Ridley Scott News

Back by popular demand, Carson McCullers' rarely performed gem of a play, The Square Root of Wonderful, directed by Steve Jarrard, produced by Collaborative Artists Ensemble, tells the story of a man who lives in the shadows of a former triumph and his domineering mother; an architect who has fallen in love-and the woman caught between them.

National Geographic Channel President Howard T. Owens announced today that actor, producer, writer and director Tom Hanks is joining the two-hour television event KILLING LINCOLN from executive producers Ridley Scott and Tony Scott's Scott Free Productions.

An all-star cast headlines the hit, suspenseful sci-fi miniseries COMA, debuting on DVD October 30th from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. The film is a chilling, four-hour, modern-day retelling of The New York Times bestselling novel by Robin Cook, and 1978 film written and directed by Michael Crichton.

Spanish filmmaker David Victori was chosen for his short film submission, 'The Guilt,' as the grand prize winner and will receive $500,000 to create original online content for YouTube with Ridley Scott and Michael Fassbender acting as executive producers.

The 60th edition of the San Sebastian Festival will this year bestow its Donostia Awards on actors John Travolta, Ewan McGregor and Tommy Lee Jones and the Special 60th Anniversary Donostia Award going to director Oliver Stone. In 1969, Jones made his Broadway debut in John Osborne's A Patriot for Me. His other Broadway appearances include Four on a Garden and Ulysses in Nighttown.

A&E Network presents 'Coma,' a four-hour epic two-night event from Ridley and Tony Scott featuring a multiple Academy Award and Emmy Award-winning cast with Lauren Ambrose ('Six Feet Under'), Steven Pasquale ('Rescue Me'), Geena Davis, James Woods, Ellen Burstyn and Richard Dreyfuss. 'Coma,' a modern day retelling of the bestselling novel by Robin Cook and based on the film by Michael Crichton, premieres on Labor Day, today, September 3 and concludes on Tuesday, September 4, airing at 9PM ET/PT on both nights.

Back by popular demand, Carson McCullers' rarely performed gem of a play, The Square Root of Wonderful, directed by Steve Jarrard, produced by Collaborative Artists Ensemble, tells the story of a man who lives in the shadows of a former triumph and his domineering mother; an architect who has fallen in love-and the woman caught between them.

Today we are focusing a super-special spotlight on one of the Fall's most intriguing musical entries trying out in New York, the York Theatre Company's lab mounting of the new Paul Jabara jukebox musical LAST DANCE, by talking to the show's lead, recognizable TV and film star Rob Morrow, and the show's lead producer, noted comedic shepherd and filmmaker Robert D. Wachs, whom filled me in on all aspects of the show in a comprehensive chat late last week just prior to this week's start of rehearsals. In this all-encompassing conversation, Morrow, Wachs and I discuss the genesis of the new disco-themed musical celebrating the life and career of Jabara, the accomplished Emmy, Grammy and Academy Award-winning composer of Broadway shows (RACHAEL LILY ROSENBLOOM… AND DON'T YOU EVER FORGET IT), movie songs ("Last Dance" from THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY; the titular "The Main Event") and numerous pop/rock/disco hits, such as "It's Raining Men" by The Weather Girls, Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer's epic disco duet "Enough Is Enough (No More Tears)" and his many solo hits, as well as the finer points of the story, concept, casting and the ultimate goals of the new Philip William McKinley-directed production, which features a book by Shaun McKenna. Additionally, Morrow and Wachs each generously share showbiz tales from their storied careers involving such big names as Eddie Murphy, Michael Bennett, Jonathan Larson, Tony Scott and many more and both copiously convey their infectious enthusiasm for the forthcoming fully-produced lab presentation of the new musical that will play for five performances beginning September 20 as they prepare for its first viewing before a paying audience. All of that and much, much more awaits!

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Michael Douglas is currently in discussions to star as U.S. President Ronald Reagan in the upcoming indie drama, REYKJAVIK from Participant Media. Kevin Hood penned the screenplay.

To honor the life and work of filmmaker Tony Scott, the Scott family has created The Tony Scott Scholarship Fund at AFI to celebrate his creative legacy. The family ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the fund to help encourage and engage future generations of filmmakers.

Cellist Maya Beiser will see the New York premiere of her new production, ELSEWHERE, a "CelloOpera," in four performances from October 17 through 20 at 7:30pm, during the 2012 BAM Next Wave Festival in the inaugural season of the Fishman Space, part of BAM's new Richard B. Fischer Building which opens in September 2012 at 321 Ashland Place in Brooklyn. ELSEWHERE is produced by Beth Morrison Projects.

CNN reports that Director Tony Scott died in an apparent suicide yesterday. The director was bet known for the films 'Top Gun' and 'Beverly Hills Cop.'

Today we are shining a special solo spotlight on one of the most revered actors of the stage and screen on the premiere of his newest feature film lead role, in ROBOT & FRANK - which recently received the Alfred P. Sloan Prize at the Sundance Film Festival - the incomparable Frank Langella.

Syfy's smash hit reality competition series Face Off announces a surprise crowning event for its third season, with plans to broadcast live from Los Angeles, CA on Halloween night 2012, Wednesday, October 31 at 10 p.m. ET. For the first time, America's voice will be heard as viewers will make the final choice for the season three champion via a live voting feature that will be available immediately following the October 30 episode. McKenzie Westmore will host the special event and reunite the contestants, including the three finalists who will find out live if they garnered enough viewer votes to win the season.

ReelzChannel - TV About Movies(R) today announced the epic mini-series WORLD WITHOUT END will make its U.S. premiere on Wednesday, October 17, 2012. The series will star Cynthia Nixon (Sex and the City, The Big C) and Miranda Richardson.

Produced by Bill Kenwright and Thelma Holt, Noel Coward's Volcano, starring Jenny Seagrove, Dawn Steele, and Jason Durr, will premiere and play a strictly limited West End run this summer at the Vaudeville Theatre. The press night will be on Thursday 16th August at 7.00pm. The run will be for seven weeks only, from tonight, 14th August to Saturday 29th September.