Amazon has undergone significant changes in recent months with regard to its TV department. Not only is the company aiming for broader, Lord of the Rings-size hits under a new studio head, but Amazon may drop its signature pilot process of letting viewers pick new series.
Weeks after Amazon parted ways with studio boss Roy Price over sexual harassment claims, Transparent star Jeffrey Tambor has become the subject of another investigation. Tambor’s former assistant has reported him for inappropriate behavior, though the actor apparently rejects the claims.
Another major shift has taken place in the ongoing harassment awareness around Harvey Weinstein. Amazon Studio boss Roy Price has officially resigned his position, after being placed on leave for allegations by Man in the High Castle executive producer Isa Dick Hackett.
The future of Amazon’s Matt Weiner and David O. Russell dramas came into question over The Weinstein Company’s involvement and sexual assault allegations against founder Harvey Weinstein. Now, Amazon confirms only Weiner’s series will move forward; effectively scrapping Russell’s first TV gig.
Another incident of Hollywood sexual abuse has come to light in the wake of Harvey Weinstein, as Amazon head Roy Price will now take a leave of absence. The studio boss reportedly harassed Man in the High Castle executive producer Isa Hackett during Comic-Con 2015, and ignored Rose McGowan’s reports of Weinstein’s assault.
Now this is a thrilling combination of nouns: Amazon Studios has snatched up Lucy and Desi, an upcoming biopic written by Aaron Sorkin and starring Cate Blanchett as TV icon Lucille Ball. A masterful actress playing a masterful comedian in a film scripted by a masterful screenwriter is quite a catch, to say the least — all that’s missing is Desi himself, and given the talent involved so far, you have to imagine it’ll be someone great.
It was only five months ago that Amazon Studios became the first streaming service to win three Oscars, two for Manchester By the Sea and one for The Salesman. And now they’re continuing their march on Hollywood with a boatload of this year’s most-anticipated awards season contenders, dominating three prized spots at the New York Film Festival.