Entertainment

It was revealed today that the life story of American soccer star and equality activist Hope Solo will be told through a film produced by Argent Pictures, the film production and financing outfit run by Jill Ahrens, Ryan Ahrens and Ben Renzo.

Argent has optioned the life story rights of the two-time Olympic gold medalist and World Cup Champion Hope Solo and has tapped Christine Crokos (PIMP) to write and direct the feature film.

Jill Ahrens, Ryan Ahrens and Ben Renzo will produce the film. Executive Producers are Argent partners Drew Brees, Tony Parker, Michael Finley, and Derrick Brooks.

Hope Solo’s story showcases the inspiring rise of a true American all-star athlete who started in humble beginnings and became a two-time Olympic gold medalist, a World Cup champion and is regarded as one of the top female soccer goalkeepers in the world.

From the beginning, Hope was a true competitor leading her high school team to win multiple titles and a state championship and then becoming the best women’s goalkeeper in Pac-10 history for the University of Washington. After graduating she continued to play professionally as a goalkeeper in the U.S. and European leagues and for the U.S. at the World Cup in 2007, 2011, and 2015 and Olympics in 2008, 2012 and 2016. Although the U.S. lost in the quarterfinals of the 2007 and the finals of the  2011 World Cup she helped the US team rebound from both losses and win gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics, and in 2015 she helped the U.S. team finally win a Women’s World Cup Championship.

As a vocal advocate for equal pay and women’s rights in soccer, she shouldered the brunt of pushback while playing professionally. It is Solo’s mission now to fight for women’s rights and general equality.

Producer Ben Renzo said, “We are very excited to be working to bring Hope’s life story to the big screen with Christine at the helm. Hope is an amazing athlete, with an intense competitive spirit who has achieved some of the highest accomplishments in women’s soccer as a professional goalkeeper. Her journey to becoming an elite athlete and one of the best soccer players at her position is incredibly motivating, and that’s what makes this story special to us. We want to make movies that entertain and inspire – and Hope’s story encompasses those themes.”

“Hope Solo is a force of nature who broke down walls in women’s sports, both as a player and as a humanitarian,” said writer /director Christine Crokos. “Her story is one of pure trailblazing and fierce athleticism – one that many generations to come will honor and look up to.”

Lisa Nitti negotiated the deal on behalf of Argent Pictures. Negotiations on behalf of Hope Solo were handled by Rich Nichols. The deal was set up by manager Tiffany Shine.

As fans prepare for the highly anticipated return of Game of Thrones, Brewery Ommegang and HBO Licensing & Retail are pleased to announce For The Throne, the latest beer in their multi-year, multi-beer partnership. For The Throne launches nationwide at the beginning of April, just in time for the realm to reach a fever pitch when the show returns on Sunday, April 14.

“Winter is here, the wall has fallen, and the final battle for Westeros is underway. With this offering, we have bent the traditional boundaries of beer-making, co-fermenting traditional ingredients with juices normally destined for fine wines, going to great lengths to create a truly unique, special beer,” says Brewery Ommegang president Doug Campbell. “This style of beer, often called a ‘oenobeer,’ is a rapidly expanding area of study for us. For The Throne is our first of co-fermentation beer of 2019, and the only one we’ve launched under the Game of Thrones banner.”

“In the course of planning out the next beer in our amazing collaborative partnership with Brewery Ommegang we asked the brewers ‘What would Ommegang do for the throne?’” said Jeff Peters, Vice President of Licensing and Retail at HBO. “Their answer was to brew this exciting and innovative co-fermented beer so that our fans can raise a toast to the culmination of their beloved series this spring. Every bottle, every pour, every toast, every sip… For The Throne!”

Delicate yet complex, For The Throne is a tribute to those who aspire to be the final occupant of the Iron Throne. This 9.5% ABV strong golden ale is co-fermented with pinot grigio and viognier grape juices and then bottle conditioned with Champagne yeast to create an ale fit for royalty.

For the Throne pours a striking golden copper with a fluffy white head. Aromas of honeysuckle and toasted grain mingle with notes of pear and apricot. Flavors of sweet malt and honeydew lead to a quaffable body that belies the elevated alcohol. The finish is clean and dry, with vibrant effervescence.

For The Throne is brewed with pilsner and carapils malts, dextrose, and pinot grigio and viognier grape juices, and hopped with Bravo and Saaz varietals. Ommegang’s house yeast is used in primary fermentation and Champagne yeast in bottle conditioning.

A welcome addition to any feast, pair this versatile beer with all manner of cheeses, whole roasted poultry and smoked fish, and for dessert, macerated berries and fresh whipped cream. Available on draft and in wrapped 750ml bottles with gold artwork, For The Throne will be sold throughout Ommegang’s distribution network beginning in early April.

For seven seasons, Game of Thrones fans have watched characters lie, steal, bleed, kill, and sacrifice everything for the Iron Throne. Today, MTN DEW makes the ultimate sacrifice For the Throne – its name. The brand will remove its iconic neon green “face” revealing a stark white, brandless can – “A Can Has No Name.”

“A Can Has No Name” is a limited-run, special edition MTN DEW can inspired by beloved character Arya Stark and her training with the Faceless Men of Braavos. Faceless Men are a mysterious guild of assassins trained to relinquish their former identities to become “no one” When warm, the cans appear brand-less. Once chilled, they reveal Arya’s iconic kill list, a tribute to those killed and a glance at her remaining targets for the final season.

The grave course of events set in motion by Thanos that wiped out half the universe and fractured the Avengers ranks compels the remaining Avengers to take one final stand in Marvel Studios’ grand conclusion to twenty-two films, “Avengers: Endgame.” Kevin Feige produces “Avengers: Endgame,” and Anthony and Joe Russo are the directors. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Michael Grillo, Trinh Tran, Jon Favreau and Stan Lee are the executive producers, and Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely wrote the screenplay.

Celebrate the iconic and heart pounding music of Queen and Freddie Mercury with the highest-grossing biopic of all-time when Bohemian Rhapsody comes to Digital and Movies Anywhere January 22 and 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™ and DVD February 12. Fans can experience the story behind the band and the making of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” the #1 streamed song of the 20th century and other favorites like “We Will Rock You,” “Somebody to Love,” “We are the Champions” and more, for a music adventure that will make you laugh, sing, dance and cry.

Nominated for two Golden Globe® Awards including Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama (Rami Malek), and two SAG Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Cast Motion Picture and Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role (Malek), Bohemian Rhapsody has captured the hearts of fans globally.

Bohemian Rhapsody is an enthralling celebration of Queen, their music, and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury (Malek), who defied stereotypes and convention to become one of history’s most beloved entertainers. Following Queen’s meteoric rise, their revolutionary sound and Freddie’s solo career, the film also chronicles the band’s reunion, and one of the greatest performances in rock history.

For the first time, fans can experience a truly one-of-a-kind music movie event with the complete “Live Aid” Movie Performance featuring two never-before-seen songs (“Crazy Little Thing Called Love” and “We Will Rock You) packed into a 22-minute collective experience recreating the original event. In addition, on Blu-ray & Digital, fans will get a look behind the making of the film including interviews with Queen, the cast and creative team.