Behind the Scenes Buzz
HOLLYWOOD BRACES FOR MOST EXPENSIVE EMMY SEASON YET: “For all but a finite few for which it’s strategic, it seems like a bit of an arms race at this point,” says Fox Entertainment chairman Charlie Collier of the ever-increasing costs of campaigning for an Emmy. “The amount of money spent by certain networks, particularly in the scripted realm, is extraordinary,” A+E Networks programming president Rob Sharenow tells Variety. “The gross domestic product of some countries is probably smaller than what’s spent to market and promote certain shows. I think you have the SVOD services and the pay services in a war to the death.” Last year, Netflix snagged 112 Emmy nods, upending HBO‘s 17-year run as the nomination leader. The Emmy For Your Considerationcampaigning officially kicked off March 2, so expect the race to heat up in the coming weeks.
JOE WRIGHT TO DIRECT IN THE GARDEN OF BEASTS ADAPTATION: Joe Wright is in the final stages of talks to direct an adaptation of In the Garden of Beasts for StudioCanal and Playtone Productions, Variety reports. Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman have signed on to produce. The book is based on the true story of William Dodd, a Chicago-professor turned ambassador to Hitler‘s Germany. Hanks may play Dodd, Variety reports.
BOLLYWOOD STAR AKSHAY KUMAR TO TOPLINE AMAZON SERIES: Akshay Kumar, one of India’s most successful stars, is set to topline Amazon‘s upcoming The End. The show was unveiled in Mumbai on Tuesday and underlines Amazon‘s move to aggressively expand its local slate as it fights Netflix and other platforms for dominance worldwide.
GILLIAN ANDERSON SNAGS THIRD OLIVIER AWARDS NOM: Nominations for the 2019 Olivier Awards have been unveiled. Marianne Elliott‘s gender-switched production of Stephen Sondheim‘s Company is tied with Come From Away with nine nods each. Gillian Anderson scored her third Oliviernomination for All About Eve. The Olivier Awards ceremony will take place on April 7 at the Royal Albert Hall and be broadcast via ITV, Magic Radio and Facebook.


