Warner Bros.’ DC Comics adaptation Joker has shattered box office expectations for an R‑rated release, surpassing $1 billion worldwide and becoming one of the most profitable films in recent history. Directed and co‑written by Todd Phillips, best known for The Hangover, and featuring Joaquin Phoenix—whose credits include Gladiator, The Master and You Were Never Really Here—the film was produced on a relatively modest budget of $65 million.
Mark Wahlberg is reportedly in final talks to join Tom Holland in Sony’s film adaptation of the popular video game series Uncharted. If the agreement is finalized, Wahlberg would play Victor “Sully” Sullivan, the seasoned mentor to Holland’s lead, Nathan Drake. The casting would add star power and a mentor‑protégé dynamic to the action‑adventure project.
Variety – 13th Nov 2019
Nicolas Cage is in talks to star as a fictionalized version of himself in a meta drama titled The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, from writer‑director Tom Gormican and his writing partner Kevin Etten. The project reportedly references some of Cage’s most famous roles, including Face/Off, and follows a desperate Cage trying to land a part in the next Quentin Tarantino film while navigating tensions with his teenage daughter. If completed, the film would be Cage’s first major studio project since the second Ghost Rider installment in 2011.
THR – 15th Nov 2019
Netflix has struck a one‑time deal with Paramount to produce a new sequel in the Beverly Hills Cop franchise that will debut directly on the streaming service. Original star Eddie Murphy is expected to return, with Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah attached to direct and Jerry Bruckheimer producing, bringing a combination of legacy talent and contemporary filmmakers to the project.
THR – 14th Nov 2019
Joel Coen, one half of the acclaimed Coen Brothers directing duo, is reportedly adapting Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” Casting talks are said to include Brendan Gleeson for the role of King Duncan, with Denzel Washington already attached to portray the title character, should negotiations proceed. The project would mark a high‑profile Shakespeare adaptation from an established modern auteur.
Collider – 12th Nov 2019
Jonah Hauer‑King, known for his role in World on Fire, has been cast as Prince Eric in Disney’s live‑action adaptation of The Little Mermaid. He joins a cast that includes Halle Bailey, Melissa McCarthy, Javier Bardem, Awkwafina and Jacob Tremblay, with Rob Marshall—director of Chicago and Mary Poppins Returns—at the helm. Reports indicate Hauer‑King stepped in after earlier negotiations with Harry Styles did not move forward.
Empire – 13th Nov 2019
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson announced that the DC Comics spin‑off Black Adam, a title within the Shazam! universe in which Johnson will star as the lead character, is scheduled for release on 22 December 2021. The date positions the film for a holiday season debut and emphasizes the studio’s commitment to expanding its superhero slate.
Acclaimed director Paul Thomas Anderson is reported to be developing a new project set in a 1970s high school that will follow a successful child actor. According to industry reports, the untitled film will interweave multiple narratives and begin production in 2020, with casting already underway. The premise suggests an introspective period piece from a filmmaker known for richly detailed character dramas.
THR – 12th Nov 2019
Spike Lee, director of BlackKklansman, will helm Legendary’s adaptation of the graphic novel Prince of Cats, a reimagined 1980s hip‑hop take on Romeo & Juliet. Lee will collaborate with the original creator Ron Wimberly and screenwriter Selwyn Seyfu Hinds to develop the screenplay, bringing a fresh cultural and stylistic lens to the classic story.
THR – 13th Nov 2019
Adam McKay, director of The Big Short and Vice, is developing a dark comedy about a looming meteor strike. Described to Deadline as a satire in the vein of Dr. Strangelove, Wag the Dog and Network, the film follows two mid‑level astronomers who discover a meteor will obliterate Earth in six months and embark on a frantic media tour to warn the public. The project promises McKay’s trademark blend of humor and social critique.
Deadline – 8th Nov 2019
The Last Duel, a new historical drama from director‑producer Ridley Scott with a screenplay by Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Nicole Holofcener, is set for release on 25 December 2020 via Fox Searchlight and Disney. The 14th‑century epic, which reportedly stars Damon, Affleck, Adam Driver and Jodie Comer, is positioned for awards‑season consideration with its Christmas Day release.
Variety – 15th Nov 2019
Director Taika Waititi has completed casting on his soccer drama Next Goal Wins, based on the British documentary by Mike Brett and Steve Jamison. Newcomer Kaimana will play Jaiyah Saelua, the first nonbinary player to compete in a men’s FIFA World Cup qualifier, while Michael Fassbender is set as the team’s coach and Elisabeth Moss is also attached. The film tells the underdog story of the American Samoa national team as they strive to shed their long‑standing reputation as perennial losers.
THR – 14th Nov 2019
Amazon Studios appears to be undergoing internal changes as John Lynch, Head of Production and Operations, has departed the company. Details remain limited, but reports indicate Lynch informed colleagues that his tenure had come to an end.
Variety – 15th Nov 2019
Amazon has signed a multi‑year output deal with Lionsgate to secure exclusive first‑window streaming rights to Lionsgate releases on Amazon Prime in the UK. Titles expected to be included in the agreement include recent films such as Knives Out, Midway and Bombshell, reflecting a strategic partnership between a major streamer and a leading independent studio.
THR – 14th Nov 2019
And finally…
Czech filmmaker Vojtech Jasny, renowned for winning the Cannes Best Director award in 1969 for All My Good Countrymen, has died at the age of 93. Jasny’s passing marks the loss of an influential voice in international cinema whose work earned recognition at major festivals.
THR – 16th Nov 2019