Category: Television News

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Marvel Studios’ Animated Series ‘What If…?’ Adds ‘Lovecraft Country’ Composer Laura Karpman

In a new profile from Variety, it’s been revealed that Lovecraft Country composer Laura Karpman has joined Marvel Studios’ upcoming animation series What If…?, which will be airing exclusively on Disney+.

Westworld and The Batman actor Jeffrey Wright will be voicing the cosmic being known as Uatu The Watcher in the series who will give viewers a glimpse into multiple possibilities that feature variations on the heroes and villains we know from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Marvel Studios and Disney has already moved forward with a Season 2 order as confirmed by Kevin Feige, both seasons will each consist of 10-episodes.

While air dates seem to be all over the place at the moment, What If…? might not begin airing Season 1 until 2021 and the official Marvel website still points towards a debut in the summer. However, unlike live-action projects the production of animation can be done remotely during the pandemic and could mean they’re further along than expected.

The animated series is part of a large wave of Marvel Studios originals developed for Disney+ which includes WandaVision, The Falcon & The Winter Soldier, Loki, She-Hulk, Ms. Marvel, Moon Knight, and an unannounced Nick Fury series.

SOURCE: VARIETY

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Netflix Renews ‘Narcos: Mexico’ For Season 3 But Loses Star Diego Luna To ‘Cassian Andor’ Series

Netflix has finally announced via The Hollywood Reporter that Narcos: Mexico has been renewed for Season 3, however, has lost their star Diego Luna to the Star Wars series on Disney+ that focuses on his Rogue One character Cassian Andor.

Scoot McNairy will be returning though.

Tuesday’s announcement confirms that McNairy is indeed among the returning cast; however Luna, who will be starring in the Star Wars prequel series for Disney+, is not. Other returning cast members include José Maria Yazpik, Alberto Ammann, Alfonso Dosal, Mayra Hermosillo, Matt Letscher, Manuel Masalva, Alejandro Edda and Gorka Lasaosa.

The third season will continue along the Narcos: Mexico timeline, according to the Netflix synopsis, and will open up in the ’90s, when the globalization of the drug business ignites. The new episodes will examine the war that breaks out after Felix’s empire splinters. As newly independent cartels struggle to survive political upheaval and escalating violence, a new generation of Mexican kingpins emerge. But in this war, truth is the first casualty — and every arrest, murder and take-down only pushes real victory further away.

It sounds like they’ll be pivoting towards focusing on El Chapo.

With Gallardo’s organized plaza system now dismantled, the season two finale gave rise to the Sinaloa, Tijuana and Juarez cartels that plan to step up — and war for power — in Gallardo’s place, including the character of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán (Edda). In wrapping up Gallardo’s story, that conclusion had left an up-in-the-air return for the DEA agent who hunted him, Walt Breslin, who is played by McNairy.

They also add that Carlo Bernard will be taking over as showrunner from Eric Newman, who is currently busy with other projects.

Wagner Moura, who played Pablo Escobar in the series, will be returning to direct two episodes.

SOURCE: THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

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Peacock Sci-Fi Series ‘Brave New World’ Has Been Cancelled – UCP Shopping It Around For A New Home

As NBCUniversal is trying to attract people to their new streaming service Peacock, they’ve now cancelled one of their original series.

Deadline is reporting that the sci-fi series Brave New World will not be getting a second season at Peacock but could find new life elsewhere as the series studio UCP is now shopping it around to find a new home for it. This news doesn’t sound like Brave New World is necessarily dead until it can’t find someone to buy it.

Peacock isn’t a streaming service available in all markets (similar to Hulu and HBO Max) and Canadian viewers were able to watch the series on Canadian station Showcase. It’s unknown if it finds a new home if Showcase will be able to keep airing the series.

The streamer is also developing a new Battlestar Galactica series from Mr. Robot’s Sam Esmail.

BRAVE NEW WORLD – Based on Aldous Huxley’s groundbreaking novel, Brave New World imagines a utopian society that has achieved peace and stability through the prohibition of monogamy, privacy, money, family, and history itself.

As citizens of New London, Bernard Marx (Harry Lloyd) and Lenina Crowne (Jessica Brown Findlay) have only ever known a rigid social order, a perfect pharmaceutical called Soma, and a culture of instant gratification and ubiquitous sex. Curious to explore life beyond the strictures of their society, the two New Worlders embark on a vacation to the Savage Lands, where they become embroiled in a harrowing and violent rebellion. Bernard and Lenina are rescued by John the Savage (Alden Ehrenreich), who escapes with them back to New London. John’s arrival in the New World soon threatens to disrupt its utopian harmony, leaving Bernard and Lenina to grapple with the repercussions. The three become entwined in a fraught relationship that awakens them to the dangers of their own conditioning.

From UCP, in association with Amblin Television, the series is executive produced by David Wiener and Grant Morrison, along with Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey, co-presidents of Amblin Television. Brian Taylor executive produces on the first episode. Wiener also serves as series showrunner. Owen Harris will direct the first two episodes and executive produce the series.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

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‘Y: The Last Man’ Series Adds ‘Dredd’ Actress Olivia Thirlby – Production Resumes In Toronto

Deadline reports that the FX On Hulu series Y: The Last Man has found two replacement actresses for the sci-fi project based on the DC Comics property. As Dredd’s Olivia Thirlby and Shameless’ Ashley Romans are taking roles previously played by Imogen Poots (Filth, 28 Weeks Later) and Lashana Lynch (No Time To Die, Captain Marvel).

The story is set in a post-apocalyptic world in which a cataclysmic event decimates every mammal with a Y chromosome but for one cisgender man and his pet monkey. The series follows the survivors in this new world as they struggle with their efforts to restore what was lost and the opportunity to build something better.

Production on the pilot has resumed in Toronto and is expected to complete on November 17th.

Eariler this year Ben Schnetzer took over the lead role of Yorick Brown from Barry Keoghan (Chernobyl, Eternals), who is currently filming The Batman in the United Kingdom. The rest of the cast consists of Diane Lane (Judge Dredd, Man of Steel), Amber Tamblyn, Marin Ireland, Diana Bang, Elliot Fletcher and Juliana Canfield.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

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Egyptian Filmmaker Mohamed Diab To Direct Marvel’s ‘Moon Knight’ Series For Disney+

Deadline is reporting that director Mohamed Diab (Clash) has been selected by Marvel Studios to direct their Moon Knight series which has Oscar Isaac in talks to play Marc Spector.

Moon Knight, aka Marc Spector, a mercenary who has numerous alter egos — cabbie Jake Lockley and millionaire playboy Steven Grant — in order to better fight the criminal underworld. But later he was established as being a conduit for the Egyptian moon god Khonshu. Most recently, the character was a consultant who dresses in all-white and goes by the name Mr. Knight. 

Yesterday, it was revealed that Star Wars and Dune actor Oscar Isaac was in talks with Disney/Marvel to land the role which might suggest that they are taking more of a film star approach with the character. Something slightly different from the other recent Disney+ castings.

Filming is expected to spend a good chunk of time in the United Kingdom but when is a little bit of a question as Isaac is attached to star in an HBO limited series titled Scenes From A Marriage with Jessica Chastain. Marvel Studios also has plenty of new stuff on their plate with the television as She-Hulk, Hawkeye, and Ms. Marvel are expected to begin shooting in Atlanta soon.

We should expect a bunch of casting news coming in the coming weeks and months.

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Live-Action ‘Assassin’s Creed’ Series In The Works At Netflix

Today, Netflix announced formally they’ll be teaming up with Ubisoft Film & Television to develop a live-action series for the streaming service based on the popular and long running video game franchise. They are now currently seeking a showrunner and a cast will likely be assembled once that search is over.

The latest installment of the video game titled Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla will explore the era of the Vikings.

A feature film starring Michael Fassbender was released back in 2016 by 20th Century Fox which flopped at the box office earning $240.7 million globally on a budget of $125 million.

ASSASSIN’S CREED – Cal Lynch travels back in time to 15th-century Spain through a revolutionary technology that unlocks the genetic memories contained in his DNA. There, he lives out the experiences of Aguilar de Nerha, a distant relative who’s also a member of the Assassins, a secret society that fights to protect free will from the power-hungry Templar Order. Transformed by the past, Cal begins to gain the knowledge and physical skills necessary to battle the oppressive organization in the present.

Ubisoft had also been developing a feature film based on their pandemic video game IP The Division at Netflix from director David Leitch (Deadpool 2, Atomic Blonde, John Wick) with Jake Gyllenhaal and Jessica Chastain attached to star. However, there hasn’t been any concrete updates in ages.

Assassin’s Creed seemingly would fit alongside other live-action series connected to video games such as their upcoming Resident Evil series and The Witcher (fantasy novels turned into popular video games) series which is heading into Season 2.

SOURCE: NETFLIX

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Oscar Isaac In Negotiations With Marvel Studios To Play Marc Spector In ‘Moon Knight’ Series On Disney+

Deadline is reporting that Oscar Isaac has landed the Marc Spector role in Marvel Studios’ upcoming Moon Knight series for Disney+ and is currently in negotiations with the studio.

Moon Knight aka Marc Spector, is a mercenary who has numerous alter egos — cabbie Jake Lockley and millionaire playboy Steven Grant — in order to better fight the criminal underworld. But later he was established as being a conduit for the Egyptian moon god Khonshu. Most recently, the character was a consultant who dresses in all-white and goes by the name Mr. Knight.

The actor happens to be partly Jewish which was apparently a requirement for actors to play Marc Spector.

Oscar is no stranger to Marvel Comics projects as he played X-Men villain En Sabah Nur aka Apocalypse in X-Men: Apocalypse for 20th Century Fox (pre-merger) and briefly voiced Miguel O’Hara aka Spider-Man 2099 in the Oscar-winning animated film Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse.

His other film credits include Dune, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Triple Frontier, Robin Hood, A Most Violent Year, Drive, Ex Machina, Annihilation, The Bourne Legacy, and Operation Finale.

He was also lobbying to play Solid Snake in a Metal Gear Solid movie for Sony Pictures.

Moon Knight is confirmed to spent some time filming in United Kingdom but has yet to land a director/directors when filming will begin is a little unclear but likely won’t begin until sometime in 2021.

SOURCE: DEADLINE

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James Gunn Wants To Keep Yondu Dead Despite Michael Rooker’s Openness For A Prequel Series On Disney+

If James Gunn has anything to do with it, I don’t think we’ll be seeing Michael Rooker’s Yondu coming back from the dead anytime soon. As the Guardians of The Galaxy franchise writer/director replied to a fan on Twitter that he’s not terribly interested in bringing back Yondu outside of flashbacks as it would ruin the character’s sacrifice.

GUNN: “I get sometimes you can bring back characters in a cool way. But usually, if a character dies, and it’s a meaningful part of the story, the character should stay dead. So unless it’s a flashback, Yondu will stay dead, as far as I’m concerned. Otherwise, it ruins his sacrifice.”

He also added.

GUNN: “And that’s exactly why, as long as I have the power, Yondu will stay dead. I don’t want to cheapen moments like these.”

With these comments from James, I wouldn’t hold your breath about Yondu’s return for Multiverse projects or randomly coming back from the dead in the next Guardians installment.

Back in April, Michael Rooker shared James’ sentiment on co-star Michael Rosenbaum’s podcast Inside You while being open to playing another Marvel character in the future.

ROOKER: “No way, I’m dead. I’m dead. My character is dead. I would play something else, I wouldn’t mind. I would play something else, but why would I want to play Yondu? Yondu had a wonderful…amazing sendoff that you would ever want in cinematic Marvel history. My god, dude, why do you want to spoil that by bringing the character back now?”

However, while recently promoting his new movie Love & Monsters on Mama’s Geeky, the actor revealed an openness to the idea of a prequel series for Yondu on Disney+.

ROOKER: “I will sign on to anything I’m out of work right now. So, bring it on, baby. I really truly enjoyed playing Yondu it was beautifully written, well drawn out…it was a very well rounded character. Of course.”

You can watch that lovely exchange below.

Gunn is currently working on the post-production of The Suicide Squad (coming August 6th, 2021) and won’t be jumping into Guardians of The Galaxy 3 until he finishes up there.

Production on the Guardians sequel was expected to take place in Atlanta, Georgia under the working title Hot Christmas before Gunn was fired and later rehired after already committed to making The Suicide Squad for Warner Bros. Pictures.

Sadly, Guardians of The Galaxy 3 is without a release date.

SOURCE: JAMES GUNN & MAMA’S GEEKY

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Jared Leto’s Joker and Joe Manganiello’s Deathstroke Returning For Zack Snyder’s ‘Justice League’ – Will Be Part of Additional Photography

The additional photography of Zack Snyder’s Justice League for HBO Max will see two Batman rogues make a return.

The Hollywood Reporter says that Jared Leto will be reprising the Joker after previously playing him Suicide Squad and having his role reportedly scaled-down from the original version from David Ayer. Other actors mentioned returning include Ben Affleck as Batman, Ray Fisher as Cyborg, and Amber Heard as Mera.

The Joker and Affleck’s Batman briefly tussled in a scene in Suicide Squad but never shot scenes for Justice League.

Collider also reports that Joe Manganiello will be reprising the role of Slade Wilson aka Deathstroke as well. He was briefly shown at the end of Justice League alongside Jesse Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor as a teaser for the Legion of Doom.

The extent of their return isn’t mentioned. However, this news of the inclusion of Leto’s Joker seems to reinforce the project is indeed moving beyond the edit he showed Warner Bros. brass before Joss Whedon was brought-on.

It seems like neither Henry Cavill or Gal Gadot will be part of the new filming.

Snyder’s Justice League instead of being a single film edit will be divided into four hour long segments similar to a miniseries format as confirmed by HBO Max, who is putting up the money.

SOURCE: THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER & COLLIDER

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Tim Burton Reportedly Interested In Directing A Live-Action Series Reboot of ‘The Addams Family’ For MGM TV – Could Land At Netflix

Deadline reports that a new live-action Addams Family series is currently in the works from Tim Burton and MGM TV, with Burton negotiating to both produce and potentially direct all the episodes.

In what would mark his first major live-action TV series, Tim Burton is setting his sights on The Addams Family, looking to develop a new series focused on the famous clan. Sources tell Deadline that Burton is negotiating to executive produce and possibly direct all episodes of this new take on the franchise.

They also claim that Netflix is one of the suitors interested in the series reboot.

Originally, a cartoon featured in The New Yorker by cartoonist Charles Addams, the Addams Family spawned a live-action series in the 1960s and eventually got two feature films in the 1990s from director Barry Sonnenfeld. It also got a short-lived series reboot in the late 90s before a recent animated film that included the voices of Oscar Isaac and Charlize Theron.

The Addams Family are a close-knit extended family with decidedly macabre interests and supernatural abilities, though no explanation for their powers is explicitly given in the series. The wealthy, endlessly enthusiastic Gomez Addams is madly in love with his refined wife, Morticia.

The Addams Family is equally known for the addictive theme song.

I think it’s been obvious throughout Tim’s film career that he has been lifting imagery and aesthetics from The Addams Family and making this project could end up being his ultimate homage.

This wouldn’t be the first time Mr. Burton has attempted to reimagine a television property as his 2012 film Dark Shadows was comedic take on the horror soap opera that aired between 1966 and 1971 on ABC. However, I’m desperately hoping that this new Addams Family series is slightly better in the quality and acting department.

SOURCE: DEADLINE