Interview: Akiva Goldsman on WGN’s ‘Underground’, Shared Universe Films, and ‘Winter’s Tale’

Posted on Monday, March 7th, 2016 by Fred Topel

I had a personal agenda to talk to Akiva Goldsman. Not to talk Transformers, although I tried to do that too. But I became obsessed with his maligned film Winter’s Tale. The crazy film grew on me, especially with the DVD/Blu-ray’s alternate ending (think face ice), so I even read the book. All 758 pages of it.

Goldsman was on a Television Critics Association panel for his new series Underground and I got a one-on-one with him after. The drama about the Underground Railroad was also produced by John Legend. The show focuses on a group of slaves (Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Aldis Hodge and more) planning their escape from the South. Abolitionists like John Hawkes (Marc Blucas) are also characters on the show. Underground premieres March 9 on WGN America, and I got a chance to discuss storytelling, both historical and fantasy, with Goldsman.  Read More »

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Lee Daniels, Wes Craven, Michael Cera, and More Directing ‘10 Commandments’

Posted on Monday, January 13th, 2014 by Angie Han

Bible-based projects are hotter than ever. This year alone, we’ll see Ridley Scott’s Exodus, Darren Aronofsky’s Noah, and the Jesus tale Son of God. But while most are taking the familiar form of an historical epic, WGN America is going a different way with their religiously inspired new miniseries.

Produced by The Weinstein Co., 10 Commandments will consist of ten episodes, each of which will focus on a different commandment. Different is the key word here. Each installment will be helmed by a different director, with Gus Van Sant, Lee Daniels, Jim Sheridan, Wes Craven, and Michael Cera among those attached right now. (Yes, that Michael Cera.) Hit the jump for more details on the project.

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