David Ellender to Lead CSSE-Backed Halcyon
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Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (CSSE) has set up the scripted production company Halcyon Television, to be led by industry veteran David Ellender.
CSSE will launch the scripted television studio with Ellender as CEO upon the closing of the previously announced Sonar asset acquisition. The closing of the 1,300 title television and film library, scripted development portfolio and the existing TV series drama production is expected to take place in the near future.
Ellender had been serving as CEO of Sonar. Prior to this, he was CEO at Slingshot Global Media and served as CEO of FremantleMedia Enterprises.
Chicken Soup acquires Sonar assets
US producer, distributor and AVoD operator Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (CSSE) has acquired the film and TV assets of David Ellender-led producer and distributor Sonar Entertainment.
David Ellender
Sonar is an independent television studio headquartered in LA, with operations in Toronto and London. In recent years, it has developed, produced, financed and distributed shows such as The Shannara Chronicles (MTV/Netflix), Taboo (BBC/FX), The Son (AMC), Mr Mercedes (DirecTV), Das Boot (Sky Europe), Hunters (Amazon Prime), Alien Xmas (Netflix) and Mysterious Benedict Society (Disney+).
CSSE said today that acquiring Sonar would help it build on its AVoD streaming strategy by expanding its original content development pipeline, increasing its IP ownership, enabling it to launch additional AVoD networks and grow its international production and distribution.
Jennifer Jason Leigh Joins Amazon’s ‘Hunters’ for Season 2
She has been cast in the role of ChavaJennifer Maas | April 5, 2021 @ 2:40 PM Last Updated: April 5, 2021 @ 3:00 PM
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Jennifer Jason Leigh has joined Amazon Prime Video’s “Hunters” for the drama’s upcoming second season, TheWrap has learned.
“Hunters” follows a diverse band of Nazi hunters living in 1977 New York City. The Hunters, as they’re known, have discovered that hundreds of high-ranking Nazi officials are living among us and conspiring to create a Fourth Reich in the United States.
The first season, which launched last year on Feb. 21, starred Al Pacino, Logan Lerman and Jerrika Hinton. As of right now, we know that Lerman and Hinton will be returning, but there’s no word yet on if Pacino will be back.