Hollywood
Sony Pictures inks first-look deal with Josh Bratman
MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Entertainment has signed a two-year first-look deal with Josh Bratman’s Immersive Pictures.
Bratman will produce multiple movie projects for the studio under the deal. These include:
1) The Harlem Hellfighters, based on the graphic novel by Max Brooks, with Overbrook Entertainment;
2) The Black Count, based on Tom Reiss’ biography of General Alex Dumas, with John Legend’s Get Lifted Productions. Cary Fukunaga to adapt and direct;
3) The Sculptor, based on Scott McCloud’s graphic novel, which Bratman will produce with Scott Rudin;
4) The Themis Files, an upcoming sci-fi debut novel by Sylvain Neuvel, which David Koepp will adapt and on which Bratman will team with Matt Tolmach Productions;
5) Descender, based on Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen’s upcoming graphic novel.
“Josh has been an important part of the Sony Pictures family for many years. This deal just cements that fact. He’s an incredibly skilled producer, capable of the best work on many different kinds of films. We’re thrilled that we’ll be keeping him in-house as he continues to work on some of our most important development projects,” said Columbia Pictures presidents of production Michael De Luca and Hannah Minghella.
Before founding Immersive Pictures, Bratman worked as an executive for Sony Pictures-based Michael De Luca Productions for over a decade. There, he oversaw and executive produced various projects for De Luca.
Hollywood
Disney chair confident CEO Josh D’Amaro will ‘rise to the occasion’ in Trump–Kimmel row
Board backs new chief as ABC controversy tests leadership early on
NEW YORK: The Walt Disney Company has placed the responsibility of handling the escalating dispute between Donald Trump and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel squarely on its new chief executive, Josh D’Amaro.
Speaking at a business conference in Oslo, Disney chair James Gorman said it would be up to the CEO and his team to determine the company’s response to the controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel Live!. He noted that such challenges are not uncommon for large corporations and require careful handling at the leadership level.
The row intensified after both Donald Trump and Melania Trump publicly called for Kimmel’s dismissal following remarks made on his show. The comments, which referenced the First Lady, sparked backlash in the days leading up to a security incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Kimmel addressed the issue on-air, clarifying that his joke was intended as a reference to the couple’s age difference and not an incitement to violence. He also expressed sympathy for those affected by the incident and reiterated his stance against violent rhetoric.
Despite mounting pressure, Gorman refrained from offering specific guidance on the future of the show or the host. Instead, he voiced confidence in D’Amaro’s leadership, describing him as “world class” and capable of navigating the situation effectively.
The episode presents an early and high-profile test for D’Amaro, who stepped into the top role just last month. How Disney balances editorial independence, public sentiment and political pressure will likely shape not just the outcome of this controversy, but also the tone of its leadership in the months ahead.
