Author: Deadline

Paul Maslansky, the producer behind the Police Academy franchise, has died. He was 91. The Emmy nominee’s death was announced by Police Academy (1984) writer Pat Proft in a heartfelt statement on Friday, recounting their work together on Proft’s first film, which launched six sequels and two series, one animated and one live-action. “Thankful for meeting Paul Maslansky,” wrote Proft on Facebook. “He hired me and Neal Israel to research and write Police Academy. First film I ever wrote. Paul has passed away. Sally and his son.. sorry for your loss. He left behind a trail of comedies. Good life.” Born Nov.…

Japanese singer and actress Miho Nakayama was found dead at her home in Tokyo on Friday. Born in Saku, Japan, Nakayama was known for her lead roles in Love Letter (1995) and Tokyo Weather (1997), among others. She was 54. Nakayama was scheduled to perform at a Christmas concert in Osaka on Friday, but she had canceled her appearance, citing health reasons. Nakayama’s team confirmed the news of her passing on her website, which stated: “We are deeply sorry to have to suddenly announce this to all the people involved who have always looked after her and to all the…

Thirteen years after making her debut feature, Kiran Rao marked her directorial return with Laapataa Ladies (Lost Ladies), which has been selected as India‘s Oscar entry for the Best International Feature Film race. “It felt a bit like cycling, after not having cycled for a while,” Rao tells Deadline about helming her second feature film after more than a decade. “It takes a little while to find your balance, but soon you’re on your way. I had a crew that was not just young and enthusiastic, but also really driven by the film and deeply believed in what we were…

EXCLUSIVE: Universal International Studios (UIS) has shaken up its team with two promotions. CFO Rob Howard has become Executive Vice President and Kelsey Balance has been upped to EVP Global Scripted Series at the Day of the Jackal studio. Howard will expand his oversight beyond finance to the overall operational strategies and its production companies to support the studio’s international ambitions. Balance will take charge of the global scripted series team, developing shows for all platforms. Howard has been with UIS for five years working across finance. He joined shortly after Balance, who used to be Head of Programming at NBCUniversal’s…

Deadline Portrait Studio hosted talent on December 2 at the 34th edition of the Gotham Awards, held at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. Talent from films nominated stopped by including director C. Mason Wells from Between the Temples; Keith Kupferer, Tara Mallen, and Katherine Mallen Kupferer from Ghostlight, Pamela Anderson and Gia Coppola from The Last Showgirl, Colman Domingo and the cast of Sing Sing. RELATED: Gotham Awards: A24’s ‘A Different Man’ Wins Best Feature; ‘Sing Sing’, ‘Nickel Boys’ Also Score – Full Winners List Other talent included Boyd Holbrook, Monica Barbaro, James Mangold, Timothée Chalamet, Elle Fanning,…

Ringside Studios is teaming with Tokyo Vice producer Alex Boden to create a production services business, as it boards Netflix Japan feature 10Dance. Tetra, which Gub Neal’s Ringside and Boden will jointly run, is offering a full range of service to high-end TV (HETV) and film productions, from co-production and physical production to creative management and executive producer duties. It will also look to access UK and European incentives through Ringside’s parent Newen Studios. Boden, known for productions such as Tokyo Vice and Sense8, will work with Ringside’s Lee Thomas (Industry, No Escape) at Tetra. This comes as Ringside joins…

Samuel L. Jackson wants to dispel a myth about the Academy Awards — namely the humility of creatives who say they are honored just by the reception of a nod. In a recent interview with the Associated Press promoting Netflix’s August Wilson adaptation The Piano Lesson, the MCU actor joked that he’s been in the business long enough to de-center the Oscars race, and any potential buzz or hype about a project or role, from his work. “Folks will go, ‘Well it’s just an honor to be nominated.’ No it ain’t,” Jackson said, eliciting chuckles from co-star Michael Potts and…

EXCLUSIVE: Xavier Samuel and Sonal Sehgal have been cast to lead The Great Departure. The film, from producer Arvind Reddy’s KVR Productions and directed by the Camera d’Or-nominated Pierre Filmon, is currently in post-production having shot entirely in India. Sehgal wrote the script during lockdown, with the film originally titled Travellers. Plot explores patriarchy in society through the prism of a man and woman who accidentally meet in Varanasi, and have very different experiences while on the same road trip as they fall in love. Samuel (Twiling: Eclipse) and Sehgal (Aashayein) star. “Growing up in a patriarchal society and yet with…

Silvia Pinal, an actress in Mexico’s Golden Age of cinema, has died. She was 93. Pinal had been hospitalized earlier this month for a urinary tract infection. Mexico’s Secretary of Culture confirmed Pinal’s death. “The Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico regrets the passing of leading actress Silvia Pinal,” read the statement posted on X. “With a career spanning more than six decades, she participated in more than 60 films and plays. Her legacy lives on as a fundamental pillar of cinema, theater and television in Mexico. May she rest in peace.” Pinal was born in Guaymas, Sonora,…

Mary McGee, the motor racing legend profiled in the Oscar-contending documentary Motorcyle Mary, died Wednesday in Gardnerville, Nev., according to her family. She was 87. “Mary embodied resilience, grace, and optimism,” McGee’s family wrote on Facebook. The post did not disclose a cause of death. “She was a historic athlete and a motorsports pioneer who embraced life’s challenges, cared deeply for others, and made time to brighten the lives of those around her. While we are deeply saddened by this loss, we are comforted knowing that her light will continue to shine in everyone she touched.” Motorcycle Mary, which held…