Motion Picture: Zendaya Joins Space Jam, Bodhi Sabongui Makes DC Debut In 'Black Adam'
Action: Fan favorite Looney Tunes character Lola Bunny is returning in Space Jam: A New Legacy with Zendaya set to voice. This casting choice, according to director Malcolm D. Lee, aims to reinvent Lola as a more well-rounded, individualized character as opposed to her flat characterization in the 1996 film. The sequel also sees the replacement of Michael Jordan with Lebron James as seen in the first official trailer. The film is set to open on July 16.
Netflix recently acquired international distribution rights to the Chinese high-concept fantasy feature Super Me, the story of a troubled screenwriter plagued with insomnia that realizes he can conjure objects from his dreams into reality. The film stars Taiwanese Darren Wang (known also as Wang Talu), Song Jia, and Wu Gang. A streaming release date has not been announced at this time.
There will be blood. The Hate U Give star Amandla Stenberg is set to star in the upcoming A24 slasher Bodies, Bodies, Bodies alongside Borat 2 star and Oscar Nominee Maria Bakalova. The film is directed by Halina Reijn and produced by David Hinojosa. Plot details are not available at this time.
Rising child star Bodhi Sabongui has joined the ranks of DC’s new feature project Black Adam as a key cast member, along with Dwayne Johnson, Aldis Hodge, and Pierce Brosnan, among others. The film is directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and produced under New Line Cinema. The film has a projected release date of July 29, 2022.
Gemma Chan - Robert Wilson/Time Magazine
Drama: The Letitia Wright starring upcoming drama Silent Twins has been acquired by Focus Features. Wright co-stars alongside Tamara Lawrence of The Long Song as the story follows two Welsh twins mute to everyone but themselves. The film wrapped recently in Poland, with Universal Studios, projected to distribute internationally. This feature marks the English-language debut of director Agnieska Smoczynska.
In the wake of Anti-AAPI violence seeing a considerable uptick, Crazy Rich Asians star Gemma Chan is looking to produce the feature script Hold Still, Vincent, based on the tragic real-life murder of 27-year-old Vincent Chin in 1982. Chan, as well as chosen co-directors Aaron and Winston Tao and producer Bash Naran, have teamed up with podcast studio QCODE to record a table read of the script with a near-exclusive Asian cast. The project has also partnered with AAPI non-profit Gold House to aid in philanthropic efforts designed to combat anti-Asian sentiment.
Sam Forencich
Industry Update: From basketball to blockbusters, Carmelo Anthony is getting into the production game. The NBA All-Star along with producer Asani Swann recently launched content banner Creative 7, a multi-platform content company with plans to develop and produce original scripted and non-scripted content, including features. Creative 7 will also team up with the likes of producer Will Packer of Will Packer Productions and Get Out producers Shaun and Yvette Yates Redick.
In a landmark streaming deal, Netflix has secured exclusive access to Sony’s post-theatrical releases starting in 2022. Not only does this include future installments of Sony franchises such as Spider-Man, but the deal also opens up Sony’s I.P. library to Netflix, granting the streaming powerhouse a first look at licensing films. This deal also signals what is perhaps the final nail in the coffin of an imagined “Sony+”.
