John Saul's New Ventures

Renowned author John Saul has entered into a significant partnership with Middle Fork Productions and The Shooting Gallery, marking a new chapter in his career.

This collaboration aims to bring forth various projects, including a television series titled "Black Mariah," an adaptation of his popular novel "The Right Hand of Evil" into a movie of the week, and the cinematic development of his thriller "The Presence."

Under the terms of this agreement, Saul will have a substantial role in the adaptation process, while the production teams will have the opportunity to select from his extensive library of 27 best-selling novels.

The deal was orchestrated by Verna Harrah, chairman of Middle Fork, along with Larry Meistrich from The Shooting Gallery, as part of a broader initiative to collaborate on multiple creative projects, including the film featuring Drew Barrymore, "So Love Returns."

This partnership came about following a serendipitous encounter between Saul and Andy Fickman, a senior vice president at Middle Fork. The collaboration will also feature an interactive website, allowing fans to engage directly with Saul as he co-develops the drama alongside his partner, Michael Sack. Additionally, Saul is contemplating writing a novel tailored specifically for online audiences, with projects being facilitated through Shooting Gallery Interactive.

"Black Mariah" serves as the inaugural project and is envisioned as an anthology series conceived by Saul and Sack. A showrunner for the series will be appointed soon.

Interestingly, Saul has no intention of adapting his previous works personally. He expressed, “Many authors mistakenly believe they can seamlessly transition into screenwriting. While my concepts may resonate as novels, they do not always lend themselves to film adaptations. I am eager to collaborate with other writers rather than competing with them.”

Saul emphasized the importance of assessing each novel to determine the most suitable format, whether for movies of the week or feature films. One such example is "The Homing," an intriguing novel that developed uniquely during his writing process. He described it as a story about a microscopic insect that inhabits a human host, transforming them into a hive. “It’s a disturbing concept that left me feeling uneasy for quite some time,” Saul admitted, adding that it has become one of his personal favorites.Saul is particularly excited about the potential of the internet, expressing his belief that it will transform storytelling.

He mentioned, “The internet offers unique ways to share narratives that traditional books cannot provide. We are exploring innovative methods to present stories, perhaps incorporating music, video clips, links, and images to enhance the experience.”

His new deal was negotiated by Andy Cohen and Stephanie Tade from Grade A Entertainment, alongside Joel Gotler from AMG-Renaissance.

In other news, the progress on the Harry Potter film has picked up pace after Steven Spielberg decided not to direct, ending months of uncertainty. Screenwriter Steve Kloves is currently refining the second draft of the screenplay, having received feedback on the initial draft from around ten prominent directors last weekend.

These directors are set to participate in a creative competition akin to the one organized by Milos Forman when he had actors audition for “Man on the Moon.”

Among the directors vying for the chance to helm the project are new talents like Peter Weir and Wolfgang Petersen, alongside established names like Rob Reiner, Jonathan Demme, and Brad Silberling.

After reviewing the script, each director will present their vision to Warner Bros. executives Alan Horn and Lorenzo di Bonaventura, as well as producer David Heyman. Additionally, Warner Bros. is considering filming the first two installments back-to-back, similar to the production strategy used for “The Matrix” sequels, potentially with the same director overseeing both films.

In another development, there are rumors that the film “Traffic” could resolve its casting issues following a meeting between Kevin Costner and director Steven Soderbergh that reportedly went well.

With Richard Gere and Al Pacino also expressing interest, insiders suggest that Costner is keen on portraying the drug czar, whose aggressive initiatives against drug trafficking are complicated by his daughter’s struggles with addiction.

Harrison Ford was initially intrigued by the role, even getting his lawyer involved to discuss contract terms. However, while it was reported that he had pulled out, sources clarified that he never officially committed, opting instead to wait for a script revision by Steve Gaghan before making a decision.

For Costner, the crucial question remains whether he will reduce his $20 million salary to ensure the project stays within budget, allowing Fox Searchlight to maintain its financial margins. More updates to come.

Entertainment Industry Updates

Saladin Patterson is transitioning from his role as an executive story editor on “The PJs” to take on a writing position for a new sitcom featuring Marlon Wayans. This project, developed in collaboration with the Littlefield Company and NBC Studios, showcases a significant investment from NBC in Wayans' talent. Should the series proceed, Patterson will step in as supervising producer.

Recently, Patterson's option with the claymation series produced by Imagine expired after Fox aired only one of the 22 episodes produced. Its future remains uncertain, though there are indications that both WB and UPN may be interested in picking it up. He is represented by ICM agents Dianne Fraser and Nancy Etz.

In another development, Armand Assante is set to star alongside Benjamin Bratt in “After the Storm,” a film that USA Network Original Films is developing, with Trimark handling its distribution. The screenplay, adapted from a short story by Ernest Hemingway, is crafted by A.E. Hotchner and directed by Guy Ferland. Assante's character, a boat charterer in the Bahamas, is entangled with Bratt’s character, a fisherman who has a violent past with him. The storyline also involves a quest for a sunken boat filled with treasure. Assante is represented by CAA and managed by Lou Pitt.

On the agency front, CAA has signed actress Jordana Brewster, who will be featured in the upcoming Young Hollywood issue of Vanity Fair. Brewster recently starred in “The Faculty” and “The ‘60s,” and is set to appear alongside Cameron Diaz in “Invisible Circus” from Fine Line. Previously, she was a client at William Morris. Meanwhile, the Gersh Agency has signed veteran actress Annabella Sciorra, known for her performances in “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle” and “Cop Land.” Her management is handled by Sue Leibman of Barking Dog Entertainment.In a fascinating development, Whitney Walton, who has been at the center of a story involving Hollywood elites, has secured a significant book deal.

While MGM and Tribeca invested a low six-figure sum for a Vanity Fair piece detailing her intriguing connections with prominent figures, Walton aims to share her narrative directly.

She has partnered with Diane Reverand from Cliffstreet Books, a subsidiary of Little, Brown, to publish her account.

The deal was orchestrated by Dean Williamson of Vigliano Associates, who became captivated by Walton's story after reading Bryan Burroughs' article.

After an initial reluctance to engage with the press, Walton chose to write her book not primarily for financial gain but to dispel misconceptions and narrate her own version of events.

The narrative will include insights from around 40 celebrities, politicians, and athletes who confided in her, and Williamson is eager to adapt her story into a feature film.

With multiple bidders vying for the Vanity Fair story, there’s potential for a cinematic interpretation. Williamson posed an intriguing question, asking, “If you were creating a movie, wouldn’t you want to hear the entire story from her perspective?”

In another creative venture, Disney has acquired a unique spec script titled "Red Hood," which reimagines the classic Little Red Riding Hood tale.

This fresh take occurs a decade after the protagonist's encounter with the infamous Wolf, who had previously harmed her grandmother and is now wreaking havoc in the Land of Grimm.

Now 18, Red embarks on a quest for vengeance against the Wolf.

The script, crafted by Ezekiel Martinez and Lee Alford, caught the attention of Tova Laiter, a former executive at Cinergi Productions. The duo interned with her while she worked on the hit film “Varsity Blues.”

After expressing their desire to pitch a project, Laiter encouraged them to write a script if they were serious about their ambitions.

Within six weeks, they produced a screenplay, a mock trailer, and a one-sheet, leading to their first screen deal.

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