U.S.-Based Shadowbox To Oversee Jordan's Olivewood Studios Under New Partnership
EXCLUSIVE: Shadowbox has partnered with Jordan's Olivewood Studios and will manage the film studio's operations.
Shadowbox Studios owns the Shadowbox Atlanta site and the sizeable Shinfield Studios facility in the UK. Under new COO Mike Mosallam it is branching out further and offering its expertise to third parties – helping them to either establish or operate their studio complexes.
More from Deadline
Jordan Seeks To Entice International Productions With Bolstered 45% Cash Rebate
Shadowbox Studios Hires Industry Veteran Mike Mosallam As COO & Sets New Leadership Team
El Gouna Film Fest Unveils Palestinian, Lebanese, Jordanian & Egyptian Talents Selected For Inaugural Cinegouna Emerge Rising Stars Initiative
Olivewood was completed in 2023 and is the first purpose-built complex of its kind in Jordan. Located in the capital city of Amman, it has two soundstages and a backlot.
With its world heritage sites such as Petra and desert landscapes, which include Wadi Rum, Jordan has established itself as a key MENA shooting destination over the past two decades with productions touching down in the territory including Denis Villeneuve's Dune and Dune 2, JJ Abrams' Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise Of Skywalker, and Guy Richie's Aladdin.
The country's film production history stretches back to the early 1960s when it hosted the shoot of Lawrence of Arabia.
Instability in the region since the October 7, 2023 attacks on Southern Israel, however, has dented its appeal to international production. Jordan's Royal Film Commission was out in force in Cannes on a drive to reboot its international locations business.
It announced the country was raising its cash rebate for film and TV production to 45% and also told Deadline that a big incoming international production was on the horizon.
The Shadowbox team was also in Cannes, talking up the support services it is offering studios and production, which range from planning services for producers to full studio management.
'Jordan has shown the world its incredible locations in films from Dune and Aladdin to The Martian and Star Wars, and through our exciting partnership with Shadowbox we are thrilled to expand our worldwide reach to international filmmakers,' said Raja Gargour, Chairman of Olivewood Studios in Amman.
Jumana Sharbin, the General Manager of Olivewood, added: 'Bringing Shadowbox's global expertise to Olivewood marks a pivotal step in our growth. Their operational strength and industry insight will be key as we scale up and deliver world-class productions in Jordan.'
Mosallam joined Shadowbox earlier this year after stints at Apple TV+ and Netflix. He has put together a new leadership team and one priority was ramping up work with other studios such as Olivewood.
'After visiting Jordan late last year, my team and I were astonished by the breadth of available landscapes and the production service infrastructure already in place at Olivewood,' he said. 'Now with the benefit of sound stages, the Kingdom is well-positioned to house and host domestic and international productions of any size.'
Melanie Goodfellow contributed to this article.
Best of Deadline
'Hacks' Season 4 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out?
Everything We Know About 'Hacks' Season 4 So Far
'The Last Of Us': Differences Between HBO Series & Video Game Across Seasons 1 And 2
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Boston Globe
a day ago
- Boston Globe
Here's how Iran could retaliate after US strikes on its nuclear program
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Ever since Israel started the war with a surprise bombardment of Iran's military and nuclear sites on June 13, Iranian officials from the supreme leader on down have warned the U.S. to stay out, saying it would have dire consequences for the entire region. Advertisement It should soon be clear whether those were empty threats or a grim forecast. Here's a look at what Iran's next move might be. Targeting the Strait of Hormuz The Strait of Hormuz is the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, through which some 20% of all oil traded globally passes, and at its narrowest point it is just 33 kilometers (21 miles) wide. Any disruption there could send oil prices soaring worldwide and hit American pocketbooks. Advertisement Iran boasts a fleet of fast-attack boats and thousands of naval mines that could potentially make the strait impassable, at least for a time. It could also fire missiles from its long Persian Gulf shore, as its allies, Yemen's Houthi rebels, have done in the Red Sea. The U.S., with its 5th Fleet stationed in nearby Bahrain, has long pledged to uphold freedom of navigation in the strait and would respond with far superior forces. But even a relatively brief firefight could paralyze shipping traffic and spook investors, causing oil prices to spike and generating international pressure for a ceasefire. Attacking US bases and allies in the region The U.S. has tens of thousands of troops stationed in the region, including at permanent bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, Arab Gulf countries just across the Persian Gulf from Iran — and much closer than Israel. Those bases boast the same kinds of sophisticated air defenses as Israel, but would have much less warning time before waves of missiles or swarms of armed drones. And even Israel, which is several hundred kilometers (miles) further away, has been unable to stop all of the incoming fire. Iran could also choose to attack key oil and gas facilities in those countries with the goal of exacting a higher price for U.S. involvement in the war. A drone attack on two major oil sites in Saudi Arabia in 2019 — claimed by the Houthis but widely blamed on Iran — briefly cut the kingdom's oil production in half. Activating regional allies Iran's so-called Axis of Resistance — a network of militant groups across the Middle East, is a shadow of what it was before the war ignited by Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel out of the Gaza Strip — but it still has some formidable capabilities. Advertisement Israel's 20-month war in Gaza has severely diminished the Palestinian Hamas and Islamic Jihad groups, and Israel mauled Lebanon's Hezbollah last fall, killing most of its top leadership and devastating much of southern Lebanon, making its involvement unlikely. But Iran could still call on the Houthis, who had threatened to resume their attacks in the Red Sea if the U.S. entered the war, and allied militias in Iraq. Both have drone and missile capabilities that would allow them to target the United States and its allies. Iran could also seek to respond through militant attacks further afield, as it is widely accused of doing in the 1990s with an attack on a Jewish community center in Argentina that was blamed on Tehran and Hezbollah. A sprint toward nuclear arms It could be days or weeks before the full impact of the U.S. strikes on Iran's nuclear sites is known. But experts have long warned that even joint U.S. and Israeli strikes would only delay Iran's ability to develop a weapon, not eliminate it. That's because Iran has dispersed its program across the country to several sites, including hardened, underground facilities. Iran would likely struggle to repair or reconstitute its nuclear program while Israeli and U.S. warplanes are circling overhead. But it could still decide to fully end its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and abandon the the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. North Korea announced its withdrawal from the treaty in 2003 and tested a nuclear weapon three years later, but it had the freedom to develop its program without punishing airstrikes. Advertisement Iran insists its program is peaceful, though it is the only non-nuclear-armed state to enrich uranium up to 60%, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. U.S. intelligence agencies and the IAEA assess Iran hasn't had an organized military nuclear program since 2003. Israel is widely believed to be the only nuclear-armed state in the Middle East but does not acknowledge having such weapons. Gambrell reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Forbes
10 Great Movies Leaving Netflix At The End Of June
Zoe Saldaña stars in the 2011 action film 'Colombiana.' Another month gone by means more tough goodbyes for Netflix subscribers, as the world's most popular streaming service is once again trimming its lineup. And while most of the departing titles won't make headlines, a few of them are absolutely worth a spot on your watchlist. We're talking: a recent sci-fi epic that demands the biggest screen you have; a surprisingly emotional drama from the 1990s that should have nabbed Robin Williams an Oscar nomination; and an intense psychological thriller that offers one of the best femme fatales we've seen in the 21st century. Whether you're craving a blockbuster, a courtroom drama, or simply a nostalgic throwback, June's Netflix departures are packed with hidden gems and film community favorites. Below, I've picked out ten standout movies you should catch before they're gone. For each movie, I've included trailers and reasons you should watch them. Plus, you can find a full list of every movie leaving Netflix in June at the bottom of this article. These selections span decades, genres and tones, but they all share one thing in common: they're absolutely worth your time. Let's dive in. 10 Great Movies Leaving Netflix In June 2025 At this point, there's no arguing it: Denis Villeneuve has cemented his place as one of the few directors alive who can turn the blockbuster formula into living, breathing pieces of art. And if it was at all in question before, the debate ended after Dune: Part Two. A sequel to 2021's Dune and a direct continuation of the 2021 adaptation of Frank Herbert's seminal sci-fi novel, this chapter picks up again with Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) as he joins the Fremen and embraces the prophecy that posits him as an intergalactic leader. As political machinations across the galaxy threaten to implode, Paul and Chani (Zendaya) must decide whether their love and cause can survive the burden of messianic power. Villeneuve balances grand philosophical stakes with pulse-pounding sequences, resulting in a film that somehow feels both intimate and operatic. It's rare to see a sequel that not only lives up to its hype but elevates its universe in every possible way. Denzel Washington returns for his final ride as Robert McCall—the calm but deadly vigilante with a heart of gold—in the unfortunately underrated third part of the Equalizer trilogy. The Equalizer 3 shifts the franchise to a quieter setting: the sun-soaked coast of southern Italy, where McCall has attempted to settle down and leave his violent past behind. But peace doesn't last long, and before he knows it the local mafia has begun to terrorize the townspeople he's grown to love. Thus, McCall is forced to bring back his brutal skill set for one last mission of justice. What sets this entry apart isn't just the slick, brutal efficiency of the action sequences, but the unexpected tenderness beneath them. Washington brings world-weary gravitas to the role, showing a man who's not just avenging others, but reckoning with his own guilt. Antoine Fuqua's direction keeps the pace tight and the tension simmering, resulting in a satisfying and surprisingly emotional finale to one of the most entertaining action trilogies in modern film. Sure, some movie exist to make us think. But…sometimes you just want yo turn your brain off. And Obsessed is the kind of movie you throw on with a group of friends, snacks in hand, ready to shout at the screen. Idris Elba stars as Derek, a successful financial executive whose life begins to unravel when a temp worker named Lisa (Ali Larter) becomes strangely (well, there's no way to put this) obsessed with him. Beyoncé, in one of her rare film roles, plays Derek's wife Sharon, whose patience wears thin as Lisa's behavior escalates from inappropriate to straight up psychotic. Sure, the plot is pure domestic thriller cheese (think Fatal Attraction meets Lifetime movie), but the movie knows exactly what it is doing and leans into the absurd melodrama. The tension builds to a notorious final-act showdown in this Steve Shill film that has become internet meme royalty, with Beyoncé and Larter squaring off in one of the most over-the-top house fights ever filmed. The early 2000s was such a magical time for legal thrillers, and this one manages to feel just as urgent today as it did two decades ago. Runaway Jury, which adapts John Grisham's novel into a tense courtroom showdown about corporate corruption and manipulation, focuses on a high-profile gun case goes to trial in New Orleans—and before long, the usual jury selection process turns into a strategic battle between two shadowy forces. On one side: Wendell Rohr (Dustin Hoffman), a principled lawyer fighting for justice. On the other: Rankin Fitch (Gene Hackman), a ruthless jury consultant who will stop at nothing to control the verdict. Caught in the middle are a mysterious juror (John Cusack) and his partner (Rachel Weisz), who, wouldn't you know it, have an agenda of their own. Packed with twists, sharp dialogue and powerhouse performances, this Gary Fleder film becomes a cat-and-mouse game of ethics, strategy and power. By the time Retribution hit theaters, Paul W.S. Anderson's Resident Evil series had already embraced its identity as one of the most gloriously over-the-top action-horror franchises around. Yeah, critics missed the point with this series, and especially missed the point with Retribution (seriously, a 28% rating?!). But time has been kind to what I consider to be the best flick of this wonderful hexalogy, as a cult status has formed around what is truly an irreverent experience. This fifth entry goes full sci-fi mayhem, with Milla Jovovich's Alice waking up in an underwater Umbrella Corporation facility and fighting her way through a series of simulated environments, each more chaotic than the last. Clones, betrayals and old enemies aboundn as the franchise becomes its most unhinged and visually experimental. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just in the mood for stylized carnage with strobe lighting and slow motion galore, Retribution is a blast. Functioning as a spiritual spinoff of Forgetting Sarah Marshall, this absolutely wild comedy doubles down on Russell Brand's chaotic charm as Aldous Snow, the drugged-out rock star who needs to be escorted from London to L.A. for a comeback concert. Jonah Hill plays a straight-laced record company intern named Aaron Green in Get Him to the Greek, and he is tasked with keeping Snow on track during a whirlwind 72-hour bender. What follows is a jet-fueled comedy of errors packed with absurd detours, hilarious cameos and surprisingly heartfelt moments of self-awareness. Brand and Hill make an unexpectedly endearing duo, especially as their characters blur the lines between idol and handler, and the script (from director Nicholas Stoller, who also helmed Forgetting Sarah Marshall) keeps the jokes coming at a side-splitting pace. At this point, Get Him to the Greek serves as a reminder of when studio comedies were allowed to be a little wild and a little weird without sacrificing fun. Before she became an action mainstay in franchises like Guardians of the Galaxy and Avatar, and before she won an Oscar for Emilia Pérez, Zoe Saldaña delivered one of her most intense performances in Colombiana—a lean yet kinetic revenge thriller that hasn't earned as much praise as it deserves. Saldaña plays Cataleya, a young woman who witnessed the murder of her parents as a child and has spent her life training to become a deadly assassin. By day, she hides in plain sight. By night, she leaves behind signature orchid imprints on the bodies of the lives she takes. Luc Besson (who delivered movies like The Fifth Element) co-wrote the screenplay, and his fingerprints are all over Olivier Megaton's film—elegant violence, stylized cinematography and a vengeful woman who will stop at nothing to achieve vengeance. Saldaña fully commits to the physical demands of the role, turning a potentially formulaic assassin story into something more personal and powerful. Long live Robin Williams, one of the greatest actors to ever do it—whether it was comedy or drama, the man could act above just about anyone else. And one of his most tender performances comes in this underrated drama from Penny Marshall. Based on the memoir by Oliver Sacks, Awakenings tells the true story of Dr. Malcolm Sayer (Williams), a shy and compassionate neurologist who discovers a drug that temporarily 'awakens' catatonic patients who have been unresponsive for decades. One of those patients is Leonard Lowe (Robert De Niro), who suddenly finds himself grappling with a world that's moved on without him. De Niro received an Oscar nomination for his unforgettable performance, and Williams brings a gentle humanism to a role that could have easily slipped into sentimentality. It's a movie that asks: What would you do if you were given a second chance…knowing it might not last? It's not every day you get a World War II movie that trades gunfire and explosions for art preservation and historical reflection—that is until George Clooney decides to direct a movie. Also starring Clooney in a leading role, The Monuments Men tells the true story of a group of museum curators, art historians and architects tasked with an unlikely mission: tracking down and recovering priceless works of art stolen by the Nazis before they're destroyed forever. Clooney is joined by a stacked ensemble cast that includes Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett, Bill Murray, John Goodman and Jean Dujardin, all playing real-life members of this unlikely team. While the film received mixed reviews for its tonal balancing act, there's no denying the importance of the story it tells. The Monuments Men spotlights a lesser-known chapter of WWII history, one that underscores how culture and legacy can be as worth saving as human lives. The Golden Globes ceremonies taught us that duos don't get much more iconic than Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, and Sisters gives them a perfect playground for their chaotic chemistry. The plot is simple enough: two grown-up sisters return to their childhood home one last time before it's sold, only to decide that the best way to say goodbye is to throw one final house party. But its the absolute chaos that unleashes from such a simple premise that makes Sisters feel timeless. Poehler plays the uptight, responsible one, while Fey is the messier, more impulsive sibling, making their dynamic a total blast as the night spirals into absurdity, all while Maya Rudolph, Ike Barinholtz and John Cena round out a surprisingly hilarious supporting cast. It's the kind of studio comedy we, unfortunately, don't see much of anymore—fun, rowdy and, most importantly, full of heart. Every Movie Leaving Netflix In June 2025 Note: The dates mark your final days to watch these movies.
Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Tom's Guide
Netflix is losing 41 movies this month — here's the 5 you need to stream now
The Netflix movie library is constantly rotating. While the streaming service adds plenty of new flicks each month, it also removes some old favorites to make room. On June 30, 2025, Netflix will remove more than 40 movies from its platform. These cover pretty much all genres, from family-friendly adventures like 'The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water' to jump-scare-landed horror like 'The Nun.' The platform is also removing the complete 'Twilight' saga, so if you want to relive your angst-ridden teen years, you've got only a few days left. While some of the soon-to-be-removed movies probably won't be missed by many subscribers, there's a healthy handful that I'm sad to see go. But don't worry — you've still got a little time to watch because the month isn't over yet. These are the five Netflix movies you should stream right now before they head to the great streaming service in the sky. 'Crazy, Stupid, Love.' is unquestionably one of the most beloved rom-coms of the 21st century. It's not hard to see why, either. Any movie that brings together Steve Carell, Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling and Julianne Moore, flaked by John Carroll Lynch, Marisa Tomei and Kevin Bacon, is going to be a hotbed of lovable charm and charisma. Plus, that third-act scene (you know the one) seems to go viral literally every single week, for good reason. This easy-watching comedy opens with Cal Weaver (Carell) discovering his wife (Moore) is having an affair. Thrust back into single life and very out of practice when it comes to dating, a younger hotshot womanizer (Gosling) takes Cal under his wing. But his bar-hopping commitaphobe starts to change his ways when he begins to fall for one of his hook-ups named Hannah (Stone). Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Genuinely funny, surprisingly romantic and effortlessly warm, it's an almost perfect rom-com. Watch on Netflix until June 30, 2025 One of 2024's very best movies is making its exit from Netflix this month. 'Dune Part Two' is another sci-fi masterpiece from Denis Villeneuve, and it gives even 'The Lord of the Rings' a run for its money when it comes to epic scale. This sprawling blockbuster combines intergalactic politicking with deeply compelling characters and a hair-raising sense of spectacle. I thought Villeneuve's first 'Dune' movie was a remarkable achievement, but 'Part Two' raises the bar even further. And I've not even touched upon the ludicrously stacked cast, incorporating more than a dozen recognizable A-list names from Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya to Rebecca Ferguson and Javier Bardem. In the wake of the fall of House Atreides (as depicted in 2021's 'Dune'), Paul (Chalamet) has united with the Fremen clan, as he seeks to liberate the desert planet of Arrakis from the treacherous forces that betrayed his family. Struggling with his supposed destiny to become a great leader who will determine the fate of the universe, he also begins to fall in love with a Fremen rebel, Chani (Zendaya). Gripping from the drop, 'Dune: Part Two' is incredible. Watch on Netflix until June 30, 2025 With the franchise reboot on the horizon (it's set to arrive in theatres this summer), now is a great time to rewatch, or get familiar with, the '90s original. 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' is an archetypal slasher, the type of horror movie that 'Scream' was lampooning just a year prior, and was thoroughly mocked in the first 'Scary Movie.' Yet while it sticks to all the genre conventions, 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' remains an enjoyably silly popcorn-muncher, and there's enough bloody fun to keep you hooked throughout. The movie centers on a group of friends who accidentally hit a pedestrian following a beach trip to celebrate July 4. They swear a pact to hide the body and never speak of the incident again. However, a year later, one of the group, Julie (Jennifer Love Hewitt), receives a letter telling her that somebody knows what they did, and the mystery sender wants revenge. Also starring Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr., it's a pretty cheesy, yet enjoyable watch. Watch on Netflix until June 30, 2025 Netflix is removing the entire original 'Ocean's' trilogy this month, so now is the perfect time for a movie marathon full of gripping heists and larger-than-life characters. Directed by Steven Soderbergh (whose new movie 'Black Bag' is one of the year's best to date), and a remake of the 1960s Rat Pack crowd-pleaser of the same name, it stars a legendary crew of 2000s top-tier talent including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Jula Roberts and Casey Affleck. Clooney plays the leader of the group, Danny Ocean, a career criminal who uses his charms to rob those he believes deserve their comeuppance. Alongside partner in crime Rusty (Pitt), he brings together a sophisticated group of thieves to pull off a seriously audacious heist. The plan is to rob three of Las Vegas' biggest casinos in one swoop, and the stakes are extra personal because the owner of these gambling establishments happens to be dating Danny's ex-wife, Tess (Roberts). Watch on Netflix until June 30, 2025 'The Equalizer 3' has enjoyed a fruitful run on Netflix, holding the No. 1 spot for several weeks when it first arrived on the streaming service in early 2024. Since then, it's always been in and around the top 10, but all good things must come to an end, and Netflix will soon lose one of Denzel Washington's best action efforts to date. For anybody who (foolishly) doubts it, 'The Equalizer 3' again confirms Washington's status as the coolest man in Hollywood. The second sequel to the 2014 original sees Washington return as Robert McCall, a former Marine and government assassin who now protects the vulnerable in society who are unable to defend themselves. Having moved to southern Italy to escape his past actions, McCall's sun-soaked retirement is short-lived when he's forced back into the field to save his new friends from a local mafia boss, who might be McCall's most ruthless foe yet. Watch on Netflix until June 30, 2025
