Julie Rapaport: Last News

Primetime Emmy nominee Tessa Thompson‘s Viva Maude has closed a multiyear first-look film deal with Amazon MGM Studios.

EXCLUSIVE: We understand that Amazon Studios MGM Senior Production & Development Executive Sandino Moya-Smith was unfortunately part of the cuts made by the streaming/theatrical studio this morning.

Amazon Studios Boss Jen Salke has finally named former Warner Bros President of Production Courtenay Valenti as Head of Film, Streaming and Theatrical for Amazon Studios and MGM. She will report directly to Salke.

EXCLUSIVE: Sources tell us that former Warner Bros President of Production and Development Courtenay Valenti is nearing the end of her vetting process at Amazon Studios/MGM and is now negotiating her deal at the studio for a top film position.

It’s official – Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios, will also oversee MGM, the venerable film and TV studio, which was acquired by Amazon earlier this year for $8.5 billion. Additionally, MGM’s COO Chris Brearton will take on a new role, VP, PVS Corporate Strategy, MGM+ and MGM Alternative Television. Mike Hopkins, SVP, Prime Video and Amazon Studios, just made the announcement internally in a memo (You can red it under the post.)

Oscar and Emmy winner Viola Davis (The Woman King) will produce and star in the upcoming feature G20, from Amazon Studios and MRC Film.

Amazon Studios has closed a three-year first look film deal with Joby Harold and Tory Tunnell’s Safehouse Pictures.

Ariana DeBose is heading for the culinary world — with a twist. She’s signed on to play an ambitious chef in “House of Spoils,” a movie produced by Blumhouse and Prime Video.

Richard E. Grant (Can You Ever Forgive Me?), Archie Madekwe (See) and Alison Oliver (Conversations with Friends) are the newest additions to the cast of Prime Video’s upcoming feature Saltburn, written and directed by Academy Award winner Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman). The trio joins an ensemble, which also includes Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi and Rosamund Pike, as previously announced.

Angelique Jackson The cast for Academy Award-winner Emerald Fennell’s upcoming film “Saltburn” is shaping up with the addition of Oscar nominee Richard E. Grant, Archie Madekwe and Alison Oliver. The trio join previously announced stars Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi and Rosamund Pike in the MRC Film and Amazon Studios project. Following her best picture-nominated feature directorial debut “Promising Young Woman,” Fennell wrote and is directing “Saltburn,” which is described as a “story of obsession” with other plot details kept under wraps. Production is currently underway in the U.K. Variety exclusively announced plans for the film in January, noting that Fennell would also produce the project alongside LuckyChap Entertainment’s Josey McNamara, Tom Ackerley and Margot Robbie. Prime Video landed worldwide streaming rights to “Saltburn,” which will also be released in theaters by Amazon Studios and MGM, and then stream on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

Ariana DeBose will star in the new psychological thriller from Amazon Studios and Blumhouse Television titled House of Spoils.Written and directed by Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy, the upcoming film will center around DeBose, who plays an ambitious chef in the process of opening her first restaurant. Throughout House of Spoils, she experiences several obstacles, including the powerful spirit of the estate’s previous owner.

Prime Video has just released their full 2022 Fall Schedule!

EXCLUSIVE: Amazon Studio’s Prime Video is charging into the fall season with a bevy of awards contending and crowd pleasing movies, the list of dates which you can find below.

Blumhouse and Prime Video have won world rights to Sundance horror-drama Nanny, we can reveal.

A slight executive shift here at Amazon Studios as Movies Co-Head Matt Newman goes to Prime Video’s global Sports group to develop sports docuseries, movies and scripted fare. Julie Rapaport will remain Amazon’s Head of Movies.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaAmazon is making some changes atop its movies team.Julie Rapaport, who previously served as co-head of movies, will become the sole chief of the division. Matt Newman, Rapaport’s fellow co-head, will transition to a new role at Prime Video’s global sports group, where he is being tasked with developing original sports docuseries, films, and scripted projects.

Chris Pine and Thandiwe Newton step out for the premiere of their new movie, All The Old Knives, held at The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills on Wednesday night (March 9) in West Hollywood, Calif.

Mercedes Kilmer and Jack Kilmer step out for the premiere of Amazon Studios’ Val, held at DGA Theater Complex on Tuesday night (August 3) in Los Angeles.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film WriterAmber Rasberry has joined Amazon Studios as a senior film executive, Variety has learned exclusively.Rasberry’s oversight will include day-to-day production, development and acquisitions for Amazon’s original movies slate. She will report to film co-heads Julie Rapaport and Matt Newman.The executive joins the streaming giant from Paramount Players, where she served as vice president of development.

The Lie, directed by Veela Sud and Black Box, directed by Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour Jr.A week later on October 13, Evil Eye by Elan Dassani and Rajeev Dassani will arrive along with Nocturne by Zu Quirke.Ready or not, spooky season is coming.This October, Welcome to the Blumhouse.

Christian Davin has been named global head of movies marketing for Amazon Studios, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. Davin joins the company from Netflix, where he most recently served as vp global creative marketing for films, working on campaigns for Roma, Bird Box and To All the Boys, among others.