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EXCLUSIVE: James Franco will star with Winona Ryder in The Stare, a Jay Anania-directed film that is the first project funded by Waterstone Entertainment, a new producing/financing company formed by producer Jeff Kalligheri and Texas real estate developer and producer Steve Bowen.
Waterstone intends to generate projects it develops and has several other projects percolating, including two that will be produced by Franco (one he’ll direct) and his Rabbit Bandini partner Vince Jolivette. Waterstone’s core business will be to build a distribution business through a partnership it will strike with an independent distributor, Kalligheri said. Waterstone will put up minimum guarantees on films, and will also be looking for structured finance opportunities on films that are in the works. Kalligheri said he will be meeting with potential strategic partner distributors at Cannes, with Waterstone repped by Gersh’s head of Packaging and Finance, Jay Cohen. Bowen has funded several projects but no hits and is looking to step it up. Kalligheri had most recently been president of production at Queen Nefertari Productions, which had been been developing Adrenaline for Entourage’s Kevin Connolly to direct.
Watersone gets started with The Stare, a drama in which a playwright (Ryder) finds her mind beginning to warp as she struggles to launch her next production. She’s plagued by dreams and visions of being watched, but can’t decide if she’s at the center of a manipulative plot or simply losing her grip on reality. Franco plays one of the performers in the playwright’s production. The film will shoot May 6 in New York. Franco is producing with Jolivette, with Kalligheri exec producing with Steven Garcia, Rich Hill and Eric Amadio. Franco previously starred in Shadows and Lies for the film’s writer-director Anania, a teacher of Franco’s who heads the directing program at the graduate film school at NYU. Franco’s repped by CAA, Ryder by Gersh.
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What kind of incriminating pictures does this professor have on Franco. He keeps getting him to act in these dogs he’s directing.
I know Franco (and Hathaway) had huge meetings with Studios, Agents, etc. to determine if hosting the Oscars was the right move for them, would be a career helper or hurter, etc. etc. Unfortunately, I’m afraid it hurt them both, especially Franco, who had garnered somewhat of a cult following for his eccentricities as well as main-stream success as a result of his cool demeanor and good looks. But now whenever he is seen on-screen, people just roll their eyes and don’t take him seriously. He over-exposed himself too much and is no longer a viable star who can carry a film, something he never was before the Oscars but was about to be, as a result of 127 Hours. Unfortunately (again, because it is unfortunate!) he isn’t remembered for his Oscar Nom, just his Oscar Hosting Mess. In fact, most people probably don’t even realize or remember that he was nominated. His cool factor and cred has really deteriorated.
As for Hathaway, if she wanted to continue to make Rom Com’s, then whatever, this hasn’t hurt her, but she wanted to start moving into more serious and interesting territory, and that’s going to be a problem now. Maybe THE DARK KNIGHT RISES will change that, and put her back on track, but I have a feeling Mr. Nolan is already regretting his casting choice. Mila Kunis would have been the way to go. Even Amanda Seyfried, who desperately wanted the part, could have reinvented herself with it. I think Seyfried is going to end up with the career Hathaway wanted.
Wow, Chris Nolan, is that you? How else can one explain your intimate knowledge of the inner-workings of Nolan’s mind????
Your defensiveness is interesting. I wish your client, Ms. Hathaway, good luck in all her future endeavors and projects.
What the Franco are your talking about??????
Someone is extremely jealous of the multi-talented Mr James Edward Franco and lovely Anne Hathaway.
REALITY CHECK (TO ALL): They hosted the Oscars, they didn’t kill anyone, so get handle on the situation. It was just an award show nothing more than that. The Oscars is so overrated nowadays and with modern technology, it would be best in my opinion, if we just had a list of printed results of winners than an actual show or shorter version.
The old feel of the show went away years ago.
Most people generally check out what the ladies are wearing anyway and final winners list that’s all. No one actually cares about the presentation of the show ever since Bob Hope died, even though Bill Crystal has given it a good solid go. I love the way the haters are trying their best to find a flaw, just so they can say he can’t do this.
To my knowledge, he never said he was good at every single thing. He’s just a hardworker that has drive that most people would kill for especially with all his different projects.
James Franco has a solid history like Freaks and Geeks, James Dean, Sonny, City By The Sea, Tristan + Isolde, Good Time Max (Directed by him and a good effect), Pineapple Express, Milk, Howl, 127 Hours, Danny Crystal Cleer in The Green Hornet (best part of the movie).
The list could go on, I doubt anyone with a sane mind would be worried about both their performance still after the Oscars.
PEOPLE, it’s time to move on, again it’s just an award show. Yes, some truly look forward to it but they both tried. If you could do better apply to Oscar board (whatever their called).
Don’t even get me started on your comments about the talented Anne Hathaway. Unless, your her agent your talking crap, she can mix it up with any movie role she cares to obtain and was never off track. She’s currently sitting at no. 1 in the box office.
Basically, you wanted either Mila Kunis or Amanda Seyfried for Anne’s role in the new Batman movie and they lost out (both extremely talented but I think they can cope).
I like that fans support whomever they like but sometimes you must live in the real world and get a reality check.
Thankfully, Chris Nolan can make up his own mind and he’s made his choice deal with it.
Gosh, I’ve gone on and on now, sorry folks, I hate stupidity (learn to deal with the present not the past).
The press jumps on this but it’s even worse when fools act upon their silly reactions (wise up folks) just a show. Yes, important to some but it’s over now.
I’m not going to stop watching their movies because some thought James Franco or Anne Hathaway did badly (I thought they did fine) at this years Oscars. Hey, no one is 100% perfect, so life goes on unto the next episode!
Before, anyone says it – no I’m not their agent, PR guru etc, just someone with common sense.
I LOVE watching all types of movies and life far too short to be hating on these two.
Just give me a great performance on screen and I’m happy. I think at the end of the day that’s what most sane people want…..
On a separate note, congrats to Winona Ryder another talented actress (really loved her in Black Swan felt she got over looked a little) and looking forward to this new movie.
One of the most articulate, clear-minded posts on DH in quite a long time. Well played.
It IS a good post. Are people really still thinking about the Oscars? Weird. I’d forgotten this year’s show already. I also thought Winona was overlooked in Black Swan. I’ve always thought the movie would be much better if her character were larger and more integral to the story.
Winona Ryder is a BAD BAD actress. Everyone knows that. She’s pretty, though. In Black Swan all she did was scream and stab herself. That’s not acting. And she did not have the posture of a ballerina, in any of the scenes. I know ballerinas, and they DO NOT stand like that. Very unconvincing. Ugh, she’s awful.
Ugh, I meant
Sounds very blackswanish…and that’s definitely not a bad thing, especially for Ryder who got the lead this time around. It could be her ticket to Kodak…
The incredibly gorgeous Winona Ryder was wasted in Star Trek (2009). She should have had more screentime and was in it for nearly ten minutes and was needlessly killed off.
Is it me or has Jay Cohen become the king of repping phony film financiers???? Didn’t he announce another film finance company with some African-American lottery winner (with this same guy running it) that never produced or financed anything of note.
I guess someone has to show the dying swan that is James Franco some love.
Wow Shelly, hope your never the deciding member on a murder trial. In the current state of world affairs, independent film needs to be increasingly more creative with where it draws capital. I suppose we can all wait in the breadline of the studio system, hope Gaddafi stops bombing his people so his film cash is freed up, or, try and shepard new dollars to stimulate the business we kill ourselves for daily.
I think we should all welcome new money with open arms. As long as “The Situation” doesn’t become a film backer.
I’m glad to Ryder getting some film roles. She’s slowly inching her way back into films with projects like Star Trek and Black Swan. I think it’s a shame that her personal life gave her professional life such a negative impact when we see male actors like Hugh Grant, Robert Downey Jr. and even the pre-breakdown Charlie Sheen still scoring work.
Ryder is beautiful and talented and went to the A List for a reason and I for one want to see her back there. I’m hoping this films is that next push she needs to get directors and casting agents to remember her work is still top notch and she’s a liability like a Lindsay Lohan or Sheen.
Well stated. I think Winona Ryder is one of her generation’s greatest actors. She was great in “Black Swan” and I can’t wait to see what she does with this movie.
This is so true! Bad-behaving actors get their comebacks much easier than actresses! Hollywood looove it when “boys” suddenly grow into “men” and that’s taking for granted the actual talent that they possess. Actresses on the other hand (remember Jean Young) had to prove themselves over and over again. Winona has such a huge talent, a body of work that is interesting, quality-laden, and arguably unrivalled among her generation! It’s about time great directors cast her again
HEADLINE SHOULD HAVE READ:
Another rich dude who made money in another business wants to go Starf**king and gets a film with Franco and Ryder. (Hollywood Agencies all ready lined up to service sub-standard projects by money making clients that no one wants to make to waste the rest of the development fund.)
And the world keeps turning…..
Love it!!!
This movie sounds like a Black Swan rip off.
I suppose in academia it isn’t such an issue, but there’s something a bit unseemly about an instructor using the name of a celebrity student to get their own projects off the ground.
Funny how all of the prognosticators have Franco’s hosting serving as the death nail of his career as if he’s not coming off of an Academy Award nomination and just a few months away from headlining a Planet of the Apes film that’s basically guaranteed to earn 300 mil worldwide. He’s basically bulletproof.
Great play, congrats to Jeff, He is a class act and one of the few good guys in this business.
I always found Ryder coquettish no matter what the role. Only now does she become interesting – maybe.
Will they do a classic career switcheroo, with Franco becoming ever more cheeky in his roles?
A classical tale…I wonder…
Based on the wording of their quotes and this article, does anyone else think that Waterstone Entertainment sounds like all hype and no substance?
Does this sound like someone who was left in the dust by Waterstone? Did they interview you for a job and not hire you? Or maybe your just a typical bitter assistant who can’t figure out how to raise money to break out from under your evil bosses shadow. Here is a tip. Dress up like a little league player, and start a can drive by standing outside your neighborhood supermarket. It is your only shot!
HAHAHA INCREDIBLE! Love this response
While Black Swan was an excellent movie, it wasn’t the most original film on the planet, so who cares if this one sounds vaguely similar? Ryder and Franco are two hugely talented Academy Award nominees who have what it takes to make this film very interesting.
The real story here is Winona Rider’s return to a leading role. It’s about time!!
I have never felt the love for Franco. He was terrible and forgettable in the original Batman.
I also think he’s not aging well -perhaps it’s from lack of sleep due to spreading himself too thin?
Not interested in his so-called “cool” factor- which I fail to see in him, anyway. I prefer actors who are more humble.
which more humble actors do you prefer?
I forgot that Franco/Hathaway hosted the Oscars. In fact, I forgot the Oscars ever happened.
But – I’m sure “His Highness” didn’t do his attempts at acting gravitas much of a boost.
“Rise of the Apes” looks great…it was awesome how they cut and pasted over “I, Robot.”
Franco is a brilliant actor. Who cares about the hosting performance? No one could have played that role in 127 Hours the way he did. Awesome. As for Ryder, it was so great to see her in Black Swan. Her first scene where she trashes her dressing room, comes out, looks at Portman’s character, and says “What?” was perfect. It made me long for her to get more roles again. Her subtle, conniving performance in The Age of Innocence is one of my all time favorites by any actor. Forget about her past troubles, it’s over. Hollywood, you have a jewel amongst you. P.S. I am not affiliated in any way with “the business”. I just a movie lover.
I meant “I’m just a movie lover”. I hate it when people misspell on their comments, and I just did it!
agreed. i can’t believe more posts aren’t about that! it’s totally a black swan rip off. instead of ballerina, insert playwright and there you have it.
I am not the biggest James Franco fan ( very little charisma & a decent actor at best) , and I didn’t like the way he blamed the very talented Anne Hathaway for making him look stoned at the Oscars ( she did most of the hosting) . But, people truly need to lay-off of Franco’s awful Oscar co-hosting, it is not the end of the world. James mad a mistake , and people need to move on . Franco favors Jeff Buckley, he would be wise to pursue the Buckley biopic.
People, we have all seen bad actors and these two are not by any means that. This world has more than enough room for any of the creative people to share it and spread it. Old and teaching, up and coming, money from realistate, lottery, WHO CARES about the how and why! I say show me what you got and let it be great. It is the American dream.
Enough from the originality police. It’s ridiculous to call this a rip-off of “Black Swan” when no one has even seen the film yet. Moreover, because the “tortured artist” is an age-old archetype that has been exploited to good effect by countless films, “Black Swan” only being the latest. Let’s hope this is another. Casting Ryder and Franco besides one another sounds like a superb choice. I’m actually looking forward to seeing the film – that’s a rare occurrence these days. Hopefully the writing is good because I can’t wait to see what Ryder does with a character complex enough to allow her to act like the talent she has always been. Sounds like the chance she deserves.