Motion Picture: Lexi Underwood Set To Star in Horror Comedy 'Bad Karaoke', Ernie Reyes Jr. Set's 'Ninjaverse' Film Production

Ernie Reyes Jr. - JOCE/Bauer-Griffin

Action/Horror/Fantasy/Sci-Fi: Mufasa: The Lion King will begin streaming exclusively on Disney+ starting March 26, 2025, after grossing $709 million worldwide. Directed by Barry Jenkins, the prequel to 2019’s The Lion King explores Mufasa’s journey from lost cub to Pride Lands leader. Featuring a star-studded voice cast, including Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., and Beyoncé, the film introduces original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Mufasa continues Disney’s trend of live-action adaptations, joining titles like The Little Mermaid and Aladdin.

Glowcraft Films has partnered with Ernie Reyes Jr. and his production company, The Ninja, to co-produce his independent feature debut, Ninjaverse. The film, written by Reyes Jr., follows a noble warrior family in North Hollywood who must return to a mystical martial arts kingdom to reclaim their castle from an evil dictator. Reyes’ daughter, Lotus Blossom, will star, while his son, Phoenix, makes his acting debut. Glowcraft’s virtual production technology, in collaboration with ARwall, will bring the film’s fantastical world to life, helping Reyes achieve his vision without needing a massive VFX budget.

Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) has launched TDE Films with its first project, The Zone, an urban action horror film directed by Dallas Jackson. Co-written by Jackson and X-Men franchise scribe David Hayter, the film is produced alongside former Lionsgate head Rob Friedman, with 20th Century Studios acquiring the project. TDE, home to Kendrick Lamar, SZA, and ScHoolboy Q, has earned 24 Grammy Awards and a Pulitzer Prize. Jackson, known for Thriller and The System, and Hayter, whose credits include Watchmen and X-Men, bring experience to the project.

André Holland continues his stellar year with The Actor, his third leading role. The mystery-thriller, directed by Duke Johnson and based on Donald E. Westlake’s novel Memory, follows Holland’s character, Paul Cole, as he struggles to regain his identity after being stranded in a small town with no memory. The film opens in NYC and LA, with Holland participating in Q&As. This follows his performances in Love, Brooklyn, which he also produced, and The Dutchman, which premiered at SXSW, cementing his status as a significant indie film presence.

Laura Harrier is set to star in The Technique, a psychological thriller marking the feature directorial debut of Brian McGreevy. Best known for her role in BlacKkKlansman, Harrier joins a strong ensemble cast, including Kelsey Asbille, Nicholas Alexander Chavez, Ben Platt, Emma Roberts, and Noomi Rapace. While plot details remain under wraps, the film is being produced by Miles Skinner’s Hypothesis and Andrea Bucko’s Raised By Wolves, with financing from Raised By Wolves. This project adds to Harrier’s growing filmography as she takes on diverse and compelling roles.

Barry Jenkins is set to direct The Natural Order, an elevated sci-fi thriller exploring the pursuit of eternal life, based on Matt Aldrich’s upcoming novel. Universal secured the project, with Jenkins adapting the screenplay alongside Aldrich. The film will be produced under Jenkins’ Pastel banner, with Glen Powell starring and producing under his new company, Barnstorm. This marks a genre shift for Jenkins, known for Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk, as he continues to expand his filmmaking repertoire following the massive success of Mufasa: The Lion King.

Damson Idris takes the driver’s seat in F1, a high-octane racing film from Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski. The Apple Original Film follows Idris as a rookie who is mentored by Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a former Formula 1 driver lured back to the sport. The trailer, set to Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain, teases intense race sequences filmed on real F1 tracks, with Pitt and Idris reaching speeds over 180 mph. Kosinski collaborated with seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton and used custom-built cameras to capture the action. F1 speeds into theaters and IMAX on June 27.

Sony and 3000 Pictures are remaking the 1992 thriller Single White Female, which initially starred Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh. The new version will feature Jenna Ortega and Taylor Russell in talks to star, though the director is yet to be announced. Ortega is known for Wednesday and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, with upcoming roles in Death of a Unicorn and Klara and the Sun. Russell, praised for her work in Waves and Bones and All, will also star in Hope and a remake of The Thomas Crown Affair. The original film was a box office success, grossing $84.1 million on a $16 million budget.

Lexi underwood - Phillip Faraone / Stringer

Comedy/Dramady/Musical: Lexi Underwood is set to star in the upcoming horror-comedy Bad Karaoke, a feature film from District 78 Films and Father Greg Productions. Underwood, known for Cruel Summer and Little Fires Everywhere, will play Emily, a songwriter whose band stumbles upon a cursed karaoke machine in a dive bar while traveling to a wedding gig. Directed by Chris Lightbody and Robert J. Steinmiller Jr., the film blends horror and music, aligning with Underwood’s dynamic career in drama and genre storytelling. Production begins this month in Los Angeles.

tiger woods - Kwaku Alston

Drama: Amazon MGM is developing a biopic about Tiger Woods, with Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground in talks to produce. Directed by King Richard filmmaker Reinaldo Marcus Green, the film is based on Kevin Cook’s book The Tiger Slam and will focus on Woods’ historic achievement of winning four consecutive major championships. While the movie will highlight his rise from child prodigy to golf legend, it will reportedly avoid his off-course controversies. The project aligns with Amazon MGM’s push for more theatrical releases, though no timeline has been announced.

Omar Epps, Wiz Khalifa, Quavo, and Chukwudi Iwuji will star in Moses The Black, a gangland drama executive-produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. Inspired by the repentance story of the fifth-century saint, the film follows Epps as Chicago gang leader Malik, with Khalifa as his volatile crew member and Quavo as his rival. Iwuji portrays St. Moses the Black. Written and directed by Yelena Popovic, production begins this spring in Chicago, backed by Simeon Faith and the Nick Mirkopoulos Cinematic Fund.

auli’i cravalho - Samir Hussein

Documentary: Auli’i Cravalho brings her passion for advocacy to Reef Builders, a documentary highlighting global coral reef restoration efforts. Premiering at SXSW, the film follows the Sheba Hope Grows program’s initiatives to combat climate change’s devastating effects on marine ecosystems. As an associate producer, Cravalho emphasizes the importance of community-led conservation, particularly in her home state of Hawaii. The film features insights from experts like Dr. Daniel DeMartini and Professor David Smith, showcasing how innovative technology and indigenous knowledge are key to preserving the ocean’s future. Cravalho hopes Reef Builders inspires action, reminding audiences that environmental responsibility is a collective effort.

Elegance Bratton’s documentary Move Ya Body: The Birth of House had its international premiere at the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, exploring the origins of house music and its relevance in today’s political climate. Bratton, named one of Variety’s 10 Directors to Watch in 2023, has a personal connection to house music, as it empowered him as a gay teenager. Initially titled The Night Disco Died, the film shifted focus from Disco Demolition Night’s racist and homophobic roots to celebrating Black queer creativity.

george tillman jr. - Monica Schipper

Industry Update: A jury ruled in favor of Disney in a copyright trial over Moana, rejecting claims by screenwriter Buck Woodall that the film was based on his work, Bucky the Wave Warrior. After a two-week trial, the jury unanimously found that Disney had no access to Woodall’s screenplay, deliberating for less than three hours. Disney maintained that Moana was independently created, citing significant differences between the works. While most of Woodall’s claims were dismissed due to the statute of limitations, a separate suit regarding Moana 2 is still pending.

Disney hosted the Snow White premiere on March 15, 2025, at the El Capitan Theatre, but the event was scaled back, limiting media coverage to photographers and a house crew. Stars Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot are expected to attend. The decision follows ongoing controversies, including backlash over Zegler’s casting, her comments on the original film, and discussions about the portrayal of little people. Political tensions surround the film, with Zegler and Gadot expressing opposing views on global events. Despite the controversies, Disney continues its promotional efforts, with Zegler and Gadot appearing at significant events.

UTA has signed Ice Cube, reuniting with the multi-hyphenate artist and entrepreneur. From his rise with N.W.A. to his solo rap career and Hollywood success, Cube has built a legacy spanning music, film, and sports. His acting credits include Boyz N The Hood, the Friday and Barbershop franchises, and Ride Along, while his CubeVision banner produced Straight Outta Compton and Hip Hop Squares. He also founded the Big3 basketball league. Cube remains repped by Matt Johnson at Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole and Wasserman Music for touring.

Filmmaker George Tillman Jr. has signed with Kaplan/Perrone for management. Known for directing The Hate U Give, Men of Honor, Notorious, Faster, and Soul Food, Tillman is developing The Prince of New York, based on My Name Is Tani, about a young Nigerian refugee’s journey to becoming a chess champion. Steve Conrad and Michael Starrbury adapted the script. Tillman has produced Bob Marley: One Love and Barbershop and executive produced Mudbound.

Lionsgate shareholders are set to vote on April 23, 2025, on the long-planned separation of Lionsgate Studios from Starz. A special meeting will be held for the vote, with shareholders of record as of March 12 eligible to participate. CFO Jimmy Barge confirmed the split remains on track for completion by the end of April despite delays. The move aligns with industry trends as companies like Comcast and Warner Bros. Discovery restructure to separate linear TV assets. Lionsgate, which owns nearly 88% of its studio shares, sees Starz as a premium, digital-first service, with digital revenue comprising 70% of its latest fiscal year earnings.

Cinesite has secured $215 million in financing to support its operations, innovation, and expansion amid challenges in the VFX industry, including the collapse of Technicolor and MPC. Led by NatWest Corporate Bank, alongside Barclays, Santander, and shareholder Gryphion, the investment reinforces Cinesite’s commitment to retaining top talent despite industry turbulence. With studios in London, Montreal, and Vancouver, Cinesite’s upcoming projects include Warfare, Michael, G20, and a new Smurfs film. CEO Antony Hunt emphasized the company’s adaptability and long-term vision, ensuring its place as a leading force in visual effects and animation.