Good Afternoon International Insider team, Max Goldbart here with your dose of mid-August headlines, analysis and wacky emojis. Next week we’re taking a short break, but we’ll be back in two weeks on September 2 with your favorite Friday afternoon newsletter. For now, read on.
Johnny Depps very international comeback
Back in the director’s chair: Johnny Depp has had a decent fourteen days. Last week we revealed a first impression of his eponymous role as King Louis XV in Jeanne du Barry (his first film in three years) and this week’s focus was on the director’s chair, where the once disgraced star returns for the first time in a quarter of a century. Depp is behind the front camera Modigliani, a feature film about the Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani. Al Pacino is on board as a co-producer with Depp and Barry Navidi, TBEN sources confirm, and the film is based on a play by Dennis McIntyre. No word yet on whether Depp will be acting or not, but he did perform in his previous directorial effort, 1997’s the brave, opposite Marlon Brando. The project appears to represent a slow return to the mainstream for Depp, whose fortunes have soared since he won Amber Heard’s infamous defamation lawsuit in June. Public perception seems to be changing and creatives are slowly welcoming him back into the fold. For many, of course, the jury remains outside.
mad’s world: One star particularly close to the situation was Depp Fantastic Beasts replacement Mads Mikkelsen, who spoke to Damon Wise of the Sarajevo Film Festival about a possible route back to the Warner Bros. Discovery franchise for Depp. “The course has changed, so let’s see if he comes back,” Mikkelsen told Damon, who described himself as a “huge fan of Johnny”. “I think he’s a great actor, I think he’s done a fantastic job,” he added. The entire interview is well worth reading as the much-loved Danish star leads us through his wonderfully eclectic career, which has seen star turns in Nicholas Winding Refn’s pusher, Casino royale and the Academy Award-winning Other round. He received his Honorary Heart of Sarajevo Award for outstanding contribution to cinema.
Embracing Middle-earth
One asset to rule them all: Huge M&A news Thursday as Swedish video game company Embracer Group Middle-earth Enterprises (part of The Saul Zaentz Company) bought the lucrative IP catalog and worldwide rights to Under the spell of the Ring trilogy and JRR Tolkien’s The hobbit. One of the world’s most beloved franchises, soon to launch the most expensive TV show of all time, now belongs to the group, taking the rights for movies, video games, board games, merchandising, theme parks and stage production. Wow. Financial terms have not been disclosed, but we believe this has taken quite a beating. After the resounding success of Peter Jackson’s film trilogy, Under the spell of the Ring is about to hit a whole new generation with Amazon’s Rings of Power mega tentpole, which this week unveiled its highly anticipated rollout schedule. Have an army of Tolkien fans huddle around their TV sets at 6pm PDT on Thursday, September 1. Embracer must be a winner here.
Warner Bros. Discovery stops
GB blues: Hardly a week goes by without Warner Bros. Discovery is tinkering with its international offering and this past one was no different as it left its share of fledgling British news network GB News and bid farewell to HBO Max International Originals chief Jennifer Kim. Discovery (as it was then known) backed GB News with fanfare last year, but the network has been plagued by problems – technical, ratings and politics – and has become a kind of poisoned chalice. The channel gained early authority as it was powered by feared British broadcaster heavyweight Andrew Neil, but within weeks he was gone and within months he reprimanded the network for being a “UKIP tribute band”. The shareholding of Warner Bros. Discovery has been bought out by existing backers Legatum Ventures Limited and Sir Paul Marshall, who have led a £60 million ($72 million) funding round and, with new faces including former Tory minister gay documentary presenter Michael Portillo, the channel for now more than lives on.
Kim is gone: Across the pond, TBEN’s Nellie Andreeva had all the details on the approximately 70 HBO Max layoffs, including SVP International Originals Jennifer Kim. Kim’s departure will increase the importance of Gerhard Zeiler’s international team, according to the memo from HBO Max chief Casey Bloys, who will be held solely responsible for pursuing non-U.S. opportunities, leveraging a significant international footprint that nevertheless itself is parried down. Individual drama and comedy teams will evaluate and pitch potential co-productions for the US. Kim has been responsible for critically acclaimed co-productions, including Russell T Davies’ AIDS drama It’s a sin and is leaving at the same time as Jennifer O’Connell EVP, Non-Fiction & Live-Action Family Originals for HBO Max; Michael Quigley, EVP Content Acquisitions at HBO Max; and Linda Lowy, EVP Casting for HBO Max, TNT, TBS and truTV. Bloys explained the rationale behind the decision: “Unfortunately, the environment in which we operate is changing rapidly, and it is up to us to continue to refine our model to chart a course for long-term success.” Change is afoot, as always, at the new conglomerate.
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