Netflix inks deal with The Weinstein Company for a bunch of films including 'The Artist'

Netflix’s huge deal with Starz is about to run out, costing the streaming service thousands of films, many of them notable new releases. To pre-empt the massive loss of content, it’s been signing exclusive deals for big television series like Mad Men, developing original content like Lilyhammer, and trying to sign big new film deals. The latest of these deals is with The Weinstein Company. 

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'The Crow' reboot underway, again

Relativity Media and The Weinstein Company have agreed on a settlement regarding their dispute over the seemingly doomed remake of cult 1994 classic The Crow, reports Deadline. 

The dispute originated from a disagreement over the 2009 film Nine, when Relativity accused The Weinstein Company of failing to live up to commitments regarding the distribution of the film. They consequently decided to proceed with a different distributor for their remake of The Crow despite both companies already having an agreement in place. An out of court settlement was agreed ahead of what was looking like a lengthy battle and both parties now seem committed to the project having moved quickly to sign F. Javier Guttierez to direct and Jesse Wigutow (It Runs in the Family) to write the script, with Mark Wahlberg and Channing Tatum previously rumored to take the lead role.

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Disney sells Miramax, but not to Rob Lowe! (outrage)

Not even Rob Lowe's innate charisma and smashing good looks can top the dollar signs in Disney's eyes, it seems. The actor (with partners) was one of many groups bidding to purchase Miramax from Disney since the House of Mouse put the division up for sale some months ago. Miramax Films was sold to Filmyard Holding, an investor group led by Ronald Tutor. 

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Weinstein Company orders a rewrite of Fraggle Rock script to "connect with an older, more sophisticated audience"

Well, I think I'm on the Weinstein's side of the argument now. Here's the story: about three weeks ago, Cory Edwards--who is under contract to write and direct a new Fraggle Rock movie--went rogue and wrote a long blog post accusing the Weinstein Co. (they have the cash) of conspiring against him and trying to ruin the beloved children's series by making it "edgy." I discussed the whole thing, at length, here.

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Weinsteins, don't frak with Fraggle Rock!

Just when I thought Fraggle Rock might be safe from silly creatures, The Weinstein Company pulls this. According to a blog post from writer/director Cory Edwards, Weinstein Co. executives have put out an open call for a new scriptwriter to completely rewrite Edwards' finished script and develop a more "edgy" Fraggle Rock. Worse, they did so without contacting him even though he will be responsible for directing the movie. This is not a good situation.

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