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.
The Tomorrow War 2 in the Works
The Tomorrow War 2 is officially in the works. Director Chris McKay and star Chris Pratt are both expected to return for the sequel, and there are currently discussions to bring the entire creative team from the first film back as well (that includes screenwriter Zach Dean; and stars Yvonne Strahovski, Betty Gilpin, Sam Richardson, Edwin Hodge, and J.K. Simmons). There are no story details at the moment, but I think it’s safe to say that it will involve aliens and time travel again.
Fast & Furious Cipher Spin-Off in Development
It looks like F9 might not be the last we see of Charlize Theron‘s Cipher. Variety has revealed that Vin Diesel has assembled a writers room to develop a spin-off focused on Cipher, the cyberterrorist who made her debut in 2017’s The Fate of the Furious. I think the role has been a huge waste of Theron’s talent, so I’d rather we didn’t have a whole film dedicated to her. But what do I know? I certainly wasn’t the audience for F9 despite being a huge fan of the first seven films.
Night of the Living Dead Getting Animated Adaptation
Night of the Animated Dead, an animated version of Night of the Living Dead, is currently in development, per The Hollywood Reporter.. Dulé Hill (Psych) will voice Ben. Josh Duhamel (Batman: The Long Halloween) will voice Harry Cooper. Nancy Travis (Last Man Standing) will voice his wife, Helen. Katharine Isabelle (Ginger Snaps, Hannibal) will portray Barbara. Her brother Johnny will be voiced by Jimmi Simpson (Westworld). James Roday Rodriguez (Psych) will voice Tom. Tom’s girlfriend Judy will be voiced by Katee Sackhoff (The Mandalorian). Will Sasso (The Three Stooges) rounds out the cast as Sheriff McClelland.
Night of the Animated Dead is directed by Jason Axinn (To Your Last Death). Warner Bros. Home Entertainment plans to release Night of the Animated Dead this fall on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital.
James Ashcroft to Direct Devolution
Legendary Entertainment has hired director James Ashcroft (Coming Home in the Dark) to take the helm of the adaptation of Max Brooks‘ new book Devolution, “an exploration of the Bigfoot myth framed in a series of journals written by a woman who was trying to survive in a tech-focused, “green” community that is suddenly left isolated from the modern world by a natural disaster.”
Ashcroft will polish the screenplay with his writing partner Eli Kent. Legendary hopes the director will deliver a “horror piece that has something to say about the state of humanity when the veneer of civility is stripped away and nature takes over.”
Matthew Robinson to Pen Rogue Squadron
Deadline has confirmed that Matthew Robinson (The Invention of Lying) will pen Patty Jenkins’ upcoming Star Wars movie Rogue Squadron. Disney had no comment. Logline is under wraps. The film is set to hit theaters December 22, 2023. Filming will commence next year.
Lena Dunham to Write & Direct Polly Pocket
Lena Dunham (Girls) will write and direct a live-action movie based on micro-doll Polly Pocket for Mattel and MGM. Lily Collins is set to star as the title character as well as produce.
The movie will follow “a young girl and a pocket-sized woman who form a friendship.” The film will “reintroduce Polly in a fun, modern way” that “will appeal to the whole family.”
Other Mattel Films projects in development include American Girl, Barbie, Barney, Hot Wheels, Magic 8 Ball, Major Matt Mason, Masters of the Universe, Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots, Thomas & Friends, UNO, View Master and Wishbone.
Jerry Seinfeld Making Movie About Pop-Tarts
Deadline reports that Jerry Seinfeld will direct, produce, co-write, and star in Unfrosted, a movie about the creation of the most reliable of boxed breakfast staples, the Pop-Tart.
Seinfeld co-wrote Unfrosted with Spike Feresten and Barry Marder (Seinfeld, Bee Movie). Netflix won the rights to the film in an auction and production is slated to start sometime next spring. The film is based on a bit he began performing in 2010 on The Late Show with David Letterman.
Scarlett Johansson Enters the Tower of Terror
Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow) will produce Disney‘s Tower of Terror movie, which will be developed as a potential starring vehicle for the MCU actress. Josh Cooley (Inside Out) is currently writing the script, though plot details are being kept under wraps. No director is formally attached yet, but sources say that Disney will aim high, especially since Johansson is coming off of dual Oscar nominations.
Representatives for Disney and Johansson had no comment. Tower of Terror is based on the popular Disney theme park attraction, which culminates with a free-falling elevator drop. The ride was previously turned into a 1997 TV movie starring Steve Guttenberg and Kirsten Dunst. A a new theatrical feature has been in development since 2015.
Anybody Want a Nobody Sequel?
Nobody, the action film starring Bob Odenkirk, might be getting a sequel. No greenlight has been given yet, but writer Derek Kolstad is said to be working on the script that, according to Nobody director Ilya Naishuller, will give Connie Nielsen, who plays Odenkirk’s wife, more to do.
Nobody grossed $61.5 million worldwide on a $16 million budget. That’s certainly enough to warrant a sequel. I have it sitting beside me on Blu-ray, so now might be a good time to pop it in and watch it.
Matt Shakman to Direct Star Trek Movie
Hot on the heels of WandaVision scoring 23 Emmy nominations, it has been announced that WandaVision director Matt Shakman is in talks to helm a Star Trek movie for Paramount Pictures and Bad Robot Productions.
Deadline reports that the next Star Trek film “will now move at warp speed and begin production next spring.” There is already a script in place by Lindsey Beer and Geneva Robertson. Deadline’s senior film reporter, Justin Kroll, has tweeted that “while no deals are done for talent,” he’s “hearing the hope is the Shakman STAR TREK would be for the Chris Pine crew to return.” That’s good news for fans of the Kelvin timeline.
That’s it for last few weeks. What projects mentioned are you interested in seeing once completed? Tell us down in the comments!
