Alexander Skarsgård has signed on to co-star alongside Harry Melling (The Pale Blue Eye) in Pillion, a new feature from Poor Things producers Element Pictures being pitched as a “fun and filthy romance with heart.”
Harry Lighton, who directed the BAFTA-nominated short Wren Boys, will direct Pillion from his own script, which is inspired by Adam Mars-Jones’ 2019 novel Box Hill. Cornerstone is handling worldwide sales on the films and will pitch the project to buyers at the Cannes film market next week.
Melling plays Colin, a weedy wallflower who is letting life pass him by until he meets Ray (Skarsgård), an impossibly handsome leader of a motorbike club, who him on as his submissive. Ray uproots Colin from his dreary suburban life and introduces him to a community of kinky, queer bikers, but as Colin dives deeper into Ray’s world, he begins to question whether the life of a 24/7 submissive is really for him.
Harry Lighton, who directed the BAFTA-nominated short Wren Boys, will direct Pillion from his own script, which is inspired by Adam Mars-Jones’ 2019 novel Box Hill. Cornerstone is handling worldwide sales on the films and will pitch the project to buyers at the Cannes film market next week.
Melling plays Colin, a weedy wallflower who is letting life pass him by until he meets Ray (Skarsgård), an impossibly handsome leader of a motorbike club, who him on as his submissive. Ray uproots Colin from his dreary suburban life and introduces him to a community of kinky, queer bikers, but as Colin dives deeper into Ray’s world, he begins to question whether the life of a 24/7 submissive is really for him.
- 5/8/2024
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Alexander Skarsgard and Harry Melling are set to lead the cast of “Pillion,” described as a “fun and filthy romance with heart” and being produced by multi-Oscar-winning powerhouse Element Pictures.
The film — to be launched in Cannes by Cornerstone, which is handling worldwide sales — marks the feature debut of Harry Lighton, whose short “Wren Boys” was nominated for best British short at the 2018 BAFTAs, was nominated for a BIFA and had its U.S. premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
“Pillion” follows Colin (Melling), a weedy wallflower letting life pass him by. That is until Ray (Skarsgård), the impossibly handsome leader of a motorbike club, takes him on as his submissive. Ray uproots Colin from his dreary suburban life, introducing him to a community of kinky, queer bikers and taking all sorts of virginities along the way. But as Colin steps deeper into Ray’s world of rules and mysteries,...
The film — to be launched in Cannes by Cornerstone, which is handling worldwide sales — marks the feature debut of Harry Lighton, whose short “Wren Boys” was nominated for best British short at the 2018 BAFTAs, was nominated for a BIFA and had its U.S. premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
“Pillion” follows Colin (Melling), a weedy wallflower letting life pass him by. That is until Ray (Skarsgård), the impossibly handsome leader of a motorbike club, takes him on as his submissive. Ray uproots Colin from his dreary suburban life, introducing him to a community of kinky, queer bikers and taking all sorts of virginities along the way. But as Colin steps deeper into Ray’s world of rules and mysteries,...
- 5/8/2024
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Ilfenesh Hadera (Godfather of Harlem) has been tapped to star opposite Denzel Washington in Apple and A24’s High and Low, an English-language reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 crime thriller, from filmmaker Spike Lee.
She comes to the project following collaborations with Lee on his acclaimed Netflix series She’s Gotta Have It, based on his classic 1986 film, as well as his movies Chi-Raq and Oldboy.
Loosely based on the 1959 novel King’s Ransom, written by Evan Hunter under the pen name Ed McBain, the original High and Low watches as a shoe company executive becomes a victim of extortion when his chauffeur’s son is kidnapped by mistake and held for ransom. It’s unclear how closely Lee’s film will hew to the original storyline, and there’s no word yet as to the role Hadera will play.
Developed and produced by A24, Escape Artists and Mandalay Pictures, Lee...
She comes to the project following collaborations with Lee on his acclaimed Netflix series She’s Gotta Have It, based on his classic 1986 film, as well as his movies Chi-Raq and Oldboy.
Loosely based on the 1959 novel King’s Ransom, written by Evan Hunter under the pen name Ed McBain, the original High and Low watches as a shoe company executive becomes a victim of extortion when his chauffeur’s son is kidnapped by mistake and held for ransom. It’s unclear how closely Lee’s film will hew to the original storyline, and there’s no word yet as to the role Hadera will play.
Developed and produced by A24, Escape Artists and Mandalay Pictures, Lee...
- 3/18/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Heartstopper breakout Sebastian Croft has signed for representation with Anonymous Content.
The British actor has signed with the agency in all areas. He continues to be represented by Greg Herst at UK-based Cvgg and attorney Lucy Popkin at Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher.
Croft is best known for playing Ben Hope in Netflix smash Heartstopper. His character in Alice Oseman’s coming-of-age rom-com has a clandestine relationship with the show’s lead, Charlie (Joe Locke), at the start of the show, but it becomes clear that he is using Charlie and he is often antagonistic towards him.
Heartstopper has made huge stars of the likes of Locke and Kit Connor, who have also landed major agency representation.
Croft is also leading Prime Video’s upcoming rom-com movie How to Date Billy Walsh, in which he will play the lead role of Archie opposite Tanner Buchanan when the movie airs in April.
The British actor has signed with the agency in all areas. He continues to be represented by Greg Herst at UK-based Cvgg and attorney Lucy Popkin at Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher.
Croft is best known for playing Ben Hope in Netflix smash Heartstopper. His character in Alice Oseman’s coming-of-age rom-com has a clandestine relationship with the show’s lead, Charlie (Joe Locke), at the start of the show, but it becomes clear that he is using Charlie and he is often antagonistic towards him.
Heartstopper has made huge stars of the likes of Locke and Kit Connor, who have also landed major agency representation.
Croft is also leading Prime Video’s upcoming rom-com movie How to Date Billy Walsh, in which he will play the lead role of Archie opposite Tanner Buchanan when the movie airs in April.
- 2/27/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: XYZ Films, Wayward Entertainment, and Resolute Films have wrapped on the horror pic Svalta with This Way Up actor Aisling Bea and Nick Frost leading.
The pic, written and starring Nick Frost, has just wrapped production in Tampere, Finland, with post-production currently underway in the UK. Plot follows a family on their summer vacation to a remote island where they discover a serial killer is on the loose. Unfortunately for them, the locals have no interest in helping the stranded family. The title is taken from the name of the fictional island. Directing is Steffen Haars (New Kids Turbo). Cast is rounded out by Sebastian Croft (Heartstopper) and newcomer Maisie Ayres.
Lena Headey (Game Of Thrones) had previously been attached to the pic but stepped back due to what has been described as scheduling conflicts. She was replaced by Bea.
Svalta is produced by Lee Kim for Resolute Films,...
The pic, written and starring Nick Frost, has just wrapped production in Tampere, Finland, with post-production currently underway in the UK. Plot follows a family on their summer vacation to a remote island where they discover a serial killer is on the loose. Unfortunately for them, the locals have no interest in helping the stranded family. The title is taken from the name of the fictional island. Directing is Steffen Haars (New Kids Turbo). Cast is rounded out by Sebastian Croft (Heartstopper) and newcomer Maisie Ayres.
Lena Headey (Game Of Thrones) had previously been attached to the pic but stepped back due to what has been described as scheduling conflicts. She was replaced by Bea.
Svalta is produced by Lee Kim for Resolute Films,...
- 11/6/2023
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Louis Hofmann has signed with CAA.
The actor will soon be seen in “All the Light We Cannot See,” the upcoming Netflix limited series based on the novel of the same name by Anthony Doerr. The series follows Marie-Laure LeBlanc (Aria Mia Loberti), a blind French teenager who crosses paths with a young German soldier named Werner Pfennig (Hofmaan), who is described as quiet and soulful with “a strong moral compass in a complicated world.” Together, he and Marie-Laure must learn to survive the devastation of the war in occupied France. Hofmann’s casting was announced in February 2022. The project is set to debut on Nov. 2.
Hofmann will also appear in Apple TV+’s upcoming World War II limited series “Masters of the Air,” which is based on on the book of the same name by Donald L. Miller and produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. And during Cannes,...
The actor will soon be seen in “All the Light We Cannot See,” the upcoming Netflix limited series based on the novel of the same name by Anthony Doerr. The series follows Marie-Laure LeBlanc (Aria Mia Loberti), a blind French teenager who crosses paths with a young German soldier named Werner Pfennig (Hofmaan), who is described as quiet and soulful with “a strong moral compass in a complicated world.” Together, he and Marie-Laure must learn to survive the devastation of the war in occupied France. Hofmann’s casting was announced in February 2022. The project is set to debut on Nov. 2.
Hofmann will also appear in Apple TV+’s upcoming World War II limited series “Masters of the Air,” which is based on on the book of the same name by Donald L. Miller and produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. And during Cannes,...
- 5/31/2023
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
CAA has signed rising British star Rosy McEwen.
The actor, who was named to Variety’s 10 Actors to Watch for 2020, was not previously represented in the U.S., and will now be represented by the agency in all areas.
In 2022, McEwen won the British Independent Film Award for best lead performance for “Blue Jean.” She starred as Jean, a closeted teacher pushed to the brink when a new student threatens to expose her sexuality as Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government plans to pass a law stigmatizing gays and lesbians in 1988 England.
Variety exclusively announced that McEwen would take on the role — her first lead — in the film, written and directed by Georgia Oakley. “Jean is a woman forced to wear multiple masks in the different areas of her life, and as such she has this sort of taut, cloistered energy that Rosy has absolutely mastered,” Oakley stated at the time.
The actor, who was named to Variety’s 10 Actors to Watch for 2020, was not previously represented in the U.S., and will now be represented by the agency in all areas.
In 2022, McEwen won the British Independent Film Award for best lead performance for “Blue Jean.” She starred as Jean, a closeted teacher pushed to the brink when a new student threatens to expose her sexuality as Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government plans to pass a law stigmatizing gays and lesbians in 1988 England.
Variety exclusively announced that McEwen would take on the role — her first lead — in the film, written and directed by Georgia Oakley. “Jean is a woman forced to wear multiple masks in the different areas of her life, and as such she has this sort of taut, cloistered energy that Rosy has absolutely mastered,” Oakley stated at the time.
- 3/16/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Range Media Partners has signed actress, writer and producer Antonia Desplat for management.
Desplat most recently starred opposite Charlie Hunnam in Apple TV+’s series Shantaram, based on the novel of the same name by Gregory David Roberts. Prior television credits include ITV’s The Durrells and Victoria, as well as the Netflix drama The Letter for the King.
Desplat’s most recent big-screen role came as part of the ensemble of Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch, which had her appearing alongside Timothée Chalamet, Saoirse Ronan, Frances McDormand and Tilda Swinton. Additional film credits include MGM’s Operation Finale with Oscar Isaac, Ben Kingsley and Mélanie Laurent, and the French short film Naissance d’une étoile, in which she starred alongside Oscar nominee Catherine Deneuve.
Desplat is best known on the filmmaking side for producing and starring in the short Held for a Moment. The film won her...
Desplat most recently starred opposite Charlie Hunnam in Apple TV+’s series Shantaram, based on the novel of the same name by Gregory David Roberts. Prior television credits include ITV’s The Durrells and Victoria, as well as the Netflix drama The Letter for the King.
Desplat’s most recent big-screen role came as part of the ensemble of Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch, which had her appearing alongside Timothée Chalamet, Saoirse Ronan, Frances McDormand and Tilda Swinton. Additional film credits include MGM’s Operation Finale with Oscar Isaac, Ben Kingsley and Mélanie Laurent, and the French short film Naissance d’une étoile, in which she starred alongside Oscar nominee Catherine Deneuve.
Desplat is best known on the filmmaking side for producing and starring in the short Held for a Moment. The film won her...
- 1/11/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Newcomer Elliott Heffernan, Harris Dickinson, Erin Kellyman, Stephen Graham, singer-songwriter Paul Weller (his film debut) and Kathy Burke have joined the cast of Steve McQueen’s next film Blitz from Apple Original Films. Saoirse Ronan is also on board with McQueen writing, directing and producing the film, which tells the stories of Londoners during the Blitz of World War II. It is scheduled to begin filming later this year.
McQueen’s Lammas Park produces alongside Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title Films, and Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan and Michael Schaefer from New Regency. Anita Overland and Adam Somner are also producing. This reunites McQueen with New Regency, where he made the Best Picture Oscar winner 12 Years a Slave and 2018’s Widows. Blitz was developed and packaged by New Regency under McQueen’s first-look deal.
Dickinson’s star has been on the rise ever since his breakout role...
McQueen’s Lammas Park produces alongside Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title Films, and Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan and Michael Schaefer from New Regency. Anita Overland and Adam Somner are also producing. This reunites McQueen with New Regency, where he made the Best Picture Oscar winner 12 Years a Slave and 2018’s Widows. Blitz was developed and packaged by New Regency under McQueen’s first-look deal.
Dickinson’s star has been on the rise ever since his breakout role...
- 12/6/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Steve McQueen’s upcoming World War II feature “Blitz” has added Stephen Graham (“The Irishman”) and Harris Dickinson (“Triangle of Sadness”), both pictured above, to its cast.
Erin Kellyman (“Willow”), Kathy Burke (“Absolutely Fabulous”) and newcomer Elliott Heffernan (pictured below) are also set to appear in the Apple TV+ movie, which is about to go into production in London.
Singer-songwriter Paul Weller will also make his feature film debut in the project.
They will join previously announced Saoirse Ronan in the film, which is written, directed, and produced by McQueen (“12 Years a Slave”).
(L-r) Erin Kellyman, Kathy Burke, Elliott Heffernan (courtesy of Apple TV+)
Heffernan will star as the lead in “Blitz,” the plot of which is still being kept under wraps. The title refers to the German aerial bombing campaign against Britain in the early 1940s, during the Second World War, which saw London sustain significant damage. In response,...
Erin Kellyman (“Willow”), Kathy Burke (“Absolutely Fabulous”) and newcomer Elliott Heffernan (pictured below) are also set to appear in the Apple TV+ movie, which is about to go into production in London.
Singer-songwriter Paul Weller will also make his feature film debut in the project.
They will join previously announced Saoirse Ronan in the film, which is written, directed, and produced by McQueen (“12 Years a Slave”).
(L-r) Erin Kellyman, Kathy Burke, Elliott Heffernan (courtesy of Apple TV+)
Heffernan will star as the lead in “Blitz,” the plot of which is still being kept under wraps. The title refers to the German aerial bombing campaign against Britain in the early 1940s, during the Second World War, which saw London sustain significant damage. In response,...
- 12/6/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
FX has rounded out the cast of The Sterling Affairs, its limited series about the downfall of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling amid the team’s drive to win a championship under coach Doc Rivers. Cleopatra Coleman (Dopesick) has been tapped to star as Sterling’s mistress V. Stiviano.
Also cast are Kelly AuCoin (Billions) as former Clippers president Andy Roeser and Austin Scott (A Jazzman’s Blues), J. Alphonse Nicholson (P-Valley), Sheldon “Shel” Bailey (Game Shakers), Sarunas J. Jackson (Insecure) and Charlie McElveen (The Deuce) as the NBA players caught up in the shocking events. Scott will play Blake Griffin, Nicholson will portray Chris Paul, Bailey will play D’Andre Jordan, Jackson will portray Matt Barnes, and McElveen will play JJ Reddick.
They join previously announced leads Laurence Fishburne as former Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, Ed O’Neill as Donald Sterling, and Jacki Weaver as Sterling’s wife Shelly.
Also cast are Kelly AuCoin (Billions) as former Clippers president Andy Roeser and Austin Scott (A Jazzman’s Blues), J. Alphonse Nicholson (P-Valley), Sheldon “Shel” Bailey (Game Shakers), Sarunas J. Jackson (Insecure) and Charlie McElveen (The Deuce) as the NBA players caught up in the shocking events. Scott will play Blake Griffin, Nicholson will portray Chris Paul, Bailey will play D’Andre Jordan, Jackson will portray Matt Barnes, and McElveen will play JJ Reddick.
They join previously announced leads Laurence Fishburne as former Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, Ed O’Neill as Donald Sterling, and Jacki Weaver as Sterling’s wife Shelly.
- 8/24/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Jamie Neumann (Lovecraft Country) and Amy Darton (Sleeping Beauty) are set for heavily recurring roles in AMC’s upcoming series Invitation to a Bonfire based on the novel by Adrienne Celt of the same name. Additionally Emmy-nominated Cherien Dabis (Only Murders In The Building) has been tapped to direct the first two episodes of the six-episode series and executive produce. Premiere is slated for next year.
Created by Rachel Caris Love, Invitation to a Bonfire is a psychological thriller set in the 1930s at an all-girls boarding school in New Jersey. Inspired by Vladimir and Vera Nabokov’s co-dependent marriage, the series follows Zoya (Freya Mavor), a young Russian immigrant and groundskeeper, who is drawn into a lethal love triangle with the school’s newest faculty member — an enigmatic novelist, Leo (Pilou Asbæk)— and his bewitching wife (Maslany).
Darton will play Daphne. In the complex social hierarchy of the all-girls Donne School,...
Created by Rachel Caris Love, Invitation to a Bonfire is a psychological thriller set in the 1930s at an all-girls boarding school in New Jersey. Inspired by Vladimir and Vera Nabokov’s co-dependent marriage, the series follows Zoya (Freya Mavor), a young Russian immigrant and groundskeeper, who is drawn into a lethal love triangle with the school’s newest faculty member — an enigmatic novelist, Leo (Pilou Asbæk)— and his bewitching wife (Maslany).
Darton will play Daphne. In the complex social hierarchy of the all-girls Donne School,...
- 8/12/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Lashay Anderson (Rebel Cheer Squad) and Faith Alabi (Industry) have been cast as series regulars opposite Adrienne Warren, Mia Isaac and Ashley Thomas in Hulu drama series Black Cake, from Marissa Jo Cerar, Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Films, and Aaron Kaplan’s Kapital Entertainment. Additionally, Ahmed Elhaj (Grantchester) has been tapped for a recurring role in the project.
Based on the book by Charmaine Wilkerson, Black Cake is a family drama wrapped in a murder mystery. Cerar wrote the adaptation and serves as showrunner on the series, which spans decades.
In the late 1960s, a runaway bride named Covey (Isaac) disappears into the surf off the coast of Jamaica and is feared drowned or a fugitive on the run for her husband’s murder. Fifty years later in California, a widow named Eleanor Bennett loses her battle with cancer, leaving her two estranged children, Byron and Benny, with a flash...
Based on the book by Charmaine Wilkerson, Black Cake is a family drama wrapped in a murder mystery. Cerar wrote the adaptation and serves as showrunner on the series, which spans decades.
In the late 1960s, a runaway bride named Covey (Isaac) disappears into the surf off the coast of Jamaica and is feared drowned or a fugitive on the run for her husband’s murder. Fifty years later in California, a widow named Eleanor Bennett loses her battle with cancer, leaving her two estranged children, Byron and Benny, with a flash...
- 7/20/2022
- by Sofia Behzadi
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Principal photography has begun on Better Man, and Deadline has the first image from production. This is the musical feature film based on the life of singer Robbie Williams, with Australian filmmaker Michael Gracey at the helm. Gracey’s debut film, The Greatest Showman, grossed over 435M at the global box office.
Williams makes his feature debut playing one of the iterations of himself, of which there are several. Another is played by rising UK star Jonno Davies, who plays Williams throughout his younger adult life, with British stage and screen veterans Steve Pemberton and Alison Steadman. The film’s Australian cast includes Damon Herriman (Judy & Punch), Kate Mulvany (Elvis) and Anthony Hayes (War Machine).
Currently filming in Melbourne, Australia, Better Man is an introspective look at the rise, fall and resurrection of UK superstar Robbie Williams,...
Williams makes his feature debut playing one of the iterations of himself, of which there are several. Another is played by rising UK star Jonno Davies, who plays Williams throughout his younger adult life, with British stage and screen veterans Steve Pemberton and Alison Steadman. The film’s Australian cast includes Damon Herriman (Judy & Punch), Kate Mulvany (Elvis) and Anthony Hayes (War Machine).
Currently filming in Melbourne, Australia, Better Man is an introspective look at the rise, fall and resurrection of UK superstar Robbie Williams,...
- 5/10/2022
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix’s search for its Marie-Laure, the blind teenager at the heart of its four-part adaptation of the Pulitzer-Prize winning novel “All The Light We Cannot See,” is complete. The streamer has cast Aria Mia Loberti, a first-time actress who has low vision, in the role.
“To find an actress to play the iconic Marie-Laure — a young blind woman whose greatest strength is the tenacity of her hope and the power of her voice across the airwaves during wartime — was no small challenge,” said Shawn Levy, director and executive producer of the series. “We searched the world and reviewed thousands of auditions. We never thought our path would lead to someone who has not only never acted professionally, but never auditioned before. It was a jaw-drop moment when we first saw Aria Mia Loberti, who is both a natural performer and an advocate for disability equity and representation. I can...
“To find an actress to play the iconic Marie-Laure — a young blind woman whose greatest strength is the tenacity of her hope and the power of her voice across the airwaves during wartime — was no small challenge,” said Shawn Levy, director and executive producer of the series. “We searched the world and reviewed thousands of auditions. We never thought our path would lead to someone who has not only never acted professionally, but never auditioned before. It was a jaw-drop moment when we first saw Aria Mia Loberti, who is both a natural performer and an advocate for disability equity and representation. I can...
- 12/9/2021
- by Mónica Marie Zorrilla
- Variety Film + TV
Following a worldwide casting search, newcomer Aria Mia Loberti has been tapped as the female lead in All The Light We Cannot See, a four-part limited series adaptation of Anthony Doerr’s Pulitzer Prize-winning bestseller, from Shawn Levy and Steven Knight.
Loberti will play Marie-Laure, the blind teenager at the heart of the story, whose path collides with Werner, a German soldier, as they both try to survive the devastation of World War II in occupied France.
A recent Fulbright Scholar, current Ph.D. student in Rhetoric at Pennsylvania State University and former United Nations Youth Delegate, Loberti decided to try out after learning about the casting search for blind and low-vision actresses from a former childhood teacher. She had read the book and was a fan of the story. Despite no formal acting training, Loberti beat out thousands of submissions to secure the role of the heroic protagonist. This...
Loberti will play Marie-Laure, the blind teenager at the heart of the story, whose path collides with Werner, a German soldier, as they both try to survive the devastation of World War II in occupied France.
A recent Fulbright Scholar, current Ph.D. student in Rhetoric at Pennsylvania State University and former United Nations Youth Delegate, Loberti decided to try out after learning about the casting search for blind and low-vision actresses from a former childhood teacher. She had read the book and was a fan of the story. Despite no formal acting training, Loberti beat out thousands of submissions to secure the role of the heroic protagonist. This...
- 12/9/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
‘The Continental’: Peter Greene, Ayomide Adegun, Jeremy Bobb Join Starz’s ‘John Wick’ Prequel Series
Peter Greene, Ayomide Adegun and Jeremy Bobb are set as leads opposite Colin Woodell and Mel Gibson in Starz’s The Continental, the prequel to the Keanu Reeves film series John Wick. The Continental will be presented as a three-night special-event TV series, produced for Starz by Lionsgate Television.
The Continental will explore the origin behind the hotel-for-assassins, which increasingly has become the centerpiece of the John Wick universe. This will be accomplished through the eyes and actions of a young Winston Scott (Woodell), who is dragged into the Hell-scape of a 1975 New York City to face a past he thought he’d left behind. Winston charts a deadly course through New York’s mysterious underworld in a harrowing attempt to seize the iconic hotel, which serves as the meeting point for the world’s most dangerous criminals.
Greene will play Uncle...
The Continental will explore the origin behind the hotel-for-assassins, which increasingly has become the centerpiece of the John Wick universe. This will be accomplished through the eyes and actions of a young Winston Scott (Woodell), who is dragged into the Hell-scape of a 1975 New York City to face a past he thought he’d left behind. Winston charts a deadly course through New York’s mysterious underworld in a harrowing attempt to seize the iconic hotel, which serves as the meeting point for the world’s most dangerous criminals.
Greene will play Uncle...
- 11/10/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Rising actors Lamar Johnson (The Hate U Give), Aaron Pierre (The Underground Railroad), Marsha Stephanie Blake (When They See Us) and Kiana Madeira (Fear Street Trilogy) have been set to star in feature drama Brother, which is filming in and around Toronto.
Written and directed by Clement Virgo (Greenleaf) and based on David Chariandy’s novel, Brother is set against Toronto’s early hip hop scene. The film charts the story of Francis and Michael, sons of Caribbean immigrants, who are maturing into young men during the sweltering summer of 1991. Escalating tensions set off a series of events that change the course of the brothers’ lives forever.
Producing are Virgo and Damon D’Oliveira of Conquering Lion Pictures, along with Aeschylus Poulos and Sonya Di Rienzo of Hawkeye Pictures.
The pic will be distributed in Canada by Elevation Pictures. Foreign sales will be handled by Bron Releasing. Filming will run...
Written and directed by Clement Virgo (Greenleaf) and based on David Chariandy’s novel, Brother is set against Toronto’s early hip hop scene. The film charts the story of Francis and Michael, sons of Caribbean immigrants, who are maturing into young men during the sweltering summer of 1991. Escalating tensions set off a series of events that change the course of the brothers’ lives forever.
Producing are Virgo and Damon D’Oliveira of Conquering Lion Pictures, along with Aeschylus Poulos and Sonya Di Rienzo of Hawkeye Pictures.
The pic will be distributed in Canada by Elevation Pictures. Foreign sales will be handled by Bron Releasing. Filming will run...
- 10/15/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Britne Oldford is set as a lead opposite Rachel Weisz in Amazon’s Dead Ringers series, a reimagining with a gender swap of David Cronenberg’s cult classic 1980s film. Jeremy Shamos (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom) also will recur in the series, which hails from Weisz, writer Alice Birch (Normal People), Annapurna Television and Morgan Creek Entertainment, the company behind the original movie.
Dead Ringers is a modern take on Cronenberg’s thriller starring Jeremy Irons, featuring Weisz playing the double lead role of Elliot and Beverly Mantle, twins who share everything: drugs, lovers, and an unapologetic desire to do whatever it takes, including pushing the boundaries on medical ethics in an effort to challenge antiquated practices and bring women’s healthcare to the forefront.
Oldford will play Genevieve, an actress in the midst of her breakout role who meets Elliot and Beverly after a unique check-up.
Dead Ringers is a modern take on Cronenberg’s thriller starring Jeremy Irons, featuring Weisz playing the double lead role of Elliot and Beverly Mantle, twins who share everything: drugs, lovers, and an unapologetic desire to do whatever it takes, including pushing the boundaries on medical ethics in an effort to challenge antiquated practices and bring women’s healthcare to the forefront.
Oldford will play Genevieve, an actress in the midst of her breakout role who meets Elliot and Beverly after a unique check-up.
- 8/11/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Upcoming Avatar star Jack Champion and Wonder Woman 1984 actress Lilly Aspell will play the son and daughter of Liam Neeson’s banking executive protagonist in the Studiocanal thriller Retribution.
The pic, which starts shooting next month in Berlin, follows a banking executive whose life is thrown upside down when a bomb is placed inside his car with himself and his family. The banker’s children are forced to go through the harrowing events with him. Nimrod Antal is directing. Champion and Aspell join already announced actress Noma Dumezweni (HBO Max’s Made for Love) in the film.
The thriller is a remake of the celebrated Spanish film El Desconocido. The Picture Company partners Andrew Rona and Alex Heineman are producing along with Jaume Collet-Serra and Juan Sola. Vaca Films who made the original film will executive produce along with Atresmedia Cine. Ron Halpern and Shanna Eddy are overseeing the project for Studiocanal.
The pic, which starts shooting next month in Berlin, follows a banking executive whose life is thrown upside down when a bomb is placed inside his car with himself and his family. The banker’s children are forced to go through the harrowing events with him. Nimrod Antal is directing. Champion and Aspell join already announced actress Noma Dumezweni (HBO Max’s Made for Love) in the film.
The thriller is a remake of the celebrated Spanish film El Desconocido. The Picture Company partners Andrew Rona and Alex Heineman are producing along with Jaume Collet-Serra and Juan Sola. Vaca Films who made the original film will executive produce along with Atresmedia Cine. Ron Halpern and Shanna Eddy are overseeing the project for Studiocanal.
- 5/24/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Newcomer Ainsley Seiger has been cast as a series regular opposite Christopher Meloni, Dylan McDermott, Tamara Taylor and Danielle Moné Truitt, in Law & Order: Organized Crime, and Charlotte Sullivan (Rookie Blue), Nick Creegan (David Makes Man), Ben Chase (The Last Thing He Wanted) and Jaylin Fletcher (Snowpiercer) are set to recur in NBC’s Svu spinoff series.
The drama, now filming in New York after a brief pause earlier this month due to a positive Covid test, will premiere April 1 at 10 Pm as part of a crossover with Law & Order: Svu at 9 Pm that same night.
In Law & Order: Organized Crime, Elliot Stabler (Meloni) returns to the NYPD to battle organized crime after a devastating personal loss. Stabler will aim to rebuild his life as part of a new elite task force that is taking apart the city’s most powerful criminal syndicates one by one.
The drama, now filming in New York after a brief pause earlier this month due to a positive Covid test, will premiere April 1 at 10 Pm as part of a crossover with Law & Order: Svu at 9 Pm that same night.
In Law & Order: Organized Crime, Elliot Stabler (Meloni) returns to the NYPD to battle organized crime after a devastating personal loss. Stabler will aim to rebuild his life as part of a new elite task force that is taking apart the city’s most powerful criminal syndicates one by one.
- 2/19/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The CW’s “Nancy Drew” spinoff series “Tom Swift,” which is currently in the development stage, has cast Tian Richards in the title role.
Richards will be introduced as the character in an upcoming episode of “Nancy Drew” that will serve as a backdoor pilot for “Tom Swift.” On the installment, Tom will crash into one of Nancy Drew’s investigations, an event which Nancy interprets as supernatural and Tom believes to be cosmically paranormal.
Should “Tom Swift” be ordered to series, Richards would reprise the role to lead that show.
“Tom Swift” follows the serialized adventures of its titular Black, gay, billionaire inventor who is thrust into a world of sci-fi conspiracy and unexplained phenomena after the shocking disappearance of his father. Tom takes to the road on a quest to unravel the truth, leaving behind the comforts of his usual moneyed lifestyle, all while fighting to stay one...
Richards will be introduced as the character in an upcoming episode of “Nancy Drew” that will serve as a backdoor pilot for “Tom Swift.” On the installment, Tom will crash into one of Nancy Drew’s investigations, an event which Nancy interprets as supernatural and Tom believes to be cosmically paranormal.
Should “Tom Swift” be ordered to series, Richards would reprise the role to lead that show.
“Tom Swift” follows the serialized adventures of its titular Black, gay, billionaire inventor who is thrust into a world of sci-fi conspiracy and unexplained phenomena after the shocking disappearance of his father. Tom takes to the road on a quest to unravel the truth, leaving behind the comforts of his usual moneyed lifestyle, all while fighting to stay one...
- 1/26/2021
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
Tian Richards (Dumplin’) has been tapped for the role of Tom Swift in an upcoming episode of the CW drama Nancy Drew, which will serve as a backdoor pilot for a potential spinoff series, now in development at the network.
If Tom Swift goes to series, Richards will continue in the title role.
In the planted-spinoff episode of Nancy Drew, Tom Swift will crash into one of Nancy Drew’s (Kennedy McMann) investigations, an event that Nancy interprets as supernatural and Tom believes to be cosmically paranormal. (This is not a traditional backdoor pilot/planted spinoff as Tom Swift is developing a regular pilot script in addition to the title character appearing on Nancy Drew.)
Tom Swift, from Nancy Drew co-creators/executive producers Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, their Fake Empire banner and CBS Studios, is considered one of the CW’s strongest early contenders for next season.
2021 The CW...
If Tom Swift goes to series, Richards will continue in the title role.
In the planted-spinoff episode of Nancy Drew, Tom Swift will crash into one of Nancy Drew’s (Kennedy McMann) investigations, an event that Nancy interprets as supernatural and Tom believes to be cosmically paranormal. (This is not a traditional backdoor pilot/planted spinoff as Tom Swift is developing a regular pilot script in addition to the title character appearing on Nancy Drew.)
Tom Swift, from Nancy Drew co-creators/executive producers Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, their Fake Empire banner and CBS Studios, is considered one of the CW’s strongest early contenders for next season.
2021 The CW...
- 1/26/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Ellie Bamber (Nocturnal Animals), Cailee Spaeny (The Craft: Legacy) and Erin Kellyman (Solo) are in negotiations for the three female leads in Willow, Disney+ and Lucasfilm’s upcoming TV series follow-up to the 1988 fantasy movie, with the film’s star Warwick Davis reprising his title role, I have learned. The new incarnation of Willow comes from Jonathan Kasdan, who wrote the pilot and serves as co-showrunner alongside Wendy Mericle; Jon M. Chu, who will direct the pilot episode; the original film’s director Ron Howard and writer Bob Dolman; as well as Lucasfilm, which produced the movie. A rep for Disney+ declined comment.
The Willow movie, written by Dolman from a story by George Lucas, starred Davis as a reluctant farmer who leads a ragtag crew on a quest to protect a special baby from a tyrannical queen who vows to destroy her.
The series, which marks Lucasfilm’s...
The Willow movie, written by Dolman from a story by George Lucas, starred Davis as a reluctant farmer who leads a ragtag crew on a quest to protect a special baby from a tyrannical queen who vows to destroy her.
The series, which marks Lucasfilm’s...
- 11/30/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Yasha Jackson (Manifest) is set for a recurring role on HBO Max’s thriller series The Flight Attendant, starring and executive produced by Kaley Cuoco.
The Flight Attendant is a story of how an entire life can change in one night. Cassie (Cuoco) is a flight attendant who wakes up in the wrong hotel, in the wrong bed, with a dead man – and no idea what happened. Michiel Huisman, Colin Woodell, Zosia Mamet, Merle Dandridge and Griffin Matthews also star.
Jackson will play Jada Harris, a flight attendant who shares routes with Cassie and also works the first-class cabin. Polished, poised and skilled in the passive-aggressive arts, Jada can kill you with a cutting comment while still smiling.
2020 HBO Max Pilots & Series Orders
The dark comedic thriller is based on the novel by New York Times best-selling author Chris Bohjalian. Greg Berlanti, Cuoco, Sarah Schechter, Steve Yockey, Meredith Lavender and Marcie Ulin are executive producers.
The Flight Attendant is a story of how an entire life can change in one night. Cassie (Cuoco) is a flight attendant who wakes up in the wrong hotel, in the wrong bed, with a dead man – and no idea what happened. Michiel Huisman, Colin Woodell, Zosia Mamet, Merle Dandridge and Griffin Matthews also star.
Jackson will play Jada Harris, a flight attendant who shares routes with Cassie and also works the first-class cabin. Polished, poised and skilled in the passive-aggressive arts, Jada can kill you with a cutting comment while still smiling.
2020 HBO Max Pilots & Series Orders
The dark comedic thriller is based on the novel by New York Times best-selling author Chris Bohjalian. Greg Berlanti, Cuoco, Sarah Schechter, Steve Yockey, Meredith Lavender and Marcie Ulin are executive producers.
- 10/14/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, ballet dancer Francesca Howard is cast in “Cats,” Billy Bob Thornton and Alice Eve are getting honors, and “Chocolate Lizards” is becoming a film.
Casting
Francesca Hayward, principal dancer with the Royal Ballet, has joined the cast of Universal Pictures and Working Title’s “Cats.”
The movie is an adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical “Cats,” based on “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” by T.S. Eliot.
Hayward joined the Royal Ballet in 2010 and was promoted to principal in 2016. Some of her most prominent roles include Juliet (“Romeo and Juliet”), Alice (“Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”), Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara (“The Nutcracker”), and Princess Aurora (“The Sleeping Beauty”).
Tom Hooper will direct from a script he co-wrote with Lee Hall. “Cats” will be produced by Hooper and Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, as well as fellow “Les Misérables” producer Debra Hayward,...
Casting
Francesca Hayward, principal dancer with the Royal Ballet, has joined the cast of Universal Pictures and Working Title’s “Cats.”
The movie is an adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical “Cats,” based on “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” by T.S. Eliot.
Hayward joined the Royal Ballet in 2010 and was promoted to principal in 2016. Some of her most prominent roles include Juliet (“Romeo and Juliet”), Alice (“Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”), Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara (“The Nutcracker”), and Princess Aurora (“The Sleeping Beauty”).
Tom Hooper will direct from a script he co-wrote with Lee Hall. “Cats” will be produced by Hooper and Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, as well as fellow “Les Misérables” producer Debra Hayward,...
- 11/3/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Francesca Hayward, the Principal dancer with The Royal Ballet, has boarded Universal Pictures/Working Title’s Cats based on the Andrew Lloyd Webber hit musical.
We hear she will play a new pivotal role in the feature film version of the musical, a white kitten named Victoria, which was not in the original production. Word is also that Lloyd Webber has written a new song for Victoria.
Hayward attended The Royal Ballet School and joined The Royal Ballet in 2010 and was promoted to Principal in 2016. Some of her most prominent roles include Juliet (Romeo and Juliet), Alice (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland), Manon, Lise (La Fille mal gardée), the female Principal role in Rhapsody, Titania (The Dream), Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara (The Nutcracker) and Princess Aurora (The Sleeping Beauty). Francesca represented The Royal Ballet at the 2012 International Competition for the Erik Bruhn Prize and won Best Emerging Artist (2014) and...
We hear she will play a new pivotal role in the feature film version of the musical, a white kitten named Victoria, which was not in the original production. Word is also that Lloyd Webber has written a new song for Victoria.
Hayward attended The Royal Ballet School and joined The Royal Ballet in 2010 and was promoted to Principal in 2016. Some of her most prominent roles include Juliet (Romeo and Juliet), Alice (Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland), Manon, Lise (La Fille mal gardée), the female Principal role in Rhapsody, Titania (The Dream), Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara (The Nutcracker) and Princess Aurora (The Sleeping Beauty). Francesca represented The Royal Ballet at the 2012 International Competition for the Erik Bruhn Prize and won Best Emerging Artist (2014) and...
- 11/2/2018
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Laurie Davidson, who played William Shakespeare in TNT’s series Will, has joined the cast of Universal Pictures and Working Title’s Cats based on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic hit musical.
Davidson’s role is under wraps but he joins the already announced cast of Jennifer Hudson, Taylor Swift, James Corden and Ian McKellen. Davidson, who is repped by Sophie Holden of Curtis Brown and Lucy Popkin of Peikoff Mahan, also starred in the Bill Condon-directed movie The Good Liar starring Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren.
Les Miserables feature director Tom Hooper is helming Cats and along with Lee Hall has adapted the story for the screen. The musical feature, which has long been in development through various iterations in Hollywood, will be produced by Hooper and Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, as well as fellow Les Misérables producer Debra Hayward, who brought the idea to Working Title.
Davidson’s role is under wraps but he joins the already announced cast of Jennifer Hudson, Taylor Swift, James Corden and Ian McKellen. Davidson, who is repped by Sophie Holden of Curtis Brown and Lucy Popkin of Peikoff Mahan, also starred in the Bill Condon-directed movie The Good Liar starring Ian McKellen and Helen Mirren.
Les Miserables feature director Tom Hooper is helming Cats and along with Lee Hall has adapted the story for the screen. The musical feature, which has long been in development through various iterations in Hollywood, will be produced by Hooper and Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, as well as fellow Les Misérables producer Debra Hayward, who brought the idea to Working Title.
- 9/25/2018
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
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