TFC Morning Report – Wednesday, April 8, 2009 – Sony nabs Obama doc rights

Tweet

RSSS

Tweet

Top Story: After Obama’s recent Eurotrip, you get the feeling that the world loves Obama as much as, if not more than the U.S. Sony must agree because it nabbed the international distribution rights to the Edward Norton-produced Obama doc By the People: The Election of Barack Obama. HBO Films  will distribute the film in the States. (Variety)

In Other News: Al Pacino will play Napolean in the upcoming adaptation of Staton Rabin’s children’s book Betsy and the Emperor. John Curran is attached to direct. (THR)

Gore Verbinski has left the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. The director said he will not be back for the fourth film, instead focusing on an adaptation of the video game Bioshock for Universal. (Variety)

Dark Horse Comic fans are already cringing. Universal is set to Umbrella Academy into a feature, the first from its deal with the comic company, with Race to Witch Mountain writer Mark Bomback penning the script. No director has been selected yet, but at least we know Gore Verbinski has a different franchise to clean up and turn into wholesome entertainment. (Variety)

Fin.