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!
“Americanah”
The upcoming HBO Max limited series “Americanah,” based on Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s best-selling novel of the same name, has added Zackary Momoah (“Harriet”) and Uzo Aduba (“Orange is the New Black”) to its cast, led by Lupita Nyong’o. Momoah will co-star as Obinze, who falls in love with Nyongo’s Ifemelu as teenagers in Nigeria but who go two separate ways in post-Sept. 11 America. Aduba will play Aunty Uju, Ifemelu’s aunt and confidente who left Nigeria under tumultuous circumstances. The 10-episode series has a pilot written by Danai Gurira, who will serve as showrunner. Bialy/Thomas is in charge of casting.
“Landscapers”
Oscar winner and “The Crown” star Olivia Colman has set a new starring role. The actor will topline the HBO and Sky original true-crime drama “Landscapers,” a four-part series exploring the lives of convicted killers Christopher and Susan Edwards (played by Colman). The role of Christopher has yet to be cast. Alexander Payne will direct the project, and Ed Sinclair, Colman’s husband, has written the screenplay based on real events. “Landscapers” is set to start production next year and will air internationally. Payne exclusively uses John Jackson as his casting director—read about their collaboration here at Backstage!
“The Dirty Dozen”
Warner Bros. is reuniting with David Ayer for a major remake. The studio has tapped the “Suicide Squad” director for a contemporary remake of the classic war pic “The Dirty Dozen.” Ayer will write and direct the remake, which was originally released in 1967 and starred Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Charles Bronson, Jim Brown, and others. Originally set in World War II, the remake will reportedly be set in the present day with a similar storyline. Lindsay Graham and Mary Vernieu will likely continue their collaboration with Ayer as casting directors.
“Permanent Record”
Jon M. Chu may be busy at work on the “Crazy Rich Asians” sequel, as well as preparing for the release of next summer’s “In the Heights,” but he’s already adding more projects to his filmmaking to-do list. The director will next produce and likely helm “Permanent Record” for Warner Bros., an adaptation of Mary H.K. Choi’s YA novel of the same name. The story follows Pablo, a Brooklyn deli worker, and Leanna, a child star maintaining fame into adulthood, brought together in the early morning hours at the bodega. Choi will pen the adaptation and also serve as an executive producer on the project.
“The Lord of the Rings”
Middle-earth is growing larger as the upcoming “Lord of the Rings” series for Amazon has added another to its cast. “His Dark Materials” star Morfydd Clark has reportedly landed a leading role in the project, with sources saying she will play young Galadriel (portrayed by Cate Blanchett in the film franchise). She joins a cast that currently includes Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle, and Maxim Baldry. The series will be written by JD Payne and Patrick McKay. “Game of Thrones” alum Bryan Cogman has also recently signed on to be a consulting producer on the project, with J.A. Bayona set to direct multiple episodes. “The Lord of the Rings” has already been given a two-series order ahead of its first season.
“Jerusalem’s Lot”
According to Deadline, Epix has given a 10-episode straight-to-series order to “Jerusalem’s Lot,” based on the Stephen King short story and starring Adrian Brody. This is a big step forward for Epix, as the series becomes the first from Epix Productions, its in-house production arm, making it the latest premium network to launch its own production banner. Peter and Jason Filardi will script the story, which is set in the 1850s and follows Captain Charles Boone as he relocates his family to his ancestral home in Maine after his wife dies at sea. The Filardi brothers will also serve as showrunners and executive producers. Production is slated to begin in May 2020 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with a planned fall 2020 premiere. Keep an eye out for casting news in winter as pre-production progresses.
Looking to get cast? Apply to casting calls on Backstage.
