Need a quick recap of the past week in movie news? Here are the highlights:
BIG NEWS
Cardi B gets Fast & Furious: Fans couldn’t get enough of her supporting performance in Hustlers, and now rapper Cardi B is continuing her rise as a movie star. Fast & Furious franchise lead Vin Diesel revealed her addition to the cast of the next movie on Instagram. Singer Ozuna also recently joined “Fast 9,” while Keanu Reeves continues to be in the mix for a future role in the series.
Adam Driver to star in Ridley Scott movie: Star Wars baddie Adam Driver is in early talks to star in Ridley Scott’s The Last Duel, according to Variety. He would take over a lead role vacated by Ben Affleck, who is now playing a smaller part. Matt Damon and Jodie Comer will also star in the drama, which is about knights and betrayals in 14th century France.
Jim Henson Company to redo Emmet Otter: Bret McKenzie, who won an Oscar for writing the song “Man or Muppet” for The Muppets, is now scripting a remake of the beloved holiday special Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas. Variety reports that the movie will again involve the Jim Henson Company but no details have been revealed regarding format or faithfulness to the original.
Astronaut Sally Ride gets the biopic treatment: Women astronauts continue to reach new milestones, but Sally Ride was the first American woman in space. Collider reports she’s now getting a biopic titled Ride courtesy of Lionsgate and Transparent creator Jill Soloway, who will develop and direct the movie.
Lucy Boyton to portray Marianne Faithful: Another famous woman with a biopic on the way is British singer Marianne Faithful, best known for the song “As Tears Go By.” Deadline reports that Lucy Boynton (Bohemian Rhapsody) will produce the movie while also starring in the lead role as Faithful.
Olivia DeJonge joins Elvis movie: Speaking of women starring in music-based biopics, Baz Luhrmann has found his Priscilla for his untitled drama following the life of Elvis Presley. According to Deadline, Australian actress Olivia DeJonge (The Visit) will play the wife of the King’s of Rock and Roll.
Taylor Swift has a new song for Cats: While we’re on the subject of women in musicals, pop star Taylor Swift, who also has a major role in the upcoming adaptation of Cats, will perform a new song introduced in the movie version. Variety revealed that Swift co-wrote the tune with the musical’s creator, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and shared a preview of the number.
Neill Blomkamp casts Taylor Kitsch: Battleship star Taylor Kitsch will lead Inferno, the next sci-fi movie from Neill Blomkamp (District 9). According to Variety, the actor will play a cop investigating a murder in the New Mexico desert, a case that involves a killer that isn’t quite human.
Jonathan Glazer re-teams with A24: Following their partnership on his sci-fi movie Under the Skin, filmmaker Jonathan Glazer and distributor A24 are reuniting for the director’s next project. Deadline reports the movie will be a Holocaust drama set in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II.
