Moviefone Editorial

Tag: casting

‘Game of Thrones’ Star Lena Headey Boards Action Thriller ‘Gunpowder Milkshake’

Helen Sloan/HBO

Lena Headey isn’t leaving violence and action behind when “Game of Thrones” ends.

The actress has joined the upcoming assassin thriller “Gunpowder Milkshake,” Deadline reports. She’ll co-star in the film, joining an ensemble cast that also includes Karen Gillan (“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”). The cast is meant to be “multi-generational” and female-driven, according to a THR report in early January.

“Gunpowder Milkshake” will be directed by Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado, who penned the script with Ehud Lavski. The film comes from Studiocanal and The Picture Company, with Andrew Rona and Alex Heineman serving as producers. Meanwhile, Didier Lupfer, Ron Halpren, and Shana Eddy will executive produce.

Plot details haven’t been revealed, so it’s unclear whether Headey will be a good guy, a bad guy, or something in between. Thanks to “Game of Thrones,” we definitely know she can pull off calculating and merciless, so we’ll be interested to see if she does it again, or if she shows a softer side.

Headey stars in the final season of “Game of Thrones,” due out in April, as well as the upcoming film “Fighting with My Family.” Her previous movie credits include roles in “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies,” “300: Rise of an Empire,” and “The Purge,” among others.

[via: Deadline]

February 7, 2019
‘Jumanji’ Sequel to Bring Back Nick Jonas

Sony Pictures

The next “Jumanji” adventure is going to be full of familiar faces.

Several “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” stars have agreed to reprise their roles in the next film, and the latest is Nick Jonas, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The singer-slash-actor joins the sequel’s previously announced stars Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan. Furthermore, the actors who played their teen characters — Ser’Darius Blain, Alex Wolff, Madison Iseman, and Morgan Turner — are also set to return.

“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” centers on a group of four teens who play the Jumanji video game and find themselves transported into its world and into the body of avatars. Jonas’s character is Alex, a man who has been trapped in the game for years in the body of an avatar named Jefferson “Seaplane” McDonough. Plot details for the sequel haven’t been revealed, so we don’t know yet how he ties into the new story from writers Jake Kasdan, Jeff Pinkner, and Scott Rosenberg.

In addition to all the returning stars in the upcoming “Jumanji” sequel, there will be franchise newcomers, too. Actors Awkwafina (“Crazy Rich Asians”), Donald Glover (“Solo: A Star Wars Story”), and Danny DeVito (“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”) are all joining for what Johnson has teased is “dynamite.”

It looks like it’s the more the merrier in the jungle.

[via: THR]

February 6, 2019
‘Dreamland’: Gary Oldman, Evangeline Lilly, and Armie Hammer Join Opiod Crisis Film

Focus Features and Universal Pictures; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; Focus Pictures

Big-name actors will take on the opioid crisis together on the big screen.

The thriller “Dreamland” is putting together quite the cast. The film will star Gary Oldman, Evangeline Lilly, and Armie Hammer, Deadline reports. They join German actress Veronica Ferres.

The film, which aims to show the wide-ranging impact of the opioid crisis, reportedly tells three overlapping stories. One centers on a drug trafficker who coordinates a smuggling operation, while another centers on a recovering addict who digs into her son’s ties to narcotics. The third story follows a professor who must contend with his drug company employer’s move to introduce a “non-addictive” painkiller. Character details haven’t been revealed.

The cast is a stellar one. Oldman comes to the film having won the 2018 Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the war drama “Darkest Hour.” His other recent work includes roles in “Hunter Killer,” “Tau,” and “The Hitman’s Bodyguard.” Meanwhile, Lilly became the first female superhero to headline an MCU film in “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” and Hammer most recently starred in the biopic “On the Basis of Sex.”

“Dreamland” is currently in production in Montreal and Detroit. Nicholas Jarecki (“Arbitage”) is directing from a script he wrote himself. Green Room Films is producing in association with Tuesday Films, Matisse Pictures, Construction Film, GmbH, and Burn Later Productions. Les Productions LOD and Bideford Productions are producing as well. The executive producers are Michael Suppes, Tony Hseih, Douglas Urbanski, Mohammed Al Turki, Lisa Wilson, William Rosenfeld, Sam Slater, and David Bernon.

[via: Deadline]

February 6, 2019
Bryan Cranston Headed Back to TV in Showtime’s ‘Your Honor’

20th Century Fox

Showtime’s “Your Honor” has locked down Bryan Cranston.

The “Breaking Bad” alum will return to TV as the star of the upcoming limited series, Variety reports. He’ll also executive produce the project, which is based on the Israeli series “Kvodo.”

The miniseries is said to be a legal thriller. Cranston’s character is reportedly a respected judge in New Orleans. However, when his son is involved in hit-and-run, there will be lies, deceit, and tough choices. It has “gut-wrenching suspense, raw emotion, and moral complexity,” according to Showtime Networks President Gary Levine.

Levine praised the show’s new star, calling him “one of the planet’s finest actors.” Cranston certainly has had memorable roles. Before “Breaking Bad,” he starred in Fox’s “Malcom in the Middle,” as well as Amazon’s “Sneaky Pete” after. Cranston also has numerous films on his resume, including “The Upside,” “Why Him?,” “Trumbo,” and more.

Peter Moffat will be the “Your Honor” showrunner, and he’ll also write multiple episodes. Cranston’s fellow executive producers include King Size Productions’ Robert and Michelle King, Scripted World’s Liz Glotzer, Alon Aranya, and Rob Golenberg, and James Degus. CBS Television Studios is set to produce.

The series is slated to begin production this year. A release date for the series has not yet been announced.

[via: Variety]

January 31, 2019
Rosario Dawson Signs on for ‘Zombieland 2’

Netflix

The star-studded cast of “Zombieland 2” has added another high-profile actor.

Rosario Dawson has boarded the upcoming comedy sequel, Deadline reports. She joins a cast that already includes returning stars Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin. Dawson’s fellow newcomers to the series include Zoey Deutch and Avan Jogia.

The film follows 2009’s “Zombieland” and takes place in the same post-apocalyptic world. Like the original, “Zombieland 2” is written by Paul Wernick and Rhett Reese, and is set to be directed by Ruben Fleischer. This time, the zombie slayers will face new kinds of challenges and encounter new human survivors. At the same time, the group will deal with “growing pains.”

Just how Dawson’s character will fit into the story remains to be seen, but she’s used to facing interesting threats. She’s played Claire Temple in multiple Marvel series, including “Daredevil,” “Luke Cage,” and more. Dawson is also known for roles in “Rent,” “Sin City,” and “Seven Pounds,” among others.

“Zombieland 2” will be produced by Gavin Polone and executive produced by Warnick and Reese. A release date has not yet been announced.

[via: Deadline]

January 29, 2019
Ryan Reynolds Joins Action-Comedy ‘Shotgun Wedding’

Summit Entertainment

Ryan Reynolds has said “I do” to “Shotgun Wedding.”

The actor has signed on to star in and produce the upcoming action-comedy, Deadline reports. He’ll work with Jason Moore (“Pitch Perfect”), who will direct from a script by Mark Hammer and Liz Meriwether.

The film centers on a couple whose destination is interrupted by the arrival of criminals (hence the film’s title). The bride and groom then have to save their families, and in doing so, they learn more about their relationship. Reynold’s leading lady hasn’t been cast yet.

It will be the actor’s first romantic comedy since 2009’s “The Proposal,” as he pointed out. He said he “just fell in love” with the film and described it as “so refreshing and surprising.” Meanwhile, fellow producers Todd Lieberman and David Hoberman sang Reynold’s praises, calling him “a rare actor who can do it all.”

Reynolds has certainly built up quite the resume over the years. He has starred in films such as “The Hitman’s Bodyguard,” “Life,” and both Deadpool movies, among many others. His upcoming films include “Pokémon: Detective Pikachu” and “Six Underground.”

“Shotgun Wedding” comes from Lionsgate, Mandeville Films, and Maximum Effort. Alex Young of Mandeville will executive produce alongside Maximum Effort’s George Dewey. James Myers and Brady Fujikawa will oversee the project for Lionsgate.

[via: Deadline]

January 29, 2019
Angelina Jolie to Star in Taylor Sheridan’s Thriller ‘Those Who Wish Me Dead’

Universal Pictures

The upcoming film “Those Who Wish Me Dead” has found a formidable leading lady.

Angelina Jolie is close to signing a deal to star in the thriller, Deadline reports. The film is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Michael Koryta and adapted by Tyler Sheridan. Not only did Sheridan pen the script, he’ll direct as well.

Both the book and the film are set in Montana during a dangerous wildfire. Sheridan’s story centers on a “hard-boiled chase,” according to Deadline. Jolie’s character details have not been revealed.

So far, there’s no studio attached, but presumably one will emerge soon. Jolie is, of course, likely to be a big draw. She has starred in successful action flicks like the Tomb Raider films, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” and “Salt,” not to mention garnered acclaim for dramas like “By the Sea” and “First They Killed My Father.”

BRON Studios and Film Rites will produce, with Creative Wealth Media financing. Sheridan is executive producing alongside Creative Wealth Media’s Jason Cloth, while Garrett Basch, Steve Zaillian, and BRON Studios’ Aaron L. Gilbert will produce.

“Those Who Wish Me Dead” is set to film in May. A release date has not yet been announced.

[via: Deadline]

January 28, 2019
‘The Twilight Zone’ Reboot Adds Taissa Farmiga, Rhea Seehorn, Luke Kirby, and Ike Barinholtz

CBS

Four more actors are entering “The Twilight Zone.”

Taissa Farmiga, Rhea Seehorn, Luke Kirby, and Ike Barinholtz are set to star in an upcoming episode of the CBS All Access original series, as CBS announced Monday. It is a modern reimagining of the iconic series that ran from 1959 to 1964. So far, character details remain under wraps.

Percy Hynes-White has also landed a key role in the episode, and Jordan Peele serves as the host and narrator. Other actors that have joined the series include John Cho, Greg Kinnear, Sanaa Lathan, Kumail Nanjiani, Adam Scott, Alison Tolman, Jacob Tremblay, Jessica Williams, DeWanda Wise, and Steven Yeun.

Farmiga, Seehorn, Kirby, and Barinholtz all have plenty of acting experience. Farmiga’s body of work includes “The Mule” and “The Nun,” among others; Seehorn stars in AMC’s “Better Call Saul”; Kirby can be seen in HBO’s “The Deuce”; and Ike Barinholtz has been in the films “The Oath,” “Blockers,” and more.

The upcoming CBS All Access series comes from CBS Television Studios, Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw productions, and Simon Kinberg’s Genre Films. Peele and Kinberg are both executive producing, as are Win Rosenfeld, Audrey Chon, Glen Morgan, Carol Serling, Rick Berg, and Greg Yaitanes.

“The Twilight Zone” reboot’s premiere date has not yet been announced.

[h/t: Deadline]

January 28, 2019
Matt Smith to Join Jared Leto in ‘Morbius’

Netflix

The Marvel spinoff “Morbius” has added a princely cast member.

Matt Smith is reportedly joining the project. The “Crown” vet is in late negotiations for a major role in the upcoming film, according to Variety. He’ll star alongside Jared Leto, who is playing the title character.

Smith’s role in the story hasn’t been revealed yet. The film centers on the Spider-Man villain Dr. Michael Morbius (Leto), a character created by Roy Thomas and Gil Kane in 1971. He’s a biochemist whose attempt to cure his own blood disease goes badly wrong. He ends up becoming vampire-like, with fangs and the desire to drink blood.

The script was written by Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless, and Daniel Espinosa is directing. Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach, and Lucas Foster are producing, while Palak Pate serves as an executive producer for Sony.

“Morbius” adds to Smith’s growing list of upcoming films. He also has roles in “Mapplethorpe,” “Charlie Says,” “Official Secrets,” and “Star Wars: Episode IX,” all of which hit theaters this year.

[via: Variety]

January 24, 2019
‘Black and Blue’ Casts Mike Colter and Nafessa Williams

Netflix; The CW

The upcoming thriller “Black and Blue” has added a couple of TV superheroes to its cast.

Mike Colter and Nafessa Williams have joined the cast, Deadline reports. Colter previously played Luke Cage in the Netflix series of the same name, and Williams currently stars as Thunder in The CW’s “Black Lightning.” They’ll appear alongside Naomie Harris, Tyrese Gibson, and others.

Written by Peter A. Dowling, the film follows a rookie police officer (Harris) who lives in New Orleans. When she witnesses dirty cops murdering a drug dealer, they try to frame her. She has to fight to clear her name, all while being hunted by the cops as well as other drug dealers seeking revenge.

So far, details about Colter and Williams’s characters haven’t been revealed. They’re both ready for action, though. Their respective superhero characters have seen plenty of it.

Deon Taylor is directing the film, and the cast also includes Frank Grillo, Reid Scott, and Beau Knapp. Taylor’s production company, Hidden Empire Film Group, is producing with Royal Viking Entertainment’s Sean Sorenson. Roxanne Avent of Hidden Empire will executive produce alongside Eric Paquette of Screen Gems.

A release date for “Black and Blue” has not yet been announced.

[via: Deadline]

January 23, 2019