
In today’s film news roundup, “In 27 Days” and “The Keys to the Kingdom” are in the works as films, Pamela Adlon has been cast in Pete Davidson’s movie, an “On the Waterfront” actor received SAG-AFTRA membership and Dances With Films sets its lineup.
PROJECTS LAUNCHED
Dan Angel is developing Alison Gervais’ teen paranormal story “In 27 Days” as a movie under his family content banner, Fezziwig Studios, Variety has learned exclusively.
The story centers on a teen girl’s opportunity to change fate’s outcome by striking a deal with death after she attends the funeral of a classmate who committed suicide. The book has been praised for its positive focus on the importance of understanding, supporting and having compassion for the mental health and emotional wellbeing of adolescents and young adults.
Related Stories

How YouTube and Netflix Copied Each Other’s Homework

Christopher Nolan's Next Movie: Matt Damon in Talks to Star in Universal Film Set for Summer 2026
Angel has shepherded R.L. Stine’s “Goosebumps” and “The Haunting Hour” franchises, as well as for TNT’s “Door to Door,” which was nominated for 10 Primetime Emmys and won six.
Popular on Variety
****
Herschend Entertainment Studios has acquired the film and television rights for fantasy series “The Keys to the Kingdom” from Australian author Garth Nix.
“The Keys to the Kingdom” follows the adventures of 12-year-old Arthur Penhaligon, the reluctant hero and Rightful Heir to the House, which is revealed to be the center of the universe. Arthur must defeat and dethrone the treasonous Trustees, each of whom holds a different magical key and presides over a specific day of the week.
Nix wrote “The Keys to the Kingdom” between 2003 and 2010 and will serve as an executive producer for the series along with Herschend’s Julie Phillips. Both represented by CAA. Nix is also represented by Jill Grinberg Literary Management.
CASTING
Pamela Adlon has joined the cast of Universal’s untitled Judd Apatow-directed Pete Davidson comedy, joining Marisa Tomei, Bill Burr, Maude Apatow and Bel Powley.
Production will begin this summer in New York City, with a release date set for June 19, 2020.
Adlon is represented by Felker Toczek Suddleson Abramson. The news was first reported by Deadline.
SAG-AFTRA MEMBERSHIP
Thomas Hanley, a performer from 1954’s “On the Waterfront,” has been presented with an honorary membership in SAG-AFTRA.
When he was 14, he scored the role of Tommy Collins, a young boy who takes care of the rooftop pigeons and befriends Marlon Brando’s Terry Malloy. Hanley worked on set for two weeks, earning a total wage of $500.
Unable to land more acting roles, Hanley became a longshoreman at age 16. Over his 52 years of work, he became a lifelong advocate of unions and fought to reform the fishing industry. He was presented the award in ceremonies at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Robin Williams Center in New York City.
FILM FESTIVAL
The Dances With Films Festival has set “Apple Seed” as its opening night film on June 13 and “Adolescence” as its closing night title for its 22nd annual edition.
“Apple Seed” stars the late Rance Howard along with Esther Anderson, Clint Howard, Adrienne Barbeau, Michael Worth and Robby Benson. “Adolescence” is directed by Ashley Avis and stars Mickey River, India Eisley, Romeo Miller, Michael Milford, Elisabeth Rohm, Tommy Flanagan, Jere Burns and John Driskell Hopkins.
Screenings will be at the TCL Chinese Theaters. The final lineup will feature more than 200 titles, chosen from a record 3,700 submissions.
Read More About:
Jump to CommentsMore from Variety
‘Menendez Brothers’ Netflix Doc Reveals Erik’s Drawings of His Abuse and Lyle Saying ‘I Would Much Rather Lose the Murder Trial Than Talk About Our Past’
Cloud Adoption Key to Media Business Exploiting AI
‘The Perfect Couple’ Ending Explained: How the Netflix Series Changed the Book’s Killer Finale
‘The Simpsons’ Spoofs ‘The White Lotus’ Opening Credits With This Spot-On Parody (EXCLUSIVE)
How YouTube and Netflix Copied Each Other’s Homework
‘The Simpsons’ Aired Its ‘Series Finale’ on Sunday Night — but Don’t Worry, That Wasn’t Really the Last Episode
Most Popular
Inside the 'Joker: Folie à Deux' Debacle: Todd Phillips ‘Wanted Nothing to Do’ With DC on the $200 Million Misfire
‘Kaos’ Canceled After One Season at Netflix
‘Menendez Brothers’ Netflix Doc Reveals Erik’s Drawings of His Abuse and Lyle Saying ‘I Would Much Rather Lose the Murder Trial Than Talk About Our…
Kathy Bates Won an Oscar and Her Mom Told Her: ‘You Didn't Discover the Cure for Cancer,’ So ‘I Don't Know What All the Excitement Is About…
Saoirse Ronan Says Losing Luna Lovegood Role in ‘Harry Potter’ Has ‘Stayed With Me Over the Years’: ‘I Was Too Young’ and ‘Knew I Wasn't Going to Get…
‘Joker 2’ Director Says Arthur Fleck Was Never Joker: ‘He's an Unwitting Icon’ and Joker Is ‘This Idea That Gotham People Put on Him…
‘Joker 2’ Axed Scene of Lady Gaga’s Lee Kissing a Woman at the Courthouse Because ‘It Had Dialogue in It’ and ‘Got in the Way’ of a Music…
Andrew Garfield Says Sex Scene With Florence Pugh in ‘We Live in Time’ Went a ‘Little Bit Further’ Than Intended: ‘We Never Heard Cut…
‘Skyfall’ Director Sam Mendes Says James Bond Studio Prefers Filmmakers ‘Who Are More Controllable’: ‘I Would Doubt’ I’d…
Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried to Star in ‘The Housemaid’ Adaptation From Director Paul Feig, Lionsgate
Must Read
- Film
COVER | Sebastian Stan Tells All: Becoming Donald Trump and Starring in 2024’s Most Controversial Movie
By Andrew Wallenstein 3 weeks
- TV
Menendez Family Slams Netflix’s ‘Monsters’ as ‘Grotesque’ and ‘Riddled With Mistruths’: ‘The Character Assassination of Erik and Lyke Is Repulsive…
- TV
‘Yellowstone’ Season 5 Part 2 to Air on CBS After Paramount Network Debut
- TV
50 Cent Sets Diddy Abuse Allegations Docuseries at Netflix: ‘It’s a Complex Narrative Spanning Decades’ (EXCLUSIVE)
- Shopping
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Sets Digital and Blu-ray/DVD Release Dates
Sign Up for Variety Newsletters
By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy.We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. // This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.Variety Confidential
ncG1vNJzZmiukae2psDYZ5qopV9nfXKFjp%2BgpaVfo7K4v46ipWZqZ2KxosXSZpuapl2Wu6ixy2Zoa2hjZ394gZdwZg%3D%3D