Andy Serkis, known for directing Mowgli and for his performance work in The Lord of the Rings, is reportedly in advanced talks to portray Bruce Wayne’s trusted butler, Alfred Pennyworth, in Matt Reeves’ upcoming Dark Knight film, The Batman. Serkis would join a cast that already includes Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz and Paul Dano in this high-profile superhero production.
The Wrap – 5th Nov 2019
Warner Bros. is also reported to be in negotiations with Colin Farrell—known for roles in In Bruges, The Lobster and Dumbo—to take on the role of the Penguin in Matt Reeves’ The Batman. Farrell’s casting would add another acclaimed actor to the film’s ensemble.
Deadline – 5th Nov 2019
Former Batman Ben Affleck has signed on to star in Hypnotic, an action-thriller directed by Robert Rodriguez. Affleck will play a detective who searches for his missing daughter and uncovers a mysterious government program, placing the film squarely in the psychological-thriller and action genres.
Variety – 6th Nov 2019
Director Martin Campbell—best known for revitalizing the James Bond franchise with Casino Royale—is assembling an A-list cast for a new action-thriller titled The Asset. The project reportedly stars Michael Keaton (Birdman), Samuel L. Jackson and Maggie Q, with Millennium Films attached to produce.
THR – 5th Nov 2019
Directors Anton Ernst and Tati Golykh plan to digitally recreate James Dean using archival footage and photography for an upcoming war drama titled Finding Jack. The production intends to construct a full-body CGI representation of the late actor, who famously died in a 1955 car accident, to portray a central role in the film.
Empire – 6th Nov 2019
Veteran actor Ken Watanabe is attached to star in a new feature from producer Gabrielle Tana and first-time writer-director Patrick Dickinson. Jessie Buckley, who rose to prominence in Wild Rose, is slated to play a supporting role. The film is described as a universal story exploring love, acceptance and family loss.
THR – 6th Nov 2019
Spyglass Entertainment is reportedly reviving the Scream franchise. Sources indicate that the project may move forward without original franchise writer Kevin Williamson, and that screenwriter David S. Goyer has been linked to the new installment. It remains unclear whether the upcoming film will reboot the series or continue within the established canon created by the late Wes Craven.
Bloody Disgusting – 6th Nov 2019
Filmmaker Alfonso Gómez-Rejón has signed on to direct Newsflash, a biographical drama about legendary news anchor Walter Cronkite. Chris Pine is set to star as Cronkite, and the film will focus on the day Cronkite reported the assassination of President Kennedy—an intense moment in broadcast journalism history.
THR – 7th Nov 2019
Director, writer and producer Adam McKay—whose credits include Anchorman, The Big Short and Vice—has signed a first-look feature film deal with Paramount Pictures. McKay’s production company, Hyperobject Industries, will give Paramount first refusal on upcoming film projects, while McKay maintains a separate arrangement with HBO for television, streaming and podcast content.
THR – 8th Nov 2019
Jon Spaihts, who had been serving as showrunner for HBO’s upcoming Dune series, has left that role to concentrate on writing the sequel to Denis Villeneuve’s 2020 film adaptation of Dune. The move underscores Spaihts’ continued involvement in the cinematic Dune universe.
THR – 5th Nov 2019
Screenwriter and director Richard Curtis, known for films like Love Actually and the screenplay for Yesterday, will adapt his own children’s book The Empty Stocking into an animated feature for London-based Locksmith Animation. The project is expected to be produced for streaming platforms.
THR – 6th Nov 2019
The third film in the Fantastic Beasts series is scheduled to begin shooting in spring 2020, with Brazil reported as a likely filming location. Returning stars are expected to include Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston and Jude Law.
Deadline – 4th Nov 2019
Todd Fisher, brother of the late Carrie Fisher, said in a recent interview that early plans for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker included developing Princess Leia into a Force-wielding Jedi, an idea that would have built on plot threads introduced in The Last Jedi (2017).
Yahoo! – 6th Nov 2019
The list of nominees for the 2019 European Film Awards was released over the weekend, highlighting a range of films and talent from across the continent.
The Film Magazine – 10th Nov 2019
And finally… (Content warning: sexual abuse)
This week, actor Jeff Goldblum publicly defended director Woody Allen in an interview, arguing that there should be a presumption of innocence until allegations are proven and saying he “would consider working with” Allen again; Goldblum had a small role in Allen’s Annie Hall (1977).
i – 6th Nov 2019
French director Christophe Ruggia, recently accused by actress Adele Haenel of inappropriate conduct when she was a minor, issued a public statement acknowledging that his admiration may have been “troublesome” given her age and offering an apology “if that is the case.” He also denied engaging in physical gestures or sexual harassment.
Mediapart via THR – 6th Nov 2019
French-Polish director Roman Polanski has been accused by actress Valentine Monnier of an assault in a Swiss ski chalet in 1975, when she was 18. Because of France’s statute of limitations, prosecutors will not pursue charges; the allegation adds to longstanding controversy surrounding Polanski, including previous accusations from the 1970s that led to legal action and his longstanding legal status in the United States.
Le Parisien via Variety – 8th Nov 2019