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.
Mark Molloy to Direct Beverly Hills Cop 4
Mark Molloy has been hired to direct Beverly Hills Cop 4. The project will be his feature film debut. He previously helmed commercials. Eddie Murphy is expected to reprise his role as Axel Foley. Netflix will distribute via its streaming service.
The project is still in development, with no set production start date, but it looks like things are heating up for the long-awaited sequel.
Amy Wang to Write Crazy Rich Asians 2
Chinese-Australian writer Amy Wang is set to pen Crazy Rich Asians 2 for Warner Bros. and Color Force. Plot and further details are being kept under wraps for the anticipated sequel. A third film is also planned.
Netflix Rebooting Spy Kids
Netflix has closed a deal with Skydance Media to reboot Spy Kids. The intention is to “reimagine the franchise for today’s audiences.”
Creator Robert Rodriguez will write and direct the new film. Plot details have not been revealed, but it will feature a multicultural family. The new film will be the fifth in the franchise after 2011’s Spy Kids: All the Time in the World.
It Prequel Series in Works at HBO Max
HBO Max is developing Welcome to Derry (working title), a prequel to the It franchise. The project will be written and executive produced by Jason Fuchs. Andy Muschietti, who directed the two recent It films, and Barbara Muschietti will also executive produce via their Double Dream production company.
Here are the plot details for Welcome to Derry: “when children begin to disappear in the town of Derry, Maine, a group of kids is faced with their biggest fears when they square off against a murdering clown named Pennywise. The prequel leads up to the events of 2017’s It: Part One, based on the Stephen King horror novel, sources say.”
HBO Max Developing Sherlock Holmes Universe
HBO Max is in early development of two scripted series based on Sherlock Holmes. Robert Downey Jr., who played the detective in two Warner Bros. films in 2009 & 2011, is on board to executive produce both shows via his Team Downey banner.
It is unclear at this stage if Downey or Jude Law will reprise their roles as Holmes and Watson. Details, including the premise and how inter-connected both potential series could be, are being kept under wraps. It seems like a third Sherlock Holmes film is dead. That’s unfortunate.
Nancy Meyers to Direct New Netflix Film
Nancy Meyers has struck a deal with Netflix to write, direct, and produce a new film for the streaming service. Deadline has described the film as an ensemble comedy.
The upcoming film will mark Meyers’ first directed feature since 2015’s The Intern. However, she did direct The Father of the Bride Part 3(ish), a short film that was released on Netflix in 2020 to benefit World Central Kitchen. Deadline states this mini-project served as the beginnings of a relationship between Meyers and Netflix film head Scott Stuber.
Rawson Marshall Thurber to Direct Voltron Movie
Red Notice director Rawson Marshall Thurber is set to direct a new Voltron movie, a property which follows the adventures of the five space explorers who join forces to create a gigantic mecha Super Robot. Thurber will co-write the script with Ellen Shanman.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, a bidding war has begun between Warner Bros., Universal, Amazon, and a handful of other studios. Surprisingly, Netflix, who released the animated series Voltron: Legendary Defender, is allegedly not taking part in the bidding war.
Other Movie News
- Emily V. Gordon (The Big Sick) will write the script for an animated film based on Play-Doh. Jon M. Chu will produce and maybe direct the film for Hasbro and eOne.
- Prime Video has acquired the U.S. and international rights to the Lionsgate romantic-comedy Shotgun Wedding. The rom-com was previously set for a June 29, 2022 theatrical release, but it is now unclear when it will hit the streaming service. Sources say it still might be available in select cinemas on the same day as its digital debut.
- A24 has dated the horror-comedy feature Bodies Bodies Bodies for August 5, 2022. The film follows “a group of rich twentysomethings who plan a hurricane party at a remote family mansion. However, a party game goes awry in this fresh and funny look at backstabbing, fake friends.”
That’s it for last few weeks. What projects mentioned are you interested in seeing once completed? Tell us down in the comments!
