Moviefone Editorial

Category: Behind the Scenes

  • Jake Gyllenhaal Starring in ‘Road House’ Remake

    Patrick Swayze in 1989's 'Road House.'
    Patrick Swayze in 1989’s ‘Road House.’

    Today has clearly been designated “Remake An ‘80s Movie Day.” With Selena Gomez attached to a new version of 1988 classic ‘Working Girl’, we also have word that Jake Gyllenhaal is on board for a remake of Patrick Swayze vehicle ‘Road House’.

    Talk of this one first emerged in November last year, but it is now official, with Doug Liman directing and Prime Video backing the movie.

    The original, directed by Rowdy Herrington, starred Swayze in the story of a roadside dive called The Double Deuce, a sleazy music joint in the small town of Jasper, Missouri, “the kind of place where they sweep up the eyeballs after closing”.

    The owner, tired of his place being wrecked by muscle-bound “power drinkers” and provocative bimbos, hires the best bouncer in the business (Swayze’s Dalton) to cool things down. Famously, he starts off charming but doesn’t hesitate to take extreme throat-ripping measures when pushed to his limit.

    Anthony Bagarozzi & Charles Mondry have written the new movie which, according to its synopsis, stars Gyllenhaal as a former UFC fighter who takes a job as a bouncer at a rough-and-tumble roadhouse in the Florida Keys, but “soon discovers that not everything is what it seems in this tropical paradise.” The cameras will be rolling this month in the Dominican Republic.

    In the cast alongside Gyllenhaal are the likes of Billy Magnussen, Daniela Melchior, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Lukas Gage, Hannah Love Lanier, Travis Van Winkle, B.K. Cannon, Arturo Castro, Dominique Columbus, Beau Knapp and Bob Menery.

    Jake Gyllenhaal in 2021's 'The Guilty.'
    Jake Gyllenhaal in 2021’s ‘The Guilty.’

    And Joel Silver, who produced the original, is back working on this one alongside JJ Hook, Alison Winter and Aaron Auch.

    “‘Road House’ is a homerun for us. Not only is it a nod to fans of the original, but it is also a big, fun, broad audience movie,” says Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Joel, Doug, and this great cast led by Jake Gyllenhaal, and for them to come together to reimagine the classic MGM film as an action-packed adventure for our global audience.”

    “I’m thrilled to put my own spin on the beloved ‘Road House’ legacy,” Doug Liman enthuses in his own statement. “And I can’t wait to show audiences what Jake and I are going to do with this iconic role.”

    “The original ‘Road House’ has a special place in my heart and I am so excited to bring this newly imagined version to audiences around the world,” Silver says. “Doug and I have each made some big, boisterous action movies and are ready to bring everything we have to this one.”

    Though the original was a modest earner at the box office, it has since gone on to earn cult status and is a favorite among Swayze fans. So, no pressure for the new team, then.

    No release date is on the books yet, but it’ll arrive on Prime Video, probably sometime next year.

    Patrick Swayze in 1989's 'Road House.'
    Patrick Swayze in 1989’s ‘Road House.’
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  • Nick Offerman Joins ‘Mission: Impossible 8’

    Holt McCallany, Henry Czerny, and Nick Offerman in Paramount's 'Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two.'
    (L to R) Holt McCallany, Henry Czerny, and Nick Offerman in Paramount’s ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two.’

    It might seem as though the next two ‘Mission: Impossible’ movies should already be in the can by now, but given Covid delays and cast scheduling, the cameras are indeed still cranking on ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two’, the eighth instalment.

    And now, as revealed by writer/director Christopher McQuarrie on twitter, we know that the cast has grown yet again: Nick Offerman and Janet McTeer are the latest additions.

    That’s not all – both McQuarrie and Offerman (virtually) stopped by the Light The Fuse Podcast to discuss the actor’s experience on the movie.

    “Nick is quite literally drinking from the firehose, getting his first full bore ‘Mission: Impossible’ seeing-how-the-sausage-is-made,” McQuarrie said.

    “It’s really fun and fascinating. There’s a handful of very high caliber actors that I’m getting to work with as well as the lead guy, and getting to toss the ball around is incredible,” Offerman explained. “Getting to watch them deal with the fire hose technique is fascinating, because everybody brings a great deal of elan and panache and years of experience. And watching McQ and Tom do their thing, you can’t really describe it to people. You have to be there. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s like they’re painting an incredible mural and we’re all the paints.”

    The full episode of the podcast lands on Wednesday, but you can hear a preview here.

    Janet McTeer in Paramount's 'Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two.'
    (L to R) Mark Gatiss, Janet McTeer, and Charles Parnell in Paramount’s ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two.’

    No word on whom Offerman or McTeer are playing, though they could be government/military types – Offerman’s character is pictured alongside Holt McCallany, who we know is playing the Secretary of Defense, and what looks to be Henry Czerny, returning from the original ‘Mission: Impossible’ as Eugene Kittridge.

    McTeer, meanwhile, is seen with actors Mark Gatiss and Charles Parnell, the latter of whom appeared with Cruise in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’.

    The plot of the next two ‘Mission’ movies is still a closely-guarded secret, though from the first teaser, we did get some hints. The return of Kittridge points to more trouble from within the Impossible Mission Force, as Kittridge is giving off real villain vibes. He tells Ethan Hunt he’s effectively on the wrong side of history and that the “ideals” he’s been fighting for don’t exist. There are shots of people being gassed with a mysterious green substance, explosions and all manner of chases.

    And, of course, there are massive stunts, which as per usual, represent Tom Cruise putting his life on the line to up the spectacle with each movie.

    McQuarrie has a massive cast across the new movies, as returning ‘M:I’ regulars Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Rebecca Ferguson and more recent additions including Vanessa Kirby are joined by new recruits Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, Shea Whigham, Indira Varma, Cary Elwes, Esai Morales and Rob Delaney.

    ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One’ is due in theaters on July 14th, 2023, while ‘Part Two’ follows on June 28th, 2024.

    https://twitter.com/chrismcquarrie/status/1554127458525679617

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  • Will Smith Posts Video About the Oscar Slap

    The “slap heard about the world” continues to resonate with repercussions.

    Months after March 27th’s Academy Awards, people are still talking about the incident between comedian/actor Chris Rock and movie star Will Smith.

    While the Oscars had been proceeding normally – the first full, in-person ceremony since the pandemic began – events took a turn when Chris Rock arrived on stage to present Best Documentary and in his presenter’s remarks made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head.

    Seemingly unaware that Pinkett smith had been dealing with alopecia for years, Rock made a joke comparing her to the main character in ‘G.I. Jane’ and, after briefly laughing, Will Smith got to his feet, marched on stage and slapped Rock. As he retook his seat, Smith yelled, “keep my wife’s name out of your f*****g mouth”, stunning the audience that might have thought it was a comedy bit set up by the Academy, its writers and the two performers.

    Smith would go on to win Best Actor for ‘King Richard’ that same evening, but the fallout has included Smith leaving the Academy (and the organization banning him from its events for a decade) and Smith largely staying quiet, out of the public eye.

    Will Smith photo courtesy of YouTube.
    Will Smith photo courtesy of YouTube.

    He has returned via his YouTube channel, answering questions about the event. And, in one particular segment, he apologized to Rock and his family.

    “I was fogged out by that point. It is all fuzzy. I’ve reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that he’s not ready to talk. When he is, he will reach out. I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you. My behavior was unacceptable and I am here whenever you are ready to talk. I want to apologize to Chris’s mother. I saw an interview she did, and that was one of the things I just didn’t realize. I wasn’t thinking, but how many people got hurt in that moment.”

    “I want to apologize to Chris’ mother, I want to apologize to Chris’s family, specifically Tony Rock. We had a great relationship. Tony Rock was my man. This is probably irreparable. I spent the last three months replaying and understanding the nuance and complexity of what happened in that moment. I’m not going to try to unpack all of that right now, but I can say to all of you, there is no part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave in that moment. No part of me that thinks that is the optimal way to handle a feeling of disrespect or insult.”

    Smith also covered whether Pinkett Smith prompted him to act: “No. I made a choice on my own, from my own experience, and my history with Chris. Jada had nothing to do with it. I’m sorry, babe, and I want to say sorry to my kids and my family for the heat that I brought on all of us.”

    Finally, he offered his perspective and what he intends to do now. “Two things. One, disappointing people is my central trauma. I hate when I let people down, so it hurts me psychologically and emotionally that I didn’t live up to peoples’ image and impression of me,” he admits.

    “The work I am trying to do is, I am deeply remorseful and I’m trying to be remorseful without being ashamed of myself. I’m human and I made a mistake and I’m trying not to think of myself as a piece of shit so I would say to those people, I know it was confusing, I know it was shocking, but I promise you I am deeply devoted and committed to putting light and love and joy into the world,” Smith continues. “If you hang on, I promise we will be able to be friends again.”

    Will Smith accepts the Oscar® for Actor in a Leading Role
    Will Smith accepts the Oscar® for Actor in a Leading 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.

  • ‘Tomb Raider’ Movie Rights up for Grabs

    Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft in 2018's 'Tomb Raider.'
    Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft in 2018’s ‘Tomb Raider.’

    Looks like Lara Croft will be off on another different adventure.

    According to a report in The Wrap, MGM has lost the rights to make future ‘Tomb Raider’ movies after failing to generate a sequel to 2018’s Alicia Vikander-starring film by a strict deadline.

    The company had had until May of this year to flash the greenlight on a new movie, but since that time has come and gone, a bidding war is now likely as other studios look to put in bids to nab the chance to bring the character to screens.

    Created by game company Core Design in 1996, the title allows players to control fictional British archaeologist Lara Croft, who travels around the world searching for lost artefacts and infiltrating dangerous tombs and ruins.

    ‘Tomb Raider’ (and, later, ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’) became a giant hit and pop cultural sensation, with multiple games across various platforms and any number of spin-offs. Square Enix currently controls the rights.

    Lara Croft from the 'Tomb Raider' video game.
    Lara Croft from the ‘Tomb Raider’ video game.

    The game was famously first brought to theaters via ‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’ in 2001 and its 2003 sequel ‘Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life’, both of which starred Angelina Jolie as the titular adventurer.

    While they were both solidly successful, the movie franchise lingered in limbo for years until MGM partnered up with GK Films to nab the rights in 2013 and began to plot its own version.

    That came to fruition in 2018 with the more simply titled ‘Tomb Raider’ directed by Roar Uthaug and starring Vikander as Croft. The movie made $274.6 million worldwide, and while it wasn’t a giant hit, it was enough to spark sequel talk.

    Yet while the next movie cycled through a couple of directors (British filmmaker Ben Wheatley, who has created the likes of ‘Free Fire’ and ‘Kill List’ was attached for a while, before being replaced by ‘Lovecraft Country’s Misha Green), nothing moved forward at any real speed.

    The latest development is perhaps not too shocking, since Vikander herself admitted that a recent corporate move hadn’t helped matters. “With the MGM and Amazon buyout, I have no clue. Now it’s kind of politics,” Vikander told ‘Entertainment Weekly a few days ago. “I think Misha and I have been ready, so it’s kind of in somebody else’s hands, to be honest.”

    MGM didn’t comment at the time, but now we know why. And it looks like Vikander will also have to hand the character off to someone else, as she’s no longer attached to the movies.

    We could theoretically see Paramount looking to grab the rights back and return to the world of Croft since it produced the 2000s movies. But it’s highly unlikely that Jolie would want to squeeze back into the famous shorts and tank top. Time for another new Croft…

    Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft in 2018's 'Tomb Raider.'
    Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft in 2018’s ‘Tomb Raider.’
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  • Jason Momoa Reveals Ben Affleck will Cameo in ‘Aquaman 2′

    Ben Affleck as Batman in 2016's 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.'
    Ben Affleck as Batman in 2016’s ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.’

    Looks like the Bat’s out of the bag.

    Or at the very least the Bruce Wayne, as a new Instagram video from ‘Aquaman’ star Jason Momoa revealed Warner Bros. set tour fans learning that Ben Affleck will show up in the sequel, ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’.

    The funny Instagram video shows Momoa greeting fans who are on a tour tram outside the stage at Warner Bros. where the ‘Lost Kingdom’ team have been shooting additional footage. Parked outside the stage is a trailer with a less-than-subtle ‘B.A.’ on the door.

    “Well, it’s not a f*****’ secret any more is it?” chuckles Momoa, before adding, “Sorry children. That’s what happens, Warner Brothers, when you walk out of your set, and there’s your fans.”

    He then walks over to the trailer, laughing “Well, we tried to keep it a secret.” There’s a brief glimpse of Affleck in his trailer before Momoa swerves away. He also posted a couple of pictures of the pair larking around in a room at the studio.

    Of course, it could all be a put-up, and organized as part of the build-up to the superhero sequel’s arrival next year, but Momoa’s genuine surprise and laughter makes us think it’s real. And who doesn’t love Jason Momoa with a fit of the giggles?

    Ben Affleck and Jason Momoa.
    (L to R) Ben Affleck and Jason Momoa. Photo courtesy of Jason Momoa’s Instagram.
    Ben Affleck and Jason Momoa.
    (L to R) Ben Affleck and Jason Momoa. Photo courtesy of Jason Momoa’s Instagram.

    Bruce Wayne and Arthur Curry – Aquaman’s actual name – shared the screen previously in both versions of ‘Justice League’, the 2017 theatrical version and Zack Snyder’s extended cut, which arrived on HBO Max in 2021.

    How Bruce factors into the new movie remains to be seen, but we do know that ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ will take the sea hero to the titular Lost Kingdom, a part of the Atlantean Empire lost to history after the Atlanteans fell into ruin and became an underwater people.

    The cast also includes the returning likes of Amber Heard as Mera, Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus, Patrick Wilson as the villainous Ocean Master (though he and Arthur appear to be working together this time, however unwillingly) and Temuera Morrison as Aquaman’s father, Tom Curry.

    Yahya Abdul Mateen-II is also back as Black Manta, while ‘Game of Thrones’ Pilou Asbæk also joined the cast in an undisclosed part.

    James Wan, who guided the first film to more than $1 billion at the box office, is back directing again, working from a script by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick.

    ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’ will swim into theaters on March 17th next year.

    In addition to his return to the undersea realms, Momoa has been busy finishing the final season of dystopian Apple TV+ series ‘See’ and joining the latest ‘Fast & Furious’ installment, ‘Fast X’, itself due in theaters on May 19th, 2023.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CgkrXB6P8Qi

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  • Destin Daniel Cretton to Direct ‘Avengers: The Kang Dynasty’

    Marvel Studios' 'Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.'
    Marvel Studios’ ‘Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.’

    Marvel appears to be wasting no time putting the creative pieces in place now that it has announced plans for the next two “Phases” of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

    Following the Disney-owned Studio’s big San Diego Comic-Con presentation this past weekend, news arrives that ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ director Destin Daniel Cretton will take the reins for ‘Avengers: The Kang Dynasty’, currently due in theaters on May 2nd, 2025.

    Little is known about ‘The Kang Dynasty’ yet beyond that title, release date and now, director. But the title clearly points to a clash with Multiverse-spanning villain Kang (Jonathan Majors), a variant of whom was introduced in last year’s MCU series ‘Loki’.

    Kang – or versions of him, at least – is scheduled to pop back up again in ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania’, due in theaters on February 17th next year. He’ll be a threat throughout much of the future movies, since Phases 4 (which is already underway, and ends with November 11’th’s ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), 5 and 6 together represent ‘The Multiverse Saga’.

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    Together with ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ (planned for theaters on November 7th, 2025), the movie will wrap Phase 6 and cap off the next saga. There is no indication yet as to who will direct ‘Secret Wars’.

    Marvel Studios' 'Avengers: Secret Wars.'
    Marvel Studios’ ‘Avengers: Secret Wars.’

    As for who might be representing the heroic side of the story once ‘The Kang Dynasty’ rolls around is still up in the air at this point and depends on which of the remaining classic characters (such as Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange and Anthony Mackie‘s Captain America) are utilized alongside the younger likes of Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani) and, likely America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) introduced in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’.

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    We’d be shocked if Shang-Chi himself, Simu Liu wasn’t back, and given their long working relationship, we firmly expect to see Brie Larson as Captain Marvel (she popped up in a post-credits scene for ‘Shang-Chi’).

    While some had speculated that Marvel might look to bring ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame’ directors Joe and Anthony Russo back for the next ‘Avengers’ movies, Marvel boss Kevin Feige has gone on record as saying they’re not involved – and the sibling filmmakers are busy with their own projects anyway, such as expanding upon Netflix movie ‘The Gray Man’.

    Cretton though, sounds like a solid pair of hands for an ‘Avengers’ outing – he proved he could handle quieter character beats, drama and comedy, plus worked well with the effects teams to deliver some spectacle.

    Before he made a splash with ‘Shang-Chi’, Cretton was better known for his indie fare, including ‘Short Term 12’, ‘The Glass Castle’ and ‘Just Mercy’. He’s currently developing or working on a few other projects, including series ‘American Born Chinese’ for Disney+ and a ‘Wonder Man’ show under his Marvel deal.

    Marvel Studio's 'The Multiverse Saga.'
    Marvel Studio’s ‘The Multiverse Saga.’

  • Netflix Plans ‘The Gray Man’ Sequel and Spin-Off

    A sequel to Netflix's 'The Gray Man,' is now in development with star Ryan Gosling and directors Joe and Anthony Russo set to return.
    A sequel to Netflix’s ‘The Gray Man,’ is now in development with star Ryan Gosling and directors Joe and Anthony Russo set to return.

    Even given its current subscriber and financial wobbles, Netflix is looking to splash the cash when it thinks it can spawn a franchise from a successful movie.

    And having brought Joe and Anthony Russo’s spy thriller ‘The Gray Man’ to theaters and, this past weekend, its streaming service, the company is looking to keep backing their ambitious plans to build out the adaptations of Mark Greaney’s novel series.

    Because we can’t just have a straight sequel, the world-building is going into high gear with both a direct follow-up and a spin-off.

    ‘The Gray Man’, which the Russos directed (and Joe Russo co-wrote with regular collaborators Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely), was the all-action story of Sierra Six (Ryan Gosling), a trained operative called Sierra Six, who works for a shadowy chunk of the CIA, dispatched to carry out seemingly impossible missions with plausible deniability on the agency’s part.

    But when he discovers digital evidence of a conspiracy, his handlers will do anything to keep the information from getting out. They send the cruel, psychopathic Lloyd Hansen (Chris Evans in a dodgy mustache) and a wealth of baddies to hunt down our hero.

    The sequel will pick up Six’s story (with Gosling attached to return) and follow another mission. The Russo brothers are once more planning to direct, and McFeely is at work on the script.

    Chris Evans, Anthony Russo, Joe Russo on the set of 'The Gray Man.'
    (L to R) Chris Evans, Anthony Russo (Director-Producer), Joe Russo (Director-Producer-Writer) on the set of ‘The Gray Man.’ Photo: Paul Abell/Netflix © 2022.

    As for the spin-off, that’s even less clear right now. The first movie was chock full of characters that could be used in their own story – such as Dhanush’s Avik San (AKA Lone Wolf) or Wagner Moura’s fixer Laszlo Sosa – but the team is keeping that quiet too for now.

    What we do know is that ‘Deadpool’ scripting duo Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick are busy writing that movie.

    “The audience reaction to ‘The Gray Man’ has been nothing short of phenomenal. We are so appreciative of the enthusiasm that fans across the world have had for this film,” Joe and Anthony say in a statement. “With so many amazing characters in the movie, we had always intended for the ‘Gray Man’ to be part of an expanded universe, and we are thrilled that Netflix is announcing a sequel with Ryan, as well as a second script that we’re excited to talk about soon.”

    “With ‘The Gray Man’, the Russos delivered an edge-of-your-seat spectacle that audiences around the world are loving,” says Netflix Head of Global Film Scott Stuber. “We’re excited to continue to partner with them and the team at AGBO as they build out ‘The Gray Man’ universe.”

    It’s not the first franchise the Russos have been building for the company either – there’s also ‘Extraction’ starring another old ‘Avengers’ colleague, Chris Hemsworth. That movie has already spawned a sequel, which will arrive on the service next year.

    Thus far, Netflix has not announced a date for either new ‘Gray Man’ movie, but it seems unlikely that either will be ready much before early 2024.

    A sequel to Netflix's 'The Gray Man,' is now in development with star Ryan Gosling and directors Joe and Anthony Russo set to return.
    A sequel to Netflix’s ‘The Gray Man,’ is now in development with star Ryan Gosling and directors Joe and Anthony Russo set to return.
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  • Eddie Murphy Starring in ‘Candy Cane Lane’

    Eddie Murphy SNL
    Eddie Murphy at the Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special.

    It might be July, but Eddie Murphy is feeling festive.

    He’s now aboard to star in and produce a new Christmas movie called ‘Candy Cane Lane’.

    We don’t yet know what Murphy will be doing in the movie, as none of the plot details have been revealed. According to Deadline, however, the story is based on writer Kelly Younger’s experiences with the holiday in his youth.

    Younger has written for the Muppets: he co-created ‘Muppets Now’ and contributed to the script for ‘Muppets Haunted Mansion’. He also has experience with Disney Feature Animation, serving on the Story Trust for the studio, and crafting the story for ‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’.

    He scripted ‘Candy Cane Lane’ as a spec, and Amazon picked it up as a potential project for Murphy.

    The actor and producer has a three-picture deal with Amazon following the success of ‘Coming 2 America’ on Prime Video, which was plucked from limbo at Paramount during the pandemic.

    And ‘Candy Cane Lane’ represents more than just the latest Murphy/Amazon collaboration – it’s also a reunion for the star and director Reginald Hudlin, who last worked with him on 1992 comedy ‘Boomerang’.

    Also back from that movie is producer Brian Grazer, who has an even longer working relationship with Murphy that includes movies such as ‘Life’, ‘Tower Heist’, ‘The Nutty Professor’ and ‘Bowfinger’.

    Arsenio Hall and Eddie Murphy in Prime Video's 'Coming 2 America.'
    (L to R) Arsenio Hall and Eddie Murphy in Prime Video’s ‘Coming 2 America.’

    Murphy has seen a real boost to his career of late between the likes of Netflix’s ‘Dolemite Is My Name’ and ‘Coming 2 America’. He’ll next be back on screens for Netflix comedy ‘You People’, which also stars Jonah Hill and Julia Louis Dreyfus.

    Then there’s Pixar’s latest movie, ‘Elemental’, where his voice will be heard alongside the likes of Amy Adams, Selena Gomez, Zach Braff, Nick Nolte, Josh Gad and Ray Romano.

    Still in development is the long gestating ‘Beverly Hills Cop 4’, which Murphy plans to star in and produce.

    “The holiday season is my favorite time of year — just ask my family about my nine-hour Christmas playlist,” Hudlin tells Deadline. I‘m excited to be working again with Eddie Murphy, Brian Grazer, and Amazon.”

    Adds Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke: “As we know firsthand with our hit ‘Coming 2 America’, Eddie is someone who brings global audiences together, and we can’t wait to make it happen again. We look forward to seeing the multi-talented Reggie Hudlin take the helm in bringing this future holiday classic to life!”

    With Murphy aboard, we can likely expect more than just a saccharine family movie about the importance of family or some other familiar film, but he does have a few of those in his past too.

    ‘Candy Cane Lane’ hasn’t yet locked down a release date, but the cameras will start rolling this coming winter in Los Angeles.

    Eddie Murphy
    Eddie Murphy in Netflix’s ‘Dolemite Is My Name.’

  • Quinta Brunson Playing Oprah in “Weird” Al Biopic

    Quinta Brunson as Oprah Winfrey, and Daniel Radcliffe as "Weird Al" Yankovic in The Roku Channel's 'Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.'
    (L to R) Quinta Brunson as Oprah Winfrey, and Daniel Radcliffe as “Weird Al” Yankovic in The Roku Channel’s ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.’

    The casting reveals continue to arrive for ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story’. According to a new picture, ‘Abbott Elementary’ creator, writer and actor Quinta Brunson is aboard the film, playing entertainment icon Oprah Winfrey.

    She’s pictured alongside Daniel Radcliffe, who plays comedy musician “Weird” Al Yankovic in a closet full of his colorful clothing.

    Yankovic has enjoyed quite the career as the biggest-selling comedy recording artist of all time.

    A five-time Grammy winner, his 2014 release ‘Mandatory’ Fun was the first comedy album in history to debut at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200. He is one of only three artists to have had their own top 40 hits in each of the last four decades (the other two being Michael Jackson and Madonna, both of whom Al has parodied in his time).

    Evan Rachel Wood as Madonna
    Evan Rachel Wood as Madonna in the Roku Channel’s ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.’

    On August 27, 2018, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce awarded “Weird” Al with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has also popped up in a host of movies, shorts, and TV series, either as himself or other characters, and might be best known for indie comedy movie ‘UHF’, which was released in 1989.

    Oprah certainly has her own story – wrangling her way into a career as a TV talk show host, she’s long since built a global empire in addition to winning awards as an actor and producer. According to the latest update from the movie, Brunson’s role is more of a cameo.

    The movie, which was spurred by Yankovic’s decision to chronicle his “depraved and scandalous” life (he’s probably joking on that front) will chart his days spoofing his fellow musicians. He wrote the script alongside director Eric Appel, who has worked on projects such as ‘Silicon Valley’ and various Funny Or Die shorts (the comedy company is producing the movie alongside Tango).

    Radcliffe certainly looks the part, and the teaser showed him doing a fair approximation of Yankovic’s trademark voice and singing style. Plus, he’s clearly been learning his way around an accordion. And it certainly does its job, making you want to see more from the movie, which also features Evan Rachel Wood (as Madonna) Rainn Wilson (as radio personality Dr. Demento), plus Julianne Nicholson and Toby Huss (as Al’s parents) among its ensemble.

    And, according to the latest release, “an A-list cast of thousands their agents won’t let us reveal.”

    Brunson has been celebrating some awards history recently, becoming the first Black woman to earn three Emmy nominations in the comedy categories in the same year for ‘Abbott Elementary’. The high-school-based comedy has also seen high ratings and a quick second-season renewal from network ABC.

    She also has credits including ‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’ and ‘Miracle Workers’, which stars Radcliffe.

    ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story’ will be on the Roku Channel this fall, though there’s no strict date for its release yet.

    Daniel Radcliffe as 'Weird Al' Yankovic in The Roku Channel's 'Weird: The 'Weird Al' Yankovic Story.'
    Daniel Radcliffe as ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic in The Roku Channel’s ‘Weird: The ‘Weird Al’ Yankovic Story.’
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  • ‘Scream 6’ Adds Samara Weaving and Tony Revolori

    Samara Weaving as Major O'Hara / Scarlett in 'Snake Eyes.'
    Samara Weaving as Major O’Hara / Scarlett in ‘Snake Eyes.’

    Cameras are rolling on the next ‘Scream’ Movie, which, while it’s being referred to as ‘Scream 6’, will more likely end up titled ‘Scream II’ or some immediate sequel variant, since the most recent movie was simply called ‘Scream’.

    With directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett once more overseeing the movie, they’ve added two new cast members in Samara Weaving and Tony Revolori.

    Weaving has experience with the directors – she starred as a young woman who marries into a wealthy family, only to discover their dark gaming traditions in ‘Ready or Not’, which was the movie that is partly responsible for the pair landing the job in the ‘Scream’ world.

    Revolori, meanwhile, is more known for his work with Wes Anderson and acting as smug high schooler Flash Thompson in the latest three live-action ‘Spider-Man’ movies.

    This year’s ‘Scream’ successfully brought the movie series back to screens, featuring a combination of younger cast members (including Melissa Barrera, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding and Jenna Ortega) and the returning likes of Courteney Cox, Neve Campbell and David Arquette.

    'Scream' 2022 Poster Courtesy of Paramount
    ‘Scream’ 2022 Poster Courtesy of Paramount

    It has so far made more than $140 million worldwide and a sequel was announced almost as soon as it debuted. As it turns out, the creative team – which includes James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick once again co-writing the script – had already been figuring out what the next movie should be, which explains while it’s already in production.

    Barrera, Brown, Gooding and Ortega are all officially confirmed to be coming back for more, having survived their encounter with the cloaked menace in the last movie, called, like the original, simply, ‘Scream’.

    Spyglass Media and Paramount have yet to announce much about the story, save for the hint that it follows those four surviving younger characters leaving the town of Woodsboro behind to start a fresh chapter in their lives.

    Also on board for this latest movie is veteran Courteney Cox, once more back as intrepid journalist Gale Weathers, plus Hayden Panettiere, returning as Kirby Reed, who last tangled with Ghostface-related terror in ‘Scream 4’.

    New this time are Dermot Mulroney, Liana Liberato, Josh Segarra, Jack Champion, Devyn Nekoda and Henry Czerny.

    Controversially, one person who won’t be on screen (at least at time of writing) is Neve Campbell, who, like Cox is a franchise veteran. She turned down a lowball pay offer to come back again.

    “Sadly, I won’t be making the next ‘Scream’ film,” Campbell said in a statement. “As a woman I have had to work extremely hard in my career to establish my value, especially when it comes to ‘Scream’. I felt the offer that was presented to me did not equate to the value I have brought to the franchise.”

    There have been rumors of a boosted offer to star not just in this next film but also a potential seventh outing, but nothing is official right now.

    Whatever the final title is, the next ‘Scream’ will be dialing up some scares in theaters from March 31 next year.

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