Film News Roundup: Regina King Joins Barry Jenkins’ ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’
In today’s film news roundup, Regina King will star in Barry Jenkins’ “If Beale Street Could Talk,” Bold Films gets $50 million in financing, and rights are sold to Justin Chatwin thriller “Legacy” prior to AFM.
CASTINGS
Regina King will star in Barry Jenkins’ “If Beale Street Could Talk,” opposite Stephan James and KiKi Layne with filming underway in New York.
“If Beale Street Could Talk” is adapted from the 1974 James Baldwin novel of the same name about a pregnant Harlem woman whose lover is falsely accused of rape. Production companies are Jenkins’ Pastel company, Brad Pitt’s Plan B, and Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Pictures, which is also financing the film.
“Beale Street” is the first movie for Jenkins since “Moonlight” won the best picture Academy Award. King has won two Emmys for John Ridley’s “American Crime” series for ABC and had a recurring role on HBO’s “The Leftovers.” Her feature credits include “Ray” and “Poetic Justice.”
She is repped by ICM Partners, John Carrabino Management, and Del Shaw. The news was first reported by Deadline Hollywood.
FINANCING
Bold Films has renewed its revolving line of credit with Comerica Bank, a $50 million debt facility that extends for three years.
The deal provides financing for the independent studio to produce four to six films a year and ramp up its TV slate. Bold produced “Stronger” with Jake Gyllenhaal, based on the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
Bold Films CFO Rob Mitchell led the credit facility deal for the company. Bold was repped by legal counsel Miles Mogulescu. Adam Korn handled the deal on behalf of Comerica.
“We are thrilled to continue our valued partnership with Comerica,” said Mitchell. “The facility extension and expansion allows Bold to efficiently finance its production slate as we shift to produce more big budget films.”
Bold Films entered its first deal with Comerica in 2013.
SALES RIGHTS
Galen Christy’s High Octane Pictures has acquired worldwide rights to David A. Armstrong’s supernatural thriller “Legacy,” Variety has learned exclusively.
Armstrong, who produces alongside William K.Baker, was the director of photography on the first six “Saw” movies. He made his directorial debut on the 2013 crime drama “Pawn,” starring Forest Whitaker.
“Legacy” stars Justin Chatwin and Peter Stormare. Sales will launch at the American Film Market, which opens Nov. 1 in Santa Monica, Calif., by High Octane Pictures.
The story centers on a rookie detective, son of a dead disgraced cop, working to solve his first major case while under the watchful eye of a ghost-like assassin. Robin Thomas, Yancy Butler, and Mark Thompson co-star.
Related stories
Julia Roberts, Lucas Hedges to Star in Drama 'Ben Is Back'
Pablo Trapero, Martina Gusmán, Bérénice Bejo, Wild Bunch Team for 'La Quietud' (EXCLUSIVE)
Naomi Watts to Star in Psychological Thriller 'The Wolf Hour'
Subscribe to Variety Newsletters and Email Alerts!
