SXSW Announces Lee Daniels as 2017 Keynote Speaker
SXSW announced the keynote speaker for their 2017 Film Festival. Oscar nominated director Lee Daniels (Precious, The Butler) has been tapped to give the address next year in Austin. SXSW praised the director, saying that “He’s been the driving force behind so much extraordinary work in a number of ways. His creative leaps and risk-taking are exactly what we love to celebrate at SXSW.” Currently, Daniels serves as producer on the hit FOX drama Empire, and his next TV movie, Star, co-starring Queen Latifah and Benjamin Bratt is currently in post-production. SXSW 2017 takes place March 10-19 in Austin, Texas.
(SXSW)
‘The Greatest Showman on Earth’ Rounds Out Cast with ‘Mission: Impossible-Rogue Nation’ Star
Hugh Jackman’s long gestating musical biopic exploring the life of P.T. Barnum, The Greatest Showman on Earth, finally picked up steam this year with several key roles cast. Jackman will star as the legendary circus ringmaster alongside Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, and former Disney child-star Zendaya in Jackman’s epic, show stopping, extravaganza. Now, actress Rebecca Ferguson (Mission: Impossible-Rogue Nation) joins the cast as famed Swedish opera singer Jenny Lind. With pre-production now fully underway, FOX is anticipating a Christmas Day 2017 release for the project, which has been in development since at least 2009.
(Variety)
‘Napolean Dynamite’ Director to Helm ‘Shanghai Noon’ Sequel
Napoleon Dynamite director Jared Hess has been tapped to helm the sequel to Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson’s Shanghai Noon. Released in 2000, the film already spawned one sequel, 2003’s Shanghai Knights, before slipping into relative obscurity. Why anyone thinks the world needs another sequel to a modest-but-forgotten film series is anyone’s guess, but Chan has still proven to be a theatrical draw, and Hess has a reputation for making big movies with small budgets. The as-of-yet-untitled film is currently in pre-production.
(Variety)
Netflix Renews ‘Narcos’ For Two More Seasons
Netflix confirmed at least two more seasons of their critically acclaimed Pablo Escobar drama Narcos. Showrunner Eric Newman briefly addressed some of the issues the series might have following the shocking end to the current season, which premiered last week on the streaming service, telling THR, “There’s a reason why we call this show Narcos and not Pablo Escobar.” That offers a key hint about what to expect as Narcos moves on.
With Khal Drogo Officially On Board, ‘The Crow’ Remake Sets Sights on January Start Date
With former Game of Thrones star Jason Momoa officially on board, The Crow is slated to begin filming this January. Corin Hardy (The Hallow) is on board to direct a screenplay co-written by Nick Cave. While remaking The Crow is risky move—the Brandon Lee starring Alex Proyas film from the 90’s is still held in high regard—it’s said that this version will more closely follow the narrative of James O’Barr’s original graphic novel than the Proyas version. Momoa is set to play Eric Draven, a murdered musician who’s brought back to life by a mysterious crow in order to seek vengeance for himself and his fiancé. It may be easy to be cynical about this project, but with Cave on board, it’s also hard not to get a bit excited.
(The Wrap)
