Demme
Helmer Ted Demme has teamed with scribe Chris Kletzien on a pair of projects that Demme will produce through his film and television deals.
New Line Cinema has paid mid- against high-six figures for Kletzien's untitled action pitch that Demme will direct for the studio, while 20th Century Fox TV acquired Kletzien's pitch for a one-hour dramedy, "Lincoln," that Demme's Spanky Pictures will take to buyers this fall.
Kletzien's New Line action pitch takes place in 90 minutes of real time, placing viewers on a high-speed, multivehicle chase through Los Angeles and changing points of view and shooting styles throughout.
"It's a potential franchise for New Line," Demme told
Daily Variety. "Kletzien has an interesting approach to action films, and I'm not a traditional producer of action movies."
Tracy Falco, head of development at Spanky, will produce the pic with Demme, while New Line senior veep Richard Brener will supervise development for the studio with president Toby Emmerich. The helmer and New Line most recently teamed on "Blow," which is slated for release April 6.
Kletzien's "Lincoln" is also set in real time. The program will center on the relationships between teens and their parents during an hour in the life of an off-kilter suburb. Demme signed his exclusive television deal with Fox TV last fall. (
Daily Variety, Oct. 26).
Formerly the head writer for the MTV Music Awards, Kletzien has been busy setting up film and television projects around town that include "Nature's Cure" at Warner Bros. Pictures, with Limp Bizkit lead singer Fred Durst attached to direct; DreamWorks and Bandiera's "SnollyGoster"; and a VH1 series, "The Sixteenth Minute," a half-hour comedy that uses Barbie dolls to portray celebrities past their prime.
Kletzien is repped by the Brant Rose Agency, manager Aaron Ray and attorney Fred Toczek at Nelson, Felkner, Levine and Dern.
Contact Dana Harris at
dana.harris@variety.com