Universal in final talks to nab “The Life and Times of the Stopwatch Gang”March 11, 2015 - 09:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Following a heated bidding war, Universal Pictures is in final negotiations to acquire the rights to the recently published Atavist article “The Life and Times of the Stopwatch Gang”, with Miles Teller attached to star and Ruben Fleischer on board to direct, Variety reports. The article profiles the bank robbers dubbed “the Stopwatch Gang” because of how quickly they pulled off their heists. Although they never once fired a shot, the group stole millions and became the most feared and pursued bank robbers of the 1980s. Penned by Outside correspondent Josh Dean, the article has the feel of cops-and-robber pics like “The Town,” “Point Break” and “Heat.” Scott Stuber and Dylan Clark will produce through Stuber’s Bluegrass Films banner. Fleischer and Teller will also produce. Beau Bauman will oversee production on behalf of Bluegrass Films. The article was taken out last week, with offers coming in on Friday and through the weekend. Several studios were in the mix, and sources say the race came down to Universal and Fox going out for Chernin. Attaching Teller to star is a big get for the studio, as the actor continues to climb the ranks of younger leading men with films like “Whiplash,” and the upcoming “Insurgent” and “Fantastic Four.” He is repped by CAA. Fleischer last helmed the Warner Bros. crime pic “Gangster Squad.” He is repped by CAA. Stuber continues to be active with “Ted 2″ set to bow this summer, and the Matthew McConaughey Civil War pic “Free State of Jones” currently in production. He is also prepping the action comedy “Central Intelligence,” to star Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart, with plans to start shooting this spring. Top stories Ara Aivazian said Azerbaijan continues the traditions of Turkey after seizing territories and forced Armenians out. The creative crew of the Public TV had chosen 13-year-old Malena as a participant of this year's contest. She called on others to also suspend their accounts over the companies’ failure to tackle hate speech. Penderecki was known for his film scores, including for William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist”, Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”. Partner news | Greece says ready to help as Armenia fights flooding consequences Greece is ready to assist Armenia in combatting the consequences of deadly floods in the country’s north. “He will leave”: Protest leader no longer demands meeting with Pashinyan Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan no longer demands a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Lemkin Institute petition seeks release of Armenians in Azerbaijan The Lemkin Institute is deeply concerned about the continued illegal detention of political prisoners from Karabakh in Azerbaijan. Armenian Catholicos calls for national unity against threats Karekin II issued a message on Republic Day marking the anniversary of the First Armenian Republic. |