'La La Land' writer and director Damien Chazelle tied to new Apple-funded show
Apple is continuing its push for unique video content with a new deal signed with "La La Land" writer and director Damien Chazelle.
There is nearly nothing known about the new project, according to the New York Times. No details have been announced regarding season length, terms of the deal, or the concept of the show.
Chazelle will be working with producers Jordan Horowitz and Fred Berger -- who he worked with on "La La Land."
In 2017, Apple also reportedly provided a blank check to Drake for his own shows and movies, and signed a deal with "Star Trek" and "Battlestar Galactica" reboot alum Ronald D. Moore for a new space drama. It is also reportedly paying $5 million per episode on a ten-episode season of "Amazing Stories," a revival of the Amblin Television and NBCUniversal science fiction anthology.
Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine studio is linked to three projects tied to Apple. The first show is as of yet untitled, but features Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston in a drama based on morning show production.
The second show is development of Nichelle Tramble Spellman's "Are You Sleeping," with the "Serial" podcast creator onboard in an advisory role, and Octavia Spencer starring. The third is a sketch comedy show starring Kristen Wiig.
These are all thought to be part of a broader $1 billion investment in original programming, which is considerable but still a lower investment than those of its competitors, such as Netflix's reported $7 billion on original content for 2018.
There is nearly nothing known about the new project, according to the New York Times. No details have been announced regarding season length, terms of the deal, or the concept of the show.
Chazelle will be working with producers Jordan Horowitz and Fred Berger -- who he worked with on "La La Land."
In 2017, Apple also reportedly provided a blank check to Drake for his own shows and movies, and signed a deal with "Star Trek" and "Battlestar Galactica" reboot alum Ronald D. Moore for a new space drama. It is also reportedly paying $5 million per episode on a ten-episode season of "Amazing Stories," a revival of the Amblin Television and NBCUniversal science fiction anthology.
Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine studio is linked to three projects tied to Apple. The first show is as of yet untitled, but features Witherspoon and Jennifer Aniston in a drama based on morning show production.
The second show is development of Nichelle Tramble Spellman's "Are You Sleeping," with the "Serial" podcast creator onboard in an advisory role, and Octavia Spencer starring. The third is a sketch comedy show starring Kristen Wiig.
These are all thought to be part of a broader $1 billion investment in original programming, which is considerable but still a lower investment than those of its competitors, such as Netflix's reported $7 billion on original content for 2018.
Comments
I heard this and heard people talking about what it took to get some of the shots and all the work and thought that went into it. However, I know lots of people who when to see it since they heard all these good things but came away completely disappointed. What this told me, the art came first and foremost and providing something people would like came second. It would be like Apple focusing so much on design that not one like using the product since it did not do what people wanted.
BTW, I did not see it, so this is all third hand, I have yet to talk to anyone who really like it, and some of them are into musicals.
And Apple already has two execs from the Breaking Bad team.
You got all that because friends of yours didn't like it? Sorry but your sample pool is way too small to be significant. Judging by the acclaim, people liked it. Doesn't matter what you or I think.
Rottentomatoes backs this up, critics and audiences:
Whole movie should have been about John Legend’s character and music.
Did you say Jet Li?
And what timeless classics does Jet Li have in his director/writer portfolio?
Best way to avoid last year’s weirdness: hand out the trophies in an unlit car park.
Can’t understand why it was such a massive hit if you didn’t like it. 🤔
I'd take Hidden Figures over this 10 days of the week. Even Manchester by the Sea was much better. If you want to see light hearted fare I'd take any Disney animated film over this.
Yeah but not really. It basically stole several of the best scenes from previous actually good musicals and remade them. On top of the that a musical needs good music and 99% of the music is forgettable.
http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=2017&p=.htm
If Apple wants to compete (and they will be competing with all other producers of long-form and televised entertainment), they will need hits.