Motion Picture: Erin Kellyman Joins ‘28 Years Later,’ Mason Gooding To Star In ‘Heart Eyes’
Action/Horror/Fantasy/Sci-Fi: The adventure film Autumn and the Black Jaguar has been acquired by Blue Fox Entertainment from Studiocanal. Directed by Gilles de Maistre (Mia and the White Lion), produced by Catherine Camborde, and written by Prune de Maistre, Autumn and the Black Jaguar follows a young girl, Autumn, who grew up in the Amazon; Autumn returns to the Amazon from New York City to save her childhood village and jaguar friend, Hope, from animal traffickers. The film stars Lumi Pollack (The Fallout), Emily Bett Rickards (Arrow), Paul Greene (Somewhere), and Kelly Hope Taylor (Good Sam), among others.
Rob Morgan (Mudbound), Tony Revolori (The Grand Budapest Hotel), and Angelina LookingGlass have joined the cast of the crime thriller The Rivals of Amziah King. The film’s plot is not known, but it is set in rural Oklahoma; it has been reported that LookingGlass will co-lead the film. The film comes from Andrew Patterson (The Vast of Night), and is produced by Patterson, David Heyman, Teddy Schwarzman, Michael Heimler, Jeffrey Clifford, and Will Greenfield. The Rivals of Amziah King has wrapped production; the feature was fully financed by Black Bear, who is representing it for international sales.
Erin Kellyman (Blitz/Solo: A Star Wars Story) has joined the cast of the first of three upcoming 28 Days Later films from Sony, 28 Years Later. The film’s plot, and Kellyman’s role in the film, are unknown; the feature will be directed by Danny Boyle, written by Alex Garland, and produced by Boyle, Garland, Andrew Macdonald, Peter Rice, and Bernie Bellew. It will be released theatrically on June 20, 2025. Nia DaCosta (The Marvels/Candyman) will direct the second of the three films.
Mason Gooding (the Scream franchise/Booksmart) will star in the horror romantic-comedy film Heart Eyes. The feature follows two coworkers being hunted by a serial killer targeting couples after they are mistaken for one. Heart Eyes will be directed by Josh Ruben and is being produced by Christopher Landon, Greg Gilreath, and Adam Hendricks, and written by Landon, Phillip Murphy, and Michael Kennedy. The film comes from Spyglass.
Emmanuel Gazmey Santiago (Anuel AA) and Luian “DJ Luian” Malavé Nieves will make their feature debuts in You Lose You Die; first-look photos of the actors have also been released. The horror film focuses on a game show on the dark web where sociopaths put prisoners through games that viewers of the show vote on. Prisoners that lose the games are killed, with the show’s viewers voting on the weapons used in their deaths. In the film, Anuel AA and DJ Luian play EZ Money and Ice Pick, respectively. The feature comes from Carlos “Spiff TV” Suarez and is produced by Josue “Sway” Mendez, who also executive produces. You Lose You Die is set to finish filming soon in the Dominican Republic.
Gail Bean (Snowfall), Taye Diggs (The Best Man), Christie Leverette (You’ll Never Leave Me), Joy Brunson (This Is Us), Michael Oloyede (This is Paradise), Carla Fisher (The Boss), and Tristan Mack Wilds (The Wire) will star in the thriller Both Eyes Open. The feature follows a woman (Bean) who has left an abusive relationship and who is being contacted by someone unknown, indicating that her ex may still be out there. The feature comes from RodFather Productions and Ariel Julia Hairston (The Comeback/Boxed In); Hairston and Bean executive produce the film with Roderick McClure and Joshua Ferrell. Both Eyes Open has finished production in Atlanta.
The trailer for the thriller Divorce in the Black has been released. The feature follows Ava, the dissolution of her marriage, and her husband Dallas’ horrible actions that ruined it. The feature is written and directed by Tyler Perry, and is produced by himself, Meagan Good (who stars in the film), Angi Bones, Will Areu, and Dianne Ashford. Divorce in the Black’s cast also features Cory Hardrict, Joseph Lee Anderson, Shannon Wallace, Taylor Polidore, Richard Lawson, and Debbi Morgan. From Amazon MGM Studios, Divorce in the Black will be released globally on July 11 on Prime Video.
Yann Demange (Lovecraft Country) has exited directing Blade; it is reported that Demange left the film amicably. Bassam Tariq (Mogul Mowgli) previously exited directing the film, making Demange the second to do so. First announced at the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con, the Marvel Studios feature stars Mahershala Ali in the title role, and is still scheduled for release on Nov. 7, 2025. However, with production having not yet begun, it is unclear if Blade will be able to release on that scheduled date.
Idris Elba is circling a role in a new Netflix film to come from Kathryn Bigelow. First revealed at Netflix’s Upfront presentation, the film is reported to be set at the White House during a national crisis, but specifics on its plot, its title, and Elba’s role are unknown. Recently, Elba has been seen in Apple TV+’s Hijack, Netflix’s Luther: The Fallen Sun, and has provided the voice of Knuckles in Paramount+’s miniseries about the character. An upcoming project for the actor is the action thriller Heads of State from Amazon MGM Studios.
Ella Rubin (The Idea of You/Masters of the Air), Michael Cimino (Love, Victor/Senior Year), Ji-young Yoo (Expats/Smoking Tigers), and Odessa A’zion (Sitting In Bars With Cake/She Rides Shotgun) will star in the adaptation of the PlayStation game Until Dawn. While the film’s plot is not yet known, the game follows eight friends having to get through their fear after discovering they are not alone on a mountain retreat; the feature adaptation is said to have an ensemble cast and be R-rated. From ScreenGems and PlayStation Productions, it will be directed by David F. Sandberg and produced by Sandberg, Gary Dauberman, Mia Maniscalco, Lotta Losten, Roy Lee, Asad Qizilbash, and Carter Swan. Dauberman wrote the most recent draft of the film; a previous draft was written by Blair Butler.
Jacob Rodriguez (Tell Me Lies/Hal & Harper) will portray Diego in the live-action feature Dora and the Search for Sol Dorado. The feature follows the titular character (Samantha Lorraine), Diego, and friends journeying through the Amazon in a search for the Sol Dorado treasure. Coming from Nickelodeon Studios for Nickelodeon and Paramount+, it is being directed by Alberto Belli (Naughty Nine) and written by JT Billings (Are You Afraid of the Dark?). The film is the second live-action Dora film after 2019’s Dora and the Lost City of Gold.
Meredith Dawson (Champions/Four Weddings and a Funeral) will write the adaptation of Stacey Abrams’ novel Rules of Engagement. The novel follows an operative of a secret intelligence organization going undercover, and the romance that forms between her and the operative posing as her lover. Abrams will produce the film through Sage Works Productions, Inc., a company she founded, while Kerry Washington and Pilar Savone will produce through the company they founded, Simpson Street, whose upcoming credits include the series UnPrisoned and Reasonable Doubt. Past credits for the company include the documentary Daughters.
Audrina Miranda (Dancing With the Stars/Lopez vs Lopez) has joined the cast of the newest Jurassic World film, the seventh in the Jurassic franchise. The plot of the film is not known; it also stars Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Mahershala Ali, Rupert Friend, Luna Blaise, and David Iacono. It will be directed by Gareth Edwards, written by David Koepp (who wrote Jurassic Park and The Lost World: Jurassic Park), and produced by Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley. The seventh Jurassic film is set to begin production in London this month, and will release theatrically on July 2, 2025.
Jon M. Chu - EMMA MCINTYRE
Comedy/Dramedy/Musical: The film Dropz, which is to be executive produced by Bad Bunny, was one of multiple projects announced to be in development. President of Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation Ramsey Naito announced the film, which she compared to E.T. The feature is produced by Will Ferrell, Jessica Elbaum, and David Koplan, directed by Rob Letterman, and written by Letterman and Ike Holter. Other films announced to be in development include Muttnik, following a “space bandit” puppy returning to Earth; Once Upon a Motorcycle Dude, following the saving of a kingdom by a princess and post-apocalyptic motorcyclist; Swan Lake, a fairy-tale retelling based on Swan Lake: Quest for the Kingdoms; and Yokai Samba, a “destination movie to Brazil” that Naito compared to The Last Starfighter.
Jon M. Chu and Jill Culton will co-direct the adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ Oh, the Places You’ll Go! An animated musical focusing on a young adventurer making his way through life, the feature comes from Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, Bad Robot, and Dr. Seuss Enterprises. Original songs for the film are being developed by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The feature is being written by Rob Lieber and produced by J.J. Abrams and Hannah Minghella.
Catherine Laga’aia will portray Moana in the live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated feature of the same name. Auli’i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated film, will executive produce the live-action adaptation and mentor Laga’aia. In addition to Laga’aia, the film stars Dwayne Johnson (portraying Maui, as he did in the animated film), John Tui, Frankie Adams, and Rena Owen. The adaptation will be directed by Thomas Kail, written by Jared Bush (who wrote the animated film) and Dana Ledoux Miller, and produced by Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, Beau Flynn, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. The live-action adaptation of Moana is planning to begin production this summer and will be released on July 10, 2026.
Manny Jacinto (Nine Perfect Strangers/The Good Place) is in talks to join the cast of Freaky Friday 2. Jacinto’s role in the film is not known; while the plot of the sequel is also not known, it is the follow-up to 2003’s Freaky Friday, which was the second adaptation of Mary Rodgers’ children’s book. That film’s leads, Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis are expected to return for Freaky Friday 2. Directed by Nisha Ganatra (Late Night), written by Jordan Weiss, and produced by Andrew Gunn and Kristin Burr, Freaky Friday 2 will begin filming in Los Angeles this summer.
The North American rights to the animated film Ozi, Voice of the Forest have been acquired by Ketchup Entertainment. The feature follows an orangutan (Amandla Stenberg) who attempts to save her home from deforestation by being an influencer. The film is intended to raise awareness about complications from deforestation and serve as the first in a franchise of films about climate. Ozi, Voice of the Forest also stars Dean Charles Chapman, Djimon Hounsou, Donald Sutherland, RuPaul Charles, Laura Dern, and Urzila Carlson, and is directed by Tim Harper. It will be released theatrically in 2024. Ketchup Entertainment’s recent involvement pertains to films such as Memory, Ferrari, and Hypnotic, with upcoming features including Goodrich and Weekend in Taipei.
Jenna Mirza Mattison - Shirin Tinati
Drama: In an Instagram video, Dwayne Johnson revealed that he had injured his elbow during filming of The Smashing Machine. In the video, Johnson displayed his injury to viewers, asking them for any anti-inflammatory recommendations and providing a phrase his father used to say: “A day without pain is like a day without sunshine.” In The Smashing Machine, which is directed by Benny Safdie and also stars Emily Blunt, Johnson portrays Mark Kerr, an MMA champion. Speaking on the film earlier, Johnson mentioned that he wants to make films that explore humanity, struggle, and pain and that Safdie is a good partner to work with. The Smashing Machine comes from A24.
Jenna Mirza Mattison is writing an adaptation of Anita Moorjani’s memoir Dying To Be Me. The memoir recounts, in part, a near-death experience the author had when she was afflicted with cancer, where she became aware of the cancer’s actual cause. The book also recounts the incredible recovery Moorjani made after coming out of her experience, where her cancer rapidly healed and she left the hospital cancer-free. Two of the film’s producers - Liat Gerszt and Colet Abedi - have been trying to launch a feature adaptation of the memoir for approximately a decade, searching for a writer before finding Mattison. The adaptation has been in development for four years with Wonderstreet and Mark and Christine Holder, Sylvirgale Productions and Gerszt, Abedi, Jasmine Abedi, and Brian Zagorski, and 04 Entertainment attached. Mattison’s previous work includes adaptations of James Patterson’s and Sophie Kinsella’s works and work with MGM and Sony. She is currently working on a television series with Leslie Greif producing and Edward Bernero as showrunner.
Giancarlo Esposito (Megalopolis/Parish) and Andy Garcia (Eenie Meanie/Father of the Bride) will star in the feature The Prince. The film follows an addict’s journey to recovery, and the feature’s lead character, portrayed by Scott Haze, has been rumored, but not confirmed, to be at least partly inspired by Hunter Biden. A source close to the filmmakers has asserted the contrary. The Prince is directed by Cameron Van Hoy (Flinch), written by David Mamet (The Penitent/American Buffalo), and produced by Van Hoy, Haze, Sean Wolfington, Lije Sarki, and Jo Henriquez. Mamet has confirmed that the lead character will not be named after Biden.
The North American rights to Summer of Violence have been acquired by Quiver Distribution. The feature focuses on a poet who uses her art to speak out during the “summer of violence” in Denver and marks the feature directorial debut of Nicki Micheaux, who also writes, produces, and executive produces the film. Summer of Violence stars Kasey Inez, Madhulika Krishnan, Jahking Guillory, Pedro Correa, and Damon Gupton, and is also produced by Efuru Flowers, Maureen P. Motley, Stelio Savante, Sean Riggs, and Brian Mitchell. The feature will be released theatrically in the U.S. on Aug. 23 and will be released digitally and on VOD in October.
DeVon Franklin - Marleen Moise
Industry Update: Talks of a merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media have ended. Media analyst Jamie Lumley considered that Shari Redstone of National Amusements Inc. (Paramount Global’s controlling shareholder) did not want Skydance to sell some of her assets. Others, such as Edgar Bronfman Jr. and Bain Capital, and Steven Paul, have considered acquiring NAI only, without Paramount Global. At one time, Sony Pictures and Apollo Global Management produced a joint $26 billion bid for Paramount Global, but the companies are no longer attempting to acquire it.
Amanda Baker-Lane is Amazon MGM Studios’ Global Head of DEIA, succeeding Latasha Gillespie in the role. Gillespie will stay with the company in a consulting capacity after her Aug. 20 exit from the position. In a statement, Baker-Lane mentioned that she is looking forward to continuing the company’s mission of being a place for authentic storytelling and talent of all backgrounds. Baker-Lane has worked with Amazon for nine-and-a-half years and has previously developed the “Beyond the Yard” HBCU conference, created a pioneering Black Women executive conference, and worked as the company’s head of DEIA product and strategy.
An initiative to provide healthcare to producers by the Producers Guild of America has gained support from Amblin Entertainment, LuckyChap, and Bad Robot. The PGA’s initiative asks for health benefits to be provided through the Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plan to full-time producers whose work has been recognized by the PGA. The PGA has suggested $3.33 as a starting rate for each producer per hour, and to have the rate be used as contributions towards health funds and payment towards health plans.
IATSE negotiations regarding the Basic Agreement and the Area Standards Agreement will restart on June 24; there are intentions to finalize negotiations by June 27. The agreements cover approximately 70,000 workers combined, and while agreements have been reached on certain subjects, such as provisions covering AI, others, such as wage increases, have yet to be finalized. IATSE’s contract will expire on July 31, and the union has agreed that that deadline will not be extended. The AMPTP (Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers) is also currently negotiating with Basic Crafts unions, whose contracts also expire on July 31.
The three co-CEOs of Paramount were made eligible for severance payments should the company be sold or merged - an arrangement that came at a time when it seemed that the company would finalize a deal with Skydance. Among other benefits, being a part of Paramount’s Executive Change in Control Severance Protection Plan ensures that the three executives - George Cheeks (CEO and president of CBS), Chris McCarthy (CEO and president of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks), and Brian Robbins (CEO and president of Nickelodeon and Paramount Pictures) - would receive severance payments equivalent to twice their annual base salary and twice their annual target bonus amount, should they be terminated due to a sale or merger of Paramount Global, or within two years of such occurring. The three executives were also granted annual target bonuses of $2.75 million, which is being distributed to apply only to the portion of the current fiscal year in which the executives were in the Office of the CEO.
Artists Writers & Artisans, Inc. and Vertigo Entertainment are partnering to create horror content. The partnership will produce work across mediums, with AWA publishing graphic works and Vertigo Entertainment and AWA Studios co-producing the film and television adaptations. Roy Lee, whose company is Vertigo Entertainment, has produced titles such as It, The Grudge, and The Ring, while AWA has published horror works such as Rob Williams and Ollie Masters’ Old Haunts, John Lees and Dalibor Talajic’s Hotell, and Benjamin Percy and Daniel Kraus’ Year Zero. Lee said in a statement: “This dynamic partnership will allow us to work with distinct voices to develop all-new terrifying ideas and bring something to the horror world we haven’t seen before.”
DeVon Franklin spoke at the AVPSummit. Interning with Will Smith, Franklin was asked to create a faith-based marketing campaign for Smith’s film The Pursuit of Happyness. Franklin says that the success of the film marked the beginning of his merging of faith and film; Franklin has also worked on films such as Seven Pounds, Miracles of Heaven, Flamin’ Hot, and the upcoming R&B, the first film from a first-look deal between Franklin, Tyler Perry, and Netflix. Franklin also mentioned the importance that film and church played in his life after his father’s passing and that films are powerful at positively shaping lives.
Sony Pictures Entertainment has acquired Alamo Drafthouse Cinema from Altamont Capital Partners, Fortress Investment Group, and founder Tim League. Under the acquisition, the company will be managed by the newly-created Sony Pictures Experiences, which Alamo Drafthouse CEO Michael Kustermann will head. Sony Pictures president and COO Ravi Ahuja spoke on Alamo Drafthouse aligning with Sony’s brand to interest audiences outside of their homes, while League spoke to Sony’s recognition of cinema’s abilities to create cultural impact and growth, which aligns with Alamo Drafthouse’s values.
Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia’s Seven Bucks Productions has entered a first-look deal with The Walt Disney Company. Under the deal, the company will develop films for streaming and theatrical releases; however, the deal also extends to non-film content, with the ability for the company to collaborate in other divisions of Disney. Seven Bucks Productions has previously collaborated with Disney on the 2021 Johnson-starring film Jungle Cruise and Disney+’s Behind the Attraction.
MoviePass co-founder Hamet Watt, moving on from his experiences with the aforementioned company, has created Share Ventures. Share Ventures is committed to creating companies focused on investigating new opportunities regarding the longevity market, which focuses on creating longer, healthier lives for people. To find its opportunities, Share Ventures will use technologies like artificial intelligence. Watt explained that the company used money to create companies focused on reimagining their specific industries. When the experiments developed with the companies attract attention, Share Ventures can use money from its fund - one anchored by Google and Amazon - to invest in those specific entities.
A copyright dispute between George Gallo, the author of the work that inspired 1995’s Bad Boys, and Columbia Pictures has been settled. Gallo argued that his work was not work-for-hire; in 2020, the author declared that Columbia’s rights to make derivative works from his work ended in 2022, and filed a pair of notices on the matter in 2020. Columbia responded in 2023, filing a breach-of-contract suit and stating that the 1995 film’s contract specified that the work was written as a work-for-hire and that the contract had personal representations and warranties from Gallo. Details as to the results of the declaration are not known, but it has been reported that both sides are satisfied. The matter cannot be refiled.
