Behind the Scenes with Paramount and Pippi Longstocking

PARAMOUNT NETWORK LAUNCHES DIGITAL SERIES: Paramount Network is launching a special that delves behind the scenes of popular films, with a series dubbed On Location. Host Josh Horowitz will travel to locations from films like Clerks, The Sixth Sense and 500 Days of Summer and interview a filmmaker or actor who was involved in the project. Kevin Smith, M. Night Shyamalan and Zooey Deschanel will be among those featured. “Think of your favorite movie and I’ll bet you think of a vivid and memorable setting,” said Horowitz, a correspondent for MTV News. “This series brings those iconic locations back to life with the participants themselves. As a film lover, I’m honored to be the guy to bring viewers along for the ride.”

PIPPI LONGSTOCKING FILM IN THE WORKS: StudioCanal and David Heyman‘s Heyday Films, which produced Paddington and Paddington 2, are collaborating on a feature based on writer Astrid Lindgren‘s classic Pippi Longstocking series. The books have sold more than 65 million copies. “Pippi has endured and inspired families everywhere through her life force, strength of character and her irrepressible joie de vivre,” said Heyman. “Astrid Lindgren’s books have been translated around the globe for many years – a testament to her vision, which we are determined to honor with a new film.”

UNDER THE INFLUENCE SERIES IN WORKS: David Glasser and David Hutkin‘s 101 Studios is developing a drama Under the Influence, based on the best-selling novel of the same name about the Anheuser-Busch dynasty. The 1991 was written by Peter Hernon and Terry Ganey, and charted the rise and fall of the Busch family who introduced Budweiser to the masses. “To have the opportunity to tell the story of one of America’s most fascinating and influential families is a thrill,” said David Glasser, CEO. “Peter Hernon and Terry Ganey’s riveting account of every aspect of Anheuser-Busch and its reigning family will be honored and refined in our overall vision of this phenomenal saga.”

ARCHIE COMICS LAUNCHING GRAPHIC NOVEL LINE: Archie Comics is continuing its push to grow its audiences, with a new YA graphic novel program, and a partnership to create novels for middle-grade readers, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “At Archie, our goal is always to present the best story in the best format to reach the most readers,” Archie Comics co-president Alex Segura said in a statement. “Launching a YA-centric line of original graphic novels with Blue Ribbon and partnering with Little Bee to create graphic novels geared toward kids is a natural next step to give fans compelling, unique, and meaningful stories involving our iconic characters.” The series will focus on Betty & Veronica drama and Riverdale High hijinks.