Tag: randall wallace

Skydance and Alibaba Pictures Join Forces To Finance And Produce Flying Tigers Feature Film

Randall Wallace
Randall Wallace

Skydance and Alibaba Pictures, Alibaba Group’s entertainment affiliate, have announced that they will join forces to finance and produce a Flying Tigers feature film for global release. It has been designated by Skydance Media and Alibaba Pictures as a high-priority development project. The screenplay will be written by Oscar-nominated writer Randall Wallace (BRAVEHEART) and the film will be produced by David Ellison and Dana Goldberg of Skydance together with a team from Alibaba Pictures.

The Flying Tigers – formally known as the 1st American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force – was a group of volunteer pilots from the U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. Led by Captain Claire Lee Chennault, the group fought alongside the Chinese during World War II. The Flying Tigers project will tell the story of the unique brotherhood formed by these intrepid soldiers.

“This production partnership with Alibaba Pictures on Flying Tigers marks an important next step in our strategy to expand the reach of the Skydance brand on a global basis,” said David Ellison, Chief Executive Officer of Skydance Media. “We could not be more excited to work with the incomparable Randall Wallace to bring to life the extraordinary, untold story of the great commitment and sacrifices made by this courageous group of pilots.”

“Flying Tigers carries with it a rich legacy and a movie about this subject matter has been highly anticipated for a very long time,” added Zhang Wei, President of Alibaba Pictures. “It is an ideal piece of content in which to invest and produce with Skydance, a studio with a proven track record of bringing films to the big screen that are both sweeping in scope and universal in appeal.”

“Skydance’s relationship with Alibaba Pictures got off to a great start last summer with Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation and we look forward to deepening our ties even further as we jointly develop, produce and finance Flying Tigers, an authentic story that draws from both Chinese and U.S. history,” said Skydance Chief Operating Officer Jesse Sisgold.

Randall Wallace is a screenwriter, director, producer and songwriter who earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay and Writers Guild of America award for Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen for Braveheart. He also wrote and directed The Man in the Iron Mask, We Were Soldiers and Heaven Is For Real and wrote the screenplay for Pearl Harbor. Wallace is the New York Times bestselling author of eight novels.

Today, Skydance is a leading producer and financier of major Hollywood studio films and television shows. Since its inception in 2010, Skydance has produced 10 feature films, which have cumulatively grossed approximately $4 billion in worldwide box office receipts. The Company’s current film slate includes Star Trek Beyond with Paramount on July 22, 2016, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back with Paramount on October 21, 2016, Geostorm with Warner Brothers on January 13, 2017 and Life with Sony on March 24, 2017.

Alibaba Pictures began investing in Hollywood film with its stake in the 2015 Skydance film Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation in partnership with Paramount Pictures.

Win Tickets To The Advance Screening Of HEAVEN IS FOR REAL in St. Louis

HIFR_DOM_TEASER_1SHEET

Based on the #1 New York Times best-selling book of the same name, HEAVEN IS FOR REAL brings to the screen the true story that has inspired millions across the globe – that of a little boy’s extraordinary, life-changing experience, and his father’s search for the courage and conviction to share his son’s discovery with the world.

Academy Award® nominee and Emmy® Award-winner Greg Kinnear (Little Miss Sunshine) stars as Todd Burpo, a small-town businessman, volunteer firefighter and pastor struggling to make ends meet in a tough year for his family. After his bright young son Colton (newcomer Connor Corum in his feature film debut) is rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery, Todd and his wife Sonja (Kelly Reilly, Flight, Sherlock Holmes) are overjoyed by his miraculous survival. But they are wholly unprepared for what happens next — Colton starts to matter-of-factly recount what he says was an amazing journey to heaven and back. As Colton innocently tells his parents details of things he couldn’t possibly know, Todd finds himself colliding against a wall of mystery and doubt, until he breaks through to rediscover hope, wonder and the strength of purpose.

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TriStar Pictures presents Heaven is For Real, directed by Randall Wallace, the Oscar®-nominated writer of Braveheart. The screenplay is by Randall Wallace and Christopher Parker, based on the book by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent. The film is produced by Joe Roth and T.D. Jakes and the executive producers are Sue Baden-Powell, Sam Mercer and Derrick Williams. Joining Kinnear, Reilly and Corum in the cast are Emmy® Award-winner Margo Martindale (Justified, August: Osage County), Academy Award® nominee Thomas Haden Church (Sideways, We Bought A Zoo), and music by Nick Glennie-Smith.

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL opens on April 16.

The HEAVEN IS FOR REAL screening will be on Thursday, April 10th at 7PM in the St. Louis area. Each pass is good for 2 tickets. If you are a winner, you will need to head over to SONYSCREENINGS.COM and register to receive your two passes.

Answer the following:

Greg Kinnear received an Academy Award nomination for which 1997 film.

OFFICIAL RULES:

1. YOU MUST BE IN THE ST. LOUIS AREA THE DAY OF THE SCREENING.

2. ENTER YOUR NAME AND ANSWER IN OUR COMMENTS SECTION BELOW.

3. YOU MUST SUBMIT THE CORRECT ANSWER TO OUR QUESTION ABOVE TO WIN. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

The film is rated PG by the MPAA for the following reasons: thematic material including some medical situations.

Greg Kinnear
Colton (Connor Corum, LEFT) asks Todd (Greg Kinnear) about what Jesus looks like in TriStar Pictures’ HEAVEN IS FOR REAL. PHOTO BY: Allen Fraser. ©2013 CTMG. All Rights Reserved.

http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/heavenisforreal/

www.facebook.com/HeavenIsForRealMovie

https://twitter.com/heavenisforreal

The behind-the-scenes team includes Academy Award® winning director of photography Dean Semler ACS, ASC (Dances with Wolves, Mad Max: The Road Warrior, Apocalypto), production designer Arv Greywal (Lars and the Real Girl), two-time BAFTA Award winning film editor John Wright A.C.E. (Apocalypto, Speed) and costume designer Michael T. Boyd (Secretariat, We Were Soldiers).

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Inspirational HEAVEN IS FOR REAL Trailer Stars Greg Kinnear

Greg Kinnear

Based on the #1 New York Times best-selling book of the same name, HEAVEN IS FOR REAL brings to the screen the true story of a small-town father who must find the courage and conviction to share his son’s extraordinary, life-changing experience with the world.

In theaters Easter 2014, watch the brand new trailer.

The film stars Academy Award nominee and Emmy award winning actor Greg Kinnear as Todd Burpo and co-stars Kelly Reilly as Sonja Burpo, the real-life couple whose son Colton (newcomer Connor Corum) claims to have visited Heaven during a near death experience.

Colton recounts the details of his amazing journey with childlike innocence and speaks matter-of-factly about things that happened before his birth … things he couldn’t possibly know. Todd and his family are then challenged to examine the meaning from this remarkable event.

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL also features Margo Martindale and Thomas Haden Church.

From director Randall Wallace (BRAVEHEART, SECRETARIAT), the film opens in theaters April 16, 2014.

www.facebook.com/HeavenIsForRealMovie

Greg Kinnear

Review: SECRETARIAT

 

At last we’re off to the races with the opening of SECRETARIAT – the rousing tale of the 1973 Triple Crown winner and the greatest race horse of all time!

Based on the novel “Secretariat: The Making of a Champion” by William Nack, SECRETARIAT centers on Penny Chenery (Diane Lane), Secretariat’s owner, and how she broke into the “boys only club” of thoroughbred horseracing in 1969. The real Penny Chenery, now 88, even has a cameo in the film as a spectator at the Belmont Stakes race. Walt Disney Pictures decided the time was right and put the story in the very capable hands of director Randall Wallace (MAN IN THE IRON MASK, BRAVEHEART screenplay) and writer Mike Rich (THE ROOKIE). With the unbelievable, mud-in-your-face cinematography of Academy Award winner Dean Semler (DANCES WITH WOLVES) and the galloping sound work of 20 time Oscar-nominee Kevin O’Connell, SECRETARIAT is as close to a real horserace as you’ll ever get.

What’s terrific about SECRETARIAT is that it’s not a feminist film by any stretch of the imagination. It’s purely the story of a woman who, as Chenery recently said, wanted to be recognized for doing something as a person, not solely as a woman. For once in her life, Chenery took the lead and stood her ground with one of her father’s wealthiest business partners. Going up against a husband and brother who tried to dissuade her, a lonely Chenery found the inner strength to turn Big Red into a champion.

Oscar nominee Diane Lane is spot on in her role as the The First Lady of Horse Racing and gives the portrayal such bravery and confidence. She’s the tie that binds the film. Look for a possible Best Actress nomination for Lane. The on-screen meshing between she and Secretariat trainer Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich) is electric.

That’s what I love about Malkovich. The actor can go from buffoonery roles like in the upcoming spy-comedy RED to the more serious outing as the down and out, eccentric trainer Laurin. He has a range and method that most actors can only dream of. To be sure, the film is filled with affable performances from James Cromwell, Fred Thompson, Kevin Connelly, Dylan Baker, and Dylan Walsh, with particular notice to Nelsan Ellis (HBO’s True Blood) as Secretariat’s groom and real-life jockey Otto Thorwarth as Secretariat’s jockey, Ron Turcotte. But it’s Malkovich’s easygoing scenes that are really the most absorbing.

With the stirring score by Nick Glennie-Smith (PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN films) and the precision editing of 2-time Oscar nominee John Wright (HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER, SPEED), ultimately the movie comes down to the three big races of the Triple Crown. The Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes are both recreated magnificently with real race horses and jockeys. But what die-hard racing fans would hope for comes in the second race, the Preakness, in which we are treated to seeing the actual race from 1973, complete with the original “here comes Secretariat!” call of the race. One of the film’s highlights are 3…THREE!… big race scenes and even though we all know who wins, its nonetheless very exciting.

The best thing about this movie is that they don’t add a lot of extraneous storylines for dramatic effect. It never tries to be more than it is. The focus is solely on the story of where Secretariat came from and how he won the Triple Crown, a feat that had not been achieved in 25 years. Unbelievably, only two other horses have won since Secretariat. Seattle Slew in 1977 and Affirmed in 1978. The filmmakers have done a good job of keeping everything relatively historically accurate, even though they made it seem like Secretariat came from a broken down, failing horse farm. The reality is, the same owners had Riva Ridge, the winner of the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont the previous year, 1972.

Special props to the makeup & hair designers and costume designers Michael Boyd (GETTYSBURG, WE WERE SOLDIERS) and Julie Weiss (TIME TRAVELER’S WIFE, SHANGHAI) – their contributions to this period piece truly breathe extra life into this special film about two superheroes. What impressed me the most was what director Wallace captured in the film – not another documentary, but the fact that Secretariat wasn’t racing against other horses; he was running for the joy of it.

Seeing that it’s truly a great, heart-warming film, look for SECRETARIAT to be this year’s THE BLIND SIDE come Academy Awards time. At the various screenings which began in March, everyone has been cheering and yelling out “go, go, go” even though we all know the outcome of the victorious ride. SECRETARIAT is the kind of Disney family film from the golden days sure to make you laugh, cry, and give you a euphoric boost – a little something we all need in these trying days.

Rating: 5 out of ***** stars

SECRETARIAT opens today. The film is rated PG for brief mild language. Check out the film’s official site here, on Facebook and Twitter.

The Story Of SECRETARIAT & New Scenes!

“It was as if God whispered in his ear, ‘Go.’ And he went,” says Randall Wallace, director of Walt Disney Pictures’ upcoming film SECRETARIAT. Here are some new scenes from the movie about the the greatest racehorse of all time. This is one of those exhilarating films that you won’t want to miss seeing or experiencing in the theater!

The Story of Secretariat:

 

Diner Deal:

Kentucky Derby:

Red Knows:

Heated Press:

Belmont Park:

SECRETARIAT is based on the remarkable true story of the horse that won The Triple Crown in 1973. Starring Diane Lane, John Malkovich, and James Cromwell, SECRETARIAT will be in theaters on October 8, 2010.

The film is rated PG for brief mild language. Check out the film’s official site here, on Facebook and Twitter.

3 New “Making Of” SECRETARIAT Featurettes

Ever since WAMG posted the early review of SECRETARIAT in March, it goes without saying that I can’t wait for this film. I truly believe in my heart of hearts that SECRETARIAT will find itself at the starting gate when the Academy Awards nominations for Best Picture are announced on January 25, 2011. The thought of Walt Disney Pictures’ film being among the 10 nominees literally gives me goosebumps.

 

Here are three new vignettes from SECRETARIAT, named as the 35th greatest athlete of the 20th century by ESPN,

SECRETARIAT – “Making of a Champion”

SECRETARIAT: Penny’s Story – Against All Odds

Secretariat: Penny’s Reaction

Based on the impossible true story, SECRETARIAT chronicles the spectacular journey of the 1973 Triple Crown winner. Housewife and mother Penny Chenery (Diane Lane) agrees to take over her ailing father’s Virginia-based Meadow Stables, despite her lack of horse-racing knowledge. Against all odds, Chenery—with the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich)—manages to navigate the male-dominated business, ultimately fostering the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years and what may be the greatest racehorse of all time.

Click here to read our exclusive first look at SECRETARIAT from March. From director Randall Wallace (BRAVEHEART, THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK, WE WERE SOLDIERS) and rated PG, SECRETARIAT will be in theatres one month from today on October 8, 2010. For those wanting to see it earlier, Disney announced that there will be SECRETARIAT Sneak Peak in 800 theaters nationwide on October 2 at 7:00pm.

Be sure to check out the film’s official site here, on Facebook and Twitter.

Trailer for SECRETARIAT

Well its finally arrived. Based on the Impossible True Story, here’s the trailer for Disney’s SECRETARIAT….

Click here to read our exclusive first look at SECRETARIAT from March. After seeing the trailer I have to agree with what our reviewer astutely wrote, “Doesn’t it seem weird that there hasn’t already been a movie made about 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat, arguably one of the greatest, or perhaps the greatest race horse of all time?” Yeah, it is weird and very surprising for we horse-racing fans. A long wait is in store until the film opens in October, but its nicely positioned to be the first one out of the gate for the Fall awards season.

Based on the remarkable true story, SECRETARIAT chronicles the spectacular journey of the 1973 Triple Crown winner. Housewife and mother Penny Chenery (DIANE LANE) agrees to take over her ailing father’s Virginia-based Meadow Stables, despite her lack of horse-racing knowledge. Against all odds, Chenery, with the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin (JOHN MALKOVICH), manages to navigate the male-dominated business, ultimately fostering the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years and what may be the greatest racehorse of all time.

Rated PG, SECRETARIAT will be in theatres on October 8, 2010. Be sure to check out the film’s Facebook Page.

SECRETARIAT: New Stills From The Triple Crown Winner

From Secretariat.com and StitchKingdom come these beautiful new stills from Walt Disney Pictures upcoming film, SECRETARIAT.

The sports drama is the story of how Secretariat’s owner Penny Chenery (Diane Lane) broke into the “all boys club” of thoroughbred horseracing and saw, along with the help of trainer Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich), her horse go on to fame by winning the Triple Crown in 1973. Just last month, we gave you an early look of SECRETARIAT from a friend to WAMG’s who sat in on an early screening of Disney’s upcoming film.

From director Randall Wallace (Man in The Iron Mask; Braveheart scribe), SECRETARIAT is rated PG for “brief mild language” and will gallop into theatres on October 8th.

Early Look at SECRETARIAT

Being billed as “super secret,” a first screening of Disney’s SECRETARIAT was held Tuesday evening at the Woodland Hills AMC in Southern California and we had one of our LA based friends in the audience. Based on William Nack’s book, “Secretariat: The Making of a Champion,” Disney’s SECRETARIAT is the story of the famous horse that won the 1973 Triple Crown.

Here we go:

Doesn’t it seem weird that there hasn’t already been a movie made about 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat, arguably one of the greatest, or perhaps the greatest race horse of all time?

Well the folks at Disney finally decided the time was right, and put the story in the very capable hands of director Randall Wallace (Man in The Iron Mask; Braveheart scribe) and writer Mike Rich (who already has sports-movie street cred with Disney’s “The Rookie” starring Dennis Quaid).

The filmmakers have done a good job of keeping everything relatively historically accurate. The movie centers on Penny Chenery (Diane Lane), Secretariat’s owner, and how she broke into the “all boys club” of thoroughbred horseracing in 1969. The real Penny Chenery, now 88, even has a cameo in the film as a spectator at the Belmont Stakes race.

The highlights of the movie come with the three big races of the Triple Crown. The Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes are both recreated magnificently with real race horses and jockeys. But what die-hard racing fans would hope for comes in the second race, the Preakness, in which we are treated to seeing the actual race from 1973, complete with the original call of the race (“and here comes Secretariat!”). That was the great part…there were 3 – THREE! big race scenes and even though we all know who wins, its very exciting! The audience went nuts and cheered after every one of them!!

The best thing about this movie is that they don’t add a lot of extraneous storylines for dramatic effect. The focus is solely on the story of where Secretariat came from and how he won the Triple Crown, a feat that had not been achieved in 25 years. The only real “disney-fication” of the film is that they sort of make it seem like Secretariat came from a broken down, old, failing horse farm. The reality is, the same owners had Riva Ridge, the winner of the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont the previous year, 1972. So they were no strangers to all of this. I’m guessing none of this was mentioned in the film to keep the focus on Secretariat.

With its October 8th release, looks like Disney has smartly positioned SECRETARIAT at Oscar’s starting gate. For those race fans who can’t wait till October, the Santa Anita Derby is in a matter of weeks. With 2 big derby contenders running, horse racing fans could be on the verge of a possible Triple Crown winner!

Producer Mark Ciardi, Director Randall Wallace, Secretariat’s exercise rider Jimmy Gaffney and actress Diane Lane in the Belmont paddock. Photo Courtesy: Secretariat.com.

‘Braveheart’ Writer Rewriting ‘Captain Nemo’

20000 leagues nemo

Well on its way to 20,000 writers is the McG-directed remake/prequel to ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.’   Titled ‘Captain Nemo,’ the latest screenwriter to take a pass at the script is writer/director Randall Wallace.   Continue reading ‘Braveheart’ Writer Rewriting ‘Captain Nemo’