Virgil Films To Release Chris Farley Docu; Universal To Restore Silent Classics
Virgil Films has picked up U.S. rights to I Am Chris Farley, a documentary about the late comic actor. Directed by Brent Hodge and Derik Murray, the pic features interviews with his co-stars and colleagues including Christina Applegate, Dan Aykroyd, Mike Myers, Adam Sandler, Jon Lovitz, Lorne Michaels, Jay Mohr, Molly Shannon, Bob Odenkirk, Bob Saget and David Spade. Virgil will open the docu from Network Entertainment in the late summer in select theaters — perhaps one in a van down by the river — and it will premiere August 10 on Spike TV, followed by a VOD release. I Am Chris Farley is executive produced by Paul Gertz, Kent Wingerak and Robert Pirooz. The deal was negotiated by Virgil President and CEO Joe Amodei and Network CEO Derik Murray.
Universal Pictures is expanding its film restoration project with 15 silent films from the studio’s early years. The list has
yet to be finalized, but Universal said the work will be done during the next four years. “The company understands its responsibility and need to preserve our silent film legacy,” said Ron Meyer, Vice Chairman of NBCUniversal. “This early art of filmmaking is the foundation on which Universal Pictures was built more than 100 years ago, and it’s important we honor our rich history.” The studio will partner on the project with groups including the Library of Congress, the Film Foundation, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, George Eastman House, UCLA Film & Television Archives, Association of Moving Image Archivists and Hollywood Heritage. More than 25 Universal films have been restored since the program began in 2012, including Dracula, Frankenstein, Holiday Inn, All Quiet On The Western Front, The Birds, The Sting and Jaws.
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