley High."
Directed by Michael Schultz ("Car Wash," "Greased Lightning") and written by Eric Monte ("All in the Family" and "What's Happening!!), the funny, dramatic film became a...
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NEW ON DVD
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Title: MAN OF WAR
Year Released: 2026
Running Time: 111
Production Company: Well Go USA
Director: William Kaufman
Review By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
" MAN OF WAR" FIRES ON ALL CYLINDERS
There's just something about LaMonica Garrett that makes every movie or TV show he appears in a little better.
The San Francisco, California, native has built a reputation for portraying tough, no-nonsense characters across television and film, particularly in action, military, and law-enforcement roles. From "Sons of Anarchy" and "Designated Survivor," to "Special Ops: Lioness," Garrett has consistently brought a commanding presence and intensity to the screen.
In "Man of War--" which is currently available on Blu-ray and DVD--he takes that talent to another level as Michael "Mike" Connor, an elite U.S. Special Forces veteran whose mission to rescue his kidnapped adopted daughter/niece becomes an intensely personal fight for survival.
Garrett is terrific in the role, bringing just the right combination of toughness, vulnerability, and determination to a character who has clearly seen more than his share of war.
Jason Patric ("A Line of Fire") is equally effective as Mike's longtime military friend and government contact, Charlie Lewis, while Andrew Howard ("The Odyssey") makes an impression as Dany Sundakov, a battle-tested Ukrainian guide who becomes an invaluable member of Mike's rescue team. Linds Edwards ("Beat Down") also has fun with the role of the cocky, tough-talking British special ops soldier Peter "Bunny" Roberts.
Directed by William Kaufman (Osiris" and "Breach"), "Man of War" wastes little time getting down to business. Set during the early days of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the film opens with Mike dejected and alone in a Barcelona hotel room, comforted by alcohol and a gun. That changes when he gets a FaceTime call with Riley (Rosemary Yaneva, "The Bouncer"), the young aid worker he helped raise after the death of her parents, turns into a nightmare.
Russian soldiers attack Riley's orphanage in Kyiv, and Mike is forced to watch helplessly as she and others are taken hostage. When he learns that the man behind the attack is the brutal Russian mercenary Stanismir Ivan Koniev, (a chilling Daniel Bernhardt, "Ballerina" and "Nobody 2"), Mike does what any determined action hero would do. He declares war on the people who took Riley.
From there, it is bullets, explosions, betrayals, close calls, and plenty of edge-of-your-seat action as Mike and his small team make their way through an increasingly dangerous landscape. The supporting cast adds to the story which could easily have become nothing more than an endless barrage of gunfire.
While "Man of War" is predictable at times, that doesn't make the ride any less entertaining. Once Mike begins his rescue mission, the movie rarely lets up, delivering one adrenaline-fueled sequence after another. Garrett is the anchor of the film and it's easy to get behind his character and root for him every step of the way.
Clocking in at 111 minutes, "Man of War" is a solid actioner filled with suspense, strong performances, and a hero you'll want to see make it to the finish line.
(Highly Recommended).
"Man of War," from Well Go USA is currently available on Blu-ray and DVD. Watch This Trailer For "MAN OF WAR"
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Title: SEVEN SNIPERS
Year Released: 2026
Running Time: 98
Production Company: Well Go USA Entertainment
Director: Sandra Sciberras
Review By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
"SEVEN SNIPERS": A LITTLE TENSION GOES A LONG WAY
The good folks at Well Go USA have brought the Australian drama "Seven Snipers" to Blu-ray, Digital, and DVD. This is one of those movies that quietly gets under your skin before you realize it has you hooked.
"Seven Snipers" is a tense action-thriller that takes its time setting the stage, slowly luring you into its remote Australian setting and the troubled world of a woman who thought her days of violence were behind her.
Retired elite sniper marksman Kris Hendricks, aka "Voodoo Child" (Radha Mitchell, "Take My Hand") has settled into a quiet life on a secluded ranch with her daughter Anja (Annabel Wolfe, TV's "Breakers"). But that peace is shattered when a ruthless warlord from her past, known as "The Dragon" (a menacing Tim Roth, "Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man"), comes looking for revenge.
With her daughter in danger, Kris has little choice but to call on her former elite kill squad and prepare for one last fight. A few of these good men include Nico (Pacharo Mzembe ("The Bluff"), Junior (Charles Cottier, "Dead Eyes"), and White Dog (Damien Ryan, "Venus & Adonis: A Film About a Play About a Poem").
Loosely inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s classic "Seven Samurai," director Sandra Sciberras ("The Green Door"), and screenwriter Andrew O'Keefe ("Crime & Punishment") give "Seven Sniper's familiar "assemble the team" premise an Australian flavor and a decidedly personal edge.
What works well is the way "Seven Snipers" doesn't immediately throw everything at you. Instead, it patiently builds its characters, establishes the threat, and lets the tension simmer before the action begins to take hold. Once Kris's old crew starts coming together, the movie finds its rhythm, with each member bringing a different personality and skill set to the increasingly dangerous situation.
The cast is solid across the board, with Mitchell anchoring the film, while Ryan Kwanten ("Dead Howling"), Ioan Gruffudd, ("Drummer Boy"), Lee Tiger Halley ("Beast of War"), who plays Anja's boyfriend Michael, and the rest of the ensemble add personality, although a little more backstory involving "The Dragon" and "Voodoo Child" would have made the movie even better. Even so, this brisk 98-minute character-driven thriller understands that sometimes the buildup can be just as effective as the payoff.
If you like action movies that take a little time to get the fuse burning before the fireworks begin, "Seven Snipers" is worth viewing. (Recommended).
Editor's Note: "Seven Snipers" is currently available on Blu-ray, Digital, and DVD.
Check Out This Trailer For "SEVEN SNIPERS"
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Title: BROKEN LAND
Year Released: 2026
Running Time: 100
Production Company: Well Go USA Entertainment
Director: Joseph T. Walker
Review By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
DAVID MORSE SHINES IN "BROKEN LAND"
Anything starring David Morse ("Mayday" and TV's "The Last Thing He Told Me") is worth watching. The veteran actor has a commanding, understated screen presence that elevates every project he's in, and that's certainly the case with his latest film, "Broken Land," a quiet yet emotionally resonant modern Western that pulls you in faster than a calf can break from the herd.
The debut feature from writer-director Joseph T. Walker is another gem from Well Go USA and is currently available on Blu-ray and DVD exclusively through Amazon.
The film stars Morse as Carson Tidwell, a weathered Texas rancher still weighed down by grief and guilt over the death of his wife. His home is worn and weather-beaten, much like the man himself, but it's the only place he's ever truly belonged.
Carson spends most of his days tending his cattle, driving his beat-up pickup into town for groceries, and settling in each night to another lonely meal. One evening, after hearing a noise outside, he grabs his shotgun and fires into the darkness. By morning, he discovers that he has accidentally wounded a pregnant migrant woman named Irena (Jaklyn Bejarano, making an impressive feature film debut), who has been hiding on his property while fleeing danger.
When Carson finds the badly injured Irena bleeding in his barn, he brings her into his home and does everything he can to care for her, fully aware that helping her could have serious consequences. Making matters even more complicated is his estranged son, Harley (Bill Heck, TV's "Old Man" and "Wild Things"), a Border Patrol agent whose job puts him directly at odds with the choice his father is making.
Will Irena, who is from El Salvador and speaks very little English, earn Carson's trust enough for him to risk everything to help her reach safety? And if he does, what will it ultimately cost them both?
"Broken Land" is a deliberately paced but compelling drama about home, family, forgiveness, and the simple power of compassion.
David Morse once again proves why he's one of the most dependable character actors working today. He says as much with a glance as many actors do with pages of dialogue, creating a portrait of a lonely man whose hardened exterior slowly gives way to empathy and redemption. Equally impressive is newcomer Jaklyn Bejarano, whose performance is remarkably affecting despite having relatively little dialogue. She conveys fear, determination, and hope through expressive, understated acting, making Irena much more than a symbol, she becomes the emotional heart of the film. Together, Morse and Bejarano create a believable bond that feels genuine rather than forced.
Unlike many modern Westerns that lean heavily on shootouts, revenge, or larger-than-life antiheroes, "Broken Land" chooses a quieter path. Joseph T. Walker focuses on human connection instead of spectacle, using the wide Texas landscape as a backdrop for a deeply personal story about mercy, second chances, and doing the right thing when it's most difficult. It's a thoughtful, character-driven Western that values emotional honesty over action, making it a refreshing addition to the genre and a memorable debut for both its director and leading newcomer.
(Highly Recommended).
Editor's Note: Check Out This Trailer For "BROKEN LAND"
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Title: IP MAN: KUNG FU LEGEND
Year Released: 2026
Running Time: 98
Production Company: Well Go USA
Director: Li Liming
Review By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
WING CHUN LIVES ON IN THE THRILLING "IP MAN: KUNG FU LEGEND"
Few figures in martial arts history loom as large as Ip Man aka Yip Man the legendary Wing Chun grandmaster whose teachings forever changed the landscape of Kung Fu and whose most famous student, Bruce Lee, helped introduce Chinese martial arts to audiences around the globe.
Decades after his life first inspired filmmakers, the character continues to captivate audiences, and "Ip Man: Kung Fu Legend," from Well Go USA Entertainment proves there are still exciting stories to tell.
Dennis To slips effortlessly back into the role for the fourth time, bringing both quiet dignity and explosive physicality to the revered master, while director Li Liming ("The Wolfman," and "Young Ip Man: Crisis Time" ) delivers an energetic, old-school martial arts adventure that honors the character's enduring legacy without losing sight of pure entertainment.
Picking up after "Ip Man: Kung Fu Master," the film finds Ip Man leaving behind his police career in hopes of opening his own martial arts school, only to become entangled in a conspiracy after a western boxing gym attempts to dominate the local martial arts community.
Framed for murder and forced to battle corrupt triads and foreign opportunists, Ip Man must rely on his unmatched Wing Chun skills to protect both his name and the traditions he holds dear.
The action here is crisp, hard-hitting, and wonderfully choreographed, with Dennis To once again demonstrating why he has become one of the most convincing screen portrayals of the legendary master.
Supporting performances from Zhou Xiaofei ("The Grandmaster," "Ip Man 4: The Finale") and newcomer Zhang Tingfei add heart to the story while never distracting from the film's relentless pace.
"Ip Man: Kung Fu Legend" embraces everything fans love about classic kung fu cinema--honor, perseverance, breathtaking fight choreography, and an underdog standing against overwhelming odds.
While it celebrates the mythology surrounding its iconic hero, it also serves as a reminder of Ip Man's immeasurable influence on martial arts culture and the generations of practitioners inspired by his teachings.
Whether you've followed the "Ip Man" films from the beginning or are simply looking for an exciting martial arts spectacle, this latest chapter delivers in every way. It's another worthy addition to one of the genre's most enduring cinematic legacies.
(Highly Recommended).
Editor's Note: "Ip Man: Kung Fu Legend" is currently available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD. It will also land on Digital Aug. 11.
Take A Look At This Trailer For "IP MAN: KUNG FU LEGEND"
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By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs:
"WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL KICKS OFF OCT. 17 IN NEW YORK
This year's Woodstock Film Festival presented in partnership with the New York Women in Film and Television (NYWIFT) will feature "Breaking the Frame – How Far Have Women in Film Really Come?" and will take place Oct. 17 at 12:30 p.m. (ET/PT) at Utopia Studios located at 293 Tinker St, in Woodstock New York.
Panelists include Rosanna Arquette (pictured left), Gina Gershon, (Third from left), Rachel Grady, (Fourth from left), and Debra Granik. (Top row far right). The event will be moderated by NYWIFT CEO Cynthia Lopez (pictured second from left) and the introduction provided by NYWIFT Board President Kim Jackson (Bottom right).
As the film industry continues to evolve, so too have the opportunities for women behind and in front of the camera. From the pioneers who opened doors to today's filmmakers redefining storytelling, this conversation celebrates how far the industry has come, the progress being made, and the opportunities that lie ahead.
Through personal experiences and industry insights, leading filmmakers will explore the changing landscape for women in film, the conversations that can help move the industry forward, and how the next generation can continue breaking the frame and creating new possibilities for women in the industry.
ABOUT THE PANELISTS:
ROSANNA ARQUETTE has worked with world renown directors including Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, John Sayles, Luc Besson, David Cronenberg, Hal Ashby, Allison Anders, and many more. She most recently finished filming "The Dizasster" starring opposite of Lea Thompson and on a Charli XCX-Led Feature "The Moment" opposite Alexander Skarsgard.
She will next be seen in Amazon's "Ballard" for season two opposite Maggie Q. Rosanna and can also be seen in Showtime's "The L. Word: Generation Q" and Ryan Murphy's Netflix series "Ratched" alongside Sarah Paulson. She also played the female lead in the movie "Etruscan Smile" produced by Academy Award winner Arthur Cohn starring alongside Brian Cox.
GINA GERSHON has been starring on stage, screen, and television for over forty years. She has recorded albums and toured across America, and performed at Carnegie Hall three times, playing harp with Sting, Laurie Anderson, Joan Baez, and Gogo Bordello. Gershon is the author of "In Search of Cleo: How I Found My Pussy and Lost My Mind," which she also performed as a one-woman show with an accompanying album; and the young adult novel "Camp Creepy Time." In 2019 she performed another one-woman show, "Wild Women Don't Get the Blues, at the Cafe Carlyle. Gershon's many film credits include "Bound," "Showgirls," "The Insider," "Face/Off," and "The Player." Her television credits include "The A$$hole," "Fisher," "Club Your Enthusiasm," "Riverdale," and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine." Her Broadway credits include Sam Mendes's "Cabaret," the Tony Award-winning "Boeing-Boeing, and more. She lives in New York City.
RACHEL GRADY "Folktales" (Sundance 2025, Netflix) is Rachel Grady's most recent feature doc collaboration with Heidi Ewing. Others include "Jesus Camp" (Academy Award nominee), "Endangered" (HBO), "The Boys of Baraka" (Emmy nominee), "12th & Deleware" (Peabody Award winner), "Detropia" (Emmy winner), "Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You" (2016 Sundance Film Festival), "ONE OF US" (2017 Toronto International Film Festival), and the Showtime docuseries, "Love Fraud," which had its world premiere at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. She is the co-owner of Loki Films, based in Brooklyn.
DEBRA GRANIK is the director of "Winter's Bone,", which was nominated for four Oscars, including Best Picture. Her other films include: "Down To The Bone, "Stray Dog", and "Leave No Trace." She has just finished a five-part nonfiction series called "Conbody Vs. Everybody", shot over the past eight years about the experiences of people reentering New York City after incarceration."Conbody" was released earlier this year and premiered on the Criterion Channel and is now available for streaming. Her next project is an adaptation of the non-fiction book, "Nickel and Dimed" by Barbara Ehrenreich.
CYNTHIA LOPEZ (Moderator) is the Chief Executive Officer of New York Women in Film & Television, an award-winning media strategist, and former Commissioner of the New York City Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment where she implemented strategies to support film and TV production throughout the five boroughs.
Lopez is the recipient of many coveted industry awards including: eleven News and Documentary Emmy Awards, the American Documentary: Special Emmy Award for Excellence in Documentary Filmmaking, three Peabody Awards, and two duPont-Columbia Awards.
Prior to working as Commissioner, Lopez was Executive Vice President and co-Executive Producer of the award-winning PBS documentary series "American Documentary | POV," and was involved in the organization's strategic growth and creative development. She currently serves on several national boards, and is on the distinguished Peabody Awards Board of Jurors.
KIM JACKSON is a celebrated creative producer and co-founder of Evotion Entertainment whose work has received Gotham, Spirit, and NAACP Award nominations as well as the Grand Prize at the Deauville Film Festival.
Jackson's films have been selected for opening night at New Directors/New Films at MoMA, the London Science Museum and featured in competition at several notable festivals including Sundance, Cannes, Tribeca, Rotterdam, Deauville and Woodstock. Jackson is an active member of the PGA, the Artist Academy at Lincoln Center, Producers United, Women Independent Producer and is currently serving as the Chair of the Board of Directors for New York Women in Film & Television.
Editor's Note: All images courtesy of the participants.
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By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs:
THE 74TH & 75TH ANNUAL MPSE GOLDEN REEL AWARDS TAKE PLACE MARCH 7, 2027, AND FEB. 27, 2028 IN LOS ANGELES
The Motion Picture Sound Editors (MPSE), the premier organization for entertainment sound editing professionals since 1953, announced that the 74th and 75th Annual Golden Reel Awards will be held on March 7, 2027 and Sunday, February 27, 2028 respectively. Both ceremonies will take place at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles.
"The dates for the 2027 and 2028 Motion Picture Sound Editors' Golden Reel Awards have been set. We are thrilled and eagerly anticipate our annual gathering to honor the year's accomplishments in sound editing, sound design, music editing, and foley artistry," said MPSE President David Barber. "Gathering with our colleagues from around the globe to celebrate their artistic achievements is always a highlight of the year. We are especially excited to already be looking ahead to our 75th Annual Awards, the Diamond Celebration in 2028."
In addition to presenting awards in competitive categories recognizing outstanding achievement in sound editing and foley artistry in film, television and game sound, the MPSE also presents two honorary awards annually: the MPSE Filmmaker Award and the MPSE Career Achievement Award, the recipients of which will be announced later this year. The 2026 honorees were Kathleen Kennedy and Mark Mangini, respectively.
ABOUT THE MPSE:
Founded in 1953, the Motion Picture Sound Editors (MPSE) is a global community of visionary sound artists who define the sonic experience of cinema, television, and games. From the subtle nuances of dialogue to the pulse-pounding roar of action, MPSE members are the not-so-silent heroes behind the immersive audio that brings stories to life, captivating audiences worldwide.
Through its vibrant network of professionals spanning 40 countries on six continents, the MPSE is dedicated to elevating the craft of sound and recognizing the indispensable role sound artists play in storytelling. The organization's year-round calendar is packed with exciting events, including industry panels, educational workshops, networking opportunities, screenings and celebrations, including the prestigious Golden Reel Awards, which honor artistry and innovation in sound editing.
Committed to nurturing the next generation of sound talent, the MPSE offers mentorship programs and scholarships that provide aspiring sound professionals with the tools and support they need to achieve their goals. The MPSE further champions and celebrates the power of sound and the incredible artists who bring it to life through its quarterly publication, Wavelength.
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By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs:
"FOOTBALL DRAMA "MR. IRRELEVANT" PREMIERES IN THEATERS ON DECEMBER 25, 2026
"Mr. Irrelevant," from director Jonathan Levine, ("Untitled Dirty Dancing Direct Sequel" and TV's "Nine Perfect Strangers") is the inspiring true story of John Tuggle (David Corenswet, "Superman" and "Supergirl"), the last player selected in the last round of the 1983 NFL draft by the New York Giants.
A true underdog, Tuggle defied expectations on the field and off for his then first-year head coach, Bill Parcells (Michael Shannon, "Nuremberg" and "Vegas: A Love Story"), his newfound love (Isabel May, "Scream 7"), and his team, proving that remarkable hope and perseverance can transcend even the greatest challenges. The film's executive producers include Jesse Sisgold, Jason T. Reed, Sandino Moya-Smith, Stan Wlodkowski, Pete Chiappetta, Anthony Tittanegro, Andrew Lary, Ross Ketover, Ken Rodgers, and Jessica Boddy. "Mr. Irrelevant" is produced by David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger, Jonathan Levine, Gillian Bohrer, and Nick Santora (TV's "Reacher") who also wrote the film.
Take A Peek At This Trailer For "MR. IRRELEVANT"
IN OTHER MOVIE NEWS:
Lionsgate has prevailed in a seven-studio bidding war for the acclaimed breakthrough book "The Correspondent" by Virginia Evans. Screen legend Jane Fonda," the two-time Oscar winner and seven-time Oscar nominee, is attached to star and produce along with Todd Lieberman of Hidden Pictures, who most recently produced Lionsgate's "The Housemaid"--another successful book-to-film adaptation--which has taken in nearly $400 million at the worldwide box office. The companies also jointly produced the Netflix streaming hit "War Machine" directed by Patrick Hughes and starring Alan Ritchson. Screenwriter Cat Vasko will adapt the screenplay and executive produce alongside executive producer Virginia Evans.
Virginia Evans' breakout debut "The Correspondent" spent 17 weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers list and centers on the unforgettable Sybil Van Antwerp, a sharp-witted, fiercely opinionated, retired lawyer who has long used letters to impose order on a complicated world--writing to friends, family, literary icons, and one elusive recipient whose message she has never sent. But when an unexpected letter from her past resurfaces, Sybil is forced to confront a long-buried chapter of grief, regret, and unresolved guilt. The book was published by Crown.
Erin Westerman, president, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, said, "We could not be more honored that Virginia (Evans), Jane (Fonda), and Cat (Vasko) have chosen us to be their studio partner on this project. This book spoke to so many people on our team who found Sybil's story and character deeply moving, and we believe Jane (Fonda), Virginia (Evans), and Cat (Vasko) responded to the genuine enthusiasm and personal touch that we bring. And there's no one better to shepherd the project than our friend Todd Lieberman at Hidden Pictures, who alongside his colleague Carly Elter produced another successful book-to-screen adaptation in "The Housemaid." This is a perfect team--we're thrilled to have won the trust of all--and we can't wait to get started."
Lieberman added, "This book is a phenomenon. To be invited in alongside the legend Jane Fonda, with my Lionsgate partners and Cat (Vasko), is a thrilling honor--and we all can’t wait to have moviegoers experience the same catharsis that so many book readers already have.”
MORE ABOUT CAT VASKO Cat Vasko recently adapted "Zero Stars: Do Not Recommend" as a feature with 21 Laps producing and Lyrical financing. Vasko's original feature screenplay "Canon" is set up at Amazon with Sister Pictures attached to produce. Vasko recently rewrote "Engagement" for Paramount with Simon Kinberg's Genre Films and Aline Brosh McKenna's Lean Machine producing. In 2019, Vasko was named one of Variety's 10 Screenwriters to Watch for her feature script "Queen Of The Air," which has Dakota Johnson attached to star and produce.
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