Julie Ansell: Last News

EXCLUSIVE: Rebecca Hall has rouned out the ensemble cast of 20th Century’s Ella McCay, the new movie from filmmaker James L. Brooks. Lowden joins a cast that includes Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson, Ayo Edebiri, Albert Brooks, Kumail Nanjiani, Jack Lowden and Spike Fearn.

EXCLUSIVE: It’s been almost 13 years since James L. Brooks last directed a film and looks like fans of the Oscar-winning writer/director will soon have their wish granted as his next project nears production. Sources tell Deadline that not only as 20th Century come on to Brooks’ next film Ella McCkay but that Emma Mackey, Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson, Ayo Edibiri, Albert Brooks, Kumail Nanjiani and Spike Fearn are in negotiations to star in the pic.

Kelly Fremon Craig, the writer, director and producer of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, opened up about what inspired her to reach out to Judy Blume to adapt the beloved coming-of-age novel into a film.

William Earl The Newport Beach Film Festival has added a screening of “Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret” to its Fashion Island main stage line-up. The screening on Sunday, Oct. 15 will include a Q&A with author Judy Blume, writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig and producers James L.

Brent Lang Executive Editor To get the chance to make a movie of Judy Blume’s “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” producer James L. Brooks and writer and director Kelly Fremon Craig made the pilgrimage to the beloved author’s home in Key West, Fla. “I spent most of our time with Judy warning her about Hollywood and all the things it will do to you — basically, I warned her about folks like me,” says Brooks, the Oscar-winning director of “Terms of Endearment” and the co-creator of “The Simpsons” and “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” Blume chose not to heed the admonition. By the end of their sit-down, Brooks, Craig and Blume’s husband George were all hugging. The film rights were theirs. It turns out Brooks and Craig had an ace up their sleeve: Blume had loved their collaboration “The Edge of Seventeen,” a sensitively drawn look at a teenager navigating the minefield of high school while processing her dad’s death. It’s a coming-of-age tale that’s similar to “Are You There God?,” which depicts the challenges and mortifications of being on the cusp of puberty. On April 28, fans of the book will get to see how successfully Craig, Brooks and their collaborators pulled it off when the Lionsgate release opens in theaters.

Charlamagne tha God teamed up with young adult author Judy Blume on Wednesday at a screening of the upcoming film adaptation of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret? in New York City.The 84-year-old writer wrapped an arm around the 44-year-old radio show host during a screening event held at the Crosby Street Hotel.The Breakfast Club co-host beamed while posing next to Judy who read a chapter from her classic 1970 novel before joining NBC's Jenna Bush Hager, 41, for a fireside chat. Classic novel: Charlamagne tha God teamed up with young adult author Judy Blume on Wednesday at a screening of the upcoming film adaptation of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret? in New York CityThe film's star Abby Ryder Fortson, 14, also was in attendance along with co-star Benny Safdie, director Kelly Fremon Craig and producer James L.