Motion Picture: Tia Carrere Joins Cast Of ‘The Last Resort’, Tyler Perry Set To Release New Film For Netflix

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Action/Horror/Fantasy/Sci-Fi: At CinemaCon, The Weeknd surprised the crowd with a live performance at Lionsgate's presentation for his upcoming film Hurry Up Tomorrow. The Grammy-winning artist performed an original song from the project Blinded by the Light, thrilling the audience at Caesars Palace's Colosseum theater. Introduced by Lionsgate's Adam Fogelson, The Weeknd was joined by stars Jenna Ortega and director Trey Edward Shults. The thriller, which opens May 16, stars Ortega and Barry Keoghan, with a plot centered around a musician battling insomnia and facing existential unraveling. Tesfaye explained how the film inspired his album and served as an outlet for personal expression.

Tia carrere - Steve Granitz

Comedy/Dramady/Musical: Kendrick Lamar's untitled comedy film, produced by Paramount, has been delayed from its original July 4, 2025, release date to March 20, 2026. The delay is due to Lamar's upcoming Grand National stadium tour, which runs from April to August 2025. The film, which has kept details like its title and cast under wraps, is a live-action comedy written by Vernon Chatman. It follows a young Black man who works as a slave re-enactor at a living history museum. Lamar, Matt Stone, Trey Parker, and Dave Free are producing.

T’nia Miller, known for her roles in Years and Years and The Haunting of Bly Manor, is set to star in and executive produce Bury Your Gays, a short film tackling harmful LGBTQ+ tropes in media. Directed by Charlotte Serena Cooper, the dark comedy satirizes the recurring tragic fate of LGBTQ+ characters. Miller, a longtime advocate for better queer representation, highlighted the importance of the project, calling it "a stark reminder to keep pushing against the status quo." The film has already garnered significant recognition, winning awards and setting the stage for a feature-length version.

Stoked Bros Media is producing a reimagining of Strictly Sexual, the cult 2008 comedy directed by Joel Viertel. Written by Stevie Long, the original film was a popular title on Hulu's early platform. It focused on two successful women who keep two young men in their pool house for strictly sexual purposes, only for romantic feelings to develop. The remake will be directed by Viertel, with Long co-writing the script alongside Stoked Bros Media co-founder Jarnell Stokes, a former NBA player turned filmmaker. The film will explore modern relationships, honoring the original's wit while expanding the characters' stories. Production is set to begin later this year. Stokes co-founded Stoked Bros Media in 2022, aiming to blend sports and entertainment in his projects.

Tia Carrere has joined the cast of The Last Resort, a new Philippines-set romantic comedy directed by Donald Petrie (Miss Congeniality). She will play Reyna, a powerful resort owner, alongside Daisy Ridley and Alden Ehrenreich. The story follows Brooke (Ridley), who is determined to prove herself in her father’s hotel empire, and Ben (Ehrenreich), a charming expatriate pilot who shows her the beauty of the Philippines and a new sense of freedom. Carrere, known for over 100 screen credits, most recently starred in Easter Sunday with Jo Koy and will appear in the upcoming live-action Lilo & Stitch. Ernesto Sta produces The Last Resort.

Filming had begun in Massachusetts for The Weekend on Cape Cod When Everything Changed, a romantic dramedy starring Dalia Rooni, Medalion Rahimi, and Layla Mohammadi. The film follows an Iranian immigrant who accepts a green card marriage proposal, only for her life to become more complicated when her friends and boyfriends bring their cultural baggage. Written by Rooni, who also stars in the film, the ensemble includes Joey Lauren Adams, Kevin Nealon, and Logan Miller. Directed by Lauren Noll, it marks Rooni's debut as a feature film writer. Rahimi's production company, Saffron Honey Films, is behind the project.

Lil Rel Howery has joined Marisa Tomei and Virginia Gardner in Fck Valentine's Day, a romantic comedy currently filming in Malta. The film, written by Steve Bencich and directed by Mark Gantt, follows Gina (Gardner), who hates Valentine’s Day and is determined to stop her boyfriend from proposing during a birthday getaway in Greece. As she enlists the help of new friends, she starts questioning her relationship, realizing she may be with the wrong guy. The film is produced by Nancy Leopardi, John Ierardi, and Bo Youngblood, with Tomei playing Gina’s mother. Skylar Astin, Jake Cannavale, Sabrina Bartlett, and Natasha Leggero have also joined the cast.

Nimesh Patel's stand-up special Instant Karma was supposed to be released on April 1, but in an April Fools' Day twist, the streamer announced Netflix would instead produce a brand new hour for the Emmy-nominated comedian to be filmed later this year. Patel shared that his self-produced special is being postponed, but he's excited about the latest Netflix project. Some material from Instant Karma will be released on YouTube in the meantime. This upcoming special will be Patel's first full Netflix special after a previous performance on the “Verified Stand-Up” series.

Antoine Fuqua - Nicky J Sims / Stringer

Drama: Antoine Fuqua’s Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, may be split into two films, potentially delaying its October 3 release date. The Lionsgate and Universal Pictures project, with a $155 million budget, wrapped principal photography in May 2024 but is undergoing script revisions and reshoots. Starring Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in his screen debut, the film features an ensemble cast including Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Miles Teller, and Larenz Tate. Produced by Bohemian Rhapsody’s Graham King, Michael aims to portray the pop icon’s life and legacy in depth, focusing on key figures like Joe Jackson, Diana Ross, and Quincy Jones.

Daveed Diggs and Ashley Park star in A Tree Fell in the Woods, the surreal debut feature from writer-director Nora Kirkpatrick, which has officially wrapped production. Described as The Breakfast Club for adults, the film follows two couples whose relationships unravel after a tree unexpectedly falls on New Year’s Eve. Diggs, a Tony winner and Emmy nominee known for Hamilton and Blindspotting, continues his hot streak with this role before appearing in Amazon’s The Boys. Park, a Tony, Grammy, and Critics Choice nominee recognized for Emily in Paris and Joy Ride, also leads the ensemble.

Michael Boatman, best known for his role as attorney Julius Cain on The Good Fight, will star in The Cutting Room Floor, the debut feature from writer-director Victoria DeMartin. The indie film follows an aspiring film editor whose life begins to unravel when the film she's working on starts to mirror her reality, blurring the lines between fiction and life. Boatman, whose extensive TV credits also include Anger Management, Gossip Girl, and Spin City, continues to build on his impressive career in television. With a recent stint on The Good Fight and several notable roles in the past, Boatman’s experience brings a strong presence to this thriller.

Marcus Scribner, best known as Andre Jr. on Black-ish, Grown-ish, and Maxwell Cunningham Top Dog, is set to join Sing Sing's Clarence Maclin in the indie drama In Starland. Directed by British actor-filmmaker Ray Panthaki, the film explores the struggles of middle age through a man navigating small-town life, whose world is transformed by a group of fearless young artists. Scribner, a two-time NAACP Image Award winner, brings his expertise to this project following his standout roles in How to Blow Up a Pipeline, Farewell Amor, and How I Learned to Fly. Production for In Starland is set to begin in Mississippi this month.

Tyler Perry is set to release a new feature on Netflix titled Doing Life, starring Naomi Baker (All American: Homecoming) and Jay Reeves (The Six Triple Eight). The urban drama tells the story of a single mother struggling for survival and a reformed ex-con with untapped talents who form an unlikely bond. Joining the leads in the ensemble cast are Tamberla Perry (Brilliant Minds), Karen Obilom (Doom Patrol), Jasmine Sargent (Dynasty), and Danielle Moné Truitt (Law & Order: Organized Crime). The film marks Perry's seventh project with Netflix, continuing his partnership that includes films, series, and faith-based projects. Doing Life is produced by Perry, Angi Bones, and Tony L. Strickland, with production currently underway.

Janet yang - Emma McIntyre

Industry Update: Canadian filmmaker Julien Christian Lutz, Director X, signed with Paradigm Talent Agency for representation. Renowned for his visually distinctive music videos, he has worked with top artists like Drake, Rihanna, Rosalía, and Kendrick Lamar, earning a Juno, a BET Award, and a Grammy nomination. His TV credits include Genius: MLK/X, Amazon’s Cross, Hulu’s Mike, and Netflix’s October Faction and The Imperfects. He directed Superfly and Across the Line in film and is set to helm The Drowning for Vertigo Entertainment. He also founded Operation Prefrontal Cortex, a Toronto-based initiative to reduce gun violence through mindfulness.

Ice Cube has officially reached a deal with Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema to write and star in Last Friday, the long-awaited fourth installment in the Friday comedy series. This marks the franchise’s first new entry in over 20 years, following Friday After Next (2002). Ice Cube has been vocal about his desire to continue the series, and the agreement with studio leadership—particularly Warner Bros. film co-chief Mike De Luca, who oversaw the original trilogy at New Line—signals significant progress. Cube starred in and wrote the previous Friday films, and this new chapter continues his creative legacy with the franchise.

Loira Limbal has been named president and CEO of Firelight Media, succeeding co-founder Marcia Smith, who led the organization for 25 years. A longtime member of the Firelight team, Limbal previously served as senior VP of programs and was instrumental in expanding key initiatives like the Documentary Lab and Groundwork Regional Lab. She officially steps into her new role on June 1. A filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist known for Through the Night and Estilo Hip Hop, Limbal brings a strong record of advocacy and innovation in documentary storytelling. Her appointment marks a new chapter for Firelight as it continues championing filmmakers of color.

Jason Momoa confirmed his return as Duncan Idaho for the third installment of Dune during an appearance on TODAY. Momoa, who played the swordmaster in the 2021 film, teased his comeback after Duncan's death in the first movie. While it's unclear how his character will return, as Duncan does in the books via cloning, Momoa hinted that the storyline will stay true to the source material. Development on Dune 3 is underway after the success of Dune: Part 2, and director Denis Villeneuve has stated the third film, based on Dune: Messiah, will have its own unique identity, distinct from the first two movies.

Dolby Laboratories and AMC Entertainment have expanded their partnership, adding 40 new Dolby Cinema at AMC locations across the U.S. by the end of 2027. This expansion will increase the number of Dolby Cinema auditoriums to over 200, marking a 25% increase. Dolby Cinema combines Dolby Vision picture quality and Dolby Atmos sound, providing a premium movie experience. AMC CEO Adam Aron highlighted the continued commitment to offering immersive experiences for moviegoers. Upcoming releases in Dolby Cinema include titles like Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning and Avatar: Fire and Ash.

Director Carl Rinsch, indicted for fraud and money laundering concerning Netflix's failed series White Horse/Conquest, faces trial on September 8, 2025. Rinsch allegedly misused over $11 million of Netflix's investment, spending lavishly on credit cards, luxury cars, and other items despite the series never being completed. He has pleaded not guilty and could face life in prison if convicted. The case highlights Rinsch's financial mismanagement after Netflix wrote off its $55 million investment in the series and awarded Rinsch $11.8 million in arbitration proceedings. Rinsch claims to be broke, but Netflix’s attorneys are pursuing a debtor's examination to recover funds.

Halle Berry has confirmed she will not reprise her role as Storm in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. Despite the film featuring several other actors from the X-Men franchise, including Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, Berry has shut down any speculation about her return. In an interview with Black Girl Nerds, she firmly stated, “It’s not going to be there,” when asked about her name appearing in the cast. Berry, who first portrayed Storm in 2000's X-Men, last played the character in 2014’s X-Men: Days of Future Past.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has established the Janet Yang Endowment to celebrate and preserve Asian and AAPI filmmaking. Named after Janet Yang, the first Asian American president of the Academy, the endowment honors her legacy of promoting diversity and representation in the entertainment industry. Academy Museum Director Amy Homma emphasized that the initiative builds upon the Academy's ongoing efforts to preserve Asian cinema through its collection, exhibitions, and public programming. As part of the endowment's launch, the museum will host Raising the Lantern: A Celebration of Chinese-Language Cinema from April 10 to May 24, featuring films from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

YouTube suspended the monetization of two major fake movie trailer channels, Screen Culture and KH Studio, after a Deadline investigation revealed their use of AI to create sophisticated and misleading videos. Screen Culture mimics official marketing material for popular franchises, while KH Studio imagines outlandish versions of major films. YouTube's decision was based on violations of its monetization policies, which prohibit videos that are not significantly original or are misleading. Both channels can appeal the suspension, but YouTube declined to comment on how its algorithm supports the success of these fake trailers.