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!
“Sonic the Hedgehog”
Every studio, it seems, is adapting video games for the big screen. From “Assassin’s Creed” to the upcoming “Call of Duty,” the cinematic nature of major titles lends itself to big budget features. However, a 16-bit classic will be getting some love, too. In production since 2016, the “Sonic the Hedgehog” movie is finally getting off the ground with the recent casting announcement that James Marsden will star. The live-action–animation hybrid film is scheduled to be released in 2019 with direction from Jeff Fowler. Fowler’s only other large feature was 2009’s “Where the Wild Things Are,” on which he worked in animation R&D. This could mean casting directors Justine Arteta and Kim Davis-Wagner see a return.
“Chambers”
Uma Thurman is reportedly coming to Netflix, with an announcement last week she will be starring in the upcoming hour-long drama “Chambers.” Centered on a young heart attack survivor who becomes consumed by the mystery surrounding the heart that saved her life, the supernatural series received a 10-episode order back in January and casting looks to be getting off the ground with Thurman the first major role cast. “Chambers” hasn’t yet announced a casting director, but co-showrunner (alongside creator-writer Leah Rachel) and producer Akela Cooper is also producing another Netflix series: “Luke Cage.” It’s possible “Chambers” is also relying on “Cage” CDs Julie Schubert and Laray Mayfield.
“Dickinson”
Apple’s original streaming productions continue to grow, adding to a handful of series from Reese Witherspoon, an M. Night Shyamalan psychological thriller, and more. A recently-announced series will add another genre and throw it back a few centuries to a literary icon: Emily Dickinson. Hailee Steinfeld will play the titular role in “Dickinson,” a half-hour comedy series set in Dickinson’s era while following a “modern sensibility and tone.” There’s no CD assigned yet, but the series will be written by Alena Smith, who has earned her writing credits on “The Affair” and “The Newsroom.” Once more staffing is announced, casting will likely begin in earnest.
“John Henry”
As reported by Deadline, Terry Crews and Chris “Ludacris” Bridges will star in the upcoming indie drama “John Henry.” Crews will play the titular John Henry in a modern reimagining of the folklore, where Henry, who has traded in gang violence for a peaceful life, meets two immigrants kids who are running from his former gang leader (played by Bridges) and must decide whether to return to his former life to give them a chance at survival. This will be the first foray into film directing for helmer Will Forbes, who will also be co-writing, so his casting director choices could go in a number of directions.
“You Know You Want This”
HBO is going to a couple familiar faces to write its next big series. According to Deadline, the network has bought for development “You Know You Want This,” an anthology drama series that explores “the complex and often dark and funny connections between gender, sex, and power across genres.” The series will be written and run by former “The Leftovers” scribes Carly Wray and Lila Byock. No CD has been publically assigned yet, but with Wray and Byock’s work on “The Leftovers,” it might be safe to assume they return to one of the series’ casting gurus, such as Victoria Thomas or Ellen Lewis.
Looking to get cast? Apply to casting calls on Backstage.