There’s a lot of breaking news in Hollywood happening every minute. In the age of the blockbuster, it’s easy for some smaller movie and television news to slip through the crack. Last Week in Hollywood is our new weekly series highlighting all the interesting news from the last week that we thought didn’t warrant its own post, but was still worth mentioning. It’s less personal opinions and more a hearty roundup of what you might have missed.
Alex Rivera to Write & Direct Zorro 2.0
Alex Rivera (Sleep Dealer) is set to write and direct Zorro 2.0 for Sobini Films. The upcoming film will reimagine “the iconic character as Oscar de la Vega, a young, undocumented hacker known as ‘z0rr0.’ While fighting back against a secret government unit that attacked his mother, he discovers a high-tech conspiracy that threatens not only his family but the world.”
White Men Can’t Jump Remake in Development
20th Century Studios has announced that Calmatic (“Old Town Road” music video) will direct a remake of White Men Can’t Jump. The script comes from Kenya Barris, who has been attached to the project since 2017. The original sports classic starred Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes.
Ron Clements, John Musker to Develop The Metal Men Animated Film for DC
Ron Clements and John Musker, the acclaimed animation duo behind Disney classics such as The Little Mermaid and Aladdin are heading to DC Films. The duo have teamed up with Celeste Ballard (Space Jam: A New Legacy) to develop The Metal Men, based on the DC Comics characters. Warner Animation Group is the home of the project.
Clements and Musker are producing and have written the treatment for the film. They may also end up directing the feature. The Metal Men have been around since the ’60s. The property revolves around scientist William Magnus, and his six robots who have powers and personalities associated with their respective metals — gold, iron, lead, tin, mercury, and platinum.
The Accidental Thanksgiving Text We All Remember Hearing About is Becoming a Netflix Film
According to Variety, Netflix is developing The Thanksgiving Text, a film adaptation of a “wrong text turned right” that happened when “Wanda Dench accidentally messaged then high school senior, Jamal Hinton, instead of her grandson to invite him to Thanksgiving dinner.” Jamal’s invitation wasn’t revoked and the duo have made it an annual occassion ever since. The text message exchange was later posted on social media where it went viral. This happened in 2016, screenagers. Netlix really took its time with this one.
Abdul Williams (Lottery Ticket) will write the screenplay. No director or cast has been announced yet. The film has yet to find its director and cast. In a joint statement, Dench and Hinton said:
“We are excited to share our story with the world. We hope it inspires more people to reach out and make connections that they wouldn’t ordinarily make. We are so blessed to find a genuine friendship brought together by God from a mistaken text message.”
Brad Pitt and Joseph Kosinski Movie Package Attracting Bidders
The Hollywood Reporter says that a bidding war has emerged between studios and streamers for the rights to an untitled racing film starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski (Tron: Legacy). Disney, Paramount, MGM, Sony, Universal, Netflix, Apple, and Amazon are all vying for the project.
Also attached to the package include legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer and screenwriter Ehren Kruger (The Ring). THR mentions Ford v Ferrari a couple of times in the article, so the inspiration for the project is clear. THR also states that Lewis Hamilton, a U.K. modern racing legend, is involved with the project in some form. I’m all for racing movies, so happy to stay tuned for more information on this one.
Wanted Director Adapting Stan Lee’s Horror Works
Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) is developing a series of connected films based on Stan Lee’s horror works. Under Bekmambetov’s production banner, Bazelevs, will adapt Sawbones and Carnival of Killers. Kevin Kölsch & Dennis Widmyer (Pet Sematary) will write the screenplay for Carnival of Killers. Matt Greenberg (1408) is writing the Sawbones screenplay.
Sawbones follows “a vulnerable 12-year old child named Alex Covin who reads a strange comic book and is pulled into the comic’s universe, set at a haunted Juvenile Detention Center.” Carnival of Killers is set “during the Dust Bowl storms of the 1930s” and “follows a young psychic girl who gets bad vibes from the traveling carnival she and her mother sought refuge in — she suspects aliens may be involved.”
Other News Updates
- The Fablemans, Steven Spielberg‘s coming-of-age drama, loosely based on his own childhood, has a release date. Universal will release the film in theaters on November 23, 2022.
- Kari Skogland (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) has replaced Patty Jenkins as the director of the biographical drama Cleopatra. Gal Gadot remains attached to play the titular role.
That’s it for the last week in Hollywood. What projects mentioned are you interested in seeing once completed? Tell us down in the comments!
