The Weinstein Co. to Hit Broadway With Stage Versions of ‘Finding Neverland,’ Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’

HollywoodChicago.com — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 13:18:54 -0700

CHICAGO – Brothers Harvey Weinstein and Bob Weinstein of The Weinstein Company are becoming just as big on Broadway as they have been in the movies.

Harvey Weinstein (left) and Bob Weinstein (right) of The Weinstein Company.
Photo credits: Harvey Weinstein image (source) and Bob Weinstein image (source)

The Weinstein Co., which is a minority producer in the Tony Award-winning revival “Boeing Boeing” and the Steppenwolf Theatre’s Tony Award-winning “August: Osage County,” recently announced the production of numerous stage projects. They’ll begin with a stage version of the film “Finding Neverland” followed by a work based off Pink Floyd’s seminal album “The Wall”.

Further down the line are musicals based off the Miramax pictures “Shakespeare in Love,” “Chocolat,” “Cinema Paradiso” and “Shall We Dance”.

The Weinsteins first got their taste for live theatre when they helped produce Tom Stoppard’s 2000 revival of “The Real Thing” and the following year on Mel Brooks’ “The Producers”. Up until now, the brothers have played low-key rolls in the creative process, but the newly announced productions will feature The Weinstein Co. at the helm of each.

The Weinstein Co. has also announced a major rehaul on its Miramax TV division, which aside from “Project Greenlight” and “Project Runway” hasn’t been as successful as its film and stage ventures.

New shows include “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” for HBO, “Models of the Runway” (a “Project Runway” spinoff for Lifetime) and a sitcom based on the 2007 movie “The Nanny Diaries”. Also in the works include the eco-friendly series “Lovecraft” and a new take on the 1980s franchise “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous”.

By DUSTIN LEVELL
Senior Staff Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
dustin@hollywoodchicago.com

Seth Rogen to Play Lead in ‘Zack & Miri Make a Porno’

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 09:35:17 -0700

I just received official word from the Weinstein Company and Dimension Films that Seth Rogen (“Knocked Up,” “Superbad”) will play the lead in “Zack & Miri Make a Porno” from writer/director Kevin Smith and producer Scott Mosier.

Seth Rogen
Photo credit: WireImage.com
Elizabeth Banks (“40 Year Old Virgin,” “Invincible”) will star opposite Rogen as Miri. The film will begin shooting in Jan. 2008 in Pittsburgh. The announcement was made on Friday by Weinstein Company and Dimension Co-Chairmen Harvey and Bob Weinstein.

“Getting Seth in this flick is like suddenly growing an extra six inches in the crotch,” Smith said on the announcement. “As if that wasn’t awesome enough, we scored the comedically and aesthetically gifted Elizabeth, too. Cast-wise, I’m now extremely well-hung.”

He added: “I wrote the part expressly for Rogen because he’s a funny as [f***] comedy god and we’re insanely lucky he said ‘yes’. Dude, coming on board is a total mitzvah. In order to show my appreciation [and] fit in better with Seth, Harvey and Bob, Scott and I will be converting to Judaism. Bar Mitzvah invites are in the mail.”

In the film, Zack and Miri are two lifelong platonic friends who are heavy with debt. They seek the help of their friends to make a porno for some fast cash.

As everyone starts “doing” everyone, though, Zack and Miri realize they may have more feelings for each other than they previously thought.

“Once again, Kevin has written a daring and entertaining screenplay that has attracted some of the most talented comedic actors working today,” Bob and Harvey Weinstein said on the announcement.

The studios say additional cast will be announced soon.