Moviefone Editorial

Category: Behind the Scenes

  • Disney+ Plans New ‘King Kong’ Origin Story Series

    2017's 'Kong: Skull Island.'
    2017’s ‘Kong: Skull Island.’

    Is there any character that Disney won’t try to bring under its huge, ever-expanding franchise umbrella? Apparently not. The company is now developing a ‘King Kong’ series to run on streaming service Disney+.

    “Hang on,” we hear you asking, “aren’t the rights to Kong stories currently held by Legendary and Warner Bros., with movies and Netflix/Apple TV+ series already in production?” And you’d be right! Legendary in particular holds many of the rights to the giant ape and some other associated monster.

    Warner Bros. is still proceeding with its “MonsterVerse” movies – ‘Godzilla Vs. Kong’ director Adam Wingard is at this very moment at work on the sequel to that monster match-up. He has Dan Stevens starring in a story that will see the big beasts once again face off – or more likely team up to battle a worse threat.

    Then there is Apple TV+. Chris Black and ‘Hawkeye’ comics writer Matt Fraction have been shooting a new show, which will follow the thunderous battle between Godzilla and the Titans that leveled San Francisco and the shocking new reality that monsters are real. The series explores one family’s journey to uncover its buried secrets and a legacy linking them to the secret organization known as Monarch.

    ‘Pachinko’s Anna Sawai is aboard alongside Kiersey Clemons, Joe Tippett, Ren Watabe and Elisa Lasowski.

    And finally Netflix has a ‘Skull Island’ anime series working its way to the streaming service.

    The lesson here, then, is that Kong rights are spread everywhere, like a city block after the super-sized simian has stomped his way through.

    'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom' director James Wan
    ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ director James Wan at CinemaCon 2022. Photos by Eric Charbonneau.

    As for Disney+, it has James Wan producing its show through his Atomic Monster company, while Stephany Folsom, who adapted comic book ‘Paper Girls’ for Prime Video, is writing.

    Per Deadline, the new take on Kong “brings the classic monster story into the modern age, with a return to Skull Island and the dawn of a new Kong. The series will explore the mythology of King Kong’s origin story and the supernatural mysteries of his home.” It’s based on the rights to Merian C. Cooper’s original books and more recent ‘King Kong’ novelizations by Joe DeVito.

    They’re the same source material that Mar Vista Entertainment and IM Global Television were looking to adapt roughly five years ago without success.

    And in case you were still wondering about the rights and how the character is used, it’s worth noting that Warner Bros./Legendary only ever use “Kong” in their titles, since they don’t apparently have the rights to the “King” bit.

    Wan, of course, is no stranger to creatures given his horror credentials and his superhero work on ‘Aquaman’, whose sequel ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom‘ is due in theaters on March 17th next year. Folsom has also has experience with big canvases, since she also wrote on Prime Video’s ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’, launching next week.

    1933's 'King Kong.'
    1933’s ‘King Kong.’

  • Owen Teague Starring in New ‘Planet of the Apes’ Movie

    Owen Teague as Harold Lauder of the CBS All Access series 'The Stand.'
    Owen Teague as Harold Lauder of the CBS All Access series ‘The Stand.’ Photo Cr: Robert Falconer/CBS ©2020 CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Don’t expect Owen Teague to demand that any “damn dirty” apes get their “paws” off him in the next iteration of the ‘Planet of the Apes’ movie franchise. Because he’s playing the lead simian.

    Since Disney bought 20th Century Fox, the studio has been looking to keep the successful ‘Apes’ franchise going following the most recent trilogy.

    ‘The Maze Runner’ director Wes Ball landed the job of handling the next film in the series, and since jumping aboard in 2019, he’s been writing the script and figuring out how to follow in Matt Reeves’ footsteps, working with VFX experts to design the various ape characters and more.

    This July, he kicked off the extensive casting process required to full the main roles and according to Deadline, Teague impressed the director and studio bods with his audition, leading to a swift deal to play the primary ape.

    Ball’s search is ongoing for people to play other Apes and the scattered human survivors as the story continues, though exactly what that will be is a mystery for now as all involved are keeping the plot a strict secret.

    It’s no surprise that Disney would view the ‘Apes’ films as an important asset in its stable – originally adapted from Pierre Boulle’s novel, the 1968 original film featured Charlton Heston as astronaut George Taylor, who crash lands on a mysterious planet where intelligent apes rule and savage humans are their slaves.

    1968's 'Planet of the Apes.'
    1968’s ‘Planet of the Apes.’

    That movie ends with one of the biggest and most famous twists in science fiction history (spoiler alert for those who have not watched it and somehow don’t know): the planet is Earth in the far future, where mankind has ruined civilization and apes have risen to dominate.

    ‘Planet of the Apes’ was a big hit, spawning a franchise of several follow-up films and a TV series.

    In 2011, Fox started charting how humans fell with ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ directed by Rupert Wyatt, which switched the origin for mankind’s problems to a virus spreading across the globe. Andy Serkis donned performance capture gear to play main ape Caesar.

    Reeves took over the franchise and moved it to even more success with ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’ and ‘War for the Planet of the Apes’, which continued Caesar’s story.

    Whatever name the new movie carries will likely extend Caesar’s legacy (second spoiler alert: he dies at the end of ‘War’) and show the next evolution of the apes’ rise to power.

    As for Teague, he saw success with two Stephen King adaptations, playing a bully in the ‘It’ movies and nabbing a role in the latest TV version of ‘The Stand’. He’ll be back on screens in Netflix thriller ‘Reptile’ and Nicole Holofcener’s next film, ‘Beth & Don.’

    Owen Teague as Harold Lauder of the CBS All Access series 'The Stand.'
    Owen Teague as Harold Lauder of the CBS All Access series ‘The Stand.’ Photo Cr: Robert Falconer/CBS ©2020 CBS Interactive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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  • Ryan Gosling Reportedly Boards New ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ Movie

    Ryan Gosling as Six in 'The Gray Man'.
    Ryan Gosling as Six in ‘The Gray Man’. Photo: Paul Abell/Netflix © 2022.

    You might recall that, back in May, reports emerged that Margot Robbie was attached to star in a new ‘Ocean’s’ movie for Warner Bros. Discovery, which ‘Austin Powers’ director Jay Roach would make.

    According to subscription newsletter Puck, there has been some forward movement on this, as Ryan Gosling may now co-star with Margot Robbie. And, if their sources are to be believed, it’ll serve as a prequel to the previous movies that turns the clock back to a heist in Europe in the 1960s.

    And that feels fitting, since the original ‘Ocean’s film was made in 1960, starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and other members of the Rat Pack.

    2001’s ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ saw director Steven Soderbergh remaking and updating the concept, bringing an ensemble anchored by George Clooney and Matt Damon to the screen, the characters looking to pull off a huge, tricky heist at a Las Vegas hotel.

    That movie generated over $450 million worldwide in theatrical business alone, and Warners was quick to have Soderbergh reunite his cast (adding even more celebrity talent for good measure) for two follow-ups, ‘Ocean’s Twelve’ in 2004 and 2007’s ‘Ocean’s Thirteen’.

    In 2018, Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett led a spin-off called ‘Ocean’s Eight,’ which saw a female crew pulling off a robbery at the glitzy Met Gala in New York. That movie was directed by Gary Ross.

    Awkwafina, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, and Sarah Paulson
    (L to R) Awkwafina, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, and Sarah Paulson in 2018’s ‘Ocean’s 8.’

    Aside from the new movie’s potential prequel nature and previous reports pointing to a heist story set in Europe, all we really know at this one is that the screenplay comes from Carrie Solomon, a relative newcomer who has one script, ‘My Boyfriend’s Wedding’, in development.

    This latest movie might also – in keeping with Warner Bros. Discovery’s drive to focus on big theatrical releases – boast a bigger budget than even Soderbergh’s films, to give it a true summer movie feel.

    Of course, this isn’t official yet, and there has been no comment from the studio (not that we’d necessarily expect any news release while deals are still being hashed out). But assuming it truly goes into production with every involved, the new ‘Ocean’s’ movie would mark a reunion for Gosling and Robbie, who star together in next summer’s ‘Barbie.’

    Gosling is coming off of Netflix’s giant action thriller ‘The Gray Man’ (which already has both a sequel and a spin-off commissioned by the streaming service). He’s preparing to shoot ‘The Fall Guy’, a movie version of the 1980s TV series, with ‘Bullet Train’s David Leitch directing.

    Alongside ‘Barbie’, Robbie will be seen in ‘Amsterdam’ opposite Christian Bale and John David Washington for director David O. Russell, ‘Asteroid City’, the latest comedy from Wes Anderson, and old Hollywood story ‘Babylon’, playing Clara Bow for Damien Chazelle.

    Roach, meanwhile, made his name with comedy movies such as the ‘Austin Powers’ and ‘Meet the Parents’ trilogies, but has branched out to comedy dramas with his TV work, which includes ‘Recount’ and ‘Game Change’ for HBO. His most recent job was directing and producing all the episodes of comedy ‘High Desert’ for Apple TV+, which stars Patricia Arquette and Matt Dillon.

    Ryan Gosling as Ken in Warner Bros. Pictures’ 'Barbie.'
    Ryan Gosling as Ken in Warner Bros. Pictures’ ‘Barbie,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Jaap Buitendijk. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

  • Ariana DeBose Starring in ‘House of Spoils’

    Ariana DeBose accepts the Oscar
    Ariana DeBose accepts the Oscar® for Actress in a Supporting Role during the live ABC telecast of the 94th Oscars® at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Photo credit: Blaine Ohigashi / A.M.P.A.S.

    It’s been a good year so far for ‘West Side Story’ breakout Ariana DeBose. She’s truly put her stamp on the movie world, securing a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role in Steven Spielberg’s musical.

    She’ll also be seen this year among the sprawling ensemble cast for Matthew Vaughn’s spy thriller ‘Argylle’, will lead space pic ‘ISS’ and secured a role as Calypso in Sony’s Marvel movie ‘Kraven the Hunter.’

    On TV, DeBose has been part of the cast of Apple TV’s musical comedy series ‘Schmigadoon!’ and will return for Season 2, along with a role in HBO’s ‘Westworld’.

    And she’s adding a psychological thriller to her to-do list, which will see her dabbling in culinary terror from the Blumhouse team, under its deal with Amazon.

    ‘House of Spoils’, sounding for all the world like a discount food warehouse store, follows an ambitious chef (DeBose) who opens her first restaurant — a farm-to-table affair on a remote estate — where she battles kitchen chaos, a dubious investor, crushing self-doubts… and the powerful spirit of the estate’s previous owner who threatens to sabotage her at every turn!

    Sounds like she needs Gordon Ramsay to show up and shout at people.

    Ariana DeBose hand to face
    Ariana DeBose at the 5th Annual Hollywood Critics Association Awards.

    Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy, whose previous movie, ‘Blow the Man Down’ – about two sisters desperately trying to cover up a gruesome with run-in with a dangerous man – was picked up by Amazon just before the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival, wrote the script and will direct, starting this fall.

    “Since ‘Blow the Man Down’, we have been huge fans of Bridget and Danielle’s unique filmmaking voice and knew we needed to be a part of whatever they wanted to do next,” says Amazon head of movies Julie Rapaport. “Pairing their thrilling script with Ariana’s incredible talent is a dream come true, and we could not be more excited to bring this story to the screen and to our customers around the world.”

    “We’re excited to see Ariana’s fresh, bold and spirited energy that won her an Oscar in a role that is completely different,” comments president of Blumhouse Chris McCumber. “And with the gifted filmmaking team of Bridget and Danielle, the talent in front of and behind the camera is exceptional.”

    Culinary thrillers seem to be a thing right now, what with ‘The Menu’ on its way in November starring Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult and featuring a chef with a killer idea for a trendy restaurant (you can watch the latest trailer for that one here).

    As for ‘House of Spoils,’ it’ll arrive on Prime Video globally at some point next year.

    Ariana DeBose in ‘West Side Story’
    Ariana DeBose in ‘West Side Story’

     

  • Kenya Barris Directing ‘Wizard of Oz’ Remake

    Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Judy Garland, and Jack Haley in 1939's 'The Wizard of Oz.'
    (L to R) Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Judy Garland, and Jack Haley in 1939’s ‘The Wizard of Oz.’

    Though it has been endlessly referenced and riffed upon in the years since its release in 1939, ‘The Wizard of Oz’ as a movie has largely been treated as an untouchable classic in terms of remakes.

    Yet in an era where no classic title or respected chunk of intellectual property is safe from studios looking for a recognized name to buff up with a new interpretation, it was only a matter of time before the movie found itself a target.

    In fact, word on Warner Bros. (which owns the rights to the original movie) looking to use it as the source material for a new film first broke last year when Nicole Kassell, director of ‘The Woodsman,’ ‘A Little Bit of Heaven’ and several episodes of 2019’s audacious TV version of ‘Watchmen’ was brought aboard to make a new version.

    Now, according to Deadline, Kassell has left the project and ‘Black-ish’ TV creator Kenya Barris is aboard to craft his own take.

    Frank L. Baum‘s original book was published in 1900, spawning 13 more tomes and, of course the musical classic movie. The film told the story of Dorothy (Judy Garland), who is swept away from her mundane, monochrome Kansas homeland to the colorful, magical world of Oz, where she meets a variety of unusual characters.

    There’s the absent-minded Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), the Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), and Jack Haley as The Tin Man, who is in search of a heart (and some oil to help his rusted joints).

    Together, these unlikely companions must prevail against the terrifying Wicked Witch of the West (Margaret Hamilton), who is looking to keep control of them all. The friends beseech the Wizard (Frank Morgan) for help, but even he might not be quite what he seems…

    Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross on Kenya Barris' 'Black-ish.'
    (L to R) Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross on Kenya Barris’ ‘Black-ish.’

    Barris has signed a deal to make a modern re-imagining of the story, though details of what that entails remain at the other end of the Yellow Brick Road for now.

    The writer/producer/directors has been splitting his time between screens big and small even before he finished work on ‘Black-ish.’ He’s written and produced movies including ‘Girls Trip,’ ‘Coming 2 America’ and the 2019 ‘Shaft,’ while also creating shows like ‘#BlackAF’ for Netflix.

    He’s no stranger to remake territory either, as he wrote and produced Disney+ TV movie ‘Cheaper by the Dozen’ and scripted the ‘White Men Can’t Jump’ remake that is now filming. Next up is ‘Entergalactic,’ co-created with Kid Cudi and inspired by the musician’s new album. It’s described as a combination of animation, music, fashion and art.

    Given the sheer number of projects on Barris’ to-do list (which also includes an animated movie inspired by Bob Marley’s music, a film about comedy legend Richard Pryor – who appeared in ‘Oz’ adaptation ‘The Wiz’ – and a feature-length movie about Juneteenth), we’ll have to wait and see whether the Wizard makes it to screens any time soon, but Warners seems to be very interested in getting this one made as soon as possible.

    Must be lollipop guild regulations.

    Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Judy Garland, and Bert Lahr in 1939's 'The Wizard of Oz.'
    (L to R) Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Judy Garland, and Bert Lahr in 1939’s ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images.
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  • Viola Davis Joins the ‘Hunger Games’ Prequel

    Viola Davis Joins the cast of ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,’ which is scheduled for release in theaters on November 17th, 2023.
    Viola Davis Joins the cast of ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,’ which is scheduled for release in theaters on November 17th, 2023.

    While Viola Davis is more usually seen as a heroic or good-hearted character, we have seen her channel a darker side in the past: ‘Suicide Squad’s Amanda Waller, for example. Or the crafty Annalise Keating on TV’s ‘How to Get Away with Murder’.

    It’s that side of her performance that will be on display in the ‘Hunger Games’ prequel movie ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’. Davis has joined the in-production movie as Dr. Volumnia Gaul.

    ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ is set years before the story of Jennifer Lawrence’s Katniss Everdeen. In this throwback to an earlier era of the Hunger Games, the new narrative follows 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) long before he’s the cunning president of post-apocalyptic nation Panem.

    Snow is the last hope for his fading lineage, a once-proud family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With the 10th annual Hunger Games fast approaching, the young Snow is alarmed when he is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), the girl tribute from impoverished District 12.

    But, after Lucy Gray commands all of Panem’s attention by defiantly singing during the reaping ceremony, Snow thinks he might be able to turn the odds in their favor. Uniting their instincts for showmanship and newfound political savvy, Snow and Lucy’s race against time to survive will ultimately reveal who is a songbird and a snake.”

    Rachel Zegler to star as Lucy Gray Baird in Lionsgate's 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.'
    Rachel Zegler to star as Lucy Gray Baird in Lionsgate’s ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.’ Photo credit: Nathan Johnson.

    Dr. Gaul will serve as the main antagonist for the movie, a games-maker who designs the 10th annual games.

    Francis Lawrence is directing the movie now from a script by Michael Lesslie. The ever-expanding cast also includes Peter Dinklage, Jason Schwartzman, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andrés Rivera, Ashley Liao, Sofia Sanchez, Mackenzie Lansing, Zoe Renee, George Somner, Isobel Jesper Jones, Lilly Maria Cooper, Max Raphael, Dakota Shapiro, Vaughan Reilly, Nick Benson, Knox Gibson, Amélie Hoeferle and Cooper Dillon.

    “The ‘Hunger Games’ films have always been elevated by their exceptional casting, and we are thrilled to be continuing that tradition with Viola Davis as Volumnia Gaul,” says Lionsgate motion picture group president Nathan Kahane. “Her formidable and powerful presence will add layers of complexity and menace to this story.”

    “From the beginning, Viola has been our dream for Dr. Gaul because of the finely layered intelligence and emotion she brings to every role,” comments franchise producer Nina Jacobson. “A brilliant and eccentric strategist, Gaul is instrumental in shaping a young Coriolanus Snow into the man he will become. We are incredibly fortunate to have an actor with Viola’s extraordinary range and presence to play this pivotal role.”

    “Dr. Gaul is as cruel as she is creative and as fearsome as she is formidable. Snow’s savvy as a political operator develops in no small part due to his experiences with her as the games’ most commanding figure,” enthuses Lawrence.

    ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ is scheduled for release in theaters on November 17th, 2023.

    ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’
    ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ will be in theaters on November 17th, 2023.
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  • Johnny Depp Directing ‘Modigliani’

    Johnny Depp in 2012's 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.'
    Johnny Depp in 2012’s ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.’

    Looking to emerge from the mire of his legal battles with ex-wife Amber Heard, Johnny Depp is throwing himself back into creative work, acting and now preparing to get back behind the camera for a new movie.

    According to The Hollywood Reporter, Depp will wrangle the cast and crew for ‘Modigliani’.

    Jerzy and Mary Kromolowski wrote the script, adapting the play by Dennis McIntyre. The film will tell the story of the painter and sculptor living in Paris in 1916.

    While he has suffered under the belief that he’s a critical and commercial failure, Modigliani navigates a turbulent and eventful 48 hours that will become a turning point in his life, ultimately solidifying his reputation as an artistic legend.

    We don’t yet know who will star in the movie (and whether Depp will take a role/ the lead), but the cameras should be rolling next year in Europe. Al Pacino, who has worked with co-producer Ben Navidi on various other movies, is also involved in shepherding the movie to screens.

    “The saga of Mr. Modigliani’s life is one that I’m incredibly honored, and truly humbled, to bring to the screen,” said Depp. “It was a life of great hardship, but eventual triumph — a universally human story all viewers can identify with.”

    “This project has been very close to Al’s heart. Al introduced me to the play Modigliani many years ago and I instantly fell in love with it,” says Navidi. “This is a slice of Modi’s life and not a bio. It’s been a dream of mine to work with Johnny again — he’s a true artist with an amazing vision to bring this great story to the screen.”

    Amber Heard and Johnny Depp in 2011's 'The Rum Diary.'
    (L to R) Amber Heard and Johnny Depp in 2011’s ‘The Rum Diary.’

    Depp recently saw a judge rule in his favor in a defamation trial brought against Heard, who has made continued claims of his abusive behavior. But as the case dragged on, both actors saw their names and reputations dragged through the mud of public opinion.

    For his part, Depp has seen work in Hollywood dry up, and studios distancing themselves from him, including Warner Bros. ejecting him from ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore’ where he had been set to reprise his role as the villainous Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen took over the character).

    The actor hasn’t been seen on screen since 2020’s ‘Minamata,’ which saw him play war photographer W. Eugene Smith. He is, however, still finding work from European companies, and is at work on French filmmaker Maïwenn’s upcoming film ‘Jeanne du Barry,’ a historical romance drama about a royal’s concubine, with Depp as King Louis XV.

    The last time Depp was calling action, it was for his directorial debut, the 1997 neo-Western ‘The Brave’. Adapted from Gregory McDonald’s novel, it followed an unemployed alcoholic Native American Indian who lives on a trailer park with his wife and two children. Convinced that he has nothing to offer this world, he agrees to be tortured to death by a gang of rednecks in return for $50,000.

    Not exactly a crowd-pleaser – or indeed an anyone pleaser – it was critically castigated and largely eschewed by audiences, barely moving the needle on box office figures despite Depp starring alongside Marlon Brando.

    He’ll no doubt be hoping for better things with ‘Modigliani’, but given the obscure subject matter, that remains to be seen.

    Johnny Depp in 2000's 'Chocolat.'
    Johnny Depp in 2000’s ‘Chocolat.’

  • Emily Blunt joins ‘The Fall Guy’

    Emily Blunt arrives for the 90th Annual Academy Awards on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood, California.
    Emily Blunt arrives for the 90th Annual Academy Awards on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood, California. Photo: Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty Images.

    Director David Leitch’s adaptation of 1980s TV series ‘The Fall Guy’ already boasts Ryan Gosling in the lead. Leitch is boosting the A-list quotient with the addition of Emily Blunt.

    The movie has been in development for a while now, with Leitch waiting until he finished work on ‘Bullet Train’ before starting prep on this next project.

    ‘The Fall Guy,’ which boasts a script by Drew Pearce (who co-wrote ‘Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw’ for the director), adapts the 1980s TV series.

    Originally created by prolific TV producer Glen A. Larson (whose prolific TV production factory also cranked out shows such as ‘Buck Rogers’, ‘Battlestar Galactica’ and ‘Knight Rider’), ‘The Fall Guy’ ran between 1981 and 1986, and starred Lee Majors as Colt Seavers (none more ‘80s action hero name there).

    When his movie work starts to dry up, Seavers pivots to become a bounty hunter, using all the know-how he’s acquired to craft film action to track down and defeat swindlers, thieves, bikers, conmen, fugitives, and corrupt officials using his fists and his vehicle skills.

    Majors starred alongside Douglas Barr and Heather Thomas as Colt’s colleagues Howie Munson and Jody Banks, who helped him out on his missions. Though the show was often a giant slab of ‘80s cheese TV, the concept clearly has legs.

    Heather Thomas and Lee Majors
    (L to R) Heather Thomas and Lee Majors in ‘The Fall Guy.’ Photo courtesy of IMDB.

    ‘Terminator Salvation’ director McG had Dwayne Johnson attached to star back in 2013, with a script from Zack Stentz and Ashley Edward Miller.

    This new version first emerged in 2020 (then known as “unknown stuntman movie”), with Gosling and Leitch aboard. ‘The Fall Guy’ is now coming together partly because the Australian government is offering $45 million in incentives to have the movie shoot in Sydney.

    Leitch feels like the right man for this job, since he’s someone who has spun a career as a successful stuntman into an even more impressive run of directing action movies, will be behind the camera for the new movie. He’ll bring his own experience to the idea, having spent years doubling the likes of Brad Pitt and Jean-Claude Van Damme before making movies such as ‘John Wick’, ‘Atomic Blonde’, ‘Deadpool 2’ and more. Gosling has recently shown he can do the action star thing in ‘The Gray Man’, which Netflix is celebrating as a big hit, with sequels and spin-offs on the way.

    And Blunt is no slouch when she tries her hand at action thriller field – most notably as the tough Rita “Rose” Vrataski, a no-nonsense soldier engaged in combat against an alien threat in ‘Edge of Tomorrow.’ It says something when an actor can hold their own against Tom Cruise.

    We don’t yet know what the story will be for the new movie (presumably some take on the show’s concept), or exactly who Gosling and Blunt will play. But you can be sure the action will be next level (Leitch is truly an old hand at that stuff) and probably with a throughline of humor like ‘Bullet Train.’

    All that is concrete so far is that Universal has set this one for a March 1st, 2024 launch in theaters.

    Ryan Gosling in 'The Gray Man.'
    Ryan Gosling in ‘The Gray Man.’ Photo: Paul Abell/Netflix © 2022.
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  • Vince Gilligan Plans New Show After ‘Better Call Saul’

    Jonathan Banks as Mike Ehrmantraut and Bob Odenkirk as Jimmy McGill / Saul Goodman / Gene Takavic in AMC's 'Better Call Saul.'
    (L to R) Jonathan Banks as Mike Ehrmantraut and Bob Odenkirk as Jimmy McGill / Saul Goodman / Gene Takavic in AMC’s ‘Better Call Saul.’

    ‘Better Call Saul’ comes to an end next week. And while fans might be left sorry that the ‘Breaking Bad’ TV universe isn’t continuing to expand, creator Vince Gilligan is ready to move on to pastures new.

    The veteran TV writer/producer/director has been spending any downtime from ‘Saul’ duties preparing a new series that will have nothing to do with either Bryan Cranston’s Walter White or Bob Odenkirk’s Saul Goodman. In fact, it’s a wholly original show.

    There’s mystery swirling around this next project as Gilligan has yet to offer up details; and since the pitch session with various interested parties is set for the next couple of weeks, we’re still waiting to learn what it might entail.

    Deadline has heard that the new show hews more closely to another classic show from Gilligan’s past, ‘The X-Files’, where he was an executive producer and director. But it’s reportedly not quite as sci-fi or conspiracy heavy as that.

    Instead, sources are calling it a blended, grounded drama that is set in a recognizable world but with a tweak. And, as is usual for a Gilligan project, it’ll explore the human condition through interesting characters. Just fewer scenes of those characters cooking meth in a dodgy RV.

    'Breaking Bad' and 'Better Call Saul' creator Vince Gilligan on 'Conan.' Photo courtesy of Team Coco YouTube Channel.
    ‘Breaking Bad’ and ‘Better Call Saul’ creator Vince Gilligan on ‘Conan.’ Photo courtesy of Team Coco YouTube Channel.

    In typical Gilligan fashion, he’s also worked out a series of documents that will help potential buyers navigate this new world. We’re certain plenty of networks and streamers will be looking to snap up a collaboration with the man who has created two of the most beloved shows in recent memory.

    Gilligan has had more time to ponder fresh horizons as he stepped back from ‘Saul’ in recent years, handing more of the reins over to co-creator Peter Gould and spending less time in the writers’ room – at least until he returned to help guide the show to its conclusion in this final season.

    Talking at this year’s virtual summer Television Critics Association panel for ‘Better Call Saul’, Gilligan expanded on his thinking about stepping away from the universe he created.

    “You can’t keep putting all your money on red 21,” he said. “I feel like we probably pushed it doing a spinoff to ‘Breaking Bad,’ but I could not be more happy with the results. Then I did (‘Breaking Bad’ story follow-up TV movie) ‘El Camino’ and I’m very proud of that too. But I think I’m starting to sense you’ve got to know when to leave the party, you don’t want to be the guy with a lampshade on your head. I don’t have any plans right now to do anything more in this universe. I know I probably gave the same answer at the end of ‘Breaking Bad.’ I gotta prove to myself that I got something else in me. I’m not a one trick pony, that’s what I’m hoping”.

    He did finish with “never say never,” so if fans want to keep the hope alive, they can cling to that.

    ‘Better Call Saul’s series finale airs Monday on AMC.

    Giancarlo Esposito as Gus Fring, Bob Odenkirk as Jimmy McGill / Saul Goodman / Gene Takavic, and Jonathan Banks as Mike Ehrmantraut in AMC's 'Better Call Saul.'
    (L to R) Giancarlo Esposito as Gus Fring, Bob Odenkirk as Jimmy McGill / Saul Goodman / Gene Takavic, and Jonathan Banks as Mike Ehrmantraut in AMC’s ‘Better Call Saul.’

  • Warner Bros. Discovery Weighing Options for its ‘Flash’ Movie

    Ezra Miller as the Flash in 2017's 'Justice League.'
    Ezra Miller as the Flash in 2017’s ‘Justice League.’

    It’s tough to imagine what anyone at Warner Bros. Discovery/DC Films is thinking right now. Probably some mixture of confusion and uncertainty given recent events, which included the unceremonious consigning of ‘Batgirl’ to tax write-off jail.

    We can fairly assume then, that the executives (both those before and those after the big Discovery merger that has brought so much of a shake-up to DC Films) were likely hoping that ‘The Flash’, which sees Ezra Miller reprising their role as the Scarlet Speedster Barry Allen, would be a cornerstone in proving that everything is – pun entirely intended – running smoothly.

    Alas, that is definitely not the case. Despite a safe pair of hands at the helm (‘It’ director Andy Muschietti) and some grand plans for multiverse action and fan-pleasing appearances (including dual Batmen in Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck), ‘The Flash’ is in real danger of running off the road entirely.

    A lot of that has to do with Miller’s near-constant appearance in the news for all the wrong reasons, including the most recent incident, where they were charged with felony burglary in Vermont and the authorities seeking to locate a mother and three children who have allegedly been residing at the actor’s farm.

    In the wake of ‘Batgirl’s shelving, consideration is now being given to how to handle ‘The Flash’, and according to a new story in The Hollywood Reporter, scrapping the project is not entirely off the table, though is being seen as the unlikely nuclear route.

    Instead, various options are apparently being considered, specifically around Miller’s involvement going forward. They were involved in filming additional footage (fairly standard for superhero tentpoles) this summer, which points to Warner Bros. Discovery and DC looking to keep the movie on track.

    Ezra Miller is scheduled to appear in 'The Flash' on June 23, 2023.
    Ezra Miller is scheduled to appear in ‘The Flash’ on June 23, 2023.

    There is talk that Miller could seek professional help for their issues once they return home, and then give a tell-all interview which would then lead to them being the focus of the ‘Flash’ press tour to help adjust the narrative.

    Option two focuses on the actor being unwilling to play that PR game, then being largely absent from the press interviews and the studio looking to distance itself from them, with the character re-cast in future movies.

    And, as mentioned, the extremely improbable (but still not impossible) option of cancelling the movie’s release entirely.

    WBD and DC have a lot of money sunk into the movie already (more than double that of something at ‘Batgirl’s level), so that probably doesn’t make sense.

    More likely is the studio as a whole moving away from Miller and handing over their roles in two big franchises – the DC Extended Universe and (assuming those movies go forward) the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Wizarding World – to other actors.

    Fans have been suggesting that Grant Gustin, who has played Barry Allen on CW show ‘The Flash’ since 2014, could be brought in to replace Miller thanks to the handy multiverse concept. But we highly doubt that the studio would give into such pressure.

    UPDATE: Miller has apologized for their behavior and announced that they are seeking treatment for mental health issues.

    “Having recently gone through a time of intense crisis, I now understand that I am suffering complex mental health issues and have begun ongoing treatment,” Miller says in a statement. “I want to apologize to everyone that I have alarmed and upset with my past behavior. I am committed to doing the necessary work to get back to a healthy, safe and productive stage in my life.”

    It remains to be seen whether this first step will lead to them still being part of the press tour or, indeed, the DCEU going forward.

    ‘The Flash’ is currently still scheduled for release on June 23rd next year, so let’s see if that sticks.

    Ezra Miller at premiere
    Ezra Miller at the Los Angeles premiere of 2017’s ‘Justice League.’
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