Motion Picture: Victoria Mahoney To Direct ‘Clean Air,’ Riz Ahmed Joins Next Wes Anderson Film
Peter Jae - Chrissy Hampton
Action/Horror/Fantasy/Sci-Fi: Ariana Greenblatt (Barbie/Ahsoka) will star in Lionsgate’s Now You See Me 3. Justice Smith (I Saw the TV Glow/Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves) and Dominic Sessa (The Holdovers) are also set to star. While the film’s plot is unknown, it is expected that Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Isla Fisher, Dave Franco, and Morgan Freeman will reprise their roles from the first two films. Now You See Me 3 is written by Eric Warren Singer, Seth Grahame-Smith, and Mike Lesslie, produced by Bobby Cohen and Alex Kurtzman, and directed by Ruben Fleischer.
Peter Jae (Darkness of Man) will star in the action film The Workout. The film comes from James Cullen Bressack, and follows an army ranger taking revenge against the mob after a mob attack during filming of a workout video results in the death of his wife. The Workout is the latest collaboration between Jae and Bressack after the aforementioned Darkness of Man; the latest feature is co-written by and produced by Bressack, who also receives story credit.
87North’s With Love has added Marshawn Lynch (Bottoms/The Pickup) and Mustafa Shakir (The Deuce/Luke Cage) to its cast. The action film also stars Ke Huy Quan, Ariana DeBose, and Daniel Wu, with Cam Gigandet, André Eriksen, and Lio Tipton also joining the cast. With Love comes from Universal Pictures, and will be theatrically released by the studio on Feb. 7. It is directed by Jonathan Eusebio, produced by David Leitch, Guy Danella, and Kelly McCormick, and written by Josh Stoddard, Luke Passmore, and Matthew Murray.
Lynch is also set to star in XYZ Films’ and Two & Two Pictures’ He Bled Neon, an action-thriller film. The feature, which comes from a story by XYZ Films co-founder Nate Bolotin, follows a man confronting his past when going to Las Vegas for his brother’s funeral and diving into the city’s underworld. The film is directed by Drew Kirsch and written by Tim Cairo and Jake Gibson, and will also star Rita Ora, Jack O’Connell, and Joe Cole.
The trailer for the thriller film Trap was released. The latest feature from M. Night Shyamalan, it follows a father (Josh Hartnett) and his daughter (Ariel Donoghue) at a concert for musician Lady Raven (Saleka Shyamalan) that has been infiltrated by a serial killer, “The Butcher.” The trailer reveals that Hartnett’s character is the killer, and he must escape the concert. Trap will be theatrically released by Warner Bros. on Aug. 9, and is Shyamalan’s first project after he made a move from Universal to Warner Bros. last year.
Kelly Marie Tran (Raya and the Last Dragon/Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi) and Miles Robbins (Old Dads/Halloween) will star in Shal Ngo’s (Bite Size Halloween) psychological thriller Control Freak. The feature follows a woman with an uncontrollable itch on her head who is infected by a parasitic demon. The film also stars Toan Le (The Sympathizer) and Kieu Chinh (The Joy Luck Club), and comes from WorthenBrooks for Hulu Originals. Control Freak has wrapped production and is set to premiere in 2025.
Ryuhei Kitamura (Godzilla: Final Wars/The Midnight Meat Train) will direct the thriller film Thrill Ride. The feature’s sales are being launched by Film Bridge International, whose Ellen Wander and Jordan Dykstra are producing with United Film’s Gabriel Georgiev. The film’s story follows a group of ride-goers stuck upside-down on a rollercoaster, with a saboteur threatening to drop them to their deaths. Thrill Ride is written by Chad Law and Christopher Jolley, and is set to begin filming in Bulgaria in late 2024.
LaKeith Stanfield (Knives Out/Death Note) is in talks to star in and produce a feature adaptation of the neo-noir video game El Paso, Elsewhere. From Xalavier Nelson Jr.’s Strange Scaffold, the video game follows a man confronting personal demons, monsters, and his ex-girlfriend while confronting her plot to enact a ritual that will end the world. The El Paso, Elsewhere feature adaptation comes from Di Bonaventura Pictures, which will produce the film with Stanfield and Colin Stark.
Li Jun Li (Babylon/Based on a True Story) will star in Ryan Coogler’s untitled film at Warner Bros. A supernatural thriller, the film’s plot, and Li’s role, are currently unknown. The feature is written, directed, and produced by Coogler, and is set for a theatrical release of March 7, 2025. The film is also set to star Michael B. Jordan, Jack O’Connell, Delroy Lindo, Omar Benson Miller, Jayme Lawson, Wunmi Mosaku, and Hailee Steinfeld. Li’s other work includes Alma and the Wolf and Ricki and the Flash on film, Evil and Quantico on television, and South Pacific on Broadway.
Stephanie Beatriz - Frank Micelotta
Comedy/Dramedy/Musical: Tim Meadows (Mean Girls/Bob’s Burgers) and Stephanie Beatriz (Encanto/Brooklyn Nine-Nine) have joined the cast of the animated sci-fi comedy film Harry and the Mutant Mid-Century Furniture. The film follows a young boy, Harry, trying to prove that his father was abducted by aliens. Trying to do so leads him to break into Area 51, where he discovers a talking office chair. The film is directed by Michael Skolnick (The Gliksmans), and is written and produced by Skolnick, Keegan Cotton, Seth Moron, and Jordan Lewandowski. Production on the film is expected to wrap in 2025.
Victoria Mahoney (Yelling to the Sky/The Old Guard 2) will direct the romantic comedy Clean Air for Amazon MGM Studios. The feature follows a sports agent, Lyla, who, after losing a client, takes on making a new client, 17-year-old Piper Kyte, ready for the NASCAR track. Additionally, Lyla must connect with Piper’s father, Matthew, a former NASCAR champion who hasn’t been seen in years. The film comes from NASCAR, Kick The Habit Productions, and Westbrook Studios.
Gabby Beans (Presumed Innocent) and Jacnier (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory National Tour) have joined the cast of the upcoming comedy film Honey Don’t! From Focus Features and Working Title, Honey Don’t! is directed by Ethan Coen, who co-writes and produces with his wife, editor Tricia Cooke. While the film’s plot is unknown, it is rumored to sport the same vein as Coen’s Drive-Away Dolls, which also came from Focus Features and was co-written by Coen and Cooke. The film is currently in production in New Mexico.
jodie turner-smith - Amy Sussman
Drama: Jodie Turner-Smith (White Noise/Sex Education) has joined the cast of the romance film A Big Bold Beautiful Journey. While the film’s plot is unknown, it is described as a film about two strangers becoming connected on an emotional journey. The film is directed by Kogonada and also stars Colin Farrell; A Big Bold Beautiful Journey marks the latest collaboration between Kogonada, Farrell, and Turner-Smith after 2021’s After Yang. The latest feature comes from Sony Pictures, Imperative Entertainment, and 30West.
The feature Magic Hour recently wrapped production; the film stars Daveed Diggs (Blindspotting/Hamilton). The feature is directed by, co-written by, and stars Katie Aselton (Mack & Rita/Legion); the film’s plot, and Diggs’ and Aselton’s roles, are unknown. Magic Hour comes from Duplass Brothers Productions. Upcoming projects for Diggs include the indie feature A Tree Fell in the Woods and the feature In the Blink of an Eye.
Riz Ahmed (Fingernails/Sound of Metal) will star in Wes Anderson’s next film. The plot of the feature, and Ahmed’s role, are unknown, but Anderson and Roman Coppola, the co-writers of the feature, previously announced that it will be led by Benicio del Toro. The feature is currently shooting in Berlin, and marks Ahmed’s first collaboration with Anderson. The Hollywood Reporter first reported Ahmed’s casting.
The drama short Screening Room is set to star Samuel Small (The Strays) and Elodie Grace Orkin (Stranger Things). Written and directed by Abdullah Khan (Find the Light), the short follows the connection made between a screenwriter (Small) and a woman (Orkin) from their love of cinema at a film festival in London. Khan also produces the short - his third after 2023’s Path to Ecstasy and 2022’s Find the Light - under his Rosebud Films banner. Screening Room is set to debut later this year in film festivals.
Myha’la (Industry/Leave the World Behind) is set to star in an upcoming feature film inspired by the story of Whitney Wolfe Herd, who co-founded Tinder and launched Bumble, and became, at age 31, one of the youngest self-made billionaires. The plot of the feature, which is not based on Wolfe Herd’s life, is unknown; it is rumored that Myha’la will portray a friend and colleague of Wolfe Herd. Coming from 20th Century Studios and Ethea Entertainment, the feature is set to begin filming in Los Angeles in May 2024.
Documentary: A teaser trailer for a documentary on Los Lobos, tentatively titled Los Lobos Native Sons, was released. The documentary focuses on the band, which helped expose Chicano music to the masses and has familiarity with roots rock, Musica Mexicana, soul, and folk, among other styles. The film is co-directed by Doug Blush (The Elephant Whisperers/Like a Rolling Stone) and Piero F. Giunti and produced by Robert Corsini (Architects of Denial/Hate Among Us) and Flavio Morales (LOL: Last One Laughing/Nicky Jam: El Ganador). Currently in production, Los Lobos Native Sons is scheduled for release in 2025.
D. Smith’s (Kokomo City) next documentary, Blvd, is coming from a partnership between the filmmaker, Media Res, and Agenda. The documentary focuses on what connects and divides people from each other and the rest of the United States, and focuses on Black communities with the intention of telling a story encompassing all of who Black people are. Smith’s Kokomo City received the Panorama Audience Award and the NEXT Audience and Innovator Awards, in addition to receiving DGA and Independent Spirit Award nominations.
The trailer for the documentary Linda Perry: Let It Die Here has been released. The documentary focuses on the musician, songwriter, and producer navigating personal circumstances, and includes new footage of the creative, performances, and interviews with those close to her. Among others, Dolly Parton, Christina Aguilera, and Sara Gilbert will be featured in the documentary. Linda Perry: Let It Die Here comes from Mercury Studios, KTF Films, Utopia Originals, and Don Hardy, and is set to premiere in June at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Barbara O. Jones - Daughters of the Dust/Imdb
Industry Update: Adnaan Wasey is the new executive director of Rooftop Films. Adnaan succeeds the leadership role from president and founding member Dan Nuxoll, who will now act as a consultant. As executive director, Wasey will handle management, creative direction, partnerships, and organizational development at Rooftop. To Wasey, the company’s growth allows it to “deepen our commitment to supporting bold new artists that reflect diverse communities while expanding accessibility to courageous storytelling.” Wasey’s previous experience, in part, includes work at POV, GBH, The Gotham Film & Media Institute, and WNYC New York Public Radio.
Barbara O. Jones has passed away at the age of 82. The actor’s projects with creative Haile Gerima include the 1973 short film Child of Resistance and Gerima’s 1979 feature film debut Bush Mama. Both films were made at UCLA. Jones also collaborated with creative Julie Dash on the creative’s short film and feature debut, as well - 1977’s Diary of an African Nun and 1991’s Daughters of the Dust, respectively. Other projects included Jones’ starring in the 1979 NBC miniseries Freedom Road, the 1977 feature Demon Seed, and 1999’s Mute Love.
According to IATSE, bargaining with the major studios has been productive. Recently, Local 705, which represents costumers, reached a tentative agreement on issues pertaining to its members, marking 11 of the 13 West Coast craft-specific guilds having reached deals. A “caucus week” was called this week before talks between IATSE and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers on the Basic Agreement, which covers (in part) wage increases, artificial intelligence, and working hours, begin on April 29. Those talks are set to run through May 16.
Kevin Hart and Hartbeat will be represented in all areas by WME. Hart expands his representation with the agency after previously being represented for his comedy touring. Hartbeat, the comedian’s global entertainment company, focuses on projects that intersect comedy and culture, and works to elevate up-and-coming diverse comedic talent. The company plans to expand its portfolio with Hart. Upcoming projects at Hartbeat include Peacock’s series Fight Night, the coming-of-age Hulu comedy film Prom Dates, the documentary film Group Therapy, and AppleTV+’s Number One on the Call Sheet.
Steven Yeun, Darren Criss, and Dan Lin will speak at The Asian American Foundation’s third annual Heritage Month Summit. The summit’s theme is “Together We Build Power,” with the power of community and public service within the AANHPI community at the forefront of the summit’s focus. Some of the panels occurring over the two day summit will focus on AANHPI representation and civil rights. AAPI leaders in multiple industries will be celebrated at the TAAF Awards Dinner, which is set to occur on the evening of May 2, the first night of the summit. The event is set to take place across May 2 and 3 in New York City.
Paramount Global’s shares recently jumped 13%. The jump came as Sony Pictures Entertainment entered talks with Apollo Global Management about joining the latter company’s bid for Paramount. Paramount’s controlling shareholder, though, is currently in exclusive talks with Skydance Media. However, while a deal between the two companies would be beneficial for National Amusements Inc., the aforementioned controlling shareholder, other shareholders would be diluted. Previously, Apollo has made offers regarding Paramount Pictures and Paramount Global as a solo unit.
The cause of Louis Gossett Jr.’s passing has been revealed. According to his death certificate, which was obtained by TMZ, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was the main cause of the actor’s passing; atrial fibrillation and heart failure were contributing factors. The actor passed away at age 87 on Mar. 29. Some of his many roles include Take a Giant Step on Broadway, Fiddler on the television series Roots, which won Gossett an Emmy, and Gunnery Sergeant Emil Foley in An Officer and a Gentleman, which won him a Golden Globe and an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Gossett was the first Black actor to win the Best Supporting Actor Academy Award.
Los Angeles-based The Writer’s Colony has announced the creatives for their spring cohort. The creatives are Duran Jones, Dorado Quick, Shahari Moore, and Sunny Dae, and Natalie Guerrero has been appointed as Artistic Director. Throughout the residency, the writers will develop an original script, workshop their scripts, and be able to network with industry professionals. The goal of the residency is to uplift underrepresented writers; the cohort is composed of creatives who haven’t worked in a scripted television writer’s room or on a studio’s staff.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos spoke against a report in The New York Times; the report claimed that Netflix’s Dan Lin’s mandate was to make films “better, cheaper and less frequent.” According to Sarandos, the streamer did not participate in the article, the above quote is not from Lin, and the streamer has no intention of changing their film strategy. While there is an intention by the steamer to make better films, according to Sarandos, there is no intention to make fewer films.
A strike-authorization vote has been called by the Writers Guild of Canada. Currently, the guild is in negotiations with the Canadian Media Producers Association on its Independent Production Agreement. In 2023, the guild released a memo outlining an issue facing Canadian screenwriters at the time: the fact that the aggregate earnings of their Canadian citizen members had, adjusted for inflation, declined by almost 22%. While the guild’s contract expired on Dec. 31, it has remained in effect during negotiations. Discussions for a new contract began in October, and the guild reported in a March memo that they had presented an updated proposal to the CMPA on Feb. 26, with a response pending.
50 Cent has launched G-Unit Studios in Louisiana. According to the creative, the implementation of the studio represents a commitment to fostering talent and creating a community that thrives on creativity and innovation. It is expected that the studio’s implementation will boost job opportunities and economic growth in Shreveport, Louisiana. G-Unit Studios is a division of G-Unit Film & Television Inc., which is responsible for the Starz television series Power.
Stephanie Suganami (Something From Tiffany’s/Dave) has signed with M88. Upcoming projects for Suganami include the A24 thriller film Opus and the final season of Starz’s Ghost. Additionally, Suganami has co-founded the climate education platform @FutureEarth, and is an ambassador for The Environmental Working Group and World War Zero.
