Maggie Smith is returning to the London stage for the first time in 12 years. The legendary actress will star in A German Life, a new play by Christopher Hampton at the Bridge Theatre. The story is drawn from the life of Brunhilde Pomsel, a one-time personal secretary to Joseph Goebbels. Smith, alone on stage, plays…

EXCLUSIVE: The UK’s Shepperton Studios has submitted plans for a $640M (£500M) redevelopment and expansion of its production facilities in Surrey, England. The planning application has been lodged with Spelthorne Borough Council seeking consent for the major private sector development project which is due to deliver…

The UK Government today revealed plans to jointly invest $212M (£150M) with industry into the creative sectors, a move hailed by Warner Bros. UK, Ireland and Spain President Josh Berger. With continued investment in the creative industries, the Government is hoping that inward investment in UK film and TV production…

Lucicreide Goes To Mars starring Brazilian comedian Fabiana Karla has become the first production — and Brazil Production Services the first company — to be cleared by NASA to film with a drone at the Kennedy Space Center as well as the first feature to record there since the 1998 blockbuster film, Armageddon. One of…

A feasibility study commissioned just over a year ago has found that the Dagenham East area of London “is the ideal location for Hollywood-style studio space.” London Mayor Sadiq Khan, Film London and Barking and Dagenham Council shared findings of the report today and invited expressions of interest from investors…

Lionsgate has acquired North American and UK theatrical distribution rights to Monster Hunt 2, the sequel to the 2015 blockbuster that, for a time, was the highest-grossing film ever in China. The agreement also gives Lionsgate rights to the Monster Hunt property for its location-based entertainment venues in select…

After 17 years as Chief Executive of Pinewood Group, Ivan Dunleavy is stepping down. The move follows the £323M sale last summer of Pinewood Group to Aermont Capital. Dunleavy will continue working in an advisory capacity with the facilities operator which includes the iconic Pinewood Studios in England's South…

London Mayor Sadiq Khan is eyeing the possibility of a new film and TV studio being built in the capital. He’s teamed with Film London, the London Local Enterprise Panel and the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham to commission a feasibility study into creating the city's first new studio in 25 years. A new…

Pinewood Studios, one of the world’s leading production facilities companies, is nearing a $425 million deal to be taken over by U.S. property investment fund Venus Grafton.  Pinewood chief exec Ivan Dunleavy has been looking for an investor to come in to the group for some time. Pinewood owns studios and facilities…

In a trading update published on Pinewood’s website this morning, the company that is home to the James Bond and Star Wars franchise declared, “The Board has now determined that it is appropriate to evaluate alternative opportunities to maximise value for the Company’s shareholders and to build on Pinewood’s successes…

Looking to capitalize on the global demand for high-end drama coming out of the UK, which also benefits from a lucrative tax break, Pinewood Studios Group has set a joint venture with StoryFirst PST Limited to form Pinewood Television. The new company will create, develop and finance high quality drama series for the…

Pinewood Studios announced today its interim six-month results through September 2015, with profits boosted by Star Wars: The Force Awakens and the latest James Bond installment Spectre shooting at the studio. Pre-tax profits were up 13.2% to $6.5 million, while operating profits were up 186.9% to $10.5 million from…