Mornin! It’s TUESDAY February 2nd, 2021. Where Hollywood said an unexpected farewell to three folks yesterday:

5-time Emmy winner Hal Holbrook died at age 95 today in Beverly Hills. I remember him most from Wall Street and Into the Wild… but definitely many memorable roles over the years. Oh also All the Presidents Men! Classic.

Dustin Diamond (aka Screech from SBTB) at the age of 44, just 3 weeks after getting a lung cancer diagnosis.

And former 1990’s Top NBC & ABC Programming exec and TV producer Jamie Tarses at the age of 56, who never recovered from a cardiac event in the Fall.

Even in a pandemic, always make the most of your days - hopefully this email gives you some more time to smell roses. Or whatever the February equivalent is.

MUSIC TO READ BY

TONY BENNETT “Smile” Apple Music / Spotify / YouTube

Speaking of making the most of life - always good to appreciate people now while they’re here! And doesn’t get much better than Tony. Plus make someone else smile, and share the newsletter with your team… or just friends who like to be in the know. #influencerOpportunity!

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THE SILVER SCREEN

NETFLIX seals 2nd J.Lo movie deal in 2021 (DEADLINE)

Called “The Mother”, Lopez plays an assassin who comes out of hiding to protect a daughter she abandoned earlier in her life while on the run. Likened to “The Professional”.

It’s J.Lo’s 2nd movie happening at NETFLIX.

Niki Caro (“Mulan”) in talks to direct, “Lovecraft Country” creator Misha Green wrote the script.

NETFLIX close to setting up a GAME STOP movie (DEADLINE)

Writer Mark Boal (“Zero Dark Thirty”, “The Hurt Locker”) in talks to write, NETFLIX favorite Noah Centineo (“To All the Girls…”) in talks for a leading role.

No deals finalized yet. MGM also working on a deal with the guy who wrote The Social Network book, to adapt a book he’s doing related to the situation called The Antisocial Network. It’s shaping up to be the Deep Impact vs Armageddon of 2022.

SONY PICTURES CLASSICS picks up SUNDANCE movie “Jockey”. (THR)

Stars Clifton Collins Jr as, well, a jockey and Molly Parker as his longtime trainer.

No price disclosed, SPC took worldwide rights. Movie + performances in particular were well reviewed in the trades yesterday.

ALSO IN MOVIES

• SONY sets Zachary Levi to star in live-action “Harold & the Purple Crayon”. Script still being written, John Davis producing.

• WB sets May 14th release date for Angelina Jolie, Nicholas Hoult western “Those Who Wish Me Dead”. Directed/co-written by Tyler Sheridan (“Yellowstone” , “Sicario“). Will hit HBOMAX the same day.

THE TV SET

“Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler developing Wakanda-set DISNEY+ series (DEADLINE)

Part of 5 year exclusive TV deal Ryan signed at DISNEY TV. He’s Currently prepping “Black Panther 2” movie.

AMAZON sets huge 7 part anthology series “Solos” (VARIETY)

Morgan Freeman, Anne Hathaway, Helen Mirren, and Uzo Aduba lead the cast.

The series from the creator of “Hunters” explores the meaning of human connection across many… interpretations? Bit of a vague description, but we’ll find out when it airs later this year on AMAZON PRIME.

ALSO IN TV

• New HBOMAX “SATC” season will incorporate Covid. SJP: “[COVID-19 will] obviously be part of the storyline, because that’s the city [these characters] live in, And how has that changed relationships once friends disappear?” Disappear? So… Samantha dies of Covid? 🤔

• ”The Walking Dead” extended Season 10 premiere hitting AMC+ early on Feb 21st, a week ahead of linear premiere on Feb 28th.

• Neve Campbell joins “The Lincoln Lawyer” series at NETFLIX from David E. Kelly.

• Joel Kinnaman joins HBO reboot of "In Treatment” with Uzo Aduba.

• NETFLIX steps up Kids Programming initiatives - closes deal for a SONIC THE HEDGEHOG animated series (to air in 2022), and signs former EVP of Content at DISNEY CHANNEL to a production deal.

• WWE hires the former SVP of Programming at IFC to oversee the writing.

THE MEDIA BIZ

GOOD READ: How Cricket plays into DISNEY+’s fortunes in India, which makes up 30% of their subscriber base. (FORTUNE)

TRAILER HOUSE:

fin

NEW TO WATCH

“Fake Famous” HBO Documentary at 9pm - It follows people with small Instagram followings who buy followers and engagement bots and well… let’s just see what happens. Watch on HBOMAX Here

“China’s Covid Secrets” new PBS FRONTLINE at 10pm (or stream on PBS app)

GOOGLE & AMAZON also deliver earnings after bell (4pm).  Which is also a great time of day to share this newsletter! No? eh worth a shot.

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Have the finest of Tuesdays good Sirs and Madams…

-Sean McNulty

Follow THE WAKEUP on Instagram and LinkedIn to humor me.

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