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.
Conan the Barbarian Series in the Works at Netflix
Netflix has announced that they are developing a live-action Conan the Barbarian TV series with Cabinet Entertainment and Pathfinder Media. This was made possible after striking a deal with Conan Properties International, which holds all the rights to the entire Conan literary library. In addition to the series, Netflix will have the opportunity to develop feature films and other series using the catalogue of Conan characters.
Conan was played previously by Arnold Schwarzenegger (in the ’80s) and Jason Momoa (2011). Whoever they cast will have to match the charisma and pure male physique those two brought to the role.
The Kane Chronicles in Development at Netflix
Netflix is just scooping up literary properties to adapt on their service. In addition to the above Conan news, author Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson series) recently announced that Netflix will be developing a series of films based on his Egyptian mythology series The Kane Chronicles.
Riordan shared the news on his online platforms:
“Hey, guys! An exciting announcement as posted on social media concerning the Kane Chronicles: We are developing the series for feature films on Netflix! We have been working on this deal since last October, about the same time we started working on Percy, and I’m so glad I can now announce it! That’s all I can say for the moment, but stay tuned.”
The Kane Chronicles takes a similar approach Riordan employed with Percy Jackson. It explores the Egyptian gods through the lenses of the modern world. There are three books in the series which means that Netflix could have a new trilogy of fantasy-YA films on their hands. The series is also set in the same universe as Percy Jackson, but I wouldn’t expect a crossover since Riordan has an adaptation of that series in development at Disney+.
Madonna to Co-Write and Direct Her Own Biopic
Madonna has been in the music industry for four decades, so it makes sense that she would have a lot of personal material that would make for a good biopic. And it looks like she is the only one who can probably bring herself to life on screen.
The singer will co-write and direct a biopic on her life with screenwriter Diablo Cody for Universal. Here’s what Madonna said on the project:
“I want to convey the incredible journey that life has taken me on as an artist, a musician, a dancer – a human being, trying to make her way in this world. The focus of this film will always be music. Music has kept me going and art has kept me alive. There are so many untold and inspiring stories and who better to tell it than me.
“It’s essential to share the rollercoaster ride of my life with my voice and vision.”
“Why would Universal Studios want to make a movie about me based on a script that is all lies???” Madonna posted on Instagram at the time. “Nobody knows what I know and what I have seen. Only I can tell my story. Anyone else who tries is a charlatan and a fool.”
The Dark Crystal Cancelled After One Season
Netflix has announced that it has cancelled The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance after only one season. The Jim Henson Company-produced show served as a prequel to the 1982 film The Dark Crystal. It recently won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Children’s Program at this year’s 72nd Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, but Netflix don’t care about awards, right (*a-wink*).
THR has previously stated Netflix insiders said the show a “pricey miss” and an “expensive disappointment,” so it sounds like viewership likely played a factor in the cancellation. There’s always a chance The Dark Crystal could be picked up for another season at a different streaming service. HBO Max has Sesame Street and Apple TV+ has Fraggle Rock, so those are two options.
The Boys Getting a Spin-Off at Amazon
Amazon isn’t ready to let its cash cow The Boys be a one-and-done show. The streaming service is developing a spin-off set in superhero college. The project has been in the works for a while, but has been fast-tracked given the success of the second season of the show.
The show will be set “at America’s only college exclusively for young adult superheroes (and run by Vought International).” It is described as “an irreverent, R-rated series that explores the lives of hormonal, competitive Supes as they put their physical, sexual, and moral boundaries to the test, competing for the best contracts in the best cities. Part college show, part Hunger Games — with all the heart, satire and raunch of The Boys.”
Craig Rosenberg is writing the pilot and will serve as executive producer/showrunner on the spinoff under his overall deal with Sony Pictures TV. The Boys season 2 finale will drop October 9, 2020 on Prime Video.
Cherry Picked Up at Apple TV+
Apple has scooped up Cherry, directed by Russo Brothers and starring Tom Holland.The film is based on the novel by Nico Walker, which is partly based on Walker’s true story (a US Army veteran currently serving time in prison for bank robbery). That’s an interesting enough premise that should make for an entertaining film.
According to Deadline, the Apple deal for Cherry was in the “high $40 millions.” The plan is for Cherry to “qualify with the Academy, and premiere the film in early 2021 on Apple TV+.” Given the extended playing field for this year’s Oscars, that could make it eligible for the 2021 awards show if it releases within the first few months of next year.
Sylvie’s Love Gets Christmas Release Date
Sylvie’s Love, a romance starring Tessa Thompson (Thor: Ragnarok) and Nnamdi Asomugha (former NFL player), will debut on Amazon Prime Video on December 25, 2020. Amazon acquired the movie after its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival back in January.
Set in the 1950s, the film follows “Thompson as Sylvie, a New York woman who dreams of working as a television producer. She’s engaged, but her fiance is off fighting in the Korean War. When she meets Robert (Asomugha), a talented saxophone player who gets a job at her father’s record store, the film turns into a classic whirlwind romance before evolving into something a little more complicated.”
Colin Trevorrow Talks Jurassic World: Dominion
Are you excited for Jurassic World: Dominion? With the announcement that the original Jurassic Park trio will be back and the ending of Fallen Kingdom, I’m interested in seeing where this film will take the franchise. They are moving into uncharted territory.
Colin Trevorrow, who directed Jurassic World, is back for Dominion. He recently spoke with Collider, and said that Dominion is the type of film he’s been wanting to make since he signed on to direct the first Jurassic World:
“This is the movie that I’ve been waiting to make, from the beginning. It’s the one that we have spent the past two movies building to. It really was part of a larger story and part of the design. I think people may be underestimating the size and importance of Laura Dern and Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum’s characters in this movie. It is very much an ensemble and that element and the ability to take these beloved characters from almost 30 years now, and understand how they interact with each other in the context of a world that we’ve really never seen before and have not been able to witness until now is very exciting. I’m having the time of my life.”
Jurassic World: Dominion hits theaters June 11, 2021.
Father of the Bride Remake in the Works at WB
Hot on the heels of Netflix dropping a Father of the Bride reunion special, Warner Bros. has announced that they are developing a remake of the film that will feature a Cuban American family at the center of the story.
Collider reported the news. There’s no director attached yet, but writer Matt Lopez (Bedtime Stories, Race to Witch Mountain) will be handling script duties. This will be the second remake of Father of the Bride after the 1950 original (starring Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor) and the 1991 remake (starring Steve Martin and Diane Keaton). Surprisingly, Disney also announced its own reboot of the 1991 film for Disney+ a while back, so it’s unknown if there will be rival remakes or if Disney is no longer developing a remake.
A Fistful of Dollars TV Series in Development
Mark Gordon Pictures is developing A Fistful of Dollars TV series. Bryan Cogman is rumored to be handling the script duties for the adaptation. Deadline states that “Mark Gordon Pictures has an existing deal with eOne, under which they continue to acquire, develop, and produce an expansive slate of projects spanning multiple genres and mediums.” No network is attached at the time, but I could see any streaming service or cable network wanting to pick this up.
That’s it for last three weeks. What projects mentioned are you interested in seeing once completed? Tell us down in the comments!
