With dozens of castings announced and new projects coming down the pipeline each week across television, film, and theater, it can be near-impossible to keep up. Luckily, Backstage is here to help. Every Friday, we’re rounding up the week's industry news you shouldn’t miss so you can be sure you're firmly in the know!
Portman is out; Jones is in.
Though initially developed with Natalie Portman attached to star, Felicity Jones is now confirmed to portray Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in the biopic about her life, “On the Basis of Sex.” Slated to begin shooting this September in Montreal, Mimi Leder will helm the film, with a script by Daniel Stiepleman. Robert W. Cort is producing. More casting news is to-be-announced.
“Egg” will hatch a trio of funny females.
Heavy-hitters Christina Hendricks (“Mad Men”), Alysia Reiner (“Orange Is the New Black”), and Anna Camp (“Pitch Perfect”) have all signed on to star in the motherhood comedy, “Egg.” The feature, which is slated to shoot this summer in New York, will be directed by filmmaker Marianna Palka, who notably starred in Netflix’s recent comedy, “Glow.” Bestselling author Risa Mickenberg (“Taxi Driver Wisdom”) penned the script.
Daveed Diggs is adding to his multi-hyphenates.
The Tony-winning former “Hamilton” star will co-write, co-produce, and co-star in the feature film “Blindspotting,” loosely based on his life growing up in Oakland, California. Also starring his “Hamilton” costar Jasmine Cephas Jones and Rafael Casal (HBO’s “Def Poetry”), the project will be directed by Carlos Lopez Estrada in his feature film directorial debut. A production schedule has not yet been announced.
“The Wolves” are moving (slightly) uptown.
“The Wolves,” the critical smash that ran at The Duke on 42nd Street this past season, will be produced again Off-Broadway this fall by Lincoln Center at the Mitzi Newhouse Theater. The Sarah DeLappe-penned drama centers around a girls soccer team; it was a finalist for the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and also won both Obie and Drama Desk Awards for its ensemble. The transfer will be directed by Lila Neugebauer, and is currently casting for several roles. (Find out how you can audition here!)
The Manson family will get the Quentin Tarantino treatment.
Tarantino is currently developing his next film which will delve into the infamous Manson family murders. Tarantino will direct the feature, which he has also written. While no casting has been announced at this time, a slew of A-list talent is likely to board the film by the time the package comes together, expected by the end of the summer.
Alec Baldwin will be one of a few.
The Emmy winner (and current nominee) has signed on for NBC’s upcoming live broadcast of the Aaron Sorkin-penned play, “A Few Good Men.” (Sorkin will also adapt it for the small screen.) In addition to starring as Col. Nathan Jessep, Baldwin will produce alongside Sorkin, Craig Zadan, and Neil Meron. Baldwin is the first actor announced for the production, which is expected to air at some point during the first half of 2018.
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