Spectre final trailer
Sony Pictures releases the final trailer for Spectre.
Oberhouser (Waltz): Why did you come?
Bond: I came here to kill you.
Oberhauser: And I thought you came here to die.
Bond: Well, it’s all a matter of perspective.
EU sues Hollywood studios
After an 18-month investigation, the European Union issues anti-trust lawsuit against Disney, NBCUniversal, Paramount Pictures, Sony, Twentieth Century Fox and Warner Bros, as well as Britain and Ireland’s Sky TV. The suit specifically calls into question copyright laws which allow Hollywood studios to sell their content individually to national markets, creating a divided European market in defiance of EU rules, according to the commission. Specifically, subscribers to the Sky TV’s network of channels are blocked from accessing its offerings of films and TV series outside Britain and Ireland. Competition Commissioner Vestager:
European consumers want to watch the pay-TV channels of their choice regardless of where they live or travel in the EU. Our EU economy Internet antitrust investigation shows that they cannot do this today. We believe that this may be in breach of EU competition rules. The studios and Sky UK now have the chance to respond to our concerns.
NBC and Warner said they were in talks with the Commission. Fox declined to comment.
Cast as Spider-Man
Sony Pictures and Marvel Studios announce Holland is being cast for the role of Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the upcoming 2017 Spider-Man adventure. The search for a lead actor was world-wide and extensive. The actor completed several complex screen tests and attended numerous meetings with studio executives, producers and other decision makers before learning he would be given the role. Producer:
We knew that for Peter Parker, we had to find a vibrant, talented young actor capable of embodying one of the most well-known characters in the world. With Tom, we’ve found the perfect actor to bring Spider-Man’s story into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Spider-Man traits leaked
A 2011 legal licensing agreement between Sony Pictures and Marvel leaked by WikiLeaks includes a list of ‘mandatory’ traits for Peter Parker and Spider-Man. According to the agreement, Spider-Man must have the following characteristics:
Male; does not torture; does not kill in defense of self or others; does not use foul language beyond PG-13; does not smoke tobacco; does not sell/distribute illegal drugs; does not abuse alcohol; does not have sex before the age of 16; does not have sex with anyone below the age of 16; and is not a homosexual (unless Marvel has portrayed that alter ego as a homosexual).
Dark Tower TV/movie deal
Sony Pictures and MRC will co-finance movies and TV shows based on King’s The Dark Tower. Sony will distribute the first in a series of movies, while a complementary TV series is being developed by MRC. The new script is primarily based on the first book in the series, The Gunslinger, and the relationship between Roland and Jake. The script, by Goldman and Pinkner is a reconceived version of the script that had been previously developed at Universal and at Warner Bros. King:
I’m excited that The Dark Tower is finally going to appear on the screen. Those who have traveled with Roland and his friends in their search for the Dark Tower are going to have their long-held hopes fully realized. This is a brilliant and creative approach to my books.
Rothman:
There are few projects out there that compare with the scope, vision, complex characters and fully drawn world that Stephen King has created with The Dark Tower. I am a giant fan. And, as Stephen himself does, we love the direction that Akiva and Jeff have taken. This is a great opportunity for a director to put his or her stamp on a cool global franchise.
Hires writer
Sony Pictures hires Basu to write the script for Metal Gear Solid. The Arads are producing the movie, and Vogt-Roberts will direct. As of yet, a release date hasn’t been set for this movie.
