Greenlit means a project is officially a go, so all you have to do is follow these leads to stay up to date. You never know where you’ll find an opportunity to land an audition!
“Beauty and the Beast” Prequel Series
No one fights like Gaston, gets greenlights like Gaston. First reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Disney+ is teaming up with “Once Upon a Time” creators Eddy Kitsis and Adam Horowitz for a “Beauty and the Beast” prequel series following the origin story of Gaston and his henchman and biggest fan, LeFou. Luke Evans and Josh Gad, respectively, will reprise their roles from the 2017 live-action feature. According to THR, the limited series will be a six-episode musical event, and composer Alan Menken is currently in talks to return. No other stars from the film are currently set to return as of now. There’s no word yet of who is working on the casting team, but considering Evans and Gad’s returns, keep an eye out on the film’s casting director, Lucy Bevan in the event she re-assumes her role from the 2017 feature.
“The Old Man”
The upcoming FX dramatic thriller series “The Old Man,” starring Jeff Bridges, has cast its other two stars. “The Deuce” star Gbenga Akinnagbe has joined the series, as has Bill Heck (“Locke & Key”) in a recast role. Written by Jon Steinberg and Robert Levine and based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Thomas Perry, “The Old Man” follows Dan Chase (Bridges), the titular “old man” who left the CIA and lives off the grid until an assassin arrives to take him out. Akinnagbe will play the assassin Julian, a highly trained special ops contractor sent to hunt down Chase. Heck is replacing Austin Stowell, who had originally been tapped to play the younger version of Bridges’ character, Dan Chase. Denise Chamian is the project’s casting director.
“Rust”
After taking some time away from Showtime, “The Affair” star Maura Tierney will return to the premium cabler for her next big project. She’ll be joining Jeff Daniels in “Rust,” a drama based on the Philipp Meyer novel “American Rust.” Also starring Bill Camp, David Alvarez, Alex Neustaedter, and newcomer Julia Mayorga, the family drama will follow “complicated and compromised” chief of police Del Harris (Daniels) in a Rust Belt town in southwest Pennsylvania. Tierney will play Grace Poe, a woman from the town trying to organize a union amongst her co-workers at their dress factory while her son Billy (Neustaedter) is accused of murder. The series is scheduled to begin production in Pittsburgh in late March. Avy Kaufman is casting.
“Sex/Life”
Netflix’s “Sex/Life” continues to broaden its horizons. Mike Vogel will join Sarah Shahi and lead the cast of the upcoming eight-episode dramedy series alongside Adam Demos and Margaret Odette. Inspired by BB Easton’s self-published memoir “44 Chapters About 4 Men,” the series centers on a love triangle: Billie (Shahi), her husband Cooper (Vogel), and Brad (Demos), the heartbreak she never got over. Odette will play Billie’s ride-or-die best friend, Sasha. The series will be directed by all women, including Patricia Rozema, Jessika Borsiczky, and others. Stacy Rukeyser will write. Casting will also be handled by a female team, with Denise Chamian taking on this one as well.
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”
Taika Waititi is stepping into a world of pure imagination. The recent Oscar winner is reportedly attached to write, direct, and executive produce not one but two original animated series for Netflix based on Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” While one will be based on the book’s characters, the second will be a wholly original take on the Oompa-Loompas. This marks the start of what will be an extensive partnership between Netflix and The Roald Dahl Story Company, which plans to reimagine many of his Dahl’s stories, including “Matilda,” “The BFG,” and others.
“Hocus Pocus 2”
Finally, there’s magic in the air at Disney+. According to Variety, Adam Shankman has come on board to direct the previously rumored “Hocus Pocus” feature sequel written by “Workaholics” writer and co-producer Jen D’Angelo. Lynn Harris will produce. At this time, original “Hocus Pocus” cast members Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy are not attached to return, but according to Variety’s sources, Disney is hopeful they will become involved in some capacity. No timeline has been set for the project quite yet.
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