Judi Dench, Dan Stevens, Isla Fisher to star in UK comedy ‘Blithe Spirit’ for Protagonist (exclusive)

Judi Dench, Dan Stevens, Isla Fisher to star in UK comedy ‘Blithe Spirit’ for Protagonist (exclusive)

Judi Dench, Dan Stevens and Isla Fisher will lead the cast of Edward Hall’s Blithe Spirit, based on Noel Coward’s 1941 play.

London-based Protagonist Pictures is handling worldwide rights on the project and has inked a series of early pre-sales on the title including Australia and New Zealand (Transmission), Spain (A Contracorriente Films), Airlines (Echo Lake Distribution), South Africa (Empire Entertainment), Middle East (Front Row), and Greece (Tanweer).

The feature will be a re-imagining of Coward’s comedy stage play, in which a best-selling crime novelist suffering from writer’s block struggles to finish his first screenplay. His quest for inspiration leads him to invite an eccentric mystic to his home to perform a séance. He gets more than he bargained when they inadvertently summon the spirit of his first wife.

The project will start shooting on June 17 in and around London. Producers are Fisherman’s Friends trio James Spring, Meg Leonard, and Nick Moorcroft, alongside Hilary Bevan Jones, Peter Snell and Tuni Pinnolis. The project is a Fred Films and Powder Keg Pictures production in association with British Lion Films.

Producers Leonard and Moorcroft also wrote the screenplay with Piers Ashworth. Alongside Spring, the trio are also working on a feature film about Jamaican-born musician and chef Levi Roots, announced earlier this week.

Director Hall’s credits include period series Downton Abbey, which Screen Star of Tomorrow 2006 Stevens starred in, and 2012 TV movie Restless.

Coward’s Blithe Spirit was previously adapted for the screen by David Lean in 1945.

(Screen Intl)

Cannes: Matt Walsh, Isla Fisher to Star in ‘Unplugging’

Cannes: Matt Walsh, Isla Fisher to Star in ‘Unplugging’

Matt Walsh and Isla Fisher will star in “Unplugging,” a comedy about a couple who try to recapture their romance by taking a vacation in a rural town. They hope that unplugging from social media and electronics will force them to reconnect with each other and will save their marriage.

“Unplugging” marks the directorial debut of Debra Neil-Fisher, the editor of “Ted” and “The Hangover.” Walsh, best known for playing the hapless press secretary on “Veep,” penned the script with Brad Morris (“Cougar Town”). Both men will produce alongside Deborah Liebling (“Plus One”), Stephanie Laing (“Veep”) and Kevin Matusow and Carissa Buffel for The Traveling Picture Show Company. Radiant Films International will handle foreign sales and introduce to buyers at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The Gersh Agency and UTA Independent will co-represent domestic sales.

“My favorite films are relatable character comedies and travel adventure,” said Neil-Fisher. “When I was sent this script, I thought, I’ve finally found a cinematic story that is both. I am beyond thrilled to work with amazing comedians like Matt and Isla who can help me create hilarious timeless characters that everyone can relate to.”

Walsh most recently appeared in “Widows” and in the upcoming TV movie “Happy Accident.” Fisher’s film credits include “Wedding Crashers,” “Confessions of a Shopaholic,” and “Now You See Me.” She will be seen in the upcoming films “Greed” and “The Starling” opposite Keanu Reeves.

Walsh and Fisher are both represented by United Talent Agency (UTA). Neil-Fisher by Kaplan / Perrone Entertainment and The Gersh Agency. Morris by ICM Partners and Artists First.

(Variety)

Isla on The Late Late Show With James Corden

Isla appeared on The Late Late Show With James Corden earlier in the week, to promote her new US Marge book. She spent most of the interview laughing and it was a great appearance – I love her interviews with James Corden! When she did manage to stop laughing, she chatted about her encounter with the Jonas Brothers and their mother, Courteney Cox, her own secret language with her brother and husband, and her Marge book series. She reveals that she’s hoping to turn the book into a TV series in the US! Watch a clip (which is the best bit of the interview) below, and find HD screencaptures in our Gallery:

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“The Beach Bum” World Premiere at SXSW Festival

Isla attended the world premiere of The Beach Bum at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas last night. She posed with her director Harmony Korine and co-stars Matthew McConaughey and Stefania LaVie Owe, and chatted about why she wanted to make the film. Isla looked amazing in a pink suit by Moschino – I really love this look! Further down this post are some Twitter posts with coverage from the night; you can also watch the official live stream from the red carpet here and a red carpet interview with ET Canada here. In our Gallery we have the first HQ photos from the red carpet and presentation.

Reviews seem to be mixed, and you can read a selection of them through the Twitter posts embedded below.

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New “The Beach Bum” clip

Below is the first clip from Isla’s upcoming comedy, The Beach Bum. We also have a first still of Isla in the comedy – pictured alongside Snoop Dogg. The film is premiering at the SXSW Festival tonight, and is set for release in the US on March 29th.

“THE BEACH BUM follows the hilarious misadventures of Moondog (Matthew McConaughey), a rebellious rogue who always lives life by his own rules. Co-starring Snoop Dog, Zac Efron, and Isla Fisher, THE BEACH BUM is a refreshingly original and subversive new comedy from director Harmony Korine (Kids, Spring Breakers).”



Isla promotes ‘Marge’ on ET Live

Isla appeared on ET Live – Entertainment Tonight’s new live streaming show – on Wednesday, to promote the US release of her new Marge book. She chatted about the book and writing the series, the babysitting story she told on The Talk, and her plans for developing Marge in other mediums. One of the hosts pointed out that it is the 10 year anniversary of Confessions Of A Shopaholic (!!) and Isla chatted briefly about this which was really great to hear about! There was also mention of her wedding anniversary. Find screencaptures in our Gallery and the video below:

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Isla on Busy Tonight

Isla appeared on Busy Tonight last week, to promote The Beach Bum and the US release of the latest in her Marge book series. She revealed that co-star Matthew McConaughey called her his ‘little ginger goat’ on the set of their movie, and talked about her parents and how they inspired her to get into acting, her ginger hair, shoe mishaps at Hollywood parties, and her husband’s characters. It was a really funny interview – and I loved Isla’s outfit! She wore a one-sleeved black top and gold lame harem trousers by Georges Chakras, and accessorised with Dean Davidson jewellery and Nicholas Kirkwood heels. Below are clips from the show, and we have stills and HD screencaptures in our Gallery. Big thanks to our friend Jennifer for her help with coverage from this appearance

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