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Posts tagged as “Ryan Coogler”

"Fruitvale Station" Team Considering "Rocky" Spin-Off "Creed" with MGM

‘Fruitvale Station’ Team Eyeing ‘Rocky’ Spin-Off ‘Creed’ With MGM
“Fruitvale Station” Director Ryan Coogler and Actor Michael B. Jordan (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

After over-performing at the box office in the past two weekends and receiving stellar reviews since its premiere at Sundance, Fruitvale Station director Ryan Coogler and actor Michael B. Jordan may now be looking to move into the boxing ring for their next project.  MGM has set Coogler to direct, and is in early talks with Jordan to star in, Creed, the latest installment in the Rocky franchise that would focus on Apollo Creed’s grandson.
Sylvester Stallone is on board to reprise his role as Rocky Balboa, with Coogler penning the script along with Aaron Covington. Deadline Hollywood broke the news.  
The story would follow Creed’s grandson, who has grown up reaping the spoils of all his grandfather’s winnings and is forbidden by his family to enter the world of boxing. Against his family’s wishes, he is drawn to boxing and seeks out Balboa to teach him how to fight and follow in his grandfather’s footsteps.  Irwin Winkler and Robert Chartoff, who produced the original film, will produce with Stallone and Kevin King.
article by Justin Kroll via Variety.com

Director Ryan Coogler Brings Heart, Talent to ‘Fruitvale’

director Ryan Coogler poses for photographers during a photo call for the film "Fruitvale Station" at the 66th international film festival, in Cannes, southern France. Coogler’s “Fruitvale Station” _ his first dramatic feature and first project since graduating with a master’s degree in 2011 _ won both jury and audience awards at the Sundance Film Festival, and attended the Cannes Film Festival. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, file)
Director Ryan Coogler poses for photographers during a photo call for the film “Fruitvale Station” at the 66th international film festival, in Cannes, southern France. Coogler’s “Fruitvale Station” _ his first dramatic feature and first project since graduating with a master’s degree in 2011 _ won both jury and audience awards at the Sundance Film Festival, and attended the Cannes Film Festival. (AP Photo/Francois Mori, file)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ryan Coogler is back on the University of Southern California campus for the first time since becoming one of the country’s most promising young filmmakers, and he heads straight to the camera-rental center where he worked as a student. He runs into a former classmate, who high-fives and congratulates him, then asks for a photo. Coogler sheepishly obliges.
“This is inspiring, right here!” the younger man says as he snaps an iPhone shot of himself and Coogler. “Thank you, bro!”  Coogler gives the student his email address, then looks for his old boss, the equipment manager, who tells the 27-year-old filmmaker that he’s set a new standard for success at USC’s film school, which counts Ron Howard and George Lucas as alumni.
There’s no doubt he has. Coogler’s ”Fruitvale Station” — his first dramatic feature and first project since graduating with a master’s degree in 2011 — won both jury and audience awards at the Sundance Film Festival, where the Weinstein Co. outbid a dozen studios to distribute it. Originally called simply “Fruitvale,” the film opens Friday in New York and Los Angeles, and around the nation later this month. Oscar buzz has already begun.

"Fruitvale Station" Trailer Out; Oscar Grant Story Arrives in Theatres July 12

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxUJwJfcQaQ&w=560&h=315]
FruitvaleAccording to Deadline.com, Michael B. Jordan (Friday Night Lights) stars in Fruitvale Station as Oscar Grant, the 22-year-old Bay Area man whose fatal 2009 shooting by Oakland BART police sparked outrage and protests against police brutality. The Weinstein Co. secured the rights to Ryan Coogler’s directorial debut out of Sundance for $2 million before it won the film festival’s U.S. Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award. Now the movie is set for a July 12 release, hoping to attract attention for awards season. Check out the trailer above.
article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson and Lesa Lakin

Oscar Grant film ‘Fruitvale’ Wins Jury Prize at Sundance Film Festival

Ryan Coogler accepts the Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic for Fruitvale onstage at the Awards Night Ceremony during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival at Basin Recreation Field House on January 26, 2013 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Ryan Coogler accepts the Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic for Fruitvale onstage at the Awards Night Ceremony during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival at Basin Recreation Field House on January 26, 2013 in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — The dramatic film “Fruitvale” and the documentary “Blood Brother” won over audiences and Sundance Film Festival judges.  Both American films won audience awards and grand jury prizes Saturday at the Sundance Awards.
“Fruitvale” is based on the true story of Oscar Grant, who was 22 years old when he was shot and killed in a public transit station in Oakland, California. First-time filmmaker Ryan Coogler wrote and directed the dramatic narrative.