Need a quick recap of the past week in movie news? Here are the highlights:
Tracy Morgan is one of the Triplets: The long-awaited sequel to the 1988 comedy Twins is finally happening with original stars Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito. Deadline reports that the follow-up, titled Triplets, has also locked in a third lead: Tracy Morgan. The comedian and former Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock actor will play the long lost sibling of Schwarzenegger and DeVito’s brothers. Morgan is at least 20 years younger than the other actors, so that could make things interesting, but the plot is said to center around there being a secret third child born at the same time. The movie was originally written for Eddie Murphy but has now been re-written for Morgan. Ivan Reitman is back as the director, and the production is planned to begin in January.
Another Bodyguard: Another beloved movie from that era is being resurrected, but this one will in the form of a remake. According to Variety, the 1992 romantic drama The Bodyguard is being reimagined at Warner Bros. Best-known for its best-selling soundtrack featuring a phenomenally popular cover of “I Will Always Love You,” the original version stars Kevin Costner as the titular protector and eventual partner of a famous actress and singer, played by Whitney Houston. The redo, which is said to be “inspired by” the previous incarnation, will be scripted by Tony Award-nominated playwright Matthew López (The Inheritance), whose screen credits include the HBO series The Newsroom.
Keegan-Michael Key and the Chocolate Factory: Speaking of beloved movies being reimagined, the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory prequel has added to its cast. Deadline reports that Keegan-Michael Key (Keanu, The Lion King) will co-star in Wonka in an undisclosed role. The musical movie, which presents the origin story of Willy Wonka, will star Timothée Chalamet in the title role previously portrayed by Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp. Key has appeared and sung songs in such musicals as The Prom and Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, but it’s unknown if he will be performing musical numbers here. Paddington helmer Paul King co-wrote and is directing the movie, which is due out in 2023.
Sam Richardson to star in Stranded Assets: Big-time movie star Chris Pratt (Jurassic World, Guardians of the Galaxy) is reuniting with rising comedic actor Sam Richardson (Veep, Werewolves Within) for a secretive new action comedy for Universal. According to Deadline, the duo, who recently appeared together in the sci-fi flick The Tomorrow War, will collaborate on Stranded Asset, in which Richardson will star while Pratt produces. Richardson also co-wrote the movie with Jen D’Angelo (TV’s Workaholics, the upcoming sequel Hocus Pocus 2). His previous writing credits include the show Detroiters, which he created and starred in, and rewrites with D’Angelo on The Tomorrow War.
