Moviefone Editorial

Tag: casting

‘BH90210’: La La Anthony Joins Original Stars in the Fox Reboot

VH1

The much-anticipated “Beverly Hills, 90210” reboot has added its first new star. La La Anthony has joined Fox’s “BH90210,” Deadline reports. She’ll star alongside seven actors from the iconic ’90s teen drama.

The upcoming series has “Beverly Hills, 90210” vets Jennie Garth, Jason Priestley, Shannen Doherty, Ian Ziering, Gabrielle Carteris, Brian Austin Green, and Tori Spelling all playing “heightened” versions of themselves in a story loosely based on their lives. They’re reunited when one of them tries to get a “90210” reboot off the ground. Anthony fits into the story as the wife of Brian Austin Green.

In real life, Green is married to fellow actress Megan Fox, but as mentioned above, this series isn’t totally true to life. Anthony’s character will instead be a well-known hip-hop artist and pop star named Shay. She’s the family’s breadwinner, while Green is the one who stays at home with their three kids. She’s described as “used to being the center of attention” but also “surprisingly down to earth.”

Anthony has made a name for herself as a TV personality and actress. She got her start as as a VJ on MTV’s “Total Request Live” and has since gone on to act in shows such as “Power,” “Daytime Divas,” and “Star.” Her credits also include film roles such as “Chi-Raq” and “Think Like a Man Too.”

“BH90210” comes from CBS TV Studios and Fox Entertainment. The seven “90210” vets are all executive producing alongside co-showrunners Chris Alberghini, Mike Chessler, and Paul Sciarrotta.

The show premieres Aug. 7 on Fox.

[via: Deadline]

May 30, 2019
‘Creepshow’ Reboot: Tricia Helfer, David Arquette, and Dana Gould Join Cast

Fox; Open Road Films; IFC

The “Creepshow” reboot has added three more stars.

Tricia Helfer, David Arquette, and Dana Gould have joined the upcoming Shudder series, Deadline reports. They’ll star in three new stories that are part of the anthology. It is based on the 1982 film from writer Stephen King and director George A. Romero.

Helfer, who recently starred in “Lucifer,” is a lead in the story “Lydia Layne’s Better Half.” It follows a powerful woman who opts not to promote her protégée and lover, and then faces unanticipated consequences. It was written by John Harrison, based on a story by him and showrunner Greg Nicotero. Roxann Benjamin will direct.

Meanwhile, Scream series veteran Arquette is set for “Times Is Tough in Musky Holler,” which will be helmed by Harrison. It centers on former town leaders who learn what it’s like to be on the other side of fear and intimidation. John Skipp and Dori Miller wrote the episode based on their own short story.

Finally, Gould will star in “Skincrawlers,” which is to be directed by Benjamin. Gould is known for writing and producing “The Simpsons” and has starred in “Stan Against Evil.” His “Creepshow” story was written by Paul Dini and Stephen Langford and follows a man considering a weight loss treatment that has unexpected complications.

“Creepshow” will consist of six episodes, each of which include two stories. Other cast members include Adrienne Barbeau, Giancarlo Esposito, and Tobin Bell, and horror legend Tom Savini has recently joined as one of the directors.

“Creepshow” is slated to premiere later this year on AMC’s Shudder.

[via: Deadline]

May 30, 2019
Jake Johnson Joins Cobie Smulders in ABC’s ‘Stumptown’

Warner Bros. Pictures

The cast of the upcoming ABC series “Stumptown” will look a little different than previously planned. “Tag” star Jake Johnson has joined the project in a recasting, Deadline reports. He’ll co-star alongside Cobie Smulders and Michael Ealy, taking over a role that Mark Webber played in the pilot.

“Stumptown” is based on Greg Rucka’s graphic novel series of the same name and centers on an Army vet PI named Dex (Smulders). Johnson’s character is her best friend Grey McConnell, and they’re said to have “unresolved feelings.” Grey owns and operates a Portland bar and has a questionable past that will resurface and cause problems.

Johnson starred in Fox’s comedy series “New Girl” from 2011 to 2018, and funnily enough, his character, Nick, also bought a bar. Additionally, the actor has lent his voice to a number of TV series, including “BoJack Horseman,” “Comrade Detective,” and the upcoming “Hoops.” On the film front, he has appeared in movies such as 2017’s “The Mummy,” 2015’s “Jurassic World,” and 2014’s “Neighbors.”

For “Stumptown,” Johnson joins a cast that also includes Tantoo Cardinal, Camryn Manheim, Cole Sibus, and Adrian Martinez. The series is written by Jason Richman, who executive produces alongside Rucka, Matthew Southworth, Justin Greenwood, Ruben Fleischer, David Bernad, and James Griffiths.

“Stumptown” is slated to air this fall on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

[via: Deadline]

May 29, 2019
Amandla Stenberg Signs on for ‘Fear’ Reboot

Vertical Entertainment

Universal has a reimagining of the 1996 thriller “Fear” in the works, and the cast is starting to come together.

Amandla Stenberg has joined the project, Deadline reports. She picks up the baton from the original cast, which was led by Reese Witherspoon and Mark Wahlberg. Character details for the reboot haven’t been revealed.

The original film centers on Nicole (Witherspoon), a teen who catches the attention of a man named David (Wahlberg). He at first charms her, but later starts to display increasingly threatening behavior. The thriller helped launch both Witherspoon and Wahlberg’s careers and developed a cult following.

Stenberg is known for her role in the Hunger Games series as well as the more recent film “The Hate U Give.” She also starred in “Where Hands Touch” and “The Darkest Minds.” In addition to the “Fear” reboot, her upcoming projects include “The Eddy,” a Netflix musical drama series.

The “Fear” reboot is being written by Jonathan Herman (“Straight Outta Compton”), and original producer Brian Grazer is returning. Grazer and Karen Lunder will produce via Imagine Entertainment, while Jon Mone will oversee for Universal.

[via: Deadline]

May 23, 2019
Amazon’s ‘Good People’ Adds Martin Short to Talented Cast

Warner Bros. Pictures

Amazon’s upcoming comedy pilot “Good People” just keeps adding good actors.

Comedian Martin Short has boarded the project from Lee Daniels and Whitney Cummings, THR reports. He joins a cast the already includes the likes of Lisa Kudrow and Greg Kinnear. Cummings, too, has a role.

The potential series centers on three generations of women working in a college ombudsman’s office, meaning they look into complaints against maladministration. As they do so, they’ll navigate today’s cultural climate, dealing with issues such as sex, race, class, and gender, per Amazon. They’ll also contend with different understandings of feminism across generations.

Short’s character is one who will have plenty of dealings with the ombudsman’s office. He’ll play the university’s dean, an administrator described as having “no concept of what’s appropriate.” He, as well as Kinnear’s philosophy professor character, will cause trouble for the woman who heads the office (Kudrow).

Short is well-known for his work as a comedian, including on “Saturday Night Live.” He recently did a comedy special for Netflix with Steve Martin, “Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life.” Meanwhile, his most recent film is the 2014 neo-noir “Inherent Vice,” and he has continued to have guest spots on various TV shows.

Daniels and Cummings co-wrote the pilot for “Good People,” and Daniels will direct. The two are executive producing alongside Kudrow.

[via: THR]

May 22, 2019
Susan Sarandon to Star in John Krokidas Film ‘Tunnels’

YouTube Premium; Roadside Attractions

The upcoming film “Tunnels” boasts an Academy Award-winning star.

Susan Sarandon is starring in the project, Variety reports. She’ll be directed by John Krokidas from a script by Victoria Rose. Highland Film Group calls it “an inspiring and surprisingly funny story.”

The film takes place in a community where there has been a school shooting, and in its wake, Ruby Love (Sarandon), the grandmother of the shooter, finds herself working with Grayson Mitchell, the brother of one of the victims. As uncomfortable as that sounds like it would be, they form an unlikely bond. They are, as Highland puts it, “two outsiders … in a town still too stuck in its recent history to see the potential of something beautiful beyond the horizon.”

Sarandon is an Oscar winner for 1995’s “Dead Man Walking.” Her more recent work includes the films “Viper Club,” “The Death and Life of John F. Donovan,” and “A Bad Moms Christmas.” She has also starred in the TV shows “Ray Donovan” and “Feud: Bette and Joan,” and earned an Emmy nod for her role in the latter.

“Tunnels” will be produced by Lucidity Entertainment’s Colin Bates and Michael Jefferson as well as Circle of Confusion’s Matt Smith and Brad Mendelsohn. Executive producers will be Ethan Terra, Cindy Bru, and Frank Frattaroili. Highland is selling the film in Cannes.

[via: Variety]

May 16, 2019
Glenn Close and Mila Kunis Team up for ‘Four Good Days’

Sony Pictures Classics; Lionsgate

The upcoming film “Four Good Days” has nabbed two high-profile leading ladies.

Glenn Close and Mila Kunis will star in the drama from director Rodrigo Garcia, Deadline reports. Garcia wrote the script with Pulizter Prize winner Eli Saslow. The story is based on a substance abuse-focused article Saslow wrote for The Washington Post.

Close and Kunis will play Deb and Molly, respectively, a mother and daughter dealing with Molly’s substance abuse problems. It follows them as they work through four critical days of Molly’s recovery after a long estrangement. It will reopen old wounds and give them a chance to move forward.

Both actresses have starred in notable projects in the past. Close, a seven-time Academy Award nominee, most recently starred in “The Wife” and the comedy “Father Figures.” Kunis is fresh off of a voice role in “Wonder Park” and has previously starred in “The Spy Who Dumped Me,” “Bad Moms,” and “Black Swan.”

“Four Good Days” is set to begin production in September in Los Angeles. Garcia, Jon Avnet, and Jake Avnet are set to produce through Indigenous Media alongside Oakhurst Entertainment’s Marina Grasic and Jai Khanna. Productivity Media and Capstone Group are executive producing.

[via: Deadline]

May 16, 2019
Noomi Rapace to Star as Mossad Spy in Vicky Jewson’s ‘Sylvia’

Netflix

Noomi Rapace is heading back into action.

The actress is reteaming with her “Close” director, Vicky Jewson, on the upcoming action drama “Sylvia,” Variety reports. The film centers on the Sylvia Rafael, a South African-born woman who became an agent for the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad. Jewson wrote the script with Rupert Whitaker, and it’s based on the book “Sylvia Rafael: The Life and Death of a Mossad Spy” by Ram Oren and Moti Kfir.

Rafael was famously involved in the hunt for the Black September operatives behind the murders of 11 Israeli athletes during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. While she has been hailed as “Mossad’s greatest female assassin,” she was also part of the team that mistakenly murdered a waiter in Lillehammer, Norway in 1973. Rafael was convicted of planned murder, espionage, and use of forged documents and served 15 months in prison.

Jewson is particularly interested in what made the late Rafael tick. She said she is “keen to explore the unique personality of someone who put their life at risk on a daily basis and lived under a permanent dual identity.” We can expect to see the film go beyond “the often glamorously perceived title of ‘spy’ to the gritty reality of this life and what drove her.”

This will be another tough character for Rapace. She played a bodyguard in “Close,” for example, as well as the hacker Lisbeth Salander in the Swedish adaptations of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium series. Her recent work also includes “Stockholm” and “What Happened to Monday.”

Rapace is producing “Sylvia” alongside Jewson, Whitaker, Moshe Edery, Sharon Harel, and Eitan Evan.

[via: Variety ]

May 16, 2019
Laura Dern and Will Ferrell to Star in ‘Fruitcake’

Hilary Bronwyn Gale/HBO; Sony Pictures Releasing

The upcoming film “Fruitcake” has found its stars.

Laura Dern and Will Ferrell have boarded the Max Winkler-helmed film, Deadline reports. They’ll play a couple that achieves the American dream through shady means. The project’s title comes from an item on the menu at a bakery central to the story.

The script was written by Trey Selman and it’s based on a true story. The film follows Sandy (Ferrell) and Kay (Dern) Jenkins, a middle-class couple that seemed to be upstanding citizens. However, Sandy, an accountant, embezzled $17 million from Collin Street Bakery in Corsicana, Texas.

Selman, a Texas native, wrote the script on spec, and it earned a spot on Hollywood’s Black List, an annual survey of “most liked” screenplays that haven’t been produced. That reportedly helped it end up in the hands of Winkler and Dern. The director called Selman’s writing (via Deadline) “original and dynamic and unlike anything [he’d] read before.”

Winkler also noted that Dern and Ferrell are two of his favorite working actors. Dern is a four-time Golden Globe winner and one-time Emmy winner. She currently stars in HBO’s hit series “Big Little Lies” and has also appeared in films like “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” “The Fault in Our Stars,” and “Wild.” Meanwhile, Ferrell resume includes roles in “Holmes & Watson,” “Daddy’s Home,” and “Elf,” among others.

Dern is producing “Fruitcake” with Jordan Horowitz, Jayme Lemons, Adam Kolbrenner, and Red Sanders. The film is being financed by Eclipse Pictures, with Benedict Carver and Daniel Diamond executive producing alongside Bob McNutt, the president and CEO of Collin Street.

[via: Deadline]

May 15, 2019
Cate Blanchett to Star in Upcoming TV Series ‘Stateless’

Warner Bros. Pictures

It’s rare that Cate Blanchett stars in a TV series, but she now has a new one on the way.

The two-time Academy Award winner is set to star in the upcoming six-part series “Stateless,” Variety reports. The show follows four strangers who find themselves stuck in a remote Australian immigration detention center. Blanchett co-created the series with Tony Ayres and Elise McCredie.

Prior to “Stateless,” Blanchett appeared in the Australian series “Rake,” “Bordertown,” and “Heartland.” More of her roles have been in films, though. Her recent films include “Ocean’s 8” and “Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle,” and she appears in the upcoming “Where’d You Go Bernadette.”

“Stateless” will also star Yvonne Strahovski and Dominic West. The series intends to offer unique perspectives on issues of protection and border control. The four main characters are an Afghan refugee, a flight attendant fleeing a suburban cult, a young Australian father, and a bureaucrat who is at the center of a scandal. Other cast members include Jai Courtney, Asher Keddie, and Rachel House.

“Stateless” has an all-female writing and directing team, with writers McCredie and Belinda Chayko and directors Emma Freeman and Jocelyn Moorhouse. McCredie serves as showrunner and executive producer as well. Fellow executive producers include Blanchett, husband Andrew Upton, Ayres, Liz Watts, Sally Riley, and Andrew Gregory. Sheila Jayadev and Paul Ranford are producing.

“Stateless” is set to begin production in South Australia in June and will be distributed worldwide by NBCUniversal. It is being produced by Dirty Films, the Australian Broadcasting Corp., Screen Australia, and Matchbox Pictures. Meanwhile, funding comes from Screen Australia and the ABC as well as the South Australian Film Corp.

[via: Variety]

May 14, 2019