Tag Archives: Warner Bros.

Jacob Elordi In Talks to Star Opposite Scarlett Johansson in the Thriller “Scapegoat”

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Jacob Elordi is thisclose to becoming a scapegoat…

The 29-year-old Spanish-Australian Oscar-nominated actor is in talks to co-star opposite Scarlett Johansson in the thriller Scapegoat, hailing from Ari Aster and A24.

Jacob Elordi,Aster is directing the film from a script he penned.

A24, who has released Aster’s past four films, is the distributor.

Aster and partner Lars Knudsen will produce through their Square Peg banner.

While the plot is being kept under wraps, some have speculated that it’s about a doctor who operates on an internet-famous person. Others say it’s sci-fi romance, and some have said it’s more of a traditional drama for Aster.

As of now, there is no consensus on the film’s details, according to insiders.

This is Aster’s follow-up to Eddington.

While he has met with several actors for the film’s second high-profile part after Johansson, Aster had only one person in mind in Elordi, who had a number of offers to pick from but decided to take his time after working nonstop over the past couple of years including a grueling nine-month Frankenstein shoot that led to his first Academy Award nomination.

That said, it always felt this would be his first project following that break and recently declared it with negotiations starting last week.

If a deal closes, the plan is to shoot the film later this year.

Elordi has had as good a stretch over the past 12 months. He followed Frankenstein with Warner Bros’ Wuthering Heights, the hit adaptation in which he co-starred opposite Margot Robbie. He also made his return to Euphoria, which bowed its final season in the spring.

Next up, Elordi is set to star in the Ridley Scott action thriller The Dog Stars, which also features Margaret Qualley and Josh Brolin.

Disney+ Gives Green Light to Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa’s Drama Series “Afterlife with Archie”

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Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa is preparing for the afterlife…

Disney+ has given the green light to Afterlife with Archie, an hourlong drama series based on the best-selling Archie comic book series by the 52-year-old Nicaraguan American playwright, screenwriter and comic book writer and Francesco Francavilla.

Roberto Aguirre-SacasaIt’ll have a Halloween 2027 premiere on the streamer.

The order comes nine months after the project landed at Disney+ with a big script-to-series commitment.

Afterlife with Archie comes from the same auspices as the CW’s Riverdale and Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina: writer Aguirre-Sacasa, Greg Berlanti‘s Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television where Aguirre-Sacasa and Berlanti are under overall deals.

Penned by Aguirre-Sacasa based on the Archie Comics characters, Afterlife with Archie turns the all-American town of Riverdale into a zombie-overrun apocalypse — where the only thing scarier than the undead is trying to survive your teenage years. When a supernatural spell from a certain teen-witch backfires, unleashing an army of the possessed dead upon Riverdale, Archie and his friends must fight to stay alive, testing the friendships, romances, and loyalties that have always held them together.

Afterlife with Archie is executive produced by Aguirre-Sacasa and Jimmy Gibbons via Muckle Man; Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman via Berlanti Productions; and Jon Goldwater via Archie Comics Studios.

“Afterlife with Archie has always been about more than just zombies — it’s about the friendships, loyalty and humanity that make Riverdale worth fighting for,” said Ayo Davis, president, Disney Kids & Family. “Roberto, Greg, Sarah and Jon have such a deep appreciation for these characters, and they’ve built something that’s equal parts thrilling and heartfelt. Fans are going to fall hard for this new version of the gang … and maybe scream a little too.”

This is Aguirre-Sacasa, Berlanti Prods. and Warner Bros. TV’s third live-action Archie Comics series adaptation — and the first to launch on the outlet it was originally sold to. Riverdale was initially set up at Fox before moving to theCW, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina started at the CW before relocating to Netflix. Riverdale spawned a short-lived spinoff series on the CW, Katy Keene.

Afterlife with Archie also marks Warner Bros. TV’s first series for Disney+, which has been increasingly opening up its slate to outside studios.

“The world of ‘Archie’ and Riverdale is the gift that keeps on giving,” said Channing Dungey, Chairman and CEO, Warner Bros. Television Group and WBD US Networks. “To bring Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa’s incredible story to life with our partners at Berlanti Productions, ArchieComics and Disney+ is a thrill for all of us at WBTVG.”

Aguirre-Sacasa, a film, TV and comic book writer, had written Archie Comics’ two best-selling horror series, Afterlife With Archie and Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina, when he was named the publisher’s Chief Creative Officer in March 2014. Twelve years later, he continues in his role while also expanding his TV footprint — and the Archie TV universe which launched with the 2017 Riverdale. 

“This was the comic book that started it all. Before there was a Riverdale, before there was a Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, there was Afterlife with Archie, which I collaborated on with the best horror artist in the business, Francesco Francavilla,” Aguirre-Sacasa said. “Getting to turn Afterlife into a TV series for the amazing team at Disney+ with our incredible partners at Berlanti Productions, WB and, of course, Jon (Goldwater) and his Archie family is truly a full-circle moment — and the ultimate dream project for me. Time to say a prayer for Archie, Betty, Veronica and the whole gang, ‘cause THE ZOMBIES ARE COMING!!!!”

Berlanti Prods. and WBTV also have the upcoming Scooby-Doo! live-action series at Netflix, the HBO drama pilot How To Survive Without Me, Stillwater, based on the Skybound comic books, which has a series commitment at Amazon, as well as All American, which just launched its eighth and final season on the CW.

“We are so happy to reunite with Roberto on this exciting series that takes us back into the Riverdale world that we so love, and we are thankful to Disney+ and WBTV for giving us the opportunity to revisit some of our favorite characters in a unique and thrilling way,” Berlanti and Schechter said. “A special thank you to Jon Goldwater for letting us continue to play within the beloved ‘Archie’ universe and trusting us to bring Archie’s various stories to life.”

Sebastian Orozco to Star in Warner Bros.’ Upcoming Film “Panic Carefully”

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Sebastian Orozco is experiencing a panic attack… 

The Colombian British actor has joined the cast of Warner Bros.’ upcoming film Panic Carefully, directed by Sam Esmail.

Sebastian Orozco,Orozco, who starred in The Crow, is among a roster of new cast additions that includes Aidan Gillen, Joe Alwyn, Naledi Murray and Ben Chaplin.

They join the previously announced leading cast of Julia Roberts, Eddie Redmayne, Elizabeth Olsen and Brian Tyree Henry.

Details regarding the film’s premise and character descriptions are still under wraps.  

Panic Carefully is described as a paranoid thriller in the vein of Esmail’s Mr. Robot and Silence of the Lambs and involves the hunt for a cyber-terrorist. 

Esmail wrote the film and will direct. He and Chad Hamilton will produce for Esmail Corp.

Orozco recently wrapped filming on StudioCanal’s World War II drama/thriller Pressure directed by Anthony Maras and starring Andrew Scott and Brendan Fraser.

Orozco appeared opposite Bill Skarsgård in Universal’s adaptation of The Crow directed by Rupert Sanders.

He also recently wrapped a recurring role in the Sony/MGM+ series Nine Bodies in A Mexican Morgue created by Anthony Horowitz.

His recent series credits include CBS’ FBI: International, Paramount’s Halo, and Apple TV+’s Masters of the Air opposite Austin Butler and directed by Cary Fukunaga.

Jacob Elordi in Early Talks to Star in Ridley Scott’s “The Dog Stars”

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Jacob Elordi is the top dog for a coveted role…

The 27-year-old half-Spanish Australian actor is in early talks to lead The Dog Stars, Ridley Scott’s post-apocalyptic thriller for 20th Century Studios, based on the 2012 novel by Peter Heller.

Jacob Elordi,Elordi looks to step in for Scott’s Gladiator II star, Paul Mescal, who was forced to depart due to scheduling conflicts after being tapped to star in Sam Mendes’ Beatles anthology, where he’s rumored to be playing Paul McCartney.

Scott first hinted at the possibility of Mescal’s exit in a December conversation with filmmaker Christopher Nolan on Gladiator II.

Set in a near future where an unnamed pandemic has decimated American society, The Dog Stars will have Elordi playing Hig, a civilian pilot living a lonely life on an abandoned Colorado airbase with his dog and a tough ex-marine. The two men couldn’t be more mismatched but depend on each other to fend off roaming invaders. When a random transmission beams through the radio of his 1956 Cessna, the voice ignites a hope deep inside the pilot that a better life exists outside their tightly controlled perimeter. Risking everything, he flies past his point of no return and follows its static-broken trail.

Mark L. Smith penned the script for the film, which is the next on Scott will direct.

Known for starring on HBO’s Euphoria, Elordi is due to shoot that series’ final season next year, along with Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights for Warner Bros, where he stars opposite Margot Robbie.

This year, he’ll be seen playing the title role in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein for Netflix.

Other upcoming projects include On Swift Horses, the Daniel Minahan drama co-starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, which premiered at TIFF, and Prime Video’s Australian miniseries The Narrow Road to the Deep North.

María Gabriela de Faría to Star in New Serial Killer Film “Romanticizing Monsters”

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María Gabriela de Faría has landed a monster(s) of a role…

The 31-year-old Venezuelan actress and singer, who was recently tapped to play villain The Engineer in Warner Bros/DC’s Superman, will play the lead in Romanticizing Monsters, a new serial killer film from director Berkley Brady.

María Gabriela de FaríaThe film centers around de Faría’s character, Amelia Velez, a reporter and true crime podcaster investigating a series of missing person cases linked to an active serial killer that her boss and the police don’t believe exists.

With Justin Kelly and Katisha Shaw aboard to produce, the project is set to participate in the Frontières International Co Productions Market at Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal later today. Nicole Hilliard-Forde and Matthew Lessall are overseeing casting.

Soon to wrap her role in James Gunn’s Superman, the first title in a revamped DC slate, which is slated for release on July 11, 2025, de Faría will next be seen starring alongside Dylan Sprouse in the comedy The Duel, which Lionsgate and Grindstone Entertainment are releasing in theaters at the end of July.

Prior to Superman, de Faría was best known for a lead role in Lionsgate’s The Exorcism of God, a supernatural horror film co-written and directed by Alejandro Hidalgo, which was released through Saban Films after world premiering at Fantastic Fest.

In addition to the indie drama R#J, a modern-day adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the actress has also been seen on Fox’s Animal Control and The Moodys and Syfy’s Deadly Class.

Jenna Ortega’s “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” to World Premiere at Venice Film Festival 

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Jenna Ortega’s latest project is launching in Italy…

The 81st Venice Film Festival will open with the world premiere of Tim Burton‘s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, starring the 21-year-old Mexican American actress.

Jenna Ortega, BeetlejuiceMichael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci and Willem Dafoe star alongside Ortega in the highly anticipated sequel to Beetlejuice.

The Warner Bros film will be screened out of competition on Wednesday, August 28 at the Sala Grande, the festival said Tuesday.

This will mark a return to the sort of glitzy red carpet with which Venice has become synonymous, after last year’s Lido event had less star-wattage than usual as it took place amid the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Warner Bros starts the international rollout on Beetlejuice 2 on September 4 with domestic joining September 6.

Said Venice chief Alberto Barbera today, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice marks the long-awaited return of one of the most iconic characters of Tim Burton’s cinema, but also the happy confirmation of the extraordinary visionary talent and the masterly realization of one of the most fascinating auteurs of his time. The Venice Biennale is honored and proud to host the world premiere of a work that features a surprising swing of creative imagination and driving hallucinatory rhythm.”

Added Burton, “I’m very excited by this. It means a lot to me to have the world premiere of this film at the Venice Film Festival.”

In the sequel to Beetlejuice, Burton’s classic 1988 supernatural comedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River following an unexpected tragedy. Still haunted by Beetlejuice (Keaton), Lydia’s (Ryder) life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid (Ortega), discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened. With trouble brewing in both realms, it’s only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.

This year’s Venice runs from August 28-September 7 with French star Isabelle Huppert acting as jury president.

Matt Lopez to Serve as Executive Producer & Showrunner of CBS’ “Sheriff Country”

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Matt Lopez has gone country…

The Latino television writer and producer has joined CBS’ recently picked up drama series Sheriff County as executive producer and showrunner.

Matt LopezThe Fire Country spinoff, headlined by Morena Baccarin, is slated to debut during the 2025-26 season, with a writers room expected to open in late summer.

Sheriff Country was introduced when Baccarin guest starred in an April episode of the mothership series. 

Like the Fire Country pilot, the planted spinoff was written by Joan Rater and Tony Phelan from a story the duo co-wrote with series’ star Max Thieriot, whose real-life experiences inspired Fire Country.

Thieriot also directed the backdoor pilot episode.

The offshoot also is following Fire Country‘s leadership pattern.

While Grey’s Anatomy alums Rater and Phelan are executive producers and a writers room fixtures on the mothership series, Tia Napolitano was brought in as day-to-day showrunner. Lopez is taking on the duties for Sheriff Country. He was already in negotiations when CBS in May announced a series pickup for the spinoff.

Sheriff Country stars Baccarin as straight-shooting sheriff Mickey Fox, the stepsister of Cal Fire’s division chief Sharon Leone (Diane Farr of Fire Country), who investigates criminal activity as she patrols the streets of small-town Edgewater.

The series, from CBS Studios, is executive produced by Thieriot, Phelan, Rater, Lopez as well as Jerry Bruckheimer and KristieAnne Reed for Jerry Bruckheimer Television.

Lopez created, executive produced and served as showrunner of ABC’s 2022 family drama series Promised Land.

His feature writing credits include Max’s top-rated original Father of the Bride, from Warner Bros., and several Disney movies, including The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

Lopez is a former entertainment lawyer and DreamWorks business affairs executive.

Adriana Barraza to Star in Prime Video’s Comic Book Series “El Gato”

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Adriana Barraza has found a purr-fect role…

The 68-year-old Mexican Oscar-nominated actress has landed a series regular role in Prime Video’s comic book series with the working title El Gato.

Adriana BarrazaBarraza joins new cast addition Sarah Jones and previously announced leads Diego Boneta and Lorenza Izzo. 

Based on the comic series El Gato Negro by Richard Dominguez, El Gato follows Frank Guerrero (Boneta), who returns home to Mexico after the death of his father and finds himself neck-deep in a nest of vipers – his estranged family – who are vying for control of his father’s business empire. But Frank’s grief is interrupted when he learns his only inheritance, a seemingly worthless parcel of land on the border, sits atop the lair of a famous costumed vigilante — his father, “El Gato.” Now, Frank is in the crosshairs. To survive, he’ll have to solve mysteries decades in the making and unravel the truth about his father’s connections to a modern-day terror plot.

Barraza will play Alma, who, in the 1970s, discovered her husband was living a double life: moonlighting as a costumed vigilante: El Gato Negro. Alma worked side by side with him for years, providing operational support for his missions. She is careful with her words, and vault-like in the keeping of secrets. Alma thought her old life was behind her, but now widowed, she finds herself pulled back into a world of masks. In the series, she will form an unlikely partnership with our hero, Frank – her husband’s bastard son. It will test the openness of her heart. This is Alma, back in the saddle for one last ride.

Jones will play Ashley, a CIA field agent working as our hero Frank’s handler. Ash is good at reading people. She’s a fast-talking cynic with something to prove. Ash believes the family agricultural business at the center of our series is a front for a criminal enterprise. As she develops Frank as a CIA asset, she will find herself dangerously drawn to him. She is well-trained, physically capable, and seemingly born for this. But it’s a deadly game she’s playing, and if she wants to survive this, she’ll need to watch her back.

Eric Carrasco created the series and will co-showrun with Turi Meyer and Alfredo Septién.

El Gato is being produced by MGM Television, a division of Amazon MGM Studios.

Barraza recently celebrated 50 years in the entertainment industry. She is best known for her collaborations with director Alejandro González Iñárritu in Amores Perros (1999) and Babel (2006), on which she made history as one of only six Mexican actresses to ever receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Most recently, she was a supporting lead in the DC Comics/Warner Bros feature film Blue Beetle opposite Xolo Mariduena and directed by Angel Manuel Soto.

In August, Barraza will star in the indie feature My Penguin Friend opposite Jean Reno.

Vico Ortiz Joins Voice Cast of New Animation Series “Atlantis Rocks”

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Vico Ortiz has a rockin’ new project…

The 32-year-old Puerto Rican actor, drag king and activist has joined the voice cast of the animation series Atlantis Rocks, created by actor, producer and star Coty Galloway, who voiced Avocato on Warner Bros. animation series Final Space.

Vico OrtizOrtiz, who has starred in Transparent and Our Flag Means Death, joins a voice cast roster that includes Phill LaMarr, Tara Strong, Olan Rogers, Dan Brumm, Sophia Thomas, Valory Pierce, Bailey Galloway and Da’Jonte Phillips.

Atlantis Rocks is a comedy-satire set in the fictional town of Los Sandeles, where after a series of disasters, sanitation worker, Fleming (Galloway) decides to confront the dump that is his life and sanitize the crap out of it. LaMarr plays Earl, a rambling yet lovable catfish, whose true meaning of his wise words eventually comes to light. Strong plays a smart, independent, and not-your-typical girl next door, with witty humor that shines through as Cora, an evolved dolphin aka Dolphinian, and Ortiz is Ben, an overly analytical and nervous albacore tuna fish.

Galloway raised funds for the pilot presentation of Atlantis Rocks through a successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter, and an infusion of private financing.

With the skills of Swedish cartoonist/animator Daniel Arruda Massa, and original score helmed by composer Davis Harwell, Atlantis Rocks production is currently underway. Post-production will be designed and mixed by Folklore Sound, the post-production team behind the Disney animated hit, Bluey.

“We are elated to have such a stellar, diverse, and inclusive cast on board for Atlantis Rocks, said an excited Galloway. “Each actor brings a unique energy and authenticity to their respective characters, enhancing the overall storytelling experience. Fans of animation and good storytelling are going to fall in love with these relatable characters. We’re navigating the currents to get Atlantis Rocks to series.”

Belissa Escobedo to Star in Reba McEntire’s Still-Untitled NBC Comedy Pilot

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Belissa Escobedo has lined up her next project…

The 25-year-old Latina actress and Blue Beetle star has been cast in Reba McEntire in her as-yet-untitled NBC multi-cam comedy pilot.

Belissa Escobedo,The project is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group.

The pilot follows Bobbie (McEntire) who inherits her father’s restaurant and is less than thrilled to discover that she has a new business partner in the half-sister she never knew she had.

Escobedo stars as Bobbie’s sister Isabella, an enthusiastic 20-something, who has studied psychology and loves to analyze people. She is thrilled to start working at the tavern and is full of “great” ideas about how to bring it to life.

Escobedo’s star continues to rise following two major roles in DC Entertainment/Warner Bros’ Blue Beetle, where he portrayed the titular character’s (played by Xolo Maridueña) sister Milagro, and Disney’s Hocus Pocus 2 where she popped off the screen—no easy task when you’re starring opposite Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, who returned as the Sanderson sisters.

Additional credits include the ABC dramedy The Baker And The Beauty alongside Carlos Gomez, Lisa Vidal and Victor Rasuk; Ryan Murphy’s FX anthology series American Horror Stories, the Catherine Hardwicke-directed Quibi limited series Don’t Look Deeper and the American High films Sex Appeal (Hulu) and Sid Is Dead.