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.
Mega Man Film Happening at Netflix
IGN reports that the Mega Man film, originally announced for 20th Century Fox, is still in early stages of development. However, it will now be made for Netflix. The streaming service has yet to confirm the project, but the film’s production company Supermarché let slip about the partnership during a recent website update. Per the website: “Features in the works include an adaptation of Capcom’s Mega Man for Chernin Entertainment and Netflix.”
Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman are still onboard to write and direct the movie
Denis Villeneuve to Direct Rendezvous with Rama
Alcon Entertainment has acquired the film rights to Arthur C. Clarke’s science-fiction 1973 novel Rendezvous with Rama and have set Denis Villeneuve to direct. Alcon will finance the project after previously financing and producing Villeneuve’s Prisoners and Blade Runner 2049.
Rendezvous with Rama is set in the 2130s and involves “a 31 by 12 mile cylindrical alien starship that enters the Solar System. The story is told from the point of view of a group of human explorers who intercept the ship in an attempt to unlock its mysteries.”
Michael Keaton Returning for Batgirl
Michael Keaton has joined the cast of Batgirl. The Wrap independently confirmed the casting after a leaked cast list for the DC Comics film included Keaton. The actor is already set to reprise his 1989 role of Bruce Wayne / Batman in the upcoming movie The Flash. (Side note: A leaked casting sheet for that movie included Michael Shannon and Antje Traue, who were last seen in Man of Steel.)
Barbara Gordon / Batgirl herself, Leslie Grace confirmed Keaton’s casting with a tweet stating “the bat’s out of the bag.”
the bat’s out the bag 🦇😌
— Leslie Grace (@lesliegrace) December 22, 2021
Batgirl hits HBO Max later this year.
Colin Firth and More Join Empire of Light
Sam Mendes has added more to the cast of his upcoming film Empire of Light. Colin Firth, Crystal Clarke, Tanya Moodie, and Toby Jones have joined the film, which includes previously announced actors Olivia Colman and Michael Ward.
Empire of Light will reportedly be a romance set in 1980s England. It will revolve around a “beautiful old cinema on the South Coast.” Cinematographer Roger Deakins will return as director of photography. The project is set up at Searchlight Pictures.
Disney Rebooting Zorro
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney has cast Wilmer Valderrama to star as the iconic folk hero, and world’s greatest swordsman, Zorro in a new TV show. Gary Marsh will serve as executive producer alongside John Gertz of Zorro Productions, which owns the rights to the character.
On the series, Disney Branded Television president Ayo Davis said:
“We’re reimagining this Disney classic as a compelling period piece, set in Pueblo de Los Angeles, but told in a very modern telenovela style — with richly drawn contemporary characters and relationships set against the action, drama, suspense and humor of the original, iconic Zorro.”
Lionsgate Delays John Wick: Chapter 4
Lionsgate has delayed John Wick: Chapter 4. In an announcement video, the studio revealed that the fourth instalment in the popular action series will now be released in theaters on March 24, 2023. That is roughly two full years after the film’s original 2021 release date.
Ben Schwartz Joins Renfield
Ben Schwartz (Parks and Recreation) has joined the cast of Universal‘s Renfield in an undisclosed role. The film stars Nicholas Hoult in the titular role and Nicolas Cage as Dracula. Awkwafina is also part of the cast.
Chris McKay (The Tomorrow War) directs Renfield from a script by Ryan Ridley (Rick & Morty), based on an outline by Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead comics). The film will focus on Dracula’s famed henchman, R.M. Renfield.
Will Arnett Replaces Armie Hammer in Next Goal Wins
Will Arnett has replaced Armie Hammer in Next Goal Wins, the upcoming Taika Waititi film about an infamously bad soccer team that qualified for the World Cup. Arnett replaces Hammer in the film due to Hammer not being available for reshoots. The role, initially only a cameo, will be expanded due to the recasting.
That’s it for last two weeks. What projects mentioned are you interested in seeing once completed? Tell us down in the comments!
