Exclusive: Sam Okun Productions has optioned Dark Side of the Moon: Wernher von Braun, the Third Reich and the Space Race, a historical work from Pulitzer Prize-winning author Wayne Biddle, for development as an ongoing one-hour drama series, Deadline has learned.
Based on true accounts, along with additional source material from the book, the show follows a rebellious MIT graduate who shatters glass ceilings to join NASA, where, under the mentorship of Wernher von Braun, mastermind of America’s space program, she becomes a rising star. But while navigating the roiling sexual, social and political landscape of the ’60s and the Cold War, her dream becomes a nightmare when she uncovers Von Braun’s dark past.
The show is described as character-driven, with two intertwined timelines, falling tonally somewhere between Lessons in Chemistry and Oppenheimer.
Bosch‘s Daniel Pyne will serve as showrunner and exec alongside writer-producer Michael Esser, who...
Based on true accounts, along with additional source material from the book, the show follows a rebellious MIT graduate who shatters glass ceilings to join NASA, where, under the mentorship of Wernher von Braun, mastermind of America’s space program, she becomes a rising star. But while navigating the roiling sexual, social and political landscape of the ’60s and the Cold War, her dream becomes a nightmare when she uncovers Von Braun’s dark past.
The show is described as character-driven, with two intertwined timelines, falling tonally somewhere between Lessons in Chemistry and Oppenheimer.
Bosch‘s Daniel Pyne will serve as showrunner and exec alongside writer-producer Michael Esser, who...
- 8/9/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
European TV powerhouses Zdf Studios and France TV Distribution are partnering as producers on Berlin-based Boogie Entertainment’s new crime drama “Blood Red Thread.”
Set in the “glamorous and cutthroat” world of fashion, the six-part series – also described as “stylish, witty and outrageous” – will expose various challenges the industry is facing, all the while following businessmen who rule the boardroom and clash with “divas of design,” both battling for power.
Filming will take place in the U.K., France and Germany, with delivery scheduled for August 2025.
“We set out to try and describe a fashion world that felt real, that explored what fashion does in society. It holds up a mirror to our vanities and insecurities, it reflects our need for reinvention, our hope to be desirable and current,” showrunner and lead writer Timothy Prager explained to Variety.
“We seem to instinctively accept the disconnect between façade and reality when...
Set in the “glamorous and cutthroat” world of fashion, the six-part series – also described as “stylish, witty and outrageous” – will expose various challenges the industry is facing, all the while following businessmen who rule the boardroom and clash with “divas of design,” both battling for power.
Filming will take place in the U.K., France and Germany, with delivery scheduled for August 2025.
“We set out to try and describe a fashion world that felt real, that explored what fashion does in society. It holds up a mirror to our vanities and insecurities, it reflects our need for reinvention, our hope to be desirable and current,” showrunner and lead writer Timothy Prager explained to Variety.
“We seem to instinctively accept the disconnect between façade and reality when...
- 12/19/2023
- by Marta Balaga
- Variety Film + TV
The Miracle Club will move back into 200-300 movie theaters nationwide August 18 for the rest of the summer due to an “overwhelmingly positive response” from audiences that the distributor said translated into a demand for additional playdates.
The film by Irish director Thaddeus O’Sullivan with a starry ensemble cast opened July 14, the week before Barbie and Oppenheimer debuted, on 678 screens (to $688k). The screen count was down to 65 last weekend and will dip again this coming, before jumping back up.
The Miracle Club, which world-premiered at Tribeca in June, now has a cume of $1.729 million. It’s 84% Certified Fresh with audiences on Rotten Tomatoes and has strong word of mouth. Deadline’s review called it “a treat in store for older adult audiences.” However, Barbie and Oppenheimer have been unique blockbusters in many ways, including their crossover appeal with arthouse/adult audiences, where distributors were already fighting for screens.
Maggie Smith,...
The film by Irish director Thaddeus O’Sullivan with a starry ensemble cast opened July 14, the week before Barbie and Oppenheimer debuted, on 678 screens (to $688k). The screen count was down to 65 last weekend and will dip again this coming, before jumping back up.
The Miracle Club, which world-premiered at Tribeca in June, now has a cume of $1.729 million. It’s 84% Certified Fresh with audiences on Rotten Tomatoes and has strong word of mouth. Deadline’s review called it “a treat in store for older adult audiences.” However, Barbie and Oppenheimer have been unique blockbusters in many ways, including their crossover appeal with arthouse/adult audiences, where distributors were already fighting for screens.
Maggie Smith,...
- 8/7/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Expressing solidarity with Hollywood actors on Day 1 of the SAG-AFTRA strike, specialty distributors polled were anxiously juggling opening weekend Q&As and movie premieres without talent. They were trying to clarify which actors on what international productions are SAG-AFTRA, bound by the guild, or neither. And, for those involved in production, trying to pin down the status of interim agreements for independent fare.
“I think we are all quite confused,” said one executive in the distribution space. “I’m trying to get SAG-AFTRA on the phone for a film we are opening in August. I have friends with films opening next Friday.” Individuals preferred not to be quoted given the sensitivity of the situation.
There’s much buzz around waivers, or interim agreements that SAG-AFTRA has said it will grant indie productions with zero studio/AMPTP ties. But there is still a lack of clarity around the application process and...
“I think we are all quite confused,” said one executive in the distribution space. “I’m trying to get SAG-AFTRA on the phone for a film we are opening in August. I have friends with films opening next Friday.” Individuals preferred not to be quoted given the sensitivity of the situation.
There’s much buzz around waivers, or interim agreements that SAG-AFTRA has said it will grant indie productions with zero studio/AMPTP ties. But there is still a lack of clarity around the application process and...
- 7/14/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
"The Miracle Club” may not be a faith-based movie in the traditional sense, but this Ireland-set art-house offering is a movie about faith all the same — specifically, about the conviction that drives four women to make the pilgrimage from Ireland all the way to Lourdes, France, where the waters are believed to have holy healing powers. If “The Miracle Club” were an overtly religious film, audiences would know from the outset what to expect from the trip, whereas director Thaddeus O’Sullivan doesn’t presume to play God, focusing more on mending the relationship between his main characters.
And what a cast he’s assembled to explore these women’s spiritual growth. The movie’s nothing special, but it’s worth checking out for the ensemble alone. Maggie Smith plays Lily, who lost her son to the sea decades earlier. Adopting an Irish accent and a frosty overall demeanor, Kathy Bates plays Eileen,...
And what a cast he’s assembled to explore these women’s spiritual growth. The movie’s nothing special, but it’s worth checking out for the ensemble alone. Maggie Smith plays Lily, who lost her son to the sea decades earlier. Adopting an Irish accent and a frosty overall demeanor, Kathy Bates plays Eileen,...
- 7/14/2023
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Agnes O’Casey as Dolly, Kathy Bates as Eileen Dunne and Maggie Smith as Lily Fox sign up for the ‘All Stars Talent Show’ in The Miracle Club. Photo credit: Jonathan Hession. © themiracleclubcopyright 2023. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
Maggie Smith and Kathy Bates play longtime friends in ’60s Ballygar, Ireland hoping to win a church talent contest for a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, in Irish director Thaddeus O’Sullivan’s dramedy The Miracle Club. Actually there are three friends, with the third being a young neighbor, played by Agnes O’Casey. The women have differing reason for wanting to make the pilgrimage – two hope for a miracle and one wants a trip of lifetime. There is a fourth woman is on the trip, Chrissie (Laura Linney), the long-absent daughter of a recently deceased friend, who has returned after four decades in America for the funeral of her estranged mother.
The Miracle Club...
Maggie Smith and Kathy Bates play longtime friends in ’60s Ballygar, Ireland hoping to win a church talent contest for a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, in Irish director Thaddeus O’Sullivan’s dramedy The Miracle Club. Actually there are three friends, with the third being a young neighbor, played by Agnes O’Casey. The women have differing reason for wanting to make the pilgrimage – two hope for a miracle and one wants a trip of lifetime. There is a fourth woman is on the trip, Chrissie (Laura Linney), the long-absent daughter of a recently deceased friend, who has returned after four decades in America for the funeral of her estranged mother.
The Miracle Club...
- 7/14/2023
- by Cate Marquis
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
‘The Miracle Club’ Review: Maggie Smith, Kathy Bates And Laura Linney Star – That’s More Than Enough
Anything that brings Maggie Smith, Kathy Bates and Laura Linney together for a smart and engaging movie that will lift your spirits these days is a miracle all by itself. Indeed, The Miracle Club is a reason to celebrate this summer, if only for the chance to see a sterling and beloved cast get roles worthy of their many talents.
The movie is the brainchild of co-writer Jimmy Smallhorne and based on his memories of his family and growing up in a small Ireland town, but the emphasis is clearly on the women in that family. For years he has tried to bring this to the screen, and finally once director Thaddeus O’Sullivan got involved it was on its way. O’Sullivan brought his two other writers, Joshua Maurer and Timothy Prager, to further develop it, and all the while Oscar-winning actress Bates was attached. Even with Covid delays threatening...
The movie is the brainchild of co-writer Jimmy Smallhorne and based on his memories of his family and growing up in a small Ireland town, but the emphasis is clearly on the women in that family. For years he has tried to bring this to the screen, and finally once director Thaddeus O’Sullivan got involved it was on its way. O’Sullivan brought his two other writers, Joshua Maurer and Timothy Prager, to further develop it, and all the while Oscar-winning actress Bates was attached. Even with Covid delays threatening...
- 7/12/2023
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
As an actress, Maggie Smith can do no wrong. She’s a lot more fallible at choosing projects, as evidenced by this treacly story about Irishwomen of different generations who travel to the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France, praying for a miracle.
Smith is at the center of a powerhouse trio of actresses here, along with Laura Linney and Kathy Bates. And while recent films like Book Club and 80 for Brady have labored the point that older women still like sex, The Miracle Club is set in a tradition-bound 1967 Dublin barely touched by the sexual revolution of the era. That offers no improvement on the often cartoonish roles available for overqualified actresses of a certain age. Directed with pedestrian competence by Thaddeus O’Sullivan, The Miracle Club is about secrets that are all too obvious, and forgiveness you can see coming from the start.
Each of the main...
Smith is at the center of a powerhouse trio of actresses here, along with Laura Linney and Kathy Bates. And while recent films like Book Club and 80 for Brady have labored the point that older women still like sex, The Miracle Club is set in a tradition-bound 1967 Dublin barely touched by the sexual revolution of the era. That offers no improvement on the often cartoonish roles available for overqualified actresses of a certain age. Directed with pedestrian competence by Thaddeus O’Sullivan, The Miracle Club is about secrets that are all too obvious, and forgiveness you can see coming from the start.
Each of the main...
- 7/10/2023
- by Caryn James
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Dramatizing the tough road toward reconciliation that four Irish women embark on during a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, The Miracle Club seeks nothing more than to be easily digestible. Between the vibrantly colored costume pieces and the sweeping aerial shots of the Irish and French countrysides, the film tries quite hard to keep its story in the placid realm of the feel-good. Yet those elements belie an extremely dark and tragic center, which the filmmakers are far too keen to wash their hands of almost as soon as it’s revealed.
Set in 1967, Thaddeus O’Sullivan’s film begins in Ballygar, a working-class seaside neighborhood in the outskirts of Dublin that’s reliant on the guidance of Father Dermot Byrne (Mark O’Halloran), whose church is something of a community center. Chrissie (Laura Linney) is returning to the area for her mother’s funeral, some 40 years after leaving Ballygar for Boston, and...
Set in 1967, Thaddeus O’Sullivan’s film begins in Ballygar, a working-class seaside neighborhood in the outskirts of Dublin that’s reliant on the guidance of Father Dermot Byrne (Mark O’Halloran), whose church is something of a community center. Chrissie (Laura Linney) is returning to the area for her mother’s funeral, some 40 years after leaving Ballygar for Boston, and...
- 7/7/2023
- by Greg Nussen
- Slant Magazine
Maggie Smith (“Downton Abbey”), Kathy Bates (“Richard Jewell”) and Laura Linney (“Ozark”) will headline the cast of “The Miracle Club,” to be directed by Thaddeus O’Sullivan (“Silent Witness”).
Based on an original screenplay by Jimmy Smallhorne (“2by4”), Timothy Prager (“Crossing Lines”) and Josh Maurer, the film will follow the journey of a group of riotous working-class women from Dublin, whose pilgrimage to Lourdes in France leads them to discover each other’s friendship and their own personal miracles.
The film is produced by Chris Curling (“Falling”) for Zephyr Films and Josh Maurer (“Papillon”) and Alixandre Witlin (television’s “Howards End”), for City Films Entertainment. James Flynn (“Penny Dreadful”) will serve as executive producer.
Maurer said: “At its heart, this film captures the strength, resilience and love of remarkable woman as they define themselves under their own terms, and by the power of their friendship and faith.”
Embankment raised the film...
Based on an original screenplay by Jimmy Smallhorne (“2by4”), Timothy Prager (“Crossing Lines”) and Josh Maurer, the film will follow the journey of a group of riotous working-class women from Dublin, whose pilgrimage to Lourdes in France leads them to discover each other’s friendship and their own personal miracles.
The film is produced by Chris Curling (“Falling”) for Zephyr Films and Josh Maurer (“Papillon”) and Alixandre Witlin (television’s “Howards End”), for City Films Entertainment. James Flynn (“Penny Dreadful”) will serve as executive producer.
Maurer said: “At its heart, this film captures the strength, resilience and love of remarkable woman as they define themselves under their own terms, and by the power of their friendship and faith.”
Embankment raised the film...
- 6/17/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Maggie Smith, Kathy Bates and Laura Linney are teaming up for Irish drama The Miracle Club, from director Thaddeus O’Sullivan.
The film — due to begin shooting in April — is described as a "joyful and hilarious" journey of a group of riotous working-class women from Dublin, whose pilgrimage to Lourdes in France leads them to discover each other’s friendship and their own personal miracles."
O’Sullivan (December Bride, Ordinary Decent Criminal, Into the Storm) will work from an original screenplay by Jimmy Smallhorne (2by4), Timothy Prager (Silent Witness, Two Thousand Acres of Sky) and Josh Maurer.
The film ...
The film — due to begin shooting in April — is described as a "joyful and hilarious" journey of a group of riotous working-class women from Dublin, whose pilgrimage to Lourdes in France leads them to discover each other’s friendship and their own personal miracles."
O’Sullivan (December Bride, Ordinary Decent Criminal, Into the Storm) will work from an original screenplay by Jimmy Smallhorne (2by4), Timothy Prager (Silent Witness, Two Thousand Acres of Sky) and Josh Maurer.
The film ...
- 6/17/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Maggie Smith, Kathy Bates and Laura Linney are teaming up for Irish drama The Miracle Club, from director Thaddeus O’Sullivan.
The film — due to begin shooting in April — is described as a "joyful and hilarious" journey of a group of riotous working-class women from Dublin, whose pilgrimage to Lourdes in France leads them to discover each other’s friendship and their own personal miracles."
O’Sullivan (December Bride, Ordinary Decent Criminal, Into the Storm) will work from an original screenplay by Jimmy Smallhorne (2by4), Timothy Prager (Silent Witness, Two Thousand Acres of Sky) and Josh Maurer.
The film ...
The film — due to begin shooting in April — is described as a "joyful and hilarious" journey of a group of riotous working-class women from Dublin, whose pilgrimage to Lourdes in France leads them to discover each other’s friendship and their own personal miracles."
O’Sullivan (December Bride, Ordinary Decent Criminal, Into the Storm) will work from an original screenplay by Jimmy Smallhorne (2by4), Timothy Prager (Silent Witness, Two Thousand Acres of Sky) and Josh Maurer.
The film ...
- 6/17/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Embankment Films also reveals a raft of upcoming feature documentaries as part of a fresh push into factual.
Embankment Films has revealed the top-line cast of feelgood feature The Miracle Club and a key pre-sale, and boarded a raft of documentaries as part of a major push into factual.
Downton Abbey star Maggie Smith will be joined by fellow Oscar-winner Kathy Bates and Ozark star Laura Linney in the story of working-class women from Dublin who embark on a pilgrimage to Lourdes.
Directed by Thaddeus O’Sullivan (Ordinary Decent Criminal), the film is set to begin shooting in Ireland in April...
Embankment Films has revealed the top-line cast of feelgood feature The Miracle Club and a key pre-sale, and boarded a raft of documentaries as part of a major push into factual.
Downton Abbey star Maggie Smith will be joined by fellow Oscar-winner Kathy Bates and Ozark star Laura Linney in the story of working-class women from Dublin who embark on a pilgrimage to Lourdes.
Directed by Thaddeus O’Sullivan (Ordinary Decent Criminal), the film is set to begin shooting in Ireland in April...
- 6/17/2020
- by 1100453¦Michael Rosser¦9¦
- ScreenDaily
HBO's untitled WikiLeaks movie is taking shape, with Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall coming on board as executive producers and British scribe Rowan Joffe (The American) tapped to write the script. The project, a co-production with the BBC, is based on source material that includes Raffi Khatchadourian's 2010 New Yorker article No Secrets: Julian Assange’s Mission for Total Transparency. It will tell the story of WikiLeaks, a database run by former hacker and Internet activist Julian Assange and his operatives, whose mission is to collect and disseminate via the Internet private, secret and classified information from anonymous sources. HBO put the WikiLeaks project in development in January with Joshua Maurer and Alixandre Witlin of City Entertainment and David Stern of KippSter Entertainment executive producing. In April, Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Charles Ferguson was attached to direct the potential film and executive produce. Maurer, Witlin, Stern and Ferguson will now...
- 6/10/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Beresford tunes up for Rachmaninoff bio
Bruce Beresford has inked a deal to direct Rhapsody, a biopic of Russian classical composer Sergei Rachmaninoff. The film will be produced by Prelude Features' Frederick Muller in association with executive producers Edward R. Pressman, Floyd Bradley of Prelude Features and Timothy Prager, who also wrote the script. "Bruce is a real classical music aficionado, and he's done a film in this area before," said Pressman, citing the 2001 drama Bride of the Wind, which featured Gustav Mahler as a main character. "But it's a love story first and foremost, with political upheaval and a large canvas in the spirit of 'Doctor Zhivago.' "...
- 3/13/2006
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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