LOS ANGELES, Nov. 20, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Quibi and
global content leader Lionsgate today announced the series order of
the drama "Swimming with Sharks" to be written and produced by
Kathleen Robertson ("Murder in the First," Lionsgate's "Boss")
and directed by Tucker Gates
("Homeland," "The Morning Show"). Chris
Cowles (Chappaquiddick, Blockers) will also produce.
Dana Brunetti (Fifty Shades of
Grey franchise) and Liz Destro
(Lee Daniel's The Butler,
Cake) will serve as executive producers as well as
Jay Cohen and Stephen Israel, who executive produced the
original movie. Production starts next February.
"Swimming with Sharks" is a contemporary update of George Huang's original film that both
celebrates and skewers the Hollywood studio system. In this adaptation, a
young female assistant is at the center of a studio filled with
manipulators, schemers and intrigue, but little do they know she is
poised to outwit them all.
"We're thrilled to partner with our friend Jeffrey Katzenberg and the incredible team at
Quibi," said Lionsgate Television Chairman Kevin Beggs. "The series underscores our
commitment to partnering with emerging platforms and expanding our
valuable library properties like Swimming with Sharks into
exciting new forms of storytelling."
Robertson adds to her growing list of writing credits including
Little Bee, a film adaptation of Chris Cleave's best-selling novel starring
Academy Award® winner Julia
Roberts. This follows another big screen adaptation
of The Possibilities, Kaui Hart
Hemmings' follow up novel to The Descendants,
with Helen Estabrook and
Jason Reitman producing and Reitman
planning to direct. She's also adapting Dark Horse's 'Lady Killer'
comics into a feature film and recently starred in the family drama
series "Northern Rescue."
Gates has directed a number of award-winning hit television
series including "The Sinner," "Ray
Donovan," "Bates Motel," "Parks and Recreation," "Lost" and
"The Office." Upcoming projects include "Truth Be Told" for Apple
TV+ and Stephen King's "The Stand"
for CBS All-Access.
Cowles is a partner and producer of film and television at
Alldayeveryday. He previously served as the EVP of Creative at DMG
Entertainment, and also led former Paramount Vice Chairman
John Goldwyn's Paramount based
Goldwyn/Michaels (Lorne) production company spearheading the
development of Showtime's critically-acclaimed series "Dexter."
Prior to that, he served as an executive for Judd Apatow and Scott
Rudin. He is currently a producer on the upcoming series
"Grace of Kings" as well as "Dr. Mirage."
Robertson is repped by Untitled Entertainment, CAA, attorney
Jamie Feldman, as well as NCA Talent
and Play Management in her native Canada. Gates is repped by UTA and Circle of
Confusion. Cowles is repped by Craig
Schneider at Pinnacle.
Quibi launches April 6, 2020. To
stay up-to-date on all of Quibi's latest shows, including "Swimming
with Sharks," sign up for updates at www.Quibi.com.
Kathleen Robertson Headshot
Chris Cowles Headshot
ABOUT QUIBI
Quibi is a mobile-first media technology platform bringing
together the best of Silicon Valley and Hollywood. Headquartered in Los Angeles, Quibi is the first entertainment
platform built for easy, on-the-go mobile viewing, allowing today's
leading studios and creative talent to tell original stories in an
entirely new way.
Being first has its perks. Be in the know by signing up at
www.quibi.com. Follow Quibi on Facebook @QuibiUS and on Twitter
@Quibi.
ABOUT LIONSGATE
The first major new studio in decades, Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A,
LGF.B) is a global content leader whose films, television series,
digital products and linear and over-the-top platforms reach next
generation audiences around the world. In addition to its
filmed entertainment leadership, Lionsgate content drives a growing
presence in interactive and location-based entertainment, video
games, esports and other new entertainment
technologies. Lionsgate's content initiatives are backed by a
nearly 17,000-title film and television library and delivered
through a global sales and distribution infrastructure. The
Lionsgate brand is synonymous with original, daring and
ground-breaking content created with special emphasis on the
evolving patterns and diverse composition of the Company's
worldwide consumer base.
Gina Stikes
Quibi
Gina.stikes@quibi.com
Cristina Castañeda
Lionsgate
CCastaneda@lionsgate.com
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SOURCE Lionsgate