'Slumdog Millionaire' Sequel Announced: Bridge7 Secures Film & TV Rights

Washington [US], November 27, 2024: According to The Hollywood Reporter, Bridge7, a newly established production company, has secured the rights for the film sequel and television adaptation of the Academy Award-winning movie 'Slumdog Millionaire'

Swati Bhat

A Los Angeles-based company, led by Swati Shetty and Grant Kessman, has acquired the rights from Celador to produce a sequel to the 2008 film "Slumdog Millionaire," originally produced by Celador and Film4. Directed by Danny Boyle, the film featured Dev Patel and Freida Pinto and garnered eight Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Picture. The narrative centers on Jamal and Salim, two impoverished boys from Mumbai, and Latika, emphasizing their challenges and Jamal's triumph on the Indian version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire." Anil Kapoor's portrayal of game show host Prem Kumar was particularly noteworthy. Shetty and Kessman commended the film's universal resonance. Celador will partner with Bridge7 on the sequel, with the agreement facilitated by Paytre Topp and Nick Miller, and representation by Jessica Hudson and James Kay from Sheridans.

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"Blue 52," A Film by Ali El Arabi That Blends Reality & Imagination Takes Viewers Behind The Scenes of The 2022 World Cup While Also Chronicling The Lives of The Labourers Who Built The Stadiums

Neha Dhupia and Adil Hussain will star in Egyptian director Ali El Arabi‘s upcoming drama “Blue 52,” about a young Indian soccer fan’s journey as a migrant worker to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Swati Bhat

In El Arabi’s “Blue 52” Ashish endures his father’s isolating control on a remote island home in Kochi, India, but with his mother’s support, and lessons alongside inspiration from his late brother, he breaks free. Ashish embarks on a journey to meet his idol, Messi, at the World Cup in Qatar 22, leading him to face the world for the first time.

"Blue 52," which was intended to be a documentary, has finally completed production. El Arabi made a stir at virtual Sundance in 2021 with the documentary "Captains of Zaatari," about the football hopes of adolescent Syrian refugees.

Dhupia and Hussain play Ashish's mother and father, who live on an island in the Indian state of Kerala where Ashish (Yadav Shashidhar) lives in safety. The film's cinematographer is Egypt's Mahmoud Basher, who previously collaborated with El Arabi on "Captains of Zaatari."

"Blue 52," which combines reality and imagination, gives a behind-the-scenes look into the 2022 World Cup while portraying the lives of the people who built the stadiums.

"I aim to show the workers not just as people in the shadows, but as humans who have dreams, fears, and hopes that deserve to be acknowledged and seen," El Arabi's communiqué in a written statement. "It also becomes fascinating to have all these events take place in the backdrop of the FIFA World Cup, where our narrative featuring Ashish crosses paths with the real events as he witnesses Messi lifting his trophy and Ashish our actor becoming a part of the FIFA official music video."

"Blue 52" is produced by El Arabi through his Cairo and Los Angeles-based production and distribution firm Ambient Light, and executive produced by Tariq Al-Naama. Co-producers include Krysanne Katsoolis, Joe Matthews, and Katara Studios.

El Arabi's Ambient Light Films joined as co-producer on Mohamed Kordofani's "Goodbye Julia," Sudan's second-ever Academy Award international feature film submission, in May. The project is supported by Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o.

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Paw-some News: "Paddington" Bear to Star in Musical Adaptation!

On behalf of Universal Music U.K., Sonia Friedman Productions, Studiocanal, and Eliza Lumley Productions are currently developing "Paddington: The Musical" (working title). The renowned novels by Michael Bond and the multi-award-winning film series from Studiocanal and Heyday Films are the inspirations for the musical.

Swati Bhat

The script for McFly is written by Olivier Award-winning writer Jessica Swale ("Nell Gwynn," "Blue Stockings"), while Tom Fletcher, the character of McFly, is writing the music and lyrics. The director of the film will be Luke Sheppard ("& Juliet," "The Little Big Things"). The show is scheduled to premiere in the United Kingdom in 2025, and workshops are presently underway.

In a statement, Friedman and Lumley said, "It is a privilege to be creating a new musical about this gorgeous and beloved little bear with such a wonderful team." "The wonder of Paddington lies in his ability to see the best in people via his innocent, wide-eyed eyes, which serves as a constant reminder that kindness and love may win out if we allow them to win over each other's hearts and minds. We are very excited to introduce Michael Bond's other beloved characters, including Paddington and his antics, adventures, and misadventures with the Brown family, to the stage. We want to use fun, beauty, joy, and everything that Paddington stands for to inspire audiences of all ages.

"We could not be more delighted to see our beloved Paddington take to the stage shepherded by a talented and visionary team in Sonia and Eliza," continued Ann Marsh, CEO of Studiocanal. They have given of themselves to demonstrate a profound appreciation and love for Paddington, which will undoubtedly translate onto the stage and guarantee that his adventures—which were conceived more than 60 years ago by Michael Bond—continue to enchant audiences in such a fresh and inventive manner.

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