Need a quick recap of the past week in movie news? Here are the highlights:
Chalamet and the Chocolate Factory: Who can take tomorrow and dip it in a dream? Timothée Chalamet can, because he’s the latest actor cast in the role of candy man Willy Wonka. Deadline reports the Oscar-nominated star of Call Me By Your Name will play a young version of the iconic chocolate factory owner in the musical prequel Wonka. Paul King will direct the feature, the latest script for which he co-wrote with his Paddington 2 collaborator Simon Farnaby. The plot will follow Wonka’s life prior to his becoming a chocolatier, but the main question we have is whether he’s meant to be a young Gene Wilder or a young Johnny Depp. Wonka is currently scheduled to release on March 17, 2023.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s latest comic book movie: After starring as the titular superhero in the Kick-Ass movies and portraying Quicksilver in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Aaron Taylor-Johnson has found another comic book role. According to The Wrap, the Godzilla actor, who will also appear in the upcoming comic book movie The Kingsman, has been cast as the lead in Sony’s Kraven the Hunter and possible further franchise endeavors. Like Quicksilver, Kraven is a Marvel character but better-known as a villain, specifically a nemesis of Spider-Man. Oscar-nominated filmmaker J.C. Chandor (Margin Call) is directing the project, which is currently scheduled to hit theaters on January 13, 2023.
Adam Wingard goes Hardcore: Speaking of people associated with the MonsterVerse and also speaking of comic book movies, Godzilla vs. Kong director Adam Wingard has signed on to direct an adaptation of Robert Kirkman and Marc Silvestri’s Hardcore. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Wingard will also co-write the screenplay, based on an outline by Kirkman. The plot of the Hardcore comic, published by Image, follows a soldier who can take over the body of anyone on Earth in order to get close to his target — until he’s trapped in the skin of his latest human pawn.
Rina Sawayama joins John Wick 4: International pop star Rina Sawayama will make her feature film acting debut in the next John Wick movie. Deadline reports the Japanese-British singer-songwriter and model will co-star in John Wick: Chapter 4 with Keanu Reeves. It’s unknown if she’ll be an ally or another threat for the titular character. Sawayama previously acted in a couple of episodes of the Idris Elba comedy series Turn Up Charlie on Netflix. Regular John Wick director Chad Stahelski is returning to helm the fourth installment, due in theaters on May 27, 2022.
Amber Midthunder to star in Skulls: Another actress set for an action-heavy role is Native American television star Amber Midthunder. According to Discussing Film, the Legion and Roswell, New Mexico regular has been cast as the lead in Skulls, the next movie from 10 Cloverfield Lane helmer Dan Trachtenberg. Officially, the plot of Skulls concerns a Comanche woman who goes against the traditions of her tribe in order to become a warrior. Unofficially, Skulls has been reportedly confirmed to be the next entry in the Predator franchise, the first under the now-Disney-owned banner of 20th Century Studios. Midthunder can currently be seen in the VOD hit The Marksman.
Gabriel LaBelle to play young Spielberg: Speaking of the Predator franchise — and coming back around to young versions of iconic figures — The Predator actor Gabriel LaBelle has been chosen to essentially play a teenage Steven Spielberg. Deadline reports the relative newcomer will fill one of a few incarnations of the main character in Spielberg’s next picture, a coming-of-age drama about an aspiring filmmaker that’s loosely based on the Jaws director’s own childhood. The untitled movie will also star Michelle Williams, Paul Dano and Seth Rogen in roles inspired by Spielberg’s mother, father and favorite uncle, respectively.
Lord & Miller go to the dogs: Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, who also directed such hits as the animated feature The LEGO Movie and the live-action buddy comedy 21 Jump Street, are now developing a dog-centric movie intended for an adult audience. Variety reports the duo is currently working on Strays, a comedy about an abandoned canine seeking revenge against his former owners. Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar helmer Josh Greenbaum is helming the project, which was conceived by American Vandal creator and writer Dan Perrault.
Poor Things adds Jerrod Carmichael: Finally, an intriguing project we’ve followed for a while has found another cast member: Variety reports that comedian, actor and filmmaker Jerrod Carmichael, who recently directed himself in the Sundance Film Festival selection On the Count of Three, has joined Yorgos Lanthimos’ Poor Things in a supporting role. The satirical Frankensein-esque adaptation already stars Cruella’s Emma Stone in the lead as a re-animated woman with, literally, the mind of a child, as well as Willem Dafoe, Mark Ruffalo and Ramy Youssef — whose TV series, Ramy, is executive produced by Carmichael.
