Motion Picture: Ariana DeBose and Daniel Wu Join ‘With love,’ D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai To Star in ‘Warzone’
Action/Horror/Fantasy/Sci-Fi: David Iacono (The Summer I Turned Pretty, Cinnamon) will star in Netflix’s upcoming teenage horror film Fear Street: Prom Queen. First announced by author R.L. Stine in January, the film is based on Stine’s 1992 Fear Street novel The Prom Queen. Netflix’s feature focuses on Shadyside High’s Prom Night, and the disappearance of the school’s It Girls who are vying for the crown while an outsider is nominated for the position. Fear Street: Prom Queen comes after Netflix’s 2021 trilogy of Fear Street films - Fear Street: Part One - 1994, Fear Street: Part Two - 1978, and Fear Street: Part Three - 1666.
A trailer for the fourth Bad Boys film, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, has been released. In the trailer, Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) contend with their boss (Joe Pantoliano) being framed. The film also stars Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Eric Dane, and Melanie Liburd, among others. Set to release on June 7, Bad Boys: Ride or Die comes from the creatives behind Bad Boys for Life, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, and is to be produced and executive produced by Smith and Lawrence, respectively.
Ariana DeBose (West Side Story) is set to star with Ke Huy Quan in Universal Pictures and 87North’s upcoming feature With Love. After Quan’s casting, a number of female actors met with producers and studio executives for the part, of which DeBose secured. The plot of the film is currently unknown, but it will mark Quan’s first leading role since his Best Supporting Oscar win for 2022’s Everything Everywhere All at Once. With Love is set for a wide release of Feb. 7, 2025.
Daniel Wu (American Born Chinese, Into the Badlands) also joined the cast of With Love. Beginning with a starring role in Bishonen, Wu’s career spans more than 25 years. Some film credits for the actor include Gen-X Cops, City of Glass, Warcraft, Tomb Raider, and Reminiscence. For his directorial debut, The Heavenly Kings, Wu won the Hong Kong Film Award for Best New Director.
Henry Golding (Crazy Rich Asians, Nine Perfect Strangers), Ian Ho (Chapelwaite, The Handmaid’s Tale), and Bashir Salahuddin are returning for A Simple Favor 2. From Amazon MGM Studios, the film follows Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick) and Emily Nelson (Blake Lively) going to Capri, Italy, for Emily’s wedding, where murder and betrayal is expected. Paul Feig and Jessica Sharzer return from the first film as director and writer, respectively. Other returning cast members include Andrew Rannels, Joshua Satine, and Kelly McCormack. A Simple Favor 2 will begin shooting this spring, and will be released through streaming on Prime Video.
D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (Reservation Dogs, Fitting In) will star in the upcoming war film Warzone. In the film, Woon-A-Tai will portray Ray Mendoza, a Navy veteran who served as a Member of Seal Team 5 and as a BUD/s and a Land Warfare Training Detachment instructor. Warfare comes from Mendoza and Alex Garland; the duo co-writes and co-directs the film. From A24, the film marks the duo’s second collaboration; Mendoza served as a military supervisor for Garland’s Civil War.
Forrest Goodluck (The Revenant) and Peter Mensah (Gladiator 2) are set to star in the psychological thriller Trust. The film follows a Hollywood starlet (Sophie Turner) trying to take refuge from a scandal in an Airbnb and finding herself at the mercy of criminals looking for a score. The film comes from a new multi-film distribution deal between Republic Pictures and Twisted Pictures. Also starring Katey Sagal (Sons of Anarchy) and Billy Campbell (Troll), among others, the film is set to begin shooting soon in Mexico.
Teo Briones (Chucky) and Kaitlyn Santa Juana (The Flash) will star in Final Destination: Bloodlines. The sixth installment of New Line’s horror franchise, Final Destination: Bloodlines is currently in production in Vancouver and is set to release next year. Its plot is unknown, but the franchise’s previous films center on survivors of deadly events being targeted by death. The sixth film is directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, written by Guy Busick and Lori Evans Taylor, and produced by Jon Watts, Dianne McGunigle, Craig Perry, and Sheila Hanahan Taylor.
Justin Simien (Dear White People, Haunted Mansion), Tommy Oliver’s Confluential Films (40 Years a Prisoner, Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project), and Christopher Yost (Thor: Ragnarok, The Mandalorian) will adapt Vault Comics’ science fiction crime thriller Heist: Or, How to Steal a Planet. The comic follows a conman’s plan to steal a criminal-populated planet, Heist. The adaptation will be executive produced and directed by Simien, produced by Oliver, and written by Yost.
According to director Dev Patel, production of the action film Monkey Man was difficult. Among other issues, Patel, in a Reddit AMA, explained that the film’s production faced location changes, lack of funding, and equipment problems. However, Patel noted that every obstacle provided the crew an opportunity to innovate, such as a crane’s breaking necessitating a rope be used as a camera rig. Patel also explained how break-away tables would be reused for additonal shots. From Universal Pictures, Monkey Man stars and is directed and produced by Patel. It was released theatrically on April 5.
Klea Scott (Millenium, Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists) has joined the cast of Paramount Pictures and Atlas Independent’s horror film Vicious. Written and directed by The Strangers’ Bryan Bertino, Vicious follows a woman fighting for her existence - the struggle is brought about by the woman falling down a rabbit hole that’s within a gift left by a late-night visitor. Produced by Richard Suckle (Wonder Woman, American Hustle), Vicious is set for release on August 8, 2025.
Kali Reis (True Detective: Night Country, Catch the Fair One) has joined the cast of Amazon MGM Studios’ sci-fi thriller Mercy. The film, whose cast includes Chris Pratt, Rebecca Ferguson, and Annabelle Wallis, follows a detective (Pratt) trying to prove his innocence after being accused of a crime. Mercy is set in the near-future, where capital crime has increased. The film is directed by Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted), produced by Charles Roven (Oppenheimer), Robert Amidon, Majd Nassif, and Bekmambetov’s BEL banner, and written by Marco Van Belle (Arthur & Merlin). The film is hoped to begin filming this spring and theatrically release on August 15, 2025.
Jordan Alexa Davis (Defending Jacob) has joined the cast of Warner Bros. Pictures and Bad Robot’s Flowervale Street. Details about the film’s plot are currently unknown - however, it has been called a “thrill-ride.” The film is written, directed, and produced by David Robert Mitchell. Additional producers are J.J. Abrams and Hannah Minghella for Bad Robot, Matt Jackson of Jackson Pictures, and Tommy Harper. Flowervale Street’s cast includes P.J. Byrne (Babylon, The Wolf of Wall Street), who also recently joined, Anne Hathaway, Ewan McGregor, Maisy Stella, and Christian Convery. It is set to release on May 16, 2025.
Kate Del Castillo (La Reina del Sur, The Cleaning Lady), Tony Dalton (Better Call Saul, Hawkeye), and Whitney Peak (Gossip Girl) have joined the cast of the action film Trap House. Directed by Michael Dowse (Goon, Stuber), written by Gary Scott Thompson (Fast & Furious) and Tom O’Connor (The Hitman’s Bodyguard), and produced by Marc Goldberg, Sarah Gabriel, Michael Pruss, and Rebecca Feuer, Trap House follows DEA agents pursuing their teenagers, who have been using their parents’ tactics and intel to rob a cartel. The film stars Dave Bautista, who will also executive produce. Principal photography on the film began on April 1.
Awkwafina - Karwai Tang
Comedy/Dramedy/Musical: Griffin Matthews (The Flight Attendant) has joined the cast of the untitled This is Spinal Tap sequel. The film follows the England band coming together for a final concert after a 15-year hiatus. New and returning cast members include Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, Rob Reiner, Fran Drescher, Don Lake, John Michael Higgins, and Jason Acuña, among others. The sequel is currently under production in New Orleans, with Reiner directing and co-producing. The film was conceived by Reiner, Guest, McKean, and Shearer.
The Bad Guys 2 is set for a theatrical release of Aug. 1, 2025. The film features a cast of Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos, Awkwafina, Zazie Beetz, Richard Ayoade, Alex Borstein, and Lilly Singh. The Bad Guys 2 focuses on the Bad Guys being pulled out of their lives as Good Guys by an all-female criminal squad. Pierre Perifel and Damon Ross return from the first film to direct and produce, respectively. Serving as head of character animation on the first feature, JP Sans will co-direct the sequel.
The comedy Not Another Church Movie has been acquired by Briarcliff Entertainment. Starring Jamie Foxx, Vivica A. Fox, Kevin Daniels, and Mickey Rourke, among others, the film follows a young man, Taylor Pherry (Daniels), and his mission from God: to inspire his community and tell his family’s stories. The film is scheduled to release wide on May 10. Upcoming projects for Briarcliff include Den of Thieves 2: Pantera and Sovereign.
Lil Rel Howery has joined the cast of the R-rated CG/live-action hybrid film Animal Friends. Only known to be a road trip film, its cast also includes Ryan Reynolds, Jason Momoa, Aubrey Plaza, Daniel Levy, and Addison Rae. Howery will voice an animated character in Animal Friends, which is written by Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider and directed by Peter Atencio. The film comes from Legendary Entertainment, Maximum Effort, and Prime Focus Studios.
Sierra Katow’s (The Sex Lives of College Girls, The G Word with Adam Conover) debut comedy special, Funt, released on April 2 on platforms worldwide, and became available in album form on April 5. The special was filmed during the inaugural Comedy Dynamics Festival in 2023, with Katow covering topics like her career choice, online haters, and why anyone still has kids. Katow also executive produced the special.
Jake Choi (Single Parents, The Mattachine Family) will star in the dark comedy The Late Night Creep. The film follows an unhappily married man (Choi) sneaking out to go on a date with a college crush and having a horrible night. The film is to be written, directed, and produced by Jamal Dedeaux (Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks). Among others, Choi’s film credits include Ms. Purple and Money Monster. Some of his television credits include The Magicians and Gotham.
The Late Night Creep has also added Tosin Morohunfola (Run the World), Jason Mitchell (Mudbound), Karen Obilom (The Mill), Lori Laing (That Damn Michael Che), Paula Jai Parker (Hustle & Flow), Lewis Belt (House Party), and Leslie Jones (SNL) to its cast. The actor’s roles are currently unknown.
Jon Batiste (American Symphony, Soul) will compose the score for and star in SNL 1975. Directed by Jason Reitman, written by Reitman and Gil Kenan, and produced by Reitman, Kenan, Jason Blumenfeld, and Peter Rice, SNL 1975 (the film’s working title) focuses on the behind-the-scenes of the sketch comedy series’ first episode on October 11, 1975. The series’ inaugural musical guest was Billy Preston, who performed in the first episode. Batiste will portray him in the film.
Nisha Ganatra (Welcome to Chippendales, Late Night) will direct the sequel to Disney’s 2003 comedy film Freaky Friday. The first film’s stars, Jamie Lee Curtis (Everything Everywhere All at Once) and Lindsay Lohan (Irish Wish), who have hoped for a sequel, are in negotiations to return. It is said that the sequel’s script, written by Jordan Weiss, brings a multigenerational approach to the franchise’s stories of swapping lives. The project is being produced by Andrew Gunn, returning from the 2003 film, and Kristin Burr. While it is unclear whether the film will be released theatrically or through Disney+, it is hoped that the project can begin shooting this summer.
Louis Gossett Jr. - Barry Brecheisen
Industry Update: The w/Love production company has been started by Wellington Love. Love’s latest producing projects are Daniel Peddle’s Beyond the Aggressives: 25 Years Later and I Was Born This Way. The follow-up to Peddle’s The Agressives, Beyond the Aggressives: 25 Years Later debuted on March 30 on Paramount+ with the Paramount+ with Showtime Plan. Peddle’s follow-up documentary unites two generations of queer BIPOC in conversation and action. Upcoming projects at w/Love include Peddle’s feature Rose Moon and the limited series Uncle Bobby.
The Georgia List’s second round of submissions is open. Launched in 2022, The Georgia List comes from The Black List, Collective Moxie, and Trilith Studios, and encourages writers with connections to the state of Georgia to submit scripts. The list is supported by The Black List, Trilith Studios, Fifth Season, Content Talent South, Collective Moxie, 3 Arts Entertainment, and the Alliance Theater, who will read shortlist selections and provide input. Trilith Studios will provide fee waivers for the first 75 qualified submitted scripts, while Georgia List finalists will be met with by managers from 3 Arts Entertainment and Content Talent South for possible representation, and executives from Fifth Season for possible development deals.
The Fellows of the 2024 Concordia Fellowship have been announced. The Fellowship provides support to each recipient through financial rewards and a professional program to help them develop a non-fiction project. Selecting diverse perspectives from across the U.S. for their ability to tell essential stories, the Fellowship offers the Fellows mentorship and access to Columbia Studios’ facilities. The 2024 Concordia Fellows are Rita Baghdadi (Finding the Light, Sirens), Edward Buckles, Jr. (Katrina Babies), Lindsey Dryden (Lost and Sound, Close Your Eyes and Look At Me), and Twiggy Pucci Garçon (MnM).
Tawal Panyacosit (The Girls on the Bus) has signed with M88 for representation. In addition to serving as story editor on the series, Panyacosit has worked as a writer on Vampire Academy and as a writer, co-creator, co-developer, and co-executive producer of Life After First Failure. Panyacosit is also the co-founder of Think Tank for Inclusion & Equity, a volunteer organization dedicated to fostering authentic storytelling in the entertainment industry and improving TV writers’ working conditions.
AMC Entertainment’s shares recently fell, with the company considering selling $250 million worth of stock. The company’s stock sale comes after a low first quarter box office; according to the theater chain, net proceeds from the sale will be used for general corporate purposes, to bolster liquidity, and to repay, refinance, repurchase or redeem existing indebtedness. The low first quarter box office comes, according to the company in an SEC filing, from 2023’s SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, cash burn, and increased seasonal working capital requirements.
Melanie Hoyes has been promoted to Director of Inclusion within BFI. As Director of Inclusion, Hoyes will lead the company’s inclusion team and will work closely alongside the BFI Chief Executive, BFI Chair Jay Hunt, the BFI Executive Board, and industry partners. Joining BFI in 2016, Hoyes began her tenure leading the company’s Black Star season, eventually joining the Inclusion Team and becoming Head of Inclusion in 2022. At BFI, Hoyes developed a new data methodology to map historic ethnic diversity in representation in UK films and led efforts to modernize the BFI Diversity Standards, among other actions. Some of Hoyes’ other work includes sitting on EWA and The Film and Television Charity’s Inclusivity Committee and serving as the Europe Council Lead for the Geena Davis Institute.
Blackwells Capital, an investor in Disney, is suing the company. In Blackwells Capital’s lawsuit, the investor details concerns that another Disney investor ValueAct Capital was paid to back Disney in its recent proxy fight. Blackwells also says that ValueAct managed Disney pension funds from 2013-2023. Blackwells’ actions come after a January announcement by Disney where the company described information sharing and communication regarding strategic matters with ValueAct. A spokesperson for Disney called Blackwells’ claims “baseless.” Additionally, the spokesperson stated that ValueAct was not managing Disney’s pension funds when it was declared that information would be shared between ValueAct and Disney.
Texas-based theater chain Alamo Drafthouse is exploring being sold. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in early 2021, and, later that year, was sold to Altamont Capital Partners; in the filing, some of the company’s venues had to be closed. However, new locations opened after pandemic lockdowns, with cities such as St. Louis and Chicago gaining Alamo Drafthouse theaters. Currently, the company manages about 40 venues. Some Hollywood studios were approached about their interest in the company, but it is unclear if the company is close to acquisition or if talks are ongoing.
Catapult Film Fund has awarded $10,000 each to five documentary filmmakers as part of their annual research grant. In addition to the monetary award, the filmmakers will receive six months of mentorship regarding their nonfiction projects from industry advisors. The recipients of the grant are filmmakers Hazel Gurland-Pooler, Set Hernandez, Arielle Knight, So Yun Um, and Tracy Heather Strain. The grant, in its fourth year, expands on Catapult Film Fund’s mission to provide support to filmmakers in the early stages of developing a project, when concerns and risks regarding funding may occur. The program was launched to address issues of diversity and career sustainability in the industry; this year’s program will begin this month.
Emmy and Academy Award-winner Louis Gossett Jr. has passed away. For his performance as drill instructor Sgt. Emil Foley in Taylor Hackford’s An Officer and a Gentleman in 1982, Gossett won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar, the first Black man to do so. Gossett’s Emmy win came for his role as Fiddler in Roots; Gossett was subsequently nominated for six more Emmys. Gossett’s career spanned multiple decades; he made his debut on stage in a school performance of You Can’t Take It With You at the age of 17. Some of Gossett’s other credits across his career include Enemy Mine and Iron Eagle on film, Extant and Palmerstown, U.S.A. on television, and A Raisin in the Sun and Tambourines to Glory on stage.
A bill affecting Georgia’s film and television production tax credit policy was not passed. A proposed bill, HB 1180, would have limited annual tax credit transfers to 2.5% of the state’s budget - which would currently equate to about $900 million. The terms only would be enacted if Georgia was in financial distress - specifically if a calendar year’s Revenue Shortfall Reserve funds were less than 10% of the previous fiscal year’s net revenue. A slightly different version of the bill, which exempted Georgia's biggest sound stages, and their productions, from the cap, also did not pass.
Dan Lin has begun his tenure heading Netflix’s film division. Initially uncertain of the move from his own company, Rideback, Lin decided to take the position after a discussion with Netflix’s chief content officer, Bela Bajaria. It is rumored that the slate of projects developed under Lin will be “mid-sized,” with some award-contending films and big films featured. At Rideback, Lin’s partner Jonathan Eirich and COO Michael LoFaso will take over as new co-CEOs.
